CHESTER B. ABERCROMBIE, teller of the First National Bank, Claysville, and one of the leading business men of the borough, is a native of Washington county, born in Donegal township, near West Alexander, August 16, 1829. James Abercrombie, his grandfather, also a native of this State, for a time followed farming in eastern Pennsylvania, whence in an early day he came to Washington county, settling on a farm in Donegal township, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was married to a lady of eastern Pennsylvania, who bore him children as follows: William, Thomas, James, John, Margaret (Mrs. John Crusen), Nancy (Mrs. William Wadde) and Isabella, all living to over fifty years of age. The parents were members and active supporters of the Covenanter Church, and in politics Mr. Abercrombie was a loyal Democrat.
Thomas Abercrombie, father of subject, was born in eastern Pennsylvania in 1800, and there received his education at the subscription schools of his locality. At the age of twenty-five he married Catherine, daughter of Robert Barr, of Washington county, but a native of Ireland, having come to America at an early age. At the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, he enlisted in the army of patriots. and served his adopted country as a drummer boy, coming out of the struggle unwounded. He also served in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of Lundy's Lane, where he suffered severly from cold, and at one time had to take shelter in a hog-pen. Before the war last spoken of, Mr. Barr had settled in Donegal township, this county, while the Redman was still endeavoring to protect his native soil from the rude grasp of the Caucasian invader. On one occasion he helped to rescue a woman and her child from the Indians. bringing them to a blockhouse situated west of Claysville. Mr. Barr lived to the patriarchal age of one hundred and one years, and died respected by all. Politically he was a Democrat. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Abercrombie resided near West Alexander, in Donegal township, until 1843, when they moved to a farm near Claysville, and in October, 1856. they took their departure for Mercer county, Ill., where the mother died in 1867, the father in 1868. He was first a Whig, then an Abolitionist. and finally a Republican; in matters of religion he was a member of the M. E. Church. The children born to this highly respected couple were Jane, Chester B., Henry, and Joseph and Anna (twins). Of these, Henry enlisted during the Civil war in the Eighty-second Ill. V. I., was promoted to a lieutenancy, and was killed at the battle of Stone River.
Chester B. Abercrombie passed his early life on the home farm in Donegal township, receiving his education at the schools of the neighborhood, which was supplemented by home reading and quiet study; and he early evinced those business qualifications, marked characteristics of his life, which have elevated him to his present prominent and responsible position. Mr. Abercrombie, after leaving school, first commenced to learn the trade of a cabinet maker, at Waynesburg, Greene Co., Penn., with James Grenier, with whom he remained two years and then came to Claysville, where he followed the same business one year, at the end of which time he entered the employ of L. C. Truesdell, working for him about four years, following which he was with R. S. Brownlee a short time. In 1857 he entered into partnership with T. C. Noble, in general merchandising, continuing in same four years, when they took in as a partner M. L. Stillwagen, the business being carried on under the style of T. C. Noble & Co., until 1874, when Mr. Noble retired, and the firm then became Abercrombie & Stillwagen. In 1876 Mr. Abercrombie sold out and engaged in the grain business. He was also agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company at Claysville from 1867 to 1885. In 1890 he entered the employ of the First National Bank of Claysville, of which he is now teller. On May 22, 1862, Mr. Abercrombie was united in marriage with Mary J., daughter of Thomas Henderson, of Washington county, and two children were born to them, Kate and Blanche, the latter of whom died December 1, 1889.
They both received their elementary education in the schools of Claysville, and afterward at the Washington (Penn.) Ladies' Seminary, under the principalship of Miss Nancy Sherrard. Their mother departed this life April 19, 1874. Mr. Abercrombie and his daughter are members of the Presbyterian Church at Claysville, in which he has been trustee, for several years. In his political preferences he has at all times been a Republican, belonging to the party from the time of its organization.
Text taken from page 73 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed April 1997 by Paula Talbert of Caldwell, OH as part of the Beers Project.
Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/ .[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]