Location: Lancaster

The Artley Family of Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Old town hall, Allegheny City, torn down in 1863

This genealogical sketch traces several generations of the Artley and Cowan families, beginning with Abraham Artley, a Tioga County farmer and church member, and following his descendants through Williamsport, Liberty, Jersey Shore, Bradford, and other Pennsylvania communities. It highlights Jonas Artley’s work as a hotelkeeper and oil businessman, along with the family’s civic, religious, and fraternal ties. The article also follows John Huling Artley’s move into the oil industry and connects the Artleys through marriage to the Cowan line, including William Carl Cowan and Civil War veteran George J. Cowan. Together, the families reflect regional migration, occupations, and kinship across Pennsylvania and nearby states.

Lancaster City Pennsylvania History

North Queen Street, in Lancaster

Lancaster City, located near Conestoga Creek, is a bustling urban center with paved, well-lit streets and modern brick homes. It features a courthouse, numerous shops, and a lively atmosphere marked by various forms of transportation. The city’s history reflects its loyalty to British royalty through street names and is dotted with quaint, old taverns. Significant developments include the establishment of public buildings, churches, and early manufacturing. Lancaster became an important trade hub and was briefly the state capital. Population growth and infrastructure improvements have shaped its vibrant community over the years.