Person:James Agnew (10)

Biography

From "History of the Life of D. Hayes Agnew" published 1892:

Among the best known members of the family was Colonel James Agnew.... A cousin of Dr. David Hayes Agnew. At an early age young James Agnew went to live with his maternal uncle, Colonel Ramsey, who owned an estate on West Conococheague, near Mercersburg. At this time emigration to western Pennsyvania had been inaugurated, and a considerable trade was carried on between the settlers west of the Alleghenies and the older settlements of Cumberland Valley. This trade was carried on by means of pack horses, and the route corresponded nearly with the present turnpike. By the assistance of his Uncle young Agnew established a trading post in the "Great Cove"; the nearest store to the East was kept by a Mr. Buchanan, whose son, James Buchanan, afterward became President of the United States. At this station, where McConnelsburg now stands, James Agnew built up a very prosperous business, and subsequently became one of the wealthiest men in Pennsylvania.

He was for many years a ruling elder in the church, and his home was known as "the minister's hotel". This arose from the cordial hospitality with which clergymen from all denominations were received and entertained; this hospitality being practised for weeks and months at a time.

An incident which which illustrates his character for brave and firm adherence to principle and law is as follows: In those days, before canals and railroads, the Conestoga wagon was the only means of conveying freight from Philadelphia to Pittsburg. These sometimes formed a long caravan on the road that passed through McConnelsburg. Very few of the teamsters gave themselves and their horses the benifit of the Sabbath's rest; the noise of the wagons and horses became a nuisance to the people along the route. It was known Colonel Agnew was one of the persons opposed to this, and it aroused opposition among a portion of the community; they conspired to annoy him by nominating him to the office of constable. He was elected and accepted at once his duties. He now was determined to enforce the law, as it was illegal for the teamsters to do this transportation on Sunday. One Monday morning, attempting to arrest a large and powerful teamster, who had violated the law the day before, he was resisted. Colonel Agnew was a large, finely-built man, over six feet tall, and very strong. The teamster was was also stalwart and violent, and withstood so fiercely that the Colonel was not equal to the task. Dr. George Junkin (James Finley Agnew named a daughter- Anna Maria Junkin Agnew ????), who was his guest at the time, rushed to the help of the officer; by his aid the giant wagoner was overpowered and carried before the magistrate.

Colonel Agnew was killed by falling down stairs in 1855 at the age of 87.

Citations

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/a/g/n/Michael-J-Agnew/GENE1-0003.html