BIO: Alfred W. GREENWOOD, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, pages 326-327. __________________________________________________________________ ALFRED W. GREENWOOD, Rock Hill, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in Wilmington, Del., October 13, 1843, son of Ralph and Anne Ferris (Morton) Greenwood. William Greenwood, grandfather of Alfred W., was a native of Ashton-under-Line, England, as was also his son Ralph; the former was a blacksmith, the latter a painter, noted for his skilful and artistic work. The son was the first to leave the mother country, emigrating to America at the age of nineteen; he settled in Wilmington, Del., where he had friends. A few years later he sent for his parents, William and Elizabeth Greenwood, who then crossed the ocean with their two daughters, Annie and Elizabeth, and also made their home in Wilmington. Some years after landing in America, William Greenwood, with one or two companions, started for the west; he was known to reach Ohio, but from that time was never heard from, and is supposed to have been killed by Indians. His wife passed the rest of her life in Wilmington; their daughter Elizabeth went to Trout Run, Lycoming county, Pa., and resided there, unmarried, until her death in 1882; the other daughter, Annie, married William Aveyard, and is now a widow, residing at Union City, Erie county, Pa. Ralph Greenwood was married in Wilmington to Miss Morton, who was born in that city in 1813. Some years after he removed with his family first to Harrisburg, Pa., and then to Altoona, where he was employed as painter in the car shops. His children are: Charles M., who died in Altoona in 1863; Alfred W.; Ella Margaret (Mrs. John A. Neveling), Tyrone, Pa.; Ralph Henry, died at the age of six years, in Wilmington; Ralph Henry (2), locomotive engineer on Middle Division, Pennsylvania Railroad, resides at Altoona; and Clara L., died in 1872,, aged nineteen. Ralph Greenwood was a staunch Democrat. His engagement at Altoona continued until his death, March 29, 1862; he was then fifty-five years of age. Mrs. Greenwood died in Altoona in 1887. It was when Alfred W. Greenwood was about nine years old that his parents removed to Harrisburg, and after a year's residence, went to Altoona, where he continued to reside until 1880. At the age of seventeen he began to learn the trade of machinist in the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and served an apprenticeship of three years and four months. He afterwards worked for the company as gang boss, then as foreman, and then as master mechanic, in which capacity he was employed until he became superintendent for the Juniata Mining Company, at Schoenberger, Huntingdon county; this was in 1880. in the fall of 1882 Mr. Greenwood entered the employ of the East Broad Top Railroad Company as master mechanic. His ability and faithfulness being appreciated by the company, he received successively the appointments of acting superintendent, in 1895, and superintendent, January, 1896; the latter is his present position. Having manifested his worthiness in every respect of the trust reposed in him, Mr. Greenwood may thank his own industry and correct life for all that is desirable in his business connection. He is a Democrat, "dyed in the wool," as the saying goes. He has served Rockhill borough as school director and member of council. Alfred W. Greenwood was married, in 1869, in Altoona, to Ruth Anna, daughter of Jonathan Foreman, born in Chester county, Pa. Their children are: Harry Edgar, graduated after a five years' course in mechanical engineering at State College of Pennsylvania, and is now engaged in the mechanical engineering department of the Pan-Handle system, R.C.C., at Columbus, O.; Arthur L., began in May, 1897, to learn the trade of machinist in the East Broad Top shops at Rockhill, Pa.; Margaretta, a student in the Cumberland Valley State Normal School at Shippensburg; and Ralph Chester, at home. Mrs. Greenwood is a member of the Lutheran church; Mr. Greenwood was brought up in the Episcopal church, but regularly attends divine services with his family.