OBIT: George S. EABY, 1903, Altoona, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/
_________________________________________ 

DEATH OF MR. GEORGE S. EABY

Died at Residence of Dr. S. M. Sellers from Paralysis After Long Illness

WAS AGED EIGHTY-SIX YEARS

A Native of Compass, Chester County, He Came to Altoona in 1861 - Was a 
Merchant and Paper Manufacturer - One of Altoona's Most Prominent Citizens - 
Three Children Survive Him.

  Mr. George S. Eaby, one of the oldest and most highly respected residents 
of this city, died last evening at the residence of his son-in-law, Dr. S. M. 
Sellers, 1701 Third avenue, of paralysis, after a lingering illness, he 
having been confined to his room for more than a year past.  Mr. Eaby was the 
son of Isaac Eaby, a farmer, of near Compass, Chester county, and was born 
March 18, 1817, being 86 years, 3 months and 14 days of age at the time of 
his death.  He lived on his father's farm until his 17th year when he 
procured a clerkship in a general store at Compass.  In this store he learned 
the details of the mercantile business and in 1842 he engaged in business for 
himself in the town.  He sold out his store in 1844 and went to Cumberland 
county, where he again opened a store, which he conducted for four years.  On 
June 20, 1846, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Russell, of 
Coatesville.  Shortly after his marriage he disposed of his store in 
Cumberland county and returned to Compass, where for some years he followed 
various pursuits, but principally in the purchase and sale of live stock.  In 
1855 he purchased a water power factory and converted it into a paper mill.  
He operated the paper mill until 1859, in which year the plant, with all the 
stock, was destroyed by fire.  Mr. Eaby came to this city in 1861, later 
engaged in the tin and sheet iron business, in which he continued for many 
years.  Years ago he and a number of other old residents organized a company 
known as the Silver Grays, of which he was the last survivor, all the other 
members having preceded him to the grave.  Mr. Eaby was always a quiet, 
unassuming man and was known by all the older residents of the city.  He was 
a consistent member of the First Baptist church.  These children survive: 
Mrs. S. M. Sellers and I. I. Eaby, of Altoona, and Mrs. William Martin, of 
West Chester.  Two sisters - Mrs. Mary Rambo, of Philadelphia, and Mrs. 
Barbara Myers, of Sligo, Clarion county, Pa. - also survive.  The funeral 
will take place tomorrow afternoon and will be private.

Altoona Times, Friday morning, July 3, 1903, page 1