Husband William B. Skelly 1 2
Born: 13 Feb 1849 - Somerset Co, PA 3
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: Joseph Skelly (1812-1889) 1
Mother: Jane Boyd (Abt 1826-1890) 1
Marriage: 26 Oct 1897 3
Wife Elizabeth Welty 4
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: Henry K. Welty (1820-1898) 4 5 6
Mother: Maria Sarver ( - ) 4 7
Other Spouse: James L. Newmyer ( - ) 4
Children
General Notes: Husband - William B. Skelly
He was born in 1849, and the same year was brought by his parents to Youngstown, Westmoreland County, PA. His education was obtained in the common schools of the various places in which the family lived. At a comparatively early age he abandoned farming and interested himself in coal mining, successfully filling many of the positions in and about the mines. In 1870 he associated himself with the Westmoreland Coal Company, remaining with them until 1878, when he went to Kansas, where for three years he conducted a cattle ranch. Prior to this he had been interested in real estate, particularly coal lands, and on his return to Pennsylvania made large purchases of coal lands for the Westmoreland Coal Company. In 1890 he went to Irwin, his present home. In 1900, having purchased for the company their lands at Export, he acquired property there in his own name and began mining independently, and in 1902 organized the W. B. Skelly Coal Company, which carried on a flourishing business. In the conduct of his coal operations Mr. Skelly gave employment to a large number of men and distributed his output throughout the central states and Canada.
In his political affiliations Mr. Skelly was a staunch Democrat, and wielded a strong influence in political circles. He was not a stickler along party lines, his patriotism taking precedence over every other feeling, and having the courage of his convictions cast his vote for the candidate who in his opinion was best qualified for office, irrespective of party affiliation. He served as member of the borough council, filling the chair of president, and it was during his official term that many important improvements were made in Irwin, such as street paving, sewerage, &c. He was always ready and willing to further any movement tending to promote the welfare of the community. He was a man of broad and liberal views, a great reader and student of all the main issues of state and national importance, and his counsel was often sought and his opinions deferred to. Having a retentive memory he was often consulted on events of historical importance. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 511, of Greensburg.