My Genealogy Hound

JAMES MURRY GREER, farmer, post office Murrysville, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., March 13, 1831, a son of Col. William and Abigail (Collins) Greer. Her mother, Abigail Byran, was taken prisoner by the Indians, in company with her father, when she was seven years old, and was held a prisoner seven years. Mr. Greer’s father was born in 1802, and died in 1872. His mother was born in 1803, and died in 1886. His father was a farmer, and was justice of the peace twenty-four years. His grandfather, Patrick Greer, came from Ireland, and his wife was Elizabeth Wilson. Mr. Greer received his schooling in Franklin township, Westmoreland county, and when twenty-three years of age began for himself farming. In 1858 he bought a farm of one hundred acres in Westmoreland county, and in 1874 bought out the heirs of his father’s farm in Plum township, and has erected fine buildings. There were nine children in his father’s family, Mr. Greer being the third eldest; a brother, Joseph C., is a United Presbyterian minister. Mr. Greer married, in 1854, Anna Jane Stephenson, who was born in Ireland in 1830, and came to America with her parents, Joseph and Margaret (McMullen) Stephenson, when eighteen months old. They settled in Patton township, where they died in 1884. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Greer: Joseph, Agnes Caroline (Mrs. David K. Quilquin); William Conner, a farmer in Patton township; George McCune, at home; Claude L., at home. They are members of the Murrysville U. P. Church. Mr. Greer is one of the few men who have made a success of farming, and has built up a pleasant rural home.