ALEXANDER S. BERRYHILL, a citizen of Burgettstown who has risen unaided from the lowest round of the ladder to a prominent position in business and social life, was born August 15, 1808, in West Liberty, W. Va. He is a son of Alexander, and grandson of William Berryhill. William Berryhill was of Scotch descent and served as captain under Washington throughout the Revolution. After the war he settled near Greencastle, Penn., and followed the blacksmith's trade some years, afterward purchasing the farm where his life was passed. In early manhood he was united in marriage with Ruth Steele, who was born in Ireland, coming with her parents to America when but one year of age. The children born to William and Ruth (Steele) Berryhill were as follows: Alexander S., Ruth (Mrs. Noble), William, Samuel, Elias and Isabella (wife of Rev. Blackburn). Mr. Berryhill was a Federalist in politics, taking an active interest in the affairs of the county. He and his family were members of the Presbyterian Church. Alexander Berryhill, father of Alexander S., was born in Lancaster county, Penn., and was educated in the schools of the neighborhood. In early life he came to Uniontown, Penn., where he was married to Mary, daughter of Moses Linn. After his marriage he moved to West Virginia, and conducted a tanyard for some time, then opened a general store at West Liberty, W. Va. He finally sold out and became one of the pioneer boatmen of that vicinity, making trips from West Liberty, W. Va., to Nashville, Tenn. He exchanged the Northern produce for cotton, sugar and other articles raised in the Southern States. While returning from one trip, he met the first steamboat that was ever on the Ohio river, and challenged the crew for a race to Short Creek. They accepted, and he won the race. In 1830 he came to Cross Creek township, this county where he made a permanent home. In politics he was formerly a Whig, afterward uniting with the Democratic party. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. They were the parents of the following children: William, Moses L., Alexander S., Mary E. (wife of William McKinley), James, John, Samuel and Martha. Alexander S. Berryhill (the subject of this biography) received a common-school education in the home district, and on April 15, 1840, was united in matrimony with Catherine, daughter of John Shipley. The young people immediately settled in Burgettstown, Penn., where they remained nine years, then went to Burlington, Iowa, being there one year, thence moved to Lancaster, Wis. They remained three years in the latter place, when the father of Mr. Berryhill died, and he returned home. He settled in Cross Creek, where he remained for some years. He then spent some time in Florence and at Cumberland, W. Va., and removed from Cumberland to Burgettstown at the time the railroad was being constructed. The railroad passed the town about half a mile northeast, and the station was called Cardville, by which it was known until the towns were incorporated as one, under the name of Burgettstown, in 1881. Mr. Berryhill built the first house in Cardville, and started a grocery store, continuing in this business until 1887, when he retired from active business and has since been leading a retired life. Mr. and Mrs. Berryhill have had the following children: Martha (wife of James Jackson), Mary L. (Mrs. Simpson), Flora, Belle (formerly Mrs. Richard Henrich, now wife of James P. Kelso, of the Burgettstown National Bank), Richana (wife W. E. Fisher, of Columbus, Ohio) and Ella. In religious faith he and his family are active members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Democrat, having cast his first vote for Jackson and his last for Grover Cleveland. In addition to the family of Alexander S. Berryhill above mentioned: Thomas M. Berryhill, son of William, Jr., and nephew of Alexander S., is the only surviving member of the Berryhill family. He resides on a farm near Hickory, Pennsylvania.

Text taken from page 1186 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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