Upon his return to Ebensburg, in 1856, he established himself in business, repairing watches and dealing in jewelry and stationery, and continued in this for more than twenty years. He then commenced a general store, dealing in books, notions and toys, which for many years has been known as "Roberts' Variety Store." Mr. Roberts is an ardent Republican and has been twice endorsed as state senator by Cambria county -- 1876 and 1880, but failed to receive the district nomination. He has also been burgess twice, and has served as a member of the council a number of times. He has been a life-long member of the First Congregational Church, which is the oldest church in the town, organized in April, 1707; has been its treasurer for thirty years, and a trustee for thirty-two years. He is a member of the following fraternal organizations for almost fifty years: Summit Lodge, No. 312, Ancient York Masons; Highland Lodge, No. 428, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and a charter member of the following: Oriental Commandery, No. 61, Knights Templar, at Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Captain John M. Jones Post, No. 566, Grand Army of the Republic, Ebensburg, Pennsylvania.
He married, 1861, Rebecca M. Rogers of Churchtown, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and they have had four children: 1. Mattie, died in 1884. 2. Margaret, married Thomas Siviter, of Pittsburg. 3. Mary, an efficient assistant of her father in his business. 4. Franklin Butler, a successful dentist in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
ROBERT J. BOLSINGER, manager of one of the most practically arranged plumbing and steam-fitting concerns in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, and of which he and a younger brother are the proprietors, is descended from a family of the early settlers of the state.
Jesse S. Bolsinger, father of Robert J. Bolsinger, was the son of William Bolsinger, who was the roadmaster of the old Portage road for many years, and later had charge of the car shops in the Cambria steel plant, at Johnstown. He was one of the well known mechanics of his day. Jesse S. was but a small boy when his parents moved to Johnstown, and in his early years was engaged with his father and a brother in the drug business in that town. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in the Union army. Upon his return from the army service, he located in Cherry Tree, where he engaged in the business of tinner, continuing this until 1870, when he removed to Ebensburg, where he has since resided. For a number of years he was also engaged in the plumbing business, but in recent years has retired from active business life. In his political views he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Grand Army of the Republic. He married Irene B. McCormick, daughter of Captain Robert McCormick, an officer in the civil war, and in later years a well-known lumberman, being a member of the St. Lawrence Lumber and Boom Company. Their children were: Walter N., born August 14, 1873. Edgar M., consulting engineer at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Milton H., of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Sarah E., married Edgar Lingle, of New Brighton, Pennsylvania. Robert J., of whom later. Ray C., born February 18, 1884, of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. Harry D., of Ebensburg.
Robert J. Bolsinger, son of Jesse S. and Irene B. (McCormick) Bolsinger, was born in Ebensburg, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1878. He was reared at home, and acquired his education in the public schools of his native town. From his earliest boyhood he was brought up with the idea of assisting his father in the business of the latter, and all his spare time, while he was attending school and during the vacations,
|
