Harry H. Brownlee, p. 1284

HARRY H. BROWNLEE was born January 28, 1867, in Hopewell township, Washington Co., Penn., a representative of a prominent pioneer family of Scottish descent. Archibald Brownlee was a native of Scotland, and there married a Miss Hamilton, who bore him children as follows: James, William, John, Archibald, Thomas, Jane (Mrs. John Allison), and Hugh (deceased while on the ocean). Mr. Brownlee came to America in 1765, and first settled in Lancaster county, Penn. In 1775 he moved to Washington county, and purchased a farm in Canton township, where he passed the remainder of his life.

James Brownlee, eldest son of Archibald, in early life learned the trade of a millwright, which vocation he followed some years. He was married to Jane Lemon, daughter of pioneers of Washington county, but a native of Ireland. The young couple began married life on a farm in Canton township, where the following children were born and reared: John, Archibald, James, Hugh, Elizabeth, William, Thomas, Samuel, Joseph, Jane and David. Mr. Brownlee was a Whig, and in religion was a ruling elder in the Seceder Church at North Buffalo.

Archibald Brownlee (grandfather of subject) was born February 28, 1779, three miles west of Washington, in Canton township, Washington Co., Penn., and in early life was married to Mary Clark, of Washington county, who bore him children as follows: James, Joseph, John, Clark, Samuel, Elizabeth and Jane.

John Brownlee (father of subject) was born in 1807, in Chartiers township, Washington Co., Penn., and passed his boyhood days at his birthplace. His parents afterward removed to Buffalo township, same county, where he lived until forty years of age. He was then married to Sarah Logan, and removed to a farm about two and one-half miles south of West Middletown, in Hopewell township. Six children were born to him, namely: Newton (deceased in youth), Jennie (wife of Dr. J. N. Bemis, of West Middletown), Alice (deceased), Leamon J., Frank S. and Harry H. Mr. Brownlee had but a limited literary education, but he possessed excellent judgment and became a prosperous business man. He was of a retiring but social disposition, and in religion was a devout member of the United Presbyterian Church at West Middletown. In politics he was a Republican. He never needed a physician's service. He died January 31, 1892, and his widow now resides in West Middletown.

Harry H. Brownlee received his early education at the district school in Hopewell township, this county, and in March, 1886, left home, and engaged in the general hardware business with T. M. Patterson at Burgettstown, Washington county. In January. 1887, he sold out, and entered the furniture business, in September, 1889, forming a partnership with William Barr, of Buffalo township. They then came to their present place of business, in Claysville, where they occupy a three-story building, which is crowded with goods; they also do a general undertaking business, having all the necessary facilities for that line. On June 22, ]889, Mr. Brownlee was married to Ida, daughter of David Cummings, formerly a resident of Hopewell township, this county, but now living in Harrison county, Ohio. In politics Mr. Brownlee is an active Republican, and in religion he is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Claysville.

Text taken from page 1284 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed January 1997 by Jean Suplick Matuson of Plano, TX as part of the Beers Project.
Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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