My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM C. NEEMES, superintendent of McKeesport Gas company, was born in Pittsburgh, March 8, 1849, a son of George and Mary C. (Calhoun) Neemes. His father, a native of Whitehaven, England, a blacksmith and machinist by trade, settled in Pittsburgh in 1835; worked on the Pittsburgh Gas company’s buildings, and was the efficient superintendent of the works for thirty-five years. His wife was a daughter of William and Mary Calhoun, early settlers of Pittsburgh, who occupied a farm where a portion of the city now stands. George Neemes, by this marriage, had seven children: John (deceased), Phebe (deceased), William C., Jennie (deceased), George, Thomas (deceased) and Norwell. William C. was reared in Pittsburgh, and was graduated from the public schools, Pittsburgh University and Iron City Business College. He afterward served an apprenticeship of five years at the machinist’s trade, and during that time studied mechanical and architectural drawing under Prof. Vandermalin. While serving his apprenticeship he was appointed assistant superintendent of the Pittsburgh Gas company, in which capacity he served one year, after which he served three years as mechanical and architectural draftsman for the same company. He was then employed by the Pittsburgh Water works company as superintendent of laying all the water-mains, but resigned his position, and was appointed superintendent of the Consolidated Gas company, of Pittsburgh, in which capacity he served two years. During that time he rebuilt and remodeled the works of the company. In 1880 he came to McKeesport, where he has since been the efficient superintendent of the McKeesport Gas company. Mr. Neemes is an active F. & A. M. He has served two years as a member of the McKeesport council, and is a stanch republican.