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Below is a family biography included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co.   These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JOHN CARNAHAN, farmer, Culmerville, was born July 31, 1814, on his present farm, son of John and Martha (Kissick) Carnahan, former of whom was born in Juniata county. Pa., and died in 1830, aged sixty-five years; latter born in County Derry, Ireland, and died in 1833, aged fifty-six years. The father settled here about 1796, and was closely identified with the U. P. Church, and with affairs of the township. Mr. Carnahan’s half- brother, George, was in the war of 1812. John received his education in West Deer township in the old log schoolhouse with paper windows. He was left alone at his father’s death and took charge of the farm until it was divided between the three sons. He was married in 1836 to Eliza Catherwood, a half-sister to Robert Catherwood, and daughter of John and Susan (Hessen) Catherwood. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Carnahan: Susan, Samuel, Robert, Martha, Elizabeth, Jane, Mary, Nelson and Clark. Samuel and Robert were in the war of the rebellion, and both died in the hospital; the former was being educated for the ministry. Mrs. Carnahan died in 1855, and Mr. Carnahan was married in 1856 to Nancy Black, a native of West Deer township, her parents coming from Ireland. Six children blessed this union, viz.: Margaret, George (a minister in Kansas), Shafer, Sarah, Lawrence (deceased) and Blair. Mr. Carnahan is an old citizen of West Deer township, has been a ruling elder in the U. P. Church since 1836, and has been school director and supervisor. He is the only one of the children now living. He has 130 acres of land, which his two sons, Clark and Blair, cultivate.

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This family biography is one of 2,156 biographies included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co.

View additional Allegheny County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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