JOSIAH MELOY was born October 20, 1826, in Franklin (then Morris) township, Washington Co., Penn., a son of Reese Meloy, whose father, William Meloy, was born in 1753, near Salem, Salem Co., N. J. William Meloy was there married to Lydia McCray, who was also a native of New Jersey, born in 1763, and in the year 1809 they started, in company with another family, to move to Ohio. While passing through Washington county, Penn., some of the family were taken ill, and they were obliged to stop at Coon Island, and the Meloy family became permanent residents of Pennsylvania. Mr. Meloy rented the "Hupp" farm in Washington county, and there passed the remainder of his life. His widow died in 1857. Reese Meloy, a son of William Meloy, was born in 1796, near Salem, Salem Co., N. J., and coming to Pennsylvania with his parents grew to manhood in Washington county. He worked for a time on different farms, and in 1824 was united in marriage with Jane Caldwell, who was born in 1805, near West Middletown, Penn., daughter of Samuel Caldwell. They had the following children: Cyrus A. (farming in Amwell township, this county); Josiah (subject of sketch); Angeline (deceased in infancy); Hester, Mary and Reese; of this family the three last named died after attaining adult age. After his marriage Mr. Meloy located in Franklin (then Morris) township, this county, and some time afterward came to Donegal township, where he located on a farm about two miles west of Claysville. He continued to farm on this place until his death, which occurred May 23, 1860, his widow surviving him till February 2, 1889. Mr. Meloy began life with but little, but by hard work and good management succeeded in accumulating a considerable property. Politically he was formerly a Whig, and after the organization of the party, became a Republican. Josiah Meloy, the second child in his father's family, came with his parents to Donegal township, where he received his education, and was trained to farm work. On July 9, 1863, he was married to Jane, daughter of Isaac Sutherland, of West Finley township, Washington county, and their children are Reese G. and Anna M., both living with their parents. After his marriage Mr. Meloy settled on the farm which is his present home, and has successfully followed agricultural pursuits, devoting considerable attention to stock raising. Politically, he is a Republican.

Text taken from page 946 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed April 1997 by Paula Talbert of Caldwell, OH as part of the Beers Project. Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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