Walter Sangston Hursey of Shinnston WV

Among the older settlers in the neighborhood of Shinnston was the Hursey family. Three generations ago this family was represented there first by John A. Hursey, who came from Maryland and settled at Clarksburg as a furniture dealer. He had a family, among whom was a son named Lloyd R. Hursey, now aged and retired from active duties of life, living at Shinnston. He was born in 1836 and followed the business of furniture dealer, later the marble and monumental business. Politically he is a Democrat, and in church faith of the Baptist denomination. He married Mary Sangston, of Wheeling, in 1865, by whom he had two children: Walter S., of whom further; Elizabeth, widow of Lee H. Vance, of Clarksburg, has one child, Amelia.

(lll) Walter Sangston, son of Lloyd R. and Mary (Sangston) Hursey, was born at Clarksburg, West Virginia, October 1, 1867. He  received his education in the local schools of Shinnston, to which place he came with his parents when seven years of age. When but a youth he lived with an uncle, Alexander Martin, after whom “Martin’s Hall,” in the State University, was named. He, therefore, had good training in educational ways, better than most of the youth of his neighborhood.

In 1883 he set his face towards the task of doing for himself in life, and wisely chose a useful trade, that of a harness maker. He began this with H. Gould, at Mannington, West Virginia, later becoming a journeyman harness-maker, working at the trade which he had thoroughly mastered, through the South and West. In 1896 he established his present business, which is the most extensive in his town today. He is a member of the American Poultry Association, having been engaged in the raising of poultry for the past twelve years, breeding only the barred Plymouth rock, and his birds are known throughout the United States and Canada, having appeared at some of the largest poultry shows in the country. His breeding is done purely for exhibition and stock purposes. Mr. Hursey’s greatest interest, however, is centered in educational work, in building up the standard of the schools and providing the facility for the conduct of the same. Politically he is a Democrat. He is now (1911) serving his third term as mayor of Shinnston. During his incumbency of the mayoralty many up-to-date improvements in Shinnston have been brought about, he being the leading factor. His last election was carried by a majority of 298 over his opponent, and when the fact is considered that the district is loyally Republican and he being a Democrat, it shows in what estimation he is held by his townsmen. He is a member of the Odd Fellows’ fraternity, also Free and Accepted Masons and Knights of Pythias, and is president of the board of education.

Mr. Hursey married in Shinnston, December 22, 1897, Ella A. Lowe, born at Simpson Creek, in October, 1876, daughter of John Lowe, of Shinnston. Children by this marriage: Warren, born March 12, 1899; George, August 5, 1900; Arthur, February 19, 1903; Mary Esther, December 22, 1904; Walter Andrew, March 10, 1907; John, April 26, 1908.

Personal and Genealogical History of the Upper Monongahela Valley West Virginia, Vol 2, Illustrated, Bernard Butcher, ed; Lewis Historical Publ Co, NY 1912 pp 792-793

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