ANSELL, pp. 230-232
Contributed by Keely Deuschle
The Ansells came to Fayette county from Somerset county, Pennsylvania, where Michael Ansell was born, learned his trade of miller and married. Later he came to Fayette county, where for many years he operated Roger's mill. Children: 1. Alexander, was a rider "Postillion," on the National Pike. 2. John, a farmer. 3. A daughter. 4. George, of whom further.
(II) George, youngest son of Michael Ansell, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1819, died in 1854. He was quite young when his parents moved to Fayette county, where he became a farmer of North Union township and lived until his death at the age of thirty-five years. He married Sarah Hartsel, born in Preston county, Virginia, in 1824, died May 31, 1897. She had two brothers Jacob and Daniel, both farmers of Virginia, now West Virginia, and a sister. She was but thirty years of age when her first husband died and she married (second) Albert Collins, a cooper of Uniontown, where she resided until her death. Children of George and Sarah Ansell: 1. Alexander, died September 23, 1897; he was a farmer; married Mary Snyder. 2. Alfred, married Florence Craft and resides in Uniontown, proprietor of a livery business. 3. Jacob, of whom further. 4. Sarah, married Allan Cannan and lived in their North Union township farm; both deceased. 5. Mary, born June 26, 1846, married David Balsley and resides in Uniontown. 6. Jane, twin of Mary, died April 3, 1880; married John Collins. 7. Michael, born 1848, died young. 8. William, deceased, married Lucy Jobes, who survives. Children of Sarah (Harsel) Ansell by her second husband, Albert Collins: 1. Frank, resides in Uniontown, unmarried. 2. Smith, married Eliza McDowell of Uniontown. 3. John, resides in Pittsburgh. 4. George, married Mary Sloan and resides in Uniontown.
(III) Jacob, second son of George and Sarah (Hartsel) Ansell, was born in Preston county, Virginia, May 24, 1844. The house in which he was born stands on the line between West Virginia and Pennsylvania, the room in which he was born being in West Virginia. His parents moved two years later to Jockey Hollow, and in 1848 came to North Union township, Fayette county, where George Ansell was employed until his death on the Levi and Dennis Springer farms. The lad had little opportunity to acquire an education, losing his father at the age of ten years and spending his early life in labor on the farm. He ran away from home with his brother Alexander to join the army, enlisting April 30, 1862, as bugler of Company F, Fourteenth Regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was captured at the battle of Winchester, July 24, 1864, and held prisoner at Danville, North Carolina, seven months and three days. Prior to his capture he served with his regiment in the following engagements with the enemy: In 1863, Beverly, West Virginia, July 3; Huntsville, Virginia, July 3; Hedgesville, Virginia, July 19; Warren Springs, Virginia, July 24; Rocky Gap, Virginia, August 26 and 27; Droop Mountain, Virginia, November 6; Salem Raid (Averill's), December 8. In 1864, Jeffersonville, Virginia, May 8; Wytheville, Virginia, May 10; Union, Virginia, May 13; New Market, Virginia, May 15; Piedmont, Virginia, June 5; Buckingham, Virginia, June 17 and 18; Liberty, Virginia, June 19; Salem, Virginia, June 21; Bunker Hill, Virginia, June 26; Darksville, Virginia, July 2; Martinsburg, Virginia, July 3; Solomon's Gap, Maryland, July 6; Brownsville, Maryland, July 7; Crampton's Gap, Maryland; July 8; Monocacy Junction, Maryland, July 10; Urbaba, Maryland, July 11; Point of Rocks, Maryland, July 16; Snicker's Gap, Virginia, July 18; Bunker Hill, Virginia, July 19; Stevensons Depot, Virginia, July 20; Newton, Virginia, July 22; Kearnstown, Virginia, July 24. While on the skirmish line at Winchester on the last mentioned date he was captured. After returning from war he worked at farming, later formed a partnership with Lucius Martin and did a general contracting business in Uniontown, continuing several years. He was then a coke drawer at the several plants around Uniontown, continuing as such for fifteen years. In 1884, he was made tipstaff at the Uniontown courthouse, receiving his first appointment from Judge Ingram, of Greene county, and by succeeding appointments has remained continuously in that office. He is a Republican and served on the city council of Uniontown one term. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
He married, July 14, 1874, Mary Bradford, born in Wharton township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1845, daughter of Henry and Hannah (Williams) Bradford. Henry Bradford was born in London, England, July 5, 1813. He served a term of enlistment in the English army, doing duty in the west. Later he came to the United States, settling in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, but the warlike spirit was in his blood and the quite life of farmer did not please him. He enlisted in the regular United States army, serving in 1836-37-38. He then returned to Fayette county, but at the beginning of the war with Mexico he enlisted, serving under General Scott from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico. After the capture of the latter city and the close of the war he was shot and killed by a party of bushwhackers. After facing death in open battle under two flags he fell by the bullet of one of those vile creatures who only fight from ambush, with no danger to themselves.
Mr. Bradford married Hannah Williams, born at New Haven, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, April 14, 1808, died January, 1886, daughter of William Williams, born in Virginia, a soldier of the revolution and when an old man served in the war of 1812. He came to Fayette county when a young man and followed farming near Connellsville, later in Stewart township. He was a descendant of the New England Williams family founded by Roger Williams, the first Baptist minister of New England. William Williams married Honor Davis, also born in Virginia. Children of Henry and Hannah (Williams) Bradford: 1. Anna, married John Henderson and lives in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. 2. Mary, of previous mention, wife of Jacob Ansell; no issue. 3. Jane, deceased, married Alexander Spears; he lives in Martin township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. The Ansell home is at No. 45 Stewart Avenue, Uniontown, where Mr. Ansell built a residence in 1874.
He married, January 14, 1889, Rachel E. Cropp, born in Dunbar township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Cropp, of Dunbar township. Children: 1. Albert J., born October 31, 1890; educated in public schools and business college; now engaged with his father in the shoe business. 2. Clarence T., born July 15, 1892; a medical student at the Jefferson Medical School, Philadelphia. 3. Bertha M., born October 19, 1895. 4. Robert, born July 8, 1900. 5. Sarah, born February 10, 1903. 6. Ella Belle, born August 28, 1905, died March 31, 1909.
Source:
Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Under
the Editorial Supervision of John W. Jordan, LL.D., Librarian of Pennsylvania Historical
Society, Philadelphia and James Hadden of Uniontown, Pennsylvania; author of
"Washington and Braddock’s Expeditions Through Fayette County", and the reproductions
of Judge James Veech’s work entitled "The Monongahela of Old, or Historical Sketches
of Southwestern Pennsylvania to the Year 1800".
New York
Lewis Historical Publishing Company
1912
Three Volumes