DAVID M. PRY is a substantial and progressive citizen of Burgettstown, Penn. His grandfather was married in Virginia to a Miss Barnes, who bore him children as follows: John, Abraham William L., Eliza (Mrs. John Powelson), Elizabeth (wife of Samuel Pascal, of Cross Creek township) and Mary. The father of this family was a Democrat in politics. Abraham Pry, father of David M., was born November 10, 1813, in Hampshire county, W. Va. The father died when the son was but four years of age, and the child was left to struggle through the perplexities of boyhood unaided, but he secured an education by dint of perseverance and energy, and when about twenty-two years of age came to Washington county, settling in Cross Creek township. In 1840 he was there married to Rachel, daughter of David McClurg, of the same township, and the young people then settled on the farm where they are yet living. The following children have been born to their union: David M., Catherine J. (deceased), John W., William H. and Joseph M. (twins, the latter of whom is deceased), Abraham, Cynthia J. (deceased), Anna M. (deceased), Ambrose (living in Iowa) and Francis H. (deceased) The father of this family was originally a Democrat, then a Whig, finally uniting with the Republican party, whose principles he now supports. He attends the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church, contributing liberally to its maintenance. David M. Pry, eldest son of Abraham and Rachel (McClurg) Pry, was born June 16, 1842, on the home farm in Cross Creek township and remained with his parents until about twenty years of age. He enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Fortieth P. V. I., serving throughout the Civil war. He was wounded at Spottsylvania, being shot in the leg by a musket ball, and was sent to the "Finley" hospital at Washington City. He remained there until mustered out of the service August 16, 1865, then returned home and engaged in farming. On October 5, 1865, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of John Rea, of Cross Creek township, this county, and the children born to them were Nora L., Jennie O., Mary G., William R. (deceased) and Edwin B. After his marriage Mr. Pry followed farming for two years, and in 1868 opened a general store in Burgettstown, Penn. In 1884 he was elected recorder of the county, and served in that office until 1887, then returned to Burgettstown, resuming his former business. Mrs. Pry died in September, 1877, and was buried in the Presbyterian cemetery at Burgettstown. On February 5, 1885, Mr. Pry was united in marriage with Mary D., daughter of Robert Lee, of Jefferson township, this county. In politics Mr. Pry is a Republican, and has always been active in promoting the welfare of his party, being prominent in the county conventions, and has twice represented his county in the State conventions at Harrisburg. He has been five times appointed, by the Governor of the State, a notary public, serving in that capacity sixteen years, and on February 21, 1893, was elected a justice of the peace in the borough of Burgettstown. He is also enrolled as agent or attorney, and admitted to practice before the Department of the Interior in Washington, D. C.; he has secured many pensions for disabled soldiers, widows, orphans and dependent parents of the late Civil war. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown, and has held the office of elder since 1874. He was a delegate from the Washington Presbytery to the Council Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States, which met in Chicago in 1877.

Text taken from page 1253 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/.

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