My Genealogy Hound

JOHN ESPY, farmer, post office Upper St. Clair, was born in this county in 1826. Thomas Espy, his grandfather, a farmer by occupation and a native of Ireland, emigrated to America, settling in Cumberland county, Pa., where he remained until his death. His son James, about 1805, came to this county, where his two sisters, Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Bell, had previously settled, and it was after repeated requests on their part that he consented to come and visit them. Being favorably impressed with Allegheny county, he located on a farm, purchased fifty-six acres in 1806, and for twenty-five years followed agricultural pursuits, at which he was successful, owning at his death some three hundred acres. He married Jane, daughter of William Fife, and nine children were born to them, two of whom now live: John, our subject, and Mrs. McCormick. James died in 1857, aged seventy-seven years; he was for many years a justice of the peace in his township; his wife died in 1851, aged seventy years.

John Espy, whose name heads this sketch, the youngest son born to his parents, was educated at the common schools and Bethel Academy, and has always resided on his present place, engaged in farming. He now owns 110 acres of the original property purchased by his father. He married, in 1848, Margaret, daughter of John Smith, of Scott township, who was originally from England, and six children, all now living, were born to them: Maggie S., James M., at home; John S., a physician in Pittsburgh; Glenn H., a druggist in New York; William, a druggist in Pittsburgh, and George M., at home. Mr. Espy has retired from active labor on the farm, the work being successfully operated under his supervision. He has served as school director fifteen years, and as trustee of the Presbyterian Church twenty-four years; politically he is a republican.