Wherry Family

JOHN WHERRY, JR. (1843-1914), is one of the most widely-known and popular agriculturists of West Bethlehem township. The subject of this sketch was born October 29, 1843, in Somerset township, and his boyhood was principally employed in assisting his father in the care of the farm. After the family removed to West Bethlehem township, he attended the school known as "Wherry's School-house," situated on his father's farm. In 1867 he married ELIZABETH BIGLER (1845-1913), daughter of Henry Bigler, of West Bethlehem township, after which he moved to the farm he now owns, and where the following children have been born to them: Elizabeth, Mary, William, Ida and Charles, all of whom with the exception of Elizabeth, who died in 1877, are living at home with their parents. In 1890 Mr. Wherry built one of the finest houses in this section. When he took possession there was scarcely a building or fence upon the place, whereas it is now one of the best improved farms in West Bethlehem township. Its strong and neat board fences and elegant buildings bestow upon it an air of thrift and prosperity. Mr. Wherry is a Republican, and although he is no office seeker has been elected to many positions of trust. He was a soldier in Company G, One Hundred and Tenth P. V. I., but escaped in battle, only to meet with injury thirty years later. In November, 1892, while hauling logs, he got his arm broken, which left it crooked and helpless for a time. He is a member of the Ten Mile Baptist Church (of which he is deacon), as are also his wife and children. Mrs. Wherry is a lady commanding the esteem and regard of all who know her. The entire family are intelligent and industrious citizens.

WHERRY PARENTS: JOHN WHERRY (1813-1889), the third son of this family, was born on the old homestead in West Bethlehem township. He received a common school education, and was a man of no little practical knowledge, also a successful farmer. He married CATHERINE WEAVER (1818-1899), daughter of George Weaver, who was one of the early settlers in West Pike Run township. To this couple were born nine children as follows: Emma, John, William, Elizabeth, Eleanor, George W., Eli (married Sarah A. Gregory), Mary and James. Emma is the wife of Samuel Grable, Washington county; John lives in West Bethlehem township, and is married to Elizabeth Bigler; William married Isadore Matthews, and lives in the same township; Elizabeth, who married Uriah Hill, died in 1885, at the age of thirty-six years; Eleanor married James Harvey Hire, and lives in West Bethlehem township, where Mary (Mrs. Henry Hathaway), Eli and James (who married Nancy Grable) also reside. (They are buried in Scenery Hill Cemetery, Scenery Hill, Washington County, Pennsylvania.

WHERRY GRANDPARENTS: JOHN WHERRY (1776-1831), a native of Germany, who when quite young came to Washington county, Penn., where he married (ELIZABETH WELSH -1866) and reared the following family: James, William, Eli, John, Ellen, Mary, Elizabeth and Margaret, all of whom have passed away, with two exceptions, William and Mary, who are residents of Somerset township, this county.

Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).