BIOS: File 10 - 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 10, listing the page where they appear in the book: Bridenbaugh, Michael, page 551 Bridenbaugh, Philip, page 552 Calderwood, Howard B., page 464 Crawford, James, page 587 Crum, Newton, page 585 Funk, James, page 461 Hewitt, Benjamin L., page 583 Hooper, Linda E., page 587 Hughes, James C., page 327 Layman, William, page 590 Leatherman, Daniel J., M.D., page 583 Levengood, Wellington Y., M.D., page 553 McCauley, Herman K., page 580 Meadville, Graham McCamant, page 550 Neason, James E., page 586 Sneeringer, Pius, page 328 Spendley, Robert H., page 307 Stewart, Samuel Calhoun, page 462 Study, Edwin L., page 581 White, Thomas, page 584 MICHAEL BRIDENBAUGH a highly respected citizen of Bellwood, and a descendant of one of the old and worthy families of central Pennsylvania, is a son of Philip and Polly (Hileman) Bridenbaugh, and was born at Petersburg, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, October 29, 1823. His paternal grandfather, Michael Bridenbaugh, was a native of Germany, which country he left soon after his marriage in 1783, and came to Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, where he remained but a short time. He then removed to near Petersburg in Huntingdon County, where he purchased a farm of two hundred acres of land, and was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred October 29, 1823. He was an old-line Whig in politics, and a member of the Dunkard or German Baptist Church, and he married Miss Hullinger, in Germany, by whom he had eight children, all of whom are now dead. His son, Philip Bridenbaugh (father) was born in 1788, in Lebanon County, and was brought by his parents, in 1798, to near Petersburg, Huntingdon County, where he followed farming until his death. He was a Whig, and served his township for several terms as tax collector and as road supervisor. He was an active and enthusiastic member of the German Reformed Church, and contributed largely of his means and time toward the building of every Reformed Church that was erected during his life in the Sinking Valley. He was a wealthy and prosperous farmer for his day, and stood high as a public-spirited citizen and an honorable and upright man. He married Polly Hileman. Mr. and Mrs. Bridenbaugh reared a family of twelve, seven sons and five daughters: Harriet, Henry, Michael, Susan, Eliza, Mary, Rebecca, Philip, David, Joseph, Benjamin, and one other, who are now dead. Michael Bridenbaugh grew to manhood on his father's farm, and received his education in the schools of his neighborhood. Leaving school he assumed charge of his father's farm, which he ran for twelve years, and then took charge of his father-in-laws farm, which he managed successfully for two years. He was then variously engaged until 1861, when he purchased his present farm of one hundred and thirty-two acres of land, of which one hundred acres are under cultivation. In 1847 Mr. Bridenbaugh married Eliza Reamey, daughter of Frederick and Martha Reamey. Having no children of their own, they have reared five adopted children, of whom three are married and settled. In political opinion Mr. Bridenbaugh is a republican, and never fails to cast his ballot for his party at county, state and national elections. He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and has always been active in religious affairs. Mr. Bridenbaugh is pleasant and gentlemanly, has always been generous and liberal in the support of any good cause, and now enjoys the respect and good will of all who know him. Mr. and Mrs. Bridenbaugh reside in a pleasant and enjoyable home, which is well provided with everything necessary to render them comfortable and happy. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Janet Gray PHILIP BRIDENBAUGH, of Tyrone Township, was married to a daughter of Michael Hileman, of Frankstown, and died in 1831 at the age of seventy-three years. He was the father of sons named John, Henry, Michael, Philip W., David, Joseph and Benjamin, while his daughters were married to Thomas Russell, Frank Wilson, Alexander Seeds, Mahlon Stryker and William Louden. The sister of Philip Bridenbaugh married into the Hileman, Smith, Hollinger, and Sprankle families, who are among the pioneers of different parts of the county, while the Bridenbaughs were well known as among prominent settlers of the valley. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Janet Gray HOWARD B. CALDERWOOD, a well qualified and energetic business man, and the leading insurance agent and real estate dealer of Tyrone, is a son of James M. and Matilda (Hunter) Calderwood, and was born at Tyrone, Blair county, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1859. The Calderwoods are of Scotch-Irish descent, and John Calderwood, the paternal grandfather of Howard B. Calderwood, was a native of Scotland. James M. Calderwood (father) was born at Birmingham, Huntingdon county, March 19, 1822, and died at Tyrone, June 25, 1887, at sixty-five years of age. He commenced life in boyhood as a collier, received a good education, and at an early age commenced teaching, which he followed most successfully, at Ironville and Tyrone, for twenty-one years. He came to Tyrone about 1851, was appointed express agent, and afterwards commissioned as a notary public. He was always prominent in the municipal affairs of Tyrone, served as burgess for one term, and in various ways was useful to his fellow-townsmen until his death. Mr. Calderwood was one of the oldest and leading members of the Tyrone Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a steward and trustee. He organized the first Sunday school in the borough, and was its honored and efficient superintendent for twenty-one consecutive terms. He was a republican in politics, commanded the esteem and respect of all who knew him, and lived a life of honor and usefulness. He was twice married. His first wife was Matilda Hunter, who died in August, 1870, aged forty-six years, and left three children: William L., married Mary Leedy, of Harrisburg, and is employed in the loss and damage department, in Philadelphia, of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company; Howard B., and Ella. Mr. Calderwood married for his second wife Cinderella Hemler, of Akron, Ohio, by whom he had two children, Jessie and Anna. Howard B. Calderwood received his education in the public schools of Tyrone, and then became a clerk in the general mercantile house of Van Valzah & Wilson, in which he remained for twelve years. At the end of that time, in 1887, he engaged in his present general insurance and real estate business, and in the same year was appointed notary public, in which capacity he has served ever since. He is secretary of No. 3, Tyrone Loan and Improvement association, and was president for two years (1889 and 1891) of the Central Loan association. In politics Mr. Calderwood is a republican, and has served one term as assistant burgess, and several terms as auditor of Tyrone. He is a member of Tyrone Lodge, No. 152, and Tyrone Encampment, No. 279, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a past grand of his lodge, and has served as a representative to the Grand Lodge of the State. Howard B. Calderwood is ever active in the interests of his party, does a large and remunerative insurance and real estate business, and has attained a prominent position by his ability, integrity, and energy. He is pleasant and agreeable, and very popular in his native borough. On August 21, 1888, Mr. Calderwood was united in marriage with Irene Dixon, daughter of Elwood C. and Fannie (Johnson) Dixon, of Tyrone. To Mr. and Mrs. Calderwood have been born two children: Bessie and Virginia. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Janet Ebaugh JAMES CRAWFORD, of Irish descent, was an early settler at Newry, where he died about 1824. He had sons named William, David, and James. The former married Fannie Moore, of Duncansville, and in 1829 moved to Sinking valley, settling on a farm which has been improved by John McLain. He died in July, 1833, at the age of forty-eight years. His daughter became the wife of Samuel Morrow, and the sons, James died in 1838, Joseph resides on the lower Crissman farm; Robert on part of the Dysart farm; David and Jordan at the head of the valley; Elihu P. in Pleasant valley; Samuel and John removed to Illinois. The older Crawford was greatly harassed by the Indians, who destroyed the cabin in which he lived. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Eileen NEWTON CRUM, the popular proprietor of the Clarendon hotel of Altoona, was born at Wilmore, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, August 9, 1856, and is a son of Oliver and Hannah (Smay) Crum. The Crums are descendants of the old Crum family of Germany, an empire that has added much toward shaping the industries of the civilized world. Ephraim Crum (grandfather) died in 1874. He was one of the early settlers of Cambria county, and owned a flouring and saw mill at Wilmore, where he resided for many years. In political opinion he was a republican, and being a man of sound judgment and wise discretion, he was elected as justice of the peace, which office he held for a number of years. Oliver Crum (father) was born in Cambria county, in 1834, and devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits. In August of the third year of the great civil war he enlisted as a private in Co. G, 149th Pennsylvania infantry, and in 1864, at the battle of the Wilderness, where the pomp and glory of war gave precedence to its untold horrors, he was taken prisoner and conveyed to Andersonville prison, where, on September 23, 1864, he was released from his oppression by the summons of death. Newton Crum was reared upon a farm in Cambria county, and improved the opportunities afforded him in securing a good education in the common and the soldiers' orphans schools, to prepare himself to enter upon the scenes of active life. At the age of seventeen he was employed as a brakeman by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Serving in this capacity for a few years, he was promoted to freight conductor, and from 1881 to 1890 was under the employ of the same company, and worked in their blacksmith shops in Altoona. Since 1872 Mr. Crum has been a resident of Altoona, and in 1890 he became engaged in the hotel business. He is now proprietor of the Clarendon hotel, located on the corner of Eleventh avenue and Seventeenth street, has his house well arranged for the traveling public, and enjoys a large and first-class patronage. Newton Crum married Rose Tiemey, daughter of Thomas Tiemey, of Altoona, in 1880. Their union has been blessed with four sons and one daughter: John O., Charles R., Edward O., Walter J., and Rose A. Newton Crum started in life with no other assistance than willing hands, a clear head and determined energy. Industry and perseverance are among his marked characteristics, and have won for him good success in his business. He owns some valuable real estate in the city of Altoona, beside his hotel property. In political convictions Mr. Crum is a republican who closely adheres to the principles of his party, and believes in the supremacy of its principles as being necessary for the true development and future prosperity of the American Union. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Eileen JAMES FUNK, ex-sheriff of Blair county, and a popular business man of Duncansville, was born in Black Log valley, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, April 17, 1823, and is the eldest son of John and Jane (Goshorn) Funk. The Funks are of German ancestry, and Mr. Funk's paternal grandfather, Jacob Funk, was born at Frankstown, Washington county, Maryland, where his ancestors had settled at an early day, and where the Funk family had become prominent in the local history of western Maryland. Later in life Jacob Funk came to Black Log valley, where he resided until his death. His son, John Funk (father), was born in Maryland, and came with his father to Black Log valley, where he followed farming until his death. He was an old-line whig, and afterward a democrat in politics, and had been a zealous member of the German Baptist or Dunkard church for many years before his death. He married Jane Goshorn, who was a daughter of Jacob Goshorn, an early Scotch settler of Tuscarora valley. Mr. and Mrs. Funk were the parents of six children: James; Mary, wife of William Ayers, a miller of Sharpsburg, Allegheny county; Henry, who died young; Nicholas (deceased), who was in the insurance business at Hollidaysburg; Abraham, now dead; and Sarah, who died young. James Funk received a good English education, and became a conductor on the old Portage railroad, which he left one year later. In 1850 he engaged in his present prosperous lime business. He is now running at four different places in the county a number of kilns, whose aggregate capacity is twelve hundred bushels per day, employs thirty-five men, and ships lime over a wide area of territory. He has two kilns at Frankstown, which cost over twelve thousand dollars and are claimed to be the largest lime kilns in America, each one being forty-four feet long, thirty-one feet wide, and thirty-seven feet high. Mr. Funk married Susan J. Long, who died afterward and left nine children, of whom are: Margaret, wife of J. Rock Williamson, a farmer of Humbolt, Nebraska; Missouri, wife of William P. Irwin, depot master in Altoona; John S., in business with his father; Matilda, who married George P. McCormick, a foreman in the Pennsylvania Railroad Company's shops in Altoona; Nicholas G., a conductor who runs between Altoona and Pittsburg; Edward B., a foreman in the Duncansville rolling mill; and Landis superintendent of his father's kilns at Frankstown. After his first wife's death, Mr. Funk was united in marriage with Mary Dasher, and has by his second marriage three children: May, Ira, and Nannie. In politics Mr. Funk is a Cleveland democrat. He served thirteen years as a school director, and then declined another re-election. He was shortly afterward elected as a justice of the peace, but refused to take out his commission. He was elected coroner in 1855, on the American ticket, and before his term closed, in 1858, he was elected sheriff as the fusion candidate on the people's ticket. Mr. Funk was the first democratic jury commissioner elected in the county; was twice defeated as the democratic candidate for the assembly, although once lacking one hundred votes of being successful when the republican majority stood at fifteen hundred, and was once defeated for associate judge, though running ahead of his ticket. He is a man of business ability, of energy and system in all of his different enterprises. He owns a beautiful home at Duncansville, and an excellent farm adjoining that borough. Mr. Funk has been for thirty-four years a member of Juniata Lodge, No. 282, Free and Accepted Masons, of Hollidaysburg, of which he has been a past master for twenty-eight years. One well acquainted with James Funk has written of him: "Although now denied by the calls of his large manufacturing interests from taking his old-time part in politics, yet he is nevertheless thoroughly abreast with the progress of affairs that mark the history of American advancement, and takes especial pride in advising himself as to the march of social and political events at home and abroad." Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Janet Ebaugh BENJAMIN L. HEWITT, one of the older business men of Williamsburg, and a descendant of two of the old and early settled families of the county, is the third son and only living child of Christian and Mary (Roller) Hewitt, and was born at Williamsburg, and a descendant of two of the old and early settled families of the county, is the third son and only living child of Christian and Mary (Roller) Hewitt, and was born at Williamsburg, Blair county, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1818. His paternal grandfather, Nicholas Hewitt, was of German parentage, and came to Huntingdon county, where he settled on Shaver's creek, near Huntingdon, this State. He cleared out a farm of two hundred acres, upon which he and his wife both died at an advanced age. He married a Miss Lambert, of Maryland, by whom he had eleven children, six sons and five daughters. His son, Christian Hewitt (father), was born on Shaver's creek, in Huntingdon county, and in 1814 removed to Williamsburg, where he died in 1858. He kept a hotel on the site of John Law's store from 1814 to 1838. He was a democrat, and married Mary Roller, by whom he had three children: Joseph R., George W., and Benjamin L., of whom the two former are now dead. Mrs. Hewitt, who died at Williamsport in 1865, at seventy-two years of age, was a daughter of Philip Roller, a son of Jacob Roller, sr., and a brother of Jacob Roller, jr., who was killed and scalped by Indians near Arch spring. Philip Roller was of German descent, was a Presbyterian, married Jane, daughter of Joseph Moore, and died on the Perry Moore farm at an advanced age, in 1840. Benjamin L. Hewitt was reared at Williamsburg, and received his education in the schools of that place and Washington, of Washington county. Leaving school he served for a short time as a clerk in a hotel, and was engaged in the mercantile business with his brother Joseph for three years. At the end of that time, in 1845, his health becoming impaired, he engaged in farming, which he followed until 1871, when he purchased property at Williamsburg, where he has resided ever since. On January 10, 1845, Mr. Hewitt married Barbara Neff, daughter of Jacob and Nancy Neff, of Shaver's creek settlement, in Huntingdon county. To Mr. And Mrs. Hewitt have been born nine children: Lemuel S., who married Elizabeth Miller; John R., a merchant, who resides in Colorado; George N., married Nellie Gibson, and is a salesman of Denver city, Colorado; Joseph R. and Benjamin N., merchants of Los Angeles, California; Mary (deceased); Ellen, wife of Lot Firstine, of Utica, this State; Annette, married Samuel Herr, a coal dealer of Durango, California; and Sarah E., wife of Robert Metz, of Altoona. Mrs. Hewitt died in 1864, aged thirty-seven years. In 1865 Mr. Hewitt wedded for his second wife Eliza Eichholtz, daughter of Charles and Margaret Eichholtz, of Woodbury township. In politics Mr. Hewitt is a republican, and takes a warm interest in the success of his party, with which he has so long been identified. He is an active worker in the Evangelical Lutheran church, of which he has been a member for over half a century. He is a man of quiet manners, of consistent morals, and of liberality, and is now well prepared in a beautiful home to enjoy the fruits of his long years of honest labor and successful business enterprises. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Eileen LINDA E. HOOPER, an efficient instructor and fist assistant in the Altoona High school, was born in the city of Philadelphia, this State, and is a daughter of William M. and Eleanor (Bryan) Hooper. The Hoopers are of English descent, and her paternal grandfather Hooper was one of the early settlers of Blair county, and followed his trade of blacksmith near Marin Forges until his death. His son, William M. Hooper, was born in Blair county, from which he removed, shortly after his marriage, to Philadelphia, where he resided and was engaged in business until his death, which occurred in 1872, at forty-two years of age. He attended Selinsgrove academy, and taught for a short time before going to Philadelphia, where his first employment was as book-keeper in a wholesale grocery house. In a short time he left his position as bookkeeper to become a member of the wholesale dry goods firm of Hood, Bonbright & Co., from which he withdrew in a few years to become a member of the firm of McLean, Hooper & Co. This latter firm was engaged in the manufacture and sale of sewing machines, and under the management of Mr. Hooper had secured a fine trade at the time of the death of the latter. Mr. Hooper was a democrat, and a member and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was rapidly winning his way into the front rank of the business men of Philadelphia, with bright prospects of success before him, when he was stricken down by the hand of death in the very prime of life. Mr. Hooper married Eleanor Bryan, of Maria Forges, who was a Methodist in religious faith and church membership, and died at Altoona in 1888, when in the fifty-fifth year of her age. Linda E. Hooper received her education in the public schools and the Girls' Normal school of Philadelphia, and in 1874, with her mother and brother, Harry B., came to Altoona, where she has resided ever since. Immediately after coming to Altoona she secured a position as a teacher in the primary department of the public schools, and was successively promoted until 1880, when she was elected first assistant in the Altoona High school, which position she has held with credit ever since. Miss Hooper is a member and has been for fifteen years the organist of the Second Lutheran church, in whose Sunday school she teaches a large class of young ladies. She is also a member of the Chautauqua Literary society, in whose methods of inducing home study and self culture she is very much interested. Linda E. Hooper is a close student, and has carefully studied the methods of culture and the methods of instruction, and thoroughly understands the principles of the new education, whose aim is the natural and symmetrical development of the child nature. Miss Hooper has tested theories by practice in her teaching, and thereby has acquired valuable experience, that has contributed to some extent to her known efficiency and marked success as an instructor whose standard of work, although high and ideal, yet is practical and attainable, as attested by the substantial progress of her pupils. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Eileen JAMES C. HUGHES, now a prominent business man of Altoona, is one of the self-made men of the old Keystone State, who, beginning with nothing but inherited ability, have achieved financial and social success by earnest effort and unconquerable energy. He was born September 9, 1848, at Buffalo Run, Centre County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of John D. and Hannah (Hicks) Hughes. He was reared in Centre County until he attained the age of fifteen years, and received only an ordinary common school education. In 1865 he came to Altoona and has been a resident of this city ever since. After leaving school he learned the blacksmith trade, and continued to work at that occupation until 1878, when he embarked in the grocery business. At first his trade was small, but it increased by degrees, and in 1876 he added a line of general merchandise. He gave close attention to business, and by industry, enterprise and native ability, had soon built up a prosperous trade. A customer once gained was never allowed to drop away through inattention or incivility, and his dealings were marked by that scrupulous integrity that lies at the bottom of all permanent success. The consequence has been a constantly increasing patronage, and he now carries a good stock of all kinds of general merchandise, and is doing larger business than ever before. Mr. Hughes is a member of the firm of G.L. Cyphers & Co., and they run two hardware stores in this city and one tinware store. In all these mercantile enterprises he has met with success, and is a stockholder in the city electric railway of Altoona. He also owns some valuable real estate in this city. In October, 1868, Mr. Hughes was wedded to Elizabeth Walton, a daughter of Elias Walton, of the city of Altoona, and to this union has been born a family of ten children, eight sons and two daughters: John, Harry, Charles, Bertha, James, Ralph, May, Arthur, Robert, and Clyde. Politically Mr. Hughes is a Democrat, taking an active part in politics and ever anxious for the success of his party and the triumph of its principles. He is now serving as school director, and is a well known friend of popular education. Hs is also a leading Mason, being a member of Mountain Chapter, No.189, Royal Arch Masons; Mountain Council, No. 9, Royal and Select Masters; and Mountain Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar. The family of which Mr. Hughes stands as the representative is of Irish origin, and was planted in America at an early day by the paternal great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who was a native of the Emerald Isle, but emigrated to the United States while yet a young man, and settled in Centre County, Pennsylvania. He married and reared a family, among his children being John D. Hughes (father), who was born at Bellefonte, Centre County, this State. He removed to Altoona in 1865, and after residing here three years, returned to Centre County. In 1876 he again located in Altoona, and thereafter was a resident of the city until his death, in 1885, at the advanced age of sixty-one years. He was a blacksmith by trade, and followed that occupation until 1876, when he engaged in the coal business in Altoona. He was an active and influential member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics a Democrat of the old school. He married Hannah Hicks, a native of Center County, who still survives him, and now resides in the city of Altoona, in the sixty-fifth year of her age. She is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is held in high esteem by her many friends. Transcribed and submitted to Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by denise WILLIAM LAYMAN, an indstrious farmer of North Woodbury township, and who has served continuously as an elder of the Reformed church for over a quarter of a century, is a son of John and Mary (Seacrisp) Layman, and was born in North Woodbury township, Blair county, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1830. The Layman family settled in Franklin county as early as the beginning of the present century. One of its members was John Layman, the father of the subject of this sketch. John Layman was a farmer's son, and consequently his boyhood years were passed on the paternal acres, while he received such education as the subscription schools of his native township afforded. He, however, made good use of his opportunities, and secured a good business education. Like many others thus situated during the first quarter of the present century, he pushed west of the Juniata to find better openings for farming than were then afforded to men commencing life or those of moderate means in Franklin county or eastern Pennsylvania. After coming to what is now Blair county Mr. Layman settled in North Woodbury township, where he purchased a farm and followed farming and stock raising until his death, at the advanced age of seventy-seven years. He was a successful farmer, a republican in politics after 1856, and had served as an elder of the Reformed church for many years before his death. He married Mary Seacrisp. They reared a family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters. William Layman grew to manhood in his native township, received his education in the early common schools of Pennsylvania, and was carefully trained to farming and farm management. After attaining his majority he engaged in farming for himself, which he has successfully pursued ever since. On April 25, 1854, Mr. Layman was united in marriage with Anna Kauffman, a daughter of Frederick Kauffman, of Bedford county, Pennsylvania. William Layman is a republican in politics, and a member of the Reformed church. His farm of one hundred and twenty acres of good land lies east of Curryville, which is his postoffice. He has one hundred and ten acres under cultivation and the other ten acres in woodland. Mr. Layman is a thrifty farmer, a good neighbor, and a respected citizen. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Debbie Robinson Stearns DANIEL J. LEATHERMAN, M.D., a young and popular physician of the borough of Williamsburg, is a son of Daniel and Caroline (Michael) Leatherman, and was born at Lewistown, Frederick county, Maryland, March 16, 1861. His paternal grandfather Leatherman was a native of Germany, and came in early life to eastern Pennsylvania, where he followed farming for a short time near Philadelphia. He then removed to near Middletown, Maryland, where he died in 1863, at sixty-one years of age. He reared a family of six sons and three daughters, and his widow died in 1865, when in the sixty-first year of her age. Daniel Leatherman, one of their sons, and the father of Daniel J. Leatherman, was born on his father's farm, near Lewistown, in 1820. He was a farmer for many years, and owned and operated a mill near Lewistown for some time. He is a large landowner in Frederick county and western Maryland, and still resides near Lewistown, in his native State. He is a Lutheran in religious belief. Mr. Leatherman has been twice married. His first wife was Caroline Michael, whom he married in 1843, and who died in 1870, leaving eight children, five sons and three daughters. In 1873 Mr. Leatherman married for his second wife Josephine Curtis, by whom he has three children. Two of Mr. Leatherman's sons by his first wife are: Dr. M. E. Leatherman, who was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, in 1877, and since then has been in the active and successful practice of his profession at Mechanicstown, Maryland; and Rev. R. L. Leatherman, a Lutheran minister of the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, who was graduated from Roanoke college in 1888, and the Lutheran Theological seminary of Philadelphia in 1891. Daniel J. Leatherman was reared on his father 's farm, and after receiving an academic education at Lewistown, entered Roanoke college, of Salem, Virginia, from which institution he was graduated at the end of a special three years course. He then chose medicine as a profession, and entered the college of Physicians and Surgeons, of Baltimore city, from which he was graduated in March, 1886. After graduation he opened an office at Mechanicstown, in his native county, where he remained until 1890, when he came to Williamsburg, Woodbury township, this country. In 1888 Doctor Leatherman was united in marriage with Katie A. Whistler, a daughter of Rev. Henry Whistler, of Mechanicstown, Maryland, and who is now attending lectures at the Women's Medical college of Baltimore, from which she will be graduated in the class of 1894. Dr. Daniel J. Leatherman is a democrat in politics, and has been for several years a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church. Doctor Leatherman has built up a very fine practice at Williamsburg and in the surrounding section of country, where his professional skill and success have rendered him popular as a physician with the public. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Eileen WELLINGTON Y. LEVENGOOD, M. D. the leading practitioner of Bellwood, is one of the best posted young physicians in Blair County, and one whose successful career during the past fifteen years reflects credit on the profession. He is the eldest son of Augustus W. and Catherine (Yohn) Levengood, and was born April 6, 1857 in Douglas Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. The Levengoods have been residents of the Keystone State since the early days of the Commonwealth. Augustus W. Levengood (father) is a native of Berks County and was born about 1832. He was reared and educated in that county, where he has devoted his long and active life to agricultural pursuits. He now resides on his fine farm in Douglas Township, that county, at the advanced age of sixty years. Politically he is a democrat, and during his more active years he took a deep interest in all public questions. He married Catherine Yohn a native of Berks County born about 1835. By this union had a family of five children: Wellington Y., the subject of the sketch. Harrison who married a Miss Eagle and now resides at Pottstown, Montgomery County, this state, where he is engaged as an engineer. Alice wedded to William Rhodes a wagon-maker and blacksmith of Pottstown, Montgomery County. Annie married Elmer Lenhart a salesman in the city of Philadelphia and Emma, deceased. Wellington Y. Levengood received an academic education, finishing his studies in the Keystone Normal School at Kutztown, Berks County, and an academy. He afterward taught school for three years, reading medicine meanwhile in the office of Dr. John Todd, of Pottstown. Later he matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and was graduated from the medical department of that well known institution on March 12, 1877, with the degree of M. D. He once located at Lawrenceville, Chester County, where he practiced for a short time. In September 1877 removed to Bellwood, this county, where he opened an office, and has ever since been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1889 he took a special course at the Philadelphia Polyclinic Hospital, where he made a particular study of the diseases of the nose and throat. About this time he formed a partnership with his cousin, Dr. Brooklyn B. Levengood. They have an extensive and lucrative practice, extending from fifteen to twenty miles in all directions from the borough of Bellwood, and have acquired an enviable reputation for skill and unusual success in the treatment of disease. Dr. Levengood is an enthusiast in his profession, and spares no pains to keep abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to the healing art. Like all successful physicians, he is still an earnest student, realizing that every worthy achievement must be purchased by the pure coin of persistent effort. Dr. Levengood was united in marriage to Harriet E. Yohn, September 26, 1878, and to them has been born a family of four daughters: Maude, Myra, Bessie and Helen. Mrs. Levengood is a daughter of Mr. Yohn, of Pottstown, Montgomery County, and was born in that county. Politically Dr. Levengood is a republican, taking considerable interest in local politics, but entirely without political ambition. He finds the exacting duties of his profession sufficient to occupy most of his time, and rarely allows anything to distract his attention therefrom, even by way of recreation or relaxation. He has already achieved deserved success, and being still in the very prime of life, bids fair to win yet wider recognition, and see many years of usefulness and honorable activity in his chosen field of labor. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Janet Gray HERMAN K. McCAULEY, secretary of the Altoona Iron Company, and who has been closely identified for the last decade with the important iron industry of central Pennsylvania, is a son of Thomas and Ann (Ramey) McCauley, and was born in Altoona, Blair county, Pennsylvania, February 6, 1856. His paternal grandfather, Henry McCauley, settled in early life in Blair county, where he died. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and married and reared a family of children. His son, Thomas McCauley (father), was born in 1824, removed to Altoona in 1854, and died there in 1880. He was foreman of the Pennsylvania railroad shops until 1860, when he embarked in the planing mill business, which he followed for several years, and then turned his attention for some time to operating several portable steam saw mills in Clearfield county. He was a republican, and a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Second Presbyterian church of Altoona. Thomas McCauley was a man of talent, individuality and great energy. Commencing his life as a poor boy, he won his way into prominence in business affairs, and for several years exerted a marked influence in several important commercial enterprises, but lost heavily in the great panic of 1873, in which thousands of well established business men went down before the black tidal wave of financial ruin that then swept over the land. He was interested in the welfare of Altoona, and often made his influence felt in measures for the prosperity of the city in whose development he always had strong faith. He married Ann Ramey, who was a member of the Presbyterian church, and died in 1885. Mrs. McCauley was a daughter of Frederick and Martha (Keller) Ramey, and whose ancestral history will be found in the sketch of her brother, David K. Ramey, which appears elsewhere in this volume. Herman K. McCauley grew to manhood in Altoona, and at the close of his academic course entered Lafayette college, from which well-known institution of learning he was graduated in 1879. Immediately after graduation he returned to his native city, and in September of the same year became a clerk for the Altoona Iron Company. He was soon promoted to a responsible position, and in May, 1882, was elected secretary, which position he has held ever since. On November 4, 1880, Mr. McCauley was united in marriage with Sadie M., daughter of John Crawford, of Sinking valley. To their union have been born three children, one son and two daughters: Anna D., Martha, and Russel. In politics Herman K. McCauley is a republican. He is a member and ruling elder of the Second Presbyterian church, of whose Sunday school he has been superintendent. While ever interested in politics and always active in church membership, yet his time is principally given to the iron business. He is a stockholder as well as the secretary of the Altoona Iron Company, whose capital stock is in the neighborhood of two hundred thousand dollars. Their large iron plant, which has been valued at nearly a quarter of a million, is just south of the city limits at Allegheny Station, on the Hollidaysburg branch of the Pennsylvania railroad. The company has a large rolling mill on their plant, which has a capacity of fifteen thousand tons of iron per year. They employ between one hundred and fifty and two hundred men, and manufacture all kinds of merchant bar iron. Mr. McCauley, in business affairs, has fixed views, and although conservative in his policy, yet when occasion requires, acts boldly, energetically and decisively. He is a man of clear perception, good judgment and firm will, and his knowledge of business has been derived from actual observation and experience. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Eileen GRAHAM McCAMANT MEADVILLE of Bellwood and ex-sheriff of Blair County, is entitled to the distinction of having been held prisoner in as many, if not more, southern prisons during the last war as any other soldiers who served in the Union Armies. He is a son of Joshua B. and Judith (Ginter) Meadville and was born near Warriors Mark Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1844. His paternal grandfather, William Meadville, was of Scotch ancestry; and settled in Huntingdon County about the commencement of the present century, He was a native of Maryland, and married a Miss Binn, of that state. His son, Joshua Meadville, was born January 1, 1808, and followed farming and Teaming during most of his life in Huntingdon and Blair counties. He died in Antis Township on April 14, 1853, when in the forty-six year of his age. He was a democrat of anti-slavery views, had held various township offices and served for several years as a member of a cavalry company of the old state militia. He married Julia Ginter, who was born September 4, 1806 and was the daughter of William Ginter, a native of Rhineland district of Germany, and forgeman by trade, who settled in Morris Township, Huntingdon County, where he died. He was a son of Daniel Ginter, and married Catherine Dry, by whom he had three sons and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Meadville had eleven children: Sarah, who died in infancy; Mary, wife of David Beamer who is in the employ of the railroad company at Altoona; William, who was killed; John, of Bellwood who served as a Union soldier through the late war and is now right foreman on the Bell's Gap Railroad; Matilda, wife of John Henshey of Antis Township; Joshua B., who enlisted August 1, 1861, in Co. F 2nd Pennsylvania Reserves, was taken prisoner at Weldon Railroad fight and died in prison at Saulsbury, North Carolina; Arbline, who married Martin Robinson and is now dead, Graham McCamant; Peter, of Bellwood, who enlisted as a Union soldier in the Army of the Potomac, was held prisoner by Mosby's guerillas for some time, and after being exchanged served until the close of the war; Annetta died in infancy; and Ruth A., who now resides with her mother at Bellwood. Graham McCamant Meadville was reared in his native county and received his education in the common schools and an academy, which he attended for ten months after the close of the late war. At sixteen years of age, on August 26, 1861, in Co. F, 76th Pennsylvania Infantry and served three years seven months and eleven days in the Department of the South, being successively under the command of Generals Hunter, Mitchell, Gilmore. He was in several battles, among which are: Salt Works and Poctaligo, Georgia, October 22, 1862; Morris Island, South Carolina, July 10, 1863; and Fort Wagner, same state, July 11, 1863. He was taken prisoner at Fort Wagner, and confined successively in Charleston jail, Castle Thunder, Belle Island prison, Moore Hospital prison, Pemberton prison and Belle Island (second time) and at Andersonville, Savannah and Milan. He was paroled on November 21, 1864, after a continuous imprisonment of sixteen months and ten days and sent to Annapolis, Maryland, from whence he was taken to Harrisburg, this state, he was honorably discharged from the federal service on March 7, 1865. He immediately returned home, and on the 19th day of the same month entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad as a laborer in their foundry at Altoona. He was soon transferred to the railroad as a brakeman, and then promoted to the position of locomotive engineer, which he still holds. He removed to Bellwood, where he has resided ever since. September 25, 1872, Mr. Meadville married Anna Mary McClellan, daughter of William McClellan of Bellefonte, Centre County. They have eight children, three son and five daughters: Flora May, born August 13, 1873; Joshua W., born March 24, 1875; Blanche B., born September 5, 1879; Mary B., born August 23, 1881; Graham G., born July 12, 1883; Peter Russell, born November 8, 1886; Ruth E., born June 30, 1888; and Judith, born June 30, 1889. In politics Mr. Meadville is a republican, and in 1885 was elected as sheriff of Blair County, which office he held for a term of three years. At the expiration of his term, in 1888, he was appointed and served one year as deputy sheriff. In his religious belief he leans towards the Baptist faith of his ancestors. Of late he has interested himself to some extent in real estate, and now owns, three and one-half miles west of Bellwood, in Antis Township, a valuable farm of one hundred and eighty-six acres of land, on which he raises some very fine horses and cattle. In 1889 he erected the fine three-story brick opera house block at Bellwood. Mr. Meadville is one of the higher degree Masons in the United States. He is a member of Lodge No. 391 Free and Accepted Masons; Clearfield Chapter, No. 228, Royal Arch Masons; Constantine Commandery, No. 33, Knights of Templar; Syria Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and Gourgas Grand Lodge of Perfection, Ancient Scottish Rite Masons. Graham McCamant Meadville is a tall man of fine personal appearance. He is energetic and active in whatever he undertakes, served creditably and efficiently as a county officer, and ranks high as a man of business ability and spirit, and of public enterprise. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Janet Gray JAMES E. NEASON, ex-county commissioner of Cambria county, and the proprietor of the Union hotel of Altoona, is a son of John and Mariah (Donough) Neason, and was born at Spruce Creek, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, March 18, 1835, James Neason (grandfather) was a native of county Mayo, Ireland, and in 1794 came to this country in search of a home. Pleased with the appearance of eastern Pennsylvania, he settled at Chester, where he resided for eight years. At the expiration of that time he removed to Allegheny township, Cambria county, where he purchased a tract of forest land, which he soon changed into a beautiful farm. Here he resided until he passed away at the ripe old age of ninety-four years. He was a democrat, and a member of the Catholic church, in whose affairs he took an active part. His son, John Neason (father), was born in Cambria county, and when yet a young man removed to Huntingdon county, where he resided until 1840. In that year he returned to Clearfield township, Cambria county, where he cleared a fine farm out of the woods and there resided until his death in 1874, at the age of seventy-five years. He advocated the principles of the Democratic party, and held many township offices. In religious sentiment he was a close adherent to the principles of the Catholic church. He married Mariah Donough, a native of Allegheny township, Cambria county, who died in 1883 at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. She was of the same religious belief and church membership as that of her husband. James E. Neason was reared on the farm in Cambria county, where his environments were green fields and wooded plains. His opportunities for securing an education were limited, and were confined to the common schools. He remained upon the farm, and was engaged in agricultural and lumbering pursuits until 1869, when he was elected to the office of county commissioner of his native county, which position he held for a term of three years. At the close of his term of office he again became engaged in farming and lumbering, and in 1879 he abandoned farm life and removed to the city of Altoona, where he has since resided. For three years, from 1879 to 1882, he was employed in the Pennsylvania railroad shops, and in January, 1882, he became engaged in the hotel business, which he has conducted successfully ever since. He has been proprietor of the Union hotel for the last five years, and by the excellent accommodations of his house has secured a large patronage. In 1860 Mr. Neason was united in marriage with Susan Troxel, daughter of William Troxel, of Clearfield township, Cambria county, and to them were born two sons and three daughters: Minnie, married John P. Cassiday, and is a resident of Altoona; Ellen, wife of M. P. Roman, also resides in Altoona; Rose, married M. A. Keough, and is a resident of the same city; and John and Paul, who are now attending St. Vincent college, near Latrobe, Westmoreland county. In politics Mr. Neason is a democrat, and in religious sentiment a Catholic, being a member of the Catholic church of Altoona. His business ability and energy and success prove that he is a man well fitted to succeed in any enterprise in which he may engage. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Eileen PIUS SNEERINGER, one of the most esteemed residents of Tyrone, who was universally beloved and respected, was a son of Joseph and Margaret (O'Bold) Sneeringer, and was born at Conewago, Adams County, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1813. Joseph Sneeringer was born at Conewago, of which he was a lifelong resident, and where he died July 29, 1868, aged eighty-one years. He was an extensive and successful farmer, owning three large farms at one time. He was a consistent member of the Catholic Church, and an old-line Whig in politics until the advent of the Free Soil party, when he became a Democrat. He married Margaret O'Bold, by whom he had fourteen children, eleven sons and three daughters, of whom the subject of this sketch was the eldest. After receiving a good common English education Pius Sneeringer learned the trade of miller, which he followed until 1847, when ill health led to his engaging in the mercantile business at Littlestown, Adams County, in partnership with Joseph Fink, and then had as successive partners, Samuel Sneeringer, John A. Renshaw, and E. L. Study. In 1853 he came to Tyrone and engaged successfully until 1866 in the mercantile and lumber business with James Shultz, T.B. Heims, and E.L. Study, under the firm name of P. Sneeringer & Co. From 1867 to 1871 he was in the dry goods business, and in 1868 with T.B. Helms, erected the Tyrone steam flouring mill, which they operated until 1872. In that year he and J.T. Mathias embarked in the manufacture of cigars and the wholesale and retail tobacco business, and in 1880 Mr. Mathias withdrew and A.J. Sneeringer took his place, under the firm name of P. Sneeringer & Son, which firm continued successfully until Mr. Sneeringer's death in 1890. In Conewago Chapel, on May 24, 1836, he was untied in marriage, by Rev. Mathew Lekue, with Eliza A. Brothers, of Littlestown, Adams County, who still survives him. They had a family of eight children, of whom three, Augustus A., Austin C., and Mary C., preceded their father to the other life. The five children surviving are: Mrs. William Vogt (see sketch of William Vogt); Mrs. Emma Baumgardner; Mrs. Elizabeth Aultz, widow of Captain Aultz; James A.; and Mrs. Clara Flynn, wife of P. Flynn, whose sketch appears in this volume. Pius Sneeringer was born and reared a Catholic, in which faith he consistently lived and died. He was an old-line Whig until the formation of the Know-nothing Party, when he became a Democrat. He was always interested in the welfare of Tyrone. He was one of the organizers of the Tyrone Gas and Water Company, of which he was a director at the time of his death. He was also a member of the firm of Study & Co., which was engaged in mining iron ore on the Shoenberger lands near Tyrone. He was not fond of prominence, never sought for municipal office, which he often declined, and devoted himself to his business and his home. His long and useful life closed on July 10, 1890, when his summons came and he passed quietly away. His remains are entombed in Oak Grove cemetery. Appropriate notices of Mr. Sneeringer appeared in the county press, and one who knew him well wrote of him as follows: "The deceased was known to almost every one in Tyrone, and was deservedly popular. He was the possessor of a most lovable disposition. Of course the sterling traits of his character shone brightly in his own home, and to those who knew him best they were the most radiant. Ever indulgent, kind father and husband, and a true friend, he was one of those for whose living the world was better." Transcribed and submitted to Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by denise ROBERT H. SPENDLEY, a shipper of the best grades of anthracite and bituminous coals, and whose office is in the Schenk block, Altoona, was born in Broome County, New York, and ha been engaged in the coal business in Cambria and Blair counties since 1885, and resides at Hollidaysburg. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Cheryl Heny MHeny@Prodigy.net SAMUEL CALHOUN STEWART. The history of the great iron industry of central Pennsylvania would be incomplete without record of Samuel Calhoun Stewart, of Tyrone, whose life has been one of activity and usefulness. He is a son of Davis and Sarah (Walker) Stewart, and was born at Pennsylvania Furnace, in Franklin township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, September 6, 1824. The first Stewart of this family of whom we have any history was John Stewart, one of the wonderful and ever memorable Scottish Covenanters of the seventeenth century. He abandoned his native hills on account of the persecution of the Covenanters by King Charles II, and settled in County Down, Ireland, which was then a refuge for the oppressed Presbyterians and Covenanters of Scotland. He died in County Down in 1720, and left one son, Robert Stewart, who was born near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1665. He went with his father to County Down, and after the death of the latter he settled near the city of Belfast, but shortly returned to Scotland, where he died near the city of Glasgow, in 1730. The lives of John and Robert Stewart embraced one of the most remarkable periods of English history, beginning in the reign of Charles I, and extending into that of George II. Robert Stewart reared a large family, and one of his sons, Samuel Stewart, was born near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1698, and went with his father and grandfather to Ireland, in 1720. In 1735 he and his youngest brother, Hugh, set sail for America, and landed at Philadelphia, where they remained but a short time before settling in Drumore township, Lancaster county. Samuel Stewart married Mary McClay, and died in 1750, leaving a large family. His son, Samuel Stewart, jr. (grandfather) was born in County Down, Ireland, and grew to manhood in Drumore township. He afterward settled on a farm in Hanover township, which was an exposed portion of Lancaster county, and its first settlers were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, who often had to flee from Indian attacks. The memories of the persecutions of their ancestors in Scotland, and again in Ireland, by English kings, caused these Scotch-Irish to hate George II, and when the oppressive acts of his ministry led to Lexington and Bunker Hill, Hanover township, on June 4, 1774 pronounced for independence. It was one of the first movements toward National independence. Samuel Stewart, jr., was one of the leaders in this movement. He was a private in Col. Timothy Greene's battalion for the defence of the frontier, and on June 6, 1774, enlisted in Captain Rodgers' company, which saw camp duty and severe fighting in the Jerseys. After the revolutionary war he removed to Dauphin county, where we find his name on one of the first juries of the county. He married Nancy Temple, of Hanover township, who bore him eight children, and after her death, in 1789, he married Agnes Nancy Calhoun, by whom he had four children, the second of whom was David Stewart, the father of the subject of this sketch. Davis Stewart was born in Hanover township, Dauphin county, October 30, 1792, went, in 1813 to Centre county, and afterward removed to Franklin township, Huntingdon county, were he became manager of the Pennsylvania furnace. In a short time he became associated with John Lyon and Anthony Shorb in the ownership of the furnace, and they manufactured the famous Juniata iron. In 1831 he removed to Coleraine Forges, where he died in May, 1869, aged seventy-seven years. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a prominent and wealthy citizen, well known for his generosity. He married, on May 22, 1822, Sarah Walker, whose parents, John and Mary Walker, were natives of County Straban, Ireland, and settled at Alexandria, in Huntingdon county. Mrs. Stewart died at Coleraine Forges, April 24, 1874. Samuel Calhoun Stewart was prepared for college at St. Paul's school, Long Island, and entered Jefferson college of Cannonsburg, this State, from which he was graduated in 1846, in a classical course. Leaving college he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he entered the employ of the iron company of Lyon, Shorb & Co., to learn the business thoroughly. He commenced at the bottom of the work and rose gradually up in six years to the position of book-keeper. He in (1853) became a member of the firm of Goodwin & Stewart, and was engaged in the manufacture of lard oil and candles in St. Louis until 1857, when he returned to Coleraine Forges, where he was successively a manufacturer of blooms, superintendent of the works, and a partner of the firm of Shorb, Stewart & Co., which operated these forges. In 1864 he removed to Tyrone Iron works, of which he was first superintendent and then a member of the firm of Willis M. Lyon & Co., which operated them until 1876, when the works became the property of the Tyrone Mining and Manufacturing Company, and Mr. Stewart was retained as general superintendent. Afterward he came to Tyrone, where he has resided ever since. On June 15, 1865, Mr. Stewart married Margaret, daughter of D.N.W. Sample, of Lancaster county. Their children are: Robert L., who married Grace Sylvester, of Denver, Colorado, and is a railroad engineer of that city; Jeannette S., Carrie H., Betty W., Samuel C., Margaret H. and Nathaniel S. In politics Mr. Stewart is a republican. He is a member of Tyrone Lodge, No. 494, Free and Accepted Masons, and Birmingham Presbyterian church, of which he has been a ruling elder for fifteen years. Although nearly seventy years of age, he is one of the most active and energetic business men of Tyrone, and since June, 1891, has been serving as president of the Blair County bank, in addition to the management of his own affairs and the general supervision of the works and property of a large mining and manufacturing company. He is pleasant and courteous, a true friend and a good citizen, and a man of earnest will and vast industry. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Janet Ebaugh EDWIN L. STUDY, of whom it may be said, without detracting aught from any other of Tyrone's useful citizens, that his career of successful industry and efforts for the development and prosperity of his town, furnish a worthy, example for the young men who aspire to positions of usefulness and respectability. He was born at Littlestown, Adams county, Pennsylvania. The Study family is of German lineage, and settled in Adams county. Edwin L. Study was reared at Littlestown, and received his education in the schools of that place. Leaving school he learned the trade of tailor, which he followed until some time after his marriage, when he removed to Fairfield, in Adams county, where he was engaged in tanning until 1855. In that year he made a trip west, and passing through Tyrone, met there some of his friends who were residents of that place, and induced him to stop over night in the then village of Tyrone on his return. He was so well pleased with the place and so favorable impressed with its business opportunities that he returned home, and after disposing of his Fairfield property came to Tyrone before the close of the year 1855. Immediately after settling here he formed a partnership with Pius Sneeringer and T. B. Heims, and they were engaged in the general mercantile business until 1861, when Mr. Sneeringer withdrew, and the firm was Study & Heims up to 1865, in which year Mr. Study purchased the fine brick block on the corner of Main and Juniata streets, where were sold the first goods brought to the village. He then associated his brother, S. M. Study, with him, under the firm name of E. L. Study & Bro., and they continued in the mercantile business until 1873. When they sold their extensive establishment to J. A. and W. L. Study and H. L. Africa, which firm continued until 1877. It was succeeded by Study Bros.& Co., who sold the grocery department to S. M. Study, who, in 1890, sold it back to A. L. and W. L. Study, who have continued the combined business ever since under the firm name of Study Bros. In 1874 Edwin L. Study aided in organizing the Blair County Banking Company, of which he was president until his death in 1880. He was active and instrumental in the formation of the firm of Study & Co., which was organized in Tyrone May 1, 1879, for the purpose of developing the minerals on the lands of George and J. H. Shoenberger, in Huntingdon county. The company erected expensive machinery to wash one hundred and twenty tons of ore per day, built a narrow guage [sic] railroad of three miles to connect with the Pennsylvania railroad, and employed about one hundred and twenty-five hands. After Mr. Study's death the company was merged into the present Juniata Mining and Manufacturing Co., of Tyrone. He was a man of unusual business ability, and widened the sphere of his operations at Tyrone into many different fields, where he met with good success. He was engaged extensively, at the time of his death, in lumbering on Clearfield Creek, in Clearfield county, and in the milling business at Tyrone forges and Laurel Spring mills. He married Caroline McIlvaine, and reared a family of eight children: Allie H., wife of P. A. Reed, of Tyrone; Mollie J., married H. J. Coleman, a clothier and real estate dealer of Altoona; Virginia, (deceased); Emma J., wife of H. L. Africa, a salesman for R. J. Allen & Co.; James A.; W. L., who married Minnie Thomas, and is a member of the firm of Study Bros.; Charles A., who married Minnie Whitney, and died August 17, 1891, at thirty years of age; and Harry, now dead. Mrs. Study was a daughter of Gen. William McIlvaine, who served in the revolutionary war under General Lafayette, and then kept for many years the old hotel which is still standing on the old Baltimore pike near his home farm. Edwin L. Study was a republican in politics, and in religious faith and church membership had been a Lutheran previous to coming to Tyrone, where he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a consistent and useful member until his death. His business career was one of continued activity, and the impress of his life-work will long remain on the financial and commercial interests of Tyrone. Death came suddenly to him by a stroke of apoplexy on the 17th of January, 1880, when he was examining an ore mine. James A. Study, the eldest son and fifth child of Edwin L. and Catherine G. (McIlvaine) Study, was born at Fairfield, Adams county, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1853, but was reared and received his education at Tyrone. After being graduated from the Iron City Business college, of Pittsburg, in 1870, he engaged in the mercantile business with his father, and is now a member of the well known firm of J. A. Study & W. L. Study. He is a strong republican, an excellent business man, and a consistent member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Tyrone. In August, 1876, he married Anna V., daughter of J. H. and Mary (Burkett) Lever of Centre county. To Mr. And Mrs. Study have been born two children: Helen M. and Edwin L. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Eileen THOMAS WHITE, an industrious and well situated farmer of Frankstown township, is a son of Samuel and Anna (Bancroft) White, and was born in Frankstown township, Blair county, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1853. His paternal grandfather, James White, was a native and life-long resident of Derbyshire, England. He married, and his son, Thomas White, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born near Derbyshire, April 2, 1816. He learned the trades of baker and brewer, which he followed in his native country of England until 1852, when he came to Blair county, where he settled in Frankstown township. Five years later, in 1857, he removed to Hollidaysburg, where he was engaged in the general mercantile business for one year, and then went to Tyrone, near which, in a district called the Kettle, he ran a truck farm until 1890. In that year he retired from active life, and came to Altoona, where he has resided ever since. He has been twice married. His first wife was Anna Bancroft, who died in March, 1856, at Frankstown, when in the fifty-seventh year of her age. For his second wife he married, in 1860, Mrs. Anna Jeff, of Tyrone, who died in 1882. By his first marriage he had ten children, of whom seven lived to reach manhood and womanhood. Thomas White passed his boyhood years on his father's farm in Frankstown township, attended the common schools for about one year, and then became a laborer on a farm, where he worked for some years. After attaining his majority he engaged in farming, which he has followed continuously and successfully ever since. He owns a valuable farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres of tillable and productive land near the village of Frankstown. On Christmas day, 1887, Mr. White was united in marriage with Mary E., daughter of Joseph and Catherine Harpster, of Frankstown township. Mr. And Mrs. White have four children, two sons and two daughters: Samuel F., Oscar H., Catherine D., and Elberta S. In politics Mr. White is a republican, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been for several years a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church and is a substantial and reliable citizen of his community. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Eileen