BIOS: Alfred E. CASSLER, Hollsopple, Paint Township, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of 
Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review 
Publishing Company: 1899, pp 301-302.

  Alfred E. Cassler, Postmaster and general merchant in the village of 
Hollsopple, Paint township, Somerset County, Pa., was born November 27, 1864, in 
Easton, Northampton County, this State.  He is the eldest son of William H. and 
Caroline (Strohl) Cassler, whose home is now in Hollsopple.
  William H. Cassler was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, in 1846.  
When but seventeen years old, in 1863, he enlisted as a private in Company I, 
One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in which he 
served for a year taking an active part with his comrades in various 
engagements.  He has since been engaged chiefly in the manufacture of lumber, 
having owned and operated saw-mills in different counties of the State, 
including Union, Snyder, Centre, and Somerset, in the latter of which he is now 
an active citizen.  He has always been an ardent supporter of the principles of 
the Republican party, and though not at present an office holder, has served as 
Burgess, and also as a member of the Council of Paint town, and as a School 
Director.  He is a prominent member of the Reformed church in which he is now a 
Deacon.  His wife, whose maiden name was Caroline Strohl, daughter of Nicholas 
Strohl, was born in Pennsylvania in 1847.  She is a Lutheran in her religious 
belief and a member of the church of that denomination.  They have nine children 
- Celia, Alfred E., Henry H., Lillie, George W., Jennie, John, Paul, and Kate.  
Celia, who is the wife of James V. Stumbaugh, has two children- Carrie and 
Pinney; Henry H. married Della Border, and they have four children- Rachel, 
Rose, Ruth and one other; Lillie, wife of Harry E. Cruse, has one child, Mabel; 
George W., married Maggie Border, and they have one child, George.
  Alfred E. Cassler was educated in the public schools of Snyder, Union, and 
Centre Counties.  After leaving school he followed the lumber business as a 
contractor in Centre County for ten years.  In 1889 he came to Somerset County, 
and for a short time he worked in the flour-mill of the Farmer Milling Company 
at Hollsopple, in which he was a stockholder for a while.  Soon after coming 
here, although retaining to some extent his connection with the milling company, 
he embarked in the mercantile business as senior member of the firm Cassler & 
Cruse, which existed until 1895.  In 1895 Mr. Cassler purchased his partner's 
interest in the store, which he has since conducted alone.  A wide-awake, 
enterprising young man, possessing natural business ability and tact, he has met 
with signal success in his undertakings, and is now one of the most extensive 
and prosperous general merchants of this locality.  On February 10, 1898, under 
President McKinley's administration, he was appointed to his present position as 
Postmaster of Hollsopple.  He is a stanch Republican, an active worker in the 
party.  He has served to the satisfaction of all concerned as Tax Collector 
three years, as Councilman two terms, and is at present a School Director.
  Mr. Cassler and Victoria, daughter of the Rev. Elias and Maria (Bower) 
Stumbauch, were married on November 23, 1883.  They have three children- James 
Annie, and Martha.  Mr. and Mrs. Cassler are both valued members of the United 
Brethren church, in which he is now doing excellent service as class leader.