More on Hampden E. Tener Jr.

In the last posting there was mention of Hampden Tener's hobby farm!  It was much more than that, I think.

In the Tener book, page 70, there is just a passing comment upon his involvement with the shorthorn cows:  "a President of the American Shorthorn Breeder's Association and the American Milking Shorthorn Society."  I would like to also point out another Tener family reference to the Shorthorn cattle: Tener book, page 64, 'George Evans Tener 1856-1923. . . . after retirement from active business in 1918 his chief interests were in raising short horn cattle on his farm near Sewickley, PA'

My wife's mother had told me that "Uncle Hampden" would acquire bulls during his trips to Ireland and bring them back to America with him. 

When we visited Montclair New Jersey we located a brochure in a Tener file at the public library there.  In the file was a photocopy of a catalog of an auction to be held Wednesday, March 20, 1940 of "THE ENTIRE WALGROVE HERD"  I think I read someplace that the farm was the Walgrove Farm, which was located in Washingtonville, New York.

This catalog identified the auctioneers as B.B. Allen of Ravenna Ohio, and E.M. Granger of Thompsonville, Conn.  The Sale Manager was listed as W. Arthur Simpson of Lyndonville, Vermont. 

What followed was "A Message from Mr. Tener" -

"It is with a tinge of sadness and certainly with sincere regret that I have decided to disperse of my well known Walgrove Herd of Milking Shorthorns established in 1915.

"To the breeders and numerous friends and acquaintances all over the United States I wish to explain why it is necessary at this time.

"Eddie Drake, my manager for the past eighteen years has accepted a position April 1st to manage an estate of 1500 acres where dairying is not required.  I am very glad that he has been offered this opportunity to better his position.

"To him I give great credit and due appreciation for his conscientious part in the development and upbuilding of the herd.  It has been no hit or miss task.  No great herd, no successful business has ever just happened. It is only realized through devotion to duty and much thoughtful effort.  Eddie has been an indefatigueable worker, knowing no hours except those of early morning until late at night.  I could not hope to find a suitable man to take his place.

"Furthermore, the condition of my health, which became impaired over three years ago, makes it imperative at my age to reduce my responsibilities to a minimum, plan to be less active, and take life easier.

"When I first became interested in live stock, and let me say I admire good cattle of all breeds, there were very few breeders of Milking Shorthorns in this country.  After investigating and considering breeds, both beef and dairy, I became convinced of the inherent merits of the dual-type Bates Shorthorn,. Combining to the highest degree in my opinion, the essential qualities for both beef and milk production, and as the animal best adapted for the general farmer.

"I was further confirmed in my decision after a visit to the Old Country at the close of the World War and on many occasions since.  It was indeed a revelatiomn to see so many good herds and to find that the Dairy Shorthorn as it is known over there, is the most popular, outnumbers all other breeds combined and continues to maintain its supremacy to the present time.

       "Also I must acknowledge particularly the influence of the Glenside and other good herds in Bradford County, Pa., which we were strikingly impressive.

       "Here I stop to pay a tribute to that master breeder, the late L.D. May, whose personality and fame will long be remembered and who accomplished so much for the advancement and betterment of the breed.

       "Nor would I forget Mr. frank Brace, a near neighbor of Mr. May, who is still carrying on as a constructive breeder in his own quiet efficient way.

       "He is was who bred such grand cows as Butter Girl (20,325.8), Dairy Maid (19,066.5) and Brookside Hester (17,984.5), all half-sisters.  They were bought at $1000 each when young, the records being made at Walgrove.

       "They were an outstanding trio of foundation cows.  Their value is seen through their descendants, several of which are in the sale, while others have been sold from time to time.

       "It is my experience that the best are the cheapest in the long run and that is true of most everything.

       "Rome was not built in a day.  It has taken nearly a quarter of a century on concentrated effort to develop Walgrove Herd to its present high standing.  It is Fereral accredited for both T.B. and Bangs and I believe it is not too much to say the herd is now the best.

       "Today Walgrove breeding is scattered through most of the States and it is with full appreciation that we constantly hear from satisfied buyers whose herds have been improved by purchases made from us.

       "It will be some time before 100 head of equal quality and uniformity are offered for public appraisal.  It is for you who attend the sale to judge.

       "In conclusion let me say that the breed has made remarkable progress since I first started.  If I have made some small contribution, as many have been kind enough to say, I am doubly pleased and amply repaid, while in the ever widening circle of friends I have known over the years I have found the greatest pleasure and satisfaction.

       "In passing the torch I have held so long to others, I do so with full confidence that they will carry on to greater heights of achievement, also that another 25 years will see continued improvement in quality and performance and a greater increase in the number of herds all over this great country to an extent that we can scarcely dream possible.
                           Hampden E. Tener
                                                      March 1st, 1940
Washingtonville, N.Y.


       Following the letter from Hampden E. Tener, there was further description of the herd for sale, which was written by the Sales Manager W.A. Simpson:

Foreward

The dispersion of the Walgrove Herd of Milking Shorthorns owned by Hampden E. Tener is an outstanding event in Milking Shorthorn history.

In point of numbers, in breeding and in those qualities of type, individuality, good udders and uniform high production, the herd is unique and stands without peer in America.  It is sold in the period of its highest excellence, the animals are all young and it is sold intact.  No draft from the herd has ever been offered at public auction and this sale includes those animals, which, under the breeding procedure followed from the foundation of the herd, are for the first time offered for public appraisal.  Add to this that the entire herd is in wonderful health being accredited for both Bangs and T.B. and the importance and value of this offering cannot be too highly emphasized.  The esteem in which the herd is held and the demand which exists for its productions are demonstrated by the fact that except for the four herd sires there is no bull calf on the farm unsold above the age of three months.  Not in this writers experience has there been a more forcible proof of the value of a herd of purebred cattle.

Mr. Tener established the Walgrove Herd at Washingtonville, NY about twenty five years ago after the most careful study.  Convinced of the then superiority of cattle carrying Glenside and allied blood, he became the most consistent purchaser of Bradford County (Penn.) cattle for more than fifteen years, buying chiefly from Mr. L. D. May, Mr. Frank Brace and Mr. Finley Hubbard.  From such foundation came many of the breeds high record cows as bred and developed by Mr. Tener and his herdsman and farm manager, Mr. Eddie Drake.  Fillpail Record a son of General Clay and Fillpail Lassie by Cyrus Clay, purchased in the 1917 Glenside Sale for $775.00, was the first Walgrove sire to establish the upbuilding of the herd.  He sired 17 qualified R. M. daughters.

He was followed by Royal Knight already a proven sire who was by Royal Darlington out of Hazel Rose.  He sired no less than 56 daughters that made qualifying records although not all were entered in the Record of Merit.  These great bulls were the progenitors of the herd as it existstoday; for over a period of nearly 25 years virtually no outcross bulls have been used in the herd, new blood being introduced only through sons of great cows.  Among the bulls to make their mark in the herd were the following:

(***what followed were a listing of the bulls, sires, daughters and their records, and the lineage of several 'families' and their records.  Since I am a 'city boy' the records, weights do not mean anything to me.)

"It should be emphasized that this herd not only represents 25 years of careful and constructive breeding on Mr. Tener's part, but was established on Bradford County foundations equally old making over fifty years of breeding along similar lines, a record unparalleled in the history of American Milking Shorthorns.

"No less that 46 cows from the herd have qualified for and will be entered in Volume 25 of the Milking Shorthorn Year Book and practically all of them are now in the herd and in the sale.  This makes a total of 572 records (Volume 10 to 25 inclusive) averaging 10,015.2 lbs."

(signed)  W. Arthur Simpson
    Lyndonville, Vt.
    Feb. 20, 1940

I do not know the results of that sale.  Efforts will be made to try and locate a record of the sale.  If located, it will be added at a later time.

In the October 1948 issue of the Milking Shorthorn Journal there was an obituary for Hampden E. Tener.  That article is transcribed below:

DEATH OF HAMPDEN E. TENER

We know that all Milking Shorthorn people will learn with much sorrow that one of the breed's foremost advocates, Hampden E. Tener, passed away at his home in Montclair New Jersey on Friday, August 27th.  Funeral services were held in the home and internment was in Pittsburgh, Penn.  He was 82 years of age.

To Milking Shorthorn people, Mr. Tener was best known for his Walgrove Herd of Milking Shorthorns at Washingtonville, N.Y., a herd that was of long standing and dated back to 1912.  The dispersal of that herd made history.  In fact, the cattle of Walgrove breeding are responsible for much of the rapid growth within the breed during the past two decades.

A highly respected gentleman, a friend of all who knew him, Mr. Tener was a well known figure at Milking Shorthorn gatherings during his many years as a breeder.  He was President of the Milking Shorthorn Society as well as President of the American Shorthorn Breeder's Association during his activity with the breed.

Up until the time of his death he was Honorary Chairman of the Board of the Irving Savings Bank, New York.  Born in County Tyrone, Ireland, Mr. Tener was educated in England and Ireland and began work in America with Oliver Brothers and Phillips of Pittsburgh, Pa. and later was associated with the Continental Tube Works, Ltd.; Pittsburgh.  He later became a junior partner in Carnegie Steel Company.  He came to New York in 1901 and entered the banking field in which he was engaged until his semiretirement several years ago.  His purchase of Walgrove Farms and the development of the Walgrove herd is a matter of history, marking a special page in the history of the Milking Shorthorn cattle.  It was but a short time ago that the office of the Society received congratulations from Mr. Tener on the advancement of the breed and expressing his pleasure that the breed of his choice had made such rapid strides in progress.

A grand gentleman has passed on.  He will live on in the many kindly acts and honesty of purpose that was part of the man.  Milking Shorthorn cattle benefited by his having a hand in their development and progress.

The world generally is the better for his having been given a long and useful life in its service."


And lastly, in an obituary which was published in the Montclair Times (?) page 6, September 2, 1948:  Mr. Tener who was unmarried leaves two sisters, Mrs. Hubert C. Tener of Point Chautauqua, N.Y., and Mrs. Hyde of Cambridge, Mass, and two brothers, Robert W. of Schellsburg, Pa., and Wilfrid Tener of Montclair.









July 25, 2004    D.C. Holmes

Hampden Evans Tener, Jr

I think that we all 'know' Hampden as the relative from Montclair New Jersey who was 'responsible' for printing the family history book, "TENER: A History of the Family in France, Ireland and America."  Many times I heard my mother-in-law refer to 'Uncle Hampden' in stories of the family history, and his kindness' and generosities.  He was very much into his family history, and his efforts to discover the family history began early on through his many trips to Ireland.

H.E. Tener, Jr., born in Allen House County Tyrone Ireland on November 7, 1865.  He was the oldest of twelve children born to Hampden Evans Tener I and Eliza Frost Tener.  We learn that his early education occurred "at Nottingham, England, and at Coleraine Academical Institute and the Ireland and Cookstown Academy, both in Ireland." (1)

According to the Tener family book, page 69, he immigrated to the United States in 1882 with his brother John.  By 1882 the family home Moree was sold and Hampden's father and the rest of the family moved to Stoke Dry, England.

Hampden was quick to gain employment.  The Tener family book tells us of the relationship between the Tener's of Tyrone County, and the steel family in Pittsburgh - Henry W. Oliver Jr.  (*See Tener book pages 55 - 57.)  Hampden's first employment was with Oliver Brothers & Phillips, iron and steel manufacturers of Pittsburgh.  Between 1884 and 1887, Hampden was associated with Continental Tube Works, Ltd.

In 1884 Hampden's family immigrated to America, and settled in Pittsburgh. 

Conducting a search of the 1880 U S Census, through Ancestry.com, we discover that there were fifteen TENER's listed as living in Pennsylvania - and four of those were described as having been born in Ireland (Edward H., Harry B., Elizabeth and "Kinsey" - who is actually Kinley) TENER's were identified as having been born in Pennsylvania.

The Carnegie Steel Company Limited was organized April 1, 1881, as Carnegie Brothers & Co, Limited, and changed on July 1, 1892 by amended articles of association to its then present title with a paid up capital of $25,000,000.  In John M. Kelly's "J.M. Kelly's handbook of Greater Pittsburgh: … was originally published in 1895, page A57, listed "H. E. Tener, Jr., Assistant Secretary."  I had heard through several family stories that he was at one point the assistant to Andrew Carnegie.  This seems to confirm that family 'story'.

On November 1, 1887, Hampden entered employment with Carnegie in the offices of Hartman Steel Company, Ltd., a subsidiary of Carnegie, Phipps Steel Company LTD.  Hampden subsequently occupied the following positions:
Assistant Treasurer, Hartman Steel Company, Ltd.
Chief of Order Department, Carnegie, Phipps & Company, Ltd.
Assistant Secretary, Carnegie, Phipps & Company, Ltd.
General Agent, Carnegie Steel Company.

Hampden E. Tener Jr. was naturalized in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  He became a Citizen of the United States on April 16, 1892. (2)

In the Pittsburgh City Directory for years 1893-1894 there is a listing for Hampden Tener residing at 1429 Bluff.  In addition, the directory lists his occupation at that time as, "clerk".

In the Pittsburgh City Directory for 1894-1895, he is listed as residing at 272 Fisk. 

The Pittsburgh City Directory for 1897-1898 lists Hampden Tener living at 5110 Harriet.  In this same directory his occupation is listed as "Chief of Shipping Department, Carnegie Steel."  I would like to remind the reader that at this time Hampden is a young man of about thirty-two years of age: and a recently naturalized immigrant.

In 1898, sometime prior to February 9, Hampden E. Tener became a junior Carnegie Partner.  Illustrating how Mr. Carnegie encouraged and inspired his young men, the following letter from Mr. Carnegie in his own handwriting was received by Mr. Tener upon his admission to the firm:
                                         Allerton, Cannes Feby 9th, 1898.

My Dear Mr. Tener
The President said you would appreciate a note of congratulations from me upon your admission to the firm and here it is from the heart.
He has told me more about you and your service than I had the means of knowing although I know the valuable part you play in Supt. Meetings.
I am sure you are worthy of the promotion and I shall watch your career with interest, hope, and let me assure you, with full faith in your continual advancement.
With best wishes
Truly yours always,
(signed) Andrew Carnegie (3)



I have the impression that not all was positive within the higher ranks of the Carnegie Steel Company, Ltd. And there was a legal battle within the organization - resulting in a notice of "ejecture".  I don't know exactly what that means - but the document appears to request that one partner, Henry C. Frick, "sell, assign, and transfer" all of his interest in the Company. This notice was signed on the 10th and 11th days of January, 1900, by thirty-two men - including Andrew Carnegie, Charles Schwab, and Hampden Tener, "being three-fourths in number of the persons holding interest" and "three-fourths in value of said interests".  This leads me to believe that Hampden was a significant share holder in Carnegie Steel.

Now, at about this time there were a number of what appear to be secret meetings that perhaps addressed litigation, but in any regards did address a possible merger of Carnegie Steel and the Frick Companies.  Meetings were held at the Carnegie home in New York - March 17, 1900, a Saturday.

Fearing that the newspapers would get wind of this, a meeting of the Board was set for Atlantic City, for the next Monday, and they were instructed to bring their wives - to lessen suspicion!  (*Can you imagine what would happen if this were to occur today within a widely - perhaps publicly - held company?)  A merger was finally agreed upon - and that merger document referred to holdings of the various partners as of, and their "book values", April 1, 1899.

Those book values were then published.  From those lists we discover that Hampden E. Tener's interest in Carnegie Steel Company, Ltd. consisted of the following:  Personal Account = $48,690.11, value of Stock = $277,777.78, and value of Frick Coal Co. stock = $22,833.14.  In a separate, attached document, we learn that Hampden Tener also owned $150,000 in bonds "of the Carnegie Company, as formed or organized after the Frick-Carnegie suit." 

According to the book on the Carnegie Veteran Association, Hampden retired from Carnegie Steel Co. in 1900 "owing to impaired health".  But, just maybe - once we see what else he did later - might he just not want to have worked for United States Steel?  Ill health indeed! ! ! ! !

The Pittsburgh City Directory for 1900-1901 lists Hampden's occupation as, "General Agent, Carnegie Steel, LTD,  514 Carnegie Building".

In 1901 he became involved in the banking interests in New York City.  He was a Director of the Irving National Bank from 1902 until its merger, Jan. 1, 1907, with The New York National Exchange Bank.  Shortly after this consolidation, he was elected a Trustee of the Irving Savings Bank.  He became Chairman of the Finance Committee of that bank in 1908, and President in 1910 - continuing in that position until January 1937, when he resigned and was elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

The first annual dinner for the Carnegie Veterans Association was held in the Carnegie home, Fifth Avenue and Ninety-first Street, New York City, on December 18, 1902.  Subsequent annual dinners were held there until 1915.  Between 1916 and 1932 most of the annual dinners were hosted at the home of Charles Schwab, also of New York.  In 1933, and on, the annual event was held at the Union League Club in New York City.

Hampden E. Tener Jr. was one of the organizers of the Fidelity Trust Company, in 1907 and became a member of its Board of Directors.

He was a Director of the Montclair Trust Company, New Jersey since 1907, and the Bloomfield Bank & Trust Co. since 1910.

About 1910 a retirement fund was established called "The United States Steel and Carnegie Pension Fund" and it would go into effect on January 1, 1911.  Hampden was listed as both a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee.  (See John A Fitch, "The Steel Workers" 1910, New York, Charities Publication Committee.)  He was a Trustee of this pension fund until 1915.

In 1912, he was also one of the organizers of the Fidelity Safe Deposit Company - and he was a members of its Board of Directors at least until 1937.

In 1920 the Fidelity Trust Company was merged with International Bank as the Fidelity-International Trust Company, which in turn was merged in 1926 with the Coal & Iron National Bank, under the old name Fidelity Trust Company.  In 1930 that company was merged with the Marine Midland Trust Company, of which Hampden Tener became a Director.

Hampden was named Secretary of the Carnegie Veteran Association in 1922: reading the chart in the book, it could be presumed he held that position until the book was published in 1938. In addition, he became Treasurer of the CVA in 1930: again, one could presume he held that position until the book was published.

By Nov. 13, 1937 there were just eight surviving members.  The remaining forty-three were listed as having "passed on to the undiscovered country from whose borne no traveler returns."

At one time or another he had held memberships in "The Pilgrims of the United States"; was a member and Vice President of "The Pennsylvania Society of New York"; and Orange County Society - New York, Ulster-Irish Society - New York, The Union League Club - New York, and The Bankers Club - New York.

According to The Carnegie Veteran Association book, Hampden had an "avocation" of farming, specializing in pedigree cattle.  Walgrove Farm, which he acquired around (or before) 1922, was one mile from the Village of Washingtonville, Orange Co., New York, and eight miles from Goshen.  It became famous as the home of "Goldsmith Maid" the foremost trotting horse of her day, also "Volunteer", son of Hambletonian 10, and other celebrated horses.

Hampden's church affiliation was with the Christian and Congregational Churches.

       Hampden Tener died in 1948.  One person told me that Hampden, who died a single man, had made legacies in his will for over one hundred and fifty people!  I viewed the document - it is true.  There was a "recapitulation of the Beneficiaries" which listed:
       brothers and sisters                4
       brother-s in law and sisters-in law       2
       nephews and nieces                   20
       nephews and nieces in law         17
       grand nephews and nieces        42
       grand "              " in law           5
       cousins                             2  Total Family = 92
       Secretary                            1
       Staff, Tradesmen, friends              18
       Irving Savings Bank empl.                  20
       Institutions                         11  Total other  = 60
       

In 1938, Hampden served with Charles W. Baker and William B. Dickson as the Committee on Publication of the History of the Carnegie Veteran Association.  The book was published in Montclair New Jersey in 1938.  While it seems as if the group was formed in 1902, the book lists a mere 49 members: including the wife and daughter of Andrew Carnegie, and the wife of Charles Schwab.

Andrew Carnegie wrote of his affinity for this group in his own autobiography:  "Do not let it be thought, however, that my younger partners were forgotten, or that they have not played a very important part in sustaining me in the effort of reconciling myself to the new conditions. Far otherwise! The most soothing influence of all was their prompt organization of the Carnegie Veteran Association, to expire only when the last member dies. Our yearly dinner together, in our own home in New York, is a source of the greatest pleasure,-so great that it lasts from one year to the other. Some of the Veterans travel far to be present, and what occurs between us constitutes one of the dearest joys of my life. I carry with me the affection of "my boys." I am certain I do. There is no possible mistake about that because my heart goes out to them.
This I number among my many blessings and in many a brooding hour this fact comes to me, and I say to myself: "Rather this, minus fortune, than multi-millionairedom without it-yes, a thousand times, yes."
Many friends, great and good men and women, Mrs. Carnegie and I are favored to know, but not one whit shall these ever change our joint love for the "boys." For to my infinite delight her heart goes out to them as does mine. She it was who christened our new New York home with the first Veteran dinner. "The partners first" was her word. It was no mere idle form when they elected Mrs. Carnegie the first honorary member, and our daughter the second. Their place in our hearts is secure. Although I was the senior, still we were "boys together." Perfect trust and common aims, not for self only, but for each other, and deep affection, moulded us into a brotherhood. We were friends first and partners afterwards. Forty-three out of forty-five partners are thus bound together for life."   Autibiography of Andrew Carnegie, published in 1920


FOOTNOTES


1.  Hampden Tener obituary in the Pittsburgh Press, August 29, 1948

2. This fact was developed by reviewing the ship manifests from various vessels on which Hampden arrived in the Port of New York; and which are available on line through the web site ellisisland.org

3. Dickson, William Brown, 1865-1942.:  History of Carnegie veteran association ... compiled at their request by William B. Dickson.  Publ. 1938 Montclair NJ Press, Pg 121

oard Farouche with Daddy 040620

Aboard Farouche with Daddy 040620, originally uploaded by riggseck.

Robert W. TENER

Industrialist


I would like to share with you an obituary for Robert W. Tener.  He was a brother of my wife's great grandmother.

I received a photocopy of the newspaper article, announcing his death, from the Sewickley Valley Historical Society, 200 Broad Street, Sewickley, PA in June 2003 when we visited there.  The wonderful lady who was in charge, Ms. Betty Shields, was very gracious and knew some of the Tener's who resided in Sewickley and across the river in Coraopolis Heights.

I do not know where the article was from - i.e. which newspaper, or when.  I do know that Robert W. Tener died on Monday, January 17, 1955.  The article reads:

"ROBERT TENER, INDUSTRIALIST, DIES, AGED 78
Rites to be here for man dying in Florida
Funeral services for Robert W. Tener, 78, of Schellsburg, Bedford County, retired Pittsburgh district industrialist, will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. at H. Sampson's, 537 North Neville Street.
Burial will be at Homewood Cemetery.  Friends will be received at the funeral home after noon on Thursday.  In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to the Heart Fund.

FORMERLY OF CORAOPOLIS HEIGHTS
Mr. Tener, formerly of Coraopolis Heights, husband of the late Gertrude Bailey Tener, died unexpectedly Monday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John J. Manley, in Ft. Meyers, Fla. where he was visiting. 
He was born in Moree, County Tyrone, Ireland and came to this country with his family at the age of 10.  He was actively identified with the United Engineering & Foundry Company until around World War I when he became a partner in the Braddock Foundry and Machine Company.

MOVED TO SCHELLSBURG
He was a director of the United Engineering and Foundry Company from 1907 until 1952 and at one time was a director of the Bailey-Farrell Manufacturing Company for five years.
In 1931 he moved from his home in Coraopolis Heights to Shawnee Cove, Schellsburg, spending his summers at his summer home on Georgian Bay, Canada.
He was a member of the Duquesne Hunting and Fishing Club and Central Christian Church.
Desides his daughter, he leaves four sons, Graydon B. Tener of Fort Meyers, Fla.; Robert W. Tener, Jr., of Youngstown; Hampden F. Tener of Coraopolis Heights and Frederick S. Tener of Bedford, Pa."


The Sewickley Valley Historical Society had another page regarding Robert W. Tener.  This appeared to be a typed 'press release' (?) that had all appearances of being from the United Engineering and Foundry Company.  My source was the Sewickley Valley Historical Society but their source is unknown.  This page is copied and appears below:

"With exceedingly great sorrow, his many friends in the United family, learned of the death of Mr. Robert W. Tener, on Monday, January 17, 1955, at his winter home in Fort Meyers, Florida."

"Mr. Tener, Chief Accountant for the old Lincoln Foundry Company at the time of its merger into the original formation of United Engineering and Foundry Company in 1901, became out first Assistant Treasurer.  In addition to that important office, he became Manager of Steel Casting Sales.  Elected to the Board of Directors in 1907, Mr. Tener served continuously until his retirement in August 1952.  However, his active employment with the Company, other than as a Director, terminated during World War I (1917) when he and another United expert, Mr. William E. Troutman, purchased and operated their own steel foundry in Braddock, Pa.  Following the posr-war period, Mr. tener retired from his numerous business activities to devote himself esxclusively to his beloved wife and family, who for reasons of health established their home in Bedford County, Pa."

"One of his many responsibilities in his early years with the Company, was the employment of personnel.  His excellent judgment at that time is manifested by the fact that several of his early acquired "rookies" are now officers of the company, and many have recently retired after many years of loyal service."

"We of United regretted his retirement in 1952.  We, more deeply regret his passing now, and join together, employees, officers, and members of our Board, in sincerest sympathy to the family of our beloved Robert W. Tener."

According to the records at Homewood Cemetery, located at 1599 South Dallas Avenue, Pittsburgh, Robert W. Tener was buried there on Jan. 21, 1955.  He is resting in Section 16, Lot 83, Grave #4.  Beside him in grave #5 is his wife Gertrude Bailey Tener who passed away at Schellsburgh, PA. June 10, 1941.


July 12, 2004 - D C Holmes

Alexander Campbell Tener

(Tener Book - pg. 74)
What follows will be a compilation of 'data' from a few different sources.  These resources will include his WWI Draft Registration Card, an obituary from the "Herald" November 1965, the 1930 US Census, and newspaper articles from Gettysburg and New York.  (** All of these resources are available on line through a number of available databases.

We know that Alexander C. Tener was the oldest of four children of George E. Tener II and his wife Annie Francis Fallbush Tener. 

Alexander was born October 13, 1888 in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He attended the public schools of Pittsburgh and Sewickley, Pa.  He graduated from the Hill School of Pottstown, PA, in 1908.  The Hill School has a web site (June 2004) and in it they describe their school:
"Founded in 1851 as "The Family Boarding School," The Hill may be distinguished from other college preparatory schools by its commitment to sustaining an ideal "family" learning environment. Indeed, The Hill was the first school in the country to have students live with faculty in their campus home away from home."

Alexander then attended Yale University.  He would graduate from Yale in 1912.  Also in 1912, Alexander C. Tener was elected to a prestigious "secret society" at Yale - the Skull and Bones.  One internet site discusses research for a book - and describing the organization - which incidentally allegedly includes current President George Bush:    http://www.theundergroundfiles.com/documents/Skull%20and%20Bones%20Members%201848-Present.pdf

A.C. Tener completed his legal education at Harvard Law School from which he graduated in 1915.  He was admitted to the Allegheny County Pennsylvania Bar on March 9, 1916.

About 1916 at age 28 he married Marion Clement. Their son, George E. Tener III would be born in May 1917. 

Suffice it to say, at least one obvious fact, Alexander Tener was a nephew of the governor of Pennsylvania - John Kinley Tener III. 

Alexander Tener would engage in the practice of law with his brother, Kinley J. Tener.  In 1954 he became the senior partner of the law firm of Tener, Van Kirk, Wolf, Moore and Forsyth, continuing as such until his death.

In 1943 he was appointed by the then sitting Governor Martin to a vacant seat as Judge of the Orphan's Court of Allegheny County which would become effective December 30, 1943.  This seat would be up for re-election in November 1945.  In a November 7, 1945 edition of the newspaper in Gettysburg there ran an article to the effect that Alexander Campbell who ran as a Republican, was defeated in his re-election bid.

Alexander Campbell was a member of the Pennsylvania State Board of Law Examiners for many years, and he served as a director of Phelps Dodge Corporation, Fidelity Trust Company of Pittsburgh and other corporations.  He was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Sewickley Academy "upon its organization" and was also a Trustee of St. Andrew's Hospital, Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

During WWI Judge Tener served in Naval Intelligence and during WWII he was on the Price Adjustment Board for the Pittsburg Ordinance District of the US Army.  He was a member of the Sewickley Presbyterian Church and held memberships in the Duquesne and Harvard-Yale-Princeton Clubs of Pittsburgh, the Edgeworth, Allegheny Country and Sewickley Hunt Clubs of Sewickley and the University Club of New York City. 

Funeral services were held at H. Sampson Inc., of Pittsburgh, at 2:00 PM Wednesday, November 10, 1965.  Internment was made at the family plot in Sewickley Cemetery.

I am relatively certain that Alexander Campbell Tener's son George is the person who hosted the 1973 Tener Family Reunion that was held to celebrate, or commemorate, the 100 year anniversary of the immigration of the ancestors.  This was held in Leesburg, Va. I think and there was a newspaper article discussing the event and listing the attendees.


July 4, 2004  DCH