BIOGRAPHY: Samuel L. STUVER, Cambria County, PA 

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by David Monahan.

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. 104-5
____________________________________________________________

Samuel L. STUVER

SAMUEL L. STUVER, an energetic business man and the senior member of the meat 
and grocery firm of Stuver Brothers, of Coopersdale, is a son of William and 
Mary (Brallier) Stuver, and was born in Blacklick township, Cambria county, 
Pennsylvania, June 6, 1859.  He is of German descent, his father, William 
Stuver, being a son of John Stuver, who was born and reared in Germany and 
became a settler of Northampton county.
     William Stuver was born May 26, 1829, received a limited education, such as 
his neighborhood afforded, and learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed 
in connection with farming until his death, which occurred at Rosedale, this 
county, October 15, 1895.  He was a good citizen and an industrious man, and was 
a member and deacon of the Dunkard or German Baptist church.  He was a democrat 
politically, and though not ambitious or desirous of public office yet served 
one term as school director in Indiana county, having been elected to that 
office there.  A man of rather retiring disposition, but who never shirked a 
duty or hesitated to act in case of emergency.
     Mr. Stuver married Mary Brallier, whose father was Emanuel Brallier, of 
Cambria county.  Mrs. Stuver was born November 20, 1836.  Mr. and Mrs. Stuver 
were the parents of eleven children, six sons and five daughters -- Emanuel, in 
Rawlins, Wyoming; Sylvester, now a resident of Fort Collins, Colorado; Samuel 
L., the subject of this sketch; Christine, wife of James Kelly, of this county; 
Charlotte A. E., wife of John E. Rodgers, of Braddock, Pennsylvania; Lucy, wife 
of Lewis F. Link, of this county; Jacob, who died at fifteen years of age; 
Mollie married Thomas D. Rager, of Cambria county; William, living at 
Minersville, this county; Susie, wife of William Keiffer, of Cambria county, and 
Benjamin, who died in infancy.
     Samuel L. Stuver attended the common schools of his native township until 
he received a good business education, and then learned the trade of carpenter, 
which he followed for five years. At the end of that time he sought for a line 
of business in which there was a wider field for the exercise of energy and 
push, and more general contact with the public. He selected the butchering and 
dairy business, the wisdom of which choice has been fully demonstrated in the 
exceptional success attending his operations.
     He opened his meat market in Coopersdale and laid out his milk routes with 
such good judgment that success and profit were the results. On May 20, 1896, 
his firm, consisting of himself, his brother William and Fyock, opened their 
present large grocery department, in which a heavy stock of the best and most 
marketable goods are carried. The upbuilding of the extensive business of the 
firm in its different lines is largely due to Mr. Stuver, whose excellent 
judgment and push gave an impetus to their enterprise that made it popular and 
profitable.
     On December 24, 1878, Samuel L. Stuver married Mary A. Benshoff, a daughter 
of Benjamin Benshoff, of Rosedale. To Mr. and Mrs. Stuver have been born five 
sons and four daughters: Irwin E., John Eli, died in infancy; Anna May, Benjamin 
W., Harry L., Ira Logan, Mary K., Essie Priscilla and E. Rosamond.
     Mr. Stuver's reading and study of religious matters has led him to connect 
himself with the Progressive Brethren church, in which he is alike active and 
useful. He is a republican in politics, has held township offices, but gives his 
time chiefly to his varied business affairs. Mr. Stuver in these days of keen 
competition has won because he possesses that rare power of concentration so 
necessary to achievement, and that inspiration of energy so potent for power. 
Desirous of success he has never lost his energy or enthusiasm, and by wise 
decision has always made the best of his opportunities.