BIO: Aaron Nelson WORK, Clearfield County, PA
 
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From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania,
and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr.,
Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 570 & 571.
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  AARON NELSON WORK, contractor and builder, doing a large business in this line 
at DuBois, Pa., has been a resident here since 1894.  He was born June 26, 1867, 
in Indiana county, Pa., and is a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Spencer) Work.
  Aaron Work was a son of John Work and he came to Indiana county with his 
parents in his youth.  He acquired a farm along a water course but preferred to 
work as a barn builder and it is said that even after he was eighty years of age 
he might often be found working on a barn roof.  His death occurred in 1891, 
when eighty-six years of age.  His first wife, Nancy (Smith) Work, died in 
Indiana county, the mother of ten children, two of whom survive, Robert H. and 
Polly.  Aaron Work was married secondly to Elizabeth Spencer, a native of 
Indiana county, and eight children were born to them:  Domosthenes, George, 
Aaron, Nelson, Alexander, Thomas B. and three daughters who died young.
  Aaron Nelson Work spent his boyhood on the home farm in Canoe township, 
Indiana county, not far from Richmond, Pa., and until he was fourteen years of 
age attended the little red schoolhouse near his home.  He then began to help 
his father in the latter's saw-mill and in barn building and thus gained much 
practical knowledge that he put to good use afterward.  In 1894 Mr. Work left 
Indiana county and moved with his family to DuBois, where he entered into the 
employ of John E. DuBois as a carpenter, and remained as such for three years, 
after which he superintended the construction of several of the largest business 
houses in the place - the D. L. Corbett dry goods store, working under A. 
Dorner, Hotel DuBois, working for the hotel company.  In 1900 he began 
contracting for himself and has met with more than ordinary success along this 
line.  In fact he has been actively interested in the construction of the 
leading business structures, schoolhouses and churches, and among the many fine 
buildings in this borough may be mentioned the following as examples:  
Commercial Hotel, Central Y. M. C. A., Presbyterian Parsonage, Senor building, 
Robinson Furniture Company building, Lowe building, Power and Electric plant, B. 
& S. Shaft No. 2, Friendship Hose House, in the First Ward, and the Cannon and 
other residences.  He built the stately private residence of A. Gocellis, at 
Falls Creek, which cost $35,000; and the Normal School building at Dayton, Pa.  
He is a large employer of skilled labor and his men work under the best 
industrial conditions.  He furnishes estimates on any department of building and 
his facilities are such that he is able to suit all tastes and purses.  He is 
vice president of the Falls Creek Planing Mill, which was established in 1904, 
with Mr. McHarl as president.  He maintains his office at his residence, No. 314 
E. Webber Street, DuBois.
  In 1888 Mr. Work was married to Miss Zelda Colkitt, a daughter of John and 
Mary (Hoover) Colkitt, and they have three children:  Wilburg, Nora J. and Emma 
D.  Mr. Work is a member of the United Presbyterian church.  He is very active 
in the cause of temperance and is chairman of the Prohibition party at DuBois.  
He is a director in the Y. M. C. A. and also is a director in the Citizens' Loan 
Association.