| William Harkness Greer | |
| Born: | 24 June 1814 - Tullyconnell, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland |
| Parents: | James Greer Elizabeth Harkness |
| Wife: | Charity Margaret Elson - Elson Family Tree |
| Born: | 29th March 1828 - Mapleton, Ohio |
| Emigrated: | 18 th April 1837 from Ireland, arrived 30th May 1837 New York |
| Married: | 9th Sept 1851 |
| Children | Clarence S. William Richard Elson Margaret Anna Katie |
| Died: | 8th August 1899 - Magnolia, Ohio |
He originally served an apprenticeship at a Dry Goods business owned by William Glasgow Esq. of Cookstown from 9th Jan 1828 to October 1834. Before he went to America he lived in several places: Drogheda, Dublin, Limerick, Caledon and Armagh. William went to Dublin as a Journeyman, when he was about 21 years old - about 1835. He emigrated in Spring 1937 with his brother Samuel. They arrived in New York on 30th May 1837.
They joined their Uncle William Harkness in Magnolia, who was an early pioneer.
He initially got William a job in Wheeling, West Virginia, before he returned to Magnolia. He visited London in September 1846 and returned to America in April 1847. He took over from William Harkness as a pioneer merchant when the former died in the early 1850's. Initially he was a Democrat, but during the Rebellion he was on the side of the Union, and so became a firm Republican. He was a Mayor of Magnolia.
Charity was born in Sandy township, 1 mile north of Waynesburg (1 of triplets). Catherine and Charity were said to resemble each other, Charlotte died at birth. William and Charity were married on 9th Sept 1851 on a Tuesday morning.
William Harkness Greer (Sr) Charity Elson
Magnolia, where William Greer settled is on the border of Stark Co and Carroll Co.
William's Descendant Tree
| Clarence S. Greer |
| Clarence was born in Carroll Co. He assisted his father in the family buisness initially. On 7th September 1882 he married Margaret Cable who was born in Tuscarawas Co. daughter of David Cable. After his marriage where he moved to a farm 1 mile north of Magnolia (belonging to his mother). He remained here until the death of his father where he created a private banking buisness under the name William H. Greer's Sons. In 1902 he became involved with Wallen M. Beatty in the creation of the Greer-Beatty Clay Company, where they manufactured hollow building blocks and fire brick. He also became Mayor of Magnolia. |
Census Information for William's future wife in 1850
| Census Information for Sandy Township, Stark Co, Ohio 1850 | ||||
| Name | Age | Sex | Occupation of Male over 15 years |
Place of Birth |
| Richard Elson | 53 | M | Farmer - 14000 ? | |
| Charity M " | 22 | F | Ohio | |
| Augustus | 21 | M | Ohio | |
| Mary | 12 | F | Ohio | |
| Corwin | 8 | M | Ohio | |
| Richard | 3 | M | Ohio | |
Link to actual 1850 census image
Visitor Number:
Link to John Greer who settled in Nebraska his brother
since 25th April 2000
Last updated:
29 April, 2005
Documents relating to the Ohio Greer's
James Greer
(Tievenagh) to William Harkness Greer (Ohio)
1860
James
Greer (Tullyconnell) to William Harkness Greer (Ohio)
1866
Rev David Greer
(Tievenagh) to William Harkness Greer (Ohio)
1867
John Greer (Tullyconnell)
to William Harkness Greer (Ohio)
1870