T. M. BERRYHILL. Among the progressive business men of Mt. Pleasant township, this gentleman is recognized as one of the leading citizens and most successful dairy farmers. He is a representative of one of the prominent pioneer families of Washington county. William Berryhill was of Scotch descent, and served as captain under Washington throughout the Revolution. After that struggle 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 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 tan yard for some time, and then opened a general store at West Liberty. He finally sold out, and became one of the pioneer boatmen of that vicinity, making trips from West Liberty, 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 formally 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., Maria I. (wife of William McKenly), James, John, Samuel and Martha. William G. Berryhill (son of Alexander), was born in 1802, in West Liberty, W. Va., and came with his parents to Cross Creek township in an early day. On December 8, 1831, he was united in marriage with Maria Marshall, who was born in 1803, in Venango county, Penn., and coming with her parents to North Strabane township, there grew to womanhood. Mr. Berryhill was a teacher of Cross Creek township, and after his marriage resided in different parts of the county until 1841, when he and his wife moved to Knox county, Ill., thence to Richland county, Ohio, where they remained one winter; then located in Knox county, Ohio, where he followed his profession in connection with farming; in 1848 he returned to Cross Creek village, Washington Co., Penn. In politics he was an ardent Democrat, and in religion he and his wife were members of the Union Church in Mount Vernon, Ohio. He died in June, 1848, and within a fortnight his wife was laid beside him. They were the parents of six children, viz.: Alexander (deceased in 1856, a cabinet maker of Mount Vernon, Ohio), T. M. (whose name opens this sketch), Abner (deceased in 1858, Armstrong county, Penn.), Moses Linn (deceased when two years of age), Arabella (deceased in Allegheny county, Penn.) and James (accidentally killed near Burgettstown, Penn.) T. M. and Jane (Griffith) Berryhill first settled in Hickory, this county, where he followed the blacksmith's trade until 1863. He then moved to Jefferson county, Ohio, where he bought a farm and remained until 1867, when he sold out, and returning to Washington county, settled on the farm of 162 acres which he now owns. He has followed dairy farming exclusively for six years, milking from twenty to twenty-four cows daily, and raising enough stock to supply the dairy. He has a good house and barn, and is a prosperous citizen, in politics voting with the Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Berryhill are members of the U. P. Church at Hickory, of which he is a ruling elder. Their union has been blessed with the following children: Nettie A. (wife of Robert A. Russell, Mount Pleasant township), William G. (a medical student, married to Della McCarrell), Blanche B. (wife of Harry A. Smith, Mt. Pleasant township), Charley M. and Lulu A. (the latter two yet living at home.)

Text taken from page 728 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Karen Souhrada of Pittsford, NY as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]