GEORGE M. ESPY, a leading liveryman of Canonsburg. The Espy family were originally natives of Scotland, the pioneer settlers of their name emigrating about the time of the Revolution, settling in Pennsylvania. James Espy (grandfather of the family now living in Washington county) was born in 1780, in Allegheny county Penn., and was there married to Margaret Fife (who was born September 17, 1782). The young couple purchased a farm in Upper St. Clair township, where children were born to them as follows: William, Margaret (wife of Thomas Fife), Mary (married to Dr. McCormack), James, Thomas (killed in the Civil war), and John. The father was a Whig in politics, and served as justice of the peace, also as postmaster at Upper St. Clair. He was a member and elder of Bethel Presbyterian Church. He died in 1858, his wife in 1852, and the remains of both rest in Bethel cemetery. John Espy was born on the home farm in Allegheny county, Penn., and was early inducted into the mysteries of agricultural pursuits, which he followed throughout life. When a young man he was married to Margaret, daughter of John Smith. Her father was born in Scotland, and for many years his home was on the ocean. He finally abandoned the sea, after having visited nearly every commercial port in the world, and settled in Allegheny county, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Espy began life on the home place, where he is yet living, a representative citizen and active Republican of Allegheny county. He is a stanch supporter of Bethel Presbyterian Church, and is now filling the office of trustee. Their children are as follows: Margaret (wife of J. J. Van Eman); James, married to Laura Wilson, is living on the home place; John S., living in Pittsburgh, Penn., is married to Alice Nelson; G. Howard, a druggist in New York City; Will F., a druggist in Pittsburgh, Penn.; and George M. George M. Espy was born February 10, 1865, in Upper St. Clair township, Allegheny Co., Penn., and remained at home during his boyhood. He attended the Newell Institute at Pittsburgh Penn., two years, then returning home devoted his attention to farming. On February 22, 1888, he married Mary B., daughter of John Morgan, who married Rebecca Hickman. She bore him two children, Mary B. and Ella E. In 1890 Mr. Espy left the farm, becoming a partner in the Fife livery establishment at Canonsburg. In 1892 he purchased the interest of Mr. Fife, and now conducts the entire business. He has a large amount of custom, keeping eighteen well-bred horses, and having a large stable. He enjoys the confidence of the public as an honorable citizen and successful business man. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church at Canonsburg.

Text taken from page 1442 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/.

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