| Notes |
- The following information is taken from: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).
MRS. NANCY C. ROLLSTIN, one of the most popular and intelligent ladies of Buffalo township, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, January 8, 1829. She is the daughter of John and Jane (McGuffin) Adams.
John Adams was a native of Ireland, who came to America when eighteen years old. He first located in Washington county, Penn., where he spent several years as a farm hand. Removing to Guernsey county, Ohio, he invested his savings in land, and prepared a rude home in the wilderness. The humble "cage" being prepared, he returned to Washington county to secure the bird, and three months later brought his bride, Miss Jane McGuffin, to the pioneer cabin. Together the young couple began to build their home, and here were born to them the following eight children: Thomas, Elizabeth, Nancy C., Mary J., Margaret, Ann, William P. and Rebecca E. Of these children, Thomas, Elizabeth and Margaret are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Adams passed the remainder of their days on the old farm, where the first years of their married life were spent, and where their youngest son, William P., still resides. In religion they were Covenanters of the Old School, and the religious training of the family was that strict type, characteristic of the denomination.
Nancy C. Adams, the subject proper of this sketch, was first married October 23, 1849, to James McKeown, whose parents emigrated from the Province of Munster, Ireland, when he was one year old, or in 1824. In the spring of 1850, the young couple located in Harrison county, Ohio, with buoyant spirits and bright prospects for the future; but, alas! how little we know of what the future has in store for us. Only three short months had passed since beginning housekeeping, when on June 29, 1850, Mr. McKeown, in assisting in tearing down a frame barn, received injuries from a fall which caused his death, July 7, 1850. Mrs. McKeown now returned to the home of her parents, where her son James A. was born January 9, 1851, and where she continued to make her home until April, 1858, when she was again married; this time to John Rollstin, a son of James Rollstin, of Buffalo township.
James Rollstin was born in Ireland in 1785, and emigrated to this country when quite young. He was united in marriage with Miss Nancy McGuffin March 29, 1810, and to them were born five sons and eight daughters: William, John, Joseph, Elizabeth, Esther, Rebecca, Jane, Nancy, Martha, Margaret, James, Porter and Rachel. Of these, only three are now living: Esther (Mrs. Knox, of Claysville), Martha (Mrs. McDowell, of Iowa), and Rachel (Mrs. Woods, of Iowa).
John Rollstin was born December 18, 1812, in Buffalo township, and was reared on the farm, receiving a common-school education. His first wife was Eliza Finley, of East Finley township, and to them were born two daughters: Nancy J., born in 1844, and Mattie E., in 1847. Nancy J. married John Allender, and is now deceased; Mattie E. married E. H. Stringham, of Ringgold county, Iowa, where she now resides. The mother died in 1856, and Mr. Rollstin afterward married Nancy (Adams) McKeown. The children born of this union were: Lizzie J., June 4, 1859, and Anna R., May 31, 1861. Lizzie J. was married to R. J. McCleery, of West Finley township, in the fall of 1883. She died January 16, 1888. Anna R. was married to W. H. Craig in the spring of 1887. Mr. Craig died August 9, 1891, since which time Anna has made her home with her mother.
Politically, John Rollstin was a Republican, an active supporter of his party, and in religion a devout and consistent member of the U. P. Church. Mrs. Rollstin is also a member of the U. P. Church of Claysville, and enjoys the respect of all who know her. By the death of John Rollstin, which occurred April 6, 1864, Mrs. R. was again left a widow. Assuming the management of the farm, her business capacity and thrift enabled her not only to support herself and family, besides hiring the labor done, but to lay something by for a "rainy day."
Her son, J. A. McKeown, was a teacher in the public schools for eighteen winters. In the fall of 1877 he was united in marriage with Lizzie J., daughter of A. K. Craig. Three children were born to them, all of whom are deceased. Mrs. McKeown died December 2, 1884. Mr. McKeown selected, as his second wife, Ethilind Brimner, of Burgettstown, with whom he was united in marriage August 29, 1888. They have one son, Clark B., now living. A daughter, Mary L., died June 22, 1891, aged thirteen months. Mr. McKeown is a justly popular young man, winning many friends by his recognized ability and genial courtesy of manner. He successfully manages his mother's farm, which consists of 100 acres of good land lying south of the National pike, in Buffalo township, as well as eighty acres of his own in East Finley township, two miles south of the home farm, and also devotes much attention to stock raising. Politically, he is a straight Republican, and is now serving his second term as county auditor, a position for which he is well qualified, both by natural inclination and intellectual training.
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1829 - 1893 (64 years)
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