WILLIAM LIGGETT, the oldest living representative of what has ever been one of the most progressive and time-honored families of Washington county, was born April 28, 1821, in Independence township. The Liggett family are of Scotch descent, and trace their origin to two brothers who left their Scottish home and crossed the ocean to America. Landing at Baltimore, Md., they there remained but a short time, and then pushed westward, finally locating in Washington county, Penn. One of these brothers, Thomas Liggett was married to Parmelia Dempster, a resident of Washington county, and passed his life in Independence township. He was a man of stalwart frame, six feet tall, well-proportioned in every way, and possessing great courage and powers of endurance. He was noted for his positive character and sturdy adherence to his word, which principles were implanted on the minds, and were evident in the lives of all his children, who were as follows: Joshua (a farmer of Tuscarawas county, Ohio), Elizabeth (deceased in Iowa), James (deceased in Coshocton county, Ohio), Harriet (widow of Laban Headington), Robert (of whom mention is made in sketch of John S. Liggett), Mary Ann (deceased in Illinois), Sarah (widow of John Hemphill ), William (of whom mention is made below), Thomas (farming in Hopewell township), David A. (a merchant of Independence, Penn.),and Anderson (living in Hot Springs, Arkansas). Mr. Liggett died January 29, 1861, Mrs. Liggett on September 17, 1882. William Liggett was born on a part of the farm which he now owns. He lived at home during his boyhood, and received a limited education in the rate schools, much of his time being employed in farm work. On September 16, 1845, he was married to Nancy Jane ( who was born September 24, 1827), daughter of John Mulholland. This union was blessed with the following family of children: Addison (a gardener in Emporia, Kansas), born October 5, 1846; Sarah J., born May 1, 1850, died June 9, 1875; Adeline, born March 8, 1853, died May 4, 1884; William W. (farming in Cass county, Mo.), born October 12, 1855; John T., born December 22, 1857, died January 19, 1889, and Marion A. (a sketch of whom appears further on). The mother of these children died April 9, 1862, and on December 22, 1863, Mr. Liggett was united in marriage with Elizabeth C., who was born June 10, 1834, a daughter of Samuel Cowen, of Mt. Pleasant township, and their children are as follows: Anna M. (Mrs. Geo. Worley, living in Silver Lake, Kosciusko Co., Ind.), born December 6, 1864; Lewis S. (of whom a sketch follows), born September 16, 1866; Charley, born March 8, 1869; Lucy J., born June 27, 1871; and Irene G., born November 22, 1874. Soon after his marriage Mr. Liggett settled on the home place, where he yet resides. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of the wool- growing business in which he has been very successful. He now owns a large amount of land, and is one of the substantial business men of the township. Politically, he has always been a Democrat, and both he and his wife are members of the Lower Buffalo Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder. Samuel Cowen, father of Mrs. William Liggett, was born in Mt. Pleasant township, Washington Co., Penn., July 9, 1807, a son of John and Martha (Caldwell) Cowen, the former a native of York county, Penn., the latter of this county. Their children were William, James, John, Robert, Martha, Anna, Jane (Mrs. James Lee) and Samuel. The father of this family came to Washington county at an early day, and purchased from the Government the place now owned and occupied by John McCalmont. It was all wild land when Mr. Cowen came to it, but was cleared and improved by the family. He was an Old-line Whig in his day, and a stanch Presbyterian, a member at one time of the Upper Buffalo Church, later of the one at Prospect, and was an elder in both. He died in August, 1833, his wife having passed away in 1815. Samuel Cowen was educated in the subscription schools of the locality of his birthplace. He was a farmer and stock dealer all his life. In 1837 he was married to Mary Dinsmore, and their children were John, Elizabeth (Mrs. William Liggett), William H., Martha J., Mary B., Samuel Calvin, Nancy Ann (deceased) and Chalmers. The father departed this life January 7, 1870, and was buried at Fort Scott, Kansas; the mother was called to her long home October 13, 1888. Mr. Cowen was originally a Whig, and on the organization of the party became a Republican. In religious faith he was a member of and elder in the Presbyterian Church at Mt. Prospect. MARION A. LIGGETT was born March 31, 1860, on the home farm about two miles northwest of West Middletown. His early years were spent on the farm of his father, and he obtained a common-school education. On September 27, 1882, he was married to Alice B. Denny, who was born January 24, 1862, daughter of Walter and Mary (Welch) Denny, of Hopewell township. They have had four children, two of whom died in infancy. The two living daughters are twins: Margaret and Mary, born October 4, 1890. After his marriage Mr. Liggett located two and a half miles north of Claysville, this county, where he is still farming. He recently erected a fine dwelling and barn, which afford an evidence of his prosperity, having also purchased additional land. In politics Mr. Liggett has always supported the Democratic party. In religious connection he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Claysville. LEWIS S. LIGGETT received his early education in the common schools of Independence township, and afterward took a four years' course at Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, Penn. After leaving school he returned home and began farming on a part of the old place. On June 18, 1890, he was married to Hannah M. (who was born September 24, 1864), daughter of William Patterson, of Cross Creek township, and they have two sons, William Leonard, and John Patterson. Since his marriage Mr. Liggett has resided in a handsome residence which he erected and furnished with all modern conveniences, making a beautiful home. He is an active and industrious young man, evidently inheriting the characteristic traits of energy and integrity, which have distinguished his family for generations. Both he and his wife are members of the U. P. Church, of West Middletown, Pennsylvania.

Text taken from page 1016 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/.

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