OBIT:  WIKE, Isaac; 1905; Summerhill, Cambria Cnty., PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich
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_________________________________________ 


Cambria Freeman
Ebensburg, Pa.
Friday, 3 Mar 1905
Volume 39, Number 8

Isaac Wike 

Isaac Wike, one of the oldest railroad engineers in the State and at one time 
Treasurer of Cambria County, died at the home of Mrs. Kate Diamond in 
Summerhill Wednesday morning of last week, aged ninety years.  The cause 
of his death was general debility.  He had been sick for a long time.

The deceased was born in Indiana county, March 18, 1813, and was one of a 
family of sixteen children, all of whom are dead except William Wike of 
Conemaugh, one of the oldest railroaders in this vicinity and Mrs. Nancy 
Keefer, also of Conemaugh, who is eighty-eight. William Wike is seventy-
seven years old.

The deceased came to Cambria County about 1833 and lived in Johnstown 
for a while before going to Summerhill.  He worked for some years on the 
Canal and then became employed on the Portage Railroad, running as an 
engineer until the Pennsylvania Railroad opened fifty-two years ago.  Mr. 
Wike ran on the Pittsburg Division for many years and among his employers 
was Andrew Carnegie, the steel king, who was at one time the 
Superintendent of the Pittsburg Division.  Isaac Wike is said by railroaders to 
have been the oldest engineer in the State.  He retired from active service 
many years ago and was identified with the Railroad Veterans' Association of 
the Pittsburg Division of which his brother, William, is also a member.

Isaac Wike was a lifelong Democrat.  In October, 1863, he was elected 
Treasurer of Cambria County, succeeding Thomas Callan.

Mrs. Wike, whose maiden name was Mary Ellen Noel, died at Summerhill 
thirty-nine years ago, leaving no children. Her remains were laid to rest in 
the old Catholic Cemetery at Wilmore where the remains of the aged 
engineer were also laid to rest.  He was baptized in the Lutheran Church 
when a boy.