JOHN SCOTT DANLEY. Among the old families of East Finley township none hold a more prominent place than the Danleys. George Danley, grandfather of John S., was a native of the North of Ireland, where he carried on farming, as did his father before him. Immigrating to America, he made his new home in Washington county, Penn., near West Middletown where his wife (also a native of Ireland) bore him three children: John, Mattie and S. S. About 1819 the parents died, and the children, who were yet young, passed into the care of others, S. S. being given in charge of an uncle, John Scott; Mattie, who was also reared by relatives, is now a resident of Cambridge, Ohio, and is the only survivor of the family. S. S. Danley, father of our subject, was born April 29, 1818, in Independence township, Washington Co., Penn., and, as already stated, was reared by his uncle, John Scott, a resident of East Finley township, his education being received at the subscription schools of the period, somewhat limited in their facilities as compared with more modern schools; but Mr. Danley was a close student and a great reader, and lost no opportunity of improving his education. He lived with his relatives until his marriage, January 2, 1838, with Ruth Enlow, who was born June 20, 1817, a daughter of Henry Enlow, of East Finley township, whose ancestors were New Englanders and early settlers in Washington county. To this union were born the following named children: Elizabeth E., born October 16, 1839, married to John Elliott, and living in Morris township; Margaret J., born February 15, 1841 married to George England, and resides in Washington county, Iowa; Henry P., born May 18, 1842, a farmer in East Finley township; John S.; George H., born May 24, 1847, died January 10, 1859. After his marriage S. S. Danley located on the property left him by his uncle, situated near the headwaters of the Templeton fork of Wheeling creek, and a short distance from Bartholdi postoffice, in East Finley township, and here he passed the remainder of his busy life, improving the property and adding to his possessions, which at the time of his death were extensive. He died April 1, 1891, his wife August 14, 1880. They were active, influential citizens, and highly respected members of the Dog Wood Grove U. P. Church. Politically Mr. Danley was first a Whig and afterward, on the formation of the party, a stanch Republican.
John Scott Danley was born September 12, 1845, in East Finley township, Washington Co., Penn., his education being received at the common schools of the district. In 1869 he was married to Martha L. McCleary, who was born August 16, 1850, a daughter of William McCleary, of East Finley township. This union has been blessed with the following children: Osco Wayne, born November 5, 1870, died August l, 1880; George W., born May 28, 1872; James L., born February 23, 1874; Ruth E., born July 21, 1877; Idesta and Roberta (twins), born August 5, 1880, all at home, and Laura, born May 20, 1883, deceased in infancy. The mother of these children died June 20, 1883, and April 29, 1886, Mr. Danley married Mrs. Jennie M. (Gunn) Nelly, a native of East Finley township, born September 10, 1858, a daughter of Moses Gunn, and widow of Moses Nelly. After his first marriage Mr. Danley resided with his parents until their death, since when he has continued on the old home farm. He is one of the prosperous and influential citizens of his township, and in general knowledge is considerably above the average farmer. He and his refined and intelligent wife are members of the Dog Wood Grove U. P. Church, and in politics he is a prominent and active Republican.
Text taken from page 1401 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]