Ebenezer Brownlee, p. 630

EBENEZER BROWNLEE (deceased), in his lifetime one of the prosperous farmers and successful business men of the county, was a grandson of William Brownlee, Sr., who in his early day came to Washington county from his native land, Scotland, and made a settlement in Franklin township about four miles south of the borough of Washington. He here married Margaret Lehman, by whom there were several children, and of them, William, Jr., born October 13, 1782, in Franklin township, this county, became the father of the subject of this sketch.

William Brownlee, Jr., in his early life was regular pioneer farmer boy, and his school training, a somewhat primitive one, was most limited. 0n November 17, 1814, he was married to Jean Carson, who was born March 22, 1791, and the results of this union were eight children, of whom Ebenezer, the subject of this sketch, was born April 2 1825, in West Finley township, Washington Co., Penn. The father died March 24, 1846, the mother, January 23, 1844.

Early in life Ebenezer Brownlee learned the trade of tanner at Good Intent, West Finley township, which he followed, however, only a short time, as he returned to the home farm and remained with his parents during the rest of their lifetime. On November 25, 1847, he was united in marriage with Eliza Davidson, who was born March 12, 1824, in West Finley township, a daughter of James Davidson, a native of the county, of Irish descent, born in 1782 near West Brownsville. To the union of Ebenezer and Eliza (Davidson) Brownlee there came the following named children: Robert D., born November 13, 1849, now in Otoe county, Neb., where he carries on stock dealing; George, born August 16, 1851, also in Otoe County, a farmer; James C., born February 4, 1854, a physician in Kansas City, Mo.; John, born February 28, 1856, died May 24, 1890; Samuel, born October 27, 1858; and Jennie, born March 23, 1863, an intelligent and cultured young lady. After his marriage Mr. Brownlee lived five years in East Finley township, on Robinson's fork of Wheeling creek; then during the subsequent five years had his residence in West Finley township, on the Martin Armstrong place; thence moved to Donegal township, on the William McMurray farm which he had purchased, and which is situated about half a mile south of West Alexander. Here he continued to reside until his death, which occurred December 14, 1888. He was very successful in all his undertakings, and accumulated considerable valuable property. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and in politics he was a staunch Republican, one of the influential advisers of the party. He was a strong Abolitionist, a great friend to the negro. His widow departed this life July 14, 1892.

Text taken from page 630 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed March 1997 by Judy and Lee Schaeffer of Pittsburgh, PA 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]