William W. Wike

Quick Facts

Significance:

William W. Wike held many different jobs on the Allegheny Portage Railroad.

Place of Birth:

Indiana County, Pennsylvania

Date of Birth:

May 14, 1828

William Wike started working on the Allegheny Portage Railroad in 1850 and stayed there until the system closed. His jobs included: a hitcher at Inclined Plane No. 1, a carpenter shop boss at Inclined Plane No. 2, a carpenter at the Summit Shop, the head hitcher at the foot of Inclined Plane No. 4, and a "firer" for stationary steam engines at the head of Inclined Plane No. 5