BIOS: William H. SANNER, Somerset, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading 
Citizens of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, 
Biographical Review Publishing Company: 1899, pp 299-300.

  Hon. William H. Sanner, of Somerset, Pa., formerly County 
Superintendent of Schools, was born in Lower Turkey Foot township, near 
the town of Ursina, this county, on January 24, 1840, son of Lewis F. 
and Sarah (King) Sanner.
  His paternal grandfather, Michael Sanner, who was a native of the 
county, carried on a farm in the southern part of the county all his 
active life.  He was a prominent and highly respected citizen, a member 
of the Baptist church, and in politics a Whig.  He died at the age of 
eighty.  His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Fulton, bore him 
eight children, of whom Lewis F. was the eldest.  Four of the children 
are now living, namely: Adam, who married Barbara Grimes; Michael; 
Sarah, who is the wife of James McNeil, of Iowa and Alfred.
  Lewis F. Sanner was born at the old homestead in Lower Turkey foot 
township, and followed farming there throughout his life.  He was a man 
much respected in his neighborhood, a Republican in politics, and, like 
his wife, a member of the Baptist church.  He married Sarah, the 
daughter of John King and grand-daughter of Rush King, who fought in 
the Revolutionary War.  Seven children were born of their union, and 
six of them are living.  These are: William H., whose personal history 
is here given; Ross R., who married Alice Fuller; Catherine, the wife 
of Josiah Hyatt; John, who married Belle Sterner; Cyrus M., who married 
Elizabeth Brown; and Jennie, who is the wife of Wakefield McClough.  
Their father died at the age of sixty-nine years.  The mother, now 
eighty-two, is still living at the old home.
  Few men in the Keystone State have played a more active or 
conspicuous part in the community in which they have lived than William 
H. Sanner.  As teacher, soldier, county official, and legislator he has 
displayed varied talents, and has made an enduring impress upon the 
local history of Somerset County.  In early life he manifested a taste 
for study, and in the common schools, in George's Creek Academy, and in 
Mount Union College, in the State of Ohio, laid the foundations of his 
future success.  He engaged in teaching in Somerset County, and soon 
became noted for his thorough qualifications and his ability as an 
organizer and leader.
  During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Sanner was one of the first to 
respond to the call for troops, which came loudly ringing over the 
hills of Somerset.  On September 4, 1861, he left his books to don a 
warrior's garb, going out in Captain E. D. Yutzy's company, which was 
the second that left the county for the seat of the war.  He saw much 
hard service, and was wounded in the shoulder at the battle of Cedar 
Creek.  He served until July 17, 1865, and was mustered out as 
Lieutenant of Company G of the Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
serving under Colonel J. M. Campbell.  At a later date he was brevetted 
Captain, a title that he still wears.  He is a comrade of the G.A.R. 
post at Somerset.
  In 1866, the year after his return, Mr. Sanner was elected County 
Superintendent of Schools of Somerset County, and while they were under 
his management educational advancement therein received a marked 
impetus.  Elected to the State legislature in 1870, he served during 
the session of 1871-72, representing Somerset, Bedford, and Fulton 
Counties.  He was chairman of the Committee on Education, and in many 
ways manifested his efficiency as a maker of public laws, ever ready to 
advance the best interests of his constituents.  When his term in the 
legislature was finished, he engaged in the lumber business for a 
number of years, but in 1891 his friends again called him from private 
to public life, he being elected Prothonotary of Somerset County on the 
Republican ticket.  In that capacity he served for three years 
following.  In 1896 he was elected Representative to the State 
legislature, representing Somerset County alone.  For a number of years 
he was chairman of the Republican County Committee, and during 
different campaigns he has done effective speaking for his party.  
Fraternally, he is Past Master of the local Masonic lodge and Past 
Nobel Grand of the lodge of Odd Fellows.  He is a member of the Baptist 
church.
  Captain Sanner was married on December 29, 1871, to Lydia C. Huston, 
daughter of Samuel Huston, of this county.  Of the nine children born 
of this marriage six are living, by name - Frank K., Arthur, William, 
Ross L., Omer, and Meta C.  Mrs. Sanner is a member of the Christian 
church.  The Captain has resided in Somerset since 1867.