J. S. BLAYNEY. Among the prominent families of Washington county, the name of Blayney is identified as representing men of sterling worth, who lived lives of practical benefit to the community in which they resided. The earliest representatives of this family in the United States, of whom there is any record, were Charles Blayney and his parents who emigrated from Ireland to this country, when Charles was seven years old. They settled in Ohio county, W. Va., where Charles passed the rest of his life. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and received his education at the subscription schools of the period. In early manhood he married Ann Potter, by which union were born children as follows: William, Vincent M. and Josiah. This wife dying in the spring of 1816, soon after the birth of her youngest son, Mr. Blayney, for his second helpmeet, married Nancy Paris, of Ohio county, W. Va., and the children of this union were John, Elizabeth (wife of William Reed), Susanna (wife of John Valentine), Charles, Martha (wife of Rev. George McDonald), James, David, Adam, Rev. Henry and Rev. J. McCluskey, all now living far apart; some near the Atlantic ocean, others on the golden shores of the Pacific. The father died June 11, 1860, the mother November 10, 1880. Vincent M. Blayney, second son of Charles and Ann (Potter) Blayney, was born January 12, 1815, in Ohio county, W. Va. and was reared to manhood on the home farm, receiving at the same time a liberal education at the schools of his locality. In 1840 he was married to Mrs. Dora (Smith) Blaney, to which union one child was born J. S., the subject of this sketch. The mother died when J. S. was but a week old. The father afterward, August 27, 1844, married Mary D., daughter of Samuel Donahey, of Buffalo township, and by this marriage there were five children, viz.: Anna J. (wife of Dr. D. S. Eagleson), Rev. Charles P., Samuel D. (ruling elder in the Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church), William V. and Joseph C. Vincent M. Blayney was called from earth March 18, 1887. Politically he was a stanch Republican, and at various times held offices of trust in his township. He was a warm supporter of the Presbyterian Church, and a devout member. In his life vocation general farming and stock raising he made a well-merited success. J. S. Blayney was born October 10, 1842, in Ohio county, W. Va. On the same day that his mother died, his grandmother lost an infant, and immediately took the motherless little one to her home. Our subject remained in the home of his grandmother three years, then went to live with his father. In February 1865, he entered Company K, Sixty-first Regiment P. V. I., attached to the Sixth Army Corps, and took part in the battle of Petersburg and other engagements. When the war was ended he came home, and engaged in agricultural duties. On December 31, 1868, Mr. Blayney was married to Nancy B. Caldwell, who was born March 13, 1841, in Washington county, a daughter of Robert Caldwell. No children have blessed their union, but two adopted little ones James W. and Mary Oliver have found parental love and tender care beneath their roof. Mr. Blayney owns one of the finest farms in Washington county, which his father aided him to purchase. His luxurious home is elaborately furnished, and lighted and heated with gas, having every comfort and convenience. Politically he is an active Republican, and a valued member of the party; he has held nearly all the township offices. He is connected with the Buffalo Presbyterian Church, to which he gives a liberal support, both socially and financially. Mr. Blayney is one of the leading citizens and most prosperous farmers of Hopewell township.

Text taken from page 923 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 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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