George J. Seanor

GEORGE J. SEANOR, sheriff of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, well and favorably known in that section of Pennsylvania is a representative in the present generation of a family whose earlier members were among the first settlers of the state. The Seanors came originally from Germany.

Adam Seanor, grandfather of George J. Seanor, was born near Seanors church, Westmoreland county, toward the latter part of the eighteenth century, and died in 1864, aged about sixty-nine years. In politics he was a member of the Whig party, and in religious faith was a Presbyterian. He married Elizabeth Harrold, born three miles south of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and their children were: Mary, married Jonathan Null, died in 1885; John, died 1885; Lewis, died in Washington state in 1904; George, died of fever at the age of twenty-six; Adam, of whom later; William, died in 1903; Henry, a resident of Kansas.

Adam Seanor, fourth son and fifth child of Adam and Elizabeth (Harrold) Seanor, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1831. He had the advantage of a good common school education, and upon attaining a proper age turned his attention to farming and stock raising. This calling he followed all the active years of his life. He is prominently identified with the Presbyterian church, and affiliates with the Republican party. He married Salina Tweedy, daughter of William Tweedy, and they had ten children, the names of eight of whom are here given: Elizabeth, born 1854, died at the age of sixty-seven years; Louisa, 1856, married David Kepple; Emma, 1858, married Wilson Kepple; Harry F., July 29, 1860, married, September, 1881, at Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Larus P. McKelvy, (See sketch of Harry F. Seanor); William, 1864, married Mary Kepple; Elmer, married Mattie Laughlin; Maggie, 1866, died May 25, 1905, married Samuel Kepple, and was the mother of ten children, nine of whom survive her; George J., of whom later; Charles, 1874, married Laura Hoffman.

George J. Seanor, son of Adam and Sauna (Tweedy) Seanor, was born in Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1872. He was educated in the common schools of Westmoreland county, and farmed until he attained his majority, when he engaged with his brother Harry F. in the sale of farm implements and machinery at home as well as in other cities for three years. He then went to Springfield, Ohio, and accepted a position with the O. S. Kelly Company, traveling for them as an expert on steam street rollers throughout the United States. He was thus occupied for two years, and then went to the World's Fair at Chicago to take charge of their special exhibit. At the close of the fair he returned to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and again entered into business associations with his brother. He then entered the employ of the McCormick Harvest Machine Company as salesman, and remained with them for a period of about five years. In the fall of 1904, he was elected sheriff of Westmoreland county, and is now serving his term of office in that capacity. He was elected by the largest majority ever accorded a Republican candidate for this office in this section of the country. He had previously served as deputy sheriff under his brother Harry F. and also under Sheriff B. F. May. He has always been active, prominent and influential in the ranks of the Republican party. Mr. Seanor is also largely interested in real estate transactions, and in buying and selling fine breeds of horses. Mr. Seanor married, September 24, 1894, Alice R. Keiser, born September 14, 1872, daughter of Adam and Maria (Bolinger) Keiser. Mrs. Seanor's parents were born and married in Derry township, where her father was a farmer for almost fifty years, his death occurring January 17, 1900; his wife, born May 24, 1832, is still living. They were both members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. George J. Seanor and his wife have children: Adam Carleton, born August 5, 1895; Anita Maria, June 17, 1902.

Source: Page(s) 147-148, History of Westmoreland County, Volume II, Pennsylvania by John N Boucher. New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906.
Transcribed March 2006 by Nathan Zipfel for the Westmoreland County History Project
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

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