WILLIAM A. GABBY, an enterprising citizen of Washington borough, comes of Scottish ancestry. His grandfather, James Gabby, emigrated from Scotland with two brothers, John and William, to Maryland, thence moving to Washington county in the year 1787, and, locating on the farm in Franklin township which is now the home of his heirs, became one of the pioneer settlers of this county, He was united in marriage with Miss Jean Gabby, who bore him children as follows: William, Joseph, Mary, Ann, Jane, Margaret and Emma. Washington county was then almost an unbroken wilderness, inhabited principally by fierce savages, who often wreaked their fury on the daring pioneers who presumed to invade their domain. One night they attacked the house of Mr. Gabby and burned it to the ground, the family, who had barely time to escape with their lives, saving nothing but a Bible and a rifle. James Gabby was originally a Federalist, and then a Whig. In religious faith he was a member of the Covenanter Church.
William Gabby (father of subject) was born September 14, 1803, on the home farm in Franklin township, this county, and in 1829 was married to Margaret, daughter of John and Mary McClellan. The following children were born to this union: Mary (Mrs. James G. Allison), James F., Margaret A. (Mrs. Jonathan Allison) and Jane (Mrs. Ezra Cavey) (twins), William A., Frank M. and Ellen (twins), Hugh A., Robert R., John and Joseph. After his marriage Mr. Gabby settled on the farm where his son (William A.) now resides, and remained there thirty-three years; then removed to another part of the farm, now owned by J.P. Sayers, where he died May 21, 1883. He was an ardent member of the early Republican party. In religious faith he united in youth with the U.P. Church, and formerly attended the churches at North and South Buffalo. He was one of the organizers of that denomination at Washington borough, and served as one of the first elders in the church, filling that position until his death.
William A. Gabby was born January 8, 1840, on the old home farm in Franklin township, and there passed his early life, attending school and Washington college. He then entered the war of the Rebellion, enlisting August 28, 1861, in Company A, One Hundredth P.V.I., and was sent to South Carolina under T.W. Sherman, against Beaufort Island, and under Burnside to Kentucky and Tennessee; thence marching under Grant he took part in the siege of Knoxville. Mr. Gabby then reenlisted December 28, 1863, for three years more, and was sent to the army of the Potomac. During the war he took part in the following engagements: Fort Wagner, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, evacuation of Jackson, siege of Knoxville, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and the mine explosion which occurred there. During one battle a bullet struck Mr. Gabby's canteen, but he escaped any injury, and was one of the participants in the grand review at Washington. He was discharged from the service July 26, 1865.
On November 22, 1870, Mr. Gabby was united in marriage with Edith, daughter of Henry H. and Phoebe (Mintor) Wilson, of Washington county, Penn., and, locating on the farm which is yet his home, reared the following named children: Harry W., John, Helen, Mary and Margaret. Mr. Gabby is a leading citizen, noted for his industry and enterprise. In politics he is a Republican; in religion he has been a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Washington for many years.
Text taken from page 786 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed May 1997 by Jack McNatt of Valrico, FL as part of the Beers Project.
Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]