JAMES, JOHN and JOSIAH BLYTHE are sons of William and Mary S. (Marshall) Blythe, the former of whom, a farmer by occupation, was born on the old family farm in Fallowfield township, Washington Co., Penn., in 1800. William Blythe was a son of James Blythe, a native of the North of Ireland, whence, in company with his brothers, John and Harry, he emigrated to America. James settled on the farm that yet remains in the family, in Fallowfield township, this county; John near what is now Fayette City, Fayette Co., Penn., while Henry went to Ohio, thence to the South. They were all Scotch- Irish Presbyterians. William married Mary S. Marshall, a native of Cross Creek township, Washington county, born in 1809 a daughter of James K. and Rebecca (Hanover) Marshall, the father a native of Ireland, whence, when but a child, his parents brought him to this country, and to Cross Creek township, this county. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and for his services to the Government was given a warrant for 160 acres of land. He and his wife were Presbyterians of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. William Blythe were the parents of eight children five sons and three daughters viz.: James, Alexander F. (who died in June, 1840, aged seven years), John, Emeline (who died in 1848, aged twelve years), Elmira (married to Smith Carson, and residing on their farm in Fallowfield township), Josiah, William F. (who was a soldier in the Civil war, having enlisted, when eighteen years of age, in the Sixth Heavy Artillery, Two Hundred and Twelfth Regiment P. V., and died in November, 1864, of fever incurred through exposure in the field; he was unmarried), Harriet A. (married to Morgan Redd; they reside on their farm in Ohio). The mother died in September, 1863, the father on January 31, 1883. He was the owner of 300 acres of land in Washington county, and 320 in the West. JAMES BLYTHE, eldest son of William and Mary S. Blythe, is a prominent contractor, builder and lumber dealer in Monongahela. He was born November 9, 1831, in Fallowfield township, Washington Co., Penn., on the old homestead farm, which he now owns, and which was the property of his father and grandfather before him. He remained on the farm until he was twenty years old, when he came to Monongahela and followed the trade of a carpenter. On March 20, 1856, he was married in Monongahela to Miss Elizabeth Butler, who was born on her father's farm in Carroll township, three miles southeast of Monongahela, a daughter of Ira R. and Mary (Boyd) Butler, the former born in Chester county, the latter near Havre-de-Grace, Md. Mr. Butler was a Quaker, and was descended from the followers of William Penn. The latter gave 1,000 acres to the family ancestor in Chester county, and a lot in Philadelphia, which latter is still in the possession of the family. The late Gen. Benjamin F. Butler was of the same family. In 1859 James Blythe moved to the old homestead farm in Fallowfield township, which he purchased in 1869. In 1876 he engaged in the lumber business under the firm name of Foster, Blythe & Neel. In 1884 he moved into Monongahela, where he has since resided. He and his wife have had children as follows: William H., burgess of Charleroi, and engaged in real estate and farming (he married Miss Joanna Carson, who died in 1871, and they had one daughter, Millie); Ira R., a farmer owning a farm near Scenery Hill, Bethlehem township (he married Miss Josephine Carson, and they have five children: Cora, Luella, Alpha, James and Russell); and Mary A., residing with her parents. Mr. Blythe is a member of Henry M. Phillips Lodge, A. F. & A.M. He is a Republican, and has held various offices of trust, including president of the select and common councils. In October, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth P. V. I., serving until July, 1863, and was first sergeant of his company. Mr. and Mrs. Blythe are members of the M. E. Church, and rank among the leading citizens of their town. JOHN BLYTHE, third son of William and Mary S. Blythe, was born on the old farm in Fallowfield township. He is a prominent architect and lumber merchant of Monongahela. He has been twice married, first to Miss Martha Pierce, by whom he had four children, only one of them surviving, Lorena, a thoroughly accomplished and well-educated young lady. She spent one year in an art school in Paris, France, and now resides in Monongahela. Her mother died in 1867, and Mr. Blythe then married Miss Lavina Campbell, by whom he has two children, Harry and May. JOSIAH BLYTHE, fourth son of William and Mary S. Blythe, was born on the old home farm in Fallowfield township. When he was a youth his father purchased a farm in Carroll township, this county, to which Josiah removed, and has here since resided. At the death of his father he bought the interest in this farm of the remaining heirs. In 1872 he married Miss Nannie S. Teeters, of Monongahela, a daughter of Abraham and Fanny S. Teeters, and to this union have been born six children, as follows: William J., Minnie C., Lulu V., Sallie E., Laura V. and Norman B., all yet living under the parental roof. Mr. Blythe is a thorough French scholar, speaking the language fluently, as well as reading and writing it. He is a Republican, and takes an active interest in all political matters. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. He is engaged in general agriculture, including stock raising, and makes a specialty of Poland-China swine. He is also interested in other fine stock, including fancy poultry, turkeys and geese, of which he breeds many fine specimens of different varieties.

Text taken from page 954 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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