JOHN P. BREST, farmer,
post office Mercer, was born August 14, 1840, son of David and
Catherine (Remley) Brest, of Lawrence County. Andrew Brest, the
grandfather of John P., was one of the pioneers of Mercer County. He
was a native of Washington County, Penn., of German descent, and came
to Mercer County in about 1797. He was a soldier in the War of 1812,
under Capt. Denniston, having served on two separate occasions, about
six months in all. He married Mary, daughter of Nathaniel
Rodgers, of Lawrence County. Among the children was David, the father
of our subject. At manhood he married and settled on a portion of his
father’s farm in Springfield Township, this county. He remained here
until 1840, when he purchased a farm in Delaware Township, where he
remained until 1850. He returned to Springfield Township, where he
lived one year, then went to French Creek Township and remained two
years, then to Plain Grove Township, Lawrence County, where he resided
nine years. In 1808 he came from Lawrence County and settled in
Jefferson Township, Mercer County. There were twelve children born to
this union: John P., Lewis F., Elizabeth A., David W., Martha J. (wife
of John Soliday, of Sharon), William H., Mary E. (wife of William
Richel, of Jefferson Township), Catherine E. (wife of Martin Coxson, of
Stoneboro), Flora K. (wife of Andrew Craig) and Alexander W. His wife
died September 2, 1885. He was again married, to Nancy A. Brest, widow
of Washington Brest, who was killed at the battle of Gettysburg.
There were six children born to them: Lilly, Burton, Zeddie E.,
Lotie, Clara and Floyd. David held the office of justice of the
peace and some of the local offices. They were members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, the father being noted for his proficiency in Bible
teachings. In politics he was a Whig and Republican. He died October
12, 1879.
John
P. was married March 4, 1884, to Ruth A., daughter of Thomas and
Eva (Wise) Rodgers, of Plain Grove Township, Lawrence County. He
enlisted in the War of the Rebellion August 28, 1861, under Capt.
Bentley, in Company E, One Hundredth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers,
for three years. At the expiration of the time he again enlisted as a
veteran under Capt. Book, of the same company and regiment, where he
served until June 2, 1864, when he was wounded at the battle of Cold
Harbor, La., by a minieball in the left leg, just below the knee. About
twenty-four hours afterward his leg was amputated in the field
hospital. The night of the 3d he was hauled eighteen miles, to the
White House landing on the James River, and, remaining ten days, was
sent to Harwood Hospital, Washington, D. C. He was honorably discharged
from the service May 3, 1865. He lived in various places in the county,
and in 1883 located on the Swoggar property, in East Lackawannock
Township. There were nine children born to them: Elden E., Harvey T.,
Clarence O., Elmira E., Perry N., Scott S., Johnnie, Maggie and
Blaney. The oldest and the youngest are deceased. He was
constable in Jefferson Township for three years, and held various
township offices. He is a member of the G.A.R. and of the I.O.O.F.
While in the army he was promoted to corporal.
Source: (History of Mercer County, 1888, pages 891 - 892)
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