BIO:  L. W. Finley, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, Lower Chanceford Township, Pg 123

L. W. FINLEY, son of John and Mary (Cameron) Finley, was born in Lower Chanceford 
Township in 1833.  His grandfather, William Finley, came from Castle Fin. 
Ireland, in 1803, and settled in New York State, where he engaged in farming, but 
in 1810 removed to York County and settled on a farm, where he died.  His son, 
John, the father of L. W., inherited the farm, and was married December 20, 1827.  
The subject of this sketch was born on the old farm and has made it his home ever 
since.  At the age of fourteen he assisted his father on contracts, and at the 
age of twenty became his partner until his father died.  Since then he has filled 
a large number of contracts, principally in bridge building.  He has entered into 
large contracts with York County, other places in Pennsylvania, Maryland and 
Virginia.  In March, 1856, he was married to R. A. Gordon, daughter of Daniel and 
Ruth Gordon, of Lower Chanceford Township, who died in 1860, leaving two 
children, John M. and Mary A.  In November, 1867, he married Mary E. Lewis, 
daughter of John Lewis, of York County.  John Finley, the father of subject, was 
born in 1805, on the farm in Lower Chanceford, and died in 1866.  He was an 
extensive contractor on railroads and canals, also in bridge-building.  His first 
contract was on the Tide Water Canal.  L. W. Finley owns 104 acres of good land; 
is an enterprising man and a Master Mason.