The Irvine family of Bradford, Pennsylvania

The Irvine family herein recorded is of Scotch descent, the great-grandfather of Mary A. (Irvine) Andrews, of Bradford, Pennsylvania, emigrating to this country from Ireland, where the family had settled on leaving Scotland. The family seat was nine miles from Enniskillen, on the banks of Lough Erne, at a little village of thirteen hundred people called Irvinestown, also Lowtherstown. Here lived John Irvine, a justice of the peace and deputy lieutenant of the county of Fermanagh. Among the physicians of the village was Gerard Irvine, and among its merchants was William Irvine. This was the family from which sprang the Irvines of Pennsylvania.

(I) William, Andrew and Matthew Irvine

Of the brothers that came to America may be named William, Andrew and Matthew. William was born in Enniskillen, Fermanagh county, Ireland, in 1740, and was appointed a surgeon in the British navy. In 1763 he emigrated to America, settling at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he practiced his profession with success until 1774, when he was appointed one of the representatives in the provincial convention which met at Philadelphia in that year. In January, 1776, he was appointed colonel of the Sixth Battalion, afterward the Seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Line. On March 8, 1782, he was ordered to Fort Pitt to protect the frontier, then threatened with British and Indian invasion. He was also employed in settling the boundary dispute between Pennsylvania and Virginia. In 1794 he was appointed with Andrew Ellicott to lay out the towns of Erie, Warren, Waterford and Franklin, in which service they were accompanied by a military escort under Colonel Irvine’s command. He was a member of the convention to form a constitution for the state of Pennsylvania, and was commander-in-chief of Pennsylvania troops during the whiskey insurrection, and was appointed by Chief Justice McKean to treat with the insurgents.

General Irvine married Anne, daughter of Robert Callender, of Middlesex, near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, an extensive Indian trader, and who commanded a company of Pennsylvania militia at Braddock’s defeat. One of his sons, Callender Irvine, born in Carlisle, 1774, was president of the Hibernia Society of Pennsylvania, and of the State Society of the Cincinnati. Elizabeth Irvine married Dr. Reynolds, a United Irishman of ’98, who came to this country and practiced successfully in Philadelphia. In Warren county, Pennsylvania, is the village of Irvine, named in honor of General William Irvine. Andrew, a brother of General Irvine, was also a brave soldier of the revolution, serving as captain. Matthew Irvine, a younger brother of General William and Andrew, came to this country when a boy. He studied medicine at Carlisle and Philadelphia under his brother and the famous Dr. Rush, but imbibing the patriotic ardor of his brothers he left his studies to join the army of Washington. One of these brothers was the father of Andrew, of whom further.

(II) Andrew Irvine

Andrew Irvine was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, on the west bank of the Susquehanna river, in 1787, died in Warren, Pennsylvania, in January, 1851. His parents were obliged to leave Northumberland county on account of the Indians, fleeing to Cumberland county. His father had three wives and twenty-two children, having issue by each wife. A half-brother of Andrew, Welsh Irvine, was a farmer and boat-builder of Bradford county. Another half-brother, George, settled in that county in 1813. Andrew Irvine settled at Towanda, Bradford county, in 1812, where he erected and operated a tannery until 1836, then moved to Warren, Pennsylvania, where he bought property and engaged extensively in farming and lumbering. On the property which he owned and which is now in the possession of his heirs are several productive gas and oil wells. He was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian church, as was his wife. He married Catherine McAffee, born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, 1791, died in Warren county, Pennsylvania, in May, 1862.

Children, all born in Towanda, Pennsylvania

1. James D. Born 1813, died 1884, unmarried.
2. Mary Ann. Born 1815, died April, 1876, unmarried.
3. Benjamin F. Of whom further.
4. Rosanna. Born 1823, died 1826.
5. Infant. Died unnamed.
6. Catherine. Deceased; married Nelson Parker.
7. Guy C. Born 1833, died January, 1903, unmarried; was a wealthy farmer of Warren county, Pennsylvania.
8. Thomas Jefferson. Born 1834, married Ursula Brand, born 1837; they now reside in Warren.

(III) Benjamin F. Irvine

Benjamin F., son of Andrew and Catherine (McAffee) Irvine, was born at Towanda, Pennsylvania, August 12, 1820, died at Irvine’s Mills, September 10, 1878, leaving a record of a life well spent. He attended the public schools there until his parents moved to Warren, Pennsylvania, where he completed his studies. He worked in his father’s tannery and engaged in lumbering on the Allegheny river, his father having large lumbering interests. In 1843 he moved to Irvine’s Mills, in Cattaraugus county, New York. He there bought five thousand acres of land, much of it heavily timbered, erected saw mills, and caused a village to spring up that was named in his honor. He was a Democrat in politics, and a church member. He married, January 1, 1847, Rebecca Leonard (see Leonard), born in Warren, Pennsylvania, July 12, 1830. She was educated in the public schools of Ellicottville, and Great Valley, New York, finishing at Ellicottville Seminary. She survives her husband, a resident of Bradford, Pennsylvania, with her daughter, Mrs. Mary A. Andrews.

Children of Benjamin F. Irvine, all born at Irvine’s Mills, New York

1. Mary A. Of whom further.
2. Guy C. Born March 21, 1850, died at Bradford, Pennsylvania, January 23, 1912; was a lumberman; married Mildred Beardsley, of Limestone, New York, born November 14, 1850; no issue.
3. Andrew. Born May 29, 1854, died November 26, 1855.
4. Leonard Clarence. Born March 27, 1856, died at Gardeau, McKean county, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1897; an accountant; unmarried.
5. Jerome Nelson. Born October 27, 1857, died in infancy.
6. Benjamin Franklin. Born September 30, 1859, died August 10, 1910; a tobacco merchant; married Mary Clark, born in Farmer’s Valley, Pennsylvania, March 31, 1874, died March, 1905; child:
   1. Rebecca Lydia. Born in Bradford, Pennsylvania, May 16, 1902.
7. Dewitt Clinton. Born February 23, 1866, died in infancy.

(IV) Mary A. Irvine

Mary A., eldest child of Benjamin F. and Rebecca (Leonard) Irvine, was born at Irvine’s Mills, Cattaraugus county, New York, May 5, 1848. She was educated at the Union School in Tonawanda, New York, and resided at home until her marriage, May 4, 1869, to Harper G. Andrews, and lives at Bradford, Pennsylvania, the family home. She is an attendant of the Universalist church and a member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, No. 4, Union Veteran Legion.

Children

1. Rebecca Irvine Andrews. Born at Irvine’s Mills, New York, January 27, 1870; died in infancy.
2. Robert Irvine Andrews. May 10, 1877; died in infancy.
3. Benjamin Franklin Irvine Andrews. September 18, 1879; died in infancy.

Harper G. Andrews was a son of Robert Harper Andrews, born in Plymouth, Connecticut, in 1800, moved to Windsor, New York, and after his marriage was engaged in farming there until his death, September 25, 1872. He married (first) Phiolelia Guernsey, died in Windsor, in 1842; (second) Julia Wilmoth, born in Great Bend, Pennsylvania, 1808, died there, 1878.

Children by first wife

1. Ansel. Born 1826, died 1898; married Mary Scott; child, Frank, a farmer of Hollywood, California.
2. Alma. Born 1828, died in Windsor, New York, her birthplace, 1896; married David Wilmoth, a farmer, also deceased; children: William, lives in Great Bend, Pennsylvania; Sarah, Kate and Daniel, the last three living in Harpersville, New York.
3. Stella. Born 1830, now living in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania; married John Tiffany, a retired engineer; child, Flora, married Nathaniel Decker, and lives in Susquehanna; children: John, Flora and Nathaniel.

Children of Harper G. Andrews by second wife

1. Harper G. Andrews Of whom further.
2. Robert A. Andrews Born December, 1847; a real estate agent in Hollywood, California; married Tillie Burt, of Bradford county, Pennsylvania; children: Harper, Howard, Henry, Fred, Grace, Maude, Earl, Mildred.
3. Edna. Andrews Born 1851; married Bert Bell, of Windsor, New York, now a farmer at Hollywood, California; children: Jesse, a professional educator, New York City; Mina, of Windsor, New York; Lena, of Hollywood, California; Bradley, of Windsor, New York.

Harper G. Andrews, son of Robert Harper Andrews and his second wife, Julia (Wilmoth) Andrews, was born in Windsor, New York, February 14, 1846, died in Bradford, Pennsylvania, August 30, 1904. He was educated in the public schools of Binghamton, New York, finishing with a course at a commercial college. He began his active career as a farmer near Windsor, continuing until his enlistment, July 25, 1862, in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted as a drummer, being only sixteen years old, and served until honorably discharged with the rank of first lieutenant, April 14, 1865. He was a brave soldier and saw hard service with the armies of Grant, Rosecrans and Thomas, marched with Sherman “from Atlanta to the Sea,” and won his several promotions for bravery on the field of battle. After the war and his marriage in 1869, he settled in Limestone, New York, where he was engaged in a mercantile business. He later engaged in lumbering, and in 1896 moved to Bradford, Pennsylvania, where he continued until his death. He was a member of the Masonic order, affiliated with lodge, chapter, and St. John’s Commandery, Knights Templar; and also of Tent No. 4, Knights of the Maccabees, Limestone, New York. He always retained a great affection for his army comrades, and until his death was a member of the Grand Army Post at Bradford, and the Union Veteran Legion. He attended the Universalist church. He was held in high esteem by his business and social acquaintances, and was a true sympathizing friend, and in every walk of life a courteous gentleman.

The Leonard Line

(I) Levi Leonard

Levi Leonard, grandfather of Rebecca (Leonard) Irvine, was born in Montrose, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, died in Warren, Pennsylvania, in 1823. He was a lawyer by profession. He married Rebecca Griffith, born in Montrose, died in Warren in 1828.

Children of Levi Leonard

1. Calvin. Born 1803; a carpenter; died in Limestone, New York; married Jemima Cogswell; children: Samuel, married Valona Fuller, who survives him, living in Limestone; Andrew Jackson, a leather finisher, now residing in Limestone, married Margaret Stevens; Lettie, married and died at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania; Anna, married and died at Beaver Falls; Celinda, married and died at Limestone, New York; Jane, married John Bassett, died at Bolivar, New York; Cynthia, married Squire Chappell Vibbard, both now living in Limestone, New York.
2. Arnold. Born 1805, died at Spring Creek, Warren county, Pennsylvania; married Emeline Gillis, who also died there; he was engaged in the lumber business; children: Levi, a justice of the peace of Spring Creek; Malvina, married Zal Jobes, a lumberman of Warren county, whom she survives, residing at Spring Creek.
3. Levi. Of whom further.
4. Warren. Born in Montrose, Pennsylvania, where he died; married Anna Morrison, of Warren; children: James, living in Kinzua, Pennsylvania, unmarried; Rose, living in Kinzua, married; Adelaide, living in Kinzua, married.
5. Susan. Born 1812, married a Mr. Daly.
6. Robert. Born 1814; a farmer; married Mary Oliver, of Jamestown, New York; ten children.
7. Patty. Born 1816; married Joseph McMullin, a lumberman; one child.
8. Betsey. Born 1818; married Percy Lefevre, a foundryman from Butler county, Pennsylvania; children: Adelaide and Sophia, both living near Pittsburgh.

(II) Levi (2) Leonard

Levi (2), son of Levi (1) Leonard, was born February 22, 1807. He was a farmer and lumberman near Limestone, New York, where he died September 12, 1879. He married Elizabeth Cargill, born in Maine, December 25, 1805, died in November, 1902. Among their children was Rebecca, of previous mention. Elizabeth Cargill had brothers and sisters, of whom she was the eldest, all born in Maine:

Brothers and sisters of Elizabeth Cargill

1. John. Born 1807; a farmer near Poughkeepsie, New York, where he died; married Nancy Cooper.
2. Albert. Born 1809, died in Warren county, Pennsylvania, 1901; married Mary Webb, of Fredonia, New York; followed farming all his life; children: William, married, and lives at Corydon, Pennsylvania; Mary, married (first) William Andrus, (second) Mr. Ackly; now living a widow in Jamestown, Pennsylvania.
3. Nancy. Born 1811; married James Lowry; both deceased; no living issue.
4. James. Born 1814, deceased; a farmer and lumberman of Corydon, Pennsylvania; married Jane Strickler; no living issue.
5. Nathan. Born 1817; a farmer of Corydon, where he died unmarried.
6. Sarah. Born 1828, died 1910; married Dr. Hollister; no issue.

See: Genealogy of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania

Source

Jordan, J. W. 1840-1921. (1913). Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania. New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co.

This genealogy is based upon the source cited above. Only the structure and formatting have been changed for clearer presentation; the genealogical and biographical content