Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 1912


Sterling, Andrew Biography

This name has been a familiar one in England and Scotland from a very early period. There are many branches in the United States, where as Sterling, Starling and Stirling, they have borne well their part in whatever walk of life placed. This branch came from London, England, settling in Mercer county, New Jersey, but did not long remain there. Another Sterling family of about the same period trace from James Sterling, of Burlington, New Jersey, an influential public man and an early Methodist of note frequently mentioned in histories of the Methodist Episcopal church, notably in Rev. John Atkinson's "Memorials of Methodism of New Jersey," which carries his portrait as a frontispiece. It is said he was of Irish descent.

(I) Andrew Sterling, a son probably of John Sterling, deceased 1722, was born in London, England, in the year 1704 or 1705, and died in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, May 8, 1824, aged one hundred and nineteen years. He is buried in the Baptist churchyard at Smithfield, where his gravestone gives his age as stated. He came of a distinguished family, his grand-uncle being lord mayor of London. At an early date Andrew Sterling came to the province of New Jersey, locating near the city of Trenton. He married there, December 18, 1773, Hannah Boyce, their marriage license being yet preserved in the capitol vault at Trenton. She was a daughter of Francis Boyce, a farmer of Amwell, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, near Trenton, Andrew Sterling in 1780 came to Fayette county, and settled in German township. He was a Whig and a Baptist. Children, first three born in New Jersey: Hannah, born April 9, 1775; Leah, November 28, 1776, baptized June 22, 1798, in the Baptist church; Mary, October 16, 1780, died April 17, 1856, married Stephen Boyce; John, of whom further; Cynthia, born December 30, 1785, died July 11, 1825, married Abraham Halfhill; Augustus, born July 29, 1792, died November 24, 1838, unmarried; Andrew (2), born September 7, 1794, moved west, where he died, married (first) Hannah Hess, (second) Elizabeth Cross; Elizabeth, born December 26, 1796, died February 28, 1823, married David Honeyman. (In one or two of the above branches the family name was spelled Starling.)

(II) John, son of Andrew and Hannah (Boyce) Sterling, was born in German township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, March 14, 1783, died February 7, 1833. He inherited money from his father, and to this he added largely. He was engaged in farming all his life, prospering abundantly. He acquired a large tract of land between Masontown and the Monongahela river. This land is still largely owned in the Sterling name, one hundred and twenty-six acres being the present farm and residence of the widow and daughters of John (2) Sterling, of later mention. He was a member of the Church of the Brethren, a Democrat in politics, and a man of high character. He married, February 22, 1807, Catherine Knife, born April 24, 1788, of German descent (family name Messer), who died January 3, 1865. Children: 1. Elizabeth, born January 11, 1808, died January 20, 1824. 2. Andrew, born November 13, 1809; drowned in the Monongahela river, April 27, 1847; married, 1833, Julia Ann Moser, and had issue. 3. Malinda, born January 29, 1812, died August 25, 1883; married, 1833, Joseph Y. Province; no issue. 4. Amy, born November 30, 1814, died May 8, 1892; married, February 19, 1832, John Moser, and left issue. 5. Jonathan, born March 29, 1820, died August 8, 1881; he was an active, prosperous farmer of German township, a Democrat, and a member of the Church of the Brethren; he married, March 31, 1840, Mary Ann Hart, of Nicholson township, had daughters, all of whom married well, and five sons--John, a prosperous farmer; Christian C., a wealthy farmer; Andrew J., an active business man; James, a well-to-do farmer; and William M., also a prosperous farmer. 6. John, of whom further.

(III) John (2), son of John (1) and Catherine (Knife) Sterling, was born in German township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the homestead farm, August 12, 1822, died April 29, 1892. He was educated in the public school, remaining with his parents during his minority. His father started him in life with the gift of a small farm to which he added large holdings of farm and lumber lands, bank stock and town properties. With his son Ephraim W., he owned and operated a large saw mill and planing mills located on the Monongahela river, and there extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber. He was a large owner of rich coal land, and with his sons, Andrew and John B., owned and conducted a large nursery and extensive greenhouses for the culture and sale of all kinds of shrubbery, fruit and ornamental trees. He married, February 6, 1842, Elizabeth De Bolt, born in Masontown, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1826, who survives him, residing on the homestead. Children: 1. Ephraim Walters, of whom further. 2. Amy, born October 15, 1845; married, December 10, 1864, Hon, Jacob Province, born April 3, 1841, an influential Democrat of Fayette county, member of the Pennsylvania House of Assembly, and an attendant of the Brethren church; children: Silas, born October 22, 1865, died December 7, 1902, married Ina De Bolt; Sylvester Andrew, born October 22, 1867, married Maude Irene Sinclair, and now resides in Greensborough, Greene county, Pennsylvania; John Sterling, born September 22, 1870, married Rebecca Olive Burson; Wallace Ward, born June 1, 1873, married Anna Mae Childs; Elizabeth Lee, born August 9, 1875, married William Henry Kerr; Anna Mary, born August 24, 1877, married Hayes Honsaker; Matthias Brant, born January 11, 1881, married Caroline Gabler; Sudie Belle, born July 18, 1883, married William N. Swan, 3. Andrew Jackson, born June 29, 1848; now a minister of the Brethren church at Masontown; married, February 24, 1870, Mary Mellssa Johnson, of Fayette county, 4. Charity Anne, born April 10, 1851, married Dr. Solomon F. Hogue, and resides in Masontown. 5. Jonathan, born February 15, 1854, died November 14, 1858. 6. John Buchanan, born November 29, 1856; married Honora S. Longanecker; one child, Elizabeth Winona. 7. Mary Malinda, of whom further. 8. Rebecca Belle, born September 4, 1863; married George W. Honsaker.

Mr. Sterling was a man of great energy, considering idleness a crime, and prosperity the willing guest of all who deserved her favors. He was a deacon of the Brethren church, and in political faith a Democrat, He took no active part in public affairs, but was devoted to his family, his business and his church. He died honored and respected by all.

(IV) Ephraim Walters Sterling, oldest son of John (2) and Elizabeth (De Bolt) Sterling, is one of Pennsylvania's best known and most progressive citizens. He represents the highest ideals in business affairs, and his extensive and varied interests have brought him into touch and alliance with the larger affairs of the business world. From his father, the late John Sterling, he inherited those qualities which have made his name a synonym for honor and integrity.

Born on the home farm in Fayette county, February 19, 1843, Mr. Sterling became an early and ardent lover of nature. In the farm he saw the possibilities of success, and his large landed interests have been the basis whence sprung innumerable successful enterprises. He is one of the largest independent coal owners in the county. A generation ago he could see the marvelous development to be made in the coal industry and acting upon this judgment he laid his foundation in coal investments. On the farm he found his recreation from labor, and his broad acres have yielded an abundant store. The enterprises of J. & E. W. Sterling were known in every avenue of trade, and when he died Mr. Sterling continued their business affairs.

From the farm and its attendant affairs, Mr. Sterling entered the financial field, organizing and subsequently being chosen president of the Masontown National Bank, which through his wise directions has become one of the distinctive institutions of Southern Fayette county. He also erected the magnificent hotel at Masontown Known as the Hotel Le Roy, and which is under his general supervision. Mr. Sterling is interested in the gas and window glass business, and is a stockholder in practically every enterprise in his neighborhood. In the management of his affairs Mr. Sterling has had the able assistance and wise counsel of his son-in-law, William L. Graham. In later years the acting management of these affairs have received Mr. Graham's attention, through the direction of Mr. Sterling. Mr. Graham is an indefatigable worker, and has won the respect and esteem of all who know him. Mr. Sterling has many social qualities. He is a ready conversationalist. Having been an extensive traveler, he is an entertaining companion. Mr. Sterling has written from time to time a series of newspaper articles of travels and experiences, and has won a firm place in descriptive literature. He is always at home amusing his friends. Nothing affords him so much pleasure as to play the host, and he does it rovally. His benefactions have been many. No worthy cause is ever denied his aid, and these splendid qualities have drawn to him a wide circle of friends to whom the name of Ephraim W. Sterling will always be an inspiration.

He married, October 13, 1864, Sarah Emma Rhoads, born December 30, 1847, daughter of Christian Tarr Rhodes, of Masontown, Pennsylvania. Children: 1. Walter Le Roy, born September 4, 1865, died December 6, 1900. He was engaged with his father in the farming and general mercantile business. During the last several years preceding his death he was engaged in the United States internal revenue service, where he was known as a most capable and efficient officer. He married Emma Almeda Collier, daughter of William Collier, of Fairchance, Pennsylvania. 2. Walker Le Roy, twin, of Walter L., died at birth. 3. Elizabeth Estella, born February 11, 1876. Her early school days were spent in the Masontown public school, from which she graduated with honor. From here she attended the California State Normal College, graduating in 1896, having fitted herself very efficiently as a school teacher. Immediately on graduating she took up her duties of teaching school, and after three years of successful work married William L. Graham, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For a year after their marriage they resided in Bradford, McKean county, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Graham was engaged in business. From Bradford they removed to Masontown, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Graham engaged in business with Mr. E. W. Sterling, father of his wife. To Mr. and Mrs. Graham were born: E. W. Sterling Graham, July 30, 1900; William L. Graham, Jr., January 15, 1905; Emily Estella, February 11, 1907; Walter Howard, April 6, 1911. 4. Ephraim Voight, born April 6, 1880, died January 4, 1894.

(IV) Rev. Mary M. Sterling, seventh child of John (2) and Elizabeth (De Bolt) Sterling, was born on the homestead farm, one mile west of Masontown, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1859. She obtained her early education in the public schools of German township, the same source from which her father and grandfather received their mental training. Later Miss Sterling entered Monongahela College, in Greene county. One of the instructors in college under whom she studied was Dr. J. W. Scott, father-in-law of President William H. Harrison. While at college she was president of the College Phi Kappa Literary Society, and it is worthy of comment that she completed a six years course in four years, then graduating with honors, with the degrees of A.B. and A.M. After her graduation she taught the languages, science, history and elocution at Ashland (Ohio) College with great acceptability for a year, and she continued as a teacher from 1878 to 1891. Miss Sterling has always been a devoted member of the Brethren church, and a member of its Ministerial Association. On April 11, 1889, the trustees of the Society of the Sisters of Christian Endeavor of the Brethren Church licensed her to preach the gospel, and she was regularly ordained to the Christian ministry by her home church, August 10, 1890. As an evangelist she traveled, taught and preached the doctrine she loves, through the state of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, and was for some time pastor of the Brethren congregation at Masontown, Pennsylvania. From 1889 to 1900 she preached 1,157 sermons. Her ministerial work has been laid aside temporarily and her time lovingly devoted to the care of her mother, now aged eighty five years. They reside on the home farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres. Her culture and theological attainments have in no way detracted from her womanly capacity for home life. Her watchword is "duty," and whenever the call is heard, be it from the pulpit, farm or home, it is always heeded. She is one of the organizers of the church society of Sisters of Christian Endeavor, and as a preacher is eloquent and pleasing in manner, strong in her plea for better living, and thoroughly orthodox in her pulpit teaching. Her work has been successful, and she is well known through the states named as the scene of her labors.

Source: Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, John W. Jordan, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1912.





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