ISAAC C. AILES, who is a member of one of the oldest families of Pennsylvania, is of early Welsh ancestry. Stephen Ailes was born and passed his whole life in Chester county, Penn., where his son Amos was born in 1751, and grew to manhood. In early life Amos Ailes was married to Ann, daughter of Joseph Brown, a farmer of Chester county, Penn., and soon after they came to Washington county, locating on a tract of land in East Pike Run township, which had then been in the possession of Joseph Brown for about two years. At the time Amos Ailes settled upon it, the place was an unbroken wilderness, inhabited only by wild beasts and wandering Indians. Two young girls named Scott were killed by the Redmen about this time, and Mrs. Ailes shot a deer in her dooryard soon after their arrival. In this wild forest home children were born to these pioneers, and reared, as follows: Joseph, Stephen, Aaron, Mary (wife of Eli Gause), James, Sarah (wife of John Waites), Isaac and Amos. Mr. Ailes was a Whig in politics, and in religion a member of the Society of Friends. He died in February, 1835, and was buried by the side of his wife in the Westland cemetery in East Bethlehem township, Washington county. Isaac Ailes was born March 21, 1794, on the home farm in East Pike Run township, Washington county. He attended the Union school house, which was one of the first erected in East Pike Run township, and built over a century ago. On May 24, 1824, he was united in marriage with Nancy, daughter of Nathan Coleman. Mr. Coleman was born and reared in eastern Maryland, where he was married to Elizabeth Duncan. In 1802 they came to West Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., and a few years later moved to Ohio. Their children were Sophia (wife of Elisha Mayhorn), Maria (married to Nathan Rice) and Nancy (wife of Isaac Ailes). After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ailes settled on the home place where they passed the rest of their lives. He was a Whig and Republican, and in 1840 was elected justice of the peace, holding that office until 1850, also serving as school director several years. He was an energetic, enterprising man until rheumatism compelled him to retire from active work and spend the last twenty-eight years of his life an invalid. He died February 28, 1874, having been preceded by his wife in August, 1872 , and they were buried in the home cemetery. Mrs. Ailes was a devout Methodist, while Mr. Ailes was reared in the Quaker faith. Their children were born as follows: Ann (wife of Samuel Sickman), Jane (married to Wesley White), Matilda (wife of William Stockdale), Isaac C. , and Stephen H (deceased). Isaac C. Ailes was born December 4, 1834, in East Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., and attended the home schools during his boyhood, afterward taking charge of the home place. On February 6, 1855, he was united in marriage with Margaret M., daughter of Jacob Snyder, who was a son of Nicholas Snyder. The latter was a native of Westmoreland county, Penn., where he grew to manhood, and was married to Eva Hough, who bore him the following children: John, Jacob, Mary, Charlotte (wife of Joseph Krepps), William, Henry, Joseph, David, Louisa (wife of William Norcross ), James and Margaret (married to Harvey Seymour). The father of this family was a Democrat in political opinion, and in religious faith a member of the Lutheran Church. Jacob Snyder was born in 1804, on the home place in Westmoreland county, where he was reared and educated. He was married to Hannah, daughter of Thomas Stockdale, a native of Washington county, Penn., born November 15, 1808, and to this union were born eight children, namely: Stockdale, Allen (deceased), Amy A. (deceased), Margaret M. (wife of Isaac C. Ailes), Charlotte (deceased), William, Louisa (wife of Philip Smith) and Deborah A. (deceased wife of Caleb Porter). Soon after his marriage Mr. Snyder moved to a farm in Fayette county, same State, where the remainder of his life was passed. Politically he voted with the Democratic party, and in religion was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which he was an elder for forty years. Isaac C. And Margaret M. (Snyder) Ailes began wedded life on the home place in East Pike Run township, where they are yet living. They have had five children, as follows: Allen H. (married Jenna A. Chester, March 21, 1877, and the same year they moved to the State of Missouri; she died August 21, 1881, and he died November 21, same year, leaving one son, Renald, who, when about two years old, was sent to his grandparents on the home farm); Anson A. (married to Lizzie M. Lytle, of Allegheny county, Penn., and they reside on the home farm); Rilla A. (deceased); Irena (married to James H. McCrory, and living on an adjoining farm; they have four sons: Ralph A., Albert J., Clarence H. and Ira C.); and Luella (remaining at home). Mr. Ailes is a stanch member of the Republican party, and has served his township for twelve years as township auditor. He has been president of the California National Bank since its first organization, August 6, 1891, with William H. Binns as cashier. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, giving it liberal support, and has been Sunday-school superintendent at the Union schoolhouse near the home place.

Text taken from page 432 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by Marion L. Smith of San Diego, CA as part of the Beers Project. Published May 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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