BIOGRAPHY: William Edward FINLEY, Mifflin County, PA

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising 
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, pages 502 & 505.

  WILLIAM EDWARD FINLEY, Lewistown, Mifflin county, Pa., was born at Saltillo, 
Clay township, Huntingdon county, Pa., November 28, 1861.  He is a son of 
William A. and Margaret (Gallaher) Finley.  His paternal grandfather, Dr. 
Finley, was educated in Scotland, which was his native country.  Shortly after 
his marriage, about the beginning of the present century, he emigrated to 
America, and began the practise of his profession in central Pennsylvania;  
later he opened an office in Shippensburg, Cumberland county, Pa., where he 
spent the remainder of his life.  He died from the effects of injuries received 
in a fall from a building.  He was an able and successful physician, respected 
and esteemed by all who knew him.  Mrs. Finley survived her husband several 
years;  both were members of the Presbyterian church.  Their children are:  
Margaret, married and removed to Adams county, Pa.;  William A.;  Virginia, 
resides at Mercersburg, Franklin county, Pa.;  Edward, died when about sixty-
seven;  and Elizabeth (Mrs. Thomas McDowell), of Mercersburg, has two children, 
William and Lillian.  Mr. Finley's father, William A. Finley, was born at 
Shippensburg, Pa., where he received his education, and for a short time read 
medicine with his father.  He afterwards abandoned the study of medicine, and 
learned tanning at Shippensburg.  For a number of years he had a tannery of his 
own at Concord, Franklin county, Pa., and later he became foreman for the firm 
of Leas & McVitty, tanners at Saltillo, Huntingdon county, Pa., where he 
remained until 1886, when he retired from business.  William A. Finley was 
married to Miss Amanda Irwin, of Concord, Franklin county, Pa.  They have two 
children:  Mary J., M. D., of Mansfield, O., married;  and Augustus, died in 
early boyhood.  Mrs. Finley died, and Mr. Finley was married again, to Margaret, 
daughter of James and Mary Gallaher, natives of Ireland.  Her father was a 
dresser of fine morocco;  he and his wife emigrated to America, and settled near 
Wilmington, Del.  William A. and Margaret (Gallaher) Finley have four children:  
William Edward;  John A., foreman of the Saltillo tannery, for the firm of C. 
Green & Son, married Etta McNeal, has one daughter;  Lewis A., of Saltillo, 
Huntindon county, married Miss Heck, has children, Jay and Daniel;  and Amanda 
E. (Mrs. Lean), of Mansfield, O., where her husband is engaged in manufacturing 
agricultural implements.  Mr. William A. Finley and his wife reside at Saltillo, 
Huntingdon county, Pa.
  William Edward Finley was educated in the district schools of Saltillo.  When 
he was eighteen he learned tanning under his father's supervision, and has 
devoted his attention entirely to that business.  In 1882, or '83, he was made 
foreman of the Saltillo tannery, for Leas & McVitty, and in 1887 was transferred 
to Lewistown, and became foreman of the North American tannery, for Leas, 
McVitty & Green, which position he still holds.  His well-merited promotions are 
the reward of faithful, conscientious service.  In 1888, Mr. Finley bought his 
present homestead on Logan street, where he has made many improvements, putting 
in all the modern conveniences, and surrounding his home with a beautiful lawn 
and choice shrubbery.  Here he enjoys the comfort won by his industry and 
enterprise.  He is a Prohibitionist, and is actively interested in all the 
affairs of the township.  He is a member of Council No. 1394, of the Royal 
Arcanum, at Lewisburg, Pa.
  William Edward Finley was married, January 30, 1883, to R. Jenny, daughter of 
George W. and Margaret (Widney) Cohill, of Huntingdon county.  They have two 
children:  Orris Claude;  and Edward Max.  Mr. Finley and his wife are members 
of the Baptist church at Lewistown, Pa.