DR. F. M. FINLEY. The Finley family are numbered with the earliest pioneers of Washington county, and are of Scotch origin. John Finley was born in the "land of the mountain and the flood," whence in early days he emigrated to America, first settling in Maryland, whence he moved to Pennsylvania, and took out a patent for 1,000 acres of land in Allegheny county. He was married in Maryland to Margaret Rowlands, who bore him the following children: William, John, Robert (who was a general in the militia), Jane (Mrs. Curry), Margaret (Mrs. Baldwin), Isabelle (Mrs. Cochran), Mary (Mrs. St. Clair), Susan (Mrs. Wilson), Levi, James and Sarah (Mrs. Neal), all of whom have passed away. The father was a Democrat in politics, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian (Dr. Marshall's) Church. Both parents died on the farm in Allegheny county. Levi Finley, son of John and Margaret Finley, was born in 1798, on the home place in Allegheny county, Penn., and his youth was passed amid the scenes of pioneer life. He received his primary education in the subscription schools, and afterward attended Jefferson College for two years, when he returned to the old place, remaining there until 1830. When yet a young man he was married to Rachel Neal, a native of Allegheny county, and the following children were born to their union: Margaret, Melissa J. (wife of Baldwin Wallace), Susan M. (wife of Rev. W.W. Loverty), John A., F.M., and Rachel Narcissa (deceased wife of John S. Collins). Mr. and Mrs. Finley resided two years in Greene county, Penn., on a farm at Rice's Landing. They then returned to Union township, Washington county, and bought the Huston and Fawcett farms, where they remained eight years, selling a large quantity of coal. They finally bought the farm of 500 acres in Union township, adjoining Finleyville, and lived in that village, which was then called "Row Galley," but nicknamed "Rogues' Alley." The name was changed to Finleyville, where for thirteen years Mr. Finley managed a hotel in the old stone house, which is yet standing. In politics he was a Whig and Republican, and in religious faith was a member of the Mingo Presbyterian Church. He died June 21, 1861, his widow in 1887. Dr. F. M. Finley was born March 27, 1834, in Union township, Washington Co., Penn., and was educated at the common schools and in private academies, entering Washington College in 1850. He graduated in 1854, and then entered Jefferson Medical College, but was compelled to return home on account of sickness, and there remained after the death of his father. He was married, September 23, 1869, to Emmeline, daughter of John Thompson, and they have one son, Francis H. Dr. Finley is a Republican, and has been a member of the school board for years. He is connected with the Presbyterian Church of Finleyville, to which he gives a hearty support.

Text taken from page 346 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Jack McNatt of Valrico, FL 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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