BIOS: File 19 - 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 19, listing the page where they appear in the book: Boyles, Henry A., page 268 Burchfield, Hon. Theodore, page 487 Canan, John A., page 494 Clark, Charles B., page 265 Delaney, Patrick J., page 378 Diehl, Rosanna (Mock), page 401 Fay, George, page 602 Fay, Orville J., page 486 Hartman, Jesse L., page 264 Kellerman, William, page 377 Loudon, William, page 268 McClain, Frank, page 271 McDermitt, Lt. Col. William A., page 266 Moore, Joseph, page 602 Murray, David, page 489 Nowell, Mary Elizabeth, M.D., page 490 Patterson, Frank G., page 485 Rhodes, Thomas O., page 368 Robinson, James T., page 493 Robison, James Blair, page 491 Spang, Hon. George H., page 492 Symington, T.M.T., page 263 Waite, Abram, page 273 Zeigler, George, page 485 HENRY A. BOYLES, a highly respected resident successful merchant and the efficient postmaster of the village of Juniata, whose post office was established by the name of Kipple on account of Juniata, Blair County is a son of John and Hannah (Andrews) Boyles and was born in what is now Logan township, Blair County Pennsylvania January 8, 1832. The Boyles are of English extraction and Mr. Boyles paternal grandfather, Henry Boyles was a life-long resident of Blair county where he died in 1833 aged sixty-eight years. He was a hard working man who married and reared a family of children one of whom John Boyles (father) was born in 1809 in what is now Logan township. Like his father before him he was a hard working man and died March 15, 1889 when in the seventy-eighth year of his age. He was an early supporter of the principles of the Republican party and married Hannah Andrews who was born in the state of Maryland in the year 1817 and passed away from earth at her home in Logan township on October 20, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Boyles were the parents of six children five sons and one daughter. Henry A. Boyles passed his boyhood days in Logan township received his education in the early common schools of the Keystone Commonwealth and learned the trade of carpenter which he followed at various placed in the county until 1868, when he was employed as a carpenter in the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in Altoona. At the end of twenty years continuous labor at his trade in the railroad shops he gave up carpentering to engage in the general mercantile business at thrifty little village of Juniata (post office Kipple) which is at present an eastern suburb of the city of Altoona. Mr. Boyles established the second store of Juniata enjoys a good patronage and he has prospered in his business. He owns some valuable property and has a very comfortable home at Juniata. He has been from childhood a stanch republican always yields an earnest support to his party and in February, 1890 was appointed by President Benjamin Harrison as postmaster at Kipple. He is a deacon of the Evangelical Lutheran church, an active and enterprising business man and a highly esteemed citizen of the progressive village of Juniata. In 1855 Henry A. Boyles was united in marriage with Susan Morris, daughter of William Morris of Centre county. Mr. and Mrs. Boyles have nine children four sons and five daughters; Blair N., Harry, John C., William B., Mary, Jessie, Catherine, Minnie and Gertrude. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Michele R. Eyer Chynna10@aol.com HON. THEODORE BURCHFIELD, ex-member of the house of representatives of Pennsylvania, and the present mayor of Altoona, is one who, early in life, was thrown upon his own resources, and who, by ability, energy, and will has achieved success and won his way to prominence and honorable standing. He is a son of Robert and Martha (Zelner) Burchfield, and was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1842. His paternal great-grandfather, Aquila Burchfield, was one of seven brothers of English descent who came from Maryland to central Pennsylvania, and four of them served in the Continental armies during the revolutionary war. Robert Burchfield, sr. (grandfather), was born and reared in what is now Juniata county, of which he was a life-long resident. He was a prosperous farmer for his day in the Juniata valley, and married and reared a family of children, of whom one was Robert Burchfield (father), who followed milling until his death, in 1850, at the early age of thirty-eight years. Robert Burchfield was a democrat in politics, and an attendant of the Presbyterian church, and married Martha Zelner, who was a native of Juniata county, in which she died in 1876, aged sixty-three years. Mr. And Mrs. Burchfield were the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters. Mrs. Burchfield was a daughter of Emmanuel Zelner (maternal grandfather), who was of German descent. He was born in Lancaster county during the latter part of the eighteenth century, and after having arrived at the age of manhood sought to make for himself a home in Juniata county, which was then but thinly settled. He purchased a tract of land, and by hard toil and patient industry succeeded in having an excellent and well improved farm before his death summons came to him, when he was in the ninety-first year of his age. Theodore Burchfield was reared principally at Mifflin, in Juniata county; received his education in the common schools, and learned the trade of printer in the office of the Harrisburg Telegraph. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in Co. F, 126th Pennsylvania infantry, and served as such until November 17, 1864, when he was mustered out of the service. He participated in all the skirmishes and battles of his regiment while he was in the service, and was wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville by a buckshot passing through the calf of his left leg. After returning home from the army the second time he was not permanently employed at any kind of work until the spring of 1865, when he entered the job office of the Daily Tribune, of Altoona, of which he became foreman in 1870. Ten years later he was elected by the republicans as a member of the legislature, and at the end of his term, in 1882, was reelected. During his second term in the legislature, he introduced, and had passed, a bill appropriating fifteen thousand dollars toward the erection of a hospital at Altoona, an institution badly needed and now highly appreciated by the sick and maimed. From the close of his second term, in 1884, he gave his time closely to the supervision of the Tribune office, until the spring of 1890-, when he left the printing establishment to assume the duties of mayor, to which office he had been elected at the preceding election. On December 24, 1867, Mr. Burchfield married Anna M. Gable, daughter of William Gable, of Altoona. To their union have been born ten children, four sons and six daughters: Horace M., who died in infancy; Herbert E., Nellie L., Jessie M., Charles J., who died in infancy; Edith L., Mary A., Emma L., Raymond T., and Ruth J. Theodore Burchfield is a republican in politics, and a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Altoona. He is a member of Logan Lodge, No. 490, Free and Accepted Masons; White Cross Lodge, No. 354, Knights of Pythias; Juniata Lodge, No. 246, Ancient Order of United workmen; Altoona Lodge, No. 132, Improved Order of Heptasophs; Washington Camp, No. 54, Patriotic Order Sons of America; and Lieut. S.C. Potts Post, No. 62, Grand Army of the Republic, of which latter organization he has been commander for the last four successive terms. On June 3, 1871, he enlisted as a private in the National Guard of Pennsylvania, and passed through all the grades of office up to that of colonel, and is now serving on his third term as colonel of the 5th regiment. Colonel Burchfield has always been active in the municipal affairs of Altoona, and has been an untiring worker in the interests of the Republican party of Blair county. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives, by Judy Banja JOHN A. CANAN, who has been identified with the interests of Altoona by nearly a quarter of a century's business life within its limits, and who has won success because he has had the ability to earn and the will to command it, is a son of John J. and Margaret (Davis) Canan, and was born at Hollidaysburg, Blair county, Pennsylvania, February 11, 1850. The American branch of the Canan family was founded by Col. John Canan, who was a native of that wonderful north of Ireland which gave so many thousand brave hearts and stout arms to help win the independence of the thirteen colonies. He came to Huntingdon county between 1760 and 1775, and served as a colonel in the American army during the revolutionary war. He was a prominent man in central Pennsylvania, and died at Williamsburg, this county, in 1831, when well advanced in the ninetieth year of his age. He was a surveyor by profession, built, in 1807, Etna, the first furnace in Blair county, and was a large land owner. He served, in 1787 and in 1788, as a member of the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania from Huntingdon county, was appointed, in 1791, as associate judge of that county, which he represented in the general assembly in 1791 and 1792, and in 1794 was elected State senator for the district composed of the counties of Huntingdon and Bedford. He married, and one of his sons was Major Moses Canan (grandfather), who was born in Huntingdon county, and served in the war of 1812 with the rank of captain. He afterward moved to Ebensburg, Cambria county, where he became one of the ablest lawyers of that place, and served one term as associate judge of the courts of the county. He died at Johnstown, that county, in 1863, aged eighty years. He was a republican in politics during the latter part of his life, and married Mary Henderson, a daughter of Major William Henderson, a native of Cumberland county, who was the captain in command of the guards around the old State house in Philadelphia when the Declaration of Independence was signed by the members of the Continental Congress, July 4, 1776. He afterward was promoted to major, and died in 1811, aged fifty-six years, while his sword and watch are still in the possession of the Canan family. Of the sons born to Major Moses and Mary (Henderson) Canan, one was John J. Canan, the father of John A. Canan. He was born in 1813, in Huntingdon county, and early in life went, in about 1831, to Ebensburg, Cambria county, where he started a newspaper, which he afterward removed to Johnstown, that county. In 1846 he came from Johnstown to Hollidaysburg, where he was agent for Captain Leech's canal boat line for some time, and then was engaged in freight forwarding until 1858, when he embarked in the lime business at Canan's Station, on the railroad between Hollidaysburg and Altoona, where he remained until 1871. In that year he came to Altoona and formed a partnership with his sons, under the firm name of Canan Brothers, which was changed, in 1876, to the present firm name of John A. Canan & Co. They handled coal and building supplies until of late years, when they relinquished the coal trade, and now confine themselves to manufacturing lime and handling builders' supplies. Their business has increased to such an extent that they have found it necessary to establish a branch house at the prosperous town of Bellwood. John J. Canan is a republican, and a member of the First Presbyterian church of Altoona, and married Margaret Davis, who was born in 1813, in Wales, reared at Ebensburg, Cambria county, and is a member of the same Presbyterian church as her husband. Mr. Canan has been a clear-headed and able business man, whose persistent energy and comprehensive grasp of details in commercial affairs has secured him a large share of the measure of success which he has attained. John A. Canan spent his boyhood days and youth principally at Hollidaysburg, and received his elementary education in the public schools. He pursued his academic studies at Hollidaysburg seminary, and attended Lafayette college, of Easton, Northampton county, from 1869 to 1871. Leaving college he became a clerk in the Altoona postoffice, where he remained but a short time before engaging with his father in their present lime and building supply business. They enjoy a good trade, and have a large number of patrons. He is also identified with other business enterprises, and has served for some time as a director of the Altoona, Clearfield and Northern railroad. He is a deacon and trustee of the First Presbyterian church of Altoona, and a member of Altoona Council, No. 580, Royal Arcanum, and Altoona Lodge, No. 132, Improved Order of Heptasophs. He is a republican in politics, takes an active part in the interests of his party, and has served two terms as a member of the common council. Self-reliant but prudent, courageous but cautious, Mr. Canan carefully examines any enterprise, and then acts decidedly in the course of action upon which he has determined. He is a good business man, a true friend, and an enterprising citizen. On May 29, 1888, John A. Canan was united in marriage with Lizzie M. Morrow, of McVeytown, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Rev. R.H. Morrow, who was pastor of the Presbyterian church of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Canan have two children: Margaret M. and Mary H. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Judy Banja CHARLES B. CLARK, resident of Altoona since 1881, and a member of the Blair county bar, is a son of Warren and Clarissa (Eno) Clark, and was born in Trumbull county in the famous "Western Reserve" of Ohio, New Years day, 1854. The Clarks are of Scotch-Irish Puritan lineage, and Giles Clark, the great-great-grandfather of Charles B. Clark, went in 1801 to Trumbull county, where he took up a large tract of land. His grandson Henry Clark (grandfather), although born in Connecticut was reared in the Western Reserve in Ohio where he followed farming until his death in 1866 at sixty-seven years of age. His son Warren Clark (father) was born Trumbull county in 1826 and in 1870 went to Michigan, which he left four years later to settle at Blairsville, Indiana county, Pennsylvania where he remained until 1887. In that year he went to Florida for his health and in 1890 came to Altoona, where he has resided ever since. Mr. Clark followed carpentering and farming until a few years ago, when he retired from all business pursuits. He was an old-line whig, and when that party went down became republican. He married Clarissa Eno, of Trumbull county, Ohio who was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church from early youth to her death in 1889, when she was in the fifty-eighth year of her age. Charles B. Clark was reared chiefly in his native country, received his education in the common schools of Ohio, and followed teaching for eight years in the states of Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania. During the last three years that he was employed as a teacher he read law, and was admitted to the Indiana county bar September 13, 1880. After admission to the bar, he practiced at Blairsville that county until 1881 when he accepted a clerical position with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Altoona, which he held for four years. He then resumed the practice of his profession, was admitted in October, 1885 to practice in the courts of Blair county and before the Supreme court of Pennsylvania, and has continued to practice successfully at Altoona ever since. In 1886 Mr. Clark engaged in publishing city directories and has issued first-class directories for Altoona and Johnstown ever since. In 1888 he published a directory of Beaver Falls and the lower Beaver Valley and has now purchased printing presses for the purpose of doing his own printing in the directory business, in which he has been very successful. He is a republican in politics and an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he is a liberal contributor. On December 13, 1877, Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Hallie I. Johnson, daughter of Michael Johnson of Westmoreland county. Their union was blessed with two children: Nellie now thirteen years old; and Stella Mabel, who died at the age of four years. Mr. Clark is now a widower. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Michele R. Eyer Chynna10@aol.com PATRICK J. DELANEY, who is a reliable and skillful plumber and steam fitter of over twelve years' experience in the Mountain City, was born in Altoona, Blair county, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1864, and is a son of Patrick and Honora (Crimmers) Delaney. The Delaney family is one of the old families of Ireland, which trace their ancestry through centuries of change, of want and war to an early period in the history of the Emerald Isle. Patrick Delaney (father) was born in 1837, in County Kerry, province of Munster, southern Ireland. He was reared in his native county, and received his education in the schools of his neighborhood. From the fifteenth century down to the present time the mechanical arts as well as manufactures have continually increased in many of the towns and cities of Ireland, although the past curse and the present woe of the beautiful island is land monopoly and political greed. Not caring for an agricultural life, Patrick Delaney learned the trade of plumber and steam fitter, and in 1852 came to Pennsylvania, where he settled in Schuylkill county. He worked there at coal mining until 1860, when he came to Altoona, where he has been a resident ever since. He is a skilled workman, which fact is attested by his forty years' continuous service in the employ of a railroad company that never keeps any but first-class workmen in any department of their railroad affairs. He is a democrat in politics, and a Catholic in religious faith. He married Honora Crimmers, a native of County Cork, Ireland, and to their union was born a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters. Patrick J. Delaney grew to manhood in Altoona, and received his education in the excellent parochial schools of that enterprising and progressive city. He learned the trade of plumber and steam fitter in the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, in whose employ he worked for twelve years. At the end of that time, in 1891, he embarked in the plumbing and steam fitting business for himself. His establishment is on the corner of Twelfth avenue and Twelfth street. His twelve years of practical experience, and his superior advantages for learning the more complicated parts of his trade, enable him to give satisfaction in every difficult job of work. He has a large and increasing patronage. In politics Patrick Delaney is a democrat, but for county and city officers he always votes for those whom he thinks best qualified for the office, independent of political considerations. He is industrious, energetic and reliable as a business man, and has been for several years a member of St. John's Catholic church of Altoona. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Judy Banja ROSANNA (MOCK) DIEHL, who resides in the vicinity of Newry, and enjoys the respect of her neighbors, is a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Wentz) Mock, and was born near St. Clairsville, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, May 25, 1838. Her paternal grandfather, Peter Mock, passed the greater part of his life in Bedford county, where he was extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits. Politically he was a democrat. Joseph Mock (father) was a native of Indiana county, where he resided until his death, in 1888. By occupation he was a farmer, and gave the Democratic party a hearty support. He was an attendant of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and was united in marriage with Sarah Wentz, of Bedford county, by whom he had a family of three sons and seven daughters: Daniel, Frederick, Simon, Mrs. Rosanna Diehl, Mary, Catherine, Margaret, Barbara, Sarah, and Susan. In 1855 the subject of this sketch married Isaac Diehl, of Blue Knob, Blair county. He was engaged in the lumbering business, which he followed for a period of ten years at Blue Knob, and at the expiration of that time he removed to Allegheny forge, where he continued in the same business for nine years. He then came to Newry, where he resided until his death, on August 27, 1888. Possessed of business tact, he met with success. His industry, and the advice and assistance of Mrs. Diehl, were the means of securing him success and one of the most comfortable homes in the vicinity of Newry. Isaac Diehl was a supporter of the Democratic party, and an attendant of the Evangelical Lutheran church. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Diehl was born a family of fourteen children, of whom were: Sarah (deceased), born July 5, 1857; Joseph, born on Christmas day, 1858, married Louie [sic] Kelly, and now resides at Newry, where he is employed as a clerk in a mercantile establishment; Mary, born March 10, 1861, married Frank Kauffman, and died in 1890; Daniel S., born January 16, 1863, married Tillie Fink, and is a lumberman in Clarion county; Amos F., born November 20, 1864, married Minnie Holland, and is now a resident of West Virginia, where he is engaged in the oil business; David, born November 7, 1866, married Jennie Adams, and resides near No. 10 Plane, where he is employed at the Portage Iron works; Isaiah - twin brother of David - died February 2, 1867; Jerome, born March 10, 1869, married Mary Burkey, and is a resident of No. 10 Plane; Martha, born April 1, 1871, and wife of Harry Peck, of Duncansville, who is engaged in the general mercantile business; Orlena, born May 6, 1873, married William Moudy, who is engaged in the mining business in Cambria county; Clara Elizabeth, born March 16, 1875; Julius W., born February 19, 1878, and died in 1880; Cora, born April 26, 1880, and is at home. Rosanna (Mock) Diehl owns three hundred acres of good land, and has a nice and comfortable home. She is an intelligent, pleasant and energetic woman, and has a wide circle of friends, and is highly respected by all who know her. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Judy Banja GEORGE FAY, ex-sheriff of Blair county, was born at Williamsburg, Blair county, January 16, 1829, where also his father, Joseph, was born, in 1800, and there also died in 1876. Joseph had six sons: George, John, William, James, David and Robert. Joseph Fay, the elder, married Catharine, daughter of John Miller, a cabinet maker of Williamsburg. She died in 1872. George Fay remained at home until his marriage, in 1852, to Martha K., daughter of Samuel Fluke. For some years after his marriage he was engaged in farming. In 1863 his wife died, and in 1866 he married again, his second wife being Sarah C., daughter of Francis McCoy. By the first marriage there were four children, and by the second, two. In 1866 Mr. Fay went down to Mississippi, and engaged there for a year in the raising of cotton. In 1867 he returned to Blair county, and in 1868 he, with others, organized the Williamsburg Manufacturing Company, and purchased the Juniata furnace and mill. Mr. Fay was placed in charge of the business as manager, and for eight years conducted it with skillful ability. He then turned his attention to lumbering and grain dealing at Williamsburg, and in 1878 associated with him Mr. James Patterson. In 1882 Mr. Fay was elected upon the republican ticket to the office of sheriff, by a majority of eleven hundred and forty-six. Mr. Fay is eminently a man of the people. He made his way by hard knocks early in life to a place among substantial men, and learned the lesson of self-reliance in that most valuable of all schools, experience. He has been among the people of the county all his life, and his career is familiar to all. That he has worthily earned a place as a representative man is a truth to which the county has already borne abundant testimony. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Judy Banja ORVILLE J. FAY, one of the deserving and successful young business men of the borough of Hollidaysburg, is a son of George and Martha (Fluke) Fay, and was born in the borough of Williamsburg, Woodbury township, Blair county, Pennsylvania, March 14, 1861. The Fay family is of Scotch-Irish descent, and Joseph Fay, the paternal grandfather of Orville J. Fay, at ten years of age was brought to the old Fay homestead, a part of which is now within the borough limits of Williamsburg. He was a farmer by occupation, and a Presbyterian in religious faith and church membership, and died at the age of seventy-five years. His son, George Fay (father), was born in 1829, on the old homestead, where he has always resided. While managing his farm in early life, he determined upon a business career, and has been more or less engaged in business pursuits until within the last year, when he retired from active life. He was manager of the Williamsburg Manufacturing Company for many years, and about 1876 formed a partnership with a Mr. Patterson, under the firm name of Fay & Patterson, for the purpose of handling and dealing in grain at Williamsburg, where they did a very good business until 1892, when Mr. Fay withdrew from the firm. He is a republican, has served his borough as school director, and was sheriff of Blair county for one term from 1882 to 1885. He has always been active in business and politics, and married Martha Fluke, who was born in the borough of Williamsburg, and passed away in 1863. Mr. Fay has a good home, with comfortable surroundings, and is well situated to enjoy life. Orville J. Fay was reared at Williamsburg, and received a good business education in the common schools. At about fifteen years of age he secured a position in a Philadelphia store, which he held for a short time, and then returned home. In 1878 he came to Hollidaysburg and became a clerk in the general mercantile store of Wood, Morrell & Co., with whom he remained for four and one-half years. At the end of that time, in 1883, he determined to enter into business for himself, and formed a partnership with John D. Love, under the firm name of Fay & Love. They opened a grocery store on Allegheny street and in the very center of Hollidaysburg, where they did a good business for two years, at the end of which time Mr. Fay purchased the interest of his partner, and has continued to operate the store successfully ever since. He carries a large and carefully selected stock of groceries, both staple and fancy, and everything is to be found in his store that the most fastidious housekeeper could require for her table. He has been gradually increasing his stock, and aims to supply his patrons with standard good of absolute purity. In politics he is a republican, and while not taking any prominent or decided part in political matters, yet has always heartily supported his party, and served one term as a school director of East Hollidaysburg. Orville J. Fay in religious opinion has always held to the faith and teachings of the Presbyterian church, of which he has been a member for several years. For a young man his successful business career has been remarkable. In 1885 he married Alice Elliott, daughter of John Elliott, of Hollidaysburg, and their union has been blessed with two children, a son and a daughter: Lillian E. and Orville C. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Judy Banja JESSE L. HARTMAN, one of the most active business men of Hollidaysburg, and the present prothonatary of Blair county, is a son of Benjamin and Penina M. (Wilson) Hartman and was born at Cottage post office, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1853. His paternal great-grandfather, Jacob Hartman, came from Germany in 1775, and settled in Chester county, where he died. His grandson, Benjamin Hartman, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Perry county in 1804. In 1852 he removed to Cottage post office, in Huntingdon county, where he acted for several years as postmaster, and was engaged in farming and the general mercantile business. In 1869 he came to Hollidaysburg, but the next year removed to Royer, where he was engaged in farming, and where he died in August, 1880 at the age of seventy-six years. He was energetic and active in whatever he undertook, and by good judgment and careful management, always secured fair returns upon his investments. He married Penina M. Wilson, a native of Stone Valley, Huntingdon county, and of a family of nine children she was the first to die, when the youngest was fifty-five years of age. She passed away on New Year's day, 1888, aged seventy one years. Her father, Thomas Wilson was of Scotch-Irish descent, and a native of Huntingdon county, where he died in 1862 when in the eighty-fifth year of his age of his age. He was a prosperous farmer, and a descendant of one of the early settled and most substantial families of that county. Jesse L. Hartman was reared on his father's farm until he was fifteen years of age, and received his education in the common and in the graded schools of Martinsburg and Bell's Mills. At fifteen years of age he came to this county, and in the fall of 1872 became a clerk in the store of B.M. Johnston & Co., at their furnace at McKee's Gap. He was successfully promoted until he became manager of the store, and in 1878 was appointed general manager of the furnace. Although trying and arduous, he discharged every duty of both these positions until 1891, when he left the employ of the firm, and at the solicitation of many of his friends he allowed his name to be used in connection with the office of prothonatary. He received the republican nomination for that office, and at the ensuing election was elected by the largest majority given any candidate on the ticket. Since assuming charge of the prothonatary's office he has conducted it upon correct business principles and has rendered good satisfaction to all who have had business to transact with the office. Mr. Hartman may well be proud of his remarkable but well deserved political success, and the unexpected majority which he received. On the 7th of November, 1878, he united in marriage with Ella, daughter of James Denniston, of Hollidaysburg. To them have been born two children: a daughter, who died August 5, 1882 and James D. born May 15, 1880. Jesse L. Hartman is a republican in politics. He is a member of Woodbury Lodge, No. 539, Free and Accepted Masons, Mountain Commandery No. 10, Knights Templar of Altoona and Syria Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Pittsburg. Although Mr. Hartman withdrew from the employ of Johnston & Co. yet he is still engaged in business and has considerable interest in the Juniata Gannister Company, which was organized in 1886, when he became one of it's stockholders and was elected manager and treasurer, which positions he has held ever since. Jesse L. Hartman is pleasant and courteous, ever ready to grant a favor, but unbending in anything of principle, and always requiring business to be transacted according to correct methods. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Michele R. Eyer Chynna10@aol.com WILLIAM KELLERMAN, for many years a popular hotel keeper in Blair county, and who recently died, was a son of Christian and Catherine (Pool) Kellerman, and was born April 11, 1816, at Tyrone, Blair county, Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Frederick Kellerman, was a native of Germany, but was brought to America in the British army at the beginning of the revolutionary war. His sympathies were with the struggling colonists, and embracing the first opportunity, he deserted from the British forces, joined the American army, and did good service in the cause of liberty and independence. On one occasion he was detailed and served in the guard at Valley Forge. He was a blacksmith by occupation, and died at Woodbury, Bedford county, this State. Christian Kellerman (father) was born in Lancaster county, March 12, 1790, but removed to what is now Blair county during the first year of this century, locating with his father, near Tyrone. Later he removed to Colraine Forges, Huntingdon county, and from there to Bald Eagle furnace in 1826. He was a teamster by occupation, and died in 1858, aged sixty-eight years. He was a Lutheran in religious belief, a democrat in politics, and married Catherine Pool. She was born in this county, was a devoted member of the Lutheran church, and died January 21, 1862, in the seventy-second year of her age. William Kellerman was reared in Blair county, and educated in the old log school houses which were the temples of learning in those early days. After leaving school he engaged in wagoning and working around iron furnaces. In 1836 he went to Sarah Furnace, Bedford county, where he remained ten years, engaged principally in hauling cordwood for the furnace. He then returned to Blair county and opened a hotel at Bob's creek, near the foot of the mountain, which he conducted for two years. Later he removed to Centre county, where he erected a new building on the turnpike running from Tyrone to Phillipsburg, and continued the hotel business for two years at that place. In 1854 he came to Gaysport, and for a long time successfully operated a leading hotel there, known as the Kellerman hotel, retiring from active business only a few years ago. He resided at Gaysport, superintending the two farms which he owned in Blair township. He also owned considerable valuable property at Gaysport, and accumulated a handsome competency of this world's goods, notwithstanding he began life as a poor teamster, and had to depend on his own efforts while making his way in the world. Among his early experiences were several trips made with a team between Baltimore and Cincinnati before the era of the railroads. In 1842 Mr. Kellerman was married to Luvicy Hamilton, a daughter of John Hamilton, of this county. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and in political belief was a stanch democrat. He was all his life a hard working, energetic, and enterprising man, and always acted on the principle that whatever was worth doing at all was worth doing well. As a consequence he achieved financial success, and stood high in the estimation of his neighbors and friends. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Judy Banja WILLIAM LOUDON, a director of the Clearfield & Northwestern railroad, and the principal founder of the prosperous village of Juniata, in Logan township, is a son of William, sr. and Sarah (Matthews) Loudon, and was born in what is now Logan township, Blair county, Pennsylvania, June 30, 1826. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Loudon, was a native of Ireland, settled in eastern Pennsylvania, and served in the revolutionary war. After peace was declared, in 1783, he removed from Lebanon to Etna Furnace, and from thence to Huntingdon county, where he died. His son, William Loudon, sr. (father), was born June 27, 1792, and died January 2, 1864. In 1838 he purchased of Eli Hastings a tract of two hundred and four acres of land, upon a part of which is built the western part of the Fifth ward of Altoona, which was known as Loudonsville, until the incorporation of the city in 1868. He laid out his farm in lots, sold the first lot, in 1849, to Adlum & Irvin, and other lots successively until his heirs to-day own but a very small part of his farm. He married Sarah Matthews, a daughter of Abraham Matthews, of Logan township, who was born February 26, 1796. Mr. and Mrs. Loudon had nine children, eight sons and one daughter: Thomas, who married Jane McCauley; Margaret; James; John, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; William; Abraham, who married Margaret Beal, and died July 20, 1872; David M., who married Elizabeth Shinefelt; George M., who died December 25, 1862; and Elias, whose death occurred February 1, 1843. William Loudon was reared on his father's farm, received his education in the common schools, and in early life was engaged for a few years in chopping wood and making charcoal. After this he was engaged in farming until 1857, when he joined in the tide of emigration that was pouring westward of the Mississippi river. He spent two years in farming in Nebraska, and then, in the spring of 1859, went into southern Colorado, where he was engaged in gold mining for four years. At the end of that time he returned to Logan township, where he has followed farming ever since. In 1864, Mr. Loudon married Rebecca, a daughter of Philip Bridenbaugh, of Sinking valley, and to their union have been born seven children, five sons and two daughters: Michael Grant, Edward W., George W., William H., Calvin B., Mary V., and Sallie E. William Loudon owns a fine farm of one hundred acres of productive land adjoining and partly within the limits of the village of Juniata, besides several valuable houses and desirable lots in that place and in the city of Altoona. He laid out the larger part of Juniata, and has been largely instrumental in building up the village. Mr. Loudon is a republican in politics, has always given his party a hearty support, and served his township for several years as a school director. He is one of that useful class of men in every county, whose intelligence, integrity, and energy give stability to its business affairs. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Michele R. Eyer Chynna10@aol.com FRANK McCLAIN, who has energetically and successfully carved out his own career in life, and is one of the prominent citizens and substantial business men of Altoona, is a son of Stephen and Mary (Phlesman) McClain and was born in Sinking Valley, Tyrone township, Blair (then Huntingdon) county, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1833. In the initial year of the nineteenth century, in the westward tide of emigration from Ireland to the United States, was Stephen McClain of County Derry who settled in Sinking Valley and died in 1852 at the age of 3 score and ten years. He was born and reared in County Derry where he received his education and learned the trade of linen weaver. Ireland at that time afforded but poor opportunities to any but the wealthy for improving their condition in life, and he came to America as a wider and more inviting field to the skilled laborer and farmer. After coming to Sinking Valley he was engaged in farming and teaming from Huntingdon Furnace to Pittsburg and Baltimore until his death in 1852. He was a democrat in politics and in religious faith and church membership a Catholic. He was an energetic and thorough going man and married Mary Phlesman, a native of Cambria county and a member of the Catholic church, who died in 1846 when in the fifty fifth year of her age Frank McClain spent his boyhood years in Sinking Valley where he received his education in one of the small log school houses that at the time where so common throughout many of the counties of Pennsylvania and within whose narrow walls were educated nearly all of the leading business men of two generations ago. At eighteen years of age he commenced the battle of life for himself and not waiting for splendid opportunities or easy work, accepted the first honest labor which came to hand and became a farm hand. He gave good satisfaction to his employer, bur in a short time went to Bellefonte, Centre county where he learned the trade of carpenter which he followed until 1854 when he came to Altoona, then in its infancy. After a short stay he went west and settled in the town of Davenport, Iowa where he witnessed soon after his arrival the department of the first railroad engine that ran out of that place. An eighteen months residence at Davenport satisfied him with western life at that time, and he returned to Centre county where he became foreman on the erection of the Farmer's High School building now the Pennsylvania Agricultural college. After the completion of its building he engaged in 1862 in the mercantile business there and was postmaster for three years at Sate College. In 1866 he removed to Bellefonte where he became a member of the firm of Valentine, Blanchard & Co. and they erected and operated the first planing mill of that city which was run by water drawn from a large dam covering an area of forty acres of land. At the end of two years Mr. McClain withdrew from the firm and associated himself in partnership with D.G. Bush under the firm name of Bush & McClain. They erected the well known and popular hotel of Bellefonte which is known as the Bush house and contains one hundred and forty rooms. They also erected the large and handsome brick business block now known as the McClain block. In 1871 Mr. McClain disposed of his entire business interests in Bellefonte to Mr. Bush and came to Altoona and embarked in the mercantile business in which he was engaged successfully for six years. Two years after his arrival he purchased the land on the corner of Fourteenth street and Eleventh avenue where he erected the present McClain block a large and handsome brick structure whose lower story is used for stores and the upper floors for lodges and flats. Since 1880 Mr. McClain has been largely engaged in contracting and building and has extended the field of his operations throughout central Pennsylvania. He assisted in erecting the Altoona Hospital and many of the present fine residences and substantial business buildings of the Mountain City. In 1888 he enlisted the attention and interest of six others and they formed a company and opened the beautiful and far famed Wopsononock summer resort which is six miles north of Altoona. They are adding new attractions every year to the first class hotel fine buildings which Mr. McClain has erected on the beautiful grounds of this delightful resort. On June 15, 1870 Mr. McClain married Margaret Caldwell, daughter of Thomas Caldwell of Bellefonte this State. Mrs. McClain has been a helpmeet to her husband in the truest sense of the word, and he attributes to her wise counsels and pertinent suggestions apart of his success of the last twenty years. They have had two children: one who died in infancy; and May, who died in 1885, aged ten years and ten months. Frank McClain is a democrat in politics and a member of the St. Johns Catholic church of Altoona. Aside from his own particular line of business, he is interested to some extent in the financial affairs of his city and has been serving for some time as a director of the Fidelity Bank of Altoona. He is a tall and striking man of fine personal appearance. He is preeminently a man of energy and enterprise and thoroughly conversant with every feature and detail of the different lines of business in which he is so actively and successfully engaged at the present time. Like all men who have won their way to success and influential standing, Mr. McClain experienced hard work and trying times in beginning the battle of life with nothing but his trade. He had the will to succeed never despaired and worked steadily on until his prospects brightened and fortune smiled upon his efforts. His success is an evidence of the truth that man is the architect of his own fortune, and the many fine buildings which he has erected are a credit and an ornament to Bellefonte and Altoona, and are so many monuments to his energy and enterprise. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Michele R. Eyer Chynna10@aol.com LIEUT. COL. WILLIAM A. McDERMITT, the present postmaster of the borough of Bellwood, and a brave and veteran officer of the Army of the Potomac, is a son of John and Sarah (Wharton) McDermitt, and was born at Ebensburg the county seat of Cambria county, Pennsylvania October 5, 1837. His paternal grandfather, Augustine McDermitt was born near the city of Baltimore in the state of Maryland, and at an early age removed to Loretto, Cambria county. He resided there for several years, and then passed the remainder of his days on a farm near Summitville in that county. He was a farmer by occupation had served as a soldier in the revolutionary war, and married Polly Weakland. His sons Captain Charles, Lieutenant Barnabas and Frank served in the Mexican war. Another son John McDermitt (father) was born at Ebensburg where he was reared and received his education. He served as an engineer for many years on the old Portage railroad and died at Summitville, Cambria County. He was a democrat in politics and a Catholic in religion and married Sarah Wharton who was born in 1812 and is a daughter of Stanislaus Wharton a revolutionary soldier and farmer who was born within forty miles of Baltimore and became on of the pioneer settlers of Loretto. Mr. and Mrs. McDermitt reared a family of seven children three sons and four daughters. One of the sons Demetrius now of New Brighton this State served two years in a cavalry regiment during the late Civil War. William A. McDermitt grew to manhood in his native county where he received his education in the early common schools of Pennsylvania. Leaving school he learned stair making, which he followed until the breaking out of the late Civil War. After the defeat of the Federal forces at Bull Run, which indicated the certainty of a long and bloody contest for the restoration of the Union he was among the first to respond to his country's call for troops. He enlisted on August 10, 1861 as a private in Co. I, 54th Pennsylvania infantry was successively promoted to corporal, sergeant and lieutenant, and on December 19, 1864 was commissioned captain. He served with Co. I until February 19, 1865 when he was given command of Co. H, which was shortly afterward changed in name to Co. C, upon the reorganization of the regiment. On April 2, 1865-the day on which Petersburg fell and rendered hopeless the cause of the Southern Confederacy-he was commissioned lieutenant colonel and served as such until the 31st of May, 1865 when he was honorably discharged from the service at Washington, D.C. He served in the Army of the Potomac, and participated in all the skirmishes and battles of his regiment, which bore well its part from the bloody field of Antietam, Gettysburg and the Wilderness. He was detached under Sheridan and fought at Winchester and Fisher's Hill. After the war Colonel McDermitt returned to Cambria county where he was engaged in contracting in the stair building business and during fifteen years of that time in addition to contracting acted as foreman of several portable steam saw mills of a lumber company then operating in Cambria and Blair Counties. In 1880 he came to Bellwood, where he has ever since remained. On June 13, 1865, Colonel McDermitt married Mary, daughter of George Glass of Johnstown, Cambria county whose five sons-Andrew, George, Jacob, James and John served as Union soldiers in the late war. Colonel and Mrs. McDermitt have five children four sons and one daughter George, John, Wilfred, Edgar and Annie. Colonel McDermitt is a republican in politics, served one term as justice of the peace in Dean township, Cambria county and several as school director in this county and on June 4, 1890 was appointed by President Harrison as postmaster of Bellwood which is now a presidential office with salary of one thousand dollars per year. He is a member of St. Josephs catholic church; Sandford Beyer Post No.426, Grand Army of the Republic, and Camp No.17, Union Veteran Legion. In every position in civil and military life in which he has been active and efficient and thus has made for himself a useful and honorable record. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Michele R. Eyer Chynna10@aol.com JOSEPH MOORE, an Irishman, lived on the present Robert Morrow place before the revolution, and several times had to defend his home against the attacks of Indians. He died about 1807, leaving a family of six daughters: Mary, who married William Porter; Jane, the wife of Philip Roller, of Morris; Nancy, the wife of John Dean, of the same township; Ann, who removed to the west, as the wife of David Ramsey; Betsey, who married Samuel Stewart, of Indiana; Margaret, the wife of Robert Morrow, who lived on the homestead, which is yet occupied by his son. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Judy Banja DAVID MURRAY, the well known hotel man of Blair county, who for seventeen years has been proprietor of the popular hotel known as the Murray house, is a son of Jerry and Mary Murray, and was born December 24, 1830, near Sandy Hook, Maryland. His father was a native of Ireland, but emigrated to America in 1827, settling in the state of Maryland. In the spring of 1831 he removed to Frankstown, in what is now Blair county, Pennsylvania, and one year later located in Hollidaysburg, where he resided until his death, in 1843, at the age of fifty-five. He was a democrat politically, and a member of the Roman Catholic church. He was a laborer, was employed on the Portage railroad for a time, and later in a foundry at Hollidaysburg. He married a lady who was also a native of Ireland, and died in 1831, when their son, the subject of this sketch, was only three months old. David Murray was brought to Hollidaysburg by his father when only two years of age, and lived there until 1842, attending the public schools of this city. When twelve years of age he secured employment on the Pennsylvania canal as a driver, between Hollidaysburg and Pittsburg, and between that city and Philadelphia. He remained with the company several years, being promoted from one position to another, until he finally came to own several boats and mule teams himself, and ran them from here to Philadelphia and Baltimore, on the Union canal and down the Schuylkill river. For a time he was engaged exclusively in transporting grain from this section to the city of Philadelphia, and altogether was in the boating business for nearly twenty years. In the fall of 1862 the United States impressed his boats at Baltimore, and for seven months he was in government employ, transferring soldiers and army supplies. In 1963 he closed out his boating interests, and the following year enlisted in Co. A., 103d Pennsylvania infantry, under Colonel Laymond, of Pittsburg, and served until the close of the war, being mustered out at Harrisburg in July, 1865. He returned home, and was employed in a rolling mill for some time, but in 1871 embarked in the hotel business, which he has successfully managed for more than twenty years. In 1875 he purchased the property now known as the Murray house, and has been the proprietor and personally conducted this hotel since that time. He also owns a fine farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable and finely improved land in the township of Frankstown, beside other real property in the city of Hollidaysburg. In 1864 Mr. Murray was united in marriage with Louisa Cruse, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Cruse, of this county. To this union was born a family of ten children, nine of whom are now living: William, David A., Catharine, Drusilla, Elizabeth, Maud, Musetta, Annie, and Florence. Politically Mr. Murray is an ardent democrat, and while not an aspirant for official station of any grade, is an active and influential worker for the advancement of democratic principles and the triumph of democratic policy. He and all his family are members of the Roman Catholic church. His career as a business man has been active, enterprising and successful, and illustrates what may be accomplished by energy and perseverance, even in the face of adverse circumstances. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Judy Banja Mary Elizabeth Nowell, M.D. The honorable and high position which the medical profession has always occupied in the history of central Pennsylvania is a matter of just pride to the people of that important section. The medical profession has been progressive there for the last quarter of a century, as it has been elsewhere in the great Keystone Commonwealth, and one who has there kept pace with the march of medical progress is Dr. Mary Elizabeth Nowell, a successful physician of Altoona. She is a daughter of Rev. William and Rachel A. (Sheckell) Nowell, and was born in Anne Arundell county, Maryland. Her paternal grandfather, Gilbert Nowell, married Eleanor Stallings, and one of their sons was Rev. William Nowell. He was a well educated man, served acceptably as a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal church for fifty years, and died in 1884. He married Rachel A. Sheckell, a daughter of Enoch and Sarah (Smith) Sheckell, and one of his sons, Dr. J. Fletcher Nowell, received a classical education, graduated from Hahnemann Medical college of Philadelphia, and is a resident of Green Castle, Cumberland valley, Franklin county, this State, where he now has a large and lucrative practice. Mary E. Nowell was reared in the Maryland home of her father, and attended Fort Edward institute, New York, from which institution of learning she was graduated in the class of 1867. She afterwards took a course at Claverack college, on the Hudson river in New York, and then was engaged for eight years in teaching in the schools of the city of Wilkesbarre, this State. She then resolved upon medicine as a life vocation, and became a student in the Woman's Medical college of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, from which she was graduated in 1884. Dr. Nowell took a special course on heart and lung troubles under Drs. James B. Walker and Edward T. Bruen; on skin diseases under Dr. Louis A. Duhring, and on diseases of the eye and catarrhal affections of the nose and throat under other eminent physicians. At the close of each spring term Dr. Nowell, during the three years of her student life, remained in Philadelphia, spending her vacations in taking practical instruction at the woman's hospital on the various operations and methods required for the successful treatment of various diseases peculiar to women, and few hospitals afforded such an opportunity as this one for the study of uterine diseases. After graduating, she went to the Maternity hospital on Staten Island, where she had a large experience in obstetrical practice, and also an opportunity of studying children's diseases in all their phases, as there were at that time nearly five hundred children under the care of that institution. She also took a special course on the eye and a special course in gynaecology. Thus thoroughly, intelligently and specially qualified for her profession, Dr. Nowell left Philadelphia and came, toward the close of the year 1884, to Altoona, where she has built up an extensive and first-class practice. In the history of Altoona Dr. Mary E. Nowell will have the honor of being recorded as the first lady practitioner of medicine in that prosperous and progressive city. Strongly attached to her profession and devoting her whole energy and entire time to its constant and exacting requirements, Dr. Nowell well has deserved the flattering success which she has won by her ability and skill as a physician. She is well read and progressive, and has been during her professional career an earnest, enthusiastic and constant student, who has kept well abreast of the advancement of medical science and practice. Of quick perception and good judgment, Dr. Nowell entertains a contempt for all shams and pretences in life and society, as well as in her profession, in which she is active, prominent and successful. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Judy Banja FRANK G. PATTERSON, a rising young attorney of Altoona, who possesses unusual business qualities, and has already become prominent and successful, is a son of Thomas and Isabella (McConaghy) Patterson, and was born July 26, 1863, at Newry, Blair county, Pennsylvania. His father, Thomas Patterson, was a native of Ireland, born in the city of Dublin, in 1814. In 1854 he bid farewell to his native land, and embarked for the United States, settling that same year at Newry, this county, where he has resided ever since. He is a farmer by occupation, and has spent a long and active life in the cultivation of the soil and in fruit growing. He has been successful and prosperous, and now owns a fine farm of one hundred and forty acres, well improved and supplied with commodious farm buildings, including a handsome residence. He is a member and elder of the Presbyterian church at Duncansville, and in politics a stanch republican. He married Isabella McConaghy in Ireland, by whom he had a family of children. She was born near Dublin, and is a member of the Presbyterian church, and now in the seventy-first year of her age. Frank G. Patterson was reared on his father's farm at Newry, helping in the farm operations during the summer and attending the public schools in the winter season. After leaving the common schools of his native place he took a course in the State Normal school at Millersburg, and then engaged in teaching in Blair county for some years. While still teaching he began reading law, and having completed the course and passed the necessary examination, he was admitted to the bar in October, 1886, and at once began the practice of his profession in Altoona. He formed a partnership with Thomas H. Greevy in April, 1888, under the firm name of Greevy & Patterson, and has ever since been engaged in general practice in the city of Altoona. In 1889 Mr. Patterson was instrumental in organizing the Altoona, Clearfield & Northern Railroad Company, and is now serving as president and general manager of that road. It extends from Altoona to Dougherty, a village lying fifteen miles northwest of Altoona, and is an enterprise which has already done much for the improvement and development of this section of the county, and promises to become still more important, as it is being extended to Coalport, twelve miles beyond Dougherty. Mr. Patterson also organized the Richland Coal Company in 1891, with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. This company has opened mines in the large coal fields at Dougherty, and is now shipping coal in large quantities. Mr. Patterson is serving as secretary of the company, and is also secretary of the Altoona Land and Improvement Company, which is doing a large business in real estate. In his political affiliations Mr. Patterson is a republican, and takes an intelligent interest in all public questions. He is unmarried, and while very popular in social circles, takes rank among the most enterprising and successful young business men of the county. While devoting considerable time and attention to outside enterprises, he keeps a firm hand on his legal business, and stands well at the bar. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Judy Banja THOMAS O. RHODES, a well known painter and reliable citizen of Altoona, was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, July 26, 1854, and is a son of Michael and Mary (Wilson) Rhodes. The Rhodes' are of German extraction. Peter Rhodes (grandfather) was born in the eastern part of the Keystone State, and became one of the early settlers of Mifflin county, where he took up a tract of forest land and soon changed it into a fine farm. Passing through scenes of a busy life, he died in Mifflin county in 1864, at the ripe old age of ninety-four years. During his life he cleared two hundred and fifty acres of land, and performed nearly all the labor therein incurred himself. In religious sentiment he was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church, and was highly respected as a man of honor and merit. Michael Rhodes (father) was also born in Mifflin county, where he resided until the spring of 1872. He then removed to Altoona, where he resided until 1890, when he died, at the advanced age of seventy-five years. By occupation he was a farmer, and stood high as an honest and industrious man. In religious belief he was a member of the United Brethren church, and always gave a loyal support to the Democratic party. He married Mary Wilson, a native of Huntingdon county, and a member of the same church as himself. She died in 1886, at the age of sixty-two years. Thomas O. Rhodes was born and reared in Mifflin county, and received his education in the common schools. Leaving school, he learned the trade of painter, which he followed until 1883, when he removed to Roanoke, Virginia. Spending four years in the sunny south, he returned to Pennsylvania and resumed his trade, in which he has ever since been engaged. Possessed with energy and perseverance, he commands an extensive trade, and has become the owner of a pleasant home in the Mountain City. He also owns a paper store at No. 1013, Eighth avenue, where he keeps in stock a full line of all designs of wall paper. On May 13, 1880, Mr. Rhodes united in marriage with Martha Westly, a daughter of George Westly, of Bellwood, Blair county. In religious affairs Thomas O. Rhodes takes an active part in the interests of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is now a trustee. He has always supported the Democratic party, and is a member of Centennial Castle, No. 204, Knights of the Golden Eagle. He resides at No. 916 First avenue, and is surrounded by everything essential to make his home comfortable and happy. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Judy Banja JAMES T. ROBINSON, manager of the Robinson Machine Company of Bellwood, and the inventor of the wonderful patent electric street railway motor trucks, is a son of Samuel Turner and Rachel (Ricketts) Robinson, and was born in Fauquier county, northern Virginia, November 31, 1838. His paternal grandfather, Gerry Robinson, was a native of Scotland, and settled, about the middle of the last century, in Stafford county, Virginia, from which he soon removed to Warren county, that State, in which he died. He was honest, industrious and frugal, like the great majority of his race, and followed farming until his death. He married and left a family of several children, who were noted for industry and thrift. One of his sons, Samuel Turner Robinson (father), was born in Warren county, Virginia, September 10, 1801. James T. Robinson was reared in the rich and beautiful valley of Virginia, and received a limited education in the primary schools then in existence in the State of Virginia. At an early age he was thrown upon his own resources, but with the characteristic energy of the wonderful Scotch race he determined upon winning success in business life for himself. His first employment was as a laborer upon the construction of the early railroads of the country, but he soon mastered such a knowledge of their construction that he was enabled to become a successful contractor. He then followed contracting until 1861, when he entered the Confederate army as a private in Co. I, 12th regiment Virginia cavalry, and served in the Army of Northern Virginia up to the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. He was wounded so severely on that day that he was discharged shortly afterward from the Confederate service on account of physical disability. After the war had closed he resumed railroad contracting, which he followed in different States until 1884, when he entered the machine shops at Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, as superintendent. He remained in these shops until 1890, then removed to Altoona, and in July, 1891, came to Bellwood, where he has resided ever since. In 1865 Mr. Robinson married Elizabeth Crockett, and they have two children: Charles M., a young and rising architect of Altoona (see his sketch); and Nellie. In July, 1891, Mr. Robinson organized the Robinson Machine Company of Bellwood, which erected machine works at that place. The main building is 30 x 100 feet, the moulding room 30 x 50 feet, and the blacksmith shop 30 x 30 feet in dimensions. They manufacture and repair a great many kinds of iron machinery, but the principal output of the shops are patent electric street railway motor trucks. This great invention of Mr. Robinson was patented by him in 1891. The object of this motor truck is to fill a long felt want in the electrical propulsion of street cars. It has been thoroughly tested, with very satisfactory results. It has been highly recommended by different electrical experts, who have carefully examined it, and already orders for the motor trucks are coming in to the company from nearly every part of the United States. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Judy Banja JAMES BLAIR ROBISON, a comfortably situated farmer of Frankstown township, who now owns the old homestead which has been in possession of the Robison family for four generations, is a son of James, jr., and Elizabeth (Curry) Robison, and was born on the farm where he now resides, in Frankstown township, Blair county, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1853. His paternal great-grandfather, Abraham Robison, was a native of Scotland, and came to this country when it was unsettled in this part, and took up a large tract of land, on which he proceeded to make a home for his family, which he had left in Franklin county. He brought his family to their new home in the year 1770. By his marriage with Hannah Allen he had eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom were: James Robison, born 1766; Elizabeth Robison, born 1789; and John Robison. The names of the rest are unknown. Abraham Robison was born in 1737, and died April 16, 1811, while his wife, Hannah (Allen) Robison, was born in 1749, and died March 13, 1835. Mr. Robison, at his death, gave each of his sons and daughters a farm, bequeathing the homestead to his son, James Robison (grandfather), who married his cousin, Elizabeth Robison, and to them were born seven children: Abraham Robison, born February 15, 1814; John Robison, born December 27, 1815; Jane Robison, born February 23, 1818; James Robison, jr., born April 23, 1820; Harriet Robison, born October 6, 1822; Allen Robison, born September 16, 1825; and Margaret Robison, born April 20, 1828, of whom all are dead except Harriet and Margaret. James Robison died February 18, 1830, willing the homestead farm to his son, James Robison; and his widow, Elizabeth Robison, died January 12, 1849. James Robison, jr., was a good neighbor and useful citizen. He was a republican in politics, and a Presbyterian in religion, as were his ancestors before him. He died September 9, 1881, willing the homestead to his son, James Blair Robison. He was united in marriage in 1845, with Elizabeth Curry, who was born August 15, 1825, and to them was born a family of fifteen children: Woods W. Robison, born February 2, 1846; Maggie E. Robison, February 20, 1848; Winfield S. Robison, November 19, 1849; Agnes J. Robison, March 22, 1851; James Blair Robison, March 12, 1853; Forest Robison, December 10, 1854; Robert W. Robison, August 13, 1856; Sarah C. Robison, March 1, 1858; Lilly M. Robison, October 30, 1859; Martha Elizabeth Robison, September 4, 1861; Rhoda B. Robison, February 22, 1863; Delia A. Robison, January 21, 1865; Andrew G. Robison, November 6, 1866; Archibald S. Robison, April 10, 1868; Gertrude J. Robison, August 10, 1870. James Blair Robison passed his boyhood days and grew to manhood on the paternal acres, received his education in the common schools, and then went west, where he followed farming in Kansas for six years. At the end of that time he returned to Frankstown township to take possession of his present home farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres of good tillable and productive land. He also owns a tract of forty-four acres of good timber land, and follows grain and stock raising. He is a republican in politics, and while not overly demonstrative in advocating republicanism, yet always gives his party and its nominees an earnest and hearty support. On January 1, 1880, Mr. Robison was united in marriage with Martha Widderfield, an adopted daughter of William Widderfield, of Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Robison have been born five children, two sons and three daughters: Earnest B. Robison, born April 26, 1881; James R. Robison, April 17, 1883; Violet Robison, April 20, 1885; Gertrude B. Robison, born April 11, 1887, and died July 22, 1890; and Mary E. Robison, born August 11, 1889. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Judy Banja HON GEORGE H. SPANG, a leading lawyer of Hollidaysburg, an ex-district attorney of Bedford county, and an ex-member of the house of representatives of Pennsylvania, is a son of George B. and Sarah A. (Farquhar) Spang, and was born February 16, 1830, at Roaring Spring, in what is now Taylor township, Blair county, Pennsylvania, but which was then a part of Bedford county. His paternal grandfather, Henry Spang, was of German descent. He was born in Philadelphia, and in 1824 came to Roaring Spring, where he died some years afterward. His son, George B. Spang (father), was born in Philadelphia, from which he removed to Oley Forge, in Berks county, where he remained until 1822, when he came to Roaring Spring and purchased a tract of four hundred acres of land from John Ullery, upon part of which the larger part of the present flourishing town of Roaring spring was afterward built. He was superintendent of Springfield furnace for several years, and then engaged in farming, which he followed until his death, which occurred August 15, A.D. 1856. He was an old-line whig in politics, and was a strict member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and for many years prior to his death had been very active in the improvement of his town. He married Sarah A. Farquhar, a daughter of William Farquhar, by whom he had nine children. Mrs. Spang was a native of Maryland, and died in September, A.D. 1866. George H. Spang spent his boyhood days at Roaring Spring, and at fifteen years of age became a student in the preparatory department of Marshall college at Mercersburg, Franklin county. After some time spent at that institution he entered Pennsylvania college at Gettysburg, Adams county, from which he was graduated in the class of 1852. In the next year after leaving college he became a law student in the office of Hon. Job Mann, of Bedford, this State, and on May 3, 1854, was admitted to practice in the courts of Bedford county. He soon built up a fine practice at Bedford, and on May 9, 1856, was appointed district attorney of that county, to fill an unexpired term caused by the resignation of Col. Thomas A. Boyd. On October 14, 1856, he was elected district attorney for a term of three years, was reelected on October 11, 1859, and on November 3, 1874, was elected to represent Bedford county in the house of representatives of Pennsylvania for the sessions of 1875 and 1876; on November 3, 1876, was reelected and served during the sessions of 1877 and 1878. At the expiration of his term he returned to Bedford, where he remained until 1883, when he came to Roaring Springs, which he left the succeeding year to open an office at Martinsburg, at which place he practiced up to December, 1891. He then came to Hollidaysburg, and has already secured a first-class and very remunerative practice. On November 25, 1862, Mr. Spang married Elizabeth J. Alsip, daughter of Sheriff John Alsip, of Bedford county, and they have one child, a daughter named Carrie L., who is the wife of Rufus C. Haderman, a lawyer and the present prothonotary of Bedford county. In politics Mr. Spang has always been a democrat. While serving in the State legislature he was a member of several important committees, and was recognized as an able, logical and fluent speaker. He is above medium height, with rather classical features, and of fine personal appearance. George H. Spang stands well in his chosen profession as one who carefully guards the interests of his clients, and who never neglects any proper means to secure success in the many cases which he tries in the courts of Blair county. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Judy Banja T.M.T. SYMINGTON, proprietor of the oldest wall paper and paint store in Tyrone, and a man who has been connected with the business interests of the town during its entire history, is a son of Henry and Helen (Hunter) Symington, and was born in Yorkshire, England, December 25, 1819. His father, Henry Symington was a native of Eaton, Scotland, but moved to Yorkshire, England, where he died December 26, 1879. He was a paper manufacturer, and followed that occupation nearly all his life. He married Helen Hunter, by whom he had a family of nine children, consisting of five sons and four daughters. Three of the sons emigrated to America. James came in 1837, and settled on Mill Creek, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, where he died. Daniel H. came in 1849, and located at Waldenbridge near Newburg Orange county, New York, where he enlisted during the civil war, and afterward died of disease in the army. T.M.T. Symington was reared in England, and received his education in the schools of his native country. During his earlier years he worked in the paper factory and learned that business, but after beginning life for himself he abandoned the paper mill and learned the trade of house painter. He worked at that business for a time in England, but in 1851 came to the United States and purchased a paper mill in Westchester county, New York, which he successfully conducted for some time. In the fall of 1852 he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1853 he came to Pennsylvania, and locating in Tyrone, this county (then a new but growing village), he began the business of house painting, paper hanging, and dealing in paints, oils, varnish, wall paper and trimmings. He has followed this business ever since. When Mr. Symington settled in Tyrone the town contained less than a score of houses and he has been identified with its growth and development for a period of nearly forty years. On May day, 1855 Mr. Symington was wedded to Panina A. Miles a daughter of William W. Miles of Tyrone. In 1868 and again in 1889, Mr. and Mrs. Symington visited England and spent considerable time in that country, returning in each instance during the following year. They have an adopted son Thomas O. who married Carrie Vosburg and is now engaged in the wall paper business at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Politically Mr. Symington was a democrat after coming to the United States, but during his visit to Europe he studied the situation in England and investigated the operations of the tariff laws and the result was that he returned to his American home a firm believer in the doctrine of protection and has ever since been an ardent republican and an enthusiastic admirer of James G. Blaine. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church with which he has been connected for many years. Mr. Symington's family name was originally Dickson, but during the wars of Bruce and Wallace, for deed of valor was changed to Symington. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Michele R. Eyer Chynna10@aol.com ABRAM WAITE, now resident of Tyrone who was for many years one of the prosperous farmers of Tyrone township, is the second son and third child of John and Esther (Wagoner) Waite, and was born in Sinking Valley, in what is now Tyrone township, Blair (then Huntingdon) county, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1822. His paternal grandfather Waite must have been among the early settlers of Sinking Valley, and his son, John Waite (father) was born there in 1787. At that time, and for sixteen years previous this valley, so wonderful for attractive natural features was apart of Bedford county. He was a prosperous farmer for his day when farming was conducted by the hardest of manual labor, with very few and crude farm implements. He cleared out and improved a good farm, on which he died in 1830, when only forty nine years of age. He married Esther Wagoner, and to them were born seven children: Daniel, who died in 1865; Mary, wife of Jacob Stover; Abram; John G, who died November 2, 1891 at Tyrone, and whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Henry (deceased); Eva, wife of George W. Walters, of Altoona; and Esther who married D.S. Weekland, of Altoona where they now reside. Mrs. Waite, after her husband's death, continued to reside in Sinking Valley for seven years. She then, in 1837 removed to Sharon's Creek, and afterwards settled in Eden Valley, near Spruce Creek where she died in 1874, at the advanced age of seventy eight years. Abram Waite was reared on a farm, and received a good English education in the old subscription and the early common schools of Pennsylvania. At an early age he was carefully trained to farming, and when he became of age to do for himself, he engaged in agricultural pursuits which he followed until 1879. In that year he sold his fertile and well improved farm, near Spruce Creek, and removed to the village, where he resided until 1888, when he came to Tyrone. Abram Waite was an old line Whig until the dissolution of the Whig and the formation of the Republican Party, which he has supported ever since. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church, and while residing at Spruce Creek was an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal church of that place, and active worker in it's Sunday school. Mr. Waite is a plain unassuming man and a useful citizen and has now retired from active business life. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Michele R. Eyer Chynna10@aol.com GEORGE ZEIGLER, is a good citizen and an industrious business man, and is one whose success in life has been the result of honest efforts well executed. He is a son of Henry and Amelia (Baronner) Zeigler, and was born in the province of Bavaria, Germany, June 24, 1863. Michael Zeigler (grandfather) was a native of Akre, Germany, where he lived until his death. His son, Henry Zeigler, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1824, in Bavaria, of which province he is still a resident. He has become successful as a wholesale and retail merchant, and on February 16, 1860, he married Amelia Baronner, by whom he had a family of five children: John and Joseph, who still reside in Germany; Theodore and Henry, residents of Altoona; and George. George Zeigler received his education in his native county, and leaving school, learned the trade of shoemaker. At thirty-seven years of age he had a desire to see the United States, and in 1880 he crossed the Atlantic, and soon after reaching New York he located at Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, where he has resided ever since. For a time he was engaged as a laborer at the furnace there, and afterward was employed as a shoemaker. In 1885 he started in the shoemaking business for himself, and a year later established a retail shoe store, which he has ever since conducted very successfully. Mr. Zeigler was united in marriage with Margaret E. Riley, and to their union have been born two sons and two daughters: Henry, Joseph, Amelia and Madalena. In political sentiment Mr. Zeigler is a close adherent of the Democratic party, and takes great interest in political affairs. In religious creed he is a faithful adherent and member of the Catholic church. Having entered upon the scenes of active life with but little capital, his industry and perseverance have earned him what he has, and he is now in comfortable circumstances, with a promising future before him. Transcribed and submitted to the Blair County, PA, USGenWeb archives by Judy Banja