ROBERT BAMFORD, a practical and prosperous agriculturist of Robinson township, is a native of Washington county. Robert, Bamford, his father, was born in 1824, in Ireland, and in 1848 came with a party of young people to Pittsburgh, Penn. He had learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed about eighteen months in Pittsburgh. On March 8, 1851, he was united in marriage with Sarah G., daughter of David and Martha (Adams) Gordon, both natives of Ireland. David Gordon was first married to Sarah Gardener, who bore him eight children, all now deceased. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Gordon was married to Martha Adams, who had eight children, but two of whom are yet living: Sarah G. (wife of Robert Bamford) and Eliza (wife of John Hanley), of Belfast, Ireland. The father died in 1838, in Ireland, his wife following him in 1852. Robert and Sarah G. (Gardener) Bamford were the parents of four children, namely: David G. (a miller in Midway, Robinson township), born February 20, 1852; William, born November 16, 1854 (farming in this county); Robert, born February 16, 1857; and Mary, born February 2, 1859 (living at home). In 1853 Mr. Bamford moved to Noblestown, Allegheny county, working there at his trade for about two years. He then moved to Bulger, this county, remaining about four years, thence to Primrose, where he resided four years, continuing to follow his trade during these changes of location. In 1863 he bought a farm of fifty-three acres (where his son Robert is now living), in Robinson township, and still followed his trade. He afterward added 182 ½ acres to the farm, and became an extensive dealer in stock, accumulating a large amount of property by combining his agricultural duties with his trade, which he followed thirty-three years. He voted with the Democratic party, and was much interested in educational matters, having been school director; he was also one of the directors of the Oakdale Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He was a member and trustee of the U. P. Church for many years. He died January 3, 1887, and his widow is yet living with her son on the home farm. She is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. Robert Bamford was reared on the home farm, and educated in the common schools of the neighborhood. On February 16, 1887, he was united in marriage with Jennie M. Donaldson, of this county, who was born August 20, 1856, and was a daughter of John M. Donaldson. John M. Donaldson was a son of Andrew, whose father, James Donaldson, emigrated from Ireland at an early day, locating in Washington county, where children were born and reared as follows: Thomas, Andrew, John, Richard, and four daughters, whose names are unknown. Andrew Donaldson was born in this county, being educated in the rate schools of the period, which were built of rough-hewn logs, and furnished in the most primitive manner. In early life he was married to Jane, daughter of John McBurney, and they settled on a farm situated between Bavington and North Star, where the following children were born to them: Sally, Jane, Mary Ann, Elizabeth (deceased), Esther (deceased), James, John M., Margaret, Thomas and an unnamed infant. Of these children seven are now living. Mr. Donaldson was an active Democrat, and in religion was first united with the Associate Reformed Church of Robinson township, which afterward became the United Presbyterian Society. He died in 1843. John M. Donaldson was born July 25, 1831, on the home farm in this county. In 1855 he was married to Martha M. Bigger, and they came to the farm where they are now living, which, together with 109 acres presented by Mr. Bigger, forms a good place of 279 acres. The following children were born to their union: Jane M. (Mrs. Bamford), Andrew, Thomas B., Sarah C. , Mary E., Emmett T. (deceased), Elizabeth H., James W., Margaret B., Richard M., and Holland H. Robert and Jennie M. (Donaldson) Bamford have one son, John D., born March 27, 1888. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bamford are earnest members of the Centre United Presbyterian Church, in which he serves as trustee.

Text taken from page 558 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed June 1997 by Marion L. Smith of San Diego, CA as part of the Beers Project. Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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