ROBERT D. WYLIE a well-known representative, native born citizen of South Strabane township is descended from rugged Scotch ancestry, of whom the first to come to this country were three brothers - two settling in eastern Pennsylvania, the third, the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, taking up his abode in the western part of the State. David Wylie, father of Robert D., was born, in 1799 near Wheeling, W. Va., where he was reared and educated. When a young man he came to this county and for a time made his home in the borough of Washington, with Hugh Wylie. his uncle at that time a feuding citizen of the county. Hugh Wylie was postmaster at Washington, his nephew, David, being his assistant, and served during three administrations the office during that period being important as a distributing one for Pittsburgh and all points west. In 1828 David Wylie married Eunice, daughter of David Hanna, of Columbiana county, Ohio, and they then settled on the place where David Wylie passed the remainder of his days. By this union there was one child, H. H. E. E. M. Mansley). This wife dying , Mr. Wylie married, June ], 1831 for his second helpmate, Harriet Belle, daughter of Gen. Robert Simison, of Columbiana county Ohio, who had been a Revolution- soldier under Washington and was afterward sent west, during the latter's administration to i survey the State of Ohio at which time he took up a large tract of land in what is now Columbiana county He commanded as brigadier-general a division of the army detailed to keep the Indians in check and, while on a forced march, was seize with a fever from which be died He was a native of Cumberland county Penn where be married Margaret Sanderson. They had seven children as follows Elizabeth( who became the wife of Robert Leonard of Hancock county, Ohio) ; Jane (wife of William Blanchard, of Lawrence county Penn.) ; Margaret (wife of Robert Filson in Columbiana county, Ohio): Martha (wife of James Seott in Jackson county Iowa); Ann unmarried; Harriet Belle (wife of David Wylie) anti Samuel S. By this marriage Mr. Wylie had a family of ten children of whom the following is a brief record: Tappan W. died March ], 1871 Hugh H. died in 1834 Simison R., living at home; Edmund 13., in Jackson county, Iowa; Robert D., our subject, of whom special mention is made further on; William S.. Catherine I. anti James S. (triplets), all deceased; Rev. Samuel S. and David Austin. Of these, Tappan NV. attended Washington College three years and married Nancy, daughter of Ebenezer McLean, of Washington county, Penn. He was a soldier in the Civil war, serving in the army of the Potomac be was killed in 1871 by the explosion of a boiler: Simison R. attended Washington College two years, after which be engaged in farming on the home farm in South Strabane township, where be still resides: he is still unmarried. Edmund B. attended Washington College two years and was married, in 1869, to Lizzie McConnell a native of Beaver county, Penn., and their children are Robert B., Clyde K, Scott and Harry B. Edmund B. enlisted in August, 1862, and served throughout the entire war with Sherman, being at his post of duty without intermission. Since 1865 he has resided in Jackson county, Iowa, where be owns and manages a large and profitable farm. Samuel S. graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in 1866 studied theology for two years at the Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny, Penn., and one year in Edinburgh Scotland (he settled at Middle Springs, Cumberland Co., Penn., as pastor of the Presbyterian Church at that place, in 1872, where he now resides' having had but one charge in the ministry. While a student at college he enlisted in Knapp's Batteryand served his country in guarding Washington, D. C., for six months. On November 9 1873, he was married to Jane M. McCune, of Cumberland county Penn. and his children are Hattie M., Eva anti Samuel S.) David Wylie, the father of this family died April 13, 1879 the mother August 25, 1883. Mr. Wylie Commenced with 100 acres of wild land which he vastly improved and greatly added to. In polities he was a Whig afterward a Republican and was one of the leading men ill his party in religion be was a member for many years of the Presbyterian Church in Chartiers township Robert D. Wylie whose name opens this sketch was born August 23, 1840, on the farm where he now resides, and in the same house and was here reared. His primary education was received in the schools of the district. In 1857 he entered Washington (Penn.) Union School, attending that school for two years. In 1859 he was enrolled in the senior prep. class of Washington College, and went without interruption until he graduated in September 1863, being graded fifth in his class. Soon after graduation he undertook to fill the different positions of tutor of ancient languages and professor pro tem. of mathematics in the same institution. In 1868 be gave up teaching as a profession. During that year be was entered as a law student in Washington bar, reading with Alex. Wilson; but owing to continued ill health, at the urgent solicitation of his parents he reluctantly gave up a profession and concluded to try farming Since 1869 he has been actively engaged in farming on the farm where he now resides. On June 14, 1882, he was married to Margaret E. Walker youngest daughter of Jonathan Walker, of Butler county, Penn. They have two living children Walker M. and Leila M. McK. Wylie. R.D Wylie is a member of the Presbyterian Church and Mrs. Wylie is a member of the Lutheran church.

Text taken from page 747 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Marcia Rothman of Langley, WA as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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