OBIT: Norman Bruce POORBAUGH, 1931, native of Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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NORMAN BRUCE POORBAUGH

  Norman Bruce Poorbaugh, for many years most prominent farmer and citizen of 
Northampton Township, died at 8 o'clock, Saturday evening, July 4, in the Wenzel 
Hospital, Meyersdale, to which he had been admitted two weeks previously.
  He was aged 78 years, 8 months and 8 days, and enjoyed the best of health 
until about five years ago when he became afflicted with cataracts which 
rendered him totally blind for a short period.  His sight was partially restored 
by the removal of the cataract from one eye, and he continued physically strong 
and well until the early part of 1930 when he suffered a severe attack of "flu" 
which disabled him for about three months.
  After he recovered from that, the first severe illness of his life, he 
remained in fairly good health until about two months ago when he became ill 
from Bright's disease and spent several weeks in a Cumberland Hospital, and 
returned to his home somewhat improved in health.  But he soon suffered a 
relapse and, as he required the constant care of a physician and nursing, he was 
removed to the Wenzel Hospital, where his granddaughter, Miss Bernice Miller, a 
trained nurse from Philadelphia, helped to minister to him.  But in spite of 
medical skill and all else that could be done for him, he grew weaker and weaker 
until death relieved his suffering in the evening of the Fourth of July.  The 
immediate cause of his death was uremic poisoning.
  Bruce Poorbaugh, as he was familiarly known far and wide, was a native of 
Northampton Township, and had his home there all of his life.  He came of sturdy 
pioneer stock, being a son of Jacob and Harriet Wagaman Poorbaugh, who were 
outstanding residents of Northamption Township three quarters of a century ago.
  He was a true son of the soil and brought the ancestral farm which was carved 
out of a wilderness, and upon which he lived all of his life, up to a high state 
of cultivation.  There probably was no better farmer in Somerset County than 
Bruce Poorbaugh, and none who got more joy out of farming than he did.  Long 
before a Farm Bureau was established in this county, with a graduate of the 
State College of Agriculture in charge, Mr. Poorbaugh was a scientific farmer.  
Farmers and farm agents from other counties frequently visited his fine farm to 
study his methods.  He occasionally visited State College to secure information 
on late developments in agriculture, and even visited the agricultural colleges 
of Nebraska and New Mexico, on his travels.  Farmers in the dewless Pecos 
Valley, New Mexico, did not know how to grow potatoes until Mr. Poorbaugh, while 
visiting his eldest son, who lives in Roswell, N.M., showed them how to do it.  
That was about eight years ago and now they are growing potatoes successfully in 
the Pecos Valley as the result of being shown by this grand old farmer of 
Northamption Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
  Mr. Poorbaugh managed his own farm as long as he could see to guide a plow or 
cultivator, then he turned the farm over to one of his sons, but never lost his 
interest in agriculture and was able to give sound advice on farming until his 
final illness.
  N. Bruce Poorbaugh and Miss Emma Gladwell of Brothersvalley Township were 
married on June 8, 1880, by Rev. L. D. Steckel, who was at that time pastor of 
Amity Reformed Church, Meyersdale.  They located on the ancestral farm upon 
which Mr. Poorbaugh was born, immediately after their wedding and remained there 
ever since.  Ten children were born to them, all of whom survive, as does also 
their mother, who is now 73 years old.
  Mr. and Mrs. Poorbaugh celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on June 8, 
last year, at which time they had the pleasure of having all of their children, 
except two of the sons, and 29 grandchildren present.
  The children of this estimable couple, grew up in the nurture and admonition 
of the Lord under the guidance of their Christian parents, and all are useful 
members of society and successful in their various occupations.  They are:  Mrs. 
Frank Miller, Glencoe; Harvey A. Poorbaugh, Roswell, N.M.; Jacob C. Poorbaugh, 
on the home farm; Oscar P. Poorbaugh, Johnstown; Charles W. Poorbaugh, Azusa, 
Cal.; Mrs. Elmer McKenzie, Mt. Savage, Md.; Thomas E. Poorbaugh, Glencoe R.F.D.; 
Robert Earl Poorbaugh, Toledo, O.; Norman B. Poorbaugh, Hyndman, and Mrs. Fred 
Shipley, Connellsville. 
  He is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. E. E. Boger, of Hay's Mill and Mrs. 
B. F. Bittner, of Glencoe.
  All of the children, except Charles, came to see their father during his final 
illness and remained for the funeral.  Harvey A., the eldest son, formerly a 
prominent newspaperman of Johnstown, now engaged in commercial printing in 
Roswell, N.M., arrived here last Friday evening in time to see and talk with his 
father before his demise.  The sick man retained his mental faculties until the 
end.  One of his last acts was to embrace one of his daughters who came to his 
deathbed.
  Bruce Poorbaugh was a member and one of the pillars of Mt. Lebanon Reformed 
Church since its inception.  He served as elder, deacon, trustee and 
superintendent of the Sunday School, at various times during the greater part of 
his life.
  Funeral services were held at Mt. Lebanon Church at 10 o'clock Tuesday 
morning, conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. A. Gindlesperger, assisted by a former 
pastor, Rev. A. S. Kresge.  There was a very large attendance of sorrowing 
relatives, friends and neighbors.  Interment was made in Mt. Lebanon Cemetery.
  Mr. Poorbaugh was a stalwart Democrat in politics.  During his lifetime he 
served at various times as Township Supervisor, Assessor, Tax Collector and 
School Director.

Meyersdale Republican, July 9, 1931