BIOS: File 12 - 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 12, listing the page where they appear in the book: Bramell, Charles J., page 507 Burke, Thomas J., page 540 Cole, Thomas W., page 506 Confer, John W., page 311 Crowley, Charles M., page 471 Cunningham, Newton F., page 544 Eberman, Edwin S., page 330 Jenks, Henry F.W., page 325 Leader, William L., page 468 McCullough, David G., page 329 Morrow, Anthony S., page 308 Shellenberger, William L., page 467 Shimer, Dr. William S., page 508 Sholly, Henry L., page 559 Smith, John C., page 543 Spanogle, Albert L., M.D., page 541 Whitbred, Andrew A., page 312 Wilson, James T., M.D., page 309 Winter, Ferdinand A., page 542 Yingling, John M., page 313 CHARLES J. BRAMELL, one of the active young business men of the Mountain City, is the only child of Andrew and Mary (Schenk) Bramell, and was born in the city of Altoona, Blair county, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1868. The Bramell and Schenk families are of German lineage, and have been resident of Germany for several centuries. Andrew Bramell, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1846, in one of the provinces of the present German empire, where he was reared and received his education. At twenty years of age he left the Fatherland to settle in Altoona, where he engaged in the tailoring business until his death in 1869, at the early age of twenty-three years. He was a consistent member of the Catholic church, and married Mary Schenk, who two years after his death wedded A. Greissen, of Altoona and has four children by her second marriage. Mary Schenk's father was a native of Germany, who settled in Altoona, where he died in 1871. His widow (grandmother), who died in 1884, aged seventy years, was a women of energy and enterprise. She built the Schenk business block at the corner of Fourteenth street and Eleventh avenue, erected the Brant House at the corner of Twelfth street and Tenth avenue, and contributed liberally toward the erection of the present church edifice of St. Mary's Catholic congregation, of which she was a consistent and highly esteemed member. Charles J. Bramell was reared in Altoona, where he has always resided. He received his education at the well known St. Vincent's college, of near Latrobe, in Westmoreland county, which was founded by the saintly Rt. Rev. Boniface Wimmer, who revived in America the grand institutions of the Benedictine abbeys of the middle ages. Leaving college, he was engaged for several years as a mercantile clerk in the employ of Andrew Gamble, Harry Bell & Son, and J. W. Leslie, of Altoona. In 1889, he and his stepfather, A. Greissen, formed a partnership and opened a grocery store, which they conducted until 1890. When Mr. Bramell purchased his stepfather's interest. Since then he has conducted a most successful business, and has enjoyed a large and continually increasing trade. In his grocery establishment is a well selected stock of everything to be found in a first-class store. In 1801 Charles J. Bramell was united in marriage with Henrietta O'Brien, daughter of James O'Brien of Altoona. In politics, Mr. Bramell is a strong and zealous democrat, and a member of St. Mary's Catholic church. Mr. Bramell is an energetic, clear-headed young business man, honorable and fair in all of his transactions, and well-deserving of the success which he is achieving. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Sharon McCartney Russell THOMAS J. BURKE, general manager of the house furnishing firm of C. V. Burke & Co., of Altoona, and chairman of the Blair county democratic committee, is a son of Patrick Henry and Margaret (Sullivan) Burke, and was born in Genesee township, Potter county, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1848. His paternal grandfather, John Burke, was born in the town of Mullingar, county of Westmeath, Ireland, and in 1836 settled in the Dominion of Canada, which he left two years later to become a resident of New York. He was a civil engineer by profession, was a member of the corps of engineers that located the Genesee valley canal, upon whose construction he was a contractor for several years, with headquarters at Rochester, New York. He was a Catholic in religious belief, and died at the residence of his son, Patrick H., in Potter county, Pennsylvania, in 1864, at seventy-eight years of age. His son, Patrick H. Burke (father), was born in the town of Roscommon, County Roscommon, Ireland, and came, in 1838, to New York, where he was engaged with his father for four years in contracting on the Genesee valley canal, between Olean and Rochester. At the end of that time, in 1842, he removed to Potter county, this State, where he followed contracting on the Erie and Pennsylvania railroads until a few years before his death, in 1884, at sixty-seven years of age. He was a member of the Catholic church and a democrat in politics, and owned a large farm in Potter county. He married Margaret Sullivan, a native of Bangor, Maine, who died in April, 1872, at forty-seven years of age. Thomas J. Burke was reared on the farm until he was sixteen years of age, and after completing his academic course, entered the Edinboro State Normal school of Erie county, Pennsylvania, from which favorably and well known educational institution he was graduated in the class of 1868. Leaving Erie county he was engaged in teaching in Potter and McKean counties for four years, but in the meantime, in 1869, had embarked in the general mercantile and lumber business, which he followed in Elk and Clearfield counties until 1874. From 1869 to 1874 he read law with Hon. J. G. Hall & Bro. In 1874 he engaged, at St. Mary's, Elk county, in the insurance and shipping business, which he pursued until 1885, when he came to Altoona to assume his present position as manager of the large house furnishing firm of C. V. Burke & Co. The large and well appointed house furnishing bazaar of this firm extends from 1507 to 1513 on Eleventh avenue, where they keep in stock everything that pertains to the proper furnishing of a modern home. The establishment is divided into sixteen departments, which are presided over by courteous managers. The firm sells on the installment plan, and has a large patronage in Altoona and the surrounding country. In 1872 Mr. Burke married Ida G. Brunau, of Clearfield county, who died in 1881. In 1884 he wedded Carrie V. McHenry, of Dubois, Clearfield county, and to this second union have been born three children: Ida R., Margaret Ethel, and Kathleen May. Thomas J. Burke has met with good success in his different business enterprises. He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, a past chancellor of Logan Lodge, No. 79, Knights of the Pythias, and a member of the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Honor of Pennsylvania. In politics Mr. Burke has always been a democrat of pronounced views, and at the present time is a friend and warm supporter of Governor Pattison, of Pennsylvania. He served as auditor of Elk county from 1872 to 1875, and as justice of the peace from 1875 to 1881, besides having held the office of notary public for six years. Within the last eleven years he has served repeatedly as a delegate from McKean, Elk, Clearfield, and Blair counties, to democratic State conventions. Thomas J. Burke has always been unswerving and active in the support of the principles of democracy as advanced by Jefferson and Jackson and Cleveland, and believes that the highest prosperity of the nation is only to be attained under a democratic administration of the government. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Beth Fladaker Eflad@aol.com THOMAS W. COLE, resident of Mountain City since 1867, and the superintendent of the Altoona Gas Company, is the eldest son and child of James and Caroline (Jones) Cole, and was born at St. Michael's, Talbot county, Maryland, May 10, 1845. The Cole family is of English and Scotch lineage, and James Cole was born on, January 20, 1816, at Aberdeen, Maryland, where he died January 15, 1892, when lacking but five days of having completed his seventy-sixth year. His grandfather Cole was an old resident and a well-to-do farmer of Harford county, Maryland, and died at Aberdeen, that State. James Cole was the eldest of a family of eleven children, and learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for many years. He was an industrious man, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was twice married. His first wife was Caroline Jones, who died at St. Michael's in 1859, leaving a family of eleven children. Mr. Cole, in 1866 married for his second wife Hannah Osborn. Mr. Cole's first wife, Caroline (Jones) Cole was a daughter of Major Jones, an American officer, who served with distinction in the revolution and the war of 1812, and died at St. Michael's. He was a native of lower Maryland, and reared a family of seven children, all of whom are dead except Capt. Thomas Jones, who is a ship owner and has been engaged for many years in the carrying trade between Charleston, South Carolina, and Liverpool, England. Thomas W. Cole was reared in his native State, received his education in the public schools of St. Michael's, and learned the trade of machinist in the Washington navy yard. Leaving Washington city, in 1867, he came to Altoona, where he was employed in the machine shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company until 1874, when he was transferred to the draughting room, under the personal charge of J. B. Collins, the mechanical engineer of the company, and served there for seven years. At the end of that time, in 1880, he resigned his position to become superintendent and general manager of the Altoona Gas Company, in which capacity he served continuously and successfully ever since. In 1872 Mr. Cole wedded Frances E., daughter of Charles Fisher, of Blair county. To their union have been born seven children, five sons and two daughters: Annetta, who died in 1883, aged ten years; Frank, Edgar, William, Hildah, James and Fred. Thomas W. Cole is a democrat in politics, and served for three consecutive terms -- from 1882 to 1891 -- as a member of the city school board. He is a member and deacon of the First Evangelical Lutheran church of Altoona, and a member and past officer of White Cross Lodge, No. 354, Knights if Pythias. He is also a member and past officer of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained high rank, being a member of Logan Lodge, No. 490, Free and Accepted Masons; Mountain Chapter, No. 189, Royal Arch Masons; Mountain Council, No. 9, Royal and Select Masters; Mountain Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar; and Syria Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Pittsburg. Mr. Cole, aside from the many duties of his present responsible position, has given some time and thought to the material development of his city, and has served as one of the directors of the Fidelity Building & Loan association of Altoona, ever since its organization, in 1884. The business men of Altoona are conspicuous for their enterprise and ability, and in their ranks Thomas W. Cole occupies an honorable and well deserved position. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Sharon McCartney Russell jerusse@erols.com JOHN W. CONFER, who has been largely instrumental in shaping many of the leading industries of Duncansville, is a son of Samuel B. and Elizabeth (Stifler) Confer, and was born in Duncansville, June 17, 1862. Jacob Confer (paternal grandfather) was a native of McKee's Gap, Pennsylvania, and removed to Claysburg, Blair county, where he resided until his death. In politics he was a firm supporter of the Whig party, and a faithful attendant of the Evangelical Lutheran church. He married Elizabeth Kephart, of Claysburg, by whom he had five children, two sons and three daughters: David M., who was working for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Huntingdon, this State, where he was killed by an accident on the railroad in 1861; Keziah, married Thomas Elder, of Hollidaysburg, and who is engaged in the railroad shops at Altoona, Pennsylvania; Elizabeth, married Henry Trout, of Bellwood, and died in 1891; Mary, married J. E. Shartzer, of Altoona, who is engaged in the railroad shops in that city; and Samuel B. Samuel B. Confer (father) was born at McKee's Gap in 1831, and became a captain on the Portage railroad, serving for a time in that capacity. He was then employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, under whom he served as a conductor for a period of twenty years. In 1855 he came to Duncansville, where he has resided ever since. He owns a large store in that place, and carries a full line of dry goods and groceries. He adheres to the republican party, and served one term as commissioner of Blair county. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a tireless worker in the cause of Christianity. He holds the positions of trustee, Sunday-school superintendent, and class leader, and has widened the circle of friends by his efforts for the advancement of morality, law and good order. He married Elizabeth Stifler, and to this union were born five children: David Clarence, born May 20, 1857, married Alice M. Hyle, and is a prominent physician of Duncansville, who was graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, in 1881; Lloyd G., born June 10, 1860, is now a conductor on the Pennsylvania railroad, resides at Williamsburg, this county, and married Nannie G. Wood, a native of Hollidaysburg; Blanche, born March 11, 1866, died March 24, 1866; Nellie K., born February 19, 1877, and resides with her parents; and John W. John W. Confer was reared in Duncansville, where he has always resided. He received his education in the public schools of his native town, and for a short time pursued special studies under Professor Stewart, of Hollidaysburg. He is associated with his father in the mercantile business at Duncansville, and has been the general manager of the store for several years. On April 16, 1891, John W. Confer was united in marriage with Margaret C. Gibson, of Duncansville, and to their union has been born one daughter: Pauline G., who was born January 31, 1892. In politics Mr. Confer is a republican. He is an earnest Sunday-school worker in the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a prominent Mason, having served in 1889 as master of Juniata Lodge, No. 282, Free and Accepted Masons, of Hollidaysburg, and is now secretary of his lodge, and of Mount Moriah Chapter, No. 166, Royal Arch Masons. He is also a member of Mountain Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar, of Altoona, and has been enterprising and faithful in the performance of all Masonic duties. He is secretary of the Building and Load association, secretary and treasurer of the Town Hall association, and treasurer of the borough of Duncansville. Mr. Confer has made himself useful in building up an important industry of his town, and the results of his patient labor are to be seen in his present large and flourishing business. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Tina Ludwig tina.ludwig@home.com CHARLES M. CROWLEY, who is the successful and special representative at Altoona of the Etna Fire Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut, was born September 3, 1864, at Medina, Orleans county, New York, and is a son of John and Margaret (Sullivan) Crowley. His paternal grandfather Crowley was a native of Ireland, and belonged to the farming class of that country. During the first quarter of the present century he came to the United States and settled in Orleans county, New York, where he cleared out a large farm, on which he resided until his death, in 1854, at fifty years of age. His son, John Crowley, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Ridgeway, Orleans county, and trained to farming, which he has followed ever since. He is a democrat in politics, and resides upon his farm at South Barre, that county. He married Margaret Sullivan, and they have reared a family of several children. Mrs. Margaret Crowley's father was born in Ireland, and came to Albion, Orleans county, New York, where he died in 1891, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Charles M. Crowley passed his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm, where he assisted in most of the routine work of farming. He received his education at Albion, in his native county, and after he left school was engaged for two years in teaching in New York. He then came to Altoona, where he taught for two years. In 1886 he formed a partnership with Joseph Reese, of Johnstown, this State, and successfully conducted the International Business college of Altoona until 1888, when Mr. Crowley withdrew from the college management to become book-keeper in the mercantile house, at Altoona, of Barnet, Bond & Son, of Baltimore, Maryland. At the end of three years he resigned his position of book-keeper to engage in his present fire insurance business, as special agent of the old and well-known Etna Fire Insurance Company, of Hartford, Connecticut. Charles M. Crowley is a democrat in politics. Fire insurance to-day represents millions of capital and has grown to a business of large proportions in every enterprising city of the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Altoona is not behind her sister cities in affording her citizens the best of opportunities to protect themselves from loss by fire. Mr. Crowley represents one of the most reliable fire companies in the United States and has secured a large patronage by his earnest and effective work. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Janet Ebaugh NEWTON F. CUNNINGHAM, a skillful and experienced workman, and the assistant foreman of the shops of the freight department of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Altoona, is a son of John M. and Catherine (Wilson) Cunningham, and was born at Huntingdon, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, December 10, 1848. John M. Cunningham was a native of Mifflin county, and in early life came to Altoona, where he worked for a short time in the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and then removed to Huntingdon county, where he died in 1868, at sixty years of age. He was a carpenter and bridge builder by trade, and ran a foundry at Huntingdon for several years before his death. He was a whig and republican in politics, and a regular attendant of the Methodist Episcopal church, and married Catherine Wilson, a native of Georgetown, Maryland, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, who died in 1873, aged seventy-one years. They reared a family of children. One of their sons, James D., enlisted in a Pennsylvania regiment during the late civil war, and was killed at the battle of Cold Harbor, while another son, William F., was killed by an accidental shot while serving as a policeman at Leadville, Colorado. Newton F. Cunningham was reared at Huntingdon, received his education in the common schools, and then learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for some time. In August, 1870, he came to Altoona, and on the 8th day of that month went to work in the shops of the freight department of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, whose foreman then was Andrew Kipple. He was variously engaged in these shops until he fully mastered all the details of the different kinds of work done in them, and in July, 1887, was appointed by Mr. Kipple as assistant foreman, which position he has held ever since. In 1873 Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage with Ellen Young, of Blair county. To their union have been born six children, three sons and three daughters: Harry, Louisa, Myrtle, James, Raymond, and Minnie. Newton F. Cunningham is a republican in politics, has always given his party an unfaltering support, and served one term as a member of the common council from the Seventh ward. He thoroughly understands the business in which he is engaged, and to whose management he brings twenty-one years of experience, both as a workman and a manager. He is a member of Mountain City Lodge, No. 837, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Cunningham, at different times, invested in real estate in Altoona, which has now become valuable and desirable. Skill marks his work, good judgment has characterized his business transactions, and honor and honesty have stamped all his dealings with his fellow citizens. The Cunninghams are of Irish descent, and the family has been resident of the United States for nearly two centuries. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Beth Fladaker Eflad@aol.com EDWIN S. EBERMAN, a retired citizen of Hollidaysburg, and who was in the confectionary manufacturing business in that place for thirty-two years, is the eldest son of John M. and Catherine (Rupely) Eberman, and was born in the city of Lancaster, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, January 8, 1816. His paternal grandfather, Philip Eberman, was a native of Germany, and in 1812 came to the city of Lancaster, where he resided until his death, in 1850. He was a democrat, and served one term as sheriff of Lancaster county. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and married and reared a family of five children: John M., Susan, George, William, and Jacob. John M., the eldest son, and father of the subject of this sketch, was born August 1, 1787 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and there he followed his trade of tinning for several years. He then went to Harrisburg, where he engaged in the confectionery business until a short time before his death, which occurred June 5, 1865. He was a democrat in politics, and served as a clerk for several years in the land office at Harrisburg. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and married Catherine Rupely, who passed away in 1842, aged forty-seven years. They were the parents of eleven children; Edwin S., Ellen, Frederick, John, Margaret, F.A., Henrietta, Charlotte, Luther M., Agnes S., and Charles. Edwin S. Eberman was reared at Lancaster and Harrisburg, and received a good common English education, and engaged in the manufacture of confectionery with his father. In 1832 he came to Hollidaysburg, Blair county, where he opened, on Montgomery street, a confectionery establishment, and manufactured all kinds of candies and confections for thirty-two years. In 1882 he disposed of his business, and since then has been living a retired life. He and his amiable wife reside in a pleasantly appointed home on Walnut Street, where they are ever glad to welcome their friends. In 1835 Mr. Eberman married Euphronia Snyder, who was born in Lancaster county, November 12, 1817. She is a daughter of Jacob Snyder, who was born in Germany, October 9, 1796, came to the United States about 1812, and resided in South Carolina, Lancaster, and at Hollidaysburg, where he died May 8, 1847, aged eighty-one years. Jacob Snyder was a democrat and Lutheran, and served in the War of 1812. He had married Barbara Parker, by whom he had four children: Nancy, Mrs. Euphronia Eberman, Elizabeth, and Jacob, all of whom are living. Edwin S. Eberman is an old-time democrat in politics, who believes in the simplicity of republican governments and their honest administration by public officials. He is a member and trustee of the Evangelical Lutheran church of Hollidaysburg. When the late war commenced, Mr. Eberman, although forty-five years of age, and safe from all probable drafts, yet responded to President Lincoln's call for troops, and enlisted as a private in Co. A, 3d Pennsylvania infantry. He was soon appointed as a hospital steward, and served as such until the 13th day of July, 1861, when he was honorably discharged from the Union service. Today Mr. Eberman is among the few surviving Union soldiers who have passed their three-score and ten years. Transcribed and submitted to Blair County, PA, USGenWeb Archives by denise HENRY F.W. JENKS, A skilled iron worker, and who is now employed by Portage Iron Company (limited), of Duncansville, is a son of Joseph and Mary Ann (Jewkes) Jenks, and was born at Wolverhampton, England, July 21, 1860. His paternal grandfather, Isaac Jenks, was born at Bilston, South Staffordshire, England, and died at Wolverhampton in 1870 or '72. He was a heater by trade, and had served for several years as manager of an iron mill. He was liberal in English politics, a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and married and reared a family of ten children. He was a life long resident of his native county, and his son, Joseph Jenks (father), was born at Bilston in 1823. He received his education in the schools of his town, and learned the trade of roller, which he followed for some years. At the end of that time he became a manager of a steel mill, which position he filled efficiently and acceptably for a number of years. He is still alive, and visiting his children in America. He resided during most of his life at Wolverhampton, in South Straffordshire, where he was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He was a liberal in English political affairs, and married Mary Ann Jewkes, who died in 1883, aged fifty-seven years. They reared a family of eleven children, five sons and six daughters: Joseph, an iron merchant in England; Thomas, who died at an early age; Walter I., who came to Pennsylvania, and who is a boss roller in La Bell Steel mills, Allegheny, this state; Albert E., now engaged in the iron business with his brother Joseph in England; Henry F.W.; Mary A., wife of William George Merriman, of Duncansville, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Agnes, who married William Blakemore, the manager of a large colliery in England; Matilda M., wife of Rev. John Watson Blakemore, an eminent clergyman of Sunderland, England; Rebecca; Ada L., who married Samuel Evans, a merchant of Manchester, in her native country; and Martha E. Henry F. W. Jenks was reared at Wolverhampton, received a good English education, and learned the trade of roller, which he followed in England until 1882, when he came to Pennsylvania. After being variously employed in several different rolling mills he came, in 1889, to Duncansville, where he has been employed ever since as boss roller of a ten inch train of rolls in the rolling mill of the Portage Iron Company. Mr. Jenks is a republican in politics, and in religious sentiment and church membership has been some years a Wesleyan Methodist. He is a competent and energetic workman, well acquainted with all the details of rolling mill work, and is a pleasant and intelligent gentleman. On November 21, 1885, Mr. Jenks was united in marriage with Annie E. Fawsitt, of Hanley, North Staffordshire, England, and their union has been blessed with two children: a son named Ernest, who was born may 21, 1889; and Ethel may, born January, 1890, and died July 17 of the same year. Transcribed and submitted to Blair County, PA, USGenWeb Archives by denise WILLIAM H. LEADER, a prominent contractor and builder of Altoona, who has been a resident of the city since its earliest days, is a son of Daniel and Mary (Campbell) Leader, and was born in the town of Bedford, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, his natal day being January 19, 1832. The Leaders are descended from an ancient German family, the American branch of the family being planted in the new world by his great-grandfather Leader, who left his native country in the eighteenth century to try his fortunes in the young republic of North America. He located near the city of Reading, Pennsylvania, where he purchased a farm and reared a large family, and where he died at an advanced age. His descendants have become numerous in this State. Among his sons was Frederick Leader (grandfather), who was born near Reading, this State, where he grew to manhood and received the limited education afforded by the country schools of his day. After attaining manhood he removed to Pottstown, Montgomery country, where he passed the remainder of his days. He was a farmer by occupation, and spent his life in agricultural pursuits. He became a member of the German Reformed church, and married and reared a family of children. One of his sons was Daniel Leader (father), who was born at Pottstown in 1787, and reared and educated in Montgomery county. When thirty-eight years of age he removed to Bedford county, this State, locating in Martinsburg, now in this county, but at that time (1825) comprised in the county of Bedford. In 1827 he moved into the town of Bedford, where he continued to reside until his death, in 1866, when he lacked only one year of being an octogenarian. In early life he learned the tinner's trade and worked at it for a few years, but most of his active life was devoted to farming, in which he was very successful. He was a member of the German Reformed church, and was active in promoting the interests of his denomination. In politics he was a whig and republican. He married Mary Campbell, and to them was born a family of children. She was a native of Bedford county, and of Scotch-Irish descent. During most of her life she was a devoted and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and died in 1857, at the advanced age of sixty-three years. William H. Leader was reared in the adjoining county of Bedford, and obtained his education in the public schools of that county. After leaving school he learned the trade of carpenter, which he has successfully followed ever since. In 1850 he came to Hollidaysburg, this county, where he resided for two years, and then removed to Altoona, which has been his home to the present time. When he first came to Altoona it consisted of about one dozen houses, and he has seen the town grow and develop into the beautiful, busy and picturesque place now known everywhere as the "Mountain City" of Pennsylvania. He has not only seen it grow, but has helped to create it, having built or assisted in building hundreds of the houses which adorn its residence streets and business thoroughfares. Since 1869 he has been engaged in contracting and building in this city, and prior to that time worked at his trade here, so that it may be doubted if the handiwork of any one man appears in an equal number of buildings in Altoona. In 1854 Mr. Leader was married to Martha Dobbs, a daughter of Thomas Dobbs, of the city of Hollidaysburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Leader was born a family of seven children who lived to reach maturity, five sons and two daughters: Arthur W., James S., Thomas D., Edward E., Charles W., Mary C., and Bessie G. Arthur W. Leader is a contractor and builder in the city of Altoona, and the four other sons are in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as carpenters and machinists. Politically William H. Leader is a republican, anxious to discharge all the duties of good citizenship, but never taking an active part in the turmoils of practical politics. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Janet Ebaugh DAVID G. McCULLOUGH, Who has been engaged in the grocery business in Altoona since 1876, and is one of the surviving wounded veterans of the old 54th Pennsylvania infantry, is a son of John and Barbara (Crider) McCullough, and was born in Birmingham, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, December 30, 1839. His paternal grandfather was of Scotch lineage, and died in Jefferson county in 1840, when in the seventy-second year of his age; while his maternal grandfather, Peter Crider, was of German descent, from Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, and died in Blair county, at forty-two years of age. He was a stonemason by trade, but during the winter seasons worked at coopering, as in his day all stonemason work ceased with the approach of winter. He was a good workman and an industrious man, and married Barbara Crider January 4, 1827, who was born in 1805, and passed away April 18, 1885, at Birmingham, Pennsylvania, in her eightieth year. They were the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters: Mary, Martha, Rachel, Andrew, John, James, and David G. David G. McCullough was reared at Birmingham, where he received his education in the common schools and the high school of that place. Leaving school, he followed farming for a short time, then was in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for three years, and at the end of that time, on September 4, 1861, left the pursuits of civil life to risk his life in defense of his country's liberties. He enlisted at Johnstown, Cambria county, on the above named date, as a private in Co. A, 54th Pennsylvania infantry, was promoted to corporal for meritorious service, and was honorably discharged on February 9, 1864, but immediately re-enlisted as a veteran. He served on his second term on enlistment until January 28, 1865, when he was discharged on a surgeon's certificate, for physical disability. His first service in the field was in the Army of West Virginia, where his regiment saw some very hard scouting service along the line of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, as well as severe fighting in the mountains of West Virginia. His regiment was afterwards transferred to the Army of the Shenandoah, and formed a part of the first brigade, first division, eighth army corps. Corporal McCullough was wounded in the left arm at the battle of New Market, May 15, 1864. This wound confined him to a hospital for eight months, and rendering him unfit for further active service in the field, led to his discharge. Returning home, he went, during the succeeding year to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in the grocery business until 1873, when he came to Altoona and became the junior member of the grocery firm of Confer & McCullough, which existed for three years. In March, 1876, Mr. McCullough purchased his partner's interest, and since then has devoted his time and energies to the building up of the fine trade which he now enjoys. His grocery store is at No. 1121 Eleventh Avenue, where he keeps a large and carefully selected stock of fresh and pure family groceries. On September 24, 1868, Mr. McCullough wedded Mary A., daughter of Jeremiah Hite, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. To their union have been born six children, five sons and one daughter: Frank M., now attending Lehigh University, at Bethlehem, this State, from which institution he will be graduated in the class of 1894; John E. and David G. jr., now attending Altoona high School; Charles; Lillie; and Herman. David G. McCullough is a stanch Republican in politics, who has always yielded his party an unflinching loyalty, and an active, whole-hearted support. He is a member of F.C. Ward Post, No. 468, Grand Army of the Republic, and thoroughly understands the business in which he has been so successfully engaged for nearly a quarter of a century. Transcribed and submitted to Blair County Pa USGenWeb Archives by denise ANTHONY S. MORROW, a member of the banking house of Gardner, Morrow & Co., of Hollidaysburg, ex-prothonotary of Blair county, and the president of the Cresson, Clearfield County & New York Short Route railroad, is a son of Samuel and Catherine (Shoemaker) Morrow, and was born at McConnellsburg, Fulton county, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1823. His paternal grandfather was of Scotch-Irish descent, and came from the north of Ireland to the United States with two brothers, John and James, who settled in the Cumberland valley, Pennsylvania, and afterwards served as soldiers in the American army during the war of 1812. Samuel Morrow (father) was born in Cumberland, and removed to Fulton county early in the present century. He settled at McConnellsburg, where he conducted a tailoring establishment until his death, in 1840, at fifty-four years of age. He was a whig, and although quite a politician, yet never sought for any office. He was an energetic business man, and married Catherine Shoemaker, by whom he had several children. Mrs. Morrow was born in Franklin county, became a member of the Presbyterian church, and died at Martinsburg when in the eighty-fourth year of age. Her father, Anthony Shoemaker (maternal grandfather), came from Strassburg, Germany, and died at McConnellsburg, while his widow lived to be one hundred years old. Anthony S. Morrow was reared at McConnellsburg until he was fifteen years of age, when he went to Martinsburg, where he became a clerk in a general mercantile store. He soon sent for his mother and the family to come to him, as they were dependent upon him to a considerable extent for support. In 1847 he and another young man formed a partnership and purchased the store in which he had served as clerk, and operated it until 1852, when Mr. Morrow disposed of his interest in it in order to embark in the foundry business, which he conducted very successfully until 1861. In October of that year he was elected on the republican ticket as prothonotary of Blair county, and was successively re-elected in October, 1864, 1867, and 1870. He served four successive terms of twelve continuous years, and no other prothonotary of the county ever served as long, a fact which well attests his efficiency and energy as a public officer. In February, 1874, he retired from the office of prothonotary and became a member of the private banking firm of James Gardner & Co., of Hollidaysburg, which title was immediately changed to the present firm name of Gardner, Morrow & Co. They do a large business, and have the confidence of the people as well as of the different State and National banks. On November 23, 1848, he married Mary Crawford, daughter of David Crawford, of Blair township, Blair county, Pennsylvania. In politics Mr. Morrow is a republican, and still takes an active part in the interests and success of his party, which he has represented frequently in county, congressional and State conventions. He owns considerable real estate in the county, and is a member and trustee of the First Presbyterian church of Hollidaysburg. Mr. Morrow has branched out into several lines of business outside of banking. He is one of the projectors and stockholders of the Juniata Gannister Company, and the Cresson, Clearfield County & New York Short Route railroad, which was completed in 1885, and of which road he has been president since its completion. He is also connected with the Martinsburg Water Works, and other enterprises. The banking house of Gardner, Morrow & Co. is the last of several firms which have succeeded to the ownership and operation of that branch of the Farmers' Bank of Lancaster, established in Hollidaysburg about 1850. It was under the management of Richard R. Bryan, and closed in a short time under a State law prohibiting branch banks. Bryan then, with James Gardner and others, organized under the firm name of Bryan, Gleim & Co., and bought the material of the branch house. They conducted a general banking business for several months, when the firm changed to Bryan, Gardner & Co., which continued until 1859. From that year until 1874 James Gardner conducted the business. He then associated himself with Mr. Morrow and others, under the firm name of Gardner, Morrow & Co., and have carried on most successfully a general banking business. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Tina Ludwig tina.ludwig@home.com WILLIAM L. SHELLENBERGER, president of the Richland Coal Company, and vice-president of the Altoona, Clearfield & Northern Railroad Company, is a man of marked ability, and is closely identified with the business prosperity and development of Blair county. He has been a life-long resident of the city of Altoona, and is a son of James and Agnes (Lahey) Shellenberger, being born August 1, 1857, at Alexandria, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. The Shellenbergers are of German descent, tracing their ancestry back to the Fatherland, but for many generations have been residents of the Keystone State, and loyal citizens of the great American republic. James Shellenberger (father) was born in Berks county, this State, in 1832, where he grew to manhood, and received a good common school education. While yet a young man he removed to Huntingdon county, and in 1861 came to Altoona, where he still resides, being now in the sixtieth year of his age. He is a carpenter by trade, and has followed that occupation all his active life. In politics a republican, he has ever been interested in all questions affecting the public welfare, though taking no active part in the leading contests which periodically convulse this country. He has for many years been a member of the Baptist church. By his marriage to Agnes Lahey he had a family of children. She was a native of Ireland, coming to Huntingdon with her father's family when only nine years of age. She is also a member of the Baptist church. William L. Shellenberger was reared in Altoona, and received his education in the public schools of this city. After completing his studies and leaving school he became a book-keeper for the firm of Stokes & Co., of Altoona, and followed that occupation for a period of eight years. In 1882 he resigned his position as book-keeper and began dealing in builders' supplies of all kinds. He has successfully conducted this business ever since, with a constantly increasing trade. He handles sew pipe, flue pip, sand, lime, cement, plaster, and nearly everything used by builders. He also deals in coal and coke, and executes contracts for metalic cement and paving and building in concrete and artificial stone. His store is located at No. 1710 Ninth avenue. In addition to giving careful attention to the growing demands of his business, Mr. Shellenberger became active in the organization of the company which built the Altoona, Clearfield & Northern railroad, and is now serving as vice-president of that company. He is also president of the Richland Coal Company, of which he was one of the early promoters, and whose operations have done so much toward the development of this county. In 1881 Mr. Shellenberger was united in marriage to Annie K. Griffin, a daughter of Theodore H. Griffin, of the city of Altoona. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two children, one son and a daughter: Russell and Rachel. In his political affiliations Mr. Shellenberger has always been republican, and has been repeatedly honored by election to official position. He is now serving as a member of the common council of the city of Altoona, and was auditor of Blair county from 1884 to 1888. He has always given his party an active and influential support, and is a local leader of recognized ability. He is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America and of the Knights of the Golden Eagle. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Janet Ebaugh DR. WILLIAM S. SHIMER, A well read veterinary surgeon of seven year's successful experience in the city of Altoona, is a son of William S., sr., and Hannah S. (Shantz) Shimer, and was born in Shimersville in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, April 26, 1865. His paternal great-grandfather came to America in 1740, and settled on the present site of Shimersville, Lehigh county, which town was named in honor of him. He married and lived there until his death. From him are descended the various Shimer families of this and adjoining states. His son (grandfather) was born in the first year of the present century and died in 1884, when he had nearly reached the eighty-fourth year of his age. He was a farmer, married, and reared a family of industrious children. His son, William S. Shimer, sr., was born on the old Shimer homestead, where he has resided ever since. He is a farmer by occupation and maried Hannah S. Shantz. William S. Shimer passed his boyhood and youth at Shimersville, received his education in the common schools and Muhlenburg college of Allentown, Pennsylvania and then entered Ontario Veterinary college of Ontario, Dominion of Canada, from which he was graduated in the class of 1885. Having thus scientifically and thoroughly qualified himself for his chosen profession, he returned home, and in a few weeks afterwards came to Altoona, where he has been very successful as a veterinary surgeon ever since. Ample and scientific qualifications are now demanded in every profession and calling of life, and in this respect Dr. Shimer has well prepared himself for his work. In politics he is a republican, but has little time to spare from his veterinary work to give to political affairs. He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church of Altoona, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Although young in years he has met with good success and ranks high as a well read and skillful veterinary surgeon. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Sharon McCartney Russell jerusse@erols.com HENRY L. SHOLLY, superintendent of the Tyrone Iron Company's works at Tyrone, and an enterprising and thrifty business man, is the eldest son of Jacob and Susannah (Snyder) Sholly, and was born at Port Treverton, Snyder county, Pennsylvania, January 17, 1852. The Shollys are of Swedish extraction and the family planted in America about 1638, when the Swedes and Finns settled in what was then known as New Sweden. Jacob Sholly, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Lebanon county, this State, but removed to Snyder county while yet a lad, and lived there until his death at an advanced age. He was a farmer by occupation, and grew familiar with all the difficulties that beset pioneers in a new country. He purchased a large tract of wild land and cleared out a fine farm, on which he lived for many years previous to his death. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and formerly a Whig, but later became a republican in politics. He married Lydia Stahl, by whom he had a family of five children who grew to maturity: Kate married Isaac Deemer and together with her husband is now deceased. Jacob (father). Simon died about 1860, Susan married Benjamin Neitz and they reside at Port Treverton in Snyder county. Adam who enlisted in 1861, served through the Civil War (receiving injuries which rendered him an invalid for life) and now resides near Pallas, Snyder county. Jacob Sholly (father) is a native of Snyder county, this state, where he spent nearly all his life. While yet a boy he began boating on the Pennsylvania Canal, and followed that occupation for more than thirty years. In later life he purchased a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits exclusively. He is an ardent republican in politics, and a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He married Susannah Snyder in 1851 and to their union was born a family of eight children: Henry L., Emma, Jacob (married Mary Oves and resides at Nealmont, this county), John, George, Simon (the last three now deceased), David (married Kate Shaffer, and is now a farmer of Snyder county), Sallie married Lincoln Strawser a farmer of that county. The maternal grandfather of Henry L. Sholly was Jacob Snyder, a native of Snyder county, where he lived all his life, and died about 1860, at the age of sixty-five years. He was a farmer and a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics he was first a Whig, but later life became a republican and stanch abolitionist. He married a Miss Hockmeister and had a family of ten children, five sons and five daughters: George, David, John, Jacob, Samuel, Susannah (mother), Elizabeth, Catherine married Samuel W. Herrold, Sarah and Emaline married John Swigart. Of these children George, David, Susannah and Catherine are deceased, while the others are yet living in Snyder county. Henry L. Sholly was reared on his father's farm in Snyder county, and acquired a good primary education in the common schools there. After which he attended the Freeburg Academy five terms, and later took courses of training in the Union Seminary at New Berlin, Union county, and the State Normal School in Snyder county. After leaving school he engaged in teaching during the winter season until 1879, when he engaged as a laborer with the Montour Iron and Steel Company at Danville, receiving ninety cents a day. He had worked only two weeks in that capacity when he was promoted to be weigh-master and time-keeper, and soon afterward entered the foundry as clerk and bookkeeper. Some time later he became shipper and timekeeper in the yards and inspector of rails and merchant bar iron, and soon had charge of all the finished products of the mill. December 27, 1885, he came to Tyrone in the employ of the Tyrone Iron Company, as a bookkeeper at the forges. He continued to discharge the duties of that post until September 1886, when he was promoted to the position of superintendent of the works, including the forges and rolling mill. The forges were established in 1809 and rebuilt in 1870, while the rolling mill plant was added in 1883. It is equipped with three regenerative gas heating furnaces, supplied with a sixteen-inch train of rolls, and has annual capacity of twelve thousand tons, principally charcoal, boiler, tube and skelp iron. The forge department has eight knobling fires, one double run-out, and one steam hammer. The blast is operated waterpower and the annual capacity is about five thousand tons of finished products. Under the supervision o Mr. Sholly the Iron Company has created a pleasant little village near the works, known as Nealmont. It already contains fifteen elegant houses, standing on lots forty by one hundred and fifty feet, and each built on a separate plan and painted in a different tint, thereby avoiding a monotonous appearance, usual in such villages. On October 20, 1878, Mr. Sholly was united in marriage to Frances G. Eaton, a daughter of John and Eliza J. Eaton of the city of New York. Their union has been blessed by the birth of five children: Lizzie J., Frank P. H., Dora S., Margaret H., and one other. In politics Mr. Sholly is a stalwart republican, giving the "grand old party" a right loyal support, but entirely without political ambition himself. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and takes an active part in the work of his church. Some five years ago he had a room fitted up at the Tyrone forges in which he has ever since successfully conducted a flourishing Sabbath School. Transcribed and submitted to Blair County, Pa. Gen Web Archives by Janet Gray JOHN C. SMITH, a prosperous farmer of Logan township, who served before Richmond and Petersburg during the last two years of the great civil war as corporal in the 188th Pennsylvania infantry, is a son of Matthias and Jane (Coleman) Smith, and was born on the farm adjoining the one on which he now resides, in Logan township, Blair county, Pennsylvania, January 18, 1839. His paternal grandfather, John Smith, was a native of the State of Maryland, and some time before the commencement of the present century settled in what is now Logan township, where he took up a tract of four hundred acres of land, on which he resided until his death, in 1850, at over eighty years of age. He was of German descent, was one of the earliest settlers of the section in which he lived, and married and reared a family of children. His son, Matthias Smith, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Logan township in 1813, and followed farming until 1861, when he went into the Union service as a teamster, and at the end of six months' time he was taken sick and returned home, where he died in 1864, from the effects of exposure in the army. He was a successful farmer, a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a stanch republican in politics. He married Jane Coleman, who was born in the autumn of 1813, and died February 14, 1892. Mrs. Jane (Coleman) Smith was a grand-daughter of the celebrated Thomas Coleman, one of the famous Indian hunters and frontier scouts of the Juniata valley, and who was called Old Coley by the Indians, who dreaded his death-dealing rifle and vengeful tomahawk, on account of having killed his brother, whose body they left boiling in a sugar kettle, to be found by him. John C. Smith was reared on the farm on which he now resides, receiving his education in the common schools of Logan township, and then engaged in farming, which he followed successfully up to the present time. In February, 1864, he enlisted in the 3d Pennsylvania heavy artillery, at Fortress Monroe, and in March following was transferred to Co. D, 188th Pennsylvania infantry, in which he served as a corporal until December 20, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Philadelphia, having been mustered out at City Point, Virginia. In 1859 Mr. Smith married Ellen Cherry, a daughter of Thomas Cherry, of Antis township, and who died in 1874. In 1877 he wedded for his second wife Lucinda Riggle, daughter of Henry Riggle, of this township. John C. Smith is a republican in politics, and has never failed to support his party upon all important issues. He is a member and has been for some years a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Smith now owns the old Smith homestead farm of one hundred and forty-five acres of choice and productive land. It is a well improved farm, upon which is a good brick residence and all necessary out buildings. He keeps his land in good condition, and is esteemed as a good neighbor and a useful citizen in the community where he resides. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Beth Fladaker Eflad@aol.com ALBERT L. SPANOGLE, M.D., one of the young, active, and progressive physicians of the city of Altoona and Blair county, is a son of Mahlon and Amanda (Thompson) Spanogle, and was born near the town of Warrior's Mark, in the township of Warrior's Mark, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1861. The Spanogles are of German descent, and the founder of the American branch of the family was a native of Baden-Baden, a city and watering place in the grand duchy of Baden, an important province of the present German empire. John Spanogle, the paternal grandfather of Dr. Spanogle, was born and reared in Huntingdon county, which he left previous to 1861, and settled in Illinois, where he died. He married, and was a prosperous farmer. His son, Mahlon Spanogle (father), was born in Huntingdon county, and went west with his father, but when President Lincoln made his second call for troops he returned to this State and enlisted in the 205th Pennsylvania infantry. He served out his first term of enlistment and then re-enlisted for three years, or during the war. He participated in all the skirmishes and battles in which his regiment was engaged, fell mortally wounded while fighting in front of the defences of Richmond, and was taken to Fortress Monroe, where he died in a few days. He was a tinner by trade and had followed farming prior to the war. He married Amanda Thompson, and left a family of children. Albert L. Spanogle was reared in his native township, and received his education in the common schools and Millersville State Normal school, of Lancaster county. Leaving school, he went west, where he was engaged for some time as a clerk in a drug store, and then determined upon medicine as his life vocation. He read medicine with Dr. C. H. Coleman, and entered the medical department of the university of Ann Arbor, of Michigan, from which he was graduated in June, 1881. Immediately after graduation he took a post-graduate course in New York city, at Bellevue Medical college and Long Island hospital, and then, in 1882, came to Altoona, where he has resided ever since in the successful practice of his chosen profession. In politics he believes in the cardinal principles of the Democratic party, but is rather independent in supporting local measures and local candidates. Dr. Albert L. Spanogle is an intelligent gentleman, a thoroughly and specially qualified physician, and enjoys a good practice. Dr. Spanogle was united in marriage with Agnes Morrow, of Altoona, an intelligent, amiable woman, and a very fine musician. She is a daughter of John C. Morrow, a painter, of Pittsburg, who enlisted in a Federal regiment, was captured by the Confederates, and died in Andersonville prison. To Dr. and Mrs. Spanogle has been born one child. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Beth Fladaker Eflad@aol.com ANDREW A. WHITBRED, proprietor of the large and handsome greenhouses, corner Fifth avenue and Thirtieth street, Altoona, and one of the leading florists of that city, is a son Charles and Mary E. (Cooney) Whitbred, and was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 14, 1852. The paternal great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Emanuel Whitbred, was a native of Germany, born and reared at Leipsie, from which place he emigrated to America and located in Philadelphia. In that city he resided until his death, at which time he had reached an advanced age. He married and reared a large family of children. Among his sons was Joseph Whitbred (grandfather), who was born in Philadelphia, and passed his entire life in that city. After attaining manhood he learned the trade of carpenter, and followed that occupation only for a time. He was a man of energy, ambition, and enterprise, however, and soon began contracting and building. He was gifted with good judgment in addition to being a good workman, and became quite successful in his business. He continued to operate as a contractor and builder in that city until 1822, when he was accidentally killed by falling from a large building on the construction of which he was engaged. He married and had a family of two children. His son, Charles Whitbred (father), was born in Philadelphia, and, like his father, resided in that city all his life. He obtained a good education in the public schools of his native city, and after leaving school learned the trade of brass worker. For some years he was engaged in that occupation, but later embarked in the mercantile business there, and being a stirring, energetic man, capable, honest, and enterprising, he met with good success and controlled a fine business. His death occurred in 1861, at the age of forty-six years. He was a whig and republican in politics, and married Mary E. Cooney, and to their union was born a family of four children, three sons and one daughter. Mrs. Whitbred was a native of Bucks county, this State, of Irish descent, and died at her home in the city of Philadelphia in 1859, aged twenty-nine years. Andrew A. Whitbred was reared in Philadelphia, and received a fine English education in the public schools of that City of Brotherly Love. After leaving school he engaged in several different lines of work, among others the trade of shovel making, at which he worked for a time in his native city, and later at Cheltonham. He early learned something of the florist's business, and was frequently employed in that line by some of the leading florists in Philadelphia and elsewhere. In 1872 he located in the city of Altoona, and engaged for a time in growing early vegetables under glass. In 1884 he embarked in the business of a florist, and now has one of the largest and best arranged green-houses in the city, located on the corner of Fifth avenue and Thirtieth street, occupying nearly the entire block, and requiring over twenty-two thousand square feet of glass roofing. Here may be found nearly all the floral treasures of this clime, reinforced by a bewildering array of the choicest similar productions of other lands - in short, all the multitudinous forms of plant and flower that go to make up the complete stock of a first-class florist, or that can charm the senses by variety in form and color or delicate perfume. On February 13, 1877, Mr. Whitbred was united in marriage with Malissa Smith, a daughter of Peter M. Smith, of the city of Altoona, and this union has been blessed by the birth of six children, three sons and three daughters: Ida, Annie, Charlie, Mary, Edward, and George. Politically Mr. Whitbred is a republican, always giving his party a loyal support on general issues, but a little independent in local politics. He is a member of the Altoona Rolling Mill Mutual Aid association, having been at one time employed in a rolling mill for several years prior to engaging in his present prosperous business. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Tina Ludwig tina.ludwig@home.com JAMES T. WILSON, M. D., a graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, and a popular physician, who has been in successful practice at Tyrone for nearly thirty years, is a son of George and Agnes (Cunningham) Wilson, and was born February 29, 1840, at the village of Alexandria, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. George Wilson (father) was a native of Mifflin county, this State, where he was born in 1799, but removed in early life to Huntingdon county, locating at Alexandria. There he resided until his death, in 1850. He was a carpenter and cabinet maker by trade, and also owned a machine shop, where he demonstrated the possession of great natural genius by doing the most difficult machine work for a wide section of country. He gave an ardent support to the Democratic party, and was an active and influential member of the Presbyterian church, in which he served as elder for many years. He married Agnes Cunningham, a daughter of Jeremy Cunningham, by whom he had a family of nine children. The eldest of these was a son, Jeremy, who served during the civil war as a volunteer surgeon in the hospitals at and near Washington city. He married Frances Becker, and became a prominent artist, winning high regard in artistic circles by the excellence of his paintings. He was a student of P. F. Rothermel, the distinguished painter of the "Battle of Gettysburg" (for which the city of Philadelphia paid the sum of twenty thousand dollars), and traveled abroad with Mr. Rothermel for three years, studying and copying the works of the old masters in the capitals of Europe. He now resides in Alexandria, Huntingdon county. The second child was a daughter named Mary, who became the wife of Livingston Robb (now deceased), and resides in Woodcock valley, Huntingdon county. The third was David, who married Mary Hoffman, and is now serving as sheriff of Huntingdon county. He enlisted in the 14th Pennsylvania infantry in 1861, and served three months. The fourth was Anna, who married Carroll C. Dewey, a merchant and banker (now retired) of Canton, Illinois. The fifth was a daughter named Martha (now deceased), who studied art, and became a teacher in drawing and painting at Birmingham and Glens Falls, New York, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and other places. The sixth was Prudence, who became the wife of John G. Cresswell, a baggage master running on the Pennsylvania railroad, between Harrisburg and the city of Philadelphia. Harriet N. was the seventh of the family, and is now an artist, engaged in giving lessons in drawing and painting. The eighth and next to the youngest was James T., the principal subject of this sketch; while the youngest son was George C., who died May 13, 1879, in his thirty-sixth year. When less than eighteen years of age he enlisted as a private in Co. I, 5th Pennsylvania reserves, and after the battle of Antietam was promoted to be lieutenant in the 2d Pennsylvania artillery. He was wounded during the Pennsylvania campaign and taken prisoner at the battle of Chapen's Farm, spending six months in the military prisons at Danville and Salisbury before being exchanged. He was promoted to the rank of captain when exchanged, and was mustered out of service June 8, 1865. After the war he became an editor and journalist, and was thus engaged at the time of his death. The material grandfather of Doctor Wilson, Jeremy Cunningham, was a native of Ireland, but emigrated to America at an early day and settled in Huntingdon, this State, where he died at an advanced age. He was a farmer, a member of the Presbyterian church, and a soldier in the war of 1812. He married a daughter of Col. John Spencer, an officer in the revolutionary war, and an early settler in the Hart's Log valley. To their union was born one son, and a daughter named Agnes N., the mother of Doctor Wilson. Mrs. Cunningham died while this daughter was very young, and Mr. Cunningham married again, and had three sons and two daughters by this second marriage. After her mother's death, Agnes N. Cunningham went to live with her maternal grandfather. She early became a member of the Presbyterian church at Alexandria, of which George Wilson was an elder, and the acquaintance there formed resulted in their marriage. She died at Alexandria July 24, 1891, aged nearly eighty-nine years, having passed her entire life in that picturesque village. Dr. James T. Wilson was reared at Alexandria, Huntingdon county, receiving a good common school education, and later taking a course of training in the Commercial college at York, this State, from which institution he was graduated in 1856, when only sixteen years of age. He then taught for two winters while studying during the summer months, after which he became a clerk in a store at Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where he remained one year, and then secured a position as store-keeper at Pennsylvania furnace. He remained there two years, when, having attained his majority, he began reading medicine with Dr. Daniel Houtz, of Alexandria. He studied with Doctor Houtz two years, after which he matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania, and was graduated from that institution in March, 1864, with the degree of M.D. He located in Petersburg, Huntingdon county, where he practiced for one year, and in the spring of 1865 removed to Tyrone, this county, where he has since resided and devoted his attention exclusively to the practice of medicine. He has been quite successful, and now enjoys a lucrative practice and an honorable professional standing. On October 25, 1866, Doctor Wilson was wedded to Henrietta Clement, a daughter of Samuel and Henrietta Clement, of Huntingdon county, and their union has been blessed by a family of four children: S. Clement, born October 25, 1867; George C., born June 28, 1869; Edward, born January 14, 1875, and died June 10, 1876; and Carroll D., born March 1, 1877. Mrs. Wilson was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 12, 1842. In his political affiliations Doctor Wilson has always been a democrat. He is a member of Tyrone Lodge, No. 494, Free and Accepted Masons, and also of Sinking Springs Lodge, No. 127, Knights of Pythias. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Tina Ludwig tina.ludwig@home.com FERDINAND A. WINTER, the leading and representative dealer in pianos, organs, and other musical instruments in Altoona, is the son of Rev. E. Ferdinand and Joanna (Swarz) Winter, and was born at Philipsburg, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1844. Rev. E. Ferdinand Winter was a native of Germany, and in 1839 came to Beaver county, this State, where he served continuously as pastor of Bury Reformed church for forty-seven years. He was an accomplished musician and a graduate of one of the leading German universities, and became a pioneer in teaching music in Beaver county. He was a man of talent, education, and taste, who ranked high as an artist. While earnestly and efficiently engaged in pastoral work he gave his leisure moments to art and music and the cultivation of flowers, of which he was very fond. He was a democrat in politics, and died in May, 1887, when in the seventy-fifth year of his age. Rev. Winter was an untiring and zealous worker in the vineyard of his Divine Master, where his chosen life-work was crowned with abundant success. He was honored as a minister, respected as a citizen, and admired as a man of talent, truth, and honesty. He married Joanna Swarz, a member of the Reformed church, who was born in Miningen, Switzerland, in 1821, and is now a resident of Rochester, Beaver county. Ferdinand A. Winter was reared at Philipsburg and Pittsburg, received his education in the common schools and Connoquessing academy, and then was engaged for several years in teaching music. In 1871 he resigned his position as professor of vocal and instrumental music at the United Presbyterian Ladies' seminary, of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, to engage in the sale of pianos in Pittsburg, which he followed successfully for eight years, and during that time tuned and repaired more pianos than any other man in the State. In 1879 Mr. Winter came to Altoona, where he established his present music house. His practical knowledge of music and business ability has enabled him to secure and control all the best class of trade in his line of business in Altoona and throughout the county. He handles the finest piano fortes made, and has splendid instruments from the factories of Starr, Albrecht, Lester, and Jacob Bros. He is also the leading dealer and importer in Altoona in musical instruments and supplies of all kinds. Mr. Winter is an expert authority in the selection of first-class, reliable instruments, and invariably gives satisfaction to his patrons, to whom he is prepared to afford the same advantages that they could secure in the larger cities of the United States. In 1875 Ferdinand A. Winter married Emma, daughter of Henry Buhl, of Butler county. To their union have been born seven children, five sons and two daughters: Walter F., Arthur E. and Harry B. (twins), Edith E., Carl Lewis, Paul T., and Marie H. In 1861 Ferdinand A. Winter enlisted as a soldier in the 63d regiment Pennsylvania infantry, and served for some time as its band master, after which he was transferred to the 5th heavy artillery, of whose band he had charge until 1865, when he was honorably discharged from the United States service. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, Grand Army of the Republic, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Order of the Elks. Mr. Winter is independent in politics, and has been for the last ten years one of the best known and most popular business men of Altoona. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Beth Fladaker Eflad@aol.com JOHN M. YINGLING, is a reliable citizen, and has become well known as an extensive dealer in marble in the borough of Duncansville. He is a son of Frederick and Susan (Wilt) Yingling, and was born in Juniata township, Blair county, Pennsylvania, December 21, 1853. Isaac Yingling (grandfather) was a native of Maryland, and came from that State to Pennsylvania and settled in what is known as Carson valley, Blair county, where he resided until his death. He was a republican in politics, and held the office of supervisor of his township for a number of terms. He married and reared a family of three sons and two daughters: Abram, Frederick, Jonathan, Sallie, and Kate. Frederick Yingling (father) was born in Carson valley, November 7, 1815, and afterward removed to Juniata township, but at present is a resident of Allegheny township, this county. He learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed thirty-three years, and afterward was under the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in their shops at Altoona, serving with that company for a time. He then removed to Juniata township, and there was engaged in farming for a few years, after which he retired from business life. Politically he is a republican, and in religious affairs is an attendant of the Evangelical Lutheran church, to which he is a liberal contributor. He married Susan Wilt, of Juniata township, and to them were born five children, one son and four daughters: Annie (deceased); Matilda Jane, married Henry M. Yon, of Blair county; Florence (deceased); Ida May (deceased); and John M. John M. Yingling was reared in Blair county, received his education in the common schools, and learned the trade of carpenter. He worked at first with his father, and afterward he became a cabinet maker and furniture dealer at Duncansville. In 1889 he embarked in his present marble enterprise at the same place, where he has done a good business ever since. His office and yards are on Main street, and he has built up a large and reliable trade in his part of the county. On September 30, 1875, he was united in marriage with Lucinda Shaw, of Poplar Run, Freedom township, and their union has been blest with a family of five children, two sons and three daughters: Edwin, born July 10, 1876; Susan, born February 4, 1881, and died February 25 1881; William F., born April 1, 1883; Mary C., born September 20, 1886; and Rhoda, who was born October 14, 1887. John M. Yingling was formerly a member of Lodge No. 19, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Hollidaysburg, this county. In politics he adheres to the principles of the republican party, which has always received his support at the ballot box. He gives most of his time to his business, which has constantly increased since he opened his marble yards at Duncansville, in 1889. By first-class material, good work, and reasonable prices, Mr. Yingling has secured his flattering patronage. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Tina Ludwig tina.ludwig@home.com