Blair County PA Archives Biographies.....Elway, Henry September 27, 1827 - ????
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Judy Banja http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00004.html#0000757 December 16, 2024, 1:38 pm

Source: Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Blair Co, PA: Philadelphia, 1892.
Author: Samuel T. Wiley

HENRY ELWAY,
A retired businessman and farmer, who saw active service in our Civil War,
and whose residence is at No. 2507 Seventh Avenue, in the city of Altoona, is
a son of James and Sarah (Prosser) Elway, and was born September 27, 1827, in
Gloucestershire, in the west of England. His paternal grandfather, William
Elway, came form England to the United States in 1831, and located in
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, where he died in a short time from a
fever contracted on his voyage to this country. James Elway (father) was born
and reared in the west of England, where he lived until 1830, at which time he
emigrated to America and located for a time in the city of Philadelphia. He
later removed to Centre County, this state, and resided there until 1833,
when he came to Blair County. He died in Altoona, on the 26th of August,
1862, in the fifty-eighth year of his age. He was a minister of the United
Brethren Church, and did much to build up the interests of that denomination
in these parts. He was a Whig and Republican in politics. He married Sarah
Prosser in England, and to their union was born a family of eleven children,
seven sons and four daughters. Mrs. Elway was born in 1808 and died in 1887.
She was a member of the United Brethren Church, and greatly esteemed for her
many womanly virtues and kindly acts. Her father was a native of
Herfordshire, England, and died there at the remarkable age of one hundred
and five years.
   Henry Elway was reared principally in Blair County, and obtained his
education in the common schools here. After leaving school he engaged in
farming and teaching for some years, and in 1858 moved into the city of
Altoona and embarked in the mercantile business. He continued to operate in
that line until 1863, when he sold out and enlisted for three months in Co.
D, 46th Pennsylvania infantry. When his term of service had expired, he
reenlisted for one year, and was made second lieutenant of Co. I, 205th
Pennsylvania infantry. His company was attached to the second brigade, third
division, ninth army corps, and did effective service on some of the most
hotly contested fields of the great Civil War. On June 2, 1865, being the
close of the war, Mr. Elway was discharged at Alexandria, Virginia, and,
returning to Altoona, once more engaged in merchandising in this city. He
became quite successful in business, and conducted his general store until
1876, when he sold out and purchased a farm in Allegheny Township. For some
fourteen years he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, but in 1890
finally retired from all business, and is now spending the evening of his life
in peace and quietude at his handsome home in Altoona, where he is surrounded
by all necessities and comforts calculated to promote his happiness. In
addition to his farm in Allegheny Township, he owns some valuable real estate
in this city.
   On March 1, 1853, Mr. Elway united in marriage with Hannah Root, a daughter
of Jacob Root, of Bellwood, this county. In religion Mr. Elway is a member of
the United Brethren Church, and in his political convictions an ardent
Republican. He has served the city in the capacity of assessor and as a
member of the common council, and is a highly esteemed citizen.

Additional Comments:
Originally submitted 2001. Transcribed by Denise.   

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