BIOS: David H. WOLFERSBERGER, Rockwood, 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. 14 and 17.

  David H. Wolfersberger, proprietor of the Rockwood House, located 
opposite the passenger station of the B. & O. and S. & C. Railways at 
Rockwood, Somerset County, Pa., was born in Union Deposit, Dauphin 
County, this State, February 3, 1835, son of Philip, Jr., and Elizabeth 
(Stauffer) Wolfersberger.  His paternal grandfather, Philip 
Wolfersberger, Sr., was born in 1778 in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, 
where he was a life long resident, engaged for the most part in 
farming.  While serving as a member of the State legislature, he became 
acquainted with a gentleman representing Somerset County, and was 
induced by him to come hither and take up vacant lands, not, however, 
for the purpose of settling thereon himself.  He returned to his old 
home, and every year used to send his son, Philip, Jr., to look after 
his property here and pay the taxes.  He was twice married, first to 
Elizabeth Haak and second to Barbara Statzer.
  Philip Wolfersberger, Jr., was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, 
on October 18, 1802.  His business career covered some years each in 
occupations of merchant, contractor, farmer, and stock-raiser.  In 1856 
he settled in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, in the town of Mineral 
Point, where he died on March 25, 1887.  He was a prominent member of 
the German Reformed church, which he served in various official 
capacities.  Elizabeth, his wife was a daughter of John Stauffer, of 
Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, where her birth occurred on April 8, 
1809.  She died on July 19, 1859.  The union of Philip and Elizabeth 
Wolfersberger was blessed by the birth of seven children, namely:  
David H., Mary, Elizabeth Ann and Amelia Barbara (twin daughters), 
Philip S., John M., and Hannah Louise.  Amelia Barbara was drowned when 
two years old.  Mary died February 21, 1837, aged one year.  Elizabeth, 
born on May 8, 1838, is the wife of Albert G. Will, and resides in 
Rockwood.  Philip S., born December 4, 1842, resides in Mount Pleasant, 
Pa.  For thirteen years he was station agent at Mineral Point (now 
Rockwood) for the Pittsburg & Connellsville Railroad, and it was he who 
took the initiatory steps in changing the name to Rockwood.  He is now 
clerk of the Southern Pennsylvania Coke and Coal Company, by whom he 
has been employed since 1886.
  After leaving the public schools David H. Wolfersberger entered the 
academy at Harrisburg, Pa., and subsequently he was a student of Duff's 
Commercial College at Pittsburgh, Pa.  He then went to Lebanon County 
and accepted a position as clerk and book-keeper at Monroe Forge, where 
he remained eight years with the exception of sixteen months, during 
which he worked as clerk in his father's store.  At the close of the 
eight years he came to Rockwood, then Mineral Point, and worked for two 
years with his father, who had contract to furnish the cross-ties for 
the Pittsburg and Connellsville Railroad.  He next erected a small 
building in Rockwood, and opened a restaurant, which he conducted up to 
1882.  During the summer of that year the hotel, now known as the 
Rockwood House, was built, and in the autumn he took possession.  He 
has since been its proprietor, and he is now owner of both the hotel 
and restaurant, and has made them very popular with railroad men and 
the general traveling public.  The hotel is conducted strictly as a 
temperance house.
  On February 25, 1860, Mr. Wolfersberger married Catharine, daughter 
of Samuel and Catharine (Mease) Kleinfelter.  Seven children have 
blessed their union, namely: Seward K., William H., Albert, Edward 
Fulton, James Oscar, Charles Henry, and Catharine Elizabeth.  Seward 
K., born in July 1861, died in infancy.  William H., born in 1864, 
received his education in the public schools of Rockwood, and is now 
night clerk in the hotel.  He married Emma E., daughter of Peter 
Snyder, of Milford township, Somerset County, and has two children - 
Harry S. and Edna E.  John Albert, born in June 1867, died in July 
1867.  Edward Fulton, born August 25, 1868, died on February 16, 1892, 
from the effects of an accident on the railroad.  James Oscar, born 
October 4, 1869, is clerk in the hotel.  Charles Henry, born October 
12, 1872, married Gertrude A. Parks, and has one son, Charles O.  He is 
baggage master of the Somerset and Cambria Railroad, and resides in 
Johnstown, Pa.  Catharine Elizabeth, born April 7, 1879, was educated 
in the schools of Rockwood and Williamsport, and for some time took 
lessons in vocal and instrumental music.  She is at home with her 
parents.
  In political affiliation Mr. Wolfersberger is a Republican.  He 
served as School Director about eight years.  He is a member of the 
Lutheran church, in which he is an Elder and a very active worker.