[p. 562] one of Wampum's representative business men and junior member of the firm of Miles & Aley, dealers in hardware, on Main Street, Wampum, was born in this town March 15, 1875. His parents were William and Mary (Stiner) Aley.
Michael Aley, the great-grandfather, was a German by birth and was one of the pioneer settlers in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. He had five children: Catherine, Ann, John, Michael and Jonathan. The last named was the grandfather of Robert Aley. His brothers were farmers, but he learned the blacksmith trade. He married Ann Edwards, whose parents came to Beaver County from Maryland, in early days. The children of Jonathan and Ann Aley were as follows: Alfred and Joseph, both deceased; Emeline married Edward Day, deceased; Deborah, deceased, was the wife of Hon. James McAnlis; John died young; Isaiah, Charles, William and Robert Henry, the latter of whom is the oldest resident of Wampum, having been born July 28, 1836.
William Aley, father of Robert H. Aley, Jr., was born in Beaver County, near the Lawrence County line. In his youth he worked in the limestone quarries and during the most of his active years he was more or less engaged in quarrying. He married Mary Stiner, of Mercer County, and they had four children, namely: Robert H., John, who died in boyhood; Lulu, who died in childhood, and Verna, who is the wife of Frank Miles. William Aley and wife are among the most highly esteemed residents of Wampum.
Robert H. Aley attended the public schools of Wampum, remaining at his books until he was about twenty years of age, and then went to work in the coal banks, where he labored for six years. He then entered the employ of Davis & Harris and worked for three years in their sandstone quarries. Mr. Aley next became a clerk for the Wampum Supply Company and remained with that concern for three years. His next employer was Charles Stapf, and with him he remained for six years as a clerk. In May, 1906, Mr. Aley, in partnership with C. F. Miles, opened up a small slating and tinning business, locating it on Beaver Street, and they subsequently added a line of hardware. The enterprise prospered, and by March 20, 1907, had outgrown the old quarters, necessitating a removal to more commodious ones. The firm then came to the present location on Main Street, where they carry a full line of hardware, tin and slate roofing, farm implements, hot water and hot air equipments, paints and everything usually to be found in first-class business houses of their kind. The stock occupies both floors of their building. Mr. Aley and Mr. Miles employ two men, and both are active in the management, dividing their labors. Mr. Aley looks after the store and retail business, while Mr. Miles, who is a practical roofer of many years' standing, takes care of the work in that line.
On September 10, 1900, Mr. Aley was married to Mary Sprinker, who is a daughter of Nicholas Sprinker. They have one child, Paul, who was born June 7, 1906. Mr. Aley owns a handsome residence on Clyde Street, in the Stapf addition to Wampum. In politics, Mr. Aley is a Democrat.
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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