OBIT: William F. POSTLETHWAITE, 1882, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2020. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm DEATH OF W. F. POSTLETHWAITE. A Late Honored Citizen of Altoona Dies in Philadelphia. A telegram received in this city at noon Sunday conveyed the painful intelligence of the death of Mr. William F. Postlethwaite, which occurred about an hour previous, at the residence of his brother, Mr. E. T. Postlethwaite, in Philadelphia. The deceased left this city only a few months ago to accept the position of chief clerk to Mr. Lodge, superintendent of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore railroad, with his office in Philadelphia. Recently his health had not been good, as he was subject to frequent attacks of pneumonia, but none were prepared to hear of his death. Mr. Postlethwaite was born in Mount Union, Huntingdon county, and was 26 years of age last May. He received a common school education, and when quite young entered the office of his uncle, Mr. William Goyton, a supervisor on the west branch canal. Quitting that he came to this city and entered Master Mechanic Stratton's office where he remained until he received his appointment in Mr. Lodge's office. He was talented and energetic, and although delicate he performed a vast amount of work outside of his office duties. He was secretary of the Logan building association for a couple of terms, and was identified with nearly all of these associations in the city, either in an official capacity or as a stock holder. He was an ardent democrat in politics, and like everything he espoused, he labored earnestly for its success. He was elected city auditor on the democratic ticket, and two years ago was a candidate before the county convention for prothonotary, being, however, defeated. About six years ago he was attacked with pneumonia, which seriously weakened his lungs, and three years later he was thrown from a buggy, receiving injuries to his hip which confined him to his bed for a long time, and which caused him to be lame. He was a consistent member of the Second Presbyterian church. Two of the deceased's brothers reside in Philadelphia, E. T. Postlethwaite, at whose house he died, being chief clerk to General Manager Frank Thompson, while Albert is employed in the same office. Another brother, Calvin, resides in Jewel City, Kansas. His mother, who went to visit him some three weeks ago, was with him when he died. The remains will be brought to this city on Philadelphia express this morning, and will be interred in Oak Ridge cemetery, beside the remains of his father, to-morrow, the hour having not yet been determined upon. The remains of the late William F. Postlethwaite arrived in this city on Philadelphia express Monday morning, accompanied by his mother and sister and his brother Alfred. Mr. E. T. Postlethwaite will arrive from Philadelphia this morning. The remains were taken to the residence of his mother, Seventh avenue, next door to the Second Lutheran church, where many friends called all day to take a last look on the features whom all will remember with kindness. The deceased was aged 25 years and 8 months. Rev. J. W. Chichester, the former pastor of the Second Presbyterian church of this city, but now located in Germantown, visited Mr. Postlethwaite in his last illness, and at the request of his brothers had signified his intention of conducting the funeral services in this city, but was prevented from doing so on account of the sudden illness of his mother. Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, January 19, 1882, page 3