John L. Proudfit, p. 504

JOHN L. PROUDFIT. He who begins at the lowest round of the ladder, and, with his eyes fixed on the goal, overcomes each obstacle, rising step by step until that goal is won, is the man to whom all honor is due. Of such a character is the gentleman of whom we write. He is a worthy representative of an old and well-known pioneer family. David Proudfit, grandfather of subject, was a native of Scotland and coming to America, located in York county, Penn., where a son, John, was born to him, January 28, 1775. In 1802 this John Proudfit came to Washington county, Penn., locating in Hanover township. On April 9, 1809, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Lyle, a native of Cross Creek (then Hopewell) township, born March 24, 1793, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hays) Lyle. Some time after their marriage John and Elizabeth (Lyle) Proudfit returned to York county, as the father of John was growing old and feeble, and needed the care of his children. The young people remained on the home farm until the death of the father, which event occurred in 1826. John and his family then again moved to Washington county, settling one mile west of Burgettstown, where he passed the remainder of his life. The trips across the mountains were fraught with much danger and inconvenience. On one occasion Mr. and Mrs. Proudfit rode 300 miles on horseback to make a visit to relatives in York county, the wife carrying an infant in her arms, and many hardships were endured on the journey. The following children were born to these pioneers: David, born August 13, 1810, died September 19, 1813; John L. (deceased), born September 3, 1812; James K., born April 21, 1815, died February 25, 1816; Eliza J. (Mrs. Arthur Campbell, of Smith township), born January 2, 1817, died December 21, 1892; Agnes, born June 17, 1819, died August 15, 1824; Robert F., born December 23, 1821, died in Smith township, in September, 1886; Cinderella (wife of Jacob Proudflt, a native of Ashland county Ohio), born September 16, 1824; William, born May 10, 1828; Andrew J., born March 20, 1831 and Eleanor (Mrs. Thomas Shipley, of Hanover township, this county), born August 29, 1833, now in Hanover township. John L. Proudfit was born in Hanover township Washington county, and when but eight month old was taken by his parents to York county, Penn. where he received his early education. When sixteen years of age he returned with his parents to Smith township, Washington county, and entered the arena of agricultural pursuits. When a young man he was married to Eleanor Campbell who bore him four children, as follows: Elizabeth (Mrs. William A. P. Linn), Jennie (wife of Dr W. P. Taylor), Martha E. (deceased wife of John M. Moore) and Amanda, deceased. On December 24, 1867, Mr. Proudfit married, for his second wife Mrs. Nancy Byers, widow of Alexander Byers, and daughter of Alexander Duncan, who was born November 14, 1792, in Smith township, where his whole life was passed. Mr. Duncan was first married to Matilda Crothers, a native of this county, who bore him two children, James C., and Matilda E. (wife of Samuel MacFarland, but now deceased). The mother of these children dying, for his second wife Mr. Duncan married Jane Knox White, daughter of Thomas White. They settled near Florence, Penn., and three children were born to their union, of whom the following is a brief record: Nancy D. was married to J. L. Proudfit, as above stated; Jane was the wife of David Van Eman, and became the mother of three children: Alexander, William W. and Jennie White; John W. (deceased) was married to Harriet Culley, who bore him the following children: George A. (deceased), Byers D., Addie J., Levi H., John C., James M., Hattie and Robert M. Mr. Duncan was first a Whig, afterward a Republican in politics, and in religion a member and trustee of the Presbyterian Church at Florence.

John L. and Nancy Proudfit continued to reside at Burgettstown, where he dealt extensively in stock, giving special attention to sheep raising. When the Burgettstown National Bank was organized, he was elected president of that corporation, at first of the Savings Bank connected with it, filling that office until his death, which occurred in 1882, when he was seventy years of age. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religion a Presbyterian, and an elder in that Church, at the time of his death a member of the U. P. Church in Burgettstown. Mrs. Proudfit is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Since the death of her husband she has continued to reside at the old home, having a niece living with her.

Text taken from page 504 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed May 1997 by George & Mary Ann Plance of Gainesville, FL as part of the Beers Project.
Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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