OBIT: John HALTON, 1879, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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DEATH OF AN AGED MAN.

  At about two o'clock on Saturday afternoon John Haltman, an old time 
resident of Altoona, was gathered to his fathers.  John has been one of 
the faithful employes of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and for 
over twenty years held one position under the company - that of keeper 
of the turntable in the western round house.  About two years ago he 
became too feeble to work, and has since been quietly waiting for the 
final summons.  Deceased was about 71 years of age.  He came to Altoona 
very early, before it was a town, and was the first Catholic here.  His 
family when they arrived moved into part of a mule stable, and resided 
there all summer.  They lived in great poverty, and were finally turned 
out to make room for a drove of mules.  There were but three shanties 
in the town, situated about what is now Seventh avenue and Sixteenth 
street, on the edge of a swamp.  There was no floor on the building and 
very little roof over it.  When the rains came they crawled under the 
umbrellas, and those who could not get them sought refuge under the 
table.  Thus it was that the early settlers had to fight difficulties.  
The funeral will take place at the Catholic Church this morning.

Morning Tribune, Monday, December 29, 1879

Note: There is no Haltman in the 1870 Blair County census, nor in St. 
John's or St. Mary's cemetery.  John Halton, 61, Jane Halton, 62, 
Thomas Halton, 28, John Halton, 24, Mary Halton, 26, and Patrick 
Halton, 18, are listed in the 1870 Altoona Ward 4, Blair County census.  

JOHN HALTON'S FUNERAL.

  Yesterday afternoon the mortal remains of John Halton, Sr., were 
consigned to their last resting place.  Funeral services were held at 
the Catholic church, high requiem mass being celebrated.  Rev. Father 
Sheedy preached the funeral sermon.  The funeral was very large, in 
fact one of the most numerously attended in Altoona for a long time.  
The statement in yesterday's Tribune in regard to Mr. Halton's early 
life was not entirely correct.

Morning Tribune, Tuesday, December 30, 1879