CHRISTIAN HOOTMAN is a well-known and prosperous representative of one of the pioneer families of Washington county. He is a grandson of David Hootman, who was of German birth, and as a Hessian soldier, in the pay of the British, came to America in theRevolutionary war. No sooner did an opportunity offer, than the brave young German deserted from the British ranks, and enlisted as a drummer-boy with the patriots in their struggle for liberty. After the close of the Revolution, he remained in America, and it is supposed located in Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn., about the year 1780, where he remained until his death, in 1859, after a life of nearly a century. He was married in Washington county, and to this marriage were born: Henry, Jacob, John, David, Christopher, Mrs. Fannie Miller, and Mrs. Catherine Shaler. Mr. Hootman was a Democrat, and held several offices in the township. David Hootman, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1793, in Donegal township, this county, where he passed his whole life. He attended the rate schools, and became a very well-informed and successful man. When about fifteen years of age he learned the blacksmith's trade, and after an apprenticeship of four years, opened an office on the Monongahela pike. In 1815 he married Nancy, daughter of Benjamin Parkson, of Nottingham township, and she bore him nine children: Benjamin, David, John, Clarinda, Polly, Mrs. Nancy Hill, Christian, William and Anderson. David Hootman began life with 6.5 cents, and at his death the estate was valued at $40,000. For many years he was captain in the State militia, and at one time was a candidate for the State Legislature, having been a prominent man in the Jeffersonian Democratic party. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Pigeon Creek. Mr. Hootman died in 1868, followed by his wife in 1878. Washington Parkson , a brother of Mrs. David Hootman, was a prominent actor in the Whisky Insurrection, and the pardon which he received from George Washington is still in the possession of Mr. Hootman's brother. Christian Hootman was born in 1828 in Nottingham township, and attended the home schools during his boyhood. When a young man he was united in marriage with Ursula Myers, who has borne him the following children: David H. (deceased), William W., James P., Jerry M., and Dora A. Mr. Hootman has served his township in various offices, and votes the Democratic ticket. He owns 120 acres of the old home place, having remained at home until the death of his parents. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church at Pigeon Creek. Notes from the transcriber (1998): The highlighted David Hootman should read Franz Christian Hootman. It was Franz Christian who was the Hessian soldier that came to America. Also, the date given in the above biography for Franz Christian's death as 1859 is in conflict with the date of his death given in the September 13, 1845 weekly edition of THE EXAMINER, Washington, Pennsylvania as August 31, 1845.

Text taken from page 411 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1998 by James Waters of Columbia, MO as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1998 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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