MATTHEW BLAINE, one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of Beallsville, Penn., is also a representative of one of the oldest families of Washington county. His grandfather, John Blaine, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, where he was married, and reared the following family: John (who came to America prior to the Revolutionary war, and heartily espoused the cause of his adopted country, after the close of the war settling in Venango county, Penn.), James, Leonard, Matthew, Robert and a daughter, who died on the voyage to America. The four younger brothers came with their mother to America in 1779, and after a three months' voyage landed in New York. They first located in East Bethlehem township, Washington Co.. Penn., then purchased a small farm in Somerset township, same county, where Indians were very numerous. Robert, Matthew and Leonard then moved to Venango county, where the two former passed their lives. After coming to America, Leonard Blaine (who was born in 1761, in County Antrim, Ireland) resided in Venango county for about eight years, then came to Washington county, and was there married to Margaret Isehart. The young people settled on the wild tract of land in Somerset township, this county, and reared the following children: Margaret, deceased wife of John Jones; Elizabeth, deceased wife of Joshua Craven; William, deceased; Leonard; Jane, married to David Fleming; Mary and Matthew. The father was a very well educated man, and taught school until the present educational system was organized. The schoolhouse was of the usual primitive style, furnished in a meager way, and the text-books then used were limited to the "United States Speller" and the "Western Calculator." The terms of tuition were $1.25 per pupil for a term of three months, but many were taught by Mr. Blaine without payment, and no charge was made for old pupils. Politically he was a Democrat, and served as clerk of the Washington county commissioners; in religious faith he was a member of the Seceder Church at Pigeon Creek. He died in 1848, followed by his wife in 1850. and both were buried on the home place. Matthew Blame was born February 14,1819, on the home farm in Somerset township, Washington Co., Penn., and attended the subscription schools of the locality. He began life for himself at the age of fifteen years, and on May 14,1843, married Mary, daughter of Bennett and Ann (Hill) Morton, natives of East Bethlehem township, this county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Morton were as follows: Mary, wife of Matthew Elaine; Stephen; Joseph, who enlisted in the Ringgold Battalion, was captured and first taken to Libby Prison, thence to Andersonville, where he died; John; Eleanor, wife of William C. Sargeant; Moses, and Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Zellars. The father was a Whig in politics, and in religion a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. and Mrs. Blaine resided on the old homestead until 1872, when he purchased a farm in East Bethlehem township, this county, remaining there until 1890, then came to their present home in Beallsville. He has always followed agricultural pursuits. In political opinion he is actively identified with the Democratic party, and has served as justice of the peace; in religion he is a member and steward of the M. E. Church. Mrs. Blaine passed away July 1, 1889, leaving two daughters, Elizabeth J., wife of John Aiken, and Margaret M. A., married to Stephen W. Hill.

Text taken from page 324 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed August 1997 by Jean Suplick Matuson of Plano, TX as part of the Beers Project. Published August 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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