GEORGE A. READY, Sr., is carrying on the quarry business established about fifty years ago by his father, the late David Ready, at Oil City, the stone for many of the most substantial structures in the city and vicinity having come from their plant.
The Ready family is of Irish origin, David Ready, grandfather of George A. Ready, Sr., having lived in County Clare, Ireland, where he followed carpet weaving throughout his active years. After his son David was settled at Oil City he sent for his father and mother, and they joined him there. He built twin houses in East Third street, in the Sixth ward, one for his own parents and the other for his wife's parents. David Ready, the elder, lived to the age of eighty-nine years. He and his wife were Presbyterians in religious belief. They had the following family: Elizabeth, Johnson, Charles and David, the daughter, a resident of Oil City and now (1918) eightynine years old, being the only survivor at this writing; she married John McClure.
David Ready, son of David, above, was born in County Clare, Ireland, Oct. 1, 1839, and came to America when a boy of eleven with his sister, several years older. They made the voyage to New York by sailing vessel, and proceeded directly to Canada, going first to Ontario, and from the original location to Rock wood, near by (Mr. Ready named the place on the Pennsylvania road in Venango county, where he had his quarry, Rockwood, it being later changed to Rockmere). David Ready was in Canada until after marriage, farming, and not long afterward removed to Michigan, where he was also engaged in agricultural work. Coming to Oil City, Pa., during the oil excitement, in 1865, he made a permanent settlement here, building both houses which he occupied, the second being the present home of his son George, at No. 151 West Third street. He operated the Oil City quarries below the Oil City Hospital, and for a number of years had his son George associated with him in this business, which has become an important local industry. Mr. Ready took a public-spirited interest in municipal affairs, representing both the Fourth and Sixth wards in the council, of which he was a member twelve years. He was affiliated with Latonia Lodge, No. 1018, I. O. O. F., Oil City, and held membership in Trinity M. E. Church. His death occurred March 26, 1913, after an active, useful life, and he is buried in Grove Hill cemetery.
Mr. Ready married Elizabeth Lewis, who was born Aug. 1, 1844, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, directly across from Buffalo, N. Y. Four children were born to this union, namely: Leida, wife of Capt. Robert K. Wright, of Philadelphia. Pa.; William J., a resident of Philadelphia; George A., of Oil City; and Martha, wife of William H. Burnham, of York, Pa. Captain Wright was a sea captain and on the ship "Abraham Lincoln" when she went down, losing all his worldly goods in that disaster. He was representative from the United States to China and Japan during Cleveland's administration, and in recognition of his acceptable services was presented by those governments with a robe valued at three thousand dollars. Mrs. Wright is now engaged in work at the cantonment at Portland, Oregon.
John Lewis, father of Mrs. Elizabeth (Lewis) Ready, was superintendent of docks on the Welland canal in Canada for some years. He was born in Londonderry, in the North of Ireland, and lived to the age of sixtyfive years, he and his wife Jane (Moffet) spending their last days at Oil City, where as previously related Mr. Ready built a home for them. They belonged to the Presbyterian Church. They had the following children: Martha, widow of Charles Ready, now living at Saginaw, Mich.; William, a resident of Chicago, Ill.; John; and Elizabeth, Mrs. David Ready.
George A. Ready, Sr., was born Feb. 8, 1865. at St. Clair, Mich., and was brought to Oil City in June, 1865, growing up here. He had the advantages of the excellent public schools, attending high school, and when old enough began to assist his father in the stone business at the Oil City quarries below the present site of the Oil City Hospital, also having another quarry above Rockmere from which similar material was taken. The output consists principally of foundation stones for bridge work and ordinary building, stone having been furnished for the Suspension bridge and Petroleum bridge-piers, the foundation of the Lamberton National Bank and "Collins House" (now the "Arlington Hotel"), the stone work in the National Transit Company's buildings—foundation of both and stone trimmings for new building on Seneca street, the foundations for the First National Bank and the McCollum block (built by John McCollum), the retaining wall alongside the Valley depot, on the South Side, all from the Oil City quarries. Mr. Ready also did all the stone work on the Western New York & Pennsylvania railroad (now the Pennsylvania road), and furnished the large quantities of stone needed for the grade crossing work of that road in Buffalo, N. Y. He has filled many other large contracts besides those mentioned. Mr. Ready was associated with his father until the latter's death, after which he took over the entire management of the business, continuing its expansion until the volume has now reached large proportions.
Mr. Ready married Ida J. Felmlee, and they are the parents of two children: Clara Louise, born July 16. 1892, and George A., Jr., born July 6. 1896. both living at home. They were educated in the schools of Oil City, attending high school, and the son is now engaged as chief clerk to the supervisor of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Oil City. Mr. and Mrs. Ready are members of Grace M. E. Church, while their son and daughter attend the Episcopal Church. Fraternally Mr. Ready is well known in the membership of Lodge No. .344, B. P. O. Elks, and the Modern Woodmen, both at Oil City. He is a Republican on political issues.
David Felmlee, father of Mrs. George A. Ready, was born in 1834 near Reading, Pa., and has long been a farmer in Cranberry township, owning a fine property there. He married Fiett Bortz, who was born in that township in or near Oil City, and died in June. I9I7. aged sixty-seven years. Mr. Felmlee has been a prominent man in his locality, having served his township ten years as school director and twenty years as supervisor. Politically he has supported the Republican partv. He is a member of the Evangelical Church. Five children were born to his marriage with Fiett Bortz, namely: Mabel is the wife of Harry Dolby, of Oil City: Ida Jane, born in Cranberry township, is the wife of George A. Ready; Frank, of Seneca, Venango county, married Emma Morehead; John and his wife
Ola live at Ten Mile Bottom, Venango county; Edward, of Tulsa, Okla., married Iva Pattig.
