[p. 816] general farmer,
residing on his valuable farm of 195
acres, which is situated in Big Beaver
Township, about three miles west of Wampum,
was born in June, 1845, on his father's
farm in Ireland. His parents were
James and Elizabeth (McKinley) Cosgrove.
William Cosgrove, the paternal grandfather, carried on farming in Ireland, and was proprietor of a large weaving establishment in which he gave employment to fifty weavers. His children were: William, David, James, Jennie, Margaret and Sallie.
James Cosgrove was born in Ireland, grew to manhood on his father's farm and married the daughter of a neighbor. They had four children when, in 1851, they started for America. Their vessel was wrecked on the shores of Long Island and they reached Little Falls, N. J., entirely destitute, all their possessions having been swept away by the waves. In a short time they made their way to Washington County, Pennsylvania, and in 1853 they came to Lawrence County. James Cosgrove was an industrious and thrifty man and after renting farms in Big Beaver Township, he finally purchased 190 acres of land, and at a later date this was divided among his Children. He lived to the age of seventy-five years, dying in February, 1892, and was survived by his widow until June, 1893. They had the following children: Margaret, William, James, Mary, Elizabeth, Samuel P., Maria, David S. and Martha Ann.
William Cosgrove was a mere child when the family embarked for America, but he has a vivid recollection of the shipwreck and of the loss of his hat in the general destruction of the family effects. After reaching Lawrence County he attended school whenever opportunity offered, the sessions then being held in the log school-houses which were generally built at the crossing of the roads, as soon as the country became any way settled. He was married (first) in 1880, to Anna Rhodes, who died in 1882, leaving one child, William John. Mr. Cosgrove was married (second) to Nancy Y. Boyce, who died in 1900.
Mr. Cosgrove has a fine property. His first purchase was of fifty acres and to this he added six other tracts, having seven deeds for his land. All of the substantial buildings he has erected and has done all of the general improving. He was reared in the Reformed Presbyterian Church. In politics, he is a Republican and has served very efficiently as a member of the township School Board. He is a well known and valued citizen.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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