My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES WIDNEY EYSTER, machinist, Allegheny, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Feb. 28, 1839, son of Matthew and Elizabeth (Robinson) Eyster, whose sketch appears above. He received limited schooling in Reserve township, and at the age of nine years left home, working for two years with a Mr. Davis, and at candle making, etc., with a Mr. Sawyer, for about six years. He then began life on the river, on the steamer Chicago, as cabin boy, from Pittsburgh to St. Louis, continuing at same until 1855, when he commenced to learn the machinist’s trade of Robinson, Minnis & Miller. Here he remained until the breaking out of the war, when he was employed in a Mississippi squadron as engineer for nearly three years. Returning to Allegheny City, he married, in June, 1864, Henrietta Armstrong, of Allegheny, Pa., a sister of Thomas Armstrong (whose sketch appears elsewhere), and they have one child, named Mary. Mr. Eyster then became engineer on a steamer running from Pittsburgh to New Orleans and St. Louis, continuing as such for twenty years. In May, 1883, he abandoned the river and entered the Westinghouse air-brake factory, where he is still employed. In September, 1884, he removed to his fine home at Emsworth. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., A. O. U. W., F. & A. M., and the Westinghouse Air-brake Beneficial association.