My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM P. WAMPLER, lumber-dealer, McKeesport, was born in McKeesport, Aug. 19 1844, a son of Joseph and Mary (Griggs) Wampler. His paternal grandfather was Jacob Wampler, a native of Germany, and a pioneer of Westmoreland county, Pa. The subject of this sketch received a common-school education, and at the age of fifteen he assisted his father, the late Joseph Wampler, Esq., at repairing watches and jewelry, and in the preparation of deeds, bonds, mortgages, and other legal documents. At the early age of seventeen years, Aug. 19, 1861 he enlisted in Co. I, 63d P. V.; was present for duty at all the engagements participated in by his regiment, from the siege of Yorktown to the bombardment of Petersburg. In September, 1864, he was honorably discharged. Having the confidence of his superior officers, he was called upon to prepare the muster-out rolls of his company, and was made the bearer of them to headquarters for official approval. Returning to his home, Mr. Wampler engaged in taking care of coal craft, and, in company with others, he floated and towed coal upon the Youghiogheny, Monongahela, Ohio and Mississippi rivers. In 1867 he was employed about the lumber yard of James Neel.

June 27, same year, he was married to Jane, daughter of David and Mary Davis, and soon after he began to establish the comfortable and beautiful home, corner of Eighth and Walnut streets, still enjoyed by himself and family. He has two sons, Frank Cook and Ralph Davis, the elder of whom is assisting his father in conducting a now large lumber and real-estate business. In 1868 Mr. Wampler was advanced to the position of salesman and bookkeeper, and in 1872 he was taken into partnership, and the present firm of Neel & Wampler, proprietors of the “Original McKeesport planing-mill and lumber yard” was established.

He was elected chief burgess of the borough of KcKeesport the same year, and was re-elected in 1875. In April, 1876, he retired with a vote of thanks from the council, over which he presided. He was director and treasurer of the reunion of the 3d brigade, McCall’s division, held July 28, 1875, dubbed the “soldier’s dinner on the diamond,” at which fifteen hundred plates were laid for veterans and their families on tables erected on the public square. Mr. Wampler was chairman and treasurer of the successful centennial celebration July 4, 1876, McKeesport’s greatest gala day, on which occasion five thousand strangers visited and participated. In 1877-78 he was a director in the People’s Saving Bank, but, retiring, he soon became identified with one of McKeesport’s valued and prosperous institutions, the First National Bank of McKeesport, in which he is today a stockholder and director. In 1880 he was elected a member of the borough board of education. In 1879, when the borough was a defendant in a legal difficulty, James H. McCreery vs. borough of McKeesport, No. 455, October term, Mr. Wampler was called upon to aid in adjusting the matter, and on Jan. 9, 1880, with his associates, he was enabled to report all matters at variance between the parties settled and forever dismissed In 1881 he was elected a member of council from the Second ward, and served upon all important committees; was a supporter and advocate of the erection of water works by the borough, and before the expiration of his term he witnessed carved upon a slab at the pumping station his name as one of the committee having in charge the erection of the McKeesport water-works.

In 1886, at a meeting of citizens, Mr. Wampler was chosen one of a committee to compile the industrial pamphlet, “McKeesport, its industries, advantages, resources and prospects,” a valuable public document During the great strike of employes of the National Tube-works in March, 1886, he was one of five prominent citizens who by request attended a meeting of workingmen at the Opera-house, and met the management of the National Tube-works at their offices, “that both sides of this labor question maybe thoroughly understood.” His conduct and speech upon these occasions marked him the man he has always been—fearless in the expression of his convictions, a friend of honest, reasonable workingmen, and careful of the interests of those having capital invested. Occupying, as he has at different times in his life, the position of employer and employe,

Mr. Wampler was deemed a competent and just judge, and as such acquitted himself. Mr. Wampler is a Freemason, and holds a certificate of life membership in the fraternity. He is connected with Encampment No. 1, Union Veteran Legion, with headquarters at Pittsburgh. Although not connected by membership with any religious organization, he has been a contributor to the support of the church, through all the local denominations, from time to time. Politically he is a democrat, with an aversion to campaign fuss; is seldom seen in the ranks of marching clubs, but never fails at the polls on election day; was one of a committee of four who waited on President Arthur, at Washington, D. C., in connection with the contest for position of postmaster here some years ago. He is a member of the McKeesport Board of Trade, and is treasurer for the same body. In 1888, when the democracy of the Twenty-fourth district desired a standard-bearer, a convention of county chairmen at Washington, Pa., Oct. 8, nominated W. P. Wampler for Congress, and the next day the candidate, with characteristic energy, began his canvass, and in the short time, less than one month preceding the election, he employed speakers and with them visited and addressed meetings at Washington, Midway, Lucyville, Coal Centre, Allenport, Shireoaks and Monongahela City, in Washington county; at Uniontown, Brownsville, Fairchance, Connellsville, Fayette City, and Dunbar, in Fayette county; and at Duquesne, Homestead, Mansfield, Mount Oliver, Industry and McKeesport, in Allegheny county. Mr. Wampler aided in the equipment of nearly all the marching clubs in the district, half a dozen of which bore his name, and the expense of the entire contest was defrayed by himself. Though he made a gallant effort in the conducting of a vigorous and hopeful campaign, running ahead of the ticket, the district, which had been republican, continued so, and Mr. Wampler was not elected. He bore his rejection with calmness and fortitude, neither his friends nor his enemies discovering in his demeanor any indications of regret, thus proving himself to be as able to sustain defeat as he had been capable of accepting success and prosperity. The day after his rejection Mr. Wampler was at his desk, where he has since remained, conducting the business of his choice, lumber and real estate, which, under his able management, daily increases in financial and industrial importance.