[p. 838] postmaster at Hazel Dell, general merchant and leading citizen, was born in County Essex, England, March 2, 1854, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Jarvis) Challis.
The parents of Mr. Challis came to America in l872, two years after their son Joseph had reached here, and they settled in Allegheny County, near Sewickley, where the father engaged in farming. They lived for many years afterward, the father dying at the home of the above named son, in Hazel Dell, in 1905, aged eighty-one years. The mother survived until 1908 and died on the homestead in Sewickley, aged sixty-six years. Their family consisted of the following children: Harry G., a resident of Sewickley; Daniel W., engaged in contracting, a resident of Sewickley; Joseph, residing at Hazel Dell; Emily, wife of George Smith; James, foreman of a pottery plant at Lisbon, Ohio; David, a locomotive engineer, residing at Allegheny; Thomas, an electrician, residing at Newark, New Jersey; and Minnie, deceased, was the wife of William Emmett.
Joseph Challis was sixteen years of age when he left his native land and crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Canada. He remained in the Dominion but a short time, making his way to Pittsburg, where he sought employment. For the following five years he worked industriously at whatever he found to do in that busy city and then went to Wampum, in Lawrence County. There he engaged in quarrying, coal mining and other industries for about eight years, after which he went to Wayne Township and there found steady and remunerative employment at mining and quarrying. In 1898 he came to Hazel Dell and in the following year embarked in the general mercantile business, beginning as one of the earliest business men but with small capital. He has grown with the town that his energy has helped to develop and now stands as one of the most substantial citizens. In 1899 he was appointed postmaster, being the fourth postmaster of the borough, and has continued in office until the present.
In 1876, Mr. Challis was married (first) to Miss Louisa Newton, who died in 1895. They had three children: George; James, who resides with a family, at Hazel Dell; and William, who has one daughter, Gertrude, lives at Hazel Dell. In 1897, Mr. Challis was married (second) to Miss Sarah Woods, who is a daughter of John B. Woods, of Venango County. They have one daughter, Lois Minnie, who was born December 15, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Challis are members of the Presbyterian Church of Ellwood City. In politics he is identified with the Republican party. Mr. Challis has shown in the gradual but steady advance of his fortunes the persistency of his sturdy ancestry and the methods which he has followed in his business he also advocates when he takes part in the public affairs of his town. He was a useful member of the first town council and has shown his hearty interest at all times by co-operating with his fellow citizens for the general welfare.
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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