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From: "Victoria Hospodar Valentine" <>
Subject: August VALENTOUR sketch May 20, 1910 McDonald PA Record
Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 13:48:48 -0400


August VALENTOUR

Summary of political ad. He was announcing his candidacy for the State
Assembly



Mr. VALENTOUR has been a resident of Washington County for
thirty-six years. He began life as a digger of coal, and by enterprise,
economy and thrift he has risen step by step, until he has become one of the
county's men of affairs.

His career has been one of continued progress and advancement.
In 1874 Mr. VALENTOUR entered the Walnut Hill mine at Midway and there dug
coal for two years. He left the mine for farming and timbering in Fayette
county, but soon returned to the mine again, this time also in the Panhandle
district working as a miner until 1881. After spending two years in the
cotton and timber industries of Mississippi he returned to McDonald July 4,
1883, was elected checkweighman by the miners of W. P. REND's Laurel Hill
No. 1, later entered Jumbo mine from where he was discharged for interesting
himself in the Fourth Pool miners, who were then on a strike, by collecting
money for the amelioration of their destitute condition. At this time there
was no organization among the miners of this locality, the nearest lodge of
the Knights of Labor was at Imperial and Mr. VALENTOUR identified himself
with it.

Following this discharge he left McDonald and found employment
in a store in Shadyside, Pittsburg. He was soon afterwards offered a
position by J. D. SAUTERS, owner of the Briar Hill mine. This was accepted
and in 1891 he secured a clothing and furnishing establishment in McDonald.
He abandoned this and acquired the DONAHOO bazaar which now bears his name.
Appointed a notary public, Mr. VALENTOUR, because of his wide acquaintance,
especially amount the French and Belgians, was required to draw up a great
many legal papers and documents. This led to much research in the laws of
the State and Nation, as well as a reading up of the laws of France and
Belgium, until he became one of the best informed lay readers of law in this
locality and his advice is sought and highly valued by the French and
Belgian residents here and up the Monongahela river.

When the town of McDonald was first incorporated, he was elected
to the borough council. Afterwards he served a term on the school board.
He is at present a council man, being the chairman of the police committee
and a member of the street committee. He is also the Republican party
chairman of the first precinct of McDonald, where he lives.



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