BIOS: Horace Greeley WILL, Milford Township, Somerset County, PA File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Candace Roth Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/ ________________________________________________ History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania; Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, ppg. 183/4 Horace Greeley WILL Horace Greeley Will, a representative business man of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, was there born in Milford township, July 9, 1865, son of Allen S. and Ann R. (Walter) Will, and grandson of John Will, who was a farmer and one of the pioneer settlers of Milford township, coming there from Berks county, Pennsylvania. He married Nancy Scott, and among their children was a son, Allen S. Allen S. Will (father) was also a native of Milford township, born March 4, 1828. In his younger days he was a merchant, butr he subsequently engaged in agricultural pursuits. He received his early education in the public schools and at Millersville Academy. He was for some time a student at Washington and Jefferson college, and for several years taught in the public schools. When the California gold fever was raging, in company with two of his neighbors, he went to that state via the Isthmus of Panama, and for two years joined in the mad search for gold. He met with only moderate success and, his health failing, he returned to Pennsylvania. He was a Republican, and in 1876-1877 was a member of the state legislature of Pennsylvania. He also served in many of the township offices. He was a member of the Lutheran church. His wife, Ann R. Walaer, was a daughter of John Walter, of New Centerville. Their children: San Francisco, born July 9, 1854, married W. J. Kimmel, of Milford township; John A., born December 27, 1856, died in 1883; he was principal of the Ursina schools; Viola M., born March 4, 1858, died in January, 1896; Martha A., born May 5, 1860, married M. M. Saylor, of Milford township; Nina V., born June 12, 1862, married I. G. Miller, of Milford; Horace Greeley, of whom later; Harriet B. S., born March 31, 1870, married George B. Saylor, of Meyersdale; Alice C., born October 5, 1871, wife of John L. Moore, of New Centerville; and Clifford A., born July 6, 1873, married Idella Saylor, daughter of Urias M. Saylor, of Middle Creek township, and they live in Milford township on the old homestead. Horace Greeley Will obtained his early intellectual training in the common schools of his native place, remaining in school until he was sixteen years of age. He then engaged in farming during the summer months and teaching school during the winter months until 1889. He then entered Bethany College, remaining there from 1889 to 1891, inclusive, after which he engaged in teaching one year in the public school, and a number of years in the county normal. He then spent a year in traveling, going over the territory east of the Mississippi, and also Texas, Indian Territory and Oklahoma. He returned home in 1894, and engaged in farming until Feburary, 1896, when he located in Meyersdale, where he established himself in the furniture business with Martin A. Rutter, under the firm name of Rutter & Will. Their business is a highly successful one, and they are accorded a generous trade. The firm is now Will & Saylor, Mr. Rutter retiring. Mr. Will is interested in various other enterprises, among them being the Meyersdale Manufacturing Company, of which he is secretary and treasurer, and the Second National Bank, in which he is a stockholder. Fraternally, he holds membership in the Knights of Pythias, Knights of Malta, I.O.O.F., Modern Woodmen of America, and A.O.U.W. Politically he accords allegiance to the Republican party, and in religion is a member of the Christian church. He was united in marriage in August, 1895, to Sadie E. Moore, daughter of Cyrus P. Moore, merchant of New Lexington, Somerset country, and of this marriage four children were born: Howard R., May, 1896; Mary, December, 1898; Lenore, February, 1901; Rebekah, July, 1903, and Louise, April, 1906.