E. H. DENNISON. Among the progressive wide-awake, and prosperous agriculturists of Donegal township, the name of this gentleman is very prominent. He is a son of James S., whose father, Thomas Dennison, was a native of Ireland, and was united in marriage with a lady of Scotch birth. The young couple immigrated to America soon after their marriage, locating in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., and three children were born to them, viz.: Maria, wife of Washington Bennett, a prominent iron manufacturer, of Wheeling, W. Va.; Thomas, living in Ohio, and James S., father of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Dennison passed the remainder of their lives in Virginia, and died there at an advanced age. James S. Dennison was born in 1801, in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., and there received his early training in farm work, obtaining an education, which, though of the usual primitive log-cabin type, afforded a basis for the general information and practical knowledge of his riper years. When a young man he came to Washington county, Penn., locating in Claysville, where he became acquainted with, and was married to Mrs. Catherine (Stevenson) King, widow of William King. By her first marriage Mrs. King had one son, W. C. (Now cashier of the National Bank of Claysville, Penn). She was born in 1803, and was the daughter of Hon. James Stevenson, a member of one of the oldest and best families of Washington county. He was a prominent pioneer settler of Donegal township, and a soldier in the war of the Revolution. He died in Harrisburg, Penn., while a member of the Legislature. To Mr. and Mrs. James S. Dennison were born the following children: James (living in Claysville, Washington Co., Penn.), Jane E., John (a saddler and harness-maker, now farming in Warren county, Ill.), Eldridge (residing in Claysville) and E. H. Mr. Dennison resided a short time after his marriage on the farm now owned by his son E. H. He afterward began the hotel business in Claysville, thence moving to Uniontown, Fayette Co., Penn., where he was engaged in business until his tragic death in 1851. This sad event occurred when on a business trip to Brownsville. He was thrown from the stage upon which he was riding, receiving injuries which soon resulted fatally. Politically he was a Democrat, but not an active politician, and was respected by all who knew him. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Dennison returned to Donegal township, Washington county, and located on the "Old Stevenson" tract, lying one mile west of Claysville, which was part of a vast amount of land once owned by Hon. James Stevenson. Mrs. Dennison was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church for many years, and was a very popular lady. She continued to reside on the farm until her death, which occurred October 7, 1889. E. H. Dennison was born July 4, 1840, in Donegal township, in the same house which is his present home, and received a common-school education. His father died when he was a mere boy, but this event did not impede his progress in life, for the instructions of his mother almost compensated for the loss of the father. In 1868 he was united in marriage with Salena Reed, who was born January 5, 1845, daughter of Rev. William Reed, D. D., an eminent Presbyterian divine of western Ohio. The following children were born to this union: Katherine, Edith, Joseph D., Harry C., William R. And Edwin H., all of whom are living with their parents, the eldest daughter being employed as a stenographer in Washington, Penn. Mr. Dennison has always lived on the place of his birth, which is situated one mile west of Claysville, along the National Pike, and is an exceptionally desirable location. He is a farmer and is extensively engaged in stock dealing, having made a success of the latter business by shrewd and skilful management, combined with fair and honest dealing. Much credit is due to this enterprising and public-spirited citizen for the success with which he has conducted both his own affairs, and the business which others have intrusted to his care. Mr. Dennison is ever interested in any movement tending to advance the interests of the community, and in politics is a Democrat. He and his wife, a deservedly popular lady, are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Text taken from page 442 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Julie Jolly of Knob Noster, MO as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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