JAMES S. MOUNTS, a native of Franklin township, Washington Co., Penn., was born May 6, 1835. He is a son of Joseph Mounts, who was also a native of Washington county, born November 80, 1793, and passed his earlier years at home. On July 28,1817, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Montgomery, who bore him three children: Richard, Mary Jane and Elizabeth. In April, 1824, the father was married to Nancy McLaughlin, who was born April 7, 1808, a daughter of James McLaughlin. James McLaughlin was born in Ireland, where he was married to Sarah Hawthorne, and soon afterward left his home in the old country to seek one in the New World. He finally settled in Washington county, Penn., where the remainder of his life was passed, and the following children were born and reared: Nancy, James, Sarah, Martha and Andrew. After his marriage Joseph Mounts settled on a small farm in Buffalo township, Washington county, and remained there twenty-eight years, when be purchased the farm on which the remainder of his life was passed. His children were: Sarah (Mrs. James Coulson), Margaret (Mrs. Samuel Carson), Eleanor (Mrs. David Clark), Martha, Nancy C. (Mrs. James Prigg), James S. (subject of this sketch), Rebecca (Mrs. William Prigg), Martha J. (Mrs. John Logan), Maria A., Rachel and Joseph. Mr. Mounts was a Democrat, and took an active interest in public affairs. He died August 5,1877, and was buried in Washington cemetery. James S. Mounts spent his early life on the home farm, and received his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. On October 20,1861, he was married to Susan, daughter of Jacob Werich, and the following children were born to them: Melvin, Warren M., Fannie (Mrs. Ed. Elwood), Nancy and James. The mother of these children dying, Mr. Mounts was married February 4, 1892, to Lizzie, daughter of Marquette Wright, of Washington. Mr. Mounts has always been a successful farmer, and is an enterprising citizen. In political opinion he is a prominent and earnest worker in his party. He was a member of the U. P. Church until the Civil war opened, when the Democrats were prohibited from fellowship, since which time he has been connected with no church.

Text taken from page 497 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by George & Mary Ann Plance of Gainesville, FL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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