JOHN P. WOOD, in his lifetime one of the leading citizens of Burgettstown, came of English ancestry. His grandfather, Peter Wood, was born and reared in the mother country, where he married, and reared a large family. They crossed the ocean and settled in Philadelphia, Penn., where the grandfather engaged in the wholesale dry-goods business. Some time later the family moved to Bucks county, same State, where they resided several years. He was a Quaker prior to his marriage, but, having made choice of a Baptist wife, was on that account dismissed from the Society. He died in Philadelphia. Ingham Wood was born on the home farm in Bucks county, Penn., where his boyhood was passed. In early life he spent three years as an apprentice in the pottery business, continuing in that vocation the rest of his life. He was married in Lancaster county, Penn., to Catherine Hoffman, who bore him the following children: Ingham R. (who was a graduate at West Point, and a lieutenant at Fort Snelling, dying at Baton Rouge), Ann E. (Mrs. William B. Whitehill, of Salt Lake City, Utah), Margaret (wife of James Phillips, of St. Louis, Mo.), John P. (of whom special mention is made further on), William, Benjamin F., Harriet (married to Dr. Donnan), and Jackson. In 1834 the father moved from Lancaster county, to Peoria, Ill., and thence proceeded to St. Louis, Mo.; but his wife dying, he afterward returned to Lancaster county. He died at Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
John P. Wood was born November 27, 1815, in Lancaster county, and passed his boyhood in the town of Lancaster. At the age of seventeen years he began to learn the pottery trade, serving a full apprenticeship with his father. When twenty-one years of age he came to Burgettstown, purchased a pottery establishment of Robert Brown, conducted that business for sixteen years, then sold out and bought the farm upon which he resided until March, 1877. On January 2, 1839, he was united in marriage with Esther M., daughter of Thomas Miller, and grandchild of Samuel Miller, the latter of whom was a native of Ireland, and was married in that country to Miss McNinch. They came to America, and resided in Cecil county, Md., until 1795, thence moving to Mt. Pleasant township, Washington Co., Penn., where he purchased a large tract of land. Both were members of the Seceder Church, and their children were Thomas, John Samuel, Jane, Margaret, Mary and Sarah.
Thomas Miller was born July 15, 1788, in Cecil county, Md., where he grew to manhood, and on July 10, 1809, was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Simpson. The young couple immediately moved to Washington county, making their unique bridal trip on horseback, and resided in Mt. Pleasant township until 1810, when they purchased a hotel in Burgettstown, Penn. Five children were born to their marriage, viz.: Anna M., Elizabeth, Samuel, John and Esther M. Mr. Miller was a drover in early life, buying and selling cattle, and driving them over the mountains to the eastern markets. He was captain in the militia during the war of 1812, and assisted in the defense at Lake Erie. He kept the first postoffice in Burgettstown, Penn. He was a member of the Seceder Church, and in politics voted the Democratic ticket. He died September 3, 1819, his widow in 1871.
John P. Wood passed suddenly away, June 27, 1892, his death being unexpected to all. He was the architect of his own fortune, and was his own success. He took an active part in politics, voting the Democratic ticket, and at the time of his demise was serving his third term as justice of the peace. He was a member of the U. P. Church, and one of the building committee who superintended the erection of the present house of worship in Burgettstown.
Text taken from page 870 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]