Blaney, James

James Blaney, a dealer in dry goods and groceries, doing a successful business in Sharpsville, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1851, a son of James and Eliza (Templeton) Blaney, both natives of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, the father having been born in 1806 and dying in March, 1876, while the mother, born in 1816, died at the age of seventy-four years, in 1892. This couple was married in Armstrong county and had eleven children, three of whom died while yet quite young, while these lived to reach manhood and womanhood: Samuel, residing in Oil City; Sarah Jane, wife of George Miller; Betsy Ann, wife of D. C. Stambaugh, of Sharon; Mary, widow of Robert Stambaugh, residing in Sharon; John S., living in Hickory township, a farmer by occupation; Fannie A., widow of Levi B. Gibson, of Sharpsville; James, of this sketch. The grandfathers, both paternal and maternal, were pioneers in Pennsylvania, both having immigrated to this country from Ireland.

The father of James Blaney spent his boyhood days in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, and helped to clear the wilderness up and make a comfortable home. Subsequently he married and engaged in farming on his own account in Butler county, where he hewed a farm from out the heavy timbered country and first "raised" him a log cabin, and in 1871 built a frame residence. In the autumn of 1872 he went to Mercer county, locating in Hickory township, where he purchased a farm and there spent his remaining years. He was a lover of fine stock of all kinds. In politics he never cared to hold public offices, but always voted the Whig or Republican ticket. In his church connection he was identified with the United Presbyterian church.

James Blaney, of this notice, worked on his father's farm in his younger years, and was early taught the usefulness of hard labor and industrious habits. He attended school during the winter months. In the spring of 1886 he went to Sharpsville and there engaged in the butchering business, continuing one year, then engaged in the coal business, continuing in that line until 1906. In December, 1907, he embarked in the grocery trade, in which he is still employed, also handling dry goods and notions. He was elected burgess in the spring of 1887, and has been re-elected for two terms of three years each, having served seven years in all as burgess; also one year as councilman. Politically, he is a supporter of the Republican party.

Mr. Blaney was married to Margaret Bailey in 1878. She was the daughter of William Bailey, of Pymatuning township, Mercer county. Mrs. Blaney died in March, 1885, and for his second wife Mr. Blaney married Florence E. Kelley, July 30, 1888. She was born in Pymatuning township, March ii, 1862, the daughter of William Kelley and wife, both now deceased. Her father was a carpenter and came to Sharpsville in 1871, having lived in Pymatuning township a number of years, as a contractor and builder. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church and in politics a Republican.