Robert Sample, p. 624

ROBERT SAMPLE is a well-known resident of the borough of Washington. He is of Irish descent, his grandparents having lived and died in " Old Erin."

David Sample, his father, was born in 1801, in County Donegal, Ireland, and when about twenty years of age immigrated to America. He first located in Ohio county, W. Va., where he was united in marriage with Mary Sample, also a native of County Donegal. In 1835 they came to West Finley township, Washington Co., Penn., and in 1859 purchased and moved upon a farm in Donegal township, same county. Their children were Robert, John (deceased), and Joseph (a resident of Donegal township). The mother died January 22, 1867,at the age of seventy-three years, and August 11, 1879, the father was laid by her side. They were members of the West Alexander Presbyterian Church. Robert Sample, whose name introduces this memoir, was born October 14, 1827, in Ohio county, W. Va., and when eight years old came with his parents to West Finley township, this county. On January 1, 1857, he was united in marriage with Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Burns, but she died July 19, 1859, leaving one daughter, Mary Catherine (now the wife of N. R. Tannehill, of Cecil township, Washington county). For his second wife Mr. Sample married on May 6, 1868, Miss Nancy Tannehill, who bore him two children, Nancy and David R. In 1872 our subject came to Washington, and in 1871 built his present residence on Highland avenue, having rented his farm in Donegal township. He has assisted in the erection of many of the dwellings in the town, and in 1876 was awarded the contract for building the crematory there. Mr. Sample began life a poor boy, and by industry, energy and perseverance has achieved an enviable success. In politics he is a member of the Democratic party, in religion a Presbyterian.

Text taken from page 624 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed June 1997 by Dale E. Enlow of Lake Havasu City, AZ as part of the Beers Project.
Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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