JOHN FEE, a successful farmer of Chartiers township, was born March 10, 1817, in North Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn. His ancestors were natives of the Emerald Isle, the grandparents, William and Elizabeth Fee, having emigrated from Ireland to Maryland, where they were married. They afterward came to Cannonsburg, Washington county, where William Fee died about 1815, being followed by his wife a few years later. William Fee (father of subject) was born in Maryland, coming to Washington county, Penn., when about sixteen years of age, and was afterward married to Elizabeth Hamilton, a native of North Strabane township, this county, and daughter of David Hamilton, whose father came to Chartiers township when but five years of age. He served six months in the Revolutionary war. The father of Miss Hamilton was born March 10, 1750, near Carlisle, Penn., where he was united in marriage with Margaret Gardner, and afterward came to Washington county, settling in South Strabane township, where he followed farming. He died in 1840, his widow in 1848; both were members of the Presbyterian Church.
After his marriage to Elizabeth Hamilton, William Fee lived for some time in North Strabane township, this county, moving to a farm in Chartiers township about 1822, where the following children were reared: Harriet (widow of William Harsha, of Canonsburg, this county), Elizabeth (deceased in 1851), John (subject), David (married to Maria McLaughlin, and died in 1852), Samuel (deceased October 8, 1849) and William G. (of whom mention is made further on). Mr. Fee was an active member of the Whig party, serving as justice of the peace for many years, and in religion a member of the Cross Roads United Presbyterian Church. He died November 25, 1861, being followed by his wife on October 28, 1877.
John Fee was educated in the schools of Chartiers township, and then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed about thirteen years, spending six months in Cincinnati in 1843. On September 29, 1847, he was married to Hannah Quinn, a native of Washington borough, but reared in Chartiers township. She is a daughter of James Quinn, who was born in Ireland, and settled in Washington county, Penn., at an early day. Mrs. Fee has one living brother, James Quinn, of Tyner, Ohio. The following children have been born to John and Hannah Fee: Lida A., John, David (married to Eva Pattison, and living at Canonsburg, this county), Rebecca (wife of Matthew A. Cain, of Chartiers township), Samuel (married to Anna McCoy, and living at McConnell's Mill), Ellis, Harry (married to Jennie McCarty, and living at McConnell's Mill), and William H. (married to Julia M. Humphrey, and living in Canonsburg). After his marriage John Fee settled on the farm of 113 acres, where he is now living. This farm is of excellent soil, has upon it a considerable amount of timber and is underlaid with a vein of No. 1 coal.
Mr. Fee has served the public several terms as school director, and both he and Mrs. Fee are held in high esteem by all who know them. Both are faithful and consistent members of Cross Roads United Presbyterian Church. Politically Mr. Fee is a Republican.
Mr. Fee's only living brother is Prof. William G. Fee, of Cherokee county, Iowa, married to Elizabeth Welch. He is a noted educator, and has twice held the office of county superintendent of schools for Washington county, Penn. He removed from Canonsburg to Iowa in 1878, where he owns a quarter section of land. He is an elder in the United Presbyterian Church, of Quimby, Iowa.
Text taken from page 727 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Karen Souhrada of Pittsford, NY as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]