OBIT: John T. CHRISTY, 1895, of Altoona, Blair County, PA

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DR. JOHN T. CHRISTY.

He Died in the University Hospital, Philadelphia, Last Evening.

  Dr. John T. Christy, who had been confined to his rooms in the Logan House 
for several weeks with a serious affection of the lungs and heart, and who 
was taken to the University hospital ten days ago to receive treatment from 
Dr. Pepper, died at that place at 7:30 o'clock last evening.  His wife was 
present at his bedside and his son, Dr. Frank M. Christy, was probably there, 
as he departed for Philadelphia on day express at noon yesterday.
  Dr. J. T. Christy was one of the most prominent physicians in Central 
Pennsylvania and was the oldest in local practice in Altoona.  He was born 
near Gallitzin, Cambria county, on December 13, 1828, his father being 
Francis X. Christy, a prominent farmer, who died at the old homestead in 
September, 1876, aged 84 years.  Dr. Christy's grandfather, Archibald 
Christy, was born in Philadelphia in 1760 and fought under Washington through 
the revolution, having entered the army at the age of 18.  At the close of 
the war he settled in Butler county, and died in Cambria county in 1841, aged 
81.
  Dr. Christy read medicine in Hollidaysburg with Dr. Aristide Rodrique, the 
most prominent physician in this section at that time, and graduated at the 
University of Pennsylvania in March, 1851.  He returned to Hollidaysburg and 
for awhile was an associate in practice with Dr. Rodrique.  In 1852 he joined 
with Dr. J. C. McKee, who had also been a student with Dr. Rodrique, and who 
is now a surgeon of the United States army on the retired list, in 
establishing the first drug store in Altoona in a building which they erected 
upon the present site of the postoffice.  Dr. McKee, who is an uncle of Mrs. 
James S. Mann of Sixteenth street and Margaret avenue, happens to be a 
visitor to the city at the present time.  He has remained through all the 
years intervening Dr. Christy's closest friend.
  Dr. Christy retained his residence in Hollidaysburg until November, 1854, 
when he located here permanently.  His field then embraced Hollidaysburg, 
Altoona, Kittanning Point, Tunnel Hill, Summit, and Logan and Antis 
townships, and his professional duties took him on many a dark and dangerous 
ride over the paths through a then almost unbroken mountain region.  In 1854 
he built in Tyrone the first planing mill erected in that section, and in 
1855 in conjunction with Dr. Rodrique, he founded the town of Le Compton, 
Kan., which was virtually destroyed in 1858 by the border ruffians.  At that 
point in 1855 he built the first saw mill ever put up in Kansas.
  In May, 1857, he married Miss M. A. J. Leech, daughter of John Leech, a 
well-known canal and railroad contractor of Leechburg, Armstrong county, Pa.  
Two children were the result of their marriage.  The elder, named John, died 
when a mere lad.  The other, Dr. Francis M. Christy, is a graduate of 
University of Pennsylvania and has been associated with his father in 
practice for a number of years.
  The deceased had been practicing continuously in Altoona for nearly forty-
three years and until his vigor was impaired by age and disease, was most 
zealous and attentive in meeting the requirements of his profession.  He was 
surgeon for the Pennsylvania railroad from 1851 to 1863 and amputated the 
first leg lost through an accident on the Pennsylvania railroad.  During the 
war of the rebellion he frequently assisted his brother, Brigade Surgeon 
Henry C. Christy, in the Washington hospitals.  On the establishment of the 
Altoona hospital he became a member of its staff, a position he held until 
about a year ago, when he retired, his place being taken by his son.
  His extensive practice brought him a large income, and royalties obtained 
from his coal lands on the mountain during the past ten or fifteen years 
greatly increased his wealth.  Dr. Christy was a Catholic and a regular 
attendant at St. John's church to which congregation he belonged.
  He remains will be brought to this city on Fast line this evening.

Altoona Mirror, January 4, 1895

Funeral of Dr. J. T. Christy.

  The remains of Dr. J. T. Christy arrived in the city last night from 
Philadelphia and were received by Undertaker Lynch and conveyed to a parlor 
on the second floor of the Logan House, where they will remain until Monday 
morning.  Solemn high mass will be celebrated at 9:30 o'clock that morning in 
St. John's Catholic church, after which interment will be made in St. John's 
cemetery.

Altoona Mirror, January 5, 1895