John Presely Proudfit, p. 774

JOHN PRESLEY PROUDFIT, an energetic young farmer of Smith township, is a great-grandson of David Proudfit, a native of Scotland, who came to America and located in York county, Penn., where his son, John, was born January 28, 1775. In 1802 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, Penn., 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 occurred in 1826, and then John and his family 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 full of dangers and accompanied with many inconveniences. On one occasion Mr. and Mrs. Proudfit rode 300 miles on horseback to visit relatives in York county, Penn., the wife carrying a young baby in her arms, and many hardships were endured on the journey. The following children were born to these pioneers: David (deceased September 19, 1813), born August 13, 1810; John L. (deceased), born September 3, 1812; James K. (deceased February 25, 1816), born April 21, 1815; Eliza J. (Mrs. Arthur Campbell, of Smith township), born January 2, 1817; Agnes (deceased August 15, 1824), born June 17, 1819; Robert F., born December 23, 1821; Cinderella (wife of Jacob Proudfit, resides in Ashland county, Ohio), born September 16, 1824; William, born May 10, 1828; Andrew, born March 20, 1831; and Eleanor (Mrs. Thomas Shipley, of Hanover township), born August 29, 1833.

Robert F. Proudfit was born in York county, Penn., coming with his parents to Washington county, when about four years of age. The family located one mile and a half west of Burgettstown, where Robert F. grew to manhood, working on the farm and receiving such education as could then be secured in the country schools. On January 15, 1849, he was married to Sarah E. Porter, who was born August 9, 1823, in the western part of the county, near Monongahela City. She was a daughter of William Porter, who kept a hotel along the National pike, two miles from Monongahela City. Two children were born to this union, namely: Margaret E. (Mrs. W.J. McNary, of Smith township), and John P. (subject of our sketch). Mr. and Mrs. Proudfit lived near Bavington, Smith township, for several years after their marriage. His father died in 1849 and he then moved upon the home place. When a lad of fifteen years, Mr. Proudfit received an injury from which he never fully recovered, and during his later years spent much time in travel, hoping to improve, physically. In 1870 he took a trip to Europe, and the benefit received from the journey, though encouraging, was but temporary. In 1876 he visited the western States, and the trip seemed to impart new strength, but, as before, the improvement was not permanent, and August 13, 1887, he passed away. He was an energetic and industrious man, leaving considerable property, and in politics was a lifelong Democrat. He was formerly connected with the Presbyterian Church, but not long before his death joined the U.P. Church. His widow has continued to reside on the home farm, which is owned by her only son, with whom she makes her home.

John P. Proudfit was born May 5, 1858, on the home farm near Burgettstown where he has always resided. He received a common-school education, and on September 3, 1879, was married to Carried I. Russell, who was born April 25, 1858, daughter of Alexander Russell, a native of Chartiers township, who settled in Muskingum county, Ohio. To John P. and Carrie I. Proudfit four children have been born, namely: Ethel S., born August 20, 1880; Alexander R., born May 3, 1883; Aunie M., born February 24, 1886; and Robert F., born March 15, 1888. Mr. Proudfit has had charge of the home farm since coming of age, and is a successful and progressive agriculturist. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and in religion he and his wife are members of the U.P. Church at Burgettstown.

Text taken from page 774 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed April 1997 by Jack McNatt of Valrico, FL 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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