William H. Greer, who bears the full patronymic of his father and who is incumbent of the position of ticket and freight agent of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh division of the Pennsylvania Railroad in the village of Magnolia, was born in said village, in the old homestead, in the Carroll county portion of the town, on the 26th of May, 1860, and as a boy he began to render assistance in the mercantile establishment of his father, in the meanwhile pursuing his studies in the public schools of the town. At the age of nineteen years he was matriculated in Hiram College, where he completed his more peculiarly literary education and amply fortified himself for the labors and duties of an active business career. In 1881, when but twenty-one years of age, he was appointed ticket and freight agent of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh branch of the Pennsylvania system in his native town, and he has been consecutively in tenure of this position ever since,-- a period of more than two score years. Within this interval there has been a marked growth in the population and business of the town and tributary territory, so that the duties devolving upon him at the present time bear slight resemblance to what they were at the time when he initiated his efforts here.
Mr. Greer has exercised his right of franchise from the time of attaining his majority, in the support of the principles of the Republican party, and he has taken a lively and intelligent interest in the questions of the day, but has never sought the honors or emoluments of public office, though such has been his loyalty to his native town that he has not refused to serve as a member of the town council and the board of education, while he has also given most effective service as village clerk and treasurer. Fraternally he is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, being identified with Sandy Valley Lodge No. 725, of which he is the past chancellor. He and his wife hold membership in the Lutheran church.
On the 29th of July, 1886, Mr. Greer was united in marriage to Miss Addie Ross, who was born in Waynesburg, Stark county, being a daughter of I. N. Ross, a well know and honored pioneer of the county, and of this union have been born three children, namely: Helen H., William R., and Margaret A. Mr. Greer has an attractive home in his native village, and the family take a part in the best social life of the community. |
