OBIT: Edward J. SLEP, 1921, Altoona, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by MFS

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/
_______________________________________________ 

EDWARD J. SLEP, WHO PAS PASSED TO GREAT BEYOND

EDWARD J. SLEP [photo]

ENGAGED IN PRINTING THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE

Reading and Fishing Were His Diversions and His Interest Centered in His 
Home and Family.

  Edward J. Slep, one of Altoona's prominent and respected citizens, a 
member of the board of directors of the Mirror Printing company, 
superintendent of the composing room, and son of Harry Slep, president of 
the company, died after an extended illness at his residence at 2549 Union 
avenue, at 7.45 o'clock last evening.
  Mr. Slep had been in failing health for quite a number of months, but he 
continued to work until six weeks ago.  About the middle of December his 
illness assumed a more serious form, he suffering an attack of pleurisy at 
that time.  Complications ensued and he continued to grow worse and a week 
ago became bedfast.  He passed away peacefully, surrounded by the members of 
his family who had been summoned, as it was apparent for several days that 
the end was near.
  He had spent some time during the summer at his cottage near Bedford, 
where he engaged in his favorite recreation of fishing, but took up his work 
in the office upon his return and went to the office as long as his health 
permitted.

A Native of Harrisburg.

  Mr. Slep was born in Harrisburg on July 25, 1861, the son of Harry and 
Mary Daugherty Slep.  He went to school in his native city and very early in 
life he went into the printing office with his father, and with the 
exception of a brief period during which he was located at Columbus, O., he 
was associated with his father in business throughout his life.
  The family located in Altoona when he was a youth and he grew to manhood 
here.  During the early 70's, while he was still quite young, he started a 
little journal that was issued from his father's printing office and which 
was called the Youth's Mirror.  It was an ambitious venture for a youth and 
the venture was quite successful for a time.  A number of copies of the 
little publication are still in existence.
  For several years, during the latter 80's, Mr. Slep was located at 
Columbus, O.  He worked on several newspapers there and for a year or more 
he conducted a small local newspaper, known as the North Side Mirror in that 
city.  While living in Columbus he was married to Hattie E. Williams, on 
July 5, 1885.  Mrs. Slep died on Nov. 17, 1915.  
  In both of these editorial ventures Mr. Slep did most of the writing and 
he displayed much talent in that phase of newspaper work.

Returns to Mirror Plant.

  He returned to Altoona in 1889 and again became identified with the 
Mirror, his work henceforth being chiefly in the mechanical departments.  
For many years he was the foreman of the composing room and for a number of 
years past had been the superintendent in charge of the mechanical 
department.  Upon the incorporation of the Mirror Printing company he became 
a member of the board and served in that capacity until his death.
  In his younger days Mr. Slep was a member of the national guard, serving 
in the local company of the old 5th regiment.  He rose to the rank of 
sergeant in the company which was then commanded as captain by Colonel 
Theodore Burchfield, who afterwards commanded the regiment.  Mr. Slep's 
service covered the years from 1880 to 1885.
  The only organization with which he had been affiliated in his later years 
was the Blair County Game, Fish and Forestry association.  Fishing was his 
only outside diversion, but he nevertheless took a great deal of interest in 
the work of the association, especially the subject of forest preservation.
  Mr. Slep was a great reader and student throughout his life.  He had a 
magnificent library in his home and he was well informed on a wide range of 
subjects.  His interest aside from his work centered in his home, his family 
and his books.

A Sterling Patriot.

  Mr. Slep was a sterling patriot.  During the late World war three of his 
sons entered the service of the country, two in the army and one in the 
marines and he took much pride in the fact that his family was thus so well 
represented in the national cause.
  He is survived by the following children: Harry E. Slep, foreman of the 
Mirror composing room, Wilmot H. Slep of Baltimore, Md., Mrs. Anna Slep 
Griffith, Miss Annetta and Jack L. Slep of this city and Frank C. Slep of 
Johnstown.
  The father and stepmother and these half sisters and half brother also 
survive: Mrs. Cora C. Holtzinger of this city; Dan N. Slep, secretary of the 
P.R.R. Y.M.C.A., Pitcairn, and Mrs. Mary Coffey of Harrisburg.  J. G. Humes, 
vice president of the Mirror Printing company, is a step-brother.  William 
H. Slep, who died in 1900, was a full brother and Mrs. Kelly Hegarty, late 
of Antis township, was his sister.
  Mr. Slep was a Presbyterian by faith.  The funeral will take place from 
the residence on Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock.  Rev. Dr. Henry Howard 
Stiles, pastor of the Second Presbyterian church, will officiate.  Interment 
will be made in Rose Hill cemetery.

Altoona Mirror, Saturday, January 8, 1921

FUNERAL OF MR. SLEP IS LARGELY ATTENDED

  The funeral of Edward J. Slep, late superintendent of the composing room 
and member of the board of directors of the Mirror Printing company, took 
place yesterday afternoon from the family residence at 2549 Union avenue, 
and was very largely attended by relatives and friends, including the 
employes of The Mirror plant.
  Rev. Dr. Henry Howard Stiles, pastor of the Second Presbyterian church, 
officiated and in his funeral discourse he paid a splendid tribute to the 
character and virtues of Mr. Slep.  Music was furnished by a quartet, three 
of the members of which are Mirror employes.  The pallbearers were also 
Mirror employes.  The floral tributes were most beautiful and elaborate.  
Following the services the cortege proceeded to Rose Hill cemetery where 
interment was made.

Altoona Mirror, Tuesday, January 11, 1921