My Genealogy Hound

JOHN CRESSEN GLASS, master mechanic, Verona, was born in Allegheny City, in 1853, a son of George W. Glass, who was a master mechanic of the A. V. R. R. from 1868 to his death in 1884. The father of the latter came from Ireland, and was an early resident of Pittsburgh. George W. Glass was born in Pittsburgh, and became master mechanic of the O. & P. (now P., Ft. W. & C.) R. R. in 1850, and the first freight locomotive built west of the Alleghany mountains was made under his charge, the original drawings of which are now in possession of his son. He died at the age of sixty-four years, but his widow, Eliza (Walker) Glass, a native of Fayette county, still survives him. J. C. Glass received most of his education at the New Brighton public schools, and began his mechanical career in the railroad shops when fourteen years old. At the time of his father’s death he was employed as machinist in the Verona shops, and was appointed to his present position in 1886. In 1875 he married Margaret Sorby, of Welsh and English descent, a native of Pittsburgh, and a daughter of William and Mary Sorby. Mr. Glass is a member of the Royal Arcanum and Masonic fraternity, and has always been a republican. His family includes three children: Mamie Sorby, Ella and Margaret.