The Brady Family, p. 313

THE BRADY FAMILY are numbered with the earliest pioneers of Washington county, one John Brady having settled in this county about the beginning of the present century. He became prominently associated with the political history of the county, and died after a useful life, leaving no family. He was a distant relative of Capt. John Brady, of Revolutionary fame, who was a native of New Jersey, and died soon after the war, leaving several children, of whom are named: Freeman; Moses, an attorney, in Canada, where he inherited an estate from his father; Andrew, an M. E. minister, deceased in Livingston county, N.Y.; William, deceased in Virginia, and Jane, deceased wife of William Gourley, of Livingston county, N.Y.

Freeman Brady was but four years of age when his father died, and his mother (who was afterward married to a Mr. Welch) died in 1840, in Livingston county, N. Y. Before the death of his mother, Freeman Brady went to live in Centre county, Penn., with his uncle, George Brown, of whom he learned the trade of mason. In 1816 he left the home of his uncle, and coming to Washington county took contracts for building the National pike, also serving in the capacity of superintendent for John H. Ewing. In 1820 Freeman Brady was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Benjamin and Martha Means. Her father was a native of New Jersey, and settled about 1796 in South Strabane township, Washington county, where he died in 1816; his widow passed away in 1859, at the age of over ninety years. They reared a family of ten children, all now deceased. To the union of Freeman and Mary (Means) Brady children were born as follows: Sophia, wife of James Simmons, in Washington, Penn.; John, also living in Washington; Andrew, deceased in 1875; Freeman, deceased; Martha, deceased in 1845; Samuel, a resident of Washington (a sketch of whom follows); James, also living in Washington; David, deceased, and Benjamin, who was killed on the streets of Washington, during a war riot. The father was actively identified with the Democratic party, and served in various local offices; by President Buchanan he was made postmaster at Washington; he was a Freemason. In 1840 he erected the court house and old stone jail of Washington county, and also put up many other prominent buildings. He died in 1876, his wife in 1875, having passed away at the age of eighty-five years. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church.

John Brady, son of Freeman and Mary (Means) Brady, was born November 20, 1821, on the home farm in North Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn. He learned of his father the trade of mason, which he followed over fifty years, and has worked on many of the public building of his native county. He laid the foundation of the courthouse of Washington county, and also assisted with the brick work. In 1856 John Brady married Esther, daughter of James Thompson, of Canonsburg, and she died one year after their marriage, leaving one son, John, who is now a railroad man. In 1863 Mr. Brady was married to Sarah, daughter of Timothy Ross, a native of West Bethlehem township, this county, and their children were Hetty, wife of Samuel Traster, of Washington; Mattie, married to James S. Williams, also of Washington, and Alexander, living at home. The mother died in 1867; the father is now living on the home place, which is cared for by his daughter Hetty. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party, and has been a member of the I. O. O. F. He attends the Presbyterian Church.

Freeman Brady (deceased), third son of Freeman and Mary (Means) Brady, was born September 20, 1827, in Washington, Penn. After attending the subscription schools he took a course at Washington College (where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity(, graduating in 1851. He then became one of the first telegraph operators of Washington, Penn., and in 1855 served as deputy sheriff. In 1856 he was united in marriage with Mary E., daughter of Samuel Donley, and sister to the late Mrs. James Brady. They began married life on West Wheeling street, and in 1857 he was elected recorder of deeds, occupying that position three years; he served several terms as chairman of the Democratic County Committee. In the meantime he devoted his leisure time to the study of law under the guidance of John L. Gow. In the May term of 1860 he was admitted to the bar, and formed a partnership with Hon. George S. Hart, which continued until 1876, when Judge Hart was elected to the bench. After that event Mr. Brady achieved an enviable reputation as an able lawyer, conducting a large and lucrative business. He was made by his party a candidate for State senator at a special election, but as the party was largely in the minority he was defeated. In 1867 Mr. Brady united with the Second Presbyterian Church of Washington; his wife was a member of the First Church before her marriage. He was never absent from services when it was possible to be present, and he filled the offices of deacon and elder in the congregation. He died May 14, 1891, and one hundred and four carriages followed his remains to the grave. Resolutions were passed by his associated of the legal profession, who mourned the loss of a brilliant lawyer, a Christian man and a true friend. He left a widow, and five children, named as follows: James; Charles, employed at Caldwell's place of business; Freeman, working in Smith's establishment; Robert in a jewelry store; and Lydia, living at home. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Brady and her children have continued to reside in the old home, situated on South Main street in Washington.

James Brady, the seventh child of Freeman and Mary (Means) Brady, was born January 31, 1833, in Washington, Penn., where his boyhood was passed. He attended the common schools of his native town, and learned the trade of mason, which he has since successfully followed, having assisted in the erection of many of the public buildings of the county. In 1860 he married Julia A. Donley, daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Rettig) Donley, of Washington, the former of whom was lost in an explosion on the lower Mississippi, while returning from the Southwest, whither he had gone on a lookout excursion. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brady made their home continuously in Washington, and here, on January 5, 1889, she passed from earth at the age of fifty-six years. Mr. Brady has been a lifelong Democrat, and under Grover Cleveland he was appointed, October 7, 1886, postmaster at Washington, which office he acceptably filled three years and six months; he was the first Democratic postmaster to follow his father, who was appointed to that position in 1861. He is a member (as was also his wife) of the Presbyterian Church, and he now attends the Second Presbyterian. Five children were born to this couple, of whom the following is a brief record: (1) George V. was born December 11, 1861, and was married to Tillie Miller; he is one of the leading jewelers of Washington, Penn.

(2) Edgar L. Brady was born in 1866, and his education was received at the common schools. Entering the office of the Review and Examiner, in Washington, he served his time at and mastered the printer's trade. He then for a time worked on the Commercial Gazette, from which office he went to the Burgettstown (Penn.) Call. Upon his father becoming postmaster of Washington he returned to his native town to fill the position of assistant postmaster, and has since been connected with the office, as head clerk since the appointment of the Republican postmaster, Underwood. In 1887 he was married to Miss Mellie Perrine, daughter of John Perrine, member of an old and prominent family of Cross Creek township. To this union two children have been born: Edgar and Ray Grayson. (3) Leda D. is caring for her father's home. (4) William H. is at home. (5) Richard D. is a butcher, of Washington, who in 1890 married Miss Lydia Uhler, of Washington county. James Brady, the father of this family, has been a strong, robust man all his days, and still has good health. The home wherein he now resides, No. 66 West Wheeling street, has been the home of this branch of the family since Mr. and Mrs. Brady were married.

Samuel Brady, sixth child of Freeman Brady, Sr., was born in 1830, in Washington, Penn. He learned the trade of saddletree maker, when such work was all done by hand, and constituted an extensive business in early times; this business he followed several years. He is now carrying on a general store in Washington. Mr. Brady was twice married, first time to Sarah Rankin, who died, leaving three children, viz.: William, Harry and Elizabeth, all living in Washington. Mr. Brady's second wife was Deborah Lopp, of near Brownsville, this county, by which union there are no children.

Text taken from page 313 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed June 1997 by Linda Carroll of So. Chicago Heights, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published July 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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