Lewis F. McCrory, of Allen Twp.

LEWIS F. McCRORY, a citizen of California, is a representative of
        one of the prominent families of Allen township. His grandfather John
        McCrory, was born and reared in Washington county, Penn., there
        receiving his early education. When a young man he was married to
        Catherine Speers, a member of a pioneer family of this county, and they
        settled on a farm in Fallowfield township. Their children were Elizabeth
        (wife of David McClain), Samuel S., James, Rebecca, John, Plesey,
        Henry, Jacob, Solomon, Emily (wife of George Lang) and Nathaniel.
        The father was a Whig in political opinion.

        Samuel S. McCrory was born in 1809, in Fallowfield township,
        Washington Co., Penn., and attended the subscription schools of that
        locality. In early manhood he married Nancy, daughter of Samuel Fry,
        and she bore him the following children: Sarah E. (deceased), Mary K.,
        Lewis F., Christina (deceased), Henry J., Emily and John. Mr.
        McCrory worked at boat building and kindred occupations during early
        life, and after his marriage bought a farm, on which he passed the rest
        of his days. In political opinion he was originally a Whig, afterward a
        Republican. He died in September, 1853, his widow passing away
        June 1, 1892.

        Lewis F. McCrory was born February 17, 1839, in Fallowfield
        township, Washington Co., Penn., and was reared to agricultural
        pursuits in Allen township, where he attended the public schools. In
        1862 he enlisted in Company F, Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry
        serving until the close of the war. On October 20, 1869, he married
        Hannah J., daughter of Allen Bowlen. The latter was a son of Nelson
        Bowlen, a farmer, whose parents were natives of Ireland and came to
        America in an early day. Nelson Bowlen was married to Mary
        Coalbank, who bore him six children, namely Bailey, William, Allen,
        Eliza, Mary Jane and Elizabeth. The father served in the war of 1812; in
        politics he voted with the Whig party and in religions faith he was a
        member of the Disciple Church.

        Allen Bowlen (deceased), son of Nelson and Mary Bowlen, was born
        in 1822, in West Virginia, and there learned the tailor's trade, which he
        followed for several years. He was twice married, first to Anna Hugh
        and their children were Hannah (wife of Lewis F. McCrory), Sarah
        (married to Samuel Artis), Isaac, Mary E., Margaret and James, all
        except Hannah being now deceased.

        For his second wife Allen Bowlen was married to Susan McCarty, who
        bore him children as follows: Minerva (deceased), Nelson (deceased),
        Keziah (deceased), Samuel, May, Michael and William. Mr. Bowlen
        was formerly a Democrat, and afterward united with the Republican
        party, and in religion he was a member of the M. E. Church, in which
        he served as steward and trustee.

        Lewis F. and Hannah J. (Bowlen) McCrory resided in Washington
        county, Penn., for some years after their marriage, then moved to a
        farm in Fayette county, finally returning to Allen township, this county.
        Mr. McCrory was identified with the Republicans, but since the
        organization of the Prohibition party has been an enthusiastic advocate
        of the principles embodied in their platform. He and his wife are
        members of the M. E. Church. 


        Text taken from page 1307 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.