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biography
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Silvey, Alexander H., the editor and publisher of the Wilkinsburg Callat Wilkinsburg,
was born July 16, 1844, in the town and county of Washington, son of Adam Silvey. On the paternal side he is of German descent. His grandfather emigrated from the Fatherland to this country
with a large family of children in the early part of this century, and spent his last years in Philadelphia.
Adam Silvey, who was born in Germany, came to Pennsylvania with his parents when a lad of three years. He grew to years of maturity in the city of Philadelphia, and there began his career
as a brewer. From there he came to Pittsburg, where he was engaged in the same business until the destruction of his brewery, by fire. He then removed to Washington, Pa., where he was clerk
for the commissioners of that place for several years. His death occurred in 1879, at the venerable age of eighty-one years. He married Margaret Mitchell Hamilton, daughter of Robert Hamilton.
Mr. Hamilton, who was born in Ireland, came when a young man to this State, settled in the town of Washington, and was there engaged in blacksmith work throughout the rest of his active years.
Mrs. Adam Silvey was one of a family of five children born to her parents. After having survived her husband two years, she died in Washington in 1882, in the house in which her birth occurred
seventy-nine years before. Of the eight children born to her, five sons and three daughters, three are now living; namely, George W., Martha, and Alexander H. Martha is the widow of the late H. C. Hamilton.
Alexander H. Silvey attended the public schools of his native town until seventeen years old. Then he served a three years' apprenticeship on the Crawford Democrat at Meadville, under
Thomas W. Grayson. After attaining proficiency in his trade, he came to Pittsburg to take charge of the mechanical department of the Pittsburg Christian Advocate, a position which he filled
satisfactorily for thirteen years. In 1880 Mr. Silvey embarked in business for himself. Going to the neighboring town of Braddock, he established the Braddock Herald, which he conducted
successfully for eight years. He founded the Wilkinsburg Call in 1887, and in the following year became a resident of this place. The Call,, which is one of the strongest organs of
the Republican party in the vicinity, has a large circulation in this part of the county. In 1893 Mr. Silvey erected his present office building, 711 Penn Avenue, a handsome, three-story
brick structure, with a fine stone front.
On July 30, 1870, Mr. Silvey married Miss Mary E., daughter of John Hamnett, who was for many years a prominent dealer in hides and leather in Pittsburg. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Silvey
are: Thomas, who is a reporter on the Chronicle-Telegraph at Pittsburg; Charles, who is a commercial agent for the Armstrong Cork Works, located at Lancaster, Pa., and who married
Miss Gertrude Baird, of Pittsburg; Harry, the youngest, who is a law student. Mr. Silvey belongs to the Royal Arcanum, the Maccabees, the Heptasophs, and the Junior Order of American Mechanics.
Both he and Mrs. Silvey are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a stanch and influential Republican.
Biographical review: containing life sketches of leading citizens of Pittsburg and the vicinity, Pennsylvania. Boston: Biographical Review Pub. Co., 1897, Author: Anonymous, Submitted by C. Anthony.
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