JAMES CASSIDY, a leading citizen and retired farmer of Burgettstown, was born June 6, 1825, in Jefferson township, Washington county, and is of Irish parentage. John Cassidy (father of subject) was born in 1792, in County Donegal, Ireland, where is boyhood was passed. In early life he crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel, the voyage occupying eleven weeks and two days. He landed at Philadelphia, and for a few years was employed in a powder-mill there. The young pioneer then proceeded on foot to Westmoreland county, Penn., afterward revisited Philadelphia, and again walked to Westmoreland county, where he was married to Jane, daughter of James Osburn. In 1816 the young couple settled on a farm in Jefferson township, this county, near the Virginia line, and resided there a few years, thence moving to the wild tract which has now been transformed by cultivation into a pleasant and comfortable home. In this wild country, surrounded by savage beasts, and yet more savage men, their children were born and reared as follows: Margaret (wife of Charles Scott), William (deceased), Ann (married to Robert M. Smith), James (whose name opens this sketch), Robert, Mary J. (Mrs. Charles Scott), Catherine E. (married to Frances Magee), and Martha E. (wife of John Gillespie). Mr. Cassidy made several journeys to Philadelphia on horseback, bringing back salt to his home. They raised their own flax, and made their clothing from that plant and from wool. Grain was cut with a sickle, threshed by tramping of horses, and cleaned by sheet and "fanning." Politically John Cassidy was a Whig and Republican, and in religion an earnest, active member of the Protestant Methodist Church. He died in 1870, and was buried at Bethel Church in Jefferson township, this county. James Cassidy remained on the home farm in Jefferson township, during his boyhood, and was an irregular student at the school which was held in a rude log cabin near his home. On January 31, 1856, he was united in marriage with Maria, daughter of Hugh Cosgrove, and granddaughter of Michael Cosgrove, who was born in Ireland, and after coming to America was married to Annie Campbell, a native of Maryland, who bore him four children: William, Margaret, Hugh and Hannah. The parents of this family settled in Maryland after their marriage, and the father followed farming. He was a Democrat in politics, and in religion a member of the Society of Friends. Hugh Cosgrove was born April 2, 1784, in the State of Maryland, passing his youth on the home farm, and also teaching school. He was married to Priscilla Jones, who was born March 15, 1789, daughter of Samuel Jones, of Maryland, and she bore him the following children: Eliza A. (wife of Rev. Jacob Comstock), William, Thomas, Amelia (Mrs. Isaac Everett), Catherine, Maria (married to James Cassidy) and Hannah (wife of William Thompson). Mr. and Mrs. Cosgrove passed the first years of their married life in Maryland, but finally decided to leave their native State. The journey was made in a two-horse wagon, which contained the emigrants and their entire stock of worldly goods. They purchased and located upon a farm in Jefferson township, Washington county, Penn., where the remainder of their lives was passed. Mr. Cosgrove accumulated a good property after locating in Pennsylvania. He was a Democrat, serving his township as school director, and in religion supported the Methodist Church. Mrs. Priscilla Cosgrove died January 17, 1847, and Hugh Cosgrove on March 4, 1854. Both are buried in the Eldersville cemetery. James and Maria (Cosgrove) Cassidy resided on the home place in Jefferson township about seven years after their marriage. They then moved to Monroe township, Carroll Co., Ohio, remaining there five years, thence returning to Washington county, Penn., located in Independence township. Four and one-half years later Mr. Cassidy bought a farm in Cross Creek township, and in 1891 they moved to their present home in Burgettstown. The following children have been born to their marriage: Vista (deceased), Robert C. (married to Jennie M., daughter of George W. Osburn, and has one daughter, Ora), William J. (married to Fannie, daughter of Rev. Tuttle, and has one son Herschel), and Oliver J. Politically Mr. Cassidy was originally a Whig, uniting with the Republican party at the date of its organization, and has served his township as director; he is especially interested in educational matters. In religious faith he is a member and liberal supporter of the Methodist Church.

Text taken from page 744 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Jack McNatt of Valrico, FL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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