My Genealogy Hound

CAPT. JAMES WILSON HALSTEAD, river-man, post office Verona, was born at Fairview, this county, in 1848, son of James and Rebecca (Lammon) Halstead. His father was a tailor and worked in Pittsburgh on the bench with Andrew Johnson (afterward president), and was one of Pittsburgh’s early men. The post office at Fairview was named after him, and he served as postmaster until 1872, when he turned the office over to his daughter. James received his education at Fairview, and in 1864 went on a steamboat carrying oil from Warren and Oil City to Pittsburgh. After five years of this work he began farming in Westmoreland county, but continued in the oil business to some extent. In 1885 he engaged with the Chartiers Gas company, having charge of the laying of their pipes across the river. He was shore-boss for Huling Brothers, at Pittsburgh, but now has accepted a position with Moorhead & McCleane, having charge of their river business. He was married in 1871 to Elizabeth Shannon, of Indiana township, daughter of James and Rebecca (Hickey) Shannon, old settlers of that township. Three sons were born to Capt. and Mrs. Halstead, viz.: William Boyd, Harry Edward and James Lemmon. Capt. Halstead’s parents were members of the U. P. Church, and his wife of the M. E. Church. He is past officer in the Knights of the Golden Eagle, representative to the Grand Lodge K. of P., and a very active member of the uniform rank K. of P., having organized H. S. Paul division, at Verona, and is one of the first officers; also a member Knights of Mystic Chain and of the Jr. O. U. A. M.