OBIT: Joseph NIXDORF, 1880, Altoona, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ Illness of Joseph Nixdorf. Mr. Joseph Nixdorf, father of John Nixdorf and father-in-law of H. Fettinger, Esq., is lying dangerously ill at the residence of the latter, with whom he has been living for the past eight years. At a consultation of his physicians at 10 o'clock last night his case was pronounced exceedingly critical. Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Wednesday, March 24, 1880 AN AGED MAN GONE. Mr. Joseph Nixdorf, a Silver Gray, is no More. Yesterday, about noon, Joseph Nixdorf, one of our aged citizens, who has been ill for about three weeks past, died at the residence of his son-in-law, Henry Fettinger, on Tenth avenue. Only a short time before his death Mr. Nixdorf had prepared the following sketch of his life, which is inscribed on the records of the Silver Gray Club, of which he was a member: Joseph Nixdorf was born at Chestnut Hill, Lancaster county, September 3, 1806. His parents were of German descent and in indigent circumstances at the time of his birth. When Joseph was about 5 years of age they moved to Lancaster city, where his father, a carpenter by trade, helped to build the Court House in Centre square, which has long since been removed. At the age of 7 years young Joseph was apprenticed to a farmer for a term of eight years. When his time was up there he returned to the city and was apprenticed to a weaver, but remained with him only a short time, as he did not like the business. Afterward he learned the distilling business, at which he worked for four years, and about this time joined a volunteer military company, called the "Lancaster Phalanx," which some time before had done good service in the war of 1812. In 1830 Mr. Nixdorf was united in marriage to Mary Blotenberger, a native of Lancaster county, of French German descent. They had nine children, seven of whom are living. For thirty years they resided in and about Lancaster. In 1861 the father enlisted in the One Hundred and Tenth regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, where he served for over two years, and received an honorable discharge. Afterwards he came to Tyrone, and worked there for two years, and then moved to Altoona, where he has resided ever since. Since living here he has been employed until recently by the railroad company. The deceased was a member of the German Reformed Church, and a life-long Democrat. The funeral will take place on Sunday, to leave the house at 3:30 P.M. from the residence of his son-in-law, H. Fettinger, Esq., No. 1316 Tenth avenue, to proceed to the Christ Reformed Church, and from thence to Fairview cemetery. Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Saturday, April 3, 1880 Notice. The Silver Grey Social Club will meet at Eaby & Son's office, Eighth avenue, near Thirteenth street, to-morrow, Sunday, at 3 o'clock P.M., sharp, for the purpose of attending the funeral of their late brother, Joseph Nixdorf. By order of ROBERT ALEXANDER, President. Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Saturday, April 3, 1880 Funeral of Joseph Nixdorf. The mortal remains of the venerable Joseph Nixdorf were yesterday consigned to their last resting place. A large concourse of sorrowing friends were gathered in the Christ Reformed Church. Rev. M. Titzel delivered the funeral sermon, taking as his text the latter part of II. Kings, xx, 1. Rev. Mr. Cornelius called down the divine blessing on the afflicted in prayer. The church was crowded with relations and friends of the deceased, the Good Templars and Silver Grays being present in a body. Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Monday, April 5, 1880 LOCAL AND PERSONAL Mr. Jos. Nixdorf, an old citizen of Altoona, and aged about 74 years, died on Friday, of an affection of the kidneys. Huntingdon Journal, Huntingdon, Pa., April 9, 1880