DEMAS ELWOOD TOMBAUGH is a worthy representative of one of the prominent families of West Bethlehem township. His grandfather, Matthias Tombaugh, who was of German parentage, when the country was yet new settled in Somerset township, Washington Co., Penn. It was then perilous to travel after nightfall, as the wolves were very numerous and fierce. He married Rachel Spohn, and reared the following family: Solomon, John, George, Matthias, Eli, Isaac and Jacob (twins), Adam, Lavina, and Mary. Of these, Lavina, Mary and Matthias are deceased. While filling the office of superintendent of schools of Livingston county, Ill., Matthias was accidentally drowned. He was out fishing with several companions, when the boat suddenly lurched, which caused one of his friends to be thrown overboard. Matthias made an heroic attempt to rescue him, succeeding at the expense of his own life. Jacob now resides in Livingston county, Ill., where he is a prosperous and well known farmer. Adam lives in Bond county, Ill., where he is esteemed by all who know him. John, Isaac and Eli are residents of Washington county, and are influential farmers. Solomon Tombaugh, the father of Demas Elwood, was born in Somerset township, Washington Co., Penn., in 1823. His boyhood was spent upon his father's farm, and he received a fair education. When a young man he taught school one year in Indiana, and after his return to Washington county married Lydia Leatherman, daughter of John Leatherman, who was one of the first and strongest Abolitionists of Washington county. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tombaugh: Irvin, John, Leon, Demas Elwood, James, Byron, Lucy, Ida and Annie. Of these, Irvin, Lucy, and Annie are dead; John is a resident of West Bethlehem township; Leon is a practicing physician in Millburn, Lake Co., Ill.; James is a minister of the Gospel, residing in Fayette county, Ohio; Byron is county superintendent of schools, and lives in Washington (the county seat); Ida is with her husband, David Hootman, in Philadelphia.
Demas Elwood Tombaugb was born November 22, 1854, in West Bethlehem township, this county, and received a common-school education. He was married November 20, 1879, to Lola Wilson, a daughter of Harvey Wilson, of Somerset township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Tombaugh are influential members of the society in which they move, and are esteemed by all who have their acquaintance. The Tombaughs are all Republicans, and no Tombaugh has ever asked for political office, save occasionally, and then it is for an educational office.
Text taken from page 1101 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]