JOHN NELSON EALY, one of the well-to-do and substantial citizens of East Finley township, was born in Cross Creek township, April 27,1841, a son of John and Eleanor (Sprowls) Ealy, both natives of the same township. John Ealy, his paternal grandfather, was a native of Schuylkill county, Penn., where he married and reared a family of children, some of whom and his wife he brought with him when he moved to Washington county. He settled here, near where is now East Finley postoffice, not far from the headwaters of Wheeling creek, in East Finley township, and here died, as did also his wife. Their eldest son, George, was born in 1773, in Schuylkill county, Penn., and came to Washington county with his parents, as above related. His boyhood days were passed upon his father's farm and in attending, during a few months in winter time, the subscription schools of his district; but perhaps the most lasting of his lessons were those of practical experience in industry, economy and perseverance, which have all along been marked traits in the character of the Ealy family in Washington county. George Ealy was a farmer all his days. He was married to Christina Ealy, who was born in 1786, and to this union were born the following named children: John, Polly, Henry, George, Michael, Martin, Mary and Christina, of whom but two survive,viz,: Michael, living in Highland county, Ohio and Christina (widow of Silas Sprowls), in East Finley township, this county. The father of these children died June 19,1869, the mother having passed away in 1849. John Ealy, father of subject, was born in East Finley township, in 1803, and at the schools of the neighborhood secured a somewhat limited education, the better part of his time being occupied in work on his father's farm. In 1834 he was married to Eleanor, daughter of John Sprowls, of East Finley township, and she bore him children as follows: Nancy, Jane, John N., Lewis, David, George W. and Silas, all of whom attained adult age, but there are only two now living: John N. and George W. The father was taken from earth November 4,1857, the mother September 9, 1886. John N. Ealy received a substantial common-school education, learned agriculture of his father, at whose death he came into possession of the home place, and has since resided there, engaged in general agriculture, including the breeding of blooded stock. The farm is situated about half a mile south of East Finley postoffice, and is highly improved. Mr. Ealy is a member of the United Brethren Church, of which he has served as trustee; in politics he is a lifelong Republican; and one of the advisers and counsellors of his party. He has never married. George W. Ealy, the other surviving son of John Ealy, was born July 8, 1847, in Cross Creek township, this county, and received a good common-school education. He came to East Finley township when young, learned farming under his father's preceptorship, and his entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. On December 17, 1872, he was married to L. V. Carroll, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Seeman) Carroll, of Irish ancestry, and the children of this union are: Mary E., born October 26, 1873; William Hazlett, born August 3, 1876, and John Hamilton, born August 14, 1880, all living at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. George W. Ealy are members of the United Brethren Church at Fairmount, and in politics he is a stanch Republican

Text taken from page 746 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Justin Tharp of ??? as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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