Samuel M. McKelvey

SAMUEL M. McKELVEY. The grandfather of Samuel M. McKelvey, of Lose, was James McKelvey, born in the Ligonier valley, and was educated for the ministry of the Presbyterian church but was never ordained. He spent his life in his native valley where he owned two large farms to the cultivation of which he applied himself. He married Jane Paterson, and their children were: Sarah, married Marshall Reed; Agnes, married Aaron Wells; Reuben McKinley, of whom later; John Jackson; James P.; Jane, married Robert Adams; and Thomas.

Reuben McKinley McKelvey, son of James and Jane (Paterson) McKelvey, was born April 18, 1822, in the Ligonier valley where he passed his life in agricultural pursuits. He purchased about 1850, the farm which is now the property of his son James. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a Democrat in politics. He married Jane Menoher, and their children were: Samuel M., of whom later; Jannie, married B. R. Robb; Sadie, died unmarried; James, a farmer on the homestead; Samantha; Permelia, married Josiah H. Brant; Catherine, married F. S. Robb; Josephine, married C. C. Brant; Agnes, married Jacob E. Keffer; and Emma, married Herbert Johnson. They are all living in the Ligonier valley.

Samuel M. McKelvey, son of Reuben McKinley and Jane (Menoher) McKelvey was born December 26, 1849, in Ligonier township, and received his education in the common schools and at the Ligonier high school. He became a farmer early in life, and continued to devote himself to the duties of a husbandman until 1881. In that year he established in Lose the general mercantile business which he has ever since conducted. He was appointed postmaster of Lose in 1893, and held the office until it was abandoned, July 1, 1905, on account of the establishment of rural free delivery. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church of Ligonier. Mr. McKelvey is a Democrat. He married Elizabeth J., daughter of John Johnston. By this marriage there were no children. Two years after the death of his wife Mr. McKelvey married Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Matthews, and their children were: Pearl C., married Robert Johnson; Ira J., died in childhood; Mary E., a graduate of the township schools, and has taught for two terms; and Russell M., is at home.

Source: Page(s) 176-177, History of Westmoreland County, Volume II, Pennsylvania by John N Boucher. New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906.
Transcribed May 2007 by Nathan Zipfel for the Westmoreland County History Project
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

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