My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL F. FINLEY, dry-goods merchant, McKeesport, was born in Elizabeth, this county, May 23, 1856, a son of Abraham and Jane C. (Seamon) Finley, who settled in Elizabeth about 1842. His father, a boat-builder by trade, followed that vocation for years, and during the civil war was in the quartermaster’s department under Gen. James A. Ekin. Shortly after the close of the war he died at his home in Elizabeth. His family consisted of seven children: Lidie S. (Mrs. Charles A. Smith), Mary A. (Mrs. John W. Overena), Lizzie J., Lottie B., Robert S., Samuel F. and Annie C. (Mrs. Rev. R. C. Wolf). Samuel F. was reared and educated in Elizabeth, and also took a course at Duff’s Business College, Pittsburgh. After reaching his majority he engaged as a clerk in the store of W. K. Hobson, near Parker City, for two years, and later was with James A. Reed, Allegheny, for over a year. In September, 1879, he came to McKeesport, and was one year a clerk in the grocery-store of W. G. Gleason. In September, 1880, he embarked in the dry-goods trade, in which he has since continued, and has built up a large and successful business, that is growing every year, and he is conceded to be one of McKeesport’s most successful merchants. He married, March 25, 1884, Sonoma S. daughter of Rev. Dr. J. A. and Sarah A. (Archibald) Swaney, of this county, and by her has two children, Phebe L. and Paul K. Mr. Finley is an active member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and a strong advocate of prohibition.