JAMES HERRON was born September 18, 1829, in North Strabane township, this county, and is a son of Joseph Herron, whose grandfather was a native of Ireland, and came with his family in an early day to America. His son James was born in County Down, Ireland, and came to America in the latter part of the last century, locating in North Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn., on the farm now occupied by his descendants. He was married to Rachel Reed, a resident of Ohio, who bore him children as follows: Charles, John, William, James, Robert, John, Joseph, Thomas and Rachel. Mr. Herron was an active democrat, and in religion was a member of the Seceder Church. Joseph Herron was born, January 2, 1797, on his father's farm in North Strabane township, and received a common-school education. On January 3, 1824, he was united in marriage with Margaret, daughter of Daniel Hastings, of Somerset township, and the young couple made their permanent home on the old farm, where the following children were born and reared: Rachel, born December 15, 1824; Robert, born September 30, 1826; James, born September 18, 1828; John, born July 24,1830; Sarah (Mrs. Jonathan L. Peese), born April 22, 1833; Joseph, born December 8, 1834; Margaret A. (Mrs. Robert Munnel), born October 4, 1837; and Elizabeth M. (Mrs. John Herron), born October 6, 1842. In politics Mr. Herron was a Democrat, and served as a judge of elections and school director, and was also a lieutenant in the militia. In religious connection he was a member and liberal supporter of the Seceder Church. He died January 25, 1852, and his wife on March 18, 1854. Both are buried in the U.P. cemetery at Pigeon Creek. James Herron was born on the farm where he now resides, and attended the common schools until almost twenty-one years of age. He then commenced learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed several years in North Strabane and adjoining townships. On June 23, 1865, he was united in marriage with Emma, daughter of John Barr, a native of Ireland, who came to America with his parents when but twelve years of age. He was a son of John Barr, also a native of Ireland, and who was there married to Margaret Dickey, who bore him children as follows: William, John, Robert, Mary (Mrs. Andrew Jackson) and Margaret (Mrs. Robert Patterson). The father of these children immigrated to America in an early day, locating with his family in Somerset township, Washington Co., Penn., where the remainder of their lives was passed. He was a Democrat in his political preferences, and in religion a member of the Seceder Church. John Barr passed his youth on the home farm in Somerset township, and was there married to Elizabeth, daughter of James Smith. Their children were John A., James S., Margaret D. (Mrs. James Rankin), Emma (Mrs. James Herron), Sarah J. (Mrs. William Pollock) and William A. In politics Mr. Barr was a Democrat, and served many years as justice of the peace. He was a member and one of the founders of the U. P. Church at Pigeon Creek, and served as an elder for years. He followed agricultural pursuits. After his marriage Mr. Herron settled on the home place in North Strabane township, where he has followed farming and stock raising. He and his family are members of the U.P. Church at Mt. Prospect. In politics he is a Democrat, and has served as school director and judge of elections. He is an enterprising and popular citizen.

Text taken from page 240 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Karen Souhrada of Pittsford, NY as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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