Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Skillington, Robert M. 
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Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


ROBERT M. SKILLINGTON, one of the Auditors of East 
Providence township, Pa., is a well-known patriotic citizen 
and a veteran of the late Civil War.  He was born in 
Bedford, Pa., July 5, 1841, a son of James W. and Lavinia D. 
(Martin) Skillington, the former of whom was born in 
Wilmington, Del, and the latter in Frederick City, Md.  The 
Skillington family is of English origin, and was first 
represented on American soil in old Colonial times.
  James W. Skillington came to Bedford County, Pennsylvania, 
when young, and in the town of Bedford married Miss Martin.  
He subsequently followed his trade of cabinet-maker in that 
place and in Snake Spring township until the spring of 1870, 
when he removed to East Providence, where he resided until 
his decease in January, 1875.  Of his children three 
survive, namely: Robert M., the special subject of this 
sketch; Charles O., of Everett, Pa.; and Mary E., of East 
Providence, Pa.
  Robert M. Skillington received his elementary education in 
the common schools of Bedford, where he lived until twelve 
years old.  Removing then with his parents to Snake Spring, 
nearby, he there continued his studies, and was a resident 
of that township until his enlistment in August, 1862, in 
Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-third Pennsylvania 
Volunteer Infantry, for a period of nine months.  With the 
Army of the Potomac he fought in the battles of 
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and others, before 
receiving his honorable discharge in June, 1863.  After 
remaining with home friends a few months, he re- enlisted in 
February, 1864, as a member of Company A, One Hundred and 
Eighty- fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.  Again 
joining the Army of the Potomac, he took part in the battle 
of Cold Harbor, where he received two slight wounds; and in 
the siege of Petersburg, where on June 16, 1864, he was so 
severely wounded as to necessitate his removal to the 
hospital, in which he was confined until mustered out of 
service in July, 1865.  From 1866 until 1870 Mr. Skillington 
resided in West Providence, Pa., but since that time has 
made his home in East Providence township.  He has a 
well-managed farm of thirty-two acres, which he devotes to 
general farming.
  In 1882 he was appointed as storekeeper and gauger in the 
United States Internal Revenue Service, an office which he 
filled until the 1st of January, 1885.  He has served as 
Judge of Elections in East Providence, and for two terms of 
five years each has been Justice of the Peace.  Politically, 
he is an earnest adherent of the Republican party.  
Fraternally, he belongs to the J. R. Callahan Post, G.A.R., 
No. 559, at Ray's Hill, Pa., of which he has been Commander; 
and to the Ray's Hill Lodge, I.O.O.F., No. 776.  He is a man 
of great religious fervor, and as a local preacher in former 
years did much ministerial work in the community.  Both he 
and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, in which he is now steward.
  On April 19, 1876, Mr. Skillington married Elmira 
McLaughlin, daughter of John L. McLaughlin, late of 
Rainsburg, Pa.  Her paternal grandfather, Charles 
McLaughlin, who was born and bred in the north of Ireland, 
came to America when a lad of seventeen, and located as a 
pioneer in Bedford County, Pennsylvania.  He attained the 
venerable age of ninety-seven years.  John L. McLaughlin was 
born in East Providence township, but after arriving at 
man's estate he settled at Rainsburg, in the neighboring 
township of Colerain, where he was engaged in mercantile 
business until his death, which occurred in 1847.  His wife, 
whose maiden name was Sarah Folck, was born near Cumberland, 
Md.
  Mrs. Skillington is her father's only living 
representative.  Her only brother, Charles P. McLaughlin, as 
First Lieutenant of Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, on June 1, 1864, at the battle of 
Cold Harbor, gave his life for his country, while leading 
his company in a charge against the enemy.  The union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Skillington has been blessed by the birth of ten 
children, six of whom are now living, namely: Charles H., J. 
Edgar, J. Walter, Elmira M., Mary M., and Lawson M.



Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa