OBIT: Isaac Newton MYERS, 1919, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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ISAAC NEWTON MYERS SUMMONED BY DEATH

Veteran Engineer of Pittsburg Division Passes Away Late Tuesday Night

  Isaac Newton Myers, a well known citizen of the Second ward and a veteran 
engineer of the Pittsburg division, died at his home, 817 Fourth avenue, at 
10:30 o'clock Tuesday night of a complication of diseases with which he had 
been ailing for the past three months.  He had not been in good health for a 
period of several years.  He had been in the service of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad company for half a century.
  Deceased was the son of Joseph W. and Sarah Myers, and was born at 
Summerhill, Cambria county, September 6, 1848.  He received his education in 
the public schools of that town.  When the Civil war broke out which was when 
he was nearing his 15th year, he tried to enter the army but could not pass 
the physical examination.  In 1862 both he and his father secured employment 
with the railroad service as teamsters, their duty being to haul ballast to 
the tracks from the company's quarry.
  Mr. Myers first started to work for the railroad company proper in 1865 in 
the capacity of track hand.  In 1867 his father was killed by a fast freight.  
In the same year that his father met his death Mr. Myers accepted a position 
as brakeman on the Pittsburg division.  He served as freight brakeman for one 
year when he was transferred to the passenger service as a brakeman, serving 
in that capacity for two years.
  He was united in marriage September 21, 1869, to Mary Savage.  The newly 
married couple began housekeeping in Summerhill, moving to Altoona in 1870.  
The following year Mr. Myers was promoted from passenger brakeman to freight 
fireman on the Pittsburg division.  He received his first engine in 1873.  He 
served in the capacity of engineer until 1904, when he was given a position as 
engine inspector in the round house.  He continued in this position until late 
in 1912 when he was compelled, on account of ill health, to discontinue active 
service.  He was retired on January 1, 1914.
  Mr. Myers had many exciting experiences during his service.  One occurred 
during the time of the Pittsburg strike in 1877, when he was sent to bring a 
stock train from that city to Altoona, and another when he was driving an 
engine that was pushed down a steep incline at Portage, in front of a large 
draft of loaded cars.
  His first wife preceded him to the grave in 1889 and in 1898 he was united 
in marriage to Martha Ivory, who survives with these children, born to his 
first marriage: Mrs. Patrick McDunn, and Mrs. Essie McCabe, of Wilmore; Mrs. 
James Dunn, of Johnstown, and Walter, of this city; and these step-children: 
Mrs. F. T. McDermitt, Mrs. A. H. Stackhouse, Mrs. R. V. Hughes, G. W. Ivory 
and Ada Ivory, all of the city.  He is also survived by these brothers and 
sisters: George and Oliver Myers, of South Fork; Mrs. Joseph Wolf, of 
Johnstown; Samuel Myers and Mrs. William Wherry, of this city.  He was a 
member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel church, the Pittsburg Division Veteran's 
association and the P.R.R. Relief association.  The funeral will take place 
Friday morning, the remains to be taken to Wilmore on train No. 3, leaving at 
7:45 o'clock.  Mass will be said in St. Bartholmew's church there at 9 
o'clock, followed by interment in the church cemetery.

Altoona Tribune, Thursday, January 9, 1919, page 10