Biography: John Carnahan "The following account is included here because of a number of references to names and places in West Deer Township. It was taken from Jordan's "History of Allegheny County" and was probably written about one hundred years ago. 'John Carnahan, farmer, Culmerville, was born July 31, 1814, on his present farm, son of John and Martha (Kissick) Carnahan, former of whom was born in Juniata County, Pa. and died in 1830, aged sixty-five years; latter born in County Derry, Ireland, and died in 1833, aged fifty-six years. The father settled here about 1796, and was closely identified with the U.P. Church, and with affairs of the township. Mr. Carnahan's half brother, George, was in the war of 1812. John received his education in West Deer township in the old log schoolhouse with paper windows. He was left alone at his father's death and took charge of the farm until it was divided between the three sons. He was married in 1836 to Eliza Catherwood, a halfsister to Robert Catherwood, and daughter of John and Susan (Hessen) Catherwood. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Carnahan: Susan, Samuel, Robert, Martha, Elizabeth, Jane, Mary, Nelson, and Clark. Samuel and Robert were in the war of the rebellion, and both died in the hospital; the former was being educated for the ministry. Mrs. Carnahan died in 1855, and Mr. Carnahan was married in 1856 to Nancy Black, a native of West Deer township, her parents coming from Ireland. Six cihldren blessed this union, viz.: Margaret, George (a minister in Kansas), Shafer, Sarah, Lawrence (deceased), and Blair. Mr Carnahan is an old citizen of West Deer township, has been a ruling elder in the U.P. Church since 1836, and has been school director and supervisor. He is the only one of the children now living. He has 130 acres of land, which his two sons, Clark and Blair, cultivate."
[West Deer Township - A Century and Half of Progress, 1836-1986, by John Graff, pg. 143; also History of Allegheny County, A. Warner & Company, Publishers, 1889, pg. 733]