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WILLIAM J. ATWELL, prosperous farmer and oil producer of Marion Township, Butler County, Penna., comes of an old and respected family of this vicinity. He was born in the old log house on his father's farm, June 20, 1850, and
is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Byers) Atwell, and a grandson of Robert Atwell, Sr.
Robert Atwell, Sr., grandfather of the subject of this record, was born and reared in Ireland. He was there married to a Miss Dickson, who died early in life, leaving one son, Dickson. He formed a second union with Margaret Russell and they had the following
children: Nellie, wife of William Brannon; George; William; John; James; Robert, Jr.; and Mary, wife of Alexander Watt. All are now deceased. Shortly after his second marriage, Robert Atwell, Sr., and his wife came to the United States, and first located on what is now
known as the Perry farm in Venango County, Pennsylvania.
He then came on to Butler County, where he acquired title to 100 acres of heavily timbered laud in Marion Township. He cleared a portion of the land and there passed the remainder of his days, being survived some years by his widow who reached an advanced age.
Robert Atwell, Jr., was born in 1816, probably in Venango County, and was very young at the time his parents settled in Marion Township. He helped clear the home farm and lived with his parents until his marriage. He then came into possession of a part of the home farm,
on which be erected a log house and set up housekeeping. He later purchased seventy-five acres in Venango County, but continued to reside in Butler County. He married Elizabeth Byers, a daughter of Samuel Byers of Venango County, and they had the following children: Angeline,
wife of James M. Henderson; Hannah, who died at the age of eleven years; Mary Jane, deceased wife of John Cochran; William James; Elethe, deceased wife of M. Wilson; Margaret, wife of Jacob Deibel; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. W. W. McConnell; and Harriet, wife of James Vanderlin.
Mrs. Atwell died March 4, 1899, at the age of seventy-seven years, and was survived by her husband less than two months, his death occurring May 1, 1899, at the age of eighty-three years.
William J. Atwell was born in the old log house erected by his father, and was about two years old when the frame house was put up. He attended the common schools, and being the only son in the family much of the farm work fell upon his young shoulders. He lived with his
parents until his marriage, then began farming for himself. He now has eighty acres of his father's farm in Marion Township, and another tract of fifty acres located in Clinton Township, Venango County. The latter is rich with oil, and he also has one producing well on his
home property. In 1883, he built a comfortable home on his farm, in which he has since lived. He is one of the township's most substantial and public-spirited men, and has a host of acquaintances throughout this section of the country.
Mr. Atwell was married November 10, 1875, to Miss Rose Wilson, a daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Sloan) Wilson, early settlers of Venango Township, Butler County, and they have six children: Cora, wife of John S. Cowan of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, by whom she has four
children — Gladys, Nellie, Edith and John; Pearl, who is the wife of Clyde Irwin and has a son, Forest; Marcia, wife of Clinton Irwin of Clinton Township, Venango County; Mary, who is wife of James McKinley and has a son, Clifford; Burton, who conducts the home farm; and Keith.
The daughters, prior to their marriages, were teachers in the public schools and were educated at Slippery Rock and Grove City colleges. Religiously, the family belongs to the United Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Atwell is a deacon.
Source: 20th century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and respresentative citizens, McKee, James A., 1909, page 1198-1201.
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