William F. Euwer

WILLIAM F. EUWER is a representative of varied and important business interests in Jeannette. He was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. March 31, 1870, his parents being Matthew G. and Elizabeth (Logan) Euwer. His father was born in New Texas, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and when seventeen years of age began teaching school, which profession he followed for three years, and then accepted a position in a store in Allegheny City. Later he engaged in business on his own account, but met with failure in the widespread financial panic of 1873, when so many business men went down. He afterward accepted a clerkship, and thus worked until he had satisfied his creditors. He then engaged in business for himself at Parnassus where he remained for six years. Later he transferred his business to Verona, where he remained up to the time of his retirement from business life. He then again took up his abode in Parnassus, where he is now living retired. He belongs to the Reformed Presbyterian church, in which he has served as elder for many years. To him and his wife were born seven children, of whom five are yet living: Norman L., Bertha S., Theodosia H., Nancy C. and William F.

William F. Euwer having mastered the elementary branches of learning, taught in the common schools; he continued his education in Parnassus Academy, and at the age of sixteen years entered the store of the firm of Arthur & Showdelmyer, at Allegheny City, as an errand boy. He was later made clerk, having charge of one counter, and subsequently was advanced to a general clerkship, continuing in the store for about three years, when he resigned and accepted a position with his father in Verona. After two years he became a stockholder in the firm. In 1897 he severed his connection with that house, removed to Jeannette, and in partnership with George Whitmyer, purchased the furniture and carpet business of E. G. Euwer. The firm style of Euwer & Company has since been maintained, and the business has steadily grown until they now carry a large stock of goods and enjoy a constantly increasing and profitable patronage. He has other business aside from merchandising, being one of the directors in the Jeannette National Bank, the president of the Jeannette Oil and Gas Company, and the treasurer of the Jeannette and West Newton Street Railway Company. Mr. Euwer is a Republican, whose patriotism is stronger than his partisanship. He belongs to the -Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as a trustee. He also holds membership with the Improved Order of Pleotasophs and with the Maccabees. He is regarded as one of the progressive business men of Jeannette, having the ability of quickly discerning a good business opportunity and taking advantage thereof. His enterprise and energy have been the dominant factors in his success, and his position as one of the substantial citizens of the county is attributable entirely to his own efforts. Mr. Euwer married in 1894, Alice Whitmyer, daughter of George Whitmyer, of Oakmont, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and they have three children: Margaret E., Paul, and Virginia.  

Source: Page(s) 210-211, History of Westmoreland County, Volume II, Pennsylvania by John N Boucher. New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906.
Transcribed August 2008 by Nathan Zipfel for the Westmoreland County History Project
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

Westmoreland County Genealogy Project Notice:

These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format, for any presentation, without prior written permission.