BIOS: File 8 - Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Blair Co, PA: Samuel T. Wiley, Philadelphia, 1892. Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja Typing and proofreading by subscribers to the RootsWeb PABLAIR mailing list, as noted on individual transcriptions. Copyright 2001. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ Biographies in File 8, listing the page where they appear in the book: Baker, John Q., page 574 Bell, Edward, page 574 Bell, Martin, D.A., page 549 Cherry, Emil T., M.D., page 184 Clingerman, John, page 324 Hawksworth, George W., page 579 Iseet, Jacob, page 576 Jones, C. Blythe, page 319 Keith, Prof. David S., page 188 Lehrsch, Adolph C., page 578 Linton, Harvey, page 185 Pennock, William L., page 318 Plummer, J. Lee, page 320 Rhodes, Christian A., page 576 Roller, Jacob, page 577 Ross, Samuel M., M.D., page 182 Smith, James M., M.D., page 326 Stewart, George M., page 317 Westley, John B., page 187 Wood, Daniel D., page 178 JOHN Q. BAKER, a comfortably situated farmer of near Newry, is a son of Andrew and Jane (Fraker) Baker, and was born in Pennsylvania in 1849. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Baker was Potter Baker, who died in Bedford county. He married and reared a family, and of his children one was Andrew Baker (father), who was born in Bedford county in 1807. After attaining his majority he came to near Newry, where he remained for a few years, and then removed to Catfish, Pennsylvania. He was a gunsmith by trade, a democrat in politics, and a Lutheran in religious belief. He married Jane Fraker, a daughter of Andrew Fraker. Mr. And Mrs. Baker were the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters: William, Elizabeth, Joseph, Thomas, Charles, Mary, and John Q. John Q. Baker was reared on the farm, received his education in the common schools, and has been engaged in farming ever since. He assisted his father for some years on the farm of the latter near Newry, and purchased near the same place his present farm of fifty-seven acres of land, which was formerly known as the Ingram hotel stand property. His farm is well adapted to grain growing and grazing. He is a strong democrat in politics, who believes in an aggressive policy upon the part of his party as the surest means of achieving success in either county, State or National campaigns. He is an untiring worker in whatever he undertakes, and has been very successful in the management of his farm and business affairs, to which he gives the greater part of his time and attention. Mr. Baker was united in marriage with Clara McClaskey, daughter of William McClaskey. Mr. And Mrs. Baker have six children, four sons and two daughters: William A., Nevada May, Ella J., Blair A., Harry M., and Eldon. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Eileen EDWARD BELL, a worthy descendant of the old and honored Bell family of Blair county, is a son of David and Margaret (McKnight) Bell, and was born at Bell's Mills (now Bellwood), Antis township, Blair county, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1860. The Bell family is one of the oldest families in Blair county and the Juniata valley, and was founded by John Bell, who was born in Scotland in 1733. He was enticed on board a ship when but a mere youth and brought to America. After being resident of various places he came to Sinking valley. He had various encounters with Indians, and frequently had to fly with his family to Lowery's fort for safety during the revolutionary war. He died at Bell's Mills March 15, 1815, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife, Elizabeth Bell, died July 13, 1813, when in the sixty-eighth year of her age, and was the first person whose remains were interred in the Logan valley cemetery. Their son, Edward Bell (grandfather), was born on March 17, 1769, and about 1800 removed to the site of Bell's Mills, which was named in honor of him. He erected a grist mill, a distillery, and a saw mill, and in 1860 was the owner of three thousand six hundred and seventy-four acres of land. In the last named year he and his sons built Mary Ann forge, and two years later Elizabeth furnace. He retired from active life in 1842, and died April 14, 1852, at eighty-three years of age. He was a millwright by trade and a democrat in polities, and served for many years as a justice of the peace. He purchased and ground, between 1800 and 1830, large quantities of wheat, which he shipped to Baltimore. He built the first mill in Antis township, and in 1822 erected the first brick house at Bellwood and in the northwestern part of Blair county, from brick which he made on his own farm. At sixteen years of age he performed a term of military service in the Indian wars in Canoe valley. He was one of the most active, influential, and prominent men of Blair county in his day, and married Mary A. Martin, by whom he had nine children, seven sons and two daughters: James N., John, Samuel, David, Martin, Addie K., Franklin B., Mary Ann, and Elizabeth. His son, David Bell (father), was born at Bellwood, June 28, 1805, and died there on March 28, 1841, at the early age of thirty-six years. He followed farming, cleared a large farm of two hundred and thirty-six acres, and was a partner with his father in the latter's iron enterprises. He married Margaret McKnight, who died July 8, 1889, aged eighty years. They had five children, three sons and two daughters: Edward; John P., who married Agnes Greenland; Richard M., killed in Butler's advance on Richmond, May 14, 1864, when in the twenty-fourth year of his age; and Mary A. and Henrietta, who are both dead. Edward Bell was reared on the farm, received his education in a common school in an old log house in Antis township and the schools of Huntingdon and Lewisburg, and in 1850 came to the farm where he has resided ever since. He has a fine farm of one hundred and thirty acres of choice and fertile land. In 1865 Mr. Bell was united in marriage with Annie Graham, daughter of James and Mary Graham, of Juniata county. To Mr. And Mrs. Bell have been born eight children: Margaret, wife of W. H. Bentley, of Bellwood; J. Graham (dead); Eliza, Mary, and Edward, jr., who are attending Lewisburg college; Richard, Addie K., and Allan C. Edward Bell is a republican in polities, has always been active in the support of his party, and has served for several terms as a member of the school board of his township. He is a member and deacon of Logan valley Baptist church, has always been recognized as an intelligent and courteous gentleman and an honorable and honest business man. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Eileen MARTIN BELL, district Attorney of Blair County, and a lineal descendant of Edward Bell, the founder of Bellwood and an early iron manufacturer of the Juniata Valley, is a son of Rev. A.K. and Mary E. (Allen) Bell, and was born in Antis Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania, September 30, 1849. The founder of the old Bell Family of central Pennsylvania was John Bell, who settled in Sinking Valley prior to the Revolutionary War, during which he was often compelled to flee with his family to Lowery's Fort to escape massacre by the Indians. His son, Edward Bell (grandfather), was born in Sinking Valley, March 17, 1769 and died April 14, 1852, aged eighty-three years. He was a millwright by trade. In his first year of the present century he came to the site of Bellwood, where he built a grist mill, distillery and saw mill, which improvements gave the place the name of Bell's Mills, and later, in honor of Mr. Bell, was named Bellwood. Edward was remarkably energetic and successful man, and in 1830 had come into the ownership of three thousand six hundred acres of land. Two years later he built Elizabeth Furnace and Mary Ann Forge, and in 1836 his son, Martin Bell, at Elizabeth Furnace, was the first man in the world to use escaping gas from the tunnel head of a furnace for the production of steam. Edward Bell married Mary A. Martin, by whom he had nine children, seven sons and two daughters. Mrs. Bell was a daughter of Rev. James Martin, of Scotch-Irish descent, who was the first Presbyterian minister that ever preached in Blair County. Rev. A.K. Bell, D. D. (father) was born in Antis Township, in 1814 and died in 1888, aged seventy-four years. He was a Baptist minister, and served several churches in central Pennsylvania, as well as being pastor for a number of years of one of the largest and leading Baptist churches of Allegheny City. He was an abolitionist and republican in politics, and married Mary E. Allen, a native of Dauphin County, and a member of the Baptist church, who is now seventy-five years of age and resides at Hollidaysburg. They reared a family of children. Martin Bell was reared in Blair County and Allegheny City, and received his education at Lewisburg, now Bucknell University of Union County, from which institution he was graduated in 1869. After graduation he read law with Samuel S. Blair, of Hollidaysburg, and was admitted to the bar in 1873, and since then has been in the active and continuous practice of his profession at Hollidaysburg. In 1877 Mr. Bell was united in marriage with Irene Lemon, a daughter of Robert M., and a niece of Hon. John A. Lemon, of Hollidaysburg. They have five children, two sons and three daughters: Eliza, Elizabeth, Roberta, A.K. and Martin Jr. Martin Bell is a stanch republican in politics. He was elected district attorney of Blair County in 1886, and served so acceptably and with such efficiency that at the end of his term he was re-elected for a second term, which he is now serving. He is a member of Portage Lodge No. 220, Free and Accepted Masons-Mount Moriah Chapter No. 166, Royal Arch Masons of Hollidaysburg, and Mountain Commandery No. 10, Knights Templar of Altoona. As a lawyer Mr. Bell wins his cases by thorough preparation, close examination of witnesses, and able presentation of his testimony to the jury. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA USGenWeb archives by Janet Gray EMIL T. CHERRY, M. D. Of the young and successful physicians of Altoona, one is Emil T. Cherry, a graduate of the Indiana Medical college, and surgeon of the 5th regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania. He is a son of John W. and Henrietta (Brotherton) Cherry, and was born in Logan township, Blair county, Pennsylvania, January 18, 1861. His paternal grandfather, Anthony Cherry, was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and died in the city of Altoona. He was a farmer by occupation, and tilled the soil in a day when farm machinery was comparatively unknown in Blair county, and markets for agricultural productions were scarce and hard to reach. He gave his time and attention chiefly to farming, and married and reared a family. His wife was Susanna Kantner. His son, John W. Cherry (father), was born in Logan township, and received his education in the common schools. Leaving school, he learned the trade of cabinet marker, which he followed for many years in Altoona, Blair county. He has retired from active life, and now resides in Altoona, where he is still active, although in the fifty-ninth year of his age. He married Henrietta Brotherton, who is a daughter of John and Mary Brotherton, and to them was born a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters: Blair, Annie, Laura M., Jennie, Emil, Ella, Oscar, and Roy. Annie is the wife of J. S. Leisenring, a lawyer of Altoona; Laura M., married to Dr. Charles B. Elliott, of Altoona; Jennie (deceased); Dr. Emil T.; Ella, wife of Dr. Henry L. Hartzell, of Altoona; Oscar A., commission merchant and dealer in grocers' specialties, of the Mountain City; and John Roy, a law student with J. S. Leisenring. Emil T. Cherry spent his boyhood days in Logan township and the city of Altoona. He received his education in the Altoona High school, studied the dental profession with Dr. John W. Isenberg, and practiced dentistry for two years. He then determined upon medicine as his life vocation, abandoned dentistry, and read with Dr. C. B. Elliott. When he had completed the required course of reading, he entered the Indiana Medical college, of Indianapolis, that State, and was graduated from that institution in 1882. He served for a time in the dispensary of Indianapolis, where he also practiced for two years. He then (1885) returned to Pennsylvania, was in active practice for three years at Madera, Clearfield county, and at the end of that time came to Altoona, where he has been in successful practice ever since. He is a republican in politics, and a member of the First Baptist church of Altoona. He is a member of Washington Camp, No. 31, Patriotic Order Sons of America, and Altoona Lodge, No. 3,651, Knights of Honor. He enjoys a good practice, and has served for some time as surgeon of the 5th regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania. On April 30, 1889, Dr. Emil T. Cherry was united in marriage to Lucetta T. Isett, daughter of John D. and Margaret S. Isett, of Huntingdon county, and their union has been blessed with one child, a daughter, named Lucetta M. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Ruth Curfman rcurfman@home.com JOHN CLINGERMAN, a highly respected citizen of Altoona, who has a wide experience in life, and represents the sturdy German element, which has been so prominent in the development of this State, is a son of Jacob and Sarah (McKinley) Clingerman, was born July 20, 1827, near the village of Everett., Bedford County, Pennsylvania. The Clingermans are of direct German descent, Peter Clingerman (grandfather) coming from that country to America in 1760, and settling in what is now York County, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer by occupation, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, fighting shoulder to shoulder with native born Americans to secure the independence of his adopted country. He lived to be a very old man, and died at his home in York County, this state. He married and reared a large family, among his children being Jacob Clingerman (father), who was born in York County in 1782, but removed to Bedford County at an early day, and settled on a farm near Bedford. He remained on the farm until 1831, when he went to Piper's Forge, that county, and in 1833 removed to Franklin Forge, Huntingdon County. After a year residence at the latter place, he went to Etna Furnace, where he was employed for two years, part of the time in hauling stone for the furnace at Point Lookout. He then resided successfully at Short Mountain Bank and Springfield Mines, and in 1844 moved to Duncansville, now this county, where he did the framing for the Portage Iron Company for several years. He died at his home in that village in 1876, at the good old age of ninety-four years. He was a very stout, hearty man, and hunted and fished through this section when it was not unusual to see from thirty to forty deer together in the woods. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Whig and Republican in politics. He married Sarah McKinley, by whom he had a family of ten children. Mrs. Clingerman was a native of Fulton County, this state, and a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her father was of Scotch-Irish descent and her mother of German descent. She died in Duncansville in 1860, at the advanced age of seventy years. John Clingerman was only ten years old when he was put to work in the ore mines, driving horse and cart at Springfield mines, and about sixteen years of age when he came to Duncansville with his father's family. His education, only a very limited part, was received in the common schools of this state, partly in this and Huntingdon County. Being put to work when very young, he had not the advantages that boys have now of public school education, but studied in the evening, and during the long winter nights by the light of the fire on the hearth or tallow candle, and received the greater part of his education after he was twenty-one years of age. Having worked in the rolling mill several years, he learned the paddlers' trade, and worked at that business until his health began to fail. In the fall of 1851 he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Duncansville, under Col. Thomas Scott, who at that time was baggage agent and train dispatcher at Duncansville, but subsequently rose to be president of the great corporation he then served, and became famous as one of the railroad kings of America. Mr. Clingerman began as a brakeman on the road, was later made freight agent for the mountain division, and afterward became a freight conductor. He remained with the company until 1855, and still preserves a letter of recommendation, given him by Mr. Scott when he quit, by which he procured a situation on a branch of the Illinois Central Railroad, running from Chicago to Kankakee. He remained there a short time, and then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he procured a situation on a passenger train between Cincinnati and Xenia. In the fall of 1855, when the train was discontinued for the season, he returned to his old home in Duncansville, this county, and again took up his studies, attending the academy at Hollidaysburg during the winter, and also receiving private instruction from the Rev. Doctor Junkin, a Presbyterian minister at Hollidaysburg, and in the spring of 1856 went to Duff's Commercial College, taking the full commercial course, and graduating there that year (1856). He then taught school two years at the foot of Plain Ten, this county, after which he took charge of the Duncansville High School, which he taught for three years. During all this time he was a very close student, desiring to stand at the head of his profession, receiving instruction from Professor Miller and other eminent instructors of that day. In 1862 he came to Altoona and embarked in the mercantile business, which he only continued for a short time. In the fall of that year he sold out his business, and, as he could not enlist in the 125 Pennsylvania infantry, that went from Altoona and vicinity, on account of lameness, Col Jacob Higgins gave him the position of sutler for this regiment, which he held for nine months. He then returned to Pennsylvania and became superintendent in the saw, shingle and lath mill of Holmes & Wigton, at Snow Shoe, Center County. In 1867 he engaged in the grocery business in this city, and continued in that line for six years, after which he spent two years selling sewing machines, and then once more started into the mercantile business, running two stores here for about two years. In 1880 he began shipping milk to this city, and is the pioneer in that enterprise. He now has a nice business, and owns some nice real estate in this city. On May 15, 1866, Mr. Clingerman married Rebecca Hicks, a daughter of Daniel Hicks, of Duncansville. To this union was born a family of seven children, three sons and four daughters, a son and a daughter died in infancy: Mary B., assistant principal in the high school of this city; Walter H., served an apprenticeship with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and now in the draughting room at Altoona; Addie B., Annie L., and Chester P. Politically Mr. Clingerman is a Republican, and takes an active part in politics. He has twice made the race for the nomination of prothonotary, and served in the city council from 1872 to 1874. He is a member and trustee of the Third Methodist Episcopal Church of this city, having united with the Eighth avenues Methodist Episcopal Church in 1871. Transcribed and submitted to Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by denise GEORGE W. HAWKSWORTH, the well known and popular florist of Altoona, is a veteran of the civil war, and a man whose life has been active and useful. He is a son of George W., sr., and Susan (Groff) Hawksworth, and was born March 31, 1840, in the city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Hawksworths were among the English families who early embraced the doctrines of George Fox, and became Quakers. Representatives of the family came over with William Penn, and were among the earliest settlers of this State. From them the subject of this sketch is descended. George W. Hawksworth, sr., (father) was a native of Kent county, Maryland, where he grew to manhood and received such education as was afforded by the country schools of that day. In that county he learned the trade of blacksmith, serving an extended apprenticeship under a competent workman. After attaining manhood and finishing his trade, he removed to Lebanon, Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, where he carried on coach and carriage smithing for several years. At Lebanon he became acquainted with and married Susan Groff, who bore him a family of nine children, eight of whom are yet living. From Lebanon he removed to Lancaster, this State, where he was employed for some time by a firm engaged in the building of stage coaches, and then went to Parksburg, Chester county, on the old Portage railroad; and worked in the railroad blacksmith shop in the employ of the State authorities. Later he removed to the city of Harrisburg and accepted a position in the blacksmith shops of the old Lancaster Railroad Company, remaining in their employ until the road was sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He then worked for the latter company at Harrisburg until 1852, when he was sent by them to Mifflin, Mifflin county, to take charge of their shops at that place. He remained at Mifflin only one year, when he was transferred to Altoona, this county, and made foreman of the motive power blacksmith shops in this city. He was the first foreman in these shops, and held the position up to the time of his death, December 20, 1891, when in his eighty-third year. His was a life of earnest industry and usefulness. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church from the age of nine years, and of the Harrisburg Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for more than half a century. In politics he was a republican, but broad minded and liberal in his views. He won the respect and esteem of all who knew him, from the highest to the lowest position, and stood forth as an exemplar of Nature's noblest work -- an honest man. His wife, who is of German descent, still survives him, being now in the eight-first year of her age. She also has been a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is greatly esteemed and loved by a wide circle of friends. She now resides at her comfortable home in this city. George W. Hawksworth passed his early boyhood in the city of Harrisburg, and came to Altoona with his father's family. He received his education principally in the common schools of this city, and after leaving school learned the blacksmith's trade with his father. He worked at his trade in the Pennsylvania railroad shops in Altoona for a period of fifteen years, being assistant foreman under his father, and in 1883 was compelled to resign his place in the shops on account of declining health. He then engaged in the business which he has ever since successfully conducted, that of a florist, and now has large, handsome, well arranged and well kept greenhouses, with every species of plant and flower usually kept by a first-class florist. In April, 1861, Mr. Hawksworth enlisted with Capt. A. M. Lloyd, of Hollidaysburg, in Co. II, 3d Pennsylvania infantry, for three months, and after the expiration of his first term, reenlisted under Capt. Henry Wayne, of Altoona, in Co. F, 76th Pennsylvania infantry, for three years. On April 1, 1862, Mr. Hawksworth was attached to the United States signal corps at Hilton Head, South Carolina, and served in that position until October 16, 1865, when he was discharged from the service at Hilton Head. During his service in the army he contracted disease from which he has ever since suffered, and which compelled him to resign his position in the railroad shops and seek employment less exacting and laborious. In politics he is a republican, and takes an active interest in the success of his party. On December 22, 1865, Mr. Hawksworth was wedded to Amelia J. Major, daughter of Joseph A. Major, formerly of Hollidaysburg, this county, but at that time a resident of Lewistown, Mifflin county. To Mr. And Mrs. Hawksworth has been born a family of four children, two sons and two daughters: William J., Susie, Calvin P., and Laura A., all living at home with their parents at their handsome residence in the city of Altoona. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Eileen JACOB ISEET, of German descent, but a native of Bucks county, came to Sinking Valley about 1785, as a single man, and by trade a shoemaker. He first lived near the deserted Fort Roberdeau, or Lead Mine Fort, where he followed his trade, taking in lieu of money for his pay wheat at fifty cents per bushel. This he stored in one of the buildings of the old fort, when the failure of the wheat crop caused the price to advance several dollars per bushel. With the money secured from that source he bought the tract of land on which is the Arch spring, where he put up a saw mill and a small grist mill about 1788. Later he removed, but resided at the Arch spring from 1799 until his death, June 1, 1852, at the age of ninety-two years. In 1795 he was married to Eleanor Stockdale, and reared three sons and four daughters, two of the latter dying young. Mary, a daughter, remained single, and died at the age of eighty-two years; Eleanor, the other daughter, became the wife of the Hon. John C. Bucher, of Harrisburg, dying March 6, 1881, at the age of eighty-three years. John S., the oldest son, a well known citizen of Spruce Creek; Samuel, the second son, owner of the Etna iron works in Catharine township; and Thomas M., the other son, resident of Montreal, Canada. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA USGenWeb archives by Eileen C. BLYTHE JONES, who for seventeen years has meted out justice to the citizens of Hollidaysburg, and acquired an unusual popularity among the citizens of the county, is a son of Joseph and Mary (Moore) Jones. He was born at Petersburg, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1827. His grandfather, John Jones, was a native of England, born in 1730, and emigrated to the united States in 1756, locating in Path Valley, Franklin County, this state, where he became a land owner and successful farmer. He resided in that county until his death, in 1841, having reached the remarkable age of one hundred and eleven years. He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Joseph Jones (father) was born in Path Valley, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1794, and removed to Frankstown, Blair County in 1833, where he reside until his death in 1858, at the age of sixty-four years. For a long period he was a hotel proprietor at Frankstown and became widely known, but retired form active business some time prior to his demise. He was a Democrat in politics, and for many years a member of the Baptist Church. He married Mary Moore, to whom was born a family of six children. Her father, Robert Moore, died at Manor Hill, in the adjoining county of Huntingdon, where he was engaged in merchandising. Mrs. Jones (mother) was born in that county, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in 1830, when the subject of this sketch was but three years of age. At the age of six years he came to this county with his father's family, consisting of his father and five sisters, all his seniors, and was reared at Frankstown, attending the common schools for some years, and taking a course at the Litiz academy, in Lancaster, and also at Huntingdon academy. After leaving school he boated on the old State canal, and soon afterward embarked in the mercantile business at Frankstown, and continued therein until 1857, when he removed to Scott County, Iowa. There he purchased a farm and engaged in cultivating the soil for two years, during which time he was elected and served as justice of the peace. In 1859 he returned to Blair County and located at Hollidaysburg. In 1866 he became a citizen of Gaysport borough, where he has ever since resided. About seventeen years ago he was elected justice of the peace here, and has been regularly reelected at each recurring election. During the Civil War he served as a clerk in the office of the provost marshal. In 1887 he was elected county commissioner for a term of three years, on the Democratic ticket, and reelected to this office in 1890 for a like period. In 1883 Mr. Jones became the candidate of his party for the office of county treasurer, and when the returns came in he only lacked forty-four votes of election, although the county is Republican by nearly fifteen hundred majority. This is a testimonial of popularity seldom accorded a political opponent, and is the more remarkable because he made little or no effort during the canvass, thinking the majority against his party was too large to overcome. In 1884 he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for State Senator from this district against H.A. Boggs, the Republican nominee. In 1851 Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Malinda Gast, a daughter of George Gast, of Frankstown, this county, and to them were born four children, all now deceased. He and Mrs. Jones are members of the Baptist Church. He is a member of Juniata Lodge, No. 282, Free and Accepted masons, and takes rank with the most popular and substantial citizens of Blair County. Transcribed and submitted to Blair County, PA, USGenWeb Archives by denise PROF. DAVID S. KEITH, a veteran from the ranks of Blair county teaches, who has served since 1874 as superintendent of the public schools of Altoona, is a son of John and Mary (Shiffler) Keith, being born March 26, 1847, at Woodbury, Bedford county, Pennsylvania. The Keiths are of Scotch extraction. Adam Keith, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in England, from which he came to America at an early day, and settled in Pennsylvania. He was among the early settlers of Huntingdon county, where he lived until his death, at an advanced age. He married and reared a family of three children, one son and two daughters. John Keith (grandfather) was born in Hopewell township, that county. He was a farmer by occupation, and resided in Huntingdon county up to a short time prior to his death, when he removed to the State of Wisconsin, town of Lancaster, where he died about 1858, having attained man's allotted age of three-score and ten years. He was a whig in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married a Miss Russell, by whom he had a family of five children. Their son, John Keith (father) was also a native of Huntingdon county, but moved to Bedford county in 1840, and located in the neighborhood of Woodbury. There he resided until 1871, when he removed to Taylor township, Blair county, and died at his home in that township in 1874, in the sixty-third year of his age. He was a school teacher during the earliest part of his life, in which vocation he won considerable reputation, but in later years became a farmer. He was an active and influential member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a republican in politics. He was elected and served as township auditor several terms. He married Mary Shiffler, a native of Blair county, and to them was born a family of six children. She was a devoted Christian woman, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and died in 1889, having nearly reached her sixty-sixth birthday. David S. Keith was reared principally at Woodbury, Bedford county, where he attended the common schools until his fifteenth year, when he entered Juniata academy at Martinsburg, this county, and later took courses of training in the Normal school at Millersville, finishing his education in the collegiate branches under the instruction of Prof. S. M. McGreery, of Indiana, this State. When only sixteen years of age, David S. Keith began his career as a teacher, having charge of a district school in Huntingdon county. He taught a number of terms in this and Huntingdon counties, being thus engaged until 1871, when he was offered a position as teacher of the grammar department of the public schools at Indiana, Pennsylvania. Accepting this position, he remained there until 1873, at which time he became principal of the High school at Altoona, and served some fourteen months in that capacity, until the resignation of Prof. John Miller, superintendent of the public schools of the city of Altoona, in 1874, when he elected to succeed Professor Miller, and resigned the principalship of the High school to accept the responsibilities of the larger trust. Since that year Mr. Keith has served continuously as superintendent of the public schools of Altoona, having been re-elected seven times in succession. This fact tells more eloquently than any words we could use, of the energy, ability, and fidelity with which Professor Keith has devoted himself to the up-building and improvement of the public schools of this city, and of the popularity he enjoys in recognition of these services. On the 13th of June, 1883, Professor Keith was married to Margaret Crawford, a daughter of Armstrong Crawford, of Tyrone, this county. To them have been born two children, both sons: Charles Russell and Ralph Crawford. In his political faith Professor Keith is a republican, and gives his party a steady support on all National and State issues, though never actively engaged in practical politics. He is inclined toward independence in local matters. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Altoona, and has served for some years as an elder in that church. He is also a member of Mountain Lodge, No. 281, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Cove Lodge, No. 368, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Ruth Curfman rcurfman@home.com ADOLPH C. LEHRSCH, contractor and builder, and dealer in all kinds of lumber, is one of the energetic young business men of Altoona who is rapidly forging to the front and winning reputation and ability. He was born in the city of Altoona, Pennsylvania, June 11, 1868, and is a son of George Lehrsch. The latter was a native of Heidelberg, Germany, who came to America in 1867, and located in Altoona, this county, where he still resides. He is a machinist by trade, and is now in his forty-ninth year. In politics he maintains an independent attitude, while in religion he is a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church. Adolph C. Lehrsch was reared principally in his native city, and obtained his education in the public schools here. After leaving the common schools he took a course of training in a business college of Altoona, and when only fourteen years of age started in to learn the carpenter trade. After completing his trade he engaged to some extent in contracting, and followed the combined business of house carpenter, contractor, and builder until 1886, when he formed a partnership with W. P. Geib, of Altoona, under the firm name of Lehrsch & Geib, and engaged extensively in the planing mill, building, and contracting business, their headquarters being located on Tenth street. This firm continued active operations until August 7, 1890, when their planing mill was destroyed by fire. Mr. Lehrsch then formed a co-partnership with H. Richers, the style of the firm being Lehrsch & Richers, and resumed business, the mill having an eligible location on the corner of Fourth avenue and Tenth street, while the office is on Ninth street, between Fourth and Fifth avenues. The new firm soon had a flourishing trade, and did business until March 15, 1892, when Mr. Lehrsch purchased the interest of his partner, and has since conducted the enterprise in his own name. He controls a fine trade, making and executing contracts for all kinds of buildings, and dealing in rough and dressed lumber of every description. In 1891 Mr. Lehrsch was wedded to Edith Pottsgrove, a daughter of George Pottsgrove, of Logan township, this county. In politics he is independent, concerned only in such measures as appear to him to be for the best interests of the whole people, caring not for the personal ambitions of political leaders, and a foe to that feverish excitement which usually constitutes the atmosphere of oft-recurring elections. In religion he is a Roman Catholic, and a member of St. Mary's church at Altoona. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Eileen HARVEY LINTON, civil engineer for the city of Altoona, has for many years been engaged in railroad, topographical and mine surveys, and railroad construction. He is a son of Nathan and Martha H. (Harvey) Linton, and was born February 22, 1844, in Chester county, Pennsylvania. His family is of Scottish origin, being descended from Sir Walter Lynton, whose son, Sir Arthur, settled on a royal grant of land in the county of Cumberland, England, at the time of the accession of the house of Stuart to the throne. The first of the name to come to America was John, son of Sir Arthur, John graduated at Oxford, about 1685, and afterward became a Quaker, and bound himself to serve seven years at the carpenter trade. He arrived on these shores November 8, 1692, locating where the city of Philadelphia now stands. He was soon afterward followed by such of his brothers as had embraced the Quaker faith, leaving his brothers, Sir Roger and James, in England. James afterwards inherited the fortune of Sir Roger, together with his title, which latter existed until within a few years (about 1886), when it became extinct. John Linton lived on the banks of the Delaware until 1705, when Bucks county was being opened for settlement. He then, with a party of his associates, removed to the new county, taking up a large tract of land, where the Friends' meeting house now stands, near Buckingham. He resided there until his death, in 1708. His descendants are numerous in this country, but the line from James, in the old world, is supposed to be extinct. John married Rebecca Reif, in Friends' meeting, London, March 14, 1692, and one of their four children was Benjamin, born March 30, 1703, who lived, until the time of this death, January 25, 1773, near Falsington, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Benjamin was twice married: first, to Elizabeth White, and , April 30, 1733, to Jane Cowgill, by whom he had eight children, the youngest being Hezekiah (great-grandfather), who was born December 4, 1748. Hezekiah married Esther Blakey, May 22, 1782, and their son, Joshua Blakey Linton (grandfather), was born September 14, 1783. He married Esther Rakestraw, April 20, 1814, and had two children, Nathan and Cyrus. He lived nearly all his life in Chester county, West Fallowfield township, dying in 1858. He was a farmer, and also a surveyor and conveyancer. Nathan Linton (father) was born in Chester county, this State, March 12, 1815, and lived for many years at the old home, where the subject of this sketch learned all he knows about farming. Nathan Linton married Martha H. Harvey, March 17, 1842. She was a daughter of Samuel and Esther (Marshall) Harvey, of Chester county. To this marriage was born three children: Harvey; Esther A., born June 25, 1846, married Caleb P. Hames, of Rancocas, New Jersery, now deceased; and Morris, born October 18, 1857, who is employed as a draughtsman at the Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia. Nathan Linton died September 3, 1868. Harvey Linton was reared in his native county of Chester, and received an English education in public and private schools, and in Friends' Boarding school, at West Town, that county. He came to Altoona April 15, 1864, when twenty years of age, as a clerk, in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, in the motive power department, where he remained until March 15, 1865, when he went to Bedford, Pennsylvania, as a rodman on the surveys of the proposed railroad between Chambersburg and Pittsburg-then known as the Connellsville & Southern Pennsylvania railway-with Richard B. Lewis chief engineer. He was employed on these surveys as topographer, after 1865, until 1868, when he was employed in connection with the surveys, location and construction of the Low Grade division of the Allegheny Valley railroad, from Red Bank to Driftwood, under John A. Wilson, chief engineer, until June 1874. During this time he located, in 1871, the railroad from McKee's Gap to Martinsburg and Henrietta, Pennsylvania, and, in 1873, he made the surveys and location of the railroad from Fall's creek to Ridgeway, in Clearfield and Elk counties, Pennsylvania. From 1784 to 1880, he was located near Loysburg, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in the lumber manufacturing and planning mill business. He was afterwards engaged in topographical and coal mine surveys in the Broad Top, East Broad Top, Houtzdale, and Reynoldsville districts, in this State, until July, 1881, when he entered the employ of the Pittsburg & Western Railroad Company as assistant engineer, and located and had charge of the re-construction of the road from Sharpsburg to, and including Summit Tunnel, under H. S. Schwanecke, chief engineer. He also had charge of the construction of the Pittsburg & Western railroad, for some months before its completion, down the west bank of the river, to Oliver Brothers' and Phillips' rolling mills, in Allegheny. In the latter part of 1882 he opened an office in Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania, and was engaged in civil and mining engineering. In May, 1883, he went to Philadelphia, as assistant engineer on surveys in the Perkiomen and Lehigh water sheds, under Rudolph Hering, engineer in charge of surveys, and Col. William Ludlow, chief engineer of the Philadelphia water department. In 1884 he became a member of the Engineers' club, of Philadelphia. In 1886 he opened an office for general engineering work, in Philadelphia, where he was engaged until 1887. His home was in Chester, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, from 1883 to 1888. In March, 1887, he entered the employ of the Norfolk & Western Railroad Company, in Virginia, as assistant engineer, having charge of surveys of the Clinch Valley division, about one hundred miles. He made the reconnaissance survey for this road, and for about two hundred miles of railroad, now under construction, between Pocahontas, Virginia, and Ceredo, West Virginia, on the Ohio river; and also for the railroad crossing the Blue Ridge, between Mt. Airy, North Carolina, and New River, Virginia. He located in Altoona in 1888, after he was elected as civil engineer of the city. On the expiration of his term, in 1890, he was re-elected for a second term of three years. On September 5, 1871, Mr. Linton was wedded to Rebecca H. Moore, of Bedford, Pennsylvania, by whom he had three children, who are now living: Martha M., whose home is with her uncle at Moorestown, New Jersey, born June 7, 1872; Harvey H., born September 6, 1876; and Sarah Ethel, born September 9, 1878. Mrs. Linton died May 5, 1881, at Bedford, Pennsylvania. On June 16, 1886, Mr. Linton was united in marriage with Emma Lousie Reardon, of Yorklyn, Delaware. To this second union were born: Thomas Reardon, May 5, 1887; and Robert Cresson, September 27, 1889. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Ruth Curfman rcurfman@home.com WILLIAM L. PENNOCK, one of the prominent young business men of Altoona, who is engaged in a number of enterprises here and elsewhere, and bids fair to achieve still greater distinction in the business world, is a son of John L. and Cyntha (Snead) Pennock, and was born November 23, 1860, at Frankstown, Blair County, Pennsylvania. The Pennocks are descended from an ancient Scotch family, prominent in the early history of the Scottish highlands: and the American branch of the family traces its ancestry back to Christopher Pennock, who emigrated form Scotland and settled where the city of Philadelphia now stands before the arrival of William Penn in this country. John L. Pennock (father) is a native of the old historic county of Chester, where he was born in 1814. He was reared and educated in that county, and resided there until middle life. He was a soldier in the late war. In 1861 he removed to this county, locating at Frankstown, where he remained until 1876. At that time he came to Altoona, where he has continued to reside until the present time. He is now in the seventy-sixth year of his age. While at Frankstown he was engaged in the tanning business, and became quite successful and prosperous. After coming to Altoona he accepted a place in the freight department of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and is still engaged in discharging the duties of that position. In religion he is a Friend, or Quaker, and in politics a Republican. He married Cyntha Snead, a native of Maryland, and to their union was born a family of seven children: Mary I., Elizabeth R., Joseph E., Eva A., Elmer E., Nellie H., and William L., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Pennock is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and is now in the sixty-sixth year of her age. William L. Pennock was reared principally in Altoona, and received his education in the common schools of this city and in the academy at Kingwood, West Virginia, from which institution he was graduated in 1880. In a short time thereafter he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as a clerk in the office of the superintendent of motive power at Altoona. He remained there four years, and was then transferred to and made chief clerk in the office of the superintendent of the Altoona division of the Pennsylvania Railroad. In this office he spent four years and at the end of that time resigned his position and embarked in the coal and wood business in Altoona. His office and coal yards are located on the corner of Fourth Street and Eight Avenue, and by careful attention to the wants of the public and the enterprise, energy and ability which has always distinguished his management of any enterprise, he has succeeded in building up a fine trade. He has telephone connection, and gives personal attention to all departments of his business. In addition to this enterprise, he is also engaged in contracting in the line of grading, excavating, and other city work, and is the senior member of the firm of W.L. Pennock & Co., general jobbers in supplies of all kinds, in this city. He is also engaged in the lumber business at Royer, this county, besides being interested in real estate here and in the city of Buffalo, New York. Along with his other business affairs he is superintendent of the Altoona Stone Company, and has given evidence of an energy and an executive ability which is infrequent, and is bound to command success in life. On October 28, 1886, Mr. Pennock was wedded to Bertha Ramey, a daughter of D.K. Ramey, of the city of Altoona. To Mr. And Mrs. Pennock have been born three children, two sons and a daughter: Ruth Lorena, Eugene Ramey, and Donald McCowan. In politics Mr. Pennock follows the example of his venerable father, and is an ardent Republican, giving his party a hearty support on all general questions, but inclined toward independence in local affairs. He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and is superintendent of the infant Sunday school connected with that church in this city. He is also a member of the Junior Order of the United American Mechanics, and an affable gentleman as well as a very successful man. Transcribed and submitted to Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by denise J. LEE PLUMMER, register and recorder of Blair County, and an active leader in local politics, is a son of James S. and Charlotte (Wharton) Plummer, and was born September 20, 1859, in Snyder Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania. The family is of English extraction, and was planted in America at a very early day. Richard Plummer, the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a resident of Woodstock valley, Huntingdon County, this state. His son, John Plummer (great-grandfather), was one of the first settlers in Cambria County, having located there in 1804. William R. Plummer (grandfather) was born in that county in 1812, and while yet a young man removed to Huntingdon County. He was a forgeman by occupation, and worked at different forges in that and Blair Counties. He became a policeman for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and after being employed in that capacity for several years, was accidentally killed by a train at Tyrone, this county, in 1879, when he had attained the age of sixty-seven years. In politics he was an ardent Republican, and took an active part in the work of his party. He was an enthusiastic friend of free schools, and served as school director of Snyder Township, this county. He married Catherine Traister, by whom he had a family of eleven children. James S. Plummer (father) was born in what is now Blair County in 1835, and resided in what is now Tyrone Forge until 1860, when he removed to Tyrone borough, where he lived until 1881. He served as postmaster at Tyrone for a number of years. He was a member of the old State militia, and while encamped at Hollidaysburg, in 1858, he was badly crippled, having the major portion of both hands blown off by the premature discharge of a cannon while he was acting as rammer. In 1880 he was elected register and recorder of Blair County on the Republican ticket, and removed to Hollidaysburg, where he has resided ever since. In 1883 he was reelected, and served until 1887. He owns a valuable farm, and now gives it most of his time and attention. He married Charlotte Wharton, and to them was born a family of eleven children. Her father, Alexander Wharton, was a native of Ireland, but came to the United States about 1811, and was engaged in teaching for many years. John Plummer, the great-great-uncle of the subject of this sketch, was killed by the Indians in Bedford County in 1780. J. Lee Plummer was reared principally at Tyrone, and received a good practical English education in the public schools of that borough. After leaving school he accepted a position as clerk in the Tyrone yards of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and served in that capacity for one year, when he became a brakeman on a passenger train running over the Tyrone division of that road. He was employed until1881, when he resigned and removed to Hollidaysburg to accept the position of deputy register and recorder in his father's office. He discharged his duties as such until February, 1889, when he announced himself as a candidate for the office of register and recorder on the Republican ticket, and was elected to the office in November of that year. He assumed entire charge in January, 1890, and is engaged in discharging the responsible duties of that official position. He was renominated unanimously for the same office in the Republican convention, held in Hollidaysburg, May 17, 1892, and as the county is overwhelmingly Republican, his reelection is assured. On April 18, 1882, Mr. Plummer was united by marriage to Mary A. Silknitter, a daughter of John Wesley Silknitter, of Huntingdon County. There union has been blessed by the birth of one son and one daughter: Ethel, born July 27, 1888: and J. Lee, Jr., born December 27, 1889. Politically Mr. Plummer has always been a stanch Republican, and is prominent in local politics, having served as secretary of the Republican county committee from 1884 to 1886, and as chairman during 1887 and 1888. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; of Juniata Lodge, No. 282, Free and Accepted Masons; of Mount Moriah Chapter, No 166, Royal Arch Masons; and of Mountain Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar. He is also a member of Elmo Castle, Knights of the Golden Eagle, at Altoona; and the Artisans' Order of Mutual Protection. He has been for some time a member of the Phoenix fire company, of Hollidaysburg. Transcribed and submitted to Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by denise CHRISTIAN A. RHODES, one of Huston township's older citizens and most substantial farmers, is a son of Abraham and Catherine (Bare) Rhodes, and was born in Huston township, Blair county, Pennsylvania, April 10, 1819. His paternal grandfather, Abraham Rhodes, sr., was born in Woodbury township, where he cleared out a large farm of three hundred acres of land. He followed farming in a day when all farm work was performed by manual labor of the hardest kind, as agricultural labor-saving machinery was unknown to the farmers of his day and generation, while the tools and implements which they used were of the crudest kind. He was a hard-working and honest man, and followed farming until his death. He was a democrat in politics, an active member of the Presbyterian church, and married and reared an industrious family of children. His son, Abraham Rhodes (father), was born in Catharine township, and followed farming on Clover creek, near Rebecca furnace, until his death. He was a republican in politics, and a member of the Mennonite church of Clover creek, and married Catherine Bare. To their union were born ten children, six sons and four daughters, all of whom are dead except two: Jacob, a farmer of Huston township; and Christian A. Christian A. Rhodes grew to manhood on the farm, received his education in the subscription schools of what is now Catharine, township, and engaged in farming, which he has followed very successfully ever since. He purchased his present farm of one hundred and forty acres of land in 11854. His farm is fertile and productive, and lies convenient to school, church and market. Mr. Rhodes is a republican in politics, and although no extremist, yet never fails to support the principles of his party, and votes for its standard bearers at State and National elections. He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, of which he has served most acceptably as an elder for several years. On June 20, 1848, Mr. Rhodes married Sarah Daugherty, daughter of Hugh and Hannah Daugherty, of Blair county. To Mr. And Mrs. Rhodes have been born eight children, four sons and four daughters: William, now engaged in farming; Jacob, a farmer and carpenter; Abraham, a carpenter; Houghton, a farmer; Mary E., wife of Holliday Reynolds, of Martinsburg; and Lucinda, Hannah, and Martha E., who are dead. In life Mr. Rhodes has made it his aim to do well whatever he has attempted, and his well improved farm gives evidence that he has done well in his farming operations, to which he has always given the most of his time and attention. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Eileen JACOB ROLLER settled in the upper part of the valley, in Tyrone township, prior to the revolution. He was of German descent, and came from York county. His oldest son, Jacob, was killed in the township by Indians. Other sons -- John, Henry, Baltser, and Caleb -- moved to the west. One of his daughters married Joshua Igo, of the Tuckahoe valley, and another, John Burley, of Bald Eagle valley. Peter was the youngest son, and Philip, the next older in age, married Jane Moore, daughter of Joseph Moore, and lived first on the old Roller place, but later moved into Morris township, living on the present Perry Moore farm, where he died about 1840. Of fourteen children, eleven attained mature years: daughters, Nancy, who was married to Thomas Reese, a silversmith at Water Street, and for her second husband, Chris. Hewitt, of Williamsburg; Elizabeth became the wife of James Dysart, of Franklin township; Ann, of Daniel Hewitt, of Alexandria; Jane, of George Henderson, who removed to the west; Sarah, of Lewis Knode, of Porter; Ellen, the youngest, married John M. McCoy, who became a citizen of McVeytown. The sons of Philip Roller were Joseph, who lived near Williamsburg; George; Caleb, married Mary Dean, and settled on Clear creek; Joshua, married Elizabeth Moore, was a merchant at Williamsburg, and the father of Dr. Roller, of Hollidaysburg. The youngest son, John Milton, died when a youth. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Eileen SAMUEL M. ROSS, M. D., a resident physician of Altoona of over forty years' successful practice in western and central Pennsylvania, is a son of John an Eleanor (McKnight) Ross, and was born in Indiana borough, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1821. John Ross was of Scotch extraction, and in the year 1800 he left his native township, in Perry county, to settle at the then small village, but now important town, of Indiana, in Indiana county. In a short time he removed to a farm five miles distant, on Two Lick creek, where he resided until his death on June 8, 1846, at seventy years of age. He was a carpenter by trade, and was a contractor on several buildings, the largest of which by far was the first court house of Indiana county, which he and a Captain Huey erected some time before 1809. He was a whig in politics, but paid little heed to the political contests in his township and county, and gave his time to his trade and business affairs. He was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Dean, by whom he had one child, Dr. J. D. Ross, of Williamsburg, this county, who is now eighty-five years of age. After the death of his first wife, he married Eleanor McKnight, and by his second marriage had a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters: Isabella (dead); Dr. James, of Clarion, Pennsylvania, who died in 1887; Alexander, a druggist of New Castle, Lawrence county, who died in 1864; Joseph, a carpenter by trade, and a resident of Mahoning county, Ohio; Eleanor (deceased); Dr. Samuel McNutt and Eliza Jane (twins), of whom the latter, Eliza Jane (deceased) married Robert Pilson; and Margaret, now deceased, who married Dr. James McMullen. Samuel M. Ross grew to manhood in the neighborhood of Indiana, and received his education in the old Indiana academy, and the celebrated Cannonsburg academy, of Washington county. He read medicine with his half-brother, Dr. John D. Ross, of Williamsburg, this county, and entered Jefferson Medical college, from which he was graduated march 9, 1850. He returned home after graduation, and two years later went to Barlington, in Beaver county, where he practiced continuously for sixteen years. At the end of that time, in 1852, he removed to Greenville, Mercer county, at which place he remained until the first of April, 1875, when he came to Altoona, where he has been engaged successfully ever since in the practice of his profession. He has served as surgeon at Altoona for one division of the Pennsylvania railroad, and was on the staff of the city hospital for three years. He is a conservative republican in political opinion, but is not, and never was a politician. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and has been for some time an elder of the Second Presbyterian church of Altoona. Dr. Samuel M. Ross has been a member of the Blair County Medical association ever since 1875. He has also been a member of the Pennsylvania State Medical society since 1854, and of the American Medical association since 1865. On December 23, 1852, Doctor Ross married Sarah C. Spear, youngest daughter of William Spear, who served two terms as sheriff of Huntingdon county, and afterwards removed to Williamsburg, this county, where he died. To Doctor and Mrs. Ross have been born four children, two sons and two daughters; Dr. William Spear; Margaret M.; Fannie F., wife of Clarence Mendenhall, a son of Colonel Mendenhall, commandant of the United States fort at Newport, Rhode Island; and John Louis, who died September 20, 1874. Dr. William Spear Ross, the eldest son, was born February 21, 1854, received his literary education at Thiel college, read medicine, and entered the medical department of the University of Wooster, from which he was graduated in March, 1876. He afterwards, in 1877, took a post-graduate course at Jefferson Medical college, of Philadelphia, and a special course at the Wills Eye and Ear infirmary, of the same city. He then returned to Altoona, where he has practiced with good success ever since as a specialist of the eye and ear. He married Emma Weir, and has two children: Samuel M. and Mary. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Ruth Curfman rcurfman@home.com JAMES M. SMITH, M.D., a graduate of the Pennsylvania University and one of the leading physicians of Tyrone, who has been in successful practice here for more than two decades, and is now president of the Blair County Medical Society, is a son of Levi and Mary (Pheasant) Smith, and was born in Union Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, February 18, 1848. His great-grandfather Smith was a native of Germany, but leaving the Fatherland, he crossed the ocean and settled in Baltimore County, Maryland, where he lived until his death. He married and reared three sons, two of whom moved to Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and the third settled in West Virginia. One of the two who came to this State was George Smith (grandfather), who was a native of Baltimore County, Maryland, and died in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, at an advanced age. Levi Smith (father) was born in Huntingdon County, and was a prosperous farmer. He lived to be sixty-six years of age, and then met an accidental death. He was an ardent Republican, and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Mary Pheasant, and to their union was born a family of thirteen children. James M. Smith received his education in Hollidaysburg, this county, having been a student at the seminary there in its early days. After acquiring a good English education he began reading medicine with his brother, Dr. George W. Smith, of Hollidaysburg, and later entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1870, with the degree of M.D. He then entered the office of Doctor Dunwiddle, at Warrior's Mark, Huntingdon County, where he practiced for one year, and in 1871 removed to Tyrone, at which place he has been engaged in general practice ever since. Doctor Smith early gained an enviable reputation as a physician, and has long enjoyed a large and remunerative practice. In 1874 Doctor Smith was united in marriage with Rosa Reynolds, a daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Peel) Reynolds, of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. To this union has been born a family of two sons and a daughter: Francis G., who is now a cadet in the United States Military Academy at West Point; Elizabeth, and James R. Doctor Smith is a Republican in his political faith, and has served on the town council and school board of Tyrone. He has been a director in the First National Bank of Tyrone since its organization, and holds membership in Tyrone Lodge, No. 494, Free and Accepted Masons, of which lodge he is a past member. Doctor Smith is a pleasant, affable gentleman, liberal in his view, and popular among the people. He has been for years a prominent member of the Blair County Medical Society, and is now serving as president of that organization. Transcribed and submitted to Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by denise GEORGE M. STEWART, President of the Master Plumbers' association of Altoona, and the proprietor of the oldest plumbing and gas fitting establishment in the Mountain City, is a son of George and Corriene (Homer) Stewart, and was born at Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, November 14, 1839. His paternal grandfather, David Stewart, was of scotch descent, and came from Scotland to Pennsylvania, and finally settled at Lewistown, where he purchased a large and valuable farm, which he managed until his death. His son, George Stewart (father), was born in 1810, in the city of Harrisburg, where he learned the trade of gunsmith, which he followed for a short time. In 1830 he removed to Lewistown, where he was engaged in the plumbing and gas fitting business, and was also justice of the peace two terms in Lewistown. He then came to Altoona and formed a partnership with A.B. Long, under the firm name of Stewart & Long, and they opened a plumbing and gas fitting establishment. This firm continued until 1861, when Mr. Long retired, and Mr. Stewart admitted his son, George M., to partnership, under the firm name of Stewart & Son. This second firm existed until April 1, 1873, when Mr. Stewart retired, and his son, Henry C., succeeded in the new firm of G.M. Stewart & Co. Mr. Stewart, after retiring from active business in 1873, removed to Harrisburg, where he died October 17, 1890, when he was in the eightieth year of his age. His remains were interred in the family lot in St. Mark's Cemetery at Lewistown. He was a man of honor and integrity, and was highly respected by all who knew him. He was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, had served as a member of the city council of Altoona, and married Corriene Homer, of French descent, June 12, 1835. She was born in Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, July 16, 1816, and is still living and resides at Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. They reared a family of eleven children, six sons and five daughters. George M. Stewart received his education in the public schools of Lewistown, and after leaving school was engaged for about three years as a clerk in a drug store. He then learned the trade of plumber with his father, and worked at Lewistown and at Huntingdon, this state, until 1859, when he came to Altoona to work for the firm of Stewart & Long. Two years later he succeeded Mr. Long as member of the firm, and in 1873 his father retired. Mr. Stewart and his brother Henry C., formed a partnership, under the firm name of George M. Stewart & Bro. This firm lasted until November 28, 1887. His brother, Henry C., died March 7, 1892, and was interred in the family lot at Lewistown. Mr. Stewart has continued by himself successfully in the plumbing and gas fitting business. On December 11, 1888, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage with Harriet McCracken, daughter of Samuel McCracken, of Altoona. To their union have been born two children: George W. and Charles A. In religious faith and church membership Mr. Stewart is an Episcopalian, while in politics he is an independent Republican, who supports the cardinal principles of his party, but votes for the best man for city and county offices. He was a member, for over thirty years, of the first martial band that was organized in Altoona. He is an intelligent and industrious citizen, and thoroughly understands business in all of its various branches. Transcribed and submitted to Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by denise JOHN B. WESTLEY, one of the substantial business men of Altoona, erected the first house ever built in that place, and has been identified with its growth from a small, quiet village, to a mighty city, full of activity and push. He is a son of John and Peggy (Behm) Westley, and was born near the city of Reading, in Berks county, Pennsylvania, June 7, 1810. The Westleys are of German descent and Michael Westley, the paternal grandfather of John B. Westley, settled in Berks county in the first half of the last century, and in all probability came from Germany. Like all other settlers in that early day, his residence was a log cabin, in which he reared a family of industrious sons and daughters. He followed farming, and by hard work had cleared out and improved a part of his large farm before his death. Of his sons born to him in his Berks county home, one was John Westley (father), who was a life-long resident of his native county, and spent the larger part of his life on the small farm, where he died when well advanced in years. He continued during his life clearing out and improving a small tract of land, which he owned near the present city of Reading; but his principal employment was in manufacturing charcoal for the Joanna furnace, that was situated a few miles from his farm. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and during the latter years of this life was a republican in politics. He was twice married. His first wife was Peggy Behm, by whom he had ten children, all of whom lived and died in Berks county except John B., now resident at Altoona, and one daughter, Mrs. Catherine Westley, who resides in Berks county. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Westley married Catherine Glass, who bore him four children. John B. Westley was reared in Berks county at a day when school advantages were poor, and received but a limited education. The school which he attended was some three miles from his father's house, and never ran longer than three months during the year, and that during the coldest winter months, when there was but little farm work to do. At the end of this school days, he learned the trade of carpenter, and in 1838 came to the site of Altoona, which was then principally in the wilderness. He followed his trade in the farming country around the site of the city until 1851, when he erected the first house in the village of Altoona, which had been laid out in 1849. This house was for the occupancy of the engineers who were surveying the route of the Pennsylvania railroad through Altoona. Soon after this he erected twelve more houses in the new-born village, and worked by hand all the lumber used in their construction. After this other carpenters came to the place, but Mr. Westley never lacked for work at this trade, and for fifteen years was busily engaged in erecting buildings of all kinds in the Mountain City. He then purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty aces of land, which is now partly within the city limits, and followed farming until 1880, when he retired from active life. In 1838 he married Julia Ann Walton, a daughter of William Walton, who came to Blair county, and died near Altoona. She died in 1848, and left three children, all daughters: Susanna, widow of Samuel Kepple, and a resident of Blair county; Harriet who married Daniel Houseman, and is now dead; and Mary, of Altoona. After Mrs. Westley's death, Mr. Westley united in marriage with Jane Orr, of Blair county, and by his second marriage had five children, three sons and two daughters: Anna, at home with her father; John H., who married Emma Curlin, and is employed at Altoona by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company; Sylvester, married Clara Moxley, and has a position in the Altoona bank; Flora, wife of John Cole; and Samuel H., who is married to Jennie Allen. In politics Mr. Westley is a prohibitionist; while in religious faith he is a Lutheran, and has been for several years a member of the Second Evangelical Lutheran church of Altoona, which was founded in 1871, and prior to uniting with this church was a member of other churches of the same denomination for over thirty years. John B. Westley is a stockholder and director of the Altoona bank, which is well known throughout central Pennsylvania as a substantial and reliable financial institution. He is a worthy member of his church, and his industry and integrity have won for him the respect of his neighbors and all who know him. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Ruth Curfman rcurfman@home.com DANIEL D. WOOD, train master of the Tyrone division of the Pennsylvania railroad, and one of the few Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the thirty-second degree of Masonry, of Pennsylvania, is the eldest son and third child of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Deter) Wood, and was born at Milesburg, Centre county, Pennsylvania, March 18, 1828. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Wood, was born in Devonshire, England, came to America with the early colonists, and settled on the James river, Virginia. He removed from there to Barre, and was an early settler of Barre, Huntingdon county, where he died when in the sixty-ninth year of his age. He was a millwright by trade, and followed millwrighting for many years. He was an old line whig in politics, a Methodist in religious faith an church membership, and married a Miss Mary Harris, of Virginia, who was a sister of Col. Joseph Harris, of the revolutionary war, by whom he had eight children, five sons and three daughters. His son, Ebenezer Wood, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Barre, Huntingdon county, in 1798. He was an expert in iron refining, which business he followed during his lifetime. He was known by all and employed by many of the iron manufacturing firms of Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Ohio. Some of the most prominent iron manufacturing firms for which he worked, at different times, were: The Tyrone Forges Company; the Juniata Iron Company, of Alexandria, this State; the Duncannon Iron Company, of Duncannon, Pennsylvania; Thomas G. Gaylord, at Portsmouth, Ohio; and Baker & Co., Kentucky. In 1851, after having resided at various places, he removed to Tyrone, where he died in 1864, when in the sixty-sixth year of his age. He was a whig and republican in politics, and a very strict member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he had held all the local offices, from trustee up to class leader. While an earnest, active and prominent worker in his own church, to which he was a generous contributor, he was also interested in the progress and success of other Christian churches in his community, and always contributed liberally to their support. In 1825 he married Elizabeth Deter, who died in 1866, aged sixty-six years. To them was born a family of eight children, two sons and six daughters: Mary J., Rebecca, Daniel D., Angeline, Sheldon, Charlotte, Rachel, and Ebenezer. Of these children but one is now living, Daniel D. Daniel D. Wood received his early education in the private schools of his neighborhood, and then attended an institution of higher learning at Portsmouth, Ohio. In early life he learned iron refining with his father, and followed that line of business successfully for eight years. He then (1859) entered the employ of the Pennsylvania railroad as a freight brakesman, and within the unusually short space of five years was successively promoted to freight conductor, passenger conductor, and train master. In 1864 he was made train master of Tyrone division of the present Pennsylvania railroad, and has discharged the duties of that position ever since with credit to himself and satisfaction to the railroad company and the traveling public. His division includes the Tyrone & Clearfield, the Bald Eagle Valley, the Snow Shoe, and the Tyrone & Lewisburg railroads, with all their branches, aggregating in all 246 miles of main track road, on which they run daily over eighty trains, of which twenty-four are passenger trains. On January 8, 1852, Mr. Wood was united in marriage with Bedelia, daughter of Patrick and Esther Maloy, of Alexandria, this State, and to their union were born three children: William H., who died in infancy; Charles A., who married Fannie Leconte, and is chief clerk at Altoona, in the office of the general superintendent of the Pennsylvania railroad; and E. Frank, a passenger engineer, who married Mary Graffins, and was killed July 22, 1891, in a railroad accident at Howard's Station, on the Bald Eagle Valley Road. In politics Mr. Wood is a pronounced democrat of the Cleveland type. HE is thoroughly conversant with the political issues of the day, has always been an active worker in the ranks of his party, and believes that the highest prosperity of this country can only be obtained under a democratic administration of the government. He ranks very high in Masonry, and is a thirty-second degree Mason. He is a member of Juniata Lodge, No. 282, Free and Accepted Masons, of Hollidaysburg; Mt. Moriah Chapter, No. 166, Royal Arch Masons, of Hollidaysburg; and Mountain Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar, of Altoona. He is an Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Mason, of the thirty-second degree of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States. Daniel D. Wood is a pleasant, intelligent and courteous gentleman, a remarkably good conversationalist, and a man of fine business qualifications. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Ruth Curfman rcurfman@home.com