JOHN A. McCALMONT, one of the leading dairymen and a successful agriculturist of Robinson township, is a native-born citizen. John McCalmont (his grandfather) was of the fearless and sturdy Scottish race, and possessing an adventurous spirit, decided to seek the New World. In early manhood he came to America, following the blacksmith's trade, during the early part of his life in York county, afterward settling on a farm in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, where eight children were born to him. He died in 1858. James McCalmont (the eldest son of the Scotch immigrant just mentioned) was born January 31, 1807, in York county, coming with his parents to Mt. Pleasant township at the age of one year, where he was reared and educated. On May 31, 1835, he was united in marriage with Sarah McBurney, who was born April 7, 1811, a daughter of John McBurney, whose father, James McBurney, was a common ancestor of the McBurney family of the present generation. James McBurney was born in County Down, Ireland, and there learned merchant tailoring. In 1762 he was married to Jeanett Milligan, and they had two children: John and Elizabeth. In 1783 they came to America and settled in Washington county, Penn. Mr. McBurney was prominent in both political and church work, serving as justice of the peace in Cecil township until obliged to resign his position on account of enfeebled health. He was one of the first ruling orders of the Associate Reformed Church. He died August 11, 1820, having passed the age of fourscore years. John McBurney was born in County Down, Ireland, and came with his parents to America. In 1793 he was married to Sarah Hunter, a native of Pennsylvania and a member of the Associate Reformed Church. A large family were born to the union, as follows: Jennie, James, Esther, John, Eliza, Robert, Sarah, David and Samuel, and of those Sarah was married to James McCalmont. James and Sarah (McBurney) McCalmont began their wedded life on a farm near Hickory, this county, where they remained four years, and then, in 1839, came to Robinson township, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1890, when he was in his eighty-third year. He was elected an elder in the United Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown, in 1839, and in 1863 transferred his membership to Centre, where he was again elected and installed elder, serving many years in that capacity. He was a Republican, actively interested in the success of his party, and served as school director several years, also justice of the peace two terms. His children were as follows: Mary, Lizzie, John A., James P., Sarah H., David A., R. M., Esther Agnes, and Kate (the latter being deceased). John A., son of James and Sarah (McBurney) McCalmont, was born February 22, 1840, and received a common business education. On August 22, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Fortieth P. V. I., under Capt. William A. Stockton, of Cross Creek township, Washington county. He served with his regiment in all the principal battles and in a number of skirmishes, remaining until the close of the war in 1865. After returning home he engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he has since followed with success. In February, 1870, he was united in marriage with Anna B. Keys, who was born in 1846, a native of Washington county, and five children were born to them, namely: James K., Mary J., John C., Sarah M. and one deceased. The mother was a member of the U. P. Church. She passed away in 1880, and on June 15, 1887, Mr. McCalmont was married to Minnie Henderson, who was born November 5, 1853, in Washington county, a daughter of Alexander Henderson. The latter's grandfather was Rev. Matthew Henderson, who was born in Scotland and, coming to America at an early day, preached the first sermon in English west of the mountains in Pennsylvania. He died in 1795. His son Robert was a farmer, and in early manhood was married to Elizabeth Russell. He died in December, 1866. Alexander Henderson, son of Robert Henderson, was born in April, 1809, and when a young man was united in marriage with Nancy Watson, who was born in March, 1819. They had eleven children, five of whom are now living: Mary W., Robert M., Lizzie, Minnie (Mrs. John A. McCalmont) and Rebecca. The father died in April, 1890, the mother having preceded him in February, 1864. Both were members of the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. McCalmont has a farm of 154 acres, and carries on a very extensive milk-dairy. He and his wife are members of the Centre United Presbyterian Church of Midway. In politics Mr. McCalmont is a Republican.

Text taken from page 1223 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]