Biography

1834 - 1903

Born on August 31, 1834, Uniontown, William H. Playford was the son of Englishman, Dr. Robert W. and Margaret A. Shaw Playford.  He was educated at Dunlap’s Academy; received his degree from Jefferson College, 1854; served as principal of the Waterproof Academy, Texas Parish, Louisiana; studied law with Judge Nathaniel Ewing, Uniontown,; and was admitted to the bar in 1857.  Elected district attorney of Fayette County, 1859-1862, he later specialized in corporate law, representing the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., Uniontown.  He served in the state House of Representatives, 1867-1868; the state Senate, 1873-1875; was a delegate to the 1872 Democratic National Convention and chair of the state Democratic Convention in 1876.  The senator died on September 24, 1903, Uniontown.