Thomas M. Wiley, p. 1473

THOMAS M. WILEY, senior member of the well-known furniture firm, in Washington, of Thomas M. Wiley & Son, is a native of the borough, born in October, 1824. His grandfather, who was a Virginian by birth, was married to Elizabeth Tannehill, daughter of a Maryland planter, who at the time of the Revolution was loyal to England. William Wiley, father of Thomas M., a bricklayer by trade, married Martha, a daughter of Massy Harbison, who was the mother of eleven children, two of whom were killed by the Indians within view of their mother, who was captured by them, and whose wonderful escape from captivity is related elsewhere. William Wiley had born to him children, as follows: John and Martha (both deceased), Thomas M., Henry, Maria, Frank, Ellen, William and Annie (all in Washington).

Thomas M. Wiley received his education at the public schools of his native town, and while a boy leaned the trade of cabinet maker. In 1850 he paid a visit to California, where he remained two years. In 1855 he commenced the business of cabinet making on his own account, in Wheeling, W. Va., where ho remained ten years, at the end of which time he returned to Washington and opened a small store, from which developed his present mammoth establishment. In 1876 he received his son, James C., into partnership and in 1878 he erected his present handsome block, on Main street, all now occupied as a furniture store.

In 1852 Mr. Wiley was married, in Wheeling W. Va., to Miss Elizabeth Courts, a native of that city, who died in August, 1888, at the age of fifty-two years, leaving three children: James C., now in partnership with his father; Kate, wife of William Van Kirk, of Amwell township, and Anna, living at home. Our subject is a Republican, and has frequently served in the borough council. Socially he is a Freemason, and at one time was a member of the I. O. O. F. He is a typical self-made man, having from very small beginnings, by industry, intelligent effort and judicious economy, made an enviable and well-merited success

Text taken from page 1473 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed February 1997 by Marcia Rothman of Langley, WA as part of the Beers Project.
Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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