Hugh McElroy, from Scotland, went to county Down, Ireland, about 1685, and bought a tract of land in the parish of Ballynahinch, about twenty miles south of Belfast. He was father of three sons: John, see forward, Hugh and Robert.
(II) John, son of Hugh McElroy, lived and died in county Down, Ireland. He was born about 1710, and lived until near the end of the century. He married twice and was father of the following children:
- Hugh, see forward.
- John, married Sarah Erwin.
- Prudence, married a Mr. McKee.
- Betsy, married a Mr. McKee.
- Mary, married a Mr. Smith.
- Ann, married a Mr. McKnight.
- Joseph.
- Jane, married a Mr. Grove.
(III) Hugh (2), son of John McElroy, came to America about the year 1760, and settled at Big Springs, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. He married, at Big Springs, about the year 1783, Ann Scroggs, a native of Scotland. They resided most of their days in Mifflin county, now Juniata county, Pennsylvania, at first in Lost Creek Valley and later near the village of Mexico on the Juniata. He died March 2, 1813, and his wife died in 1811. Children:
- Alexander, born March 6, 1784.
- Prudence, married Robert Robinson.
- Ann.
- Hugh.
- John.
- Ebenezer Erskine, see forward.
(IV) Ebenezer Erskine, son of Hugh (2) McElroy, was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, December 22, 1791, died March 31, 1845. In the spring of the year 1813, with his father-in-law and family, he went west; they traveled in wagons by the way of Burnt Cabins, Bedford and Washington, Pennsylvania, and by way of Wheeling and Zanesville, to Chillicothe, Ohio. There they stopped for a year or two, Ebenezer E. McElroy and his brother-in-law, David Ghormley, being engaged as army teamsters, hauling goods from Portsmouth to Columbus. At the close of the war of 1812, Mr. McElroy removed to Fayette county, where he purchased a tract of land of five hundred acres, four miles north of Greenfield, Highland county, cleared away the timber, built himself a house and permanently settled there. He was an intelligent and successful farmer, his grain, apples and dressed porkers bringing in the highest market prices. He and his wife were charter members, in 1820, of the Presbyterian church of Greenfield. He, met his death in a tragic manner, being killed by a falling tree while engaged in fighting a forest fire. He married, April 13, 1813, Sarah, daughter of Thomas Ghormley. Children:
- Judith Ann, born 1815, died 1892; married, 1834, James B. Curran.
- Jane, 1817, died 1896; married William Templeton.
- Hugh, 1820; married (first), 1845, Martha Kerr; (second), 1881, Mrs. Rosanna B. Wright.
- Margaret, 1823, married Robert Kerr.
- Thomas Ghormley, see forward.
- John McConnell, January 21, 1830, married, September 11, 1855, Agnes Greer.
(V) Thomas Ghormley, son of Ebenezer E. and Sarah (Ghormley) McElroy, was born in Fayette county, Ohio, on the homestead, May 29, 1827, and was killed in a railway accident, February 4, 1865. He resided near Greenfield, was a farmer, stock raiser, and soldier in the civil war. He was an intense Abolitionist. His home in southern Ohio was a station of the underground railroad, and he assisted many slaves to reach Canada and freedom. He at one time had a party of thirty in concealment. Many exciting incidents of adventure in running the slaves were narrated by him to his children in the years of quietness that followed those stirring times. The region of his home was often raided by the Confederate Morgan, and he enlisted in the forces to protect the state from that daring raider. On one occasion his regiment was captured by Morgan. After his death the following resolutions were adopted: "We, the Committee appointed by the Perry Township Military Association, to draft resolutions of respect to our late brother, Thomas G. McElroy, report the following:
"Whereas, we have learned with profound sorrow, of the death of Thomas G. McElroy, by the late terrible calamity on the Cincinnati and Marietta Railroad; therefore,
"Resolved, That we testify to his exalted character for pure patriotism and perfect integrity, and shall ever remember him as a noble example of modest worth, manly frankness and Christian courtesy.
"Resolved, That by his death the country has lost an active and useful citizen and society an enterprising and philanthropic leader, and we, a beloved friend.
"Resolved, That we tender to his bereaved family, in their sore afliiction, our sincere sympathy.
"Resolved, That these Resolutions be published in the Fayette County Herald, and that a copy of them be sent to the bereaved family.
Matthew Anderson,
Wm. C. Eyer,
M. P. Perdue
Joseph S. Jones,
C. Meade,
Committee.
Thomas Ghormley McElroy married, in 1848, Esther Kerr. Children:
- Ebenezer Erskine, born February 16, 1849; married (first), Belle Hamilton; (second) Elizabeth Milner; children by first wife: Thomas C., Carl E., Walter H., Ralph and Evelyn; children by second wife: Edna and Edith.
- Robert N., October 2, 1850, married, December 23, 1874, Almena Clemantine Mead; children: Thomas G. and Bertha.
- James Finney, see forward.
- Mary, October 10, 1854, married, December 18, 1881, Oscar Duncan; children: Esther E. and John McElroy.
- John Mercer, April 6, 1859, married, 1882, Ella Milner; children: Mayna Kate, Robert Owen, Nellie F., Esther P., Fred, Mary and Ruth.
- Hugh Nevin, January 26, 1860, married, 1882, Emma Duncan; children: Ethel May (deceased) and Arthur.
(VI) James Finney, son of Thomas Ghormley and Esther (Kerr) McElroy, was born in Fayette county, Ohio, on his father's farm, November 25, 1852. He received his preliminary education in the public schools of his county, prepared for college at South Salem and Bloomingburg, Ohio, and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1876. He was principal of the Indiana Institution for the Blind at Indianapolis four years, and superintendent for seven years of the Institution for the Blind at Lansing, Michigan. At Dartmouth, along with the classical course, he had pursued special studies in mathematics and chemistry. These were continued at Indianapolis and Lansing with original investigations and experiments. During these years he brought out a number of useful inventions. In 1887 he organized a company for manufacturing some of his inventions, The McElroy Car Heating Company. This was later combined with the Sewell Car Heating Company, forming the Consolidated Car Heating Company, of Albany, New York. They manufacture and sell to railroads heating apparatus of all kinds, in which steam, hot water, fire and electricity are used. These are based upon patents, mostly taken out by Mr. McElroy. The patents issued to Mr. McElroy up to the present time in the United States, Canada and Europe number over three hundred. He is acting president and consulting engineer of the company.
In all matters pertaining to mechanical heating, whether it be by electricity, steam, hot water or oil, he is rated an expert and is sought in consultation on a great deal of the most important work. Not only for consultation, but for instruction, are his professional services in demand before conventions and societies of skilled engineers, and before railroad men's associations. He is as well known in the west as in the east, his papers and addresses appearing in the printed proceedings of both the New England and Western Railroad clubs. So high does he stand in his profession that in 1895 the American Street Railroad Association, in session at Montreal, Canada, listened and approved the address he read before them by invitation, on electrical heating. Part of this paper had previously been read before the New York Street Railway Association, and was printed in full in the proceedings of both bodies. He was invited to and delivered a lecture on "Electric Lighting of Steam Lines," before the students and faculty of the Boston Institute of Technology. The system of heating street cars, invented and patented by Mr. McElroy, is in universal use all over the world. His patents, collected and bound, fill three large volumes. His specialty is the law of physics and electric heat and light. Two sides of his large library, from floor to ceiling, are filled with volumes treating only of electricity. He holds membership in many leading mechanical and professional societies, among them: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. He was one of the organizers of the Society of Engineers of Eastern New York (now numbering three hundred and seventy-five members); was president of the society, and on the board of directors, since its organization.
Eminent as he is in his profession and in the world of business, he has made his influence felt in educational affairs of his state. His advocacy of the cause of industrial education has been persistent and forceful. His paper read before the department of superintendence of the National Educational Association, at Washington, D. C., 1908, entitled "The Most Urgent Need of Our Educational System," made a deep impression, coming as it did from the practical man of business and not from a theorist. This paper was followed by the organization of a New York branch of the National Society for the Promotion of Industrial Education, Mr. McElroy being chosen president. He had spoken much on this subject before school boards, urging the establishment of industrial schools. He is chairman of the committee of the Albany chamber of commerce that has jurisdiction over that subject, and a result is now seen in the Albany Industrial School, established in the spring of 1908. He presided at the state meeting in Rochester, held in 1909, that dealt with this all-important subject of industrial education.
Since coming to Albany in 1887 he has identified himself with other business interests of the city. He is a director of the Albany Exchange Savings Bank, and has served two terms as president of the chamber of commerce and has been on the board of directors since organization. He is a director of the Albany Mutual Insurance Company, and for a time of the Hudson Valley Electric Railroad Company and the United Traction Company. He is a director of the Albany Institute and Historical and Art Society, and chairman of the building committee who had in charge the erection of the present fine home of the society on Washington avenue, Albany, also is a trustee of the Albany Orphan Asylum, and devotes a great deal of time and interest to that institution. He is president of the Woodlawn Improvement Association, that has done so much for the betterment of that section of Albany. He was one of the organizers of the University Club of Albany, was vice-president and for two terms president and since organization has served as trustee. During his term as president the club purchased the present fine quarters. He is a member of the Fort Orange and the Aurania clubs of Albany. He has been president of the Burns Club, and thereby declared his devotion to and pride in the land of his ancestry. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Albany, which he has served for fifteen years as trustee. In political affairs he acts with the Republican party. He has been active locally, presiding at city conventions, served as school commissioner, and added his full share to the cause of good and useful schools.
He married, July 9, 1879, Susie, daughter of John Hale, of Newbury, Vermont. Children:
- John Hale, born May 1, 1880, graduated from Albany high school, 1849; Dartmouth College, 1903, specializing in mathematics. After graduation he entered the employ of the state in the state engineer's department, Albany. In 1905 he passed the required civil service examination and was appointed assistant engineer and assigned to duty on the Panama canal construction. He returned home after a year's absence on duty, married, and returned to the Isthmus, where he remained until October, 1906, when he resigned to accept an appointment in the state engineer's department at Albany, where he still continues (1909). He married, June 6 1906, Helen Hutchinson, daughter of Professor and Helen Hutchinson (Lewis) Boss, of the Dudley Observatory. Children:
- Helen, born July 29, 1907, died August 5, 1907.
- James Francis, born September 25, 1908.
- Eleanor, born November 8, 1909.
- Edith, December 21, 1883, graduated from Albany high school; entered Smith College, graduating in class of 1907. She married, June 2, 1909, William H. Gardner, of Armstead, Montana, a civil engineer, where he has been assistant to the chief engineer of the Gilmore & Pittsburg railroad in Montana.
- Alice, July 11, 1885; graduated from Smith College, class of 1907, and at the state normal college at Albany, 1908.
(The Hale Line)
Coffin, in his History of Newbury, says that Thomas Hale, with his wife, Thomasine, came to Newbury in 1635; no entry has been found, however, in the town or county records, mentioning him at an earlier date than August 10, 1638, when he and Baker were "appointed haywards." He was the son of Thomas and Joan (Kirby) Hale, of the parish of Walton in Hertfordshire, and was born about May or June, 1606. No record of his birth is found, but his baptism is recorded in the parish church at Walton, June 15, 1606, as Thomas Hale, son of "Thomas and Joane." Children:
- Thomas, see forward.
- John, born April 19, 1635, in England.
- Samuel, February 2, 1639-40, married Sarah Ilsley.
- Apphia, 1642, married, November 3, 1659, Benjamin Rolfe.
(II) Thomas (2), son of Thomas (1) Hale, was born probably in England, November 18, 1633, came to Massachusetts with his father, probably in 1637, seems to have always resided in Newbury, and died there October 22, 1688. He married, at Salem, May 26, 1657, Mary, daughter of Richard and Alice (Bosworth) Hutchinson, of Salem. She was baptized at North Muskham, county Notts, England, December 28, 1630. Children:
- A son, born February 17, 1657-58, died February 22, 1657-58.
- Thomas, February 11, 1658-59, married Sarah Northend.
- Mary, July 15, 1660, married ———— Jewett.
- Abigail, April 8, 1662; married Henry Poor.
- Hannah, November 29, 1663, married William Peabody.
- Lydia, April 17, 1666, married James Platts.
- Elizabeth, October 16, 1668, married Samuel Pickard.
- Joseph, see forward.
- Samuel, June 6, 1674, married (first) Martha Palmer; (second) Sarah (Perley) Hazen.
(III) Joseph, son of Thomas (2) Hale, was born at Newbury, February 20, 1670-71, died February 13, 1761, in Boxford. He was called captain, and was a man of considerable local standing. He married (first) November 15, 1693, Mary, daughter of William and Sarah (Perley) Watson, of Boxford; married (second) Joanna Dodge, of Ipswich, a widow. He settled in Boxford as early as 1692. Children by first wife:
- Joseph, born August 23, 1694, married (first) Mary Hovey; (second) Widow Sarah Hovey; (third) Widow Lydia Brown; (fourth) Widow Susannah Fellows.
- Jacob, married (first) Hannah Goodhue; (second) Mary Harriman.
- Mary, October 1, 1697, died August 22, 1702.
- Ambrose, July 16, 1699, married (first) Joanna Dodge; (second) Hannah Symonds.
- Abner; see forward.
- Moses, December 25, 1701, married Abigail Wainwright. 7. Sarah, April 6, 1704, married Jacob Kimball.
Children by second wife:
- Hepzibah, September 24, 1709, married John Curtis.
- Lydia, March 23, 1710-11; married Nathan Perley.
- Margaret, February 23, 1712-13, married Amos Kimball.
- Thomas, January 8, 1714-15, married Mary Kimball.
- John, July 12, 1717, married Priscilla Peabody.
- Hannah, April 27, 1719, married Benjamin Batchelder.
- Benjamin, March 2, 1720-21, died 1723.
(IV) Abner, son of Joseph Hale, was born in Boxford, August 2, 1700, died August 23, 1765. He was a farmer. He married (first) September 5, 1734, Ruth Perkins; (second) November 28, 1737, Keziah Smith, widow of Jacob Baker; she died August 23, 1762; married (third) July 12, 1763, Eunice Kimball. Children by first wife:
- Lucy, born July 13, 1735, died young.
- Abner, July 22, 1737, married Abigail Goodridge.
Children by second wife:
- Ruth, December 31, 1739, married Abner Curtice.
- Moses, June 5, 1742, married Ruth Foster.
- Jacob, see forward. 6. Judith, October 14, 1747; married Absalom ————.
- David, November 24, 1749.
- Amos, May 25, 1752, married Sally Day.
- Nathaniel, September 4, 1754, married Sally Perley.
- Lucy, September 26, 1756, married John Keyes.
Child by third wife:
- Samuel, 1764, died in infancy.
(V) Jacob, son of Abner Hale, was born in Boxford, December 8, 1744, died in Winchendon, 1831. He removed to Winchendon in 1770, served in the revolutionary war, marched to Lexington on alarm, and as far as Cambridge; again out in 1777 at Bennington. He married, in Boxford, December 7, 1767, Ruth Towne. Children:
- Asa, born February 2, 1768, married Sally Hancock.
- Ruth, April 2, 1770, married Leavitt Stoddard.
- Anna, June 22, 1772, married Gideon Balcolm.
- Jacob, June 25, 1774, married Betsey Brown.
- Thomas, February 14, 1776.
- Abel, November 30, 1777.
- Mary, December 11, 1779, married Alexander Dunham.
- Nathaniel, September 7, 1782, married Margaret Hale.
- Daniel, September 4, 1785.
- Joseph, see forward.
- Miriam, November 26, 1788, died December 10, 1844.
(VI) Joseph (2), son of Jacob Hale, was born in Winchendon, Massachusetts, February 21, 1787. He removed to Waterford, Vermont, in 1808. He married (first) Mary Hall; (second) Huldah Brown; (third) Catherine Johnson. Children of first wife:
- Otis Goss, born October 8, 1809.
- Mary S., September 18, 1811.
- Joseph M., July 4, 1813, died November 28, 1859.
- Leonard E., May 16, 1815. 5. John, August 25, 1817; see forward.
Child of second wife:
- Alden J., born December 1, 1822.
Children of third wife:
- William F., born January 9, 1834.
- Angeline, July 9, 1839.
(VII) John, son of Joseph (2) Hale, was born August 25, 1817, died April 26, 1888. He was a merchant; after the war he became a traveling salesman, one of the first to adopt that means of selling goods as a regular profession. He was a Democrat, and a man of much ability. He married (first) Mary Mead, of Walpole, New Hampshire; (second) Laura Burns Hutchins, September 23, 1828. Resides with her daughter. Children of first wife:
- John and
- Mary V. Hale.
Children of second wife:
- Susie, born in Whitefield, New Hampshire, October 8, 1853; married James Finney McElroy (see McElroy VI).
- James Buchanan, July 13, 1855, merchant of Newbury, Vermont; married Carrie M. Kimball, December 7, 1880; children:
- Mary K., born December 27, 1885, graduate of Smith College;
- Harold Burns, October 23, 1890.