The Heslep Family, p. 872

THE HESLEP FAMILY. Robert B. Heslep (deceased) was a grandson of Thomas Heslep, who was a prominent farmer of Coatsville, Chester Co., Penn. Desiring to own more land, and knowing of the grand resources which the Monongahela Valley afforded, he concluded to locate there. He brought with him his two sons, and purchased a tract of land on the Monongahela river in 1792. Remaining with his two sons a short time, he returned to his home in Chester county, and there died at a ripe old age. He served through the Revolution, and had acquired a good estate.

John Heslep, a son of Thomas, was born at Coatsville, in Chester county, and was among the early settlers of Washington county. Arriving at manhood he married Miss Polly Grant, an accomplished and well to-do farmer's daughter of New Jersey. The following children were born to this marriage: John D. Heslep, at one time a student of the Western University of Pittsburgh, afterward read law with Judge Hampden, of Pittsburgh, was admitted to the bar; he formed a law partnership with a Mr. Sliker, and the firm was known as "Sliker & Heslep," of Pittsburgh. He died, a bachelor, in 1878.

Thomas Heslep is a well-known school teacher of Washington county, and a member of the Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church.

George T. Heslep is a popular major in the State militia. He raised two sons who served through the Civil war, fighting for the grand old flag of the Union.

Robert B. Heslep, the youngest son, was born April 19, 1819, in Carroll township, and there passed the days of his boyhood. At eighteen years of age he was commissioned captain of a company in the State militia, and held that position up to 1849. On November 29, 1849, he married Miss Margaret, a daughter of Ezekial Job, an early Jersey settler and well-to-do farmer of Elizabeth township, Allegheny Co., Penn., whose people were among the early explorers and active Revolutionary soldiers of this country. The children born to them are as follows: Thomas McK., a prominent member of the Good Templars, and among the leading workers for local option in Carroll township in 1872; James Heslep, a farmer; U. Grant Heslep (deceased); W. R. Heslep, who entered the Sr. Prep. class of Washington and Jefferson College in September, 1887, and remained in that college for four terms. Not satisfied with the system of teaching, he removed to Waynesburg College in January, 1889, and graduated in the classical course with the class of 1891. He was a member of the Philomathean Literary Society of the college, and is now an honorary member. He was twice chosen a candidate to represent the society as orator for the Inter-State Oratorical Contest, but never served. He decided upon the law for a profession, and registered with the well-known lawyer, John H. Murdoch, of Washington, Penn., and is there pursuing his studies. Noah John Heslep was the youngest son of Robert B. Heslep. He died in January, 1892. He was a fair scholar, a natural genius in the mechanical line, and was highly respected and loved by the people and family. He was noted for his veracity and business integrity, as well as for his high moral character, but a kinder Father took him to His everlasting home at the age of twenty-one years; Harriet P. Heslep, the only daughter, is a member of the Webster M. E. Church, and remains with her aged mother, leading a useful and happy life. The one-hundredth anniversary of their location in Carroll township was celebrated by the Heslep family in June, 1892. Mr. Heslep was an industrious, economical man, and accumulated a good property. Politically he voted with the Republican party, also taking an active interest in all religious work. He died October 2, 1872, and his widow is now residing on the home place, in the old house which was erected in 1801. The farm, which is now carried on by the sons, consists of 130 acres, and includes a lovely grove often used for picnic purposes, and is known as Heslep's Grove.

Text taken from page 872 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 April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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