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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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ROBERT B. and GEORGE S. CARNAHAN. The representatives of this family now living in Allegheny county are descendants of the Lowland Scotch on the paternal side, and the Highland Scotch on the maternal. The original pioneer of the family who came to America was David Carnahan, who was born near Shane’s Castle, County Antrim, Ireland, of Scotch descent. It was about 1770, or earlier, that he migrated to America. David was in the revolutionary army, in the light artillery, in those days known as the “Flying Artillery,” and was present at the battle of Brandywine and in other engagements. An older brother, James, was a midshipman in the British navy during that war, and his descendants now reside in different parts of the United States. Tradition has it that a private interview was once held between these two brothers, during the war, permitted by an American officer on one side and a British officer on the other. David married Agnes McGahey, and to them were born a numerous family of children. Two of these children were born in Carlisle, Pa., where David had first settled. David came to Allegheny (then Washington) county, and purchased a tract of 400 acres of land, called “The Experiment,” which was located three and one-half miles south of Pittsburgh, on the waters of Saw-Mill run. This purchase was made in 1784 from Isaac Sellers. David was a farmer by occupation, and having sold some of his land, at the time of his death the remaining 250 acres were divided between his three sons, William, Alexander and Joseph. William was born in 1780, and was twice married. His first wife was Massey Cain, of New Hampshire ancestry. His second wife was Mary Brown, of Pittsburgh. William was a farmer, an occupation he followed during his life.

Robert B., his youngest surviving son, was born near Pittsburgh, April 23, 1826; was reared on a farm, and received his education at the public schools at Pittsburgh, and graduated from the Western University of Pennsylvania in 1845. He commenced the study of law with Hon. Walter Forward, ex-secretary of the treasury under President Tyler, and in 1848 he was admitted to the bar in Allegheny county, since which time he has practiced his profession continuously in Pittsburgh, ranking among the leading lawyers of the county. Mr. Carnahan has been twice married; first to Eliza Dowington, who bore him three children: Thomas D. (now practicing law with his father), Agnes and Eliza. His second marriage was with Mrs. Kate A. Butler, a lady from Ohio, and they have two children, Kate and Robert B., the latter a student at the Western University. Mr. Carnahan has always been a public-spirited man; was for nine years U. S. district attorney, appointed in 1861 by President Lincoln, and served under Johnson and Gen. Grant. He has been solicitor for Allegheny county, member of the common council, and served on the school board for twenty-one years. His family are members of the U. P. Church; politically Mr. Carnahan is a firm believer in the principles of the republican party.

George S. Carnahan was born in Union township (now West Liberty borough) in 1817, son of Alexander Carnahan, who was the third son born to David, in 1789. Alexander was a farmer, and inherited one hundred acres of the four hundred purchased by his father. He married Nancy Smith, daughter of George Smith, of Westmoreland county, Pa., and to them were born four sons, of whom but two remain. His wife died in 1847, aged fifty-six years. His second wife, Mrs. Banks, still survives. Alexander died in 1879 at the homestead farm, where he had always lived. George S., our subject, was educated at the common schools of his township, and has always been a farmer. He married Jane, daughter of Andrew Gilfillan, and they have two daughters and one son: A. S. (now a resident of Kansas City, engaged in real estate), E. M. (Mrs. Dr. McCaslin, of Allegheny) and Miss Agnes (an accomplished lady, at home). Mr. Carnahan now owns over seventy acres of land, all of which is part of the tract purchased by his grandfather. He and his family are members of the U. P. Church, and politically he is a strong democrat, as were his father and grandfather.

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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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