Northumberland County PA Archives Biographies.....Shay, William Field unknown - living in 1899

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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com July 3, 2005, 7:37 pm



Author: Biographical Publishing Co.



WILLIAM FIELD SHAY, an attorney of Watsontown, is one of the most prominent and

active men of the borough, also a literary man who has compiled and contributed

much historical data for useful reference for the rising generation. He was born

in Northumberland, Pa., and is the only son of Philip and Mary Elizabeth

(Wallis) Shay, the latter a daughter of Dr. Samuel H. Wallis, and a

granddaughter of Samuel Wallis, the pioneer of the West Branch Valley.



  Philip Shay, our subject's father, was born in Pittston, Kennebec County,

Maine, in 1813, and was a son of Michael and Anna Shay, both of whom died in

1821. In his early manhood Philip Shay went to Baltimore, Md., to assist his

brother-in-law, Abiathar Field, formerly of Brookline, Mass., to establish one

of the pioneer oyster packing houses at the Monumental City, and in the interest

of this business Mr. Shay located at Northumberland, Pa., and at a later period

became connected with the packet company in which he became "Captain" Shay. In

1854 he settled in Muncy, Pa., where he engaged in the mercantile and lumber

business. In 1868 he removed to Watsontown and again engaged in mercantile

business, and in 1871 he was elected chief burgess and became very much

interested in many of the developments of the early growth of the borough. He

was one of the corporators and charter members of the Watsontown Bank, and was

appointed by Gov. Geary as notary public, and at the close of his

administration, re-appointed by Gov. Hartranft. For eleven years he acceptably

filled the position of postmaster of Watsontown, and death alone removed him, on

February 2, 1885. After the death of his first wife Mr. Shay married Priscilla

M. Llewellyn, who died in 1862. To them were born four children: Charles P.;

Edward E.; Alary V.; and Priscilla L. He was married the third time to Emma J.

Stoughton, and two children, Frank S. and Emma E., blessed their home; Frank S.

Shay died in 1898. Mr. Shay was one of the corporators and influential members

of the First Presbyterian Church of Watsontown, in which he held the office of

trustee for many years. He was a kind and affectionate husband and father and a

man of sterling worth.



  William Field Shay, our subject, after a good preliminary education in the

public schools became a law student under the instruction of Oscar Foust of

Watsontown, with whom he studied three years, when he was admitted to the bar

and began the practice of his profession at Watsontown. He has been admitted to

practice in all the courts in this section of Pennsylvania, as well as the

Supreme Court and the District and Circuit courts of the United States. He is

fond of literary work and has given considerable attention to local historical

matters, and a number of meritorious articles have appeared from his pen. He is

one of the leading and most enterprising citizens of Watsontown, and has done

much to advance the best interests of the borough, being one of the promoters of

the waterworks and he secured to the town the terminus of the Central

Pennsylvania & Western Railroad and since its inception has been solicitor for

the road. In politics our subject supports the principles advocated by the

Republican party.



Mr. Shay has an estimable wife in the person of M. Alice Hower, only daughter of

Hon. Charles Hower of Selinsgrove, Snyder County, Pa. Socially he is a member

and officer of the following societies: past-master of Watsontown Lodge, No.

401, F. & A. M.; past high priest of Warrior Run Chapter, No. 246, R. A. M.; a

member of both the Grand Lodge and the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of

Pennsylvania, and in the years 1885-86 was deputy to the grand high priest for

the counties of Lycoming, Elk, Snyder, Union and Northumberland; he is also a

member of the A. and A. Rite, 32d degree.





Additional Comments:

Extracted from:



Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District

Published by 

Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899)





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