BIOGRAPHY: John F. SEIGH, 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. 226-7
____________________________________________________________


JOHN F. SEIGH, an enterprising merchant of Morrellville, Cambria county, 
Pennsylvania, is one of the most prominent and influential men of that rapidly-
growing borough. He is the son of John and Nancy (Arthur) Seigh, and was born on 
the old homestead in Coopersdale, May 31, 1851.
     The Seighs are of German descent, and were among the earliest settlers of 
the Conemaugh valley. The Arthurs are of Irish descent.
     John Seigh, the father of our subject, was born in York county. He came to 
the neighborhood of Johnstown about the year 1829, and was employed by the 
State, working on the old State canal. He acquired a farm of some two hundred 
acres near Coopersdale, and lived on it the remainder of his life. In connection 
with his farm he kept a dairy furnished milk to the people of the neighboring 
boroughs.
     In politics Mr. Seigh was an old-line whig, and when that organization was 
merged into the Republican party he became an earnest supporter of the 
Republican party. While he took an active interest in politics and worked for 
the success of his party he never became a candidate for office himself.
     He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and an earnest church-
worker. He died May 16, 1864, at the age of forty-eight, respected by all. His 
family consisted of the following children: Sarah, wife of G.W. Stutzman; Julia, 
deceased, was the wife of James Wills; Elizabeth, deceased, and John F., the 
subject of this sketch.
     John F. Seigh lived with his mother on the old homestead and attended the 
public schools until he was sixteen years old, when he was employed in the store 
of his brother-in-law, G.W. Stutzman, in Minersville. He remained in his employ 
until 1869, when, having acquired a knowledge of the business, he bought an 
interest in the store.
     In 1874 he moved to Morrellville and opened the first general store in that 
place. He still conducts this store and does a prosperous business.
     Since he became a resident of Morrellville Mr. Seigh has been active in 
promoting the growth of the borough, which he has seen grow from a small village 
to be the largest borough in the county.
     He is a director in and treasurer of the Morrellville Building and Loan 
association, and has been treasurer of Morrellville borough since its 
incorporation, in 1890, being re-elected annually. 
     Like his father, he is a republican, and filled some of the township 
offices before Morrellville became a borough. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, and was one of the original trustees of the Methodist 
Episcopal church in Morrellville, and still holds that office. He is a member of 
the Royal Arcanum.
     In May, 1873, he was married to Miss Anna L. Brown, daughter of Morganza 
Brown (whose sketch appears elsewhere). To this union were born the following 
children: Albert, who is in the store with his father; George, who died when 
three years old; Nannie, who is at home, and Roy, who died at the age of two 
years.