HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA CITY OF ALTOONA File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Linda Russell Lewis **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. **************************************************************** History of Blair County, Pennsylvania. J. Simpson Africa. Philadelphia: Louis H. Everts; Press of J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1883. CITY OF ALTOONA Page 165 Company I, Two Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, recruited largely through the efforts of M. B. Morrow, was mustered into service Sept. 2, 1864. Its officers were Ira R. Shipley, captain; John A. McCahan and Henry Elway, lieutenants. November 1st, McCahan became captain, Sergt. Henry Hawk was promoted to be first lieutenant, Henry Elway re- maining second lieutenant. The company was mus- tered out before its year of service expired, on June 2, 1865, by reason of the termination of the war. In 1871 the "Keystone Zouaves" was formed, with the following officers: Captain, John R. Garden; First Lieutenant, Henry A. Miller; Second Lieuten- ant, Charles L. Fettinger. In 1873 it was reorganized and called the "Latta Guard," of Altoona, with The- odore Burchfield, captain; Malden Valentine, first lieutenant; and F. R. Barr, second lieutenant. In 1874 it became one of the companies composing the Fifth Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania In 1878, Theodore Burchfield was elected colonel of the regiment, and as such still serves. W. Sargent, Jr., of Altoona, is adjutant. Company D, of Altoona, one of the companies composing the Fifth, was or- ganized in 1879. The present commissioned offices are John L. Piper, captain; Edward M. Amies: first lieutenant; John R. Garden, second lieutenant. It has over fifty members. Street Railways -- On the 18th day of February, A.D. 1882, John P. Levan, D. K. Reamey, William Murray, Frederick N. Holmes, C. Jaggard, S. S. Blair, George A. McCormick, Theodore H. Wigton, D. D. Wood, H. S. Frank, A. Kipple, W. K. Beaty, David Koch, H.C. Dern, A. J. Anderson, and others con- vened st the Logan House, in the city of Altoona, for the purpose of forming a company to construct, maintain, and operate a street railway in the said city of Altoona. D. K. Reamey was chosen to preside over the meet- ing, and Theodore H. Wigton was appointed secretary. At the request of the president, John P. Levan, Esq. stated the object of the meeting. It was resolved by the meeting to employ counsel, and have all necessary papers prepared without delay. At the same meeting the following committee was appointed and instructed to employ counsel, have all necessary papers prepared etc.: John P. Levan, chairman, and, members, D. K. Reamey, William Murray, F. W. Olmes, and C. Jag- gard. This committee caused to be prepared a proper paper to be subscribed by those who wished to become members of the proposed company. This paper was promptly signed by the parties interested, each party subscribing his name and the number of shares of the capital stock each party agreed to take in said proposed company. At a meeting of the parties interested, held on the 6th day of April, A.D. 1882, at the Altoona Bank, in the city of Altoona, John P. Levau, Esq., chairman of said committee, made report to the meeting that all the capital stock of the proposed company had been subscribed, and accompanying said report with the said subscription-paper. At this same meeting the owners of the stock of the proposed company elected John P. Levan, Esq., presi- dent of the company, and the following directors: John P. Levan, William Murray, Frederick W. Olmes, D. K. Reamey, S. S. Blair, H. S. Frank, C. Jaggard, C. F. Benview, Max. Liveright. The meeting by resolution continued the committee, and instructed the committee to obtain a charter. Proper articles of association were prepared by Andrew J. Riley, Esq., in conformity with the pro- visions of an act of the General Assembly of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, entitled "An Act to provide for the incorporation and government of street railway companies in cities of the third, fourth, and fifh classes, and in the boroughs and townships in this commonwealth," approved the 23d day of May, A.D. 1878, and these articles of association having been subscribed, sworn to and acknowledged, as required by said act,were filed in the office of the secretary of the commonwealth, at Harrisburg, on the 10th day of March, A.D. 1882. On the 10th day of March, A.D. 1882, the Governor of the commonwealth issued his letters patent cre- ating the persons who so subscribed said articles of association a corporation by the name, style, and title of "The City Passenger Railway Company of Altoona, Pa." On the 8th day of April, A.D. 1882 (and before going into operation), the corporation was properly registered in the office of the auditor-general, at Har- risburg, in accordance with the provisions of the act of June 7, 1879. At the first meeting of the board of directors, held at the office of the company, in the city of Altoona on the 8th day of April, A.D. 1882, L. B. Reifsneider was elected secretary of the company; Theo. H. Wig- ton, treasurer of the company; Andrew J. Biley, solic- itor of the company; and J. J. Buch, superintendent. At this same meeting of the board of directors it was ordered that the president invite proposals for the furnishing of all material in the construction of the street railway of the company. In answer to the advertisements in the newspapers a large number of responsible parties furnished bids. Messrs. Campbell Brothers, of Altoona, well-known railroad contractors, were the successful bidders and accordingly the board of directors, at a meeting on the 22d day of April, awarded Messrs. Campbell Brothers the contract for fumishing all the material, and for the construction of the road. Officers of the City Passenger Railway Company of Altoona, Pa. -- John P. Levan, president, Altoona; L B. Reifsneider, secretary, Altoona; Theodore H. Wigton, treasnrer, Altoona; Andrew J. Biley, so- licitor, Altoona; J. J. Buch, superintendent, Al- toona; directors, John P. Levan, Altoona; William