My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM SHRADER, retired, post office Elizabeth, a son of William and Dorcas (Warren) Shrader, was born in what is now Forward township in 1839. His paternal great-grandfather, when six years of age, embarked with his parents and their family, for America. While enroute the entire family, with a single exception, died, and on the arrival of the vessel at Philadelphia this child of six years was sold for his passage-money, it being legal at that time to enforce payment in that manner. He became the property of a farmer living near Philadelphia, with whom he remained until relinquished from his indebtedness. Subsequently he married the farmer’s daughter, and located near Baltimore, Md., where they lived for some years. They then removed to near Stanton, Westmoreland county, where he died. His son, Willis Shrader, was born near Stanton, Westmoreland county, in 1755. Our subject’s maternal grandmother, Mary Sechrist, was born in 1761, and sought protection in Hannastown during one of the periodical raids made by hostile Indians. William Shrader, father of our subject, was born in what is now West Newton in 1796, and this family are pre-eminently entitled to the distinction of being among the pioneers of Western Pennsylvania. Dorcas, mother of our subject, died when he was a child of eleven years. His father died at the age of sixty-four years. Two children were born to William and Dorcas Shrader: Susanna, now Mrs. Finney, of Westmoreland county, and William. The latter married Eliza J. Byers, in May, 1861, and resided on the old homestead until 1876. He then sold out and purchased coal mines at Lovedale, which he disposed of in 1882, and is now living in elegant retirement in Lincoln township. His residence is located on a prominent bluff facing the Monongahela river, from which a beautiful view is afforded.