History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III, Part 1

Author: Storey, Henry Wilson
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 940

USA > Pennsylvania > Cambria County > History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III > Part 1

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.

NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES 3 3433 08181404 2

Cambria Stores

Digitized by the Internet Archive ORK in 2008 with funding from Microsoft Corporation 1969

http://www.archive.org/details/historyofcambria03stor

In Sutton.

HISTORY

CAMBRIA COUNTY

PENNSYLVANIA

HENRY WILSON STOREY,

WITH

GENEALOGICAL MEMOIRS

ILLUSTRATED.

VOLUME III.

THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY NEW YORK CHICAGO

1907

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 456247

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATION&

1909

. .

€

THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY

History of Cambria County.

GENERAL JACOB MILLER CAMPBELL, during a long and peculiarly active career, was recognized as one of the most important figures in the business, military and political life of Cambria and ad- joining counties. He was prominently identified with the establishment of the mammoth Cambria Iron Works. and with various other large in- dustrial and financial enterprises ; he rendered valiant service to his country during the Civil war period, rising to high rank: and for sey- eral terms in congress acquitted himself with such distinguished ability and pure patriotism as to earn respect and admiration as a statesman.

He was born in Allegheny township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, November 20. 1821. His parents were John and Mary (Weyand) Campbell, the father being a native of Scotland, who emigrated to the United States in 1812, while his mother was a native of Somerset county. In 1826 the parents removed to Allegheny City, where the son was reared and educated in the public schools. In 1835, at the age of six- teen young Campbell returned to the village of Somerset, where he en- tered the office of the Somerset Whig, and there mastered so much of "the art preservative of all arts" as, was possible in a country printing office, and incidentally, by careful reading, adding largely to his fund of knowledge. In 1840 he entered the office of the Literary Examiner, a monthly magazine published in Pittsburg. as a compositor. and after a few months relinquished his position to go to New Orleans, Louisiana. where he worked for some months in leading newspaper offices. It may not be amiss here to remark (and the writer of this narrative speaks upon his own personal knowledge and experience), that in that day the young printer deemed such travel a necessary sequence to his appren- ticeship. and. to one of industrious and ambitious disposition, such proved a broad education in itself. In 1841 Mr. Campbell, then in his twen- tieth year. engaged in steamboating on the lower Mississippi and its most important tributaries, and during several years following filled the positions of mate, clerk and part owner of a vessel. In April. 1842. ho married. and abandoned the river, locating in Brady's Bend. Pennsyl- vania, where he engaged in business in the Great Western Iron Works. In 1851 he went to California, but within a year returned and again en- tered the iron works. In 1853 he removed to Johnstown. Pennsylvania, with which city he was thereafter identified during the remainder of his life. His first engagement there was to assist in the construction of the iron works of the Cambria Iron Company. a mammoth under- taking in that day, and he acquitted himself so creditably that he was retained in the service of the company, at all times in important and responsible positions, until the breaking out of the Civil war. when his patriotic spirit would not permit him to rest in civil pursuits, and he resigned at the first call for troops by President Lincoln. He aided in recruiting the first company from Cambria county for the three months'

Vol. III-1

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

service in April. 1861, immediately after the firing upon Fort Sumter, and was elected and commissioned lieutenant. The company ren- dezvoused at Harrisburg early on the morning of April 18th, being the first military organization to occupy Camp Curtin. Upon the organiza- tion of regiments, it became Company G. Third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. Lieutenant Campbell was appointed regimental quarter- master April 20th. He served with his command as a part of the Second Brigade, Second Division. under General Patterson. in the campaign on the upper Potomac. in the vicinity of the mouth of the Shenandoah Valley, until the expiration of its term of service, when it returned to Harrisburg and was mustered out. July 28. 1861.

Lieutenant Campbell was at once commissioned colonel by Gov- ernor Curtin, and authorized to recruit a regiment for three years' serv- ice, and mainly through his effort was organized and brought into serv- ice the famous Fifty-fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, which as soon as prepared for the field was ordered to Washington City. It there remained until March 29. 1862. when Colonel Campbell was or- dered to report with his command to General Miles. commanding at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. who directed him to occupy the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from North Mountain Station to the south branch of the Potomac river. a distance of fifty-six miles, it being his mission to fortify and hold the most important points, in order to af- ford security to the passage of trains conveying troops and military stores. In September the forces under General Miles were driven into Harper's Ferry and captured by the Confederate forces under General "Stonewall" Jackson, with the single exception of the Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania Regiment, Colonel Campbell succeeding in holding his po- sition, the only regiment left south of the Potomae, between Cumberland and the defenses at Washington. After the battle of Antietam, Colonel Campbell's regiment was temporaily attached to General Franklin's (Sixth) Corps.

On March 6, 1863, Colonel Campbell's regiment was ordered to Romney, and he was there assigned to the command of the Fourth Brigade. First Division, Eighth Army Corps, and with this force he proceeded to occupy the various mountain passes in that region, making his headquarters at Mechanicsburg Gap. his troops being in almost daily conflict with detachments of the Confederate army and the guerrilla forces infesting that region. June 14, Colonel Campbell with his brigade was ordered to New Creek to aid in its defense against a threatened attack. July 5th his command formed part of a column under General Kelly, which marched to Fairview, Maryland. to prevent General Lee's forces from gaining possession of the fortifications at Cherry Run and points further west on the Potomac. July 16th he crossed the Potomac at Cherry Run and marched to Hedgeville, driving the enemy from that place. August 2d Colonel Campbell, with his brigade, was ordered to return to his former stations among the Hampshire mountains. He was there actively engaged until November 6th, when he was ordered to Springfield. West Virginia. and to the command of all the troops along the railroad from Cherry Run to New Creek, a distance of ninety miles, in addition to his own brigade. equivalent to the command of a major- general. On January 4, 1864. he was ordered with his brigade to Cum- berland, then threatened by the forces of Rosser and Fitzhugh Lee, and here remained until General Sigel took command of the Department of West Virginia. In April, in the re-organization of troops prepara- tory to the contemplated movement up the valley of the Shenandoah,

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

Colonel Campbell was at his own request relieved from the command of his brigade and returned to his regiment. At the battle of New Market, May 15th, his regiment occupied the extreme left of the line. and suffered severely, losing two hundred and eighty-four killed and wounded. After the battle, General Sigel fell back to Cedar Creek, where he was relieved of his command by General Hunter, who resumed the march up the valley, meeting the enemy at Piedmont, June 5, 1864. In this engagement Colonel Campbell again occupied the left of the line, flanking the enemy's right, and making a rear attack, capturing a force twice the numerical strength of his own. For gallant conduct and su- perior skill displayed in this battle, Colonel Campbell was brevetted brigadier-general, a promotion doubly earned by his long and efficient service as a brigade commander. Three days after the battle, when the forces under General Crook joined those of General Hunter at Staunton, Virginia, General Campbell was assigned to the command of the Third Brigade, Second Division, and as a special favor his old regiment was transferred thereto, that it might remain under its old commander. In all the engagements under General Hunter, while on the notable "Lynchburg Raid," General Campbell took a prominent part, and on the return covered the retreat. On July 24th he took part in the battle of Winchester, under General Crook, and when General Mulligan fell as- sumed command of the division, and participated in all the subsequent battles under General Crook while the latter was in command, and, after General Sheridan came to the command of the department, he took part in all the engagements in the Shenandoah Valley under that brilliant commander.

General Campbell was absent from his command but three weeks when, in February, 1864, he was detailed by the Secretary of War to serve upon a court of inquiry at Wheeling, West Virginia, and with that single exception was with his command in every engagement in which his regiment or brigade took part, from the beginning of his service until he was honorably mustered out, September 3, 1864, leaving upon the annals of the War Department a record of brilliant soldiership and un- sullied patriotism.

Returning to civil pursuits, General Campbell entered upon a career of most useful and creditable public service. On August 17th, 1865. he was nominated by the Republican state convention of Pennsylvania for the office of surveyor-general (now secretary of interior affairs), and was elected for a three years' term, being re-elected in 1868, and serving with entire satisfaction to the people, and credit to himself. Declining a nomination for a third term, he gave his attention to mechanical and other industrial pursuits until the fall of 1876, when he was again called to public life. Nominated for congressman from the Seventeenth Con- gressional District, comprising the counties of Bedford, Blair, Cambria and Somerset, his popularity was attested by his election by a plurality of 520 over Hon. John Riley, Democrat, who at the previous election had carried the district by a plurality of 1,147. In 1848 he was re- nominated, but through defection to the Greenback party he was de- feated by a plurality of 305 votes. In 1880 he was again a candidate and was elected by a plurality of 1.436 over his former competitor. Hon. A. H. Coffroth, whom he again defeated in 1882, and in 1884 was again elected by a plurality of 3,564 votes over Dr. Americus Enfield. He was recognized as one of the most industrious and capable members of the various congresses in which he sat, and was a notably useful member of the committees on education, labor, railways, canals, and others of a

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

special character. In the Forty-seventh Congress he served as chair- man of the committee on manufactures, called to that important place by reason of his broad knowledge along industrial lines and earnest ad- vocacy of the principles of protection to all branches of American in- dustry, and his opposition to demoralizing competition, as witnessed by his efforts for the restriction of Chinese emigration to this country. He was uncompromising in his support of sound financial principles. earn- estly advocating the resumption of specie payment and stoutly opposing the free and unlimited coinage of silver as being morally dishonest. He advocated the repeal of the bankrupt law, holding that its repeal was essential to the restoration of financial and commercial prosperity and stability. He favored all measures looking to the enlargement of our foreign commerce, the establishment of proper harbor and coast de- fenses, the building of an efficient navy, reform in the civil service, and kindred measures.

General Campbell was a delegate to the first Republican national con- vention, in 1856, and aided in the nomination of the first presidential candidate of the party, John C. Fremont, and he was over afterward an ardent advocate of its principles and a supporter of its candidates. both local and national, and a potent factor in many conventional bodies. His last public service was as chairman of the Republican state conven- tion in 1887, and, though visibly failing in health, he proved, as in all former similar occasions, his remarkable ability as a presiding officer. So excellent was the impression made by his able and dignified conduct that. coupled with his previous brilliant political and military record, and coming, as he did, from a section of the state whose claims had long been unrecognized. he was spoken of by many as a suitable successor to Governor James A. Beaver, and, had his physical vigor remained ade- quate, it is highly probable that he would have received the guber- natorial nomination.

In his own community General Campbell was no less esteemed for his activity in business affairs than he was honored for his public life, and his lofty character made his name a tower of strength in any enterprise. Prominent among the corporations with which he was connected, and in all of which he served as a director, were the First National Bank, the Savings Bank, the Electric Light Company, and the gas and water companies. He was a charter member of Alma Lodge and William F. Packer Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and for thirty years took a lively interest in those bodies, in which he was called to the principal offices. He was also a charter member of Johnstown Lodge, No. 538, Free and Accepted Masons. By his former comrades in arms, among whom he was affectionately known as "Unele Jake." he was loved and honored for his sterling qualities both as a man and soldier. To the hour of his death he was a prominent and enthusiatie member of Emory Fisher Post, No. 36, Grand Army of the Republic, and some of his happiest hours were those which he passed at its encampments. In 1887, upon the organization of the Society of the Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania Regiment, he was enthuiastically elected to the presidency, and held the position until his death.

After retiring from public life General Campbell sought the quiet seclusion of his home and the care of his private interests. But the rest so well earned after a long and useful life he was not destined to long enjoy. He was wholly exempt from physical ailments until 1883, when, in his sixty-second year, he experienced a severe attack of pneu- monia which seriously undermined his health. He was prostrated by

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

the same disease a second and a third time. last in May, 1888. His strong constitution and habitually temperate life enabled him to re- cover in each instance, although his strength was visibly impaired by cach succeeding attack. When apparently recovering from his last at- tack he was stricken with paralysis, and, although his life was then des- paired of, he conquered through his indomitable will. and recovered sufficient strength to leave his bed and go about as usual. About two months before his death he experienced symptoms of heart failure, and the sad end came September 27, 1888, being directly due to acute in- flammation of the brain.

A summing up of his character reveals General Campbell as a unique figure. Under a plain and unassuming exterior he concealed ability of a high order, and a rare degree of manly virtue, unselfishness and a sincere regard for the welfare of others, even before his own per- sonal interests, being among his most striking characteristics. His traits of character were feelingly dwelt upon by his neighbors, all of whom felt in his death a keen sense of personal loss. "As a soldier." said one who was familiar with his entire career, through close associa- tion. "he was brave and noble. and his heroism was never questioned." .As a state official he was above suspicion, and although he instituted many important reforms which met with strenuous opposition. no one, even in midst of the intensest political excitement, ever impeached his integrity. As a national legislator he was untiring in his work and a faithful agent of his constituents, never failing to discharge a duty ex- acted of him, not even neglecting to write a letter asking for informa- tion. His personal life in midst of his friends and in his home was beautiful. He treated the youngest of his children with the same manly and gentle consideration that he extended to the most revered of his fel- lows, while the strength of affection for her who so nobly shared his trials and sacrifices, who held night vigil for him during the long years when his life was in constant jeopardy during the dreary marches, the long night watches, and the field of carnage, who participated and joved in the triumphs and honors of his later years, was one of the loveliest traits of his noble character. His was a life's work well done; his is a name historical in the annals of the state, a record of duty conscient- iously discharged in every walk of life.

On April 29, 1841, General Campbell was married to Mary Rankin Campbell, who was born May 13, 1822, in Pittsburg, about on the site of the present court house, came, like himself, from a Scotch an- cestry, and doubtless from the same family, one of the most distin- guished in all Scotland. Her parents, James and Mary (Wylie) Camp- bell, came from Kirkendbrightshire. Scotland, where they were married in 1286, sailing for the United States the next day. After a short stay in the city of New York, then a village to what it is now, they drove in a "prairie schooner" over the mountains through Pennsylvania to Pittsburg and thence to Allegheny, where the young husband engaged in iron manufacturing, where he lived a successful life, and where ho died. His widow died in 1869 in Johnstown, at the Campbell home- stead on Walnut street. This old brick edifice is one of the historie struc- tures of the city. The first sewing machine ever brought to Johnstown was to be seen there, a rare curiosity of its time. From its peak was unfurled in 1861 the first tlag in the city to notify the people that war was on, and that the nation called its sons to its support. Perhaps no other building in Pennsylvania, the executive mansion excepted. has sheltered as many governors of the commonwealth. During the memor-

HISTORY OF CAMBRIL COUNTY.

able flood of 1889, forty-five people found refuge upon its roof. When the government was in jeopardy, during the Civil war, and money was needed. General Campbell took $30.000 worth of government bonds, which again shows his patriotism and confidence and love for his country.

James and Mary (Wylie) Campbell were parents of children: 1. Margaret, married Captain Thomas Lapsley, and later moved to Brad- dock. Pennsylvania. 2. Nancy, married Hon. John MeDonough, of Woodburn. Iowa, where she still resides. 3. Sarah, married Captain Jacob B. Dunlap. of Johnstown, later moved to Braddock, Pennsylvania; she is now deceased. 4. Alexander, who removed to Braddock, where he died. He married Mary Stoddard. of Allegheny. All the sons-in-law were active in building the now famous Cambria Steel Works.

General and Mrs. Campbell were the parents of children as fol-

lows : 1. Mary, married John T. Kinney, deceased; she resides in Johnstown. 2. Curtis G., see sketch. 3. Louis D .. attorney at law, residing in Tacoma, Washington; he married Emma Elliott, of Detroit, Michigan. 4. Ida Rankin Campbell, died aged five years. 5. James A. resides in Braddock, where he is connected with the Carnegie Steel Company ; he married Sarah Soles. 6. Eva A., married Dr. Charles L. Rutter (deceased), of Chicago, Illinois. ^. Frank M., a contractor, died at Granite City. Illinois; he married Annie Madden, of St. Louis, Missouri. S. William B .. died in Mexico. 9. Dr. Ralph R., a prac- ticing physician, located in Chicago. Illinois; he married Isabel Mc- Arthur (deceased), of same place. 10. John B .. connected with the Lorain Steel Company, Johnstown; resides at home. 11. Bruce H., attorney, of Johnstown ; see sketch.

Mrs. General Campbell has been a lifelong Presbyterian. She still resides at the old Campbell homestead in Johnstown. remarkably well preserved. and greatly beloved by not only her immediate family, but by the whole community.

EDWARD B. ENTWISLE. for many years intimately connected with the business interests of Johnstown, Cambria county. Pennsylvania, is of an old and honored family of England.

(I) Abraham Entwisle, the great-great-grandfather of Edward B. Entwisle, lived in England and was a farmer by occupation. Among his children was a son, Isaac.

(II) Isaac Entwisle, son of Abraham Entwisle (1). was born in 176; and died in 1831. He married Sarah Greenhalgh. born in 1110, died January 23. 1843. Their children were: 1. Joseph. 2. John. 3. Isaac. 4. Abraham. 5. James. 6. Thomas. 1. Betty. 8. Mary. 9. Anna. 10. Margaret. 11. Sarah. 12. Alice. 13. Catharine. (III) Joseph Entwisle, eldest child of Isaac (?) and Sarah (Greenhalgh) Entwisle, was born January 10, 1803, and died September 1. 1875. He married Mary Lee, born December 18, 1802, died June 28, 1889. Their children were: 1. Thomas, of whom later. 2. Isaac. 3. John.

(IV) Thomas Entwisle, eldest child of Joseph (3) and Mary (Lee) Entwisle, was born in Bolton. England. February 18. 1822. and died February 25, 1892. He was by occupation a cabinetmaker, and followed that business for twenty years: he was then engaged for another twenty years in the bakery and confectionery business. He was a member of the Episcopal church of Chester. and also served as vestryman and choir leader. He married Anna Bleasdale, born February 19, 1825. now liv- ing in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Richard

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

and Sarah (Kay) Bleasdale, the former a carpenter and son of Thomas and Ann ( Robinson) Bleasdale. Richard Bleasdale was one of ten children : 1. Ann. 2. Henry. 3. Joseph. 4. William. 5. Richard. 6. Edmund. . Michael. 8. James. 9. Janett. 10. Margaret. Mrs. Thomas Entwisle was one of eight children: 1. Thomas, born October 25. 1818. deceased. 2. John, November 11, 1820. 3. A child died in infancy. 4. Elizabeth, February 26. 1823. 5. Anna. 6. John, October 18, 1821. 7. Alice, January 29, 1830. 8. Jane, September 20, 1832. The children of Thomas and Anna (Bleasdale) Entwisle were: 1. Jo- seph, married Clementina Wesler. 2. Richard, married Mary Bell. 3. Mary, married Frank P. Blair. 4. Edward B., the subject of this sketch. 5. Thomas, married Anna Newlan. 6. Albert, married Kate Wilkinson. :. Sara, married Dr. M. H. Fussell. 8. Frank, married May Lilly. 9. Howard, married Ethel Pennypacker. 10. A child died in infancy.

(V) Edward B. Entwisle, fourth child and third son of Thomas (4) and Anna (Bleasdale) Entwisle, was born in Chester. Delaware county, Pennsylvania, August 22, 1851. He received a good common school education, and about 1866 was made an apprentice in the draft- ing department of the Phoenix Iron Company, Phoenixville, Pennsyl- vania. He was employed there for fifteen consecutive years and then ac- cepted a position as draftsman for the Cambria Iron Company, which he held for five years. He then went to the Lorain Steel Company as shop manager, in which position his executive ability and general excel- lent management were of the greatest possible benefit to the company. HIe acted in this capacity for five years and is at present (1906) chief engineer of the Lorain Steel Company and one of the directors of the company. In politics he is a Republican, and has been a school director for one term. He is a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners of Johnstown for two years, appointed in 1906. Also a member of the executive board of the Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital, and has been for a number of years; and is one of the incorporators of the Grand View Cemetery Association. He is a member and vestryman of the St. Mark's Protestant Episcopal church.

HIe married, September 3, 1814, Annie W. Fussell, daughter of Mil- ton and Tamar J. (Haldeman) Fussell. (See Fussell genealogy (VII) in Bruce Hall Campbell sketch.) Their children are: 1. Elizabeth F., born January 2, 1815; married. November 3, 1904, B. H. Thompson. of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. ?. Mabel F., married Bruce H. Campbell. (See his sketch.) 3. Edward F., August 1, 1882, was graduated from Cornell College as mechanical engineer, class 1906. 4. Robert M., May 7, 188%, student Princeton College.

BRUCE HALL CAMPBELL. son of General Jacob M. and Mary Rankin (Campbell) Campbell, was born in Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. August 7, 1874. He enjoyed the advantages of an ex- cellent education, attending the common schools of his native town, then the Kiskiminitas Springs Preparatory School, later the Phillips Exeter Academy, and finally Diekinson College and Dickinson Law School, from which last named institution he graduated in the class of 1896. He then went to Chicago, Illinois, and was admitted the same year to practice in all the courts in the state of Illinois. He served as assistant corporation counsellor in Chicago for one year. He then returned to Johnstown in 1899, registered in the office of John H. Brown, and com- menced the practice of law. In the course of the same year he organized the Bruce H. Campbell Brick Company. His law offices are located in

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III, Part 1

Author: Storey, Henry Wilson Publication date: 1907 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 940

Author: Storey, Henry Wilson
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 940