JAMES JEFFERSON LYLE. The Lyles trace their genealogy to an illustrious Scottish family, the first known ancestor of whom was one John Lyle, who lived during the reign of Charles II. A bitter persecution was then being waged against the Presbyterians, and resolving to no longer remain in a land where bigotry and intolerance chained the minds of men, John Lyle left his Scottish home for County Antrim, Ireland, where he married and reared a family. Of his children, two sons Robert and John sailed in 1741 from Belfast, Ireland, and after a long and tedious voyage landed at New York in the spring of 1742. Some time after their arrival the brothers purchased a tract of land near the present city of New Brunswick, N. J., where John died. In 1747 Robert Lyle was married to Mary Gilleland, a young lady of barely half his age (he was then forty-seven). They soon thereafter moved to Forks township, Northampton Co., Penn., where he died December 9, 1765, leaving a widow and the following children: John, Robert, Moses, Aaron, David, Jane, Elizabeth, Rosanna, Eleanor and Mary. Of this family all the sons excepting David served in the Revolutionary war, and in 1784 John (with his wife and two children), Robert (with his wife and child), and Aaron (with his wife and child) came to Washington county, Penn. They made the journey in covered wagons, passing through Bedford and Somerset counties, and crossing the Monongahela river at Monongahela City, arrived in this county about the middle of June, 1784. Their land was the tract which is situated five miles south of Burgettstown, where the brothers passed the remainder of their lives. John served as county commissioner from 1802 to 1805. He died April 17, 1826. Robert died November 25, 1843, at the advanced age of ninety years. Aaron Lyle (paternal grandfather of the present generation) was born November 17, 1759, in Forks township, Northampton Co., Penn., and in April, 1782, was united in marriage with Eleanor Moore, a resident of the same county. The young couple moved to Washington county soon after the birth of their first-born son. They were the parents of a large family of children, of whom the following record is given: Moses was born March 4, 1783, in Northampton county, Penn., and in early manhood was married to Sarah Kerr, a native of Washington county, who bore him eleven children, all of whom attained their majority (he died June 10, 1840); James, born April 2, 1785, was united in marriage with Mary Campbell (deceased in 1867), who was the mother of nine children (he died March 5, 1860); Mary, born May 31, 1787, was the wife of John Campbell, and moved to Belmont county, Ohio, where she died September 25, 1853 (they were the parents of fourteen children, eleven of whom lived to maturity); Agnes was born August 2, 1789, and died July 20, 1790; Robert was born June 3, 1791, and settled in Ohio, where he was a prominent physician, and died July 13, 1820; Jane was born October 3, 1793, and early in life was married to Samuel Ewing, of Cross Creek township, this county, and bore him nine children, among whom was Hon. Thomas Ewing, judge of common pleas court No. 2, of Allegheny county, Penn. (the mother died December 10, 1845, and December 12, 1862, her husband followed her to the grave); Margaret was born May 31, 1796, and was the wife of Hon. William Patterson, of Cross Creek township (seven sons and three daughters were born to their union; the wife died April 2, 1883, her husband having passed away May 3, 1879); Aaron was born January 22, 1805, and died January 10, 1807. Aaron and Elizabeth (Moore) Lyle had two other children, whose names are unknown. In personal appearance Aaron Lyle was somewhat above the medium height, well built, having a prepossessing presence, of nervous, sanguine temperament, and cheerful disposition. It is said of him that he was known to be angry but twice during forty years of his life. He was one of the most influential citizens of the county, and took an active part in all public enterprises. In 1797 he was elected to the Pennsylvania State Legislature, filling that position continuously until 1802, when he was chosen to the State Senate for a term of two years. In 1805 the district was changed, and Aaron Lyle filled the position of representative one year, then became county commissioner. His enemies had arranged this election, hoping that he would resent the covert insult and decline acceptance. But they were disappointed. The ex-senator stepped with quiet dignity from the Legislative hall to the petty office of a county commissioner, holding the position and faithfully discharging the incumbent duties until 1809, when he resigned and again took his seat in Congress, having been elected in 1808 by a large majority of enthusiastic admirers. He was a member of Congress during the critical period of the war with Great Britain, and the difficulties on the northwestern frontier, serving eight years through Madison's administration. After his retirement from political life Senator Lyle passed his remaining days at his home in Cross Creek township, where, amid the tears of a multitude of friends, he passed away September 25, 1825. His widow lived on the home farm with her son, Moses, until his death, when she made her home with James, and died December 13, 1849. James Lyle was born April 2, 1785, in Smith township, this county, and was reared to manhood on his father's farm, his education being received at the rude schools of the period, and supplemented by a thorough course of home study. In 1809 he married Mary Campbell, a native of Smith township, born in 1788, who bore him children as follows: Moses (deceased), born March 19, 1810; James J., born July 12, 1823; William (deceased), born May 19, 1825; Robert (a twin brother of William); Eliza (widow of David McBurney), living in Carroll county, Ohio; Eleanor (deceased wife of James McLaughlin, of Carroll county, Ohio); Mary Ann (widow of John C. Rea, of Washington county); and Margaret (deceased wife of Ebenezer Smith, of Cherry Valley, this county). James and Mary (Campbell) Lyle began wedded life on a farm near Candor, Smith township, afterward moving to a farm lying about three miles and a half south of Burgettstown, and following farming with marked success. Mr. Lyle was a well-read, intelligent man, a pleasant conversationalist, fond of company, and, though seldom leaving home to visit friends, always gave a hearty welcome to the many who loved to cultivate his acquaintance. In personal appearance he was tall and slender and was of a retiring disposition, and a lover of home comforts. In politics he was formerly a Whig, and upon the organization of the Republican party became an active worker in its ranks. He died in 1860. James J. Lyle, the second son, who lived, of James and Mary (Campbell) Lyle, was born in what is now Robinson township, this county, coming when a lad with his parents to Smith township. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, receiving a common-school education, and afterward attending the Cross Creek academy for a short time. On October 17, 1848, he was united in marriage with Rebecca Robertson (who was born September 15, 1827), daughter of John and Elizabeth (Carr) Robertson, of Jefferson county, Ohio, pioneers of that county. Both died in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Lyle have had the following children: Mary (deceased at the age of thirty-five years); John R., a farmer of Cross Creek township, this county (he was born in 1852, and January 11, 1883, he was married to Belle, daughter of William Dunbar, of Cross Creek township, and one child, Edna Belle, was born to them; John R. is a Republican in politics, and holds the office of road commissioner); James P., a Presbyterian minister of Eagle Pass, Tex.; Eliza G. (wife of Alexander Irwin, of Washington county, Ohio); William Henry (deceased in youth); Rucina E., (a school teacher, living at home); Ulysses L. (a Presbyterian minister of Venango county, Penn.), and Brainard C. (residing at home). James and Rebecca Lyle lived on the home farm some time after their marriage, then purchased and moved upon the well-improved farm where they are now residing. When they came to their present farm it was wild and uncultivated, and they have made all improvements. A worthy representative of a noble ancestry, James J. Lyle is among the foremost of the highly esteemed farmers, not only of his township, but of Washington county. He has never cared to enter the turmoil of active political life in which his ancestors have made such brilliant record, choosing rather "the low of cattle and song of birds, and health with quiet and loving words." However, he voices his political opinions by his vote, having formerly been a Whig, now a Republican. He and his wife are members of and liberal contributors to the Presbyterian Church at Cross Creek village.

Text taken from page 48 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed April 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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