Robert Turner Witherow was born December 1, 1863, in Rose Township, Jefferson County, PA.  He was the son of Thomas C. Witherow and Ellen Burns.  He married first Mary Elizabeth Hinderliter on April 2, 1887. They had two sons, Winfred and Eugene.  Robert died on October 19, 1955 and was buried with his second wife, Etta, in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Gaskill Township.

Robert's grandfather, Robert F. Witherow, came to Jefferson County in 1833 from Mifflin County, PA.  Along with him came an older brother, Thomas, and James Witherow, believed to be their younger brother.  In the 1850 census, a James Witherow of 87 years and born in Ireland is enumerated with Thomas and is believed to be the father of these boys.

The Witherow farms in the center of Rose Township, a few miles to the southwest of Brookville, are identified on Jefferson County 

maps of 1866 and 1878, along and to the immediate north of what is now known as Sheep Farm Road. A person who attempts today to find the location of the farms of Robert F. Witherow and his son Thomas C. Witherow will have little difficulty recognizing the trail to  

these lands, which leads north from Sheep Farm Road.  The picture of the structure  was photographed one year ago at the exact spot where 19th century maps show that Robert Witherow's house once stood.  Although we have not researched the history of this particular house, it has the appearance of being possibly old enough to have been Robert F. Witherow's residence until his death in 1881.

Courtesy of  family member, William Martin.

Tombstone of the Month Collection

Military Photos

The Cemeteries