Member Biography

William L. Torbert 

Member
Sessions Office Position District Party
1877       30 Independent Democrat
1878       30 Independent Democrat

COUNTIES: Schuylkill  


Biography

10/24/1828 - 08/09/1907


William L. Torbert (Independent Democrat30) Schuylkill County 1877-1878 

Early Life:

William L. Torbert, born October 24, 1828, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; son of James Torbert, Esquire and Margaret A. Torbert; Philadelphia public school education; engaged, merchandising, lumber business, farming; auditor, treasurer, member, school board, East Union Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania; married, Ester Blatchford, 1850, children, Mary Torbert, Elizabeth F. Torbert Tishman, James Franklin Torbert; remarried, Anna Burke Hawkins; elected, Independent Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1877- 1878; died, August 9, 1907 (aged 78, 10 months), Girard Manor, Sheppton, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania; interment, Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. 

Professional titles; business ownership; board memberships; local government; club memberships:

Mason, Schuylkill County.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Auditor, treasurer, member, school board, East Union Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.

Elected, Independent Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 30th district, Schuylkill County, 1877-1878; committee assignments, Banks, Mines and Mining.

Legacy:

Having about two thousand acres of land under cultivation in the Catawissa valley surrounding his residence, was the most liberal employer of agricultural labor in Schuylkill County. 

Cited:

Cox, Harold. Senate Members "T" (wilkes.edu). Wilkes University Election Statistics ProjectWilkes University.

Smull’s Legislative Handbook, (1878) Smull, J.A., (Editor) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pages 656, 662-665, Biographical Sketches of Senators, page 624.

Pottsville Republican (Pottsville, Pennsylvania) Saturday, August 10, 1907, page 1.

William L. Torbert (1828-1907) - Find a Grave Memorial