WILLIAM M. HUTCHISON, a prominent citizen of West Finley township, is a son of Thomas, whose father, James Hutchinson, emigrated from Scotland in 1785, and settled in Washington county, Penn., on a portion of the farm now owned by William M. Hutchinson. He erected a home in the wilderness, but was obliged to leave it, as the Indians were hostile and very numerous. Five years later he returned to his pioneer home, bringing with him a bride, Mrs. Elizabeth Scott, nee Miss Elizabeth Law. They began married life on the farm where they passed their remaining days. The following children were born to them: Matthew, born July 5, 1792; Margaret, born August 5, 1794; Elizabeth, born October 3, 1796; Thomas, born January 28, 1799; Catherine, born June 27, 1801, and Nancy, born July 20, 1803. Of these children, Margaret, Thomas and Nancy lived to be over fourscore years of age. Thomas Hutchinson passed his earlier years on his father's farm in East Finley township, Washington county., Penn., and assisted in the agricultural duties. In the year 1824 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth McClelland, after which event he bought out the heirs of the home place, and settled upon it. To the above union were born children as follows: Jane, born November 20, 1825; James, born June 7, 1828; William M., born December 17, 1830; Margaret L., born May 19, 1836; Mary E., born April 30, 1840; and Catherine, born April 2, 1843. The mother of these children died March 30, 1844, and Mr. Hutchinson remained single for three years, caring for his family as best he could. In the year 1847, he was married to Isabella McMillian. In 1875 Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson moved to Independence township, this county, where he died November 24, 1884; his widow is still residing on the place. Mr. Hutchinson was an elder in the U.P. Church at Dogwood Grove for over forty years.
William M. Hutchinson was born on a part of the farm in East Finley township, Washington Co., Penn. He still resides on part of the farm in West Finley township and passed his youth at home. On March 26, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah G. Gilmore, and began married life in his present home. They have had four children: John G., born February 17, 1858, an attorney at Emporia, Kans., who married Lelia A. McKee, December 11, 1884, to whom a son, Curtis McKee, was born November 12, 1890; Thomas A., born September 9, 1859, married Zillah E. Giles, September 27, 1888, to whom two sons were born--- William Henry, September 12, 1889, and Giles Virgil, September 14, 1891; James A., born December 6, 1861, married Ada V. Sutherland, to whom one son, Harry Sutherland, was born June 30, 1892, and Eva May Hutchinson, born September 8, 1864. Mrs. Sarah (Gilmore) Hutchinson died March 14, 1890. Mr. Hutchinson started in life with no financial assistance, and the additional disadvantage of poor health. But his strong will and invincible determination overcame even these formidable obstacles. He now has a good farm of 125 acres, upon which are comfortable dwellings, and he has given to all of his children that invaluable inheritance---a good education. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Claysville, this county; his son John is an elder of a United Presbyterian Church in Kansas, and another son, James, is an elder of the same church in Dogwood Grove, East Finley township, this county. In politics, Mr. Hutchinson was formerly a Whig, and since the organization of the party, has been a Republican. He has held several important township offices, and is highly esteemed by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
Text taken from page 763 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed April 1997 by Jack McNatt of Valrico, FL as part of the Beers Project.
Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]