WILLIAM HENRY DAGUE. The great-grandfather of this gentleman, in company with two brothers, immigrated to America some time during the last century, and while crossing the ocean a warm discussion concerning their different religious views having arisen among the passengers, the three brothers took part in the debate, in which their opinions differed. The dispute became so heated that the brothers quarreled, and upon landing in New York each went his own way, and they never met again. One of them went to Maryland, and there had children, one of whom, John, was born in 1788. After a stay of some years in Maryland, the family set out for Pennsylvania, the journey across the mountains being made with horses and mules. John and a twin brother were placed in pack-saddles (with only their heads protruding), which were thrown across the back of a mule. The family settled in West Bethlehem township, Washington county, where John grew to manhood on his father's farm, in the cultivation of which he assisted. He married Catherine Horn, a native of Germany, to whom were born children as follows: Jacob, John, Henry, Samuel, Levi, Dewalt, George, Catherine, Elizabeth, Ann and Lavina, all of whom are now deceased, with the exceptions of Levi and Ann, who are residents of Washington county. Of this family, Henry was born in West Bethlehem township, and here grew to manhood, assisting his father in the duties of the farm. He married Eliza Amos, and to them were born John, George, Levi, Mordecai, Mary Ann, Eliza Jane, Rachel M. and William Henry. William Henry Dague was born November 13, 1848, in West Bethlehem township, and attended school till twelve years of age, when, much to his regret, he was taken from his books to assist his father on the farm. However, his ambition to secure an education was not dampened, for he occupied every spare moment in study. When a young man he attended school twelve weeks, two terms in the Southwestern State Normal School at California, this county, and taught in the common schools for four winter terms. On March 13, 1879, he married Isabell U. Ross, a daughter of Samuel Ross, and then settled upon the farm of 173 acres which he now owns in West Bethlehem township. To Mr. and Mrs. William H. Dague have been born the following children: Hubert R. (who when six years of age lost his right arm), Samuel Blaine, William Grant, Ethel G. and Mabel B., all yet at home. Mr. Dague is a Republican, and has been elected to the office of school director of his township. He belongs to the Lutheran Church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Dague is one of the most enterprising and esteemed residents of West Bethlehem township.

Text taken from page 1100 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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