John Flack (1758-1833) & Jane Gault (1761-1823)
(A combination of 2 Biographies {published 1893} from the Beers Project)

Among the early pioneers of Washington County was John Flack, who came from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to Washington, where in 1784, he purchased a town lot, being one of the first lot owners in the town. In 1788 he removed to Buffalo township, and here he purchased a farm on which he erected the first frame house in that section of the county. He married Jane Gault, a native of Canonsburg, Washington County, and to them were born children as follows: James, John, Samuel, David, and Mary. The mother of these children died on the homestead in Buffalo township December 14, 1823, in her sixty-third year.

John Flack was known among the early pioneers of Buffalo township, and after his location there, continued to reside on his farm until his death, which occurred in 1832. The homestead has ever since remained in the possession of the family, and there may be found members of the fifth generation.

NOTE:- its says NOWHERE that John was BORN in Lancaster County - just that he came FROM Lancaster County. In fact, one Grandson's biography says he came from Germany while one Grandaughter's biography says he came from England !

John Flack (1788-1842) - 2nd Child

John Flack, second child of John and Jane (Gault) Flack, was born October 23, 1788. He married Miss Ann Anderson, daughter of Rev. Mr. Anderson, of Upper Buffalo, Washington county, and a pioneer minister there. The young couple took up their residence in Buffalo township, where they reared a large family, and passed the remainder of their useful and honorable lives, the father dying September 13, 1842, the mother several years later.

John A. Flack, son of John and Ann (Anderson) Flack, and at present one of the oldest and best known residents of Buffalo township, was born February 6, 1824, on the old homestead where he now resides. He spent his boyhood days upon the farm, amidst the trials and limited advantages of that pioneer period. The little subscription school, held in an humble log cabin, whose primitive furnishings of puncheon floor, slab desks and benches were eloquent witnesses of the privations of the day, was the only "college" afforded him. There, for a few weeks during the winter, the children from the surrounding country would assemble, and while one half of their attention was employed in extracting wisdom from the old-fashioned spelling book and reader, the other half would be utilized in directing the struggle with the cold which came in through many a crack and crevice in the building. Amidst such scenes as this Mr. Flack spent his boyhood, and in his later years, when the advancement of our day has provided the youth with greater comforts, he looked back with pleasure upon the past, and related many amusing incidents of his early struggles. He died January 17, 1893, in his sixty-ninth year.

On February 24, 1846, Mr. Flack was united in marriage with Elizabeth McWilliams, daughter of Gen. Wallace McWilliams, of Buffalo township, who had represented his district in the State Legislature, and was a major-general of the State militia. Four children were born to this union: Wallace McW. (who now conducts the home farm), Annie (deceased at the age of twelve years), Lizzie and Nannie died in infancy. Mrs. Flack died December 22, 1886, in her sixty-fifth year, having been a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically Mr. Flack was an ardent Democrat, and in early life he took an active part in the political questions of the day.

Samuel Flack (1791-1857) - 3rd Child

Samuel Flack, third child of John and Jane (Gault) Flack, was born April 12, 1791, on the old homestead in Buffalo township. During his early manhood he went to Ohio, and there married Sarah Brown, by which union there were four children, viz.: Salem, Mary Jane, Elizabeth A., and Luther B. (who graduated at Washington College, and died soon after graduating). They resided in Wayne county, Ohio, until 1827, in which year they removed to Washington county, Penn., settling on a farm in Buffalo township, where they resided during the remainder of their lives. Samuel Flack was a man of much force of character, and determination, and was prominent among his fellows in the pioneer days. During the Black Hawk war, in response to a call for troops, he volunteered his services, enlisting with a company at Taylorstown. They proceeded to Weirich's tavern, a well-known landmark of the early days, and there went into camp for the night. The following morning they received notice that they were not required, whereupon they reluctantly returned to their homes. Samuel Flack was a quiet, unassuming man in his way, and while never seeking public position was always conspicuous by reason of the active part he took in all public movements. He died in Buffalo township in 1856 in his sixty-sixth year, honored and respected by all. His widow survived him until 1873, when she, too, was called to a higher and better home.

Salem Flack, son of Samuel and Sarah Flack , was born May 19, 1824, in Wayne county, Ohio, by the historic waters of the Killbuck. He was but three years of age when his parents removed to Buffalo township, this county, and settled near Taylorstown. Here our subject was reared to manhood, a part of his literary education being secured at the old log schoolhouse and part at the brick one, of the neighborhood, while his more practical training was received under the able preceptorship of his father, on the home farm, lessons being there given that have been invaluable to him in his life work. On the death of his father Mr. Flack purchased the interests of the other heirs, and has since remained on the home farm, where he has continued to follow agricultural pursuits, including stock raising and other kindred interests.

In February, 1864, he was united in marriage with Margaret A., daughter of Aaron Farrar, and to them have been born the following named children: Samuel L. (assisting his father in the management of the farm), Sarah Virginia (who died at the age of eighteen), John A. (married to Elizabeth Ashbrook), and Jennie A., both living at home with and assisting their parents. The entire family are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. Flack is a stanch though not active Republican. His farm, which is one of the finest in the county, and is situated about four miles from the borough of Washington, contains 290 acres of choice land, whereon stand a handsome pleasant residence and commodious out-houses, all of which, together with the general surroundings, bespeak enterprise, judicious management, prosperity and contentment.

The Farrar family in Washington county are descended from James Farrar, who resided, at the beginning of the Revolutionary war, in Hunterdon county, N. J., where he and his eldest son, James, worked as blacksmiths for the American army during operations in that State. Two sons, John and Peter, were soldiers in Washington's army, and were both killed at the battle of Long Island. In the year 1785 Andrew Farrar, with his wife Margaret (Moore), a lady of Scotch-Irish parentage, crossed the mountains to western Pennsylvania, and settled in Mt. Pleasant township, Washington county, where he died November 5, 1832. He reared a family of seven sons and three daughters, the ninth child in the family being a son, Aaron, who became the father of Mrs. Flack. He married Jane Griffith, a native of Washington county, Penn., born in 1812. They purchased a farm in Mt. Pleasant township, and resided thereon until 1845, when they came to Buffalo township, and purchased a farm from Robert Dinsmore, near Taylorstown, now owned by David Haggerty. They had resided there but a year, when death entered the home, calling the father and husband to his long home. He passed away January 6, 1846, in his thirty-sixth year, at peace with all the world, a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Their union had been blessed with five children, as follows: Margaret A. (Mrs. Salem Flack); Jennie M., married, November 1, 1860, to Milton B. Curry, of Amwell township, Washington county; John G., married to Caroline Kerr, and resided in West Virginia until his death (he served in the war of the Rebellion, was with Sherman on his march to the sea, was taken prisoner, and paroled and exchanged); Mary E. (Mrs. James Hodgens), and Harriet N. (who died at the age of two years). In 1848 Mrs. Jane Griffith Farrar was united in marriage with David Haggerty, and to them were born three daughters: Sarah Josephine (now Mrs. Samuel Thompson), Lettitia M. (married to Frank Moore), and Annie V. (at home with her father). The mother passed away July 4, 1872.

Text taken from Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).
Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/
Copyright © 1996-2008 Jean Suplick Matuson & Copyright © 2000-2008 Jean Suplick Matuson or Georgeann Malowney