OBIT: SECHLER, William H.; 1907; Ebensburg, Cambria Cnty., PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ _________________________________________ Cambria Freeman Ebensburg, Pa. Friday, 4 Jan 1907 Volume 41, Number 1 Gone to His Last Reward William H. Sechler, Prominent Cambria County Attorney, Dies from Effects of a Severe Hemorrhage William H. Sechler, Esq., one of the Ebensburg's oldest and most esteemed citizens and a lawyer known all over Cambria county, has gone to his reward, having died in Lilly, this county, Saturday morning, December 23, 1906, at seven o'clock, aged 66 years, his death following from a hemorrhage. Mr. Sechler, who had been living for some time past at Ebensburg went to Lilly Saturday, Dec. 22, and spent the day visiting old friends. In the evening he called at the office of Caron Leahey, and there several hours were spent in pleasant reminiscences. When it grew late, Mr. Leahey invited Attorney Sechler to his home for the night but the lawyer insisted that he would much rather spend the night by the fire in the office. And so he was made comfortable upon the couch near the stove. Early the following morning when Mr. Leahey went to inquire after his guest, he found the aged lawyer lying on the office floor, apparently dead, but with blood flowing slightly from the mouth. Dr. Kress was hastily summoned but Mr. Sechler was dead before he arrived. The aged attorney died of a violent hemorrhage acting upon a greatly weakened heart. William H. Sechler was born near Cherrytree in Cambria county, September 8, 1840 and was sixty-six years old. He was the son of John and Catharine (Groiner) Sechler, long since dead. He was one of a family of four sons and seven daughters. His education was received in the common schools and at the old Indiana Academy. In 1856 he began teaching school, which occupation he followed until the commencement of the Civil War when he enlisted in Company A, Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserves, recruited at Ebensburg May 20, 1861. This company was engaged is some of the fiercest battles of the war. Of the large number who went forth from Ebensburg, but eighteen returned again to their native county, the majority of them having fallen on the battlefield. Mr. Sechler was one of the fortunate ones who came back to the place where he had enlisted, although having experienced many hardships. During his military career he was made Corporal, fought at Mechanicsville and was taken prisoner at Gaines' Mill, where his entire regiment was captured. He was kept in Libby prison twelve days, after which he was in charge of a detachment of Union soldiers to clear off the prison site on Belle Isle where he remained until he was paroled with 4,000 others and sent to the Union lines September 12th, 1862. After being paroled, he was in a convalescent camp at Washington until January 2, 1863 when he was discharged on account of physical disability. Upon his return home he entered the County Commissioners' office as a clerk and read law with F. A. Shoemaker, Esq., of Ebensburg until September 26, 1864 when he was admitted to the Cambria County Bar. January 26, 1865, Mr. Sechler wedded Miss Margaret Lloyd, a daughter of Rees S. Lloyd of Cambria township. His wife died September 2nd 1894 at the age of 52 years as the result of a surgical operation. To this union were born five children: John L. Sechler, the well known real estate man of Johnstown; Ann Eliza, wife of Harvey Green of Altoona; Miriam, wife of Joseph Simpson of Buffalo, N. Y.; Charles H., now in the United States Army and located somewhere on the Pacific coast and Alice, who is married and lives in Altoona. In his political views Mr. Sechler was always a staunch Democrat, strong with his party and popular with the public. He served as District Attorney from 1871 to 1875 and was elected for a second term in 1880. The deceased was a Past Grand Commander of Highland lodge, I. O. O. F., and a member of Emory Fisher Post 30 G. A. R. of Johnstown. He was also a skillful surveyor during his early career. His remains were brought to Ebensburg Saturday afternoon, Dec. 24th and taken to the home of his sister, Mrs. B. E. James in the West ward. The funeral took place the following Wednesday afternoon at one o'clock from the Christian Church in this place, where Rev. F. I. Sigmund conducted the usual services. Interment was then made in Lloyd cemetery beside the remains of his wife. Both the John M. Jones Post of the G. A. R. No. 556 and the members of the Cambria County Bar Association attended the funeral in a body.