BIOS: William H. HABEL, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

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History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pa., Bedford County by E. Howard 
Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis 
Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, ppg. 274-5.

William H. HABEL.

William H. Habel, a representative business man of Meyersdale, who has 
achieved a large degree of success in his undertaking as a result of earnest 
and close application, energy and perseverance, was born at Bebra, Germany, 
Deceember 17, 1855.  His parents, Conrad and Elizabeth (Knieriem) Habel, 
natives of Germany, came to the United States in January, 1866.  Their family 
consisted of the following children: Anna D., born October 20, 1850; William 
H., December 17, 1855; John, January 27, 1859; Sophia, February 5, 1863; 
Henry A., January 15, 1866; Frederick, September, 1868. Conrad Habel (father) 
was born September 13, 1822, died September 10, 1892.
William H. Habel attended the public schools of Greenville township, Somerset 
county, Pennsylvania, whither his parents removed upon their arrival in this 
country in 1866, and completed his studies therein at the age of nineteen 
years. 
He taught school for six terms, or until 1881, in which year he became 
telegraph operator for the Baltimore and Ohio railroad at Sandpatch, and 
later accepted a position as freight, ticket and express agent at Meyersdale, 
serving in that capacity until 1898.  He then established a grocery business 
at Meyersdale, which he conducted alone most successfully up to 1905, in 
which year he admitted Charles A. Phillips as a partner.  His store is well 
stocked with a full line of staple articles, and they enjoy the patronage of 
many of the leading families of the town.  He is a stockholder and director in 
the Second National Bank, and a stockholder in the Meyersdale Sheet Steel 
Company and the Somerset Telephone Company.  He takes an active interest in 
public affairs of his adopted town, and was chosen by his fellow townsmen to 
serve as councilman and member of the school board, serving nine years in the 
former and three years in the latter position.
He is a member of the Reformed church, and a member of the Masonic Order, 
affiliating with Lodge No. 554, F. and A. M. Hebron Chapter, No. 272, R. A. 
M., and Commandery No. 49, K. T., Uniontown.  He is a staunch adherent of the 
principles of Republicanism.
Mr. Habel married, July 15, 1883, Emma Frances Troutman, daughter of Jacob 
and Elizabeth Troutman, of South Hampton township, Somerset county, 
Pennsylvania.  Their children are: Harry Franklin, born April 16, 1884; John 
Alpheus, September 8, 1885; Emma Frances, April 28, 1887.