ROBERT WARRELL. Among the esteemed residents of East Finley township, none are more worthy than the subject of this sketch. He is a son of James Warrell, who was a native of County Donegal, Ireland, to which country Washington county is indebted for many of her substantial and enterprising citizens. James Warrell received a fair education, of which he made good use in later years, and learned the shoemaker's trade. In about 1815 he was united in marriage with Sarah Wilson, a native of the same county, and before leaving Ireland the following children were born to them: Thomas (deceased), Rebecca (living in Allegheny county, Penn.), Rachel (deceased), Charles (residing in Claysville, this county) and James (deceased). Mr. Warrell was engaged in the mercantile and broker business at Convoy, County Donegal, Ireland, and during the war of 1812 was frequently called on business to New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia and many other large eastern cities. In 1825 he immigrated with his family to America, and landing at New York, resided in that city for some time, where another child, Robert, was born to him. In 1826 he moved to Washington county, Penn., locating near Claysville, Donegal township, where he purchased some property, upon which was a hotel, conducted for a short time by John Valentine, then purchasing a farm, engaged in agriculture. Three other children were there born: William, a farmer in East Finley township, this county; Sarah Ann (Mrs. William L. Oliver), of East Finley township, and John, a farmer of Richland county, Ohio. Mr. Warrell was never sick a day in his life before his last illness, and was a man of wonderful vigor and vitality. He once walked from Claysville to Pittsburgh and returned, in one day and two hours of the night. Politically he was a Republican, and in religious faith a member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife died in 1834, and after a short sickness he sank peacefully to rest. Robert Warrell (the eldest of the children born in America) was born in New York City, July 4, 1826, and was early brought by his parents to Washington county, Penn., where he received a limited education. After attaining his majority he was employed as a tanner, afterward becoming a partner in the business with his brother. He then clerked in the dry-goods store of George K. Scott, Washington, Penn., for some time, when he went to Pittsburgh and clerked for Stephen Barton, a jeweler and notion dealer on the corner of Wood and Water streets. At this time there were no railroads in the city. On July 30, 1850, Mr. Warrell was united in marriage with Rebecca Crisswell, who was born November 15, 1825, a daughter of Richard and Jemima (McKenzie) Crisswell. To this union two children were born: Sarah E. (widow of Rev. William Gamble, a M. E. minister and native of Allegheny county), born May 29, 1851 (has four children: Mamie R., Clara E., Estelle and Walter D.), and Robert B., born September , 1854 (deceased when four months old). After his marriage Mr. Warrell remained some time in Pittsburgh, and then moved to Henry county, Ohio, locating near Napoleon (the county seat). He remained there two years, returning in 1856 to Washington county, Penn., where he finally settled on his present well-improved farm, situated five miles south of Claysville, in East Finley township, this county, and successfully followed agricultural pursuits. Mr. Warrell is a versatile man, and has an extensive acquaintance throughout the county. He is an enthusiastic worker in the Republican party, and has been called on to fill several political offices, but has invariably declined. He and his wife are both members of the Stony Point M. E. Church. Their widowed daughter, with her four children, resides with her parents.
Text taken from page 1211 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/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]