Western Pennsylvania Genealogy
Compiled by Douglas H. Lusher


Family Group Record



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John Moore Laird, Esq. and Rebecca Moore




Husband John Moore Laird, Esq. 1 2 3 4

           Born: 8 Sep 1802 - Sardis, Westmoreland Co, PA 4 5
     Christened: 
           Died: 25 Jan 1887 3
         Buried: 


         Father: Rev. Francis Laird, D.D. (1768-1854) 2 6 7
         Mother: Mary Moore (      -      ) 6 8


       Marriage: 8 Sep 1835 - Congruity, Salem Twp, Westmoreland Co, PA 5

   Other Spouse: Ellen May Morton (      -      ) 4 - 12 Jan 1830 - Steubenville, Jefferson Co, OH 5



Wife Rebecca Moore 1 3 4

           Born:  - Salem Twp, Westmoreland Co, PA
     Christened: 
           Died: 5 Jul 1875 3 4
         Buried:  - St. Clair Cemetery, Greensburg, Westmoreland Co, PA


         Father: James Moore (1774-1846) 1 3
         Mother: Catharine C. Scott (Abt 1776-1846) 1




Children
1 M James Moore Laird 3 7

           Born: 13 Dec 1837 - Murrysville, Westmoreland Co, PA 3 7
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 
         Spouse: Sarah Boyd Fullwood (1836-      ) 9 10
           Marr: 13 Apr 1865 - Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co, PA 9


2 M Francis Van Buren Laird 3 11 12

           Born: 30 Dec 1840 - Murrysville, Westmoreland Co, PA 11
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 
         Spouse: Hetty D. Welty (      -      ) 11
           Marr: 19 Apr 1871 11


3 F Kate R. Laird 3

           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 



4 M William Laird 3 13

           Born: Abt 1845
     Christened: 
           Died: 22 Nov 1876 3 13
         Buried: 




General Notes: Husband - John Moore Laird, Esq.


He was editor of the Greensburg Argus from 1850 to the time of his death, and succeeded in making it one of the leading weekly papers of the state. He was a democrat of the old school and was a vigorous champion of the principles of the party to which he belonged. He was a man of very decided and positive views on all questions and fearless in the expression. During the civil war he was persecuted beyond endurance by reason of his convictions, and many times was his life threatened and his office besieged by mobs, but he boldly and bravely bid defiance to all attempts against his person or property. He was elected and served one term as register and recorder, and was for many years a justice of the peace, both in Murrysville and Greensburg; while serving in the latter place he was coroner by common consent, no coroner being elected during his term as justice. Although able and deserving he never aspired to state or national positions. He was a friend and intimately acquainted with James Buchanan, Thaddeus Stephens and the leading characters of that day. Edwin M. Stanton learned the printer's trade with him while he was editor of the Steubenville (Ohio) Gazette. In the "Buckshot war" Mr. Laird was a private, taking his own arms with him. [BHCWC, 120]

He was born at Locust Dale, later Sardis, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. During his early life he attended the schools of his neigh-borhood, and was in addition tutored by his father. Al-though he did not manifest a fondness for farm work during his boyhood as occasions required, he assisted on the farm. He learned the printing trade with Judge John M. Snowden, of Pittsburg, who was editor of the "Mercury." After completing his apprenticeship he removed to Steubenville, Ohio, where for a time he edited a paper. Here he married a most estimable lady, but soon after the birth of their child the angel of death entered the home and claimed as his victim the beautiful, accomplished and loving wife and mother. The death of his wife was a severe stroke to him. To make matters worse he was attacked with malaria and, broken in body and spirit, he sold out his interests in Steubenville and returned to his native county. In time his health improved, and feeling that he must be active, lest, as he put it, he "might rust out," he began to look about for something to do. Con-gruity, midway between New Alexandria and New Salem, was then a promi-nent point on the old northern turnpike, and he selected this village as his place of abode and opened a general store. In this venture commercially, he was only partly successful; but as subsequent events proved, his location there was one of the most fortunate circumstances of his life, it was here that he mar-ried his second wife. After his second marriage, with the hope of greater business prosperity, he bought the store of Mr. David Rankin, Murrysville. One who knew Rev. Francis Laird well, in writing of him said: "In selling the products of his farm he always heaped the half bushel." John M. Laird inherited the honesty of his father, and although he did a large business, he did not pile up profits as rapidly as many another would have done under like cir-cumstances; he always "heaped the half bushel;" gave "down weight" and al-lowed a thumb's-breadth to the yardstick. He was, while living in Murrysville, elected justice of the peace, and it is said that he was instrumental in bringing about an amicable settlement in the majority of cases brought before him, often times giving up his fees in order to harmonize the quarrelsome neigh-bors. He bought the "Pennsylvania Argus" in 1850 and removed to Greensburg where he lived until his death. As editor of the "Argus" he displayed a great amount of tact, talent and energy. An extensive reader, a keen observer, and close student of men and things, the products of his pen were forcible, clean cut and convincing-a man of strong convictions who was always ready to stand by his sentiments without fear of consequences. His genial nature and kind heart were best known to his intimates, but were transparent to others who knew him only as the stern, unswerving champion of the principles he advocated. As the exponent of Jeffersonian Democracy he was absolutely fearless, and many times the burning words came as from a pen of fire. Necessarily his political enemies were numerous; nevertheless, they admired his sterling manhood and acknowledged his honesty of purpose. He left behind him fragrant memories of his just and useful life and noble sac-rifices. The "Argus" is an endearing monument of his lifework. He held but one county office, that of register and recorder, to which he was elected in November, 1872, and served the full term of three years. He likewise, while a resident of Greensburg, held the office of justice of the peace for several terms. In religion, like his forefathers, he was a true and devoted disciple of Calvin, and lived and died in the Presbyterian faith. [HWC 1906 II, 457]

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Sources


1 —, History of Indiana County, Pennsylvania (Newark, OH: J. A. Caldwell, 1880), Pg 393.

2 George Dallas Albert, History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882), Pg 297.

3 Samuel T. Wiley, Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: John M. Gresham & Co., 1890.), Pg 120.

4 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 458.

5 George Dallas Albert, History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882), Pg 286.

6 —, History of Indiana County, Pennsylvania (Newark, OH: J. A. Caldwell, 1880), Pg 388.

7 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 457.

8 George Dallas Albert, History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882), Pg 342.

9 Samuel T. Wiley, Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: John M. Gresham & Co., 1890.), Pg 121.

10 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 461.

11 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 462.

12 Fenwick Y. Hedley, Old and New Westmoreland, Vols. III & IV (New York, NY: The American Historical Society, Inc., 1918), Pg 736.

13 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 459.


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