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Below is a family biography included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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JOHN McELWAIN, of the firm of John McElwain & Co., merchants, Sewickley, was born October 4, 1840, in Bakerstown, Butler county, Pa., son of Alex. McElwain, a native of Philadelphia. The paternal grandfather, who was a Scotch Presbyterian and a native of Ireland, came to America in 1809. The father, Alex. McElwain, taught school in Bakerstown, to which place he came in an early day. Sometime afterward he was a merchant in Perrysville, and later removed to Zelienople, where he engaged in business. Coming to Sewickley in 1851, he here carried on merchandising until his death, which occurred September 7, 1865. He was one of the original members of the United Presbyterian Church, and was an earnest and energetic churchman. Politically he was a republican, and for many years school director. Mr. Alex. McElwain was married to Mary A. Ague, and by her had five children; of these John and William A. are conducting an extensive general store in Sewickley.
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This family biography is one of 2,156 biographies included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co.
View additional Allegheny County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Biographies
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