Newspapers: John A. Smith, Altoona Tribune, Friday, January 20, 1922, Altoona, 
Blair, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Sharon McCartney Russell 
jerusse@erols.com

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John A. Smith, Aged 92 Years

Nonagenarian Reviews the Growth of Altoona in Past Fifty Years

To John A. Smith of 1326 Nineteenth avenue, prominent pioneer citizen of 
Altoona, who yesterday celebrated his ninety-second birthday anniversary, has 
befallen the great privilege of seeing the city grow up around him, rearing a 
great industry and housing thousands of people and fairly springing up Phoenix-
like from an area of farm and meadow land which has given way to mortar and 
brick, leaving but slight vestiges of tillable fields.  Back in 1857, when Mr. 
Smith first settled in what is now Altoona, he lived in a log house on one of 
the old McCartney farms from which the western section of the city has been 
carved, including Fairview cemetery.  This house stood at what is now the corner 
of Eighteenth avenue and Fourteenth street.
When he moved there the railway shops were in their mere swaddling stage, give 
at that time no prophecy of their rapid development.  At the end of a hard day's 
work, he, as is the wont of a lover of nature, had and enjoyment of looking over 
a pleasant country landscape.  Mr. Smith has not allowed the city of encroach 
too closely on his domain.  In 1872 he built the large stately brick house which 
stands as one of the most imposing landmarks in that section.  Surrounded by 
several acres of orchard and open land, it impresses as a survival of the 
Mountain City's farm origin.
However, to Mr. Smith himself this open space gives the opportunity for the 
pursuit of the work he loves.  Here he cares for his trees, every one of which 
was planted and nurtured by his own hand, and until last year he mowed the grass 
regularly, facetiously declaring that he was making hay.  The ground also offers 
plenty of range for his flock of fifty chickens, which he cares for daily.  In 
fact about the only difference Mr. Smith's ninety-two years have made with him 
is that he of late is somewhat crippled with rheumatism and for the last six 
months his eyesight has failed, so that he is unable to read.  The mirror does 
not reflect Time's heavy-handedness.  He looks a quarter of century younger than 
he is;  his memory is keen;  his disposition is as cheerful and equable as ever 
it was and his interest in and liking for social converse and contact with his 
friends, if anything is increasing rather than waning.  Although he does not 
attempt to go walking when the pavements are icy, when the weather is favorable 
he walks down town and attends services at the First Methodist Episcopal church 
of which he has been a trustee since 1871.  He walks with as straight a carriage 
as a man half his age and he has the complexion and coloring of healthy youth.
He celebrated his anniversary very quietly yesterday.  It had been the intention 
of members of the family of keep open house, but this idea was abandoned on 
account of the bad condition of the streets.  However twenty-one of his 
grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives, including the immediate 
neighbors, completely surprised him by coming in for a season of celebration 
together last  evening.  He expressed his appreciation in a neat little after 
dinner speech and stayed up until the last guest had departed, as lively and 
interested as any in the party.  During the day many friends called to pay their 
respects and offer felicitations and a host of messages and cards were received, 
some of which came from as far away as Oregon.

Mr. Smith was born in Antis township, two miles north of Gardners' s Mills, 
January 19, 1830, the son of Jacob and Anne (Baird) Smith.  He was the oldest 
boy in a family consisting of two daughters and three sons.  Until he was 18 
years of age he helped his father on the farm, going to free school near his 
home in the months that he was not needed to thresh the grain.  In those days 
all the harvesting and threshing was done by hand;  the grain being cut with 
sickle or cradle an afterwards threshed out on the barn floor with a flail.  Mr. 
Smith attributes his long life to hard work.  He believes the wholesome outdoor 
work and the strenuousness of which developed his muscles to the hardness of 
iron has given him the wonderful physique he possesses.  He declared he had 
little time to play, there never having been as he states it, "any nonsense in 
his life." 
When past 18 years of age Mr. Smith decided to learn the carpenter trade, 
apprenticing himself to John Wesley, of Altoona, for a term of three years. 
(1838-1841).  During the first year he drew down a monthly stipend of $5 in 
addition to his keep;  the second year his monthly wage was raised to $6 and the 
third year to $7.  While working for Mr. Wesley, Mr. Smith helped build the 
first house in Altoona, this be located at Fourteenth avenue and Tenth street.  
It was used as an engineers' boarding house.  
It was in 1851 that the real romance of his life transpired.  He was called to 
help build a house for John McCartney, one of the pioneers of Altoona, to 
replace the house which had been destroyed by fire.  While engaged in the 
building operations on the new dwelling he met the daughter of the house, Miss 
Margaret McCartney.  Their friendship ripened into a deeper feeling and they 
were married, this happy event taking place December 24, 1851.  They took up 
housekeeping on a five-acre plot in Antis township, remaining there until 1857, 
when they moved to Altoona, Mrs. Smith died in 1903.  To the union eight 
children were born -- Letitia (deceased), John McCartney Smith, Mrs. Ida Maclin, 
Alfred L. (deceased), Virginia C. Smith, at home, Mrs. May Trask, Mrs. D Estella 
Whitehead and Clifford Smith.
Mr. Smith followed farming for thirteen years after his removal to this city, 
after which he established a general merchandise business on the corner now 
occupied by the Gable store until 1892, when he sold out to the late William F. 
Gable.  He has been a lifelong Republican, the party followers honoring him with 
election to the school directorship of Logan township for twelve years, he also 
served as secretary of the board and in 1896 he was elected county commissioner 
serving two terms in addition to an interim of one month when he filled an 
unexpired term.  
In his official capacity he won the good will and respect of all the people with 
whom he came in contact.  Friendly and the soul of honor, his name in the county 
stood then as it does today, for sterling worth.  He has been a subscriber and 
constant reader of the Tribune since it was founded, it being his favorite 
newspaper until his impaired vision precluded his doing any reading.  He 
presented the representative of the paper who called upon him yesterday with a 
subscription receipt dated in the year of 1869.
If the succeeding years treat him as kindly as have the latter ones since he has 
passed the allotted three score and ten, he stands an excellent chance of 
realizing the good wishes of his friends and family that he live to the age of 
one hundred.