L. T. CLAYBAUGH, a prominent contractor and builder of California, Penn., is the second son of Moses B. Claybaugh, whose father, Michael Claybaugh, was born and reared in Germany. The latter was married in his native land, and there learned the blacksmith's trade, afterward coming to Brownsville, Fayette Co., Penn., where he and his wife died many years ago. Moses B. Claybaugh, son of Michael, was born in Fayette county, Penn., where his youth was passed. He was married at Coal Centre, Washington Co., Penn., to Miss Rebecca Troy, a native of that place. The young couple first resided in California, this county, where he followed the blacksmith's trade, until 1854, and then moved to Lawrence county, Ohio. In 1861 he enlisted, in Gallia county, Ohio, for three years, or during the war, and served under General Burnside; he died of cholera at St. Louis, Mo., in 1865, while en route home. In 1864 his wife removed to her present home in California, Penn. She has had three children, namely: Loretta (who died in 1863, in Ohio), L. T., and Eva (wife of J. F. Furlong, of Pittsburgh, Penn.).
L. T. Claybaugh was born in 1856, in Lawrence county, Ohio, and in 1864 came to California, Penn., where he received a limited education as his widowed mother needed his assistance when he was yet a boy. He first commenced working in the boatyard, then learned the carpenter and joiner's trade at McKeesport, Penn. He worked as a journeyman for several years, and in 1880 commenced business for himself as a builder and contractor. In 1880 he was married to Anna Coatsworth, a native of Monongahela City, and daughter of Joseph Coatsworth. The latter was born July 12, 1842, in Durham, England. His father, Joseph Coatsworth, was also born and reared in Durham, England, and was there married to Sarah Ellison, who bore him six children, namely: Thomas, Margaret, Joseph, William, Sarah and John. Mr. Coatsworth was an expert lead-ore miner, and devoted much time to investigating the different branches of that business in his native country. He finally concluded that America offered superior opportunities for his family, and in 1853 crossed the ocean, first locating at Pittsburgh, Penn. He there followed coal mining for some time, and a few years later purchased a farm in Carroll township, this county, finally removing to Monongahela City, where he died in 1861. He was a strong supporter of Whig and Abolition principles, and upheld his views with the tenacity of a true Englishman. He was formerly connected with the primitive M. E. Church, and after coming to America united with the M. E. Society at Monongahela City, of which he was a most conscientious member.
Joseph Coatsworth came with his parents to America when but a lad, and passed his minority in Washington county, Penn. In 1872 he opened a grocery store, and engaged in the coal business at California, this county, afterward conducting a grocery at Monongahela City. He finally abandoned the grocery and opened the butcher shop where he is now doing a profitable business. On November 4, 1863, he was united in marriage with Trovillo, daughter of Washington Eckles, formerly of Westmoreland county, Penn., and they are the parents of seven children, namely: Anna, wife of L. T. Claybaugh; Charles W., J. W., May, Kate G., Bessie and Eva. Mr. Coatsworth is an active member of the Democratic party, and has served as councilman.
Mr. and Mrs. Claybaugh settled in California, Penn., where he owns a pleasant residence and other valuable property, which he rents. As a contractor he is pre-eminently successful, giving constant daily employment to an average of thirty-one men, and for the past two years has taken the output of the California brickyard, averaging 100,000 bricks per month. Mr. Claybaugh is one of the directors of the California Glass Company; is a director in the Minerva Land and Improvement Company, of Fayette county, Penn.; a director in the local branch of the Security Building and Loan Association, of Minneapolis, Minn.; and a director in the local branch of the Southern Building and Loan Association, of Knoxville, Tenn. He is actively identified with the Republican party, and has served as a member of the town council; he is a member of the Royal Arcanum of California. Mr. and Mrs. Claybaugh are the parents of four children, namely: Lon W., Eva, Ruth and L.T., Jr.
Text taken from page 1308 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 February 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]