BIOGRAPHY: Frank J. CHRISTY, Cambria County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lynne Canterbury and Diann Olsen. Portions of this book were transcribed by Clark Creery, Martha Humenik, Betty Mirovich and Sharon Ringler. USGENWEB ARCHIVES (tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ ____________________________________________________________ From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 361-2 ____________________________________________________________ FRANK J. CHRISTY, a man who has taken an active part in the development of Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, is a son of Francis X. and Susan (McConnell) Christy, and was born in Allegheny township, Cambria county, May 17, 1838. His grandfather, Archibald Christy, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, emigrated to this country when quite a young man, and was one of the pioneer settlers of western Pennsylvania. He located first in Butler county, Pennsylvania, and later removed to a farm in Allegheny township, which, at that time, was a wilderness. But Mr. Christy was one of those sturdy Scotchmen who recognized no insurmountable difficulties, and he set to work with an energy characteristic of his race to clear his farm, and establish a comfortable home for himself and family. He served in the second war for Independence in 1812-14, and died in Allegheny township. His maternal grandfather, Francis McConnell, was a native of Maryland, but early in life removed to Blair county, Pennsylvania, where he lived the remainder of his life. Francis Christy, father, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, but his parents removed to Cambria county when he was but a boy. In 1818 he located in Gallitzin township, this county, where he was engaged as a farmer and lumber merchant. He took quite an active part in local politics, and filled several of the township offices. Both he and his wife were devout members of the Roman Catholic church. He died September 6, 1876. Frank J. Christy was reared in Gallitzin township, and received a liberal education at St. Francis college at Loretto, Pennsylvania. On leaving school he located at Gallitzin, and for twenty-three years was successfully engaged in the general mercantile business. In 1887 he disposed of his business, since which time he has lived a comparatively retired life. At present he is connected with a life insurance agency at that place. In 1888 he was one of the organizers of the Gallitzin Water company, and at present serves as secretary and superintendent of that company. He is a devout and influential member of the Roman Catholic church. In 1865 Mr. Christy and Miss Margaret Dawson were united in marriage, and to them has been born one daughter, Mary F.