JAMES M. MELONEY, a well-known and prosperous business man of Midway, is a bright example of the results which can be obtained by those who possess energy and patience, coupled with a willing heart and physical strength. He is descended from a pioneer family of Irish extraction. Samuel Meloney, the grandfather of the family at present under consideration, was born in eastern Pennsylvania, where he was married and had two children, Alexander and Rachel. After the death of his first wife, Samuel Meloney was united in marriage with Nancy Berry, who, bore him the following family of children: William, James, Samuel, John, Mary, Kate, Margaret, Nancy, Rose, Ann, Susan and Robert. At the time of the settlement in western Pennsylvania, the land was wild, wolves and other animals yet roaming the forests; and like that of other early settlers, the life of Samuel Meloney was filled with toil, privation and danger. Politically he was actively interested in the success of the Democratic party, and in religion was a member of the Raccoon Presbyterian Church. He died on the home farm. Alexander Meloney was born in the latter part of the eighteenth century, on the pioneer farm in Allegheny county, Penn., where his entire life was passed. He was early inducted into the mysteries of agriculture, assisting with the home work. In early manhood he was united in marriage with Jane, daughter of David McAdams, who bore him two sons, James M. and John (deceased). Alexander Meloney was a hard-working man, and was actively engaged in the growth and prosperity of the Raccoon Presbyterian Church of Robinson township, of which he was a member. He was buried in the Valley Church cemetery. James M. Meloney, whose name commences these lines, was born July 25, 1825, in Finley township, Allegheny county, Penn., and was trained to farm work from early boyhood. He followed agricultural life for several years, and on July 17, 1849, selected, as his life companion, Isabella, daughter of Samuel Ackleson, a native of Ireland, who, came with his parents to America. He was afterward married in this country to Anna McCague, and reared the following family of children: Thomas, John, Isabella, Martha, Euphemia, Samuel and Mary A. The father settled in Allegheny county, Penn., where his life was passed. He was a Whig and Republican in politics, and in religion a member of the United Presbyterian Church. In 1879 Mr. Meloney discontinued agricultural work, and opened an undertaking establishment upon his farm. The business soon increased to such proportions that he decided to remove to town and devote his entire attention to it. Accordingly in 1880 the family moved to Midway, this county, where he carried on a very profitable business until 1891, when he sold out and retired from active life. For many years Mr. Meloney has been a zealous member of the Raccoon Presbyterian Church, having held nearly all the church offices, and is now filling the various duties of elder, trustee, collector, and treasurer of the Sabbath-school. Politically he is an ardent worker in the ranks of the Democratic party.

Text taken from page 1126 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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