ELIZABETH M. BOON is a lady whose ancestors were among the earliest and most prominent pioneers of the county. Galbraith Stewart, the maternal grandfather of Miss Boon, was practically the founder of the prosperous town of West Middletown. The warm blood of Irish patriots coursed through the veins of this pioneer, a worthy representative of his race. Galbraith Stewart was born in America and early evinced the economical and industrious traits of his people. He learned the blacksmith's trade, and in early manhood was united in marriage with Elizabeth Scott (a native of Scotland), who with two other children was left an orphan at an early age. She was afterward brought to Pennsylvania by an uncle, and there grew to womanhood. Mr. Stewart secured a large tract of land, lying north of the present site of West Middletown, and after his marriage erected a shop and the first cabin of what afterward became West Middletown. It was situated on the north side of the road, which was much traveled by emigrants for Ohio county, Va., this being for some time the only building in the neighborhood. Plenty of custom came to the pioneer smithy, and when her household duties were done Mrs. Stewart would work the bellows, while her husband mended a chain or forged a bolt for the broken wagon of some traveler. As time passed on the place became a stopping point for westward bound emigrants, and Mr. Stewart erected a more commodious building for the accommodation of travelers. The fire in the blacksmith shop died out as the labors of the tavern-keeper and his wife increased. Prosperity l came to them, Mr. Stewart erected several other buildings, and the nucleus of West Middletown was formed. In after years "Grandma Stewart" often declared to the children about her that the happiest days of her life were passed in the little one-room cabin by the roadside. For in following the path of duty which lay before them, they found that priceless pearl for which many a wealthy pleasure-seeker has sought in vain contentment. One by one little children came to bless their home, until eleven were gathered at their fireside, and only once did the angel of death hover over this happy pioneer family. Ten of the children lived to an adult age; seven of them were daughters: Eleanor (married to Thomas Boon), Mary (wife of Thomas McCall), Eliza (wife of Dr. David Adams), Margaret (married to James McFadden), Rebecca (Mrs. David McKennen), Harriet (wife of George Pentecost) and Clarissa (unmarried). The sons were William (married to Mary Cummins), Benjamin (married to Elizabeth Acheson) and Galbraith (married to Phoebe McKeever). Of these, Clarissa is the only one still living; she is residing in the State of Ohio. Eleanor Stewart (mother of the subject of this sketch) was married to Thomas Boon, who came from the eastern part of Pennsylvania and was a grandnephew of the famous pioneer, Daniel Boone, to whose descendants our subject is said to bear a strong resemblance. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Boon removed to Wellsburg, W. Va., and engaged in the New Orleans trade, making frequent trips and prospering. While on one of his trips in the year 1822, he was stricken with yellow fever and died in a short time. His widow, with her four children: Elizabeth M., Thomas, Stewart and William, returned to West Middletown, where she resided until her death, which occurred April 10, 1874. She never married again, but mourned for the companion of her youth until called to meet him. Her constant companion was her only daughter, who remained with her. Her solace and comfort was her deep-seated faith in the teachings of Christ. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. Thomas Boon (the eldest brother of Elizabeth M.) learned the tanner's trade, and removed to Ohio, where he married a Miss Criss. He now resides in Wayne county, Ohio. Stewart married Mary McKennen, of Reading, Penn. William married Miss Johnson, of Wayne county, Ohio.

Text taken from page 969 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/.

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