Warley Gifford's Obituary
From: McKean County Democrat

On Tuesday December 19, 1933 Warley Gifford was stricken with illness and died from a sudden heart attack on Wednesday morning, age 81, a prominent an former county official , manufacturer and lumberman, which occurred in his home on Wednesday morning at 6:30 o’clock. He was stricken with a heart attack on Tuesday morning and from that time on failed rapidly. His strength had been failing with age for some time past but he had remained active and cheerfully alert to the time her was stricken. He performed duties as a court crier for the December term of McKean county criminal court in Smethport. A more noble man never lived than Warley Gifford. True as steel to every trust and to his friends, his life was one of service and sacrifice to others. His kindly, distinguished presence and kindly heart will be missed by a legion of friends. He was one of McKean County’s and Smethport’s most distinguished citizens – a true gentleman in all the word implies. Funeral services will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, the Rev. W.E. Van Dyke officiating. Interment will be in the family plot in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Gifford Family Plot

 

Life of Warley Gifford

Mr. Gifford was a son of William and Louisa Gifford, eminent pioneers of this region, being born on January 31, 1853. He was one of a family of six children. He was educated in the public schools of the area and on completing his education he taught school for several years. Early in life he accepted a clerical position with the mercantile establishment of Henry Hamlin. Later entering a business partnership with Wm. Haskell. He quit the mercantile business to engage in lumber operation. Mr. Gifford married Emma D. Galup in Smethport on june 6, 1876. Mrs. Gifford, a prominent leader in local religious, literary and educational activities, died July 6 1924. Mr. Gifford in partnership with his brother the late Seth Gifford was one of the pioneer big lumbermen of this section. The Gifford brothers operated several huge sawmills in Smethport and vicinity cutting much of the virgin timber in this region. The sawmill was later moved from Smethport to Carthage, NY, where it was operated by Seth Gifford for many years up until his death. When this section of Pennsylvania became a glass-manufacturing region Mr. Gifford entered the branch of industry and was a stockholder and executive of the Tuna Window Glass Co. of Bradford. When the factory was moved from Bradford to Clarksburg, W.Va, he relocated in that city for some time directing the operations of the big plant. He retired form active business pursuits when his beloved wife was stricken with illness and was her almost constant companion and attendant during the long period she was a helpless invalid. After retiring from business, Mr. Gifford was persuaded by Judge J. W. Routon to accept appointment as McKean county auditor on two occasions to fill vacancies. He served to terms as county commissioner and made a splendid record for efficiency. On several occasions his fellow townsmen honored Mr. Gifford by election to the office of burgess of Smethport. In every position of the public office he gave sincere, diligent service. Mr. Gifford was a member of the local Masonic Fraternity and of the Clarksburg, W. VA Elks lodge. He was a devout member of St. Luke’s Episcopal church, being a vestryman of the parish. In politics he was a life-long and loyal Democrat. Warley was buried at his family plot in Rose Hill Cemetery.