James McWhinney (1825 - 1888)

Born 1825 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland

Died 31 Oct 1888 at about age 63 in Pennsylvania, United States

Biography

From Genealogical and Personal History of Western Pennsylvania:

James McWhinney. son of Andrew and Belle McWhinney, was born in Belfast, county Antrim. Ireland, in 1825, died in Pennsylvania, October 31, 1888. In his boyhood he learned the carpenter's trade under the supervision of his father, and he was already a young man when he came to the United States. His first position was at the Elida Furnaces, owned by James Laughlin. and he then managed the Laughlin country place at Hazlewood for a few years. In 1869 he went to Six Mile Ferry, where he was engaged in truck farming for some years, and in 1874 removed to Homestead, where he was engaged in teaming and the livery business. In 1878 he was appointed street commissioner of Homestead, and filled that office until his death. Politically he was a Republican, and he and his wife were charter members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Homestead. Mr. McWhinney married Elizabeth McDade, born in Pittsburgh, in 1831, died in October, 1901. She was a daughter of James and Elizabeth McDade, both born near Belfast. Ireland, and came to America about 1830. Mr. and Mrs. McWhinney had children : 1. James, the owner of a fine fruit farm at Kittanning, married Matilda Cusac. 2. Andrew, a painter, lives in Homestead Park. 3. Margaret, married James B. Wall, now deceased ; she lives in Pittsburgh. 4. John Wesley, of further mention. 5. Alexander, a painter, lives at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. 6. Robert, lives at Homestead. Pennsylvania, which he has served as postmaster and burgess, and has been a Republican member of the state legislature for ten years; he is in the real estate business, is a director in several land companies, and vice-president of the Homestead and Mifflin Street Railway Company; he married Ada Eliza Craig. 7. William, a painter, unmarried, lives with his brother, John Wesley. 8. Alice, married Thomas Williams, a steel mill worker, and lives at Pittsburgh. 9. Elizabeth, who died in 1899; was the wife of L. A. Elliott.

Sources

• Jordan, John W. Genealogical and Personal History of Western Pennsylvania (Lewis Historical Pub. Co., New York, 1915, Vol. 2, 1084-1085)