OBIT: Samuel B. CONFER, 1918, Duncansville, Blair County, PA

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SAMUEL B. CONFER CALLED BY DEATH
Former County Commissioner Passes Away at Duncansville Yesterday

  Samuel B. Confer, former county commissioner, tip-staff at the court house and 
one of the best known citizens of Duncansville, passed away at his home at that 
place at 8:40 o'clock yesterday morning of diseases incident to old age.  He had 
been in failing health for the past year but had been confined to his bed but a 
short time.  He was one of the very few surviving captains of the Old Portage 
railroad.
  Mr. Confer was born near McKee's Gap on November 9, 1831, and was reared in 
that vicinity.  Early in life he became a captain on the Old Portage road and 
later entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad company as a conductor 
and served with fidelity in that capacity for a period of twenty years.  He took 
up his residence in Duncansville in 1855, had since resided there and for many 
years took a great interest in the civic affairs of that community.  He was for 
many years engaged in the mercantile business.  He was a Republican in politics 
and was elected to the office of county commissioner as a member of the party 
for the term of 1878 to 1881.  While filling this office he became extensively 
known throughout the county.  For some years he officiated as a top-staff [sic] 
in the courts of the county at Hollidaysburg and enjoyed the respect and esteem 
of the judge and all members of the bar.  He was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church of Duncansville, becoming affiliated with the congregation 
there in 1862.  He became one of its most influential members and for many years 
up to the time of his death held the office of trustee.  He was superintendent 
of the Sunday school for a period of thirty years and was also class leader for 
almost the same period of time.  He was a member of the first board of trustees 
of the old church and he continued to hold that office on the building of a new 
edifice.  He was an untiring worker for Christianity and was held in the highest 
esteem by the people of the town where he resided for so many years.  He was 
married to Elizabeth Stiffler and to this union five children were born.  
Blanche and John W. preceded him to the grave and these survive, Dr. David C., 
of Duncansville; Lloyd G., of Huntingdon, and Nellie K., at home.  He is also 
survived by two sisters, Mrs. Keziah Elder and Mrs. Mary Shartzer, both of this 
city. The funeral will take place from his late home at 2:30 o'clock Tuesday 
afternoon, services to be conducted by Rev. J. V. L. Wagner, pastor of the 
Methodist Episcopal church.  Interment in Carson Valley cemetery.

Altoona Tribune, Monday, July 29, 1918, page 10