OBIT: William H. "Pop" DEETER, 1947, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library. Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer. Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/ ________________________________________________ WILLIAM H. DEETER Farewell - A Long Loving Farewell to "Pop" W. H. Deeter Somerset County Mourns Passing of Its Beloved Apostle of Good Cheer and Sterling Citizen The good people of Somerset County and surrounding tri-state area of Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia last Saturday afternoon paid their last tribute of respect to Meyersdale's own Apostle of Good Cheer and most beloved citizen, affectionately known to them as "Pop" Deeter. The honorary title of "Pop" was first conferred upon him by the children of Meyersdale who adored him because of his friendliness toward them and all children he knew everywhere. Always wherever he went, he carried in his pockets some bits of candy or other sweets to hand out to the kiddies. During the war years when there was a ban on sugar for candy making, "Pop" was quite distressed because he could not get any real candy to give to his young friends, but he always managed to get a supply of whatever substitutes for candy were available until peace brought candy back again. To be called "Pop" by children, and many adults as well, pleased Mr. Deeter more than any other title that could have been conferred on him. Died in His 90th Year He died in his 90th year on Wednesday Aug. 6, at 1:00 p.m., in the Hazel McGilvery Hospital, after a two-day illness following a fall in his home at No. 201 North Street, on Monday evening. He did not seem to be injured, but remained in bed the next day and on Tuesday evening was taken to the hospital where his life gradually ebbed away. He had also fallen on July 3rd in front of R. D. Pfahler's Store on Beachley Street, after which he was laid up for several weeks, but was up and about again as usual for another week or two. The Sunday before his final illness, when all of his daughters came home to have dinner with him, he apparently was feeling fine. He maintained his jovial manner until the afternoon of the day preceding his death, when he joked with those at his bedside. Born in Allegheny Twp. William H. Deeter was born in Allegheny Township, Somerset County, Pa., March 7, 1858, and was aged 89 years, 4 months and 29 days when he passed away on Aug. 6, 1947. He was the only son of Jonathan Deeter and great-grandson of a German immigrant named Deeter, who received a patent for a tract of land a short distance west of Deeter's Gap in Allegheny Township, for having served as a soldier in the War for Independence from Great Britain. It was on these ancestral acres that "Pop" Deeter was born. He worked on his father's farm until he was grown up, and also found employment as a logger and mill hand around sawmills until he became of age. At the age of 23, he went west to grow up with the country. He worked on farms in Illinois and Iowa one year, but having been reared in the woods, the treeless prairies of the Middle West did not appeal to him as a permanent habitat. Happily Married Shortly after returning to his native heath in 1881, Mr. Deeter married Miss Sara L. Ware of Dividing Ridge, Allegheny Twp., whom he had known since their childhood when they were classmates in a little pioneer schoolhouse. Their marriage was a very happy one. Mrs. Deeter was a good homemaker and real helpmate of her husband. They started housekeeping in Allegheny Twp., but shortly afterward moved to Rockwood where Mr. Deeter was engaged in business for some years, moving from there to Meyersdale 52 years ago where he spent the remainder of his life as a progressive and prominent businessman until his retirement several years ago. Surviving Kin Mr. and Mrs. Deeter were blessed with nine children, all of whom survive and attended their father's funeral. They are: Mrs. Samuel Seese, Johnstown; Mrs. Mary O. Boyer, Meyersdale; Mrs. William C. Appel, Somerset; Mrs. Carolyn Pfeiffer, New Castle; William Bunn Deeter, Los Angeles, Calif.; Ida Deeter, at home; Ware Deeter, Meyersdale; Warden Deeter, Gary, Ind.; Mrs. Joseph Shultz, Flint, Mich. There are also 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Embarked in Business While living in Rockwood, Mr. Deeter a horse lover and good judge of horses, was engaged in the livery stable and teaming business. About the year 1900, he formed a partnership with the late Samuel A. Kendall to engage in the planing- mill and lumber business. The partners soon thereafter moved to Meyersdale as a more desirable place to live and better business location. Kendall & Deeter in the subsequent years conducted a number of successful operations in Somerset and Fayette Counties, Pa., and in Garrett County, Md. and Preston County, W.Va. The latest partnership relation between Kendall and Deeter was the purchase and operation of the Meyersdale Planing Mill, soon after the turn of the century. After Mr. Kendall became involved in politics he left the management of the planing mill and lumber yard entirely in the hands of Mr. Deeter, who managed it successfully until Mr. Kendall's death, after which Mr. Deeter became the sole owner of the planing mill which he managed successfully until his retirement and the sale of the propriety to S. J. Meyers of Meyersdale and W. S. Thompson of Garrett. Public-Spirited Citizen During his long residence in Meyersdale and his ultimate retirement on account of age, he was one of Meyersdale's most public-spirited citizens and businessmen. He was one of the prime movers in the organization and management of the Meyersdale Fair Association, later incorporated as the Somerset County Fair Association, and was its president and member of the board of directors for many years. He was also a member of the Meyersdale Borough Council for many years, and Chief of the Meyersdale Fire Department for a number of years. His services freely given to the borough for many years were invaluable. He often neglected his private business to serve the public. He was always one of the most ardent promoters of projects for the welfare and prosperity of his home town and county. Interested in Politics In politics, he was a lifelong Republican and wielded much influence in electing good men to municipal, county and state offices. He ran for a county office only once, when he was a candidate for Sheriff. His successful opponent was J. B. Saylor of Somerset, who beat him at the primary election for the shrievalty nomination by only a few votes. Mr. Deeter accepted his defeat gracefully and was one of Mr. Saylor's staunchest supporters at the general election and during his administration of the office. Deeply Religious He also was deeply religious and regular in attendance of his own church (Reformed) and a frequent attendant of services of nearly all other local churches. He was a deacon and member of Amity Reformed Church board for many years. He was also a member of The Meyersdale Masonic blue lodge for many years and until his death,, and of a number of other fraternal organizations during his active years. Funeral services, conducted by his pastor, Rev. Nelson C. Brown, on Saturday afternoon, in the family home, were largely attended by mourning friends from afar, as well as near. The floral tributes were numerous and very beautiful. W. C. Price and Son had charge of the funeral arrangements. The pallbearers were Isaac Bradburn, George Keim, Thomas McKenzie, Norman Walker, James Hartle and Ted Baer. The officers of Meyersdale Lodge, F. & A.M., conducted the ritual of the order for the dead, after the rites of the church. Burial was in Union Cemetery in Meyersdale. Meyersdale Republican, August 14, 1947