Around the turn of the 20th century, comprehensive histories were compiled for many of the U.S. state counties, providing background on the early events of the area, the formation of the county and its townships, and its industry, politics, and religions over the years. Mentions of prominent residents of the area, sometimes with a detailed biography were often included, but the profiles of these county citizens were more family stories, rather than documented accounts. Typically the subject’s national origin was listed, with a lineage that traced back to his first known ancestor to inhabit the county. Family members were identified often along with details about education, occupations and places the family had settled. In addition, these histories mentioned births, deaths and marriages, listing a year, and in some cases an exact date, though details would need to be verified, as the information might contain inaccuracies.
Westmoreland County, one of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, has many books written about it including two county histories. George Dallas Albert published the first one in 1882. In 1906 John N. Boucher along with John W. Jordan published another, consisting of three volumes. Boucher and Jordan also wrote a number of other books on southwestern Pennsylvania. All of the many books by these men provide details about Westmoreland County, its rich history and its valuable and industrious people.
The histories first chronicle the period of the county when it was frontier wilderness before the Revolutionary War. The reader learns Westmoreland County was officially formed by an act of legislature on February 26, 1773 from part of Bedford County and contained most of the territory in southwestern Pennsylvania. The next day the Governor nominated justices for the county court, including Michael Rugh, one of my early Westmoreland County ancestors. Many skirmishes broke out between early settlers and Native Americans and Rugh had a blockhouse that provided a safe haven for nearby families to take refuge during those Indian attacks. In 1785 after the burning of Hannastown, Rugh was involved in selecting Newton, now Greensburg, as the new county seat. He helped to build the first jail and courthouse in Greensburg.
In addition to the accounts of Michael Rugh and his prominence in the early history of Westmoreland County, other Rugh descendants are also mentioned. In the section about Franklin Township, another Michael Rugh, son of the aforementioned, is listed as one of its early residents. A brief narrative relates that in 1778 Michael Jr. and his family, consisting of his wife, son and daughter, were captured by Indians and taken to Canada, where they were held for three years. When they finally were released, they made their way back to Westmoreland County, settling in Franklin Township. Specific details about his family were that his son died in captivity, his wife died in 1809, his daughter married in 1794 to Jacob Haymaker, and he died in 1820. Michael Rugh Jr. also served in the state House of Representatives. In 1882 these accounts were probably conveyed Michael’s grandson, John Haymaker, who “lived on the place settled by Michael Rugh.”
Included in the 1906 history were bios for John and William Rugh. John Rugh, a farmer and a man of influence in his community at the time, was a great grandson to Michael Rugh Sr. His grandfather, Jacob, was listed as serving in the legislature and married Sabilla Mechling, another prominent family in early Westmoreland County. John’s first cousin once removed, William Rugh was featured with a short biography. William’s parents were listed as John L. Rugh and Sara Williams, although indications are his father’s name was Jesse John Rugh. Only William’s immdediate family was mentioned; no lineage of his Rugh line was included. Also among the pages were Rughs who married into the Wineman, Kline, Barnhart, McQuilkin, Robinson, Stineman, Strobel, and Walker families cataloging numerous names on the Rugh family tree in Westmoreland County.
Many of these county books can be found in the local library, and some of the older histories can be located and read online. It’s intriguing to learn about the region where and the time periods when one’s ancestors lived, but it is even more exciting when in the pages one discovers early accounts about the family. These tomes might be the only record of such events, and for all who are interested in researching their family, a county history can be a valuable resource.
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