My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM CRUIKSHANK, merchant, Verona, was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1842, and came with his parents, William and Jane Cruikshank, to America when he was four years old. The family arrived at Pittsburgh in January, 1847, and the father, who was a blacksmith, found his first employment in turning horseshoes for the government for use in the Mexican war. The family dwelt two years at Monroeville, Patton township, where the mother died in 1851. Eight years were spent in Moon township, Allegheny county, and from there they removed to Kendall, Beaver county. The last shop operated by William Cruikshank, Sr., was at Sandy Creek, Penn township, where he died in 1877, aged sixty years. There were four sons: Joel and Thomas, conducting a shop near Brinton; William, and James, who was lost at sea on his way to Ireland, in 1884. William assisted his father in his shop in Kendall, Beaver county, and from there went to Steubenville, Ohio, in 1861, to work at his trade. In August of that year he enlisted in Co. B, 4th P. C., in Pittsburgh, and served in the Army of the Potomac until the close of the civil war—four years lacking twenty days. He was company blacksmith, and learned much during his service. His brother Thomas was in the same company from 1862, serving three years. For one year after the war William assisted his father at Sandy Creek, and then succeeded to the ownership of the business. He was an expert shoer, and did a very profitable business until 1877, when he sold out. Next year he came to Verona, and in 1880 built the store and residence which he now occupies. He also purchased the adjoining property, in which he carries on a livery and undertaking business. For two years he served as collector of taxes in Penn township, and five years as justice of the peace. He is a republican in politics, and in religion a Presbyterian. He is a member of the G. A. R., K. of P. and I. O. O. F. July 4, 1866, Mr. Cruikshank was married to Elizabeth Edgar, who died in 1877. Of her four children only one survived her — William Lavery. In 1879 Mr. Cruikshank married again, the bride being Annie E. Ferstl, who became the mother of three children — Annie, May and Selma, surviving—and died in 1884.