J. L. BRADY was born in Washington, Washington Co., Penn., a descendant of Freeman Brady, who came to Washington, Penn., in about 1812, where he worked at his trade, that of mason. He married a Miss Means, of South Strabane township, this county, whose family reside on the place now known as the "Taylor farm," and their children are as follows: Sophia, Seaman (deceased), Andrew (deceased), John and Freeman, Samuel, James, David (deceased), Benjamin, and Martha (deceased). Mr. Brady took a very active part in local affairs, and at one time was postmaster at Washington. He was contractor for many of the abutments to the bridges, along the National pike, and built the courthouse and old jail. Although he had but a limited education, he became one of the most prominent men of the day. Politically, he was one of the old wheel horses of the Democratic party in Washington county. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. He died in 1872, when over seventy years of age, having been preceded to the grave by his wife. Benjamin Brady, son of Freeman, was born in Washington borough in 1836, and there passed his entire life. In 1859 he was married to Rebecca Jordan, of Washington, and three children were born to them: W. C., born March 4, 1860; J. L. (a sketch of whom follows) born September 28, 1862; and Katie H., born August 14, 1864 (married to John W. Hallam). Mr. Brady was a butcher and conducted a meat market, a business he followed all his life. He was generous to a fault, and ever ready to give a helping hand to the needy. He died in October, 1864, and his widow is still living in the borough of Washington. J. L. Brady lived in Washington until he was five years of age, when he came to Amwell township, and made his home with his granduncle and grandaunt, Isaac and Isabella Dager, the former of whom died when J. L. was a lad of fifteen summers, since which time he has successfully managed the farm, having previously received his education in the common schools. On October 16, 1889, he was united in marriage with Ella Hildebrand, daughter of Andrew and Mary Hildebrand, of West Bethlehem township, whose other children are Marion, Eli, Alvin, Frank, Rachel and Zoe. Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Brady have one child, Glenn, born May 28, 1891. Our subject is a Democrat, and is active in the politics of his township, always voting for the best man in local politics, regardless of party distinctions. Isaac Dager, granduncle of J. L. Brady, was born March 29, 1808, on the farm now occupied by our subject, and received a good rate-school education. He was married to Isabella Means, and there was born to them one daughter, Catherine Ann, who died at the age of nine years. Mr. Dager died December 4, 1876, on the farm where his life was passed, and his widow followed him to the grave September 27, 1888.

Text taken from page 1164 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 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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