J. W. GIFFIN is descended from a family who originally settled in eastern Pennsylvania. In 1795 Andrew and Jane (Hervey) Giffin bought 450 acres of land on the boundary line of Allegheny and Washington counties. They settled in Cecil township, this county, where he died in 1815, being followed by his wife a few years later. John Giffin, son of Andrew and Jane Giffin, was born in 1785, in Chester county, Penn., and when ten years of age came with his parents to Cecil township, where his youth was passed. In 1804 he was united in marriage with Jane Hanson, who was born about the year 1787, in Fayette township, Allegheny Co., Penn., and they settled permanently on a farm in Allegheny county, to which he devoted his time; he took an active part in the Whig and Republican factions. He died in 1870, having been several years preceded by his wife. Their children were as follows: Andrew H. (living in Cecil township), Margaret (deceased in youth), Jane (widow of William Young, in Cecil township), Alice (wife of John Ballantine, in Muskingum county, Ohio), Nancy (who died in 1890, in New Concord, Ohio, wife of Andrew Hanson), J. W. (whose sketch is given below), Jacob Hanson (deceased), William (a widower, living in Canonsburg, Penn.), Mary (Mrs. Richard Boyce, of Missouri), Thomas (a widower, living in Kansas), Rebecca (deceased wife of Archibald Rutherford, of West Virginia) and Sarah (Mrs. George Rutherford, of West Virginia). The parents were members of the Associate Reformed Church at Robinson's Run. J. W. Giffin was born December 1, 1815, in Allegheny county, Penn., and was educated in the log-cabin subscription schools of Fayette township. He was first married to Elizabeth Patterson, a native of Allegheny county, daughter of James Patterson, who was born in Ireland, and immigrated to this country many years ago. The young people settled in Fayette township, Allegheny county, and the wife died in Cecil township, this county, in 1860, leaving three children, viz.: Mary Abigail, Samuel Hanson (living at McKeesport, Penn.) and James P. (a widower, of Pittsburgh, Penn.). On March 19, 1863, Mr. Giffin was united in marriage with Patience Morrison, a native of Nottingham township, this county, the ceremony taking place in Cecil township. She was a daughter of Maj. John Morrison, an early pioneer of Nottingham township. This wife died in 1870 in Cecil township, leaving four children, as follows: Elizabeth, Mrs. William R. Miller, of Mt. Washington, Allegheny Co., Penn.; John B., living at home; Anna, wife of Harry Wilson, of Noblestown, Penn., and Ella Y., living at home. In 1874 Mr. Giffin bought an improved farm of 111 acres adjoining Venice, this county, where he carries on general farming, and upon which is an oil well nearly ready for operation. Politically he was formerly a Whig, and has been a member of the Republican party since its organization; has served as supervisor, member of the school board, assessor and in various other offices of public trust. He is a member of the U. P. Church at Venice.

Text taken from page 1210 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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