JOSEPH WILLISON. On January 4, 1827, one Daniel Houston purchased 256 acres of land in Chartiers township, and after the Chartiers Valley R. R. was completed, laid out Houstonville. The fertile valley was a pleasant site for the proposed village, and lots were soon purchased; the work of building progressed rapidly, and ere long a beautiful little town had sprung into existence. Among those who were charmed with the location and appearance of the place was Joseph Willison, a native of Allegheny county, Penn. He is a son of Isaac Willison, who was born in Cumberland county, Penn., and reared on the home farm. In early manhood Isaac Willison selected a life companion in the person of Martha, daughter of Stephen Long. She died at Noblestown, Allegheny Co., Penn., leaving three children, namely: Catharine, Eliza and Joseph Willison. Catharine was married to William Chisholm. To this union one son was born, and in process of time he became Dr. I. W. Chisholm, of New Concord, Ohio. Eliza married John Cooper, of Venango county, Penn., and to them were born two sons and two daughters. Joseph Willison was born August 24, 1823, near Noblestown, Allegheny county, and when yet a boy hired out as a farm hand for on year at $7 per month. His mother died when he was but two days old, and at the age of fourteen years he was left an orphan. At the end of his first year's work on the farm he made another bargain, and worked on a farm the following six years for $10 per month, the highest wages then received. His education was obtained at the subscription school, Moon township, Allegheny county, and the Moore school, near Hickory, this county, where he received instruction at the rate of 2 cents per day -- not being a regularly enrolled student. A hard life was that of the homeless orphan lad, but bravely, uncomplainingly, he struggled on, rewarded at last for his indomitable spirit of persevering industry. At the age of twenty-one years, he went to work in a flouring mill at Canonsburg for $10 per month, with his Uncle Butler Willison (who was a cousin of Gen. Ben. Butler), remaining there until he had learned the business. He then went to Patton's mill, working there two years for $12 per month. In 1849 he returned to Canonsburg and took charge of the flour mill (owned by James Berry) on shares. At that time the mill was not paying expenses, but when, fourteen years later, he retired on account of ill health, they were doing a very prosperous business, and 10,000 bushels of grain were in the mill. On February 12, 1850, this enterprising young business man decided that a permanent partnership was essential to the highest success in life, and to fill that important position selected Elizabeth, daughter of William and Ellen Black. Children were born to the union of Joseph and Elizabeth Willison as follows: Anna Belle (wife of Charlie Jones), born January 9, 1851, died April 30, 1880, leaving one son and daughter; Ellen Clara, born January 2, 1852, deceased October 30, 1852; and Lizzie, born February 23, 1853, deceased August 31, 1877. The mother passed away March 4, 1853, and on June 22, 1854, Joseph Willison was married to Anna, daughter of James and Nancy Lyons, of Beaver county, Penn. To this marriage the following children have been born, of whom the following is a brief record. Linda P., born October 7, 1855, is the widow of John B. Miller, who owned the grain cradle factory; since the death of her husband Mrs. Miller has not only conducted the business with admirable success, but has enlarged the capacity of the mill. Homer I., born May 24, 1857, is now operating his father's farm; he is married to Dorrit, daughter of Andrew Russell. William Oscar, born August 1, 1861, is engaged in putting down gas and oil wells; the maiden name of his wife was Jennie Taggart, daughter of Samuel Taggart. J. Knowles was born May 1, 1863, and died December 30, 1880. Walter D., born October 23, 1866, is foreman in the grain cradle factory for his sister, Mrs. Miller. Charlie B., born September 18, 1870, is also employed in the same factory. In the year 1863 Joseph Willison purchased a farm of 127 acres, situated one mile west of Houstonville, Chartiers township. This place is underlaid with a heavy vein of coal, and contains some of the best buildings within the limits of Washington county. In 1886 Mr. Willison sustained a very heavy loss by fire, his barn and grain being utterly destroyed; but he, at once, erected a new barn with the best modern improvements, costing him over $3,000. He deals very extensively in stock, having first invested in breeding the Black-Top Dickson sheep, which has since been his favorite breed. He has been very successful in this special department of stock raising, and the demand for his sheep is greater than the supply. He sells at various prices, always realizing a handsome profit from his stock, which is of the finest quality, all being registered. In political opinion he was a Whig and a Republican, and since the organization of the "Prohibition party" has been one of its most ardent devotees, having cast the first and only vote in his district. He also favors woman's suffrage, and is interested in all the progressive and educational movements of the day. In 1851 he united with the Presbyterian Church, and twelve years later joined the United Presbyterian Society at Canonsburg, with which Mrs. Willison is also identified. Their home in Houstonville is of the most modern style, lacking no comfort or luxury which a cultured taste can suggest.

Text taken from page 329 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed July 1997 by Linda Vourlogianes of Petaluma, CA as part of the Beers Project. Published July 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]