Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 1912


Edmiston Family Biography

The paternal grandfather of Captain William A. Edmiston was born in Ireland, came to the United States, settled in Fulton county, Pennsylvania, where he died leaving a son Samuel.

(II) Samuel Edmiston was born in Fulton county, Pennsylvania, in 1811. He was taught the chairmaker's trade. About 1840 he came to Fayette county and opened a shop at Brownsville. He continued there working at his trade until his death in 1856. He was a Whig in politics and a Presbyterian in religion. He married Margaret Bryce, who survived him and married (second) George W. Harrison, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, moved to his farm three miles from Brownsville, where she died May 30, 1898, in her seventy-second year. She was a daughter of Andrew Bryce, born in Scotland, coming to the United States about 1820. He was a miller, an occupation he followed all his life. He died in the state of Indiana, while on a visit to relatives.

(III) William Alexander, son of Samuel and Margaret (Bryce) Edmiston, was born at Brownsville, Pennsylvania, December 23, 1846. He was educated in the public school, and began business life as a clerk in the drug store of John Wallace & Company, of Brownsville. He remained about one year, then until 1866 was employed as clerk in several stores of the town. In the latter year he became second clerk on one of the steamboats belonging to the Pittsburgh, Brownsville and Geneva Packet Company. He remained on the river continuously in the same employ for sixteen years, excepting 1871 and 1872, when he was engaged in the dry goods business in Brownsville. He served in a clerical capacity until 1878, then was made captain of the steamboat, "Germania," plying between Geneva and Pittsburgh. He continued in command of the "Germania" until 1882, when he resigned, having been elected teller of the Monongahela Bank of Brownsville. He held that position until 1888, when he was elected cashier, a position he is most capably filling at the present date (1912 ). He is a Republican in politics; was for several years clerk of the town council, served as borough treasurer, and for twenty-five years has been a member of the school board, serving as secretary and later as president of the board. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he has served as steward, trustee and treasurer.

He married, in 1869, Virginia, daughter of Rev. L. R. Beacom, an ordained minister of the Pittsburgh conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, died April, 1898, just completing fifty years in the ministry. Children: 1. Clarence B., a graduate in dentistry, but poor health compelled him to relinquish such professional work; he became first clerk on the steamer, "I. C. Woodward," plying between Morgantown and Pittsburgh; later entered the employ of the Monongahela Bank and is now teller. 2. Bessie V., married, March, 1896, Martin R. Jacobs, son of Captain Adam Jacobs; child, Ann Snowden Jacobs. 3. William B., post office clerk. 4. Helen Louise.

Source: Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, John W. Jordan, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1912.





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