My Genealogy Hound

J. S. McKELVY, farmer, post office Wilkinsburg. Among the early settlers of Wilkins township, Allegheny county, was James McKelvy, who emigrated to Western Pennsylvania from County Down, Ireland, and settled near the present town of Wilkinsburg, where he lived the rest of his days. He had seven children, of whom James, Jr., the eldest, born in 1800, came to Wilkinsburg with his father, and always lived there; followed agriculture, being owner of some five hundred acres of valuable farm and coal-lands situated in Braddock township. He married Rosanna, daughter of John Swisshelm, of this county, and four sons and two daughters have blessed their union, five of whom are living: John S., W. H., W. F., Elizabeth, (Mrs. Hager) and Martha J. (Mrs. Wintersmith). The father died in May, 1888, being at the time the oldest citizen of Braddock township. The subject of this sketch was educated at the public schools, Wilkinsburg Academy and Allegheny College, and has made farming his lifework. He married in 1864, Ella, daughter of John Horner, and by her had seven children, six of whom are now living: James, Rose, Elizabeth, Mary, Ella and John.