OBIT: Archibald M. LYKENS, 1929, Newry, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Allison Nepper Hales nepper3@yahoo.com Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ PROMINENT NEWRY RESIDENT IS DEAD A. M. Lykens, Councilman and Former Hotelman, Postmaster and School Director, Dies Following Stroke. Archibald M. Lykens, former postmaster, hotel proprietor and for many years prominent as a resident of Newry borough, died at 10.33 o'clock last night at his home following a stroke of paralysis. He was ill two years. He was aged 76. Mr. Lykens was active in the affairs in Newry and he was a civic leader, taking a prominent part in the recent celebrations on the occasion of the opening of the new concrete road through the borough and the installation of electric lights. He was a leader in the community and served the borough in various capacities. For twelve years he held the position of postmaster. He was also chief burgess and a member of the borough school board. At the time of his death he was a member of the borough council. He had charge of the state road from Leamersville for many years. Mr. Lykens was well known all over Blair county for his community spirit and he represented the borough in all county-wide interests. He was popular with the children and he had charge of organizing the youngsters in the borough during the town celebrations. Mr. Lykens conducted the Franklin House in the borough for a period of twenty-three years, the hostelry having an excellent reputation, being well known among traveling men. Of recent years he had lived retired. He was born at Springfield Mines on August 7, 1853, the son of Isaac and Mary Lykens. He was one of a family of a fifteen children including twelve boys and three girls. He resided at Springfield Mines for thirty years. He was united in marriage on Nov. 8. 1877, at Clappertown to Miss Henrietta Knepper and the couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary two years ago. Surviving are the widow and the following children: Charles E. of Philadelphia, Dean of Duncansville, Proctor of Altoona, Mrs. Lottie Hoover and Mrs. Bertie Weaver, both of Newry, and Mrs. Grace Keagy of Hollidaysburg. Two brothers also survive, Blair Lykens of Huntingdon and Robert Lykens of Ohio. Mr. Lykens was a faithful member of the Newry Lutheran church. Funeral services will be held at the church on Sunday afternoon at 2.30 o'clock in charge of his pastor, Rev. C. E. Berkey. Interment will be made in the Newry Lutheran cemetery. The death is the first in the Lykens family circle, all six children surviving. Mr. Lykens was a brother of the late Professor John H. Lykens, former superintendent of schools in the county. Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pa., October 4, 1929, page 36