OBIT: Charles WAGNER, 1948, Salisbury, Somerset County, PA

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

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
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CHARLES WAGNER

  Charles Wagner died at his home at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 1, of coronary 
obstruction.  He had been in failing health for several years, and at times was 
forced to stay away from his shop for a week during the past year.  However, he 
worked in the shop last Friday, and in the evening mowed his lawn and planted 
some potatoes in his garden, apparently in no worse health than usual.  His 
sister, Mrs. Alice Pownall, who lived with him, found him dead in bed.
  Mr. Wagner was born in Salisbury on February 24, 1871, son of Silas and 
Elizabeth (Wright) Wagner.  In his youth he worked as a wagon-maker for the Mt. 
Savage Fire Brick Co., and on January 2, 1892, in Frostburg, Md., he married 
Fannie Margaret, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Garlitz, of Garrett County, Md.  
Shortly thereafter, he learned the blacksmith trade at Keystone Junction, and 
worked for a Meyersdale blacksmith for several years.  About 50 years ago, he 
built a blacksmith shop in Salisbury and had been in that business ever since, 
for many years the only blacksmith in the town.
  About 7 or 8 years ago, shoeing horses became too much of a task for him, and 
he discontinued that part of his work, but continued to repair wheels and other 
smaller articles: He had just completed making two sets of buggy wheels in the 
week of his death.
  Mr. and Mrs. Wagner had nine children, two of them and his wife preceding him 
in death.  His sons, Harvey, died on December 11, 1931; another son, Ernest, on 
November 11, 1942, and on March 21, 1943, his wife passed away.  Mr. Wagner 
lived 77 years, 2 months and 7 days.
  He was always a kind and generous parent and was well liked by his neighbors 
and many friends who enjoyed stopping at his shop to talk with him and to watch 
the sparks fly when hot iron was on the anvil.  He was an ardent Democrat all 
his life but was sharply critical of New Deal ideas.
  He is survived by four daughters - Mrs. Marie Gonder of Ligonier; Mrs. Lillian 
Cochrane, McClellandtown; Mrs. Florence Slickerman, Somerset, and Mrs. Blanche 
Moon, Johnstown; and by three sons - Earl Wagner of Somerset; Harry Wagner of 
Massolin, Ohio and Thomas Wagner of McKeesport; by three sisters: Mrs. Lillian 
Brandler of Pittsburgh; Mrs. Margaret Musser of Berlin and Mrs. Alice Pownall of 
Salisbury; and by 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
  Funeral services were conducted at his home at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 3rd 
with the Rev. Ira S. Monn, pastor of St. John's Reformed Church officiating.  
Pall bearers were William C. Reckner, A. J. Potter, H. H. Wright, H. G. Stein, 
John Schramm and M. A. Wagner.  Interment in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in charge of 
Mortician Stanley M. Thomas.
  Among those who lament the passing of Charles Wagner is W. S. Livengood, 
editor emeritus of The Republican, who, now in his 88th year, was principal of 
the Salisbury school in 1882-3 when Charles Wagner was one of his brightest and 
most attentive pupils, and thereafter, until his death, was esteemed by his 
formed preceptor as one of his most worthy friends and fellow citizens.  So this 
heartfelt farewell tribute:

Green be the turf above thee,
Friend of my younger days-
None knew thee but to love thee,
None named thee but to praise.

Meyersdale Republican, May 6, 1948