Sullivan-Philadelphia County PA Archives Biographies.....WHITELEY, John 1838 - 
  ************************************************
  Copyright.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm
  ************************************************
  
  File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
  Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com July 31, 2005, 9:57 pm
  
  Author: Biographical Publishing Co.
  
  JOHN WHITELEY, one of the most progressive residents of Elkland township,
  Sullivan County, is a man of sterling worth and integrity, and is one who has
  won his way to a high station in life through his individual efforts. He is a
  son of Joseph and Mary (Hague) Whiteley, was born in Lancastershire, Eng., March
  31, 1838, and was christened in the Olden Episcopal Church.
  
    Joseph Whiteley, the father of our subject, was born in England and was a
  cotton manufacturer by trade, being an expert in his line. In 1841 he emigrated
  from his native land to this country, locating in the city of Philadelphia; but,
  desirous of having a home of his own, he later removed to Sullivan County, where
  land could be obtained at a reasonable price and where many of his friends had
  previously located. In 1846 he bought fifty acres of land which had been little
  changed from its primitive state by the hand of man. After making a partial
  clearing he purchased an adjoining fifty acres which had been partly cleared by
  Mr. Ainworth, and upon which had been built a house. Into that he moved with his
  family and subsequently purchased a third tract of fifty acres, all of which he
  cleared up and turned into valuable land. On this third tract one of the first
  clearings in the county had been -made; at the time of its purchase it contained
  a log house, the floors of which were made of split hewed planks, and it
  contained the first panel door in the township. Our subject has about four feet
  of this planking and he prizes it very highly. This land has been divided and is
  now owned by three persons: J. Barnes, who has the homestead; A. Dey, Esq.; and
  Mrs. Bryan. Joseph Whiteley was a man of great industry and untiring in his
  energy. In the summer months he lived upon the farm and cultivated the soil,
  whilst during the winter he worked at his trade in Philadelphia, following that
  plan for several years. When he came to Sullivan County he was not very well
  provided with the world's goods, owning a grey horse, a wagon, and fifty cents,
  but he led an exemplary life and at the time of his retirement to Forksville, a
  short time prior to his demise, he was a well-to-do man. The only part remaining
  of the wagon in which our subject came to Sullivan County is the singletree
  bolt. Both Joseph and his wife lived to reach an advanced age and lie buried in
  the Bethel Cemetery. His union with Mary Hague resulted in the following
  offspring: Ann, wife of John Wright; John, our subject; William, a veteran of
  the Civil War; Elizabeth, wife of William C. Marsden; Martha, wife of Daniel
  Bedford; and Mary, wife of E. W. Snell. In religious views he was strongly
  attached to the established English Church. Politically he was a Whig and later
  a Republican, serving as school director, supervisor, and in minor township
  offices.
  
    John Whiteley, the subject of this sketch, attended the public schools and
  farmed with his father for a time, after which he peddled Yankee notions with
  much success. He next bought a farm near Bethel Church consisting of 114 acres,
  erected new buildings, and has since followed farming. He is a hustling and
  energetic man, and in whatever line he has engaged has been very successful. He
  is a man of strong character, leads an honest life, and has a large circle of
  acquaintances and friends.
  
    Mr. Whiteley was joined in wedlock with Elsie Dikeman, a daughter of Parks
  Dikeman of Tompkins County, N. Y., and they have five children: Joe, a stock
  dealer, who married Ada Walker, and has two children, Renie and Vibert; Mary,
  who was a school teacher and postmistress for several years and is the wife of
  Orville Bartow, and has three children, Earl, LaRue, and Brice; Ora, wife of
  Eugene Avery, who has one child, John Roy, and taught school for three years;
  Susie, a musician; and Roy, fourteen years old, who lives at home.
  
    Mr. Whiteley is a Republican in politics and has served several years as
  auditor and poormaster.
  
  
  
  Additional Comments:
  Extracted from:
    
    Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District
    Published by 
    Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899)
  
  
  
  
  This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/
  
  File size: 4.6 Kb