My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES WASHINGTON CLENDENNING, farmer, Bakerstown, is supposed to be the oldest resident of Allegheny county, and having celebrated his centennial anniversary in May, 1888, was invited by the board of county commissioners to attend the anniversary of Allegheny county. He was born May 20, 1788, in County Westmeath, Ireland, son of Arthur and Margaret (Watson) Clendenning, natives of County Donegal, Ireland. Mr. Clendenning was the oldest of eight children, and at the age of twenty-two he moved to Meadville, Crawford county, Pa., where he thrashed buckwheat. He was a weaver in the old country, and did some work in that line in Meadville during his first winter here. Six months later he came to this county, and for six years distilled whisky for Robert Porter. Mr. Clendenning married, Dec. 30, 1822, Martha Ross Porter, who was born in York county, April 7, 1795, and died aged sixty-seven years. Her parents, Robert and Elizabeth Porter, came here in an early day from Eastern Pennsylvania. Mr. Clendenning had six children: John, Robert Porter, William Ross, Eliza Jane, Arthur, and Margaret Ellen, who died Aug. 4, 1852, aged seventeen. John and Robert manage the old home farm. Robert was married March 12, 1866, to Catherine Bomin, a native of Germany, who came to this country when three years of age. Their children are Martha Ann, Charles Watson, William John, Margaret Ellen, Ross Porter, Andrew Harper and Robert Hood, all at home. The family are members of Hood’s M. P. Church, and all of the Clendennings are republicans. Mr. Clendenning settled on his present farm in 1826, clearing it from woods. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and for four years was town supervisor. He is a great lover of bees, and at his advanced age of one hundred years continues to care for them. He still retains an excellent memory. He is respected by all who know him, and has ever striven to maintain the right, and to uphold the true dignity of labor.