BIOGRAPHY: Richard J. YOTHERS, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 190-1
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RICHARD J. YOTHERS, a descendant of one of those sturdy German families to which 
the early history of Cambria county owes so much, was born in Karthous township, 
Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, August 12, 1858, and a son of Henry and Maria 
(Colburn) Yothers.
     The founder of the family in this country was Daniel Yothers, who emigrated 
to America over one hundred years ago, and located in Eastern Pennsylvania, 
perhaps in Bucks or Berks county. This being an agricultural community it is 
likely that he followed farming as an avocation. He was the father of seven 
sons, five of whom died young. Joseph was the grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch. John, the remaining son, removed to near Milesburg, where he died.
     Joseph Yothers removed to Karthaus township, Clearfield county, at about 
the time that Peter Carthous, for whom the township was named, settled there. He 
was a miller by trade, and ran a mill for Mr. Carthous for a number of years, 
but finally purchased a farm and lived upon it the remainder of his life. He 
married Elizabeth Reiter, a lady also of German descent. To their marriage were 
born ten children: Maria, deceased, was the wife of James Curly; John, of 
Clearfield county; Sophia, who married George Heckendorn; Daniel, deceased; 
Henry, father; Adaline, deceased, was the wife of Joseph Gilliland, of 
Potterdale, this State; Reuben, who lives some place in the west; Joseph, of 
Clearfield county; Christian, deceased, and Mary, deceased, was the wife of 
William Heichel.
     Henry Yothers, father, was born in Karthous township, Clearfield county, 
May 5, 1830. He was reared upon the paternal acres, and in 1869 left the farm to 
engage in the lumber business as a contractor until 1871. Upon the latter date 
he located at Central Point, in Covington township, same county, and for two 
years was engaged in merchandizing. He then sold out his mercantile interests, 
and for three years more followed the fortunes of a lumberman. At the end of 
that time he returned to his farm, and has since devoted his attention to his 
farming and lumbering interests.
     He is a firm believer in the religious tenets of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and takes an active part in all affairs connected with the church 
organization at his place. Politically he upholds the standard of the party of 
Lincoln and Grant, and has filled all the offices of his township.
     He married Miss H. Maria Colburn, a daughter of Richard Colburn, a native 
of Wales, but a resident, since 1816, of Karthous township, Clearfield county. 
To this marriage relation have been born three sons and two daughter: Daniel W., 
who died in early boyhood; Richard J.; Elizabeth J., who married William 
Zimmerman, of Milesburg, Pennsylvania; Walter S., who is secretary and a member 
of the firm of the Crescent Wagon company of Driftwood, this State, and W. May, 
who is at home.
     Richard J. Yothers received a good training for a business career in the 
public schools of his county, and at the Millersville State Normal school He 
remained upon the farm with his father until 1882, when he became clerk, 
bookkeeper, and store-manager for the Baker Mining company, operating in Logan 
township, Blair county, Pennsylvania. He remained there in that position until 
April, 1888, when he removed to Coalport, Clearfield county, where he founded a 
mining-tool manufactory, and operated it for a short time when he came to 
Hastings and engaged in the mercantile business. In 1889 he became the agent for 
the Adams Express company at that place.
     Mr. Yothers has been prominently identified with the political, commercial, 
and industrial history of Hastings since its organization as a borough in 1889. 
He was elected its first burgess, was a member of the school board, borough 
treasurer in 1895, and in 1894 was a candidate before the Republican convention 
for the office of assembly, and secured a very creditable following, and made a 
good impression upon those with whom he came in contact. He takes an active 
interest in everything tending to promote the growth and prosperity of the 
borough with which he has been so closely identified. In this connection he has 
been treasurer of the building and loan association for five years, an 
organization that has done much to assist many of the poor of his borough to 
secure homes.
     In the fraternal world he stands deservedly high, and is a highly-respected 
member of Coalport Lodge, No. 574, F. and A. M.; Veranda Lodge, No. 532, I. O. 
O. F., of Altoona; Hope and Charity Castle, No 400, K. of G. E., of Hastings, of 
which castle he is Past Chief; Washington Camp, No. 401, P.O.S. of A., of 
Hastings, of which he has been Past President, Past District president, and is 
now treasurer and trustee.
     In addition to the above positions of honor and trust, civil and religious, 
he is a secretary of the Hasting Opera House company, agent for the 
International Navigation company, and the Denlinger Bros. Oil company.
     June 21, 1883, he married Carrie E., daughter of Jacob Kertlein, a soldier, 
who lost his life through service in the late Civil War, and to this marriage 
have been born four children: Eva Pearl, and three others that died in infancy.
     Richard J. Yothers belongs to one of that class of men to be found in every 
community whose advice and counsel are sought in every move where the general 
welfare of the people is at stake. Intelligent, active, and enterprising, he is 
a useful citizen in the town of his adoption.