William McIlvain, Manufacturer, was born in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, July 1st, 1807. He is a son of James McIlvain, a prominent agriculturist of that section, who also paid particular attention to the improvement of the breed of cattle, especially sheep. He was among the earliest and largest importers of the celebrated Merino sheep, paying sometimes as high a price as $500 for the male, and $200 for the female; but he was far in advance of his times. His son was educated at the schools of the neighborhood, and worked on his father's farm until he had attained his majority, when he changed his occupation, and commenced working in a quarry, in a locality not far distant from his home. In 1836, he went to Berks county, and there effected an engagement as superintendent of an iron-ore mine, which occupied his attention for ten years. In 1846, he purchased an interest in the Gibraltar Iron Works, belonging to Simon Seyfert, the business being carried on in the name and style of Seyfert, McIlvain & Co. He remained in this partnership for ten years, when he disposed of his interest to H.A. Seyfert. In 1856, he commenced the erection of the present establishment of William McIlvain & Sons, designed as a Rolling Mill for the manufacture of boiler plate. It has very materially increased since its original construction. It went into operation in July, 1857, with a force of about twenty men, and it produced, during the first year of its existence, 338 tons, valued at about $38,000. In April, 1862, they commenced working "double-turn," by which the increase in the amount produced was very perceptible. The average quantity manufactured during the first period of five years, July 1857 to July 1862, inclusive, was very nearly 800 tons per annum. During the period embraced between July 1862 and July 1867, the average was a little exceeding 2240 tons; and during the five years ending July, 1872, though it had not quite reached the last named figures, yet the amount turned out in the year ending with July, 1872, reached 2764 tons. The works employ at present a force of over 1OO hands, and the value of the products may be stated roundly at about $700,000. They have the capacity of rolling sheets seventy-four inches wide, and from the thickness of one inch down to No. 16 wire gauge. In the year 1864 he erected a forge in the Susquehanna Valley at Duncannon, which still continues in active operation, and is employed in producing the best boiler iron, used in locomotives. He is no politician, and though frequently solicited to allow his name to be placed before nominating conventions, for positions of trust and importance, has always declined. During the war of the Rebellion he yielded a hearty support to the cause of the Union, and contributed freely of his means for its preservation and the triumphs of its arms. He is an earnest churchman, and takes a deep interest in the various organizations under the patronage and control of the Episcopal Church. He was married in 1834, to Sarah C. Morton, of Delaware county, a lineal descendant of John Morton, signer of the Declaration of Independence. He has four children now living: Morton C. and William R. are at the present time associated with him in the business, and are those to whom its duties will soon wholly belong, as the senior partner has almost entirely retired from active business life.
Source: The Biographical Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the Nineteenth Century. Philadelphia: Galaxy Publishing Co., 1874, pp. 233-234.
Contributed by: Nancy.