USA > Pennsylvania > Blair County > Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Blair County, Pennsylvania > Part 47
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
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1858. In the same month and year he entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, in the Altoona ma- chine shops, upon the recommendation of Thomas P. Sargent, assistant purchasing agent of the company, and here he re- mained until January, 1859, when he re- turned to the Lowell, Massachusetts,, ma- chine shops, and in these shops he worked until August, 1860. From this month in 1860, until February, 1863, he was em- ployed by the Atlantic works in Boston, and in that month came back to Altoona again, and here held a position in the office of the engineer of bridges of the Pennsyl- vania railroad, where he stayed until Octo- ber of the same year. Returning to the Atlantic works in October, 1863, he worked there until 1864. During 1863, while in Boston, Mr. Collin worked on a monitor for the government. From October, 1864, until April, 1866, the deceased was general fore- man of the Altoona shops, and during the months of April, May and June, in the last named year, traveled in the west. On July 1, 1866, he was made mechanical engineer of the Pennsylvania railroad, with office in Altoona, and in this position he remained until his death, which occurred at nine o'clock Saturday morning, February 20, 1886, from atrophy of the liver. He was identified with Altoona's business interests, was president of the Altoona Gas Com- pany, and beside his handsome residence in the First ward, was the owner of consider- able real estate in the Seventh and Eighth wards. He possessed the confidence and esteem of the head officers of the railroad company, and in his death that corporation lost an excellent officer. He was a member of St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal church, and private funeral services were conducted
at his late residence, on Fifteenth avenue, by Rev. Allan. Sheldon Woodle, after which Mr. Collin's remains were interred in the Presbyterian cemetery of Hollidaysburg.
On May 15, 1883, Mr. Collin married Kate Leet, and to their union were born two children : John B. and Carl W. Mrs. Collin, who is an intelligent and interesting woman, still resides at her tasteful and beautiful home on Fifteenth avenue. Mrs. Kate (Leet) Collin is a daughter of Ilon. Jonathan D. Leet, a prominent man in western Pennsylvania.
H ON. JONATHAN LEET was born in Washington county in 1817, and died in Altoona in 1882. He was well educated, and a lawyer by profession. He served as postmaster at Washington, this State, under James K. Polk, and one of his clerks in the post-office was James G. Blaine, late seere- tary of State under President Harrison. He was a democrat, served as commissioner on the western division of the old canal, acted as a justice of the peace for a short time, and in 1850 was elected to represent Wash- ington county in the legislature of Pennsyl- vania. At the end of his term he was re- elected, and served a second term. Ilis father, Jonathan Leet, was a native of En- gland, and one of the early settlers in one part of Washington county. He surveyed at Pittsburg and Little Washington when part of their present sites were covered with huckleberry bushes. He was a finely edu- cated man, took up large tracts of land, was one of the surveyors of the Old Pike, or National Road, and died in 1850, at eighty-seven years of age.
IIon. Jonathan Leet married for his first wife Mary A. Callahan, who was a native of
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OF BLAIR COUNTY.
Claysville, Washington county, and a Pres- byterian in religious belief. She was the first graduate of French's Female seminary at Washington, this State, and died in 1851, at the early age of thirty-two years. They had three children, two sons and one dangh- ter: Dr. J. T. Leet, of Hollidaysburg; Mrs. William L. Marlin, of Albany, New York; and Callahan M., of Indianapolis, Indiana. Mr. Leet's second wife was Mary J. Saunders, daughter of Maj. Jacob Saun- ders, who was a major in the war of 1812. By his second marriage he had two chil- dren, a son and a daughter: William C. Leet and Mrs. Kate Collin.
F RANCIS D. BEYER, senior member of the well known planing mill firm of F. D. Beyer & Co., of Tyrone, and a leading prohibitionist of Blair county, is a son of Aaron and Lydia ( Ramey ) Beyer, and was born at Spang's Mills, Antis township, Blair county, Pennsylvania, October 23, 1831. His paternal grandfather, Rev. David Beyer, was of German descent. He was born near Frederick Town, Maryland, September 7, 1763, and was left at an early age, by the death of his parents, to do for himself. In 1797 he came to Sinking valley, and built a brick house and saw and grist-mill. He was a noted miller, and his flour, when sold in Baltimore, always brought the highest price. In 1833 he sold his property, and removed to Antis township, near Tipton, where he purchased land and erected the old Beyer mill, which he operated until his death, December 1, 1841. Ile united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1809, was afterward licensed as a local minister, and preached for many years without pay or recompense. He was an old-line whig
in politics, and a strong anti-Mason. He served for many years as a justice of the peace, and married Sarah Crum, of near Belton, Maryland, by whom he had thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters. At his death he left nearly one hundred descend- ants, and his sons, Abraham and Aaron, became the owners of his mill and home property. Aaron Beyer ( father), the young- est son, was born August 23, 1811, in the old brick house, erected in 1797 by his father. He learned the trade of miller, which he followed at various places until 1833, when he removed to Antis township, where he built the present Beyer mill, which he operated for many years, besides conducting a hotel for a short time. He was successively an old-line whig, republican and prohibitionist in politics. He was a member, trustee and class leader of the Methodist Episcopal church for nearly half a century. In 1886 he removed to Altoona, where he died in 1887, when in the seventy- sixth year of his age: Ilis life was devoted to useful work, and the moral and religious improvement of his community. On Jan- uary 12, 1831, he married Lydia Ramey, daughter of Frederick and Martha ( Keller) Ramey, who was born March 4, 1811. To their union were born thirteen children : Francis D., Elizabeth J., Martha A., Rev. James S., who served three years in the Union army, then spent fifteen years preach- ing in Virginia, and is now stationed in Clinton county as a member of the confer- ence of central Pennsylvania ; Catherine B., served as a nurse in the army, and is now at Herkimer, New York; Angeline, Eme- line, Mary A., Sanford D., who enlisted in Co. B, 110th Pennsylvania infantry, and was killed March 25, 1865, in front of Petersburg; A. Wesley, Sarah B., Lydia
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
R., and William M., whose sketch appears in this volume.
Francis D. Beyer received his education in the common schools and Cassville semi- nary, and then learned the trade of carpen- ter, which he followed for several years. He helped to erect the first houses built in Altoona, and afterward erected a water power planing mill near the old homestead. He then built the steam planing mill at Tyrone, which is now operated by Mr. Me- Camant. In 1869 he erected another steam planing mill at Tyrone, which he operated until 1873, when it was burned, and then he rebuilt and enlarged it into his present large saw and planing mill establishment, which is operated by the firm of F. D. Beyer & Co., of which he is the senior member. IIe employs a force of thirty men, does an ex- tensive general planing mill business, in addition to which he is actively engaged in contracting and building.
On December 23, 1856, he married Lizzie, daughter of the late Simon Blake, of Mar- tinsburg, and to their union were born ten children : Grace T., wife of Frank Waring, a member of the firm of F. D. Beyer & Co .; Vida S., married to Dr. J. S. Baer, of Cam- den; Samuel B., married Madge, daughter of Rev. George Leidy, of Huntingdon, this State, and is a partner with his father in the planing mill business; George K., mar- ried Carrie Penny, and is engaged in the fruit growing and poultry business at Vine- land, New Jersey; Aaron F .; Charles W .; Laura K .; and four others who died in infancy.
Francis D. Beyer is a steward, trustee and class leader of the Second Methodist Episcopal church of Tyrone, to which he is a most liberal contributor. In polities he- was formerly a republican, but is now a
prohibitionist, and is usually chosen as : delegate to the prohibition State conven tions. He is an honorary member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union Mr. Beyer is a prominent representative o the planing mill business of Tyrone, which has been commensurate in its increase with most of the other industries of the borough. Earnest and active in the cause of Christianity and prohibition, he ranks high as an honorable man and a useful citizen.
JOSEPH M. HUTCHISON, third in
the lineal descent from IIon. Joseph Hutchison, the founder of the Hutchison family in Blair county, and an upright and substantial citizen of Juniata and Logan township, is a son of John and Sarah ( Kelley ) Hutchison, and was born on the farm on which he now resides in Logan township, Blair county, Pennsylvania, April 29, 1824. His paternal grandfather, Hon, Joseph Hutchison, was a native of Ireland, and in early life came to Pennsylvania, where he settled in Northumberland county, which he represented for two terms in the legislature. Ile was a democrat and Pres- byterian, and on his maternal side was a relative of President James Buchanan. IIe married Jane Gilford, who was born on the Biddle farm near the site of the present county home, and whose father took up the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. She was captured by Indians and held a prisoner for two weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchison were the parents of eight children, of whom one was John Hutchison (father), who was born in Northumberland county and died March 13, 1865, aged sixty- nine years, nine months and ten days. In
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OF BLAIR COUNTY.
1823 he came to the farm on which he resided until his death. He was a democrat, had held several township offices and was familiarly known as Judge Hutchison on account of generally serving as judge of the election board of his voting precinct. At an early age he united with the Presby- terian church, of Warriors Run, in North- umberland county, and afterward was a member of the Frankstown church until 1852, when he and several others organized the First Presbyterian church, of Altoona, with which he worshipped until his death. The Presbytery of his church printed a beautiful tribute of his life in memoriam, wherein they said: "He died in the full hope and assurance of a blissful and glori- ous immortality in Heaven. Mr. Hutchison, throughout his life, possessed and manifested an equable and amiable disposition, com- bined with great firmness of purpose, a sound and discriminating judgment, and remarkable freedom from captiousness or censoriousness. IIe was no fault-finder, but ever disposed to exercise the judgment of charity toward those from whom he differed. He seemed to dislike and avoid publicity, and delighted in the pleasures and duties of home. He was cheerful and hospitable at home, kind and considerate toward his neighbors, of unquestioned integrity, and an excellent citizen. Ile greatly loved his church and her ordinances, and was a regular attendant upon them. As a member of Session he was always calin, considerate, and disposed to study and practice those things that make for peace, yet firm and immovable when satis- fied that discipline should be exercised. When it had been determined to erect the first church edifice in Altoona, Mr. Hutchi- son was selected as one of the building
committee, and was faithful and active in the performance of his duties on that com- mittee; and when the present church structure was to be built, he was among the most liberal in his contributions to it. Ile was an uncompromising Union man, and took a lively interest in the efforts of the Federal government to suppress the great rebellion and maintain the Union. Few men die to whom so few faults could be attributed, or of whom so little evil could be spoken. John Hutchison was highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him while living, and, being dead, his memory is precious." He married Sarah Kelley, a member of the Presby- terian church, who died in 1888, aged eighty-eight years. She was a daughter of James Kelley ( maternal grandfather ), a native of Buffalo valley, Centre county, and a resident of Perrysburg, Ohio, whose father, Col. Andrew Kelley, was born at Buffalo Cross roads, in Centre county, where he owned five or six farms. John and Sarah ( Kelley) Hutchison reared a family of five children, of whom three are yet living, two sons and one daughter: Robert, of Juniata; Joseph M .; and Caro- line, wife of Oliver Hagerty, of Logan township.
Joseph M. Hutchison was reared on the farm, received his education in the schools of his neighborhood and has followed farming successfully ever since. He owns a part of the home farm through which the Pennsylvania railroad runs, and on which a portion of the village of Juniata is built. Ile also owns another farm, which is a part of the old Bell tract in Antis township, besides some valuable property at Juniata and in Altoona. In connection with farming Mr. Hutchison
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operates a saw mill during a part of the year.
In November, 1865, Mr. Hutchison mar- ried Sarah J. Lafferty, daughter of Joseph Lafferty, of Logan township. They have five children, four sons and one daughter: Amanda W., wife of John K. Hamilton; James K., R. Bruce, J. Mortimer, and William Fay.
Joseph M. Hutchison is a democrat in politics, and a member of the First Pres- byterian church, of Altoona, and Juniata Grange, No. 889, Patrons of Husbandry. Within the last few years Mr. Hutchison has retired from all active business except the supervision of his farms and saw mill. He is thoroughgoing, straightforward, and honest in his business transactions, has always been active and industrious, and is a gentleman of excellent standing in his community.
W ILLIAM C. SNYDER, a man of
business ability and successful railway experience, and trainmaster of the Altoona division of the Pennsylvania railroad, is a son of Rev. Henry and Isabella C. Snyder, and was born at Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1844. The Snyder family is of German descent, and has place among the old families of the United States. His great-grandfather Snyder was a soldier in the revolution- ary war, and of the Westmoreland county branch of the Snyder family but meager information can be obtained.
Rev. Henry Snyder (father ) was born in 1813, in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared and received his edu- cation. IIe united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and was afterward or- dained as a minister. He was active and
successful in his sacred calling, but accord- ing to the system of his church in stationing their ministers, was never stationed over two years at a time on any circuit. Under this system he served on several circuits in western Pennsylvania and in Ohio, and in 1868, while in charge at Deersville, Ohio, he died at that place, when in the forty- eighth year of his age. Ile was a republi- can in politics, and married Isabella Clark, a native of Mt. Pleasant, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, who died in 1847, aged thirty-six years.
William C. Snyder was principally reared in Uniontown and its vicinity, in Fayette county, this State, and received his educa- tion in the common schools. He was en- gaged in clerical work in the mercantile. business until 1877, when he became ticket. freight and express agent for the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company at Uniontown. which position he held for three years. At the end of that time he was made assistant trainmaster of the Pittsburg division of the main line of the Pennsylvania railroad, and stationed at Conemaugh, where he remained one year. Ile was then transferred to Altoona, where he held the same position until 1890, when he was made trainmastej of the Altoona division of the main line of the Pennsylvania railroad, and has held that position ever since.
On March 6, 1873, Mr. Snyder married Maria L. Litman, daughter of George W. Lit man, of Uniontown, who was then one of th. editors and proprietors of the Genius of Lib erty, which ranks among the ablest democrati papers of western Pennsylvania. Mrs. Sny der died during the latter part of 1873 an left one child, a son named Charles, who i still living. Mr. Snyder was re-married, o. February 4, 1875, to Jennie E. Barre, o
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OF BLAIR COUNTY.
Uniontown, and has two children by his second marriage : Mary L. and Nora V.
William C. Snyder is an unswerving dem- ourat in politics, but takes no active part in political matters. He is pre-eminently a business man, and has given his time to business pursuits, in which he has always confined his efforts to the particular line of business in which he was engaged at any time. While unassuming and quiet, yet he is energetic, determined and thorough- going in whatever he undertakes. He oc- cupies a position whose duties are now as numerous and important as they ever were in the trying times of war, or during the immense travel of the centennial year. In- dustry, energy and integrity have been the factors of Mr. Snyder's success in business life.
R. JAMES R. TAYLOR, a veteran of two wars, and a dentist who has been in successful practice for nearly a quarter of a century, now located in the city of Altoona, is a son of David and Elizabeth ( Postlethwait) Taylor, and was born September 15, 1830 near Newton Hamilton, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. The Taylors have long been residents of the Keystone State, and their ancestry is traced back to John Taylor, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. David Taylor (father) was a native of Westmoreland county, this State, but re- moved to Mifflin county when a young man, and lived there until his death, in 1842, at the early age of forty-one years. Ile was a millwright by occupation, and widely known in connection with his work in that line. His death was due to an acci- dent, by which he was caught in the water-
wheel of a saw mill upon which he was working, in Mifflin county. Politically he was a whig, though never taking an active part in politics. He was a man of power- ful constitution and unusual strength, and is said to have been able to handle any man in the county, though always quiet and re- served. He married Elizabeth Postlethwait, by whom he had a family of six children, of whom four are yet living. She was a native of Mifflin county, a member of the Presby- terian church, and lived a useful and con- sistent Christian life; dying in 1857, after an existence extending three years beyond half a century.
James R. Taylor grew to manhood in Miff- lin county, attending the common schools of his vicinity, in which he acquired a good practical education in all the ordinary En- glish branches. When less than seventeen years of age he enlisted in Co. M, 2d Penn- sylvania volunteers, and went with that regiment to Mexico, where he was in active service for fifteen months, and engaged in several of the principal battles of that war. Ile was with the force that captured the city of Mexico, and marched into that city with the victorious American army on his seventeenth birthday, September 15, 1847. After the war was over Mr. Taylor returned to Pennsylvania, and began the study of dentistry at Williamsburg, with Dr. A. Mc- Kamey, who had commanded the company with which Mr. Taylor served in Mexico. When he had acquired sufficient skill in the dental line he located in Mifflin county, and practiced for a time, but in 1875 re- moved to Franklin county, locating at Mer- cersburg, where he opened a dental office and practiced until 1882, when he came to the city of Altoona. Here he has been successfully engaged in the practice of his
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
profession to the present time. In Septem- ber, 1864, Doctor Taylor enlisted and served as sergeant-major in the 205th Pennsylva- nia infantry, attached to the second brigade, third division, ninth army corps, under the command of General Hartranft. In this capacity he served until the close of the civil war, being seriously wounded by the explosion of a shell, while on duty in front of Petersburg, Virginia. Ile was honorably discharged from service at Alexandria, that State, in June, 1865, and immediately re- turned to Pennsylvania, where he took up the thread of civil life where he had laid it down to enter his country's service, and was soon enjoying a good dental practice.
On December 18, 1860, Doctor Taylor was united in marriage with Ruth L. Hen- derson, a daughter of James Henderson, of Cassville, Huntingdon county. To them was born a family of six children, four sons and two daughters: M. Louise, Thomas V., E. Dawson, Maggie C., J. Virgil, and David II. Mrs. Taylor died May 15, 1886, aged forty-seven years, and greatly esteemed by her wide circle of friends.
Doctor Taylor is a stanch republican, but in no sense a politician, taking little part in the turmoil of practical politics. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and of Lieutenant Potts Post, No. 62, Grand Army of the Republic.
JOHN S. MORRISON, a leading and
respected citizen of Tyrone, was one who commanded the highest esteem of those who knew him, for he exemplified the real manliness of manhood and the true dignity of citizenship. He was a son of Hon. John and Anna (Shaver) Morrison, and was born in Huntingdon county, Penn-
sylvania, December 21, 1837. Hon. John Morrison was a native of Lancaster county, and came to near Aughwick Mills, Shirley township, Huntingdon county, where he died in 1862, at the age of fifty- one years. He was a prosperous farmer, and a leading citizen of that county, having served three years in the senate and three years in the house of representatives of Pennsylvania. He also served one term as judge of the courts of his county, and stood high as a man and a citizen. He was a re- publican in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and married Anna Shaver, by whom he had six children, three sons and three daughters.
Jolin S. Morrison was reared on the farm, and received his education in Cassville and Shade Gap academies. At the age of nine- teen, having completed his course of study, he returned to the farm. His ability for management was so evident at this early age that his father, having retired from active business life, gave him complete con- trol of all his interests. On September 2, 1864, John S. Morrison enlisted in Co. K; 202d Pennsylvania infantry, which he was instrumental in organizing, and was the first lieutenant of his company. He served for ahnost a year with distinction in the civil war, winning promotion, and was mus. tered out with his regiment August 3, 1865 He spent only a short time at home after his return from the army, leaving Hunting. don county in the latter part of 1865 for Roaring Spring, Blair county. His settle. ment at Roaring Spring marks the starting point of his subsequent successful business career. In 1865 he joined with others ir organizing the firm of Eby, Morrison & Co. and engaged in the manufacture of paper In 1867 a terrible accident happened at the
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OF BLAIR COUNTY.
mill, caused by a boiler explosion, by which the plant was almost completely destroyed. Mr. Morrison's indomitable will was here brought into play, and in the face of the most harassing difficulties the mill was re- built and again put into operation. In 1876 the firm name was changed to Morri- son, Bare & Cass, the partners being J. S. Morrison, D. M. Bare, and Joseph K. Cass. Mr. Morrison resided at Roaring Spring most of the time from 1865 to 1880, spend- ing perhaps two years of that time in l'itts- burg, where he was also interested in the large paper warehouse of Morrison, Cass & Co. In 1880 Morrison, Bare & Cass built their large paper mill at Tyrone. Mr. Mor- rison at once removed to this place, and gave the Tyrone mill his personal super- vision from its beginning until his last ill- ness. In 1882 a disastrous fire totally de- stroyed this extensive plant, but with the energy always characteristic of the man, he permitted no time to pass idly by, and the work of rebuilding, on a much larger scale than before, was immediately begun. As a result, Tyrone has the present large paper mill, built entirely of brick, at the north end of Main street, which gives employ- ment to over two hundred hands. The firm name was changed January 1, 1886, to Morrison & Cass, D. M. Bare retiring and assuming the ownership of the Roaring Spring mill, while Messrs. Morrison & Cass relinquished their interests at Roaring Spring and devoted their attention to the Tyrone plant. A few weeks previous to his death Mr. Morrison organized the Mor- rison & Cass Paper Company, to take the place of the firm. He was president of this company, which was organized that he might free himself to a large extent from the care of active management, and give
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