Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 4. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 17. PATSY T. TOOSEY who is conducting a blacksmith business at Banks and has the patronage of a large surrounding territory, was born in Italy, on the 1st of September, 1886. His parents were Paul and Angel (Lenza) Toosey, who are still living in sunny Italy, where the father has followed black-smithing throughout his entire life. Unto him and his wife were born six children: Urlando, who died in Italy at the age of four years; Sante, who passed away in Italy when twenty-one years of age; Nicholina, who died in Italy at the age of fourteen years; Loneta, the wife of Patsy Sipoletti, still living in Italy; Patsy T., of this review; and Mary, who is with her parents. The father was born in 1851 and the mother in 1848, and they are still residents of the land of their nativity. Patsy T. Toosey, of this review, is the only member of the family who came to America. He arrived in the new world in 1902, leaving Italy on the 1st of January and landing at Boston, Massachusetts, where he remained for a brief period. He afterward went to Clinton, Massachusetts, and there resided three years, during which period he worked at the blacksmith's trade. Later he became a resident of Philadelphia and secured employment in the Meadville steel shops, where he spent three years. Still his ambition was not satisfied for he believed that better opportunities could be secured elsewhere and accordingly he sought the advantages of the west, making his way to Portland, Oregon, where he entered the employ of the Tongue Point Lumber Company as a blacksmith. There he worked for eight months, after which he went to Vancouver, Washington, where he joined the Porter Brothers Railroad Construction force engaged in building the North Bank railroad. Six months thus passed, after which he came to Banks, Washington county, and purchased a blacksmith shop in which he is still carrying on business. He owns the shop and is accorded a large patronage, having many patrons who come to him from over a wide territory. He is an efficient, capable workman and does all in his power to satisfy his patrons. Since becoming a naturalized American citizen Mr. Toosey has advocated the principles of the republican party yet is liberal in his thoughts and does not hesitate to vote as his judgment dictates even though it should be contrary to his usual party affiliations. He holds membership with the order of Maccabees at Greenville. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church, in which he was reared. He has never had cause to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for he here found the opportunities which he sought and in their improvement has made gradual and substantial progress, being now at the head of a growing business which returns to him a satisfactory annual income. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.