History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 7

Author: Boucher, John Newton, 1854-1933; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 860

USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 7

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(II) Daniel Turney, the great-grandfather, was born in the province of Pennsylvania, eastern part, whence several of his brothers departed for new homes. One settled in Ohio, another in Tennessee, one located in North Caro- lina, and Daniel Turney crossed the Allegheny mountains to Westmoreland county, settling near the site of "ye ancient" Hannahstown, which was Greens- burg's predecessor as the countyseat. He was a farmer. Among his eight children was one called Jacob, Sr., the third child.

(III) Jacob Turney, Sr., son of Daniel Turney (II), was born in 1788, early in life located at Greensburg, and afterwards held the office of county commissioner, county treasurer, etc. He was an active Democrat, and on his return from a state convention at Harrisburg, to which he had been sent as a delegate, he contracted a cold while crossing the mountains, from the effects of which he died some years later, January 4, 1827. His wife, to whom he was married January 23, 1810, was Margaret Singer, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, born May 11, 1792, who bore him seven children: Daniel, Nancy Williams (deceased), Samuel Singer (deceased), formerly editor of the Argus, and later postmaster at Greensburg for twelve years. Lucian B. (deceased), Lucinda, married Richard B. Kenly ; Robert Williams, and Jacob, Jr., all of whom are now deceased.

(IV) Robert Williams Turney, son of Jacob Turney, Sr., and Margaret (Singer) Turney, was born in Greensburg. Pennsylvania, January 17, 1822, died July 28, 1893. He learned the trade of cabinetmaker. Later he was en- gaged by the Pennsylvania company to survey its original line, and when com-

*For the story of the capture of Janet Martin by the Indians, see page 114 of the first volume of this series.

HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

pleted he was appointed as the first passenger conductor on the system. Sub- sequently he was made ticket and freight agent at Greensburg borough, which office he held at the date of his death. He married Elizabeth Cook, born Sep- tember 21, 1820, and still surviving. She is the daughter of David and Mary Cook. David Cook descended from Captain James Cook, of England, and was a son of John Cook, of the same country, who settled in Hagerstown, Maryland. David Cook was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1793, and died in 1865. He came to Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and clerked in a store. He was also county commissioner several terms, as well as register of will and recorder, be- sides serving two terms as associate judge of Westmoreland county. He was an own cousin of Governor George Geary, of Pennsylvania. He married Mary Mckinney, who came from Glasgow, Scotland, when but fifteen years of age. She was the daughter of Alexander Mckinney, who came from Scotland and settled at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, but later removed to Greensburg. The children of David Cook and wife were: William A., Mary, Margaretta, Jane Ann, Theressa, and Charles. The children of Robert W. and Elizabeth ( Cook) Turney were: Anzonnetta, David C., Jacob, Anna Belle, Robert W., Jr., Mar- cellus R., William Stokes, Mary Elizabeth, and Margaret.

(\') William Stokes Turney, the seventh child of Robert W. and Eliza- beth (Cook) Turney, born July 7, 1857, at Greensburg, Pennsylvania, received a good common school education and was made assistant freight agent at Greensburg. Later he embarked in the produce and commission business at Greensburg, which line he is still operating in. He votes the Democratic ticket. He has been a school director in his borough for seventeen years. He has served as deacon and elder in the First Reformed church of Greensburg, of which he has long been a member. Mr. Turney has been twice married ( first ) March 26, 1877, to Mattie R. Fry, born February 12, 1858, died August 25, 1891. Their children were: Harry L., born November 5, 1878, died August 18, 1897 : Edward K., born August 24, 1880; E. McC., born August 23, 1882. For his second wife, Mr. Turney married, December 29, 1892, Priscilla Etta Fry. She was born May 18, 1871. By this marriage, one daughter, Eliza- beth Cook, was born November 6, 1893. Both of Mr. Turney's wives were the daughters of Isaac and Margaret Fry, of Youngstown, Pennsylvania.

LEVI PORTSER. A list of Greensburg's respected citizens would be incomplete without the name of Levi Portser, whose grandfather, Christian Portser, came across the sea from Germany as a young man and became a farmer in York county. Later he moved to Westmoreland, settling in Hemp- field township on what is now the Sherey farm. He afterward sold this prop- erty and removed to Delmont, having purchased a farm just outside of the town, where he lived during the remainder of his life.

Joshua Portser, son of Christian Portser, was born in York county, and learned the trade of blacksmith in Greensburg. After finishing his apprentice- ship he opened a shop in Delmont which he subsequently moved to the salt works, returning later to Delmont, where he conducted a shop until 1833. He then bought a farm of one hundred and six acres in Hempfield township, four miles north of Greensburg, where he resided during the remainder of his life. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican. He was a mem- ber of the Lutheran church. Mr. Portser married Elizabeth Martz, of Frank- lin township, and of their nine children six are living: Mary, widow of Simon Row: William, who lives on the homestead: Levi, of whom later : Matilda, wife of Jacob Mainhart, of Pittsburg : James D., of Manor Station ; and Sarah,

HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

wife of James Orr, of Greensburg. Mr. Portser, the father of the family, died in 1874, at the age of seventy-one.

Levi Portser, son of Joshua and Elizabeth ( Martz) Portser, was born January 29, 1837, in Hempfield township, and received his education in the common schools. At twenty years of age he apprenticed himself to the trade of plasterer, which has since formed the main business of his life, although he has engaged to some extent in contracting and building. He learned his trade in Greensburg, and since 1857 that town has been his home, his part in the building and growth of the place having been no inconsiderable one. From 1893 to 1898 he owned valuable coal lands in Mellan and Franklin townships, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and at the present time is the possessor of coal lands in Virginia which he is developing with the expectations of beginning shipments this spring. In 1903 he built the handsome modern residence in East Greensburg which he now occupies. Mr. Portser served part of an un- expired term as burgess of East Greensburg, being appointed to finish the un- served time of Dr. George Culbertson. He is now president of the school board. He has taken all the Masonic degrees up to that of Knight Templar, and is one of the oldest members in Greensburg in point of membership, having joined in 1863. He is a Democrat in politics. During the Civil war he was among the three months men sent out in 1863. January 5. 1870, Mr. Portser married Isabella, daughter of Robert and Caroline Cochran, then residents of Indiana county, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Portser were the parents of six children : Robert K., now an attorney in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, who served in the Spanish-American war, in the Philippines ; Iden M., a Greensburg phy- sician : Carrie B., wife of Joseph W. Steel, of Greensburg ; Bessie V., resides with her father ; Wallace W., who graduated from Bucknel University, and is now employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, with an engineering corps ; Edwina M., deceased. Mrs. Portser died December 5, 1903.

CURTIN PIIILIP STEINER. It is safe to say that no citizen of South Greensburg is better or more favorably known to the population at large than is Curtin Philip Steiner. His great-grandfather, who emigrated to this country from Germany, was the father of six sons, the names of five of whom have been preserved: Philip, Joseph, John, Henry, and Jacob.

John C. Steiner, son of Philip Steiner, mentioned above, was born in 1840, in Westmoreland county, where he grew up on a farm and learned the time of a shoemaker, which he followed for some years. Later he engaged in farming and other occupations. In July, 1864, he enlisted in Company K. Two Hun- dred and Eleventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, serving until the close of the war, and receiving a wound in the head from a spent ball. Wh"e living in New Stanton he was for fifteen years a justice of the peace, and since his re- moval to Scottdale, in 1895. has held the same office. He belongs to the G. A. R., the Grange, the J. O. U. A. M., the I. O. O. F., and the K. of M. He is one of the leading Democrats of Scottdale, and is a member of the Lutheran church Mr. Steiner married Harriet C. Pool, and their children are: Lizzie M., wife of Luther M. Hays, of East Greensburg: Curtin Philip, of whom later : Catherine T., wife of James E. Funks, of New Stanton ; Charles E., of Scottdale; Anna MI., at home; Joseph M., engaged in the cigar business in Scottdale: Samuel O., in partnership with his brother Joseph M .; and Sarah H., at home.

Curtin Philip Steiner, son of John C. and Harriet C. (Pool) Steiner, was born October 10, 1863, in New Stanton, and received his education in the com-

HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

mon schools. When no more than twelve years of age he worked for neigh- boring farmers during harvest, and when somewhat older was employed in the stone quarry. About the time of attaining his majority he worked for one year in a general store in New Stanton, after which he found employment as a locomotive fireman on the Pennsylvania Railway. This position he held four years, and at the end of that time was made engineer. In 1892, after running his engine for three years, he resigned his position and engaged in the cigar bus- iness in Scottdale. In 1897 he became the proprietor of the Central Hotel in Scottdale, which he disposed of by sale six months later. For some months thereafter he represented a Pittsburg house as a traveling salesman, and then went to Connellsville, where he once more engaged in the cigar business. In January, 1900, he settled in South Greensburg, and again became the proprietor of a hotel which his genial qualities as a host soon made extremely popular. In consequence of the fact that his business speedily outgrew the dimensions of his building, Mr. Steiner erected, in the summer and winter of 1903, a re- markably fine hotel structure of light pressed brick, supplied with all the mod- ern hotel improvements. In April, 1904, he took possession of this building, which he opened under the name of the Colonial Road House and which has since been one of the leading hotels of Greensburg, noted alike for the admir- able manner in which it is conducted and for the obliging qualities of its host. Mr. Steiner also erected two residence properties in Greensburg, of which he is still the owner. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Steiner married, August 4, 1897, Mary L. Gallagher, of Connells- ville, and their children are: James Donald and Joseph Curtin.

WILLIAM M. HUDSON, one of the leading and substantial busi- ness merchants of Westmoreland county, was born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1857, son of George and Nancy R. (Mansfield) Hudson.

He is a descendant of James Hudson, a native of Wales, who emigrated to the United States, locating in Chester county, Pennsylvania. On the maternal side, William M. Hudson is of Irish ancestry, his great-grandparents having lived and died in Ireland, his grandmother being the first of the family to leave her native land, and whose mother lived in Ireland at the advanced age of one hundmed and five years. His paternal grandfather was James Hudson, who „born in Chester county, Pennsylvania. In early manhood James Hudson learned the trade of carpenter. He resided for some time in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and about 1816 removed to Westmoreland county, locating on a small farm of about forty acres, which he purchased in Unity township, near Pleasant Unity, where he lived for about twenty-five years. He then pur- chased a farm of about one hundred acres near Crabtree, residing here until four or five years prior to his death, when he removed to Allegheny township. He was independent in politics, voting always for the man whom he considered best fitted for the position. He married and had nine children. George being the only surviving member of his family. James Hudson's death occurred in Allegheny township, when he was about eighty-four years of age, and his wife, Mary ( McCasland) Hudson, also passed away in that township.

George Hudson, father of William M. Hudson, was born in Unity town- ship, November 24. 1819, received his early education in the common schools of his native place, and 'subsequently attended the old Greensburg Academy. When about twenty-one years of age he commenced teaching school. continuing in this employment for about sixteen years, becoming one of the well-known

HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

early teachers of Westmoreland county. He then turned his attention to farming, following this occupation in Salem and Hempfield townships until 1879, when he removed to Ludwick borough, where he lived a retired life until 1905, when he moved into Greensburg proper. In 1849 Mr. Hudson married Nancy R. Mansfield, of Unity township, daughter of Abraham and Isabelle (McGee) Mansfield. To them eight children were born, three of whom are still living: William M., of whom later ; Martha Alice, and George E. George Hudson is a Republican and is now serving his second term as member of the school board. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, and is one of the esteemed men of the county.

William M. Hudson was reared at home and educated in the common schools of his native place. In 1879 he removed to Ludwick borough with his parents, and for several years was in the employ of the firm of Donahue & Kuhns, at Crabtree, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he had entire charge of the grain business. In 1801 he became a member of the firm, and two years later Mr. Kuhns died, his son, J. U. Kuhns, taking his interest in the business. Some time later the death of Mr. Donahue occurred, and Mr. Hud- son and Mr. Kuhns purchased his interest in the business, which has since been conducted under the firm name of Hudson & Kuhns, and which has proved a very successful business. Mr. Hudson is a man of character and standing, has made his own way in the world, and is in every way worthy of the success which has crowned his efforts. In politics Mr. Hudson affiliates with the Re- publican party. He has served as auditor of the borough and two terms as councilman. As a citizen he is popular and well-liked, and has served with honor and credit the positions of trust and responsibility which he has held. He is unmarried and makes his home with his father.

DANIEL KUNKLE. In a list of Greensburg's most respected citi- zens the name of Daniel Kunkle would stand very high. Mr. Kunkle's great- grandfather, Jacob Kunkle, emigrated from Germany, and after a time settled on a farm in Westmoreland county where be lived some years, returning finally to his former home east of the mountains and there ending his days.

Jacob Kunkle had a son who passed his life in Westmoreland county, and was the father of Michael Kunkle. The latter was born in Sewickly township, and was a prosperous farmer, owning a farm one mile north of Greensburg. He held the rank of major in a Westmoreland county regiment, was a Democrat in politics and an active member of the German Reformed church. He mar- ried Mary Mechling, and eight children were born to them, only two of whom are now living : Daniel, of whom later ; and Amos, a resident of Greensburg. Mr. Kunkle died at the age of sixty-eight, and his death was caused by an ac- cident with a threshing machine.

Daniel Kunkle, son of Michael and Mary (Mechling) Kunkle, was born March 16, 1831, in Hempfield township, and received his education in the com- mon schools. At nineteen years of age he apprenticed himself to the painter's trade, which failing health obliged him to abandon about six years later. He then engaged in the grain and lumber business in Ludwick borough, in part- nership with a Mr. Lobaugh. At the end of six years Mr. Kunkle withdrew from the firm, and for more than fifteen years conducted a sucessful lumber business on his own account. He then retired and established his two sons in the lumber business at Ashtabula Harbor, Ohio, where the enterprise was con- ducted by them for a number of years. Since his withdrawal from business Mr. Kunkle has lived in retirement. He is the owner of a portion of the old

Eduardo Robbins

HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

homestead as well as other property. His record as a citizen bears witness to the regard in which he is held by his neighbors, by whom he has been twice elected burgess of Ludwick borough and retained four years as a member of the school board. His political affiliations are with the Republicans. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Kunkle married in 1858, Rebecca, daughter of Mason Smith, a prominent farmer of Unity township, and they had two sons : Harry and William. Mrs. Kunkle died in 1882, and Mr. Kun- kle married, October 23, 1884, Mary, daughter of Samnel Gault, by whom he had children: Edna; Oliver G., born March 9, 1891, aged fifteen years ; Daniel Wray, born April 28, 1901, aged five years; John Paul, born July 30, 1903, aged three years.

HON. EDWARD EVERETT ROBBINS, a prominent lawyer and financier who has served the public in various important positions, including that of state senator and member of congress and who rendered military serv- ices during the recent war with Spain as a major of United States Volunteers, is of English decent, tracing his ancestry to the earliest colonial period.

(I) Richard Robbins, his emigrant ancestor, came from England in 1630, having voluntarily expatrated himself for political reasons, his activity in opposition to the restoration of the monarchy being so pronounced that in or- der to ensure personal safety he deemed it wise to come under an assumed name and in the guise of a servant. He settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he became active in public affairs.

(II) Samuel Robbins, son of Richard (I) served in the Narragansett (King Philip's) war, 1674-5, and was granted a tract of land in Voluntown, Connecticut, by the general court. He died in Watertown, Connecticut, October 21, 1708.

(III) Richard Robbins, son of Sammel (2), settled upon the land above referred to in 1709. He married Anna Bathrich, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 170I. -ViEneco Richard marred

(VI) William Robbins, son of Brintnel (3), was born in 1595 and died in Keziah Minor.

(V) Brintnel Robbins, son of Moses (4), was born in 1756 and died in 1836. He married Mary Boardman in 1777. He enlisted in the War of the Revolution at New London. Connecticut, and served in 1775-6, 1778-80 in the company comanded by Captain Samuel Robbins. He participated in numerous battles and was commissioned ensign at the end of the war. He also bore an active part in the support of the government during the War of 1812, and built vessels on Lake Erie for Commodore Perry, but only received compensation for the work after a prolonged litigation. Before 1790, with his wife and two children, he removed to western Pennsylvania, spending the first winter in Connellsville, where he worked iron ore in the Turnbull furnace. He subse- quently purchased a farm at Port Royal and thence went to Long Run, where he built a flouring mill. He bought, in 1780, a large tract of land lying on the Youghiogheny river from the Pennsylvania government, and which is yet in the possession of his descendants. He removed in 1812 to Pittsburg, where he became an extensive ship builder and coal operator, as well as farmer. He es- tablished the first retail milk business in Pittsburg, serving his customers from a large can conveyed about the town on a wheel barrow by a colored servant. He built in 1813 two schooners which he loaded with a cargo of flour and cheese, for the West Indies. At New Orleans the vessels were manned with crews of Spanish sailors. They were never heard of after leaving the port.

HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

Brintnel Robbins removed to Greensburg in 1830, where he lived the remaining part of his life. He was a pensioner of the Revolutionary war. He died July 25, 1836, and is buried in Harold graveyard, near Greensburg.

(VI) William Robbins, son of Brintnel (5), was born in 1795 and died in 1834 ; he was married to Agnes Sloan.

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(VII) Joseph Robbins, son of William (6) and Rachel Gordon Robbins, was born at Robbins' Station, Pennsylvania, in 1824. He was married ( first) to Rachel Robbins, and after her death, Margaret Cristy. He was the pioneer coal operator in the Youghiogheny district, opening up an extensive mine at Osceola in 1848. He was active in public affairs, served as school director for twelve years, and was a delegate to various Republican conventions. He was a Presbyterian in faith and membership.

(VIII) Edward Everett Robbins, son of Joseph, was born at Robbins Station, Pennsylvania, in September, 1861. He began his education in the public schools in that place, pursued advanced branches in Elders Ridge Aca- demy, and entered Washington and Jefferson College, from which he was a graduate in 1881, at the age of twenty, with the degree of master of arts, being sixth in a class of thirty-six. He prepared for his chosen profession in the law department of Columbia University, New York, and graduated in 1884, being admitted the same year to the bar of Westmoreland county. In the following year he was nominated for district attorney. He was elected to the state sen- ate in 1888, and served efficiently in that body for a term of six years. Mr. Robbins introduced and secured the passage of the bill appropriating five thous- and dollars to the Childrens' Aid Society, thus securing the present home for this deserving institution. This was the first state aid for any purpose by the people of Westmoreland. He also introduced the law providing for free text books in the public schools, and was chairman of the judiciary committee of the senate. He was especially active in the movement for equalization of taxes and the enactment of a law for this purpose.

During the fifty-fifth congress the Dingley tariff bill was enacted when the coal and iron schedules were under consideration in the house. Mr. Robbins addressed the committee of the whole with much force and success. His work in behalf of a protective tariff was both brilliant and able. His work for Cuban independence and speeches for that cause were widely read and commanded at- tention. He visited the island of Cuba and understood the conditions there. Mr. Robbins was one of the three members of congress who volunteered and entered the army at the outbreak of hostilities with Spain and was commis- sioned captain and quartermaster First Brigade, Third Division, First Army Corps, May 14, 1898.

In politics he is a Republican, and has borne an active part in supporting the principles and candidates of the party. When the Spanish-American war came on he offered his services to the government, and was assigned to duty as quartermaster with the rank of captain on the staff of General John A. Wily, commander of the First Brigade, Third Division, First Army Corps, at Camp Thomas, Georgia, by special order No. 143, issued from the adjutant-general's office at Washington. Mr. Robbins has long been in the National Guard of Pennsylvania, serving as private, lieutenant, major, brigade quartermaster, and commissary general of the state on the staff of Governor Stone. This exper- ience was of great value to him in the Spanish-American war, and he was de- tailed to the special duty of equipping and shipping troops to the front. His success brought him a promotion, and August 21, 1898, by special order 196 he was made a chief quartermaster with the rank of major of United States

THE NEW YORK PUBLICI ODARY

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Jos Robbins

HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

Volunteers, and placed in charge of the transport "Seneca," and sent with United States commissioners, Admiral Schley and Gordon to Porto Rico. He served at Ponce, San Juan, Santiago ; was in charge of the United States trans- ports "Mobile," "Chester," and "Grant." After the conclusion of peace, Quartermaster-General Luddington offered him a commission as major in the regular army, but he declined and tendered his resignation and was honorably discharged by special order 243 of the adjutant-general, issued from Washing- ton, receiving from the secretary of war, November 14, 1898, specially com- mending his services.

With high standing in his profession, Mr. Robbins cares for a large and important personal practice and is also solicitor for the Baltimore and Ohio and the Ligonier Valley Railroad companies, and professional adviser for various corporations with which he is identified, and which are large commercial and financial factors in the business of his city and county. He is president of the Garrett Coal Company, organized the Pittsburg and Baltimore Coal Company, a diretor in the Safe Deposit and Trust Company, of Greensburg, the Wilmerd- ing National Bank of Wilmerding, Connellsville Basin Coke Company, and a stockholder in other banks and industrial corporations, and in the Tribune Press Publishing Company, of Greensburg, a member of various clubs-the Ameri- cus, the Duquesne and the University. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and he is president of the board of trustees of the First Presbyterian church of Greens- burg.

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History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 7

Author: Boucher, John Newton, 1854-1933; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921 Publication date: 1906 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 860

Author: Boucher, John Newton, 1854-1933; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 860