WALTER DENNY, a son of Robert, and a grandson of Walter Denny, is one of the well-known and most highly esteemed citizens of his township. His grandfather was born in the year 1750, east of the mountains, and followed the occupations of a farmer and miller. He was there married to Esther Maxwell, and in the year 1788 came to Washington county, locating near Canonsburg. After several years he moved to a farm near Washington borough, where he passed the remainder of his life, and reared the following children: Catherine, Martha, Margaret, Esther, Eleanor, James, Robert and Walter, all of whom lived to an adult age. Mr. Denny died in the year 1802, and was followed by his wife in the year 1843. Robert Denny was born in the year 1875, east of the mountains, and when but a child came with his parents to Washington county. He received his education at the rate schools, and in the year 1814, was united in marriage to Lydia (who was born in 1795), daughter of James McMannis, and their children were Walter, Anne (Mrs. J. C. Sloan, of Hopewell township), Esther, James, Robert, Elizabeth (these four are deceased), William and Catherine (twins, the former living in Kansas, and the latter, Mrs. Work, of Buffalo township), and Lydia (widow of Alexander Work, of Harrison county, Ohio). After his marriage Mr. Denny located one mile and a half north of Washington borough, in South Strabane township. He then moved to Chartiers township, and there continued farming until his death, which occurred in the year 1832. His widow followed him in 1853. Politically he was a Democrat, and in religious connection a member of the Associate Reformed Church. Walter Denny was born April 30, 1816, in South Strabane township, this county. He assisted his father on the farm, and received his education in the usual log schoolhouse. In the year 1842 he was married to Mary (who was born February 28, 1822), daughter of John Welch, of Chartiers township. The children born to them were as follows: Mary Jane (Mrs. Samuel Leper, of Beaver county, Penn.); Elizabeth Ann (wife of John Wilson, superintendent of the County Home); Margaret L. (Mrs. J. G. Hanna); Sarah L. (deceased in infancy); Sarah E. (deceased); Robert N. (deceased in infancy); John W. and Laura (Mrs. William Patterson, of Hopewell township) (twins); Samuel T. (a farmer of Hopewell township); Alice (Mrs. Marion Liggett, of Donegal township); Agnes; Cora (Mrs. Robert Buchanan); and Martha (living at home). After his marriage Mr. Denny first located in South Strabane township, and in the year 1849 went to Hopewell township, moving in 1875 to his present home, which is situated about one mile and a half west of West Middletown, near the boundary line of Hopewell and Independence townships. Mr. Denny has always been a farmer, but of late years has been enjoying a comparatively retired life in his elegant home. Politically he was originally a Whig, and a strong Abolitionist, then a Democrat, afterward a Republican, and now a Prohibitionist. He has never been bound closely to party lines, but has voted according to the dictates of his own judgement, and held various township offices. He and his wife are members of the U. P. Church at West Middletown.

Text taken from page 1036 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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