Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 1912


Sample Family Biography

This family was founded in Fayette county by Robert F. Sample, present proprietor of The Gallatin House, at Uniontown. The family first appear in Eastern Pennsylvania, then in Center county, where Alexander, father of Robert F. Sample, was a well known, influential business man. Both Alexander Sample and wife lived and died in Center county, Pennsylvania.

(II) Alexander Sample was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, in 1822. He was a man of good education, and until after the civil war was engaged in mercantile business in that county, owning and conducting a general country store. He was successful in business and acquired a substantial property through well directed effort. After the close of the civil war, attracted by the development of West Virginia coal and timber lands, he joined a syndicate and in company with his brother-in-law, H. A. McGonagle, went to Charleston, in that state, purchased a large tract of timber land, boomed the Elk river, near its mouth, built a saw mill, and converted the timber on the tract into salable lumber. After this was accomplished he returned to Center county, where he died August 5, 1873. For a short period he served in the civil war. He was an active influential Democrat in his home county, and while never accepting office himself was a factor in advancing the political ambitions of his friends. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a useful public spirited citizen. He married Margaret Furey, born in Center county, in 1821, died there in 1875; she was also a devoted member of the Presbyterian church. Children: 1. James C., now residing in Denver, Colorado. 2. Mary C., married John J. Fleming. 3. Orlando P., died in infancy. 4. Sarah E., married, Jacob M. Musser, and lives in Freeport, Illinois. 5. Gertrude, married George W. Eaton, and lives in Freeport, Illinois. 6. Virginia V., died in childhood. 7. Robert Furey, of whom further. 8. Frank B., now residing in Carbonada, Washington.

(III) Robert Furey, son of Alexander and Margaret (Furey) Sample, was born at Pine Grove Mills, Center county, Pennsylvania, April 14, 1863. He was educated in the public schools and Pine Grove Academy, beginning business life as clerk in his father's store. He remained in mercantile life until 1882, when he received an appointment as clerk in the United States Railway Mail Service, and remained in the service five years, running on the Pennsylvania railroad between New York City and Pittsburgh. In 1887 he came to Fayette county, where he was paymaster for Owen Murphy, during the construction of the coke works at Adelaide, Pennsylvania; then with the Whitney Lippincott Coke Company; then formed a partnership with Frank Boyd, a civil engineer, continuing till 1891, when he became general manager of the Uniontown Firestone Company, remaining until 1894. He then opened and for six months managed the office of the Cheat Haven Coal and Coke Company at Cheat Haven, Pennsylvania; then until 1896 was traveling salesman for Armour & Company. In June, 1896, he became proprietor of the West End Hotel at Uniontown, continuing until 1904, when in partnership with Ewing B. Marshall he built The Gallatin, corner of Main street and Gallatin avenue, Uniontown, a five-story modern hostelry with fifty rooms. In May, 1910, Mr. Sample purchased his partner's interest and became, as he still remains, sole proprietor and manager. He is a well known popular "Mine host," and during the years 1909 and 1910 was secretary and treasurer of the Pennsylvania State Hotel Men's Association, an organization composed of the representative hotel men of the state. He is a Democrat; a member of the Eagles, Elks, and a thirty-second degree Mason of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.

He married, January 8, 1891, Margaret Martin, born in Turbottsville, Pennsylvania. Children: 1. Mildred M., born October 8, 1891, died November 2, 1892. 2. Mary M., born December 17, 1893; married, July 3, 1912, Frank A. Robison, of Madison, Ohio, a traveling salesman for the Read Manufacturing Company. 3. Robert M., born July 9, 1898.

Source: Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, John W. Jordan, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1912.





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