BENJAMIN F. GREENLEE, one of the prosperous agriculturists of West Bethlehem township, is a native of the same, born July 12, 1825, on the old homestead settled by his father. He is a son of Samuel Greenlee, who was born, about the year 1787, in Delaware, of German parentage. Samuel Greenlee, father of Benjamin F., was born and reared in Maryland, his boyhood being passed in attending the schools of the neighborhood of his home, and helping on his father's farm. When yet a young man he moved with his parents to Fayette county, Penn., where he was further instructed in agricultural pursuits under the preceptorship of his father. He was married to Nancy Gantz, after which he removed to Washington county, buying here 130 acres of land, now owned and cultivated by his son, Benjamin F. This land, which was then a forest and thicket, has all been cleared, and is to-day one of the best farms in West Bethlehem township. To the union of Samuel and Nancy (Gantz) Greenlee were born children as follows: Elizabeth, George, Jacob, Lewis, John, James, Susanna, Mary, Margaret, Benjamin F., Daniel, Albert and Anna, six of whom are still enjoying the blessings of life, viz.: Lewis, a farmer, of East Bethlehem; Anna, now Mrs. Cooper, a widow, living in Ohio; John and James, residing in Morgan township, Greene county; Daniel and Benjamin F., both in West Bethlehem township.
Benjamin F. Greenlee received in his boyhood such education as was obtainable at the schools of those early days. He learned farming, which he has since followed on the homestead, where he still resides. In March, 1854, he married Rebecca Bigler, daughter of Michael Bigler, of German lineage, and their children are: Nancy, wife of James A. Gass, of Morgan township, Greene Co., Penn.; James, living at home with his father, married to Sadie Imes, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Johnson) Imes, old settlers of West Bethlehem; Henderson, a prominent business man of McKeesport, Penn., and Minnie, wife of William Woods, residing in Homestead, Penn. Mr. Greenlee built the residence in which he lives, making many improvements, and there prevails about the homelike place an air of thrift and enterprise. There are 140 acres of his farm, all fine land, upon which he raises various kinds of stock, besides cereals and root crops. Politically Mr. Greenlee is a solid Democrat, and one of the influential advisers of the party in his vicinity. He is respected and esteemed by all who enjoy his acquaintance.
Text taken from page 904 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL 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]