WILLIAM B. SUMNY. The family of which the subject of this memoir is a prominent member have long been residents of Pennsylvania. Isaac Sumny, father of William B., first saw the light July 5, 1776, the day after the old Liberty Bell had proclaimed the birth of our infant nation. He was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., and in 1798 was united in marriage with Mary Turney (who was also born in 1776) and nine children were born to their union, of whom three son are yet living. The father followed the trade of potter all his life. William B. Sumny was born August 14, 1805, on the home place in Washington county, Penn., and passed his boyhood attending the schools of the county. On November 14, 1829, he was married to Ruth Gamble, a native of this county, born in 1810. To this union one son and nine daughters were born, namely: Mary (Mrs. Mahood) residing at Melvin, Ford Co., Ill,; Elizabeth (wife of William Harbison), at Glade Mills, Butler Co., Penn., Esther, still living with her father; Sarah (Mrs. Coneby), at Brownsdale, Butler Co., Penn.,; Mrs. Hannah Sumny at Beaver City, Furnas Co., Neb.; Emma (Mrs. Morrison), at McKeesport, Allegheny Co., Penn.; William (deceased; Nancy (deceased); Harriet (wife of Dr. Murray), at Amity, Washington Co., Penn., and Angelina (Mrs. Hamilton), at Thomas, Washington Co., Penn. The mother died December 21, 1891. Prior to his marriage Mr. Sumny worked with his father at the potter's trade, and then after that event he bought fifty acres of land, to which he now devotes his attention. Politically he is an adherent of Democratic principles, and in religious faith he and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Text taken from page 930 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Wilbur Frye of Pacifica, CA as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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