USA > Pennsylvania > Blair County > Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Blair County, Pennsylvania > Part 58
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William L. Lowrie attended Williams college from 1876 to 1878, and then at -- tended Wooster college, from which he was
graduated in 1879. Leaving college he made choice of medicine as a profession, and in 1880 entered the Medical university of Pennsylvania, from which he was grad- uated in the class of 1883. After graduation he went to Mapleton, Huntingdon county, and practiced until 1886, when he came to Tyrone, where he has now an extensive and rapidly increasing practice.
January 5, 1887, Doctor Lowrie married Bertha G., daughter of Rev. HI. G. Finney, of Chambersburg, this State, and their union has been blessed with one child, a daughter named Mary L.
In politics Doctor Lowrie is a republican, and was elected as a school director at the February election of 1892. HIe is senior warden of Tyrone Lodge, No. 494, Free and Accepted Masons, and a member of Moun- tain Chapter, No. 189, Royal Arch Ma- sons, and Mountain Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar, of Altoona. He is treas- urer of the Steam Fire Company, a director of the Tyrone Mining and Manufacturing Company, and president of the Tyrone Club.
RICHARD MITCHELL, assistant su- perintendent of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company of Altoona, and a na- tive of the Island Continent of the old world, is a son of John and Louise (Kel- low) Mitchell, and was born in the city of Ballarat, on the Yarrowee river, in the province of Victoria, Australia, October 20, 1864. ITis paternal grandfather Mitchell was a native of England and a miner by trade. IIe followed mining, and died in Cornwall at the age of sixty-four years. His son, John Mitchell, was born in England, and about 1853 went to Ballarat, Australia, where he engaged in gold mining. He
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owned a part of the Hiscock mine, in the southeastern gold fields of Australia, which he operated until 1872, when he returned to his native country and engaged in his present occupation of farming near the town of Truro, in Cornwall, one of the richest mining counties of southwestern England. He married Louise Kellow, who died in England about 1874.
Richard Mitchell was reared in Ballarat, Australia, and received his education in the public schools of that city. At an early age he commenced life for himself as a farm hand, but soon left agricultural pursuits to work in a machine shop, where he remained but a short time, and then embarked on a ship as storekeeper in the engine room. Ile was afterward promoted to assistant engineer, and spent three years on board another vessel, which, during that time, sailed on almost all the waters of the globe. Ile received a very flattering offer from the American Life Insurance Company, of Philadelphia, and quit the sea to work for them. Three months later he left their employ and engaged with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company as their agent for Staten Island, where he remained twelve months, when he was promoted to assistant superintendent of his district, with head- quarters at Port Richmond, Staten Island. At the end of three years he was trans- ferred to Jersey City, New Jersey, as assist- ant superintendent of the district in which that city was situated. He resigned his position at Jersey City to become foreman, and as such to assume charge of the works in New York city of the Nichols Patent Gas & Elevator Tubing Company. He superintended these works until 1891, when he accepted his present position as assistant superintendent of the Metropolitan Life
Insurance Company at Altoona, where he has resided since January of that year.
Richard Mitchell is a prohibitionist in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian church of Altoona, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is one of that class of young, active, business men who have the energy and industry necessary to win success in whatever field they may labor.
CAPT. CHARLES S. W. JONES, a
veteran of the civil war, who has been editor of the Tyrone Herald for a quarter of a century, is a son of Samuel and Eliza- beth ( Mattern) Jones, and was born October 29, 1842, the place of his nativity being Graysville, Huntingdon county, Pennsyl- vania. The Jones family is of Welsh ex- traction, but has been planted in this State for several generations. Samuel Jones (father) was born in Chester county, Penn- sylvania, January 29, 1808, and was educa- ted in the country schools of his neighbor- hood, which, though lacking the technical finish of later times, yet imparted a good, practical education. In early life he learned the trade of potter, and worked at fashion- ing various kinds of earthen ware for many years. While yet a young man he left his native county and located in Huntingdon county, from whence he came to Tyrone in 1851, and has resided at that place ever since. In early years he was a democrat, but after the Republican party was formed he became affiliated with that organization, and has served as justice of the peace in Tyrone for a quarter of a century. For thirty-five years he has been a member of the First Presbyterian church of Tyrone, and has served as trustee of the church for a number of years. IIe married Elizabeth
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Mattern, who is of German descent, and to them was born a family of eleven chil- dren. The eldest of these was a daughter named Catherine, who married Abraham Van Scoyoc, of Tyrone, and died in 1861, at the age of thirty-one years. The second was a son named Benjamin, who married Rachel Fletcher, of the city of Philadelphia, a printer by trade, and in 1862 enlisted in Company A, 2d Pennsylvania cavalry, serv- ing until the close of the war. He held rank successively as corporal of his com- pany, quartermaster sergeant, and regi- mental quartermaster. He has served two terms in the Pennsylvania legislature, rep- resenting the Twenty-third Philadelphia district. The next in order of birth was Christia Ann, who died in infancy. The' fourth was Sarah Jane, who married J. H. Patterson, of Tyrone, and died at the age of thirty-one years. The fifth child was David M., who, after attaining manhood, married Amanda J. Palmer, of Tyrone, and at the breaking out of the civil war enlisted in Company D, 3d Pennsylvania infantry, as a corporal. After serving in that com- pany three months, he became first lieuten- ant of Company A, 110th Pennsylvania infantry, and was afterward successively promoted to the ranks of captain, major and lieutenant-colonel. He was made a prisoner of war at Chancellorsville May 3, 1863, and was confined in Libby prison for a short time. Being exchanged, however, he re- joined his company in time to take part in the decisive battle of Gettysburg, where, while engaged in action on July 3d, he had his left leg shot off. That ended his mili- tary career, and he was soon afterward dis- charged from the army. After returning home from the army he was elected register and recorder of Blair county, in October,
1865, and twice re-elected, serving in tha capacity for a period of nine years. Late he was elected to the State legislature, an was a member of that body at the time o his death in 1877. Their next child was daughter, Ellen, who died in early life, an the eighth was Charles S. W., the subjec of this sketch. The next younger wa Emma, who married John A. Ililtner, as sistant foreman in the car shops at Tyrone The tenth child died in infancy, and the youngest was Aaron, who married Heler Beightel, of the city of Philadelphia, bu is now deceased. He was a printer b: trade.
Capt. Charles S. W. Jones was reared i Tyrone, and received his education in th common schools of that city. After leav ing school he learned the printer's trade and followed that occupation until th spring of 1862, when he enlisted in Com pany F, 2d Pennsylvania cavalry, as a pri vate, and served until the spring of 1865 In rapid succession he held all the non commissioned offices of his company, and soon rose to be first lieutenant. He subse quently became captain of Company B, o the same regiment, and later served as com mandant of Company B, first provisiona Pennsylvania cavalry, an organization which grew out of the consolidation of the 2d an 20th Pennsylvania cavalry. He served il the army of the Potomac, and was wounded in the foot at Charles City, Virginia. When the war was over, and he had been dis charged from service, Captain Jones re turned to Pennsylvania, and for a tim worked at his trade, but in 1868 becam interested in the Tyrone Herald newspaper and has maintained his connection with that journal ever since. Some five year ago he began the publication of the dail:
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Herald, which is a six-column folio, and has been quite successful.
On July 1, 1869, Captain Jones was united in marriage to Anna N. Harper, a daughter of J. M. Harper, of Tyrone. To this union were born two children : Amber (deceased ) and Ange. Mrs. Jones died April 14, 1883, in the thirty-third year of her age.
Captain Jones is a republican politically, and an able local leader in his party. He served as burgess of Tyrone for five years in succession, and in 1888 was elected a member of the Pennsylvania legislature from Blair county. He took an active part in the sessions of 1889 and 1890, serving as chairman of the military committee. On March 3, 1890, he was appointed by Presi- dent Harrison to the position of postmaster at Tyrone, which office he is still holding. He is also serving as captain of the military organization known as the Sheridan troop, having been its commander since its organ- ization in 1871. He is a member of D. M. Jones Post, No. 173, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Union Veteran Legion of Tyrone, besides some other local organ- izations.
HOMAS B. MCFARLAND, one of
the leading furniture dealers and under- takers of Hollidaysburg, is a son of William F. and Susan (Frampton ) McFarland, and was born at Hollidaysburg, Blair county, Pennsylvania, December 8, 1861. His pa- ternal grandfather, William McFarland, was a native of Lebanon county, and came, in 1824, to Frankstown, which he left in 1832 to settle at Hollidaysburg, where he died in 1×85, when in the eighty-fifth year of his age. IIe was among the first cabinet makers and undertakers of Hollidaysburg, if not indeed the first. He was a democrat in
politics, and served during President Bu- chanan's administration as assistant post- master of Hollidaysburg, under Col. W. G. Murray, who is accredited as postmaster during that time by J. Simpson Africa's History of Huntingdon and Blair Counties. Mr. MeFarland married Sarah Forbes, of Virginia, and reared a family of five chil- dren, of whom William F. McFarland (father), the eldest, was born at Franks- town, in 1828. William F. McFarland fol- lowed cabinet making and undertaking at Hollidaysburg until his death, which oc- curred January 2, 1892. He was a democrat in politics, and a consistent member of the Baptist church, and married Susan Framp- ton, who was born in 1831, and still sur- vives him. They were the parents of five children : William, who died young ; Thomas B., Kate, Harry, superintendent of the com- pany's store at Ronova, Clinton county ; and Frank, assistant superintendent of the Clear- field and Cresson Coal and Coke Company.
Thomas B. McFarland received his edu- cation in the public schools of Hollidays- burg, learned with his father the trade of cabinet maker, and has followed the furni- ture and undertaking business most suc- cessfully in his native borough for over fourteen years.
Thomas B. MeFarland is a democrat in politics, and a member of the Baptist church, like his father and grandfather be- fore him. His furniture and undertaking establishment is at No. 108 Allegheny street. He has a large and varied stock of all kinds of furniture, carries a very fine line of funeral caskets, and has built up a remunerative trade that extends far beyond his borough. Mr. McFarland has been a member for several years of Hollidaysburg Lodge, No. 119, Independent Order of Odd
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Fellows, and by his energy and enterprise stands in his line of business second to none in the borough.
H ON. JOHN A. LEMON is one of the
most prominent public men and popular republican leaders of this county, and the present State senator from the Thirty-fifth senatorial district, composed of the counties of Blair and Cambria.
John A. Lemon was reared and received his education in the common schools of his native county. In politics Mr. Lemon is a republican. His political career commenced when he was elected burgess of Hollidays- burg for a term of three years. In 1871 he was elected to the State senate, and in 1876 was re-elected. His services during his two terms in the State senate were so satisfactory to his party that, in 1880, he was nominated on the republican ticket and elected as auditor-general of Pennsylvania. At the end of his term, in 1884, he returned to Hollidaysburg, and four years later, in 1888, he was elected to the senate by the largest majority he ever received in the district when he had opposition, receiving twelve thousand eight hundred and ninety votes to his three opponents' combined vote of eleven thousand five hundred and seventy- six. As a business man Senator Lemon is distinguished for the order with which he conducts all his affairs. He is well known for his firmness, energy and punctuality. As a citizen he is respected, and as a senator and State official his record is such as to commend itself to the public as an evidence of efficiency and faithfulness. ITis success- ful career has not been helped by accident or luck, or advanced by wealth or friends. He has been in its truest sense both the architect and the builder of his own fortune.
JAMES F. LEIGHTY, a prominen
builder'and contractor, who has erecter many large and substantial buildings a Duncansville and elsewhere, is a son o David and Catharine (Stifler ) Leighty, and was born November 28, 1864. Jacol Leighty (grandfather) went to Hagers town, Maryland, where, after residing a few years, he removed to Dry Run, Blai county, and from thence to Poplar Run where he died. By occupation he was : farmer, and in political sentiment he closely adhered to the principles of the Democratic party, which elected him to the office o justice of the peace of Logan township, this county, in which he served for one term Ile was a Lutheran, and reared a family o four sons : David, Peter, Edward, and Henry David Leighty (father) was born at Ila- gerstown, Maryland, and afterward re. moved to Dry Run, and after a residence of a few years there came to Poplar Run, where he remained but a short time. Hle then removed to Red Cap Hill, where he purchased a farm and engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. He afterward sold this farm, and resided successively at Poplar Run, Dry Run, and at Duncansville. Having sold his real estate interests at the latter place, he purchased a tract of land at Newry, Blair county, where he is comfort- ably situated, and has one of the most de- sirable farms in the county. He was a democrat, and was elected to the office of constable of his township. In religious faith he believes in the principles of the Lutheran Evangelical church. He married Catharine Stifler, by whom he had a family of five sons and five daughters : Elizabeth, married William Buckel, who is a black- smith at Newry; Sarah, wife of William Yackley, of Dry Run, who is engaged in
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farming; Samuel, married Lillie Knee, and is a prominent builder and contractor at Duncansville; Edward II., died in 1888; Mary (deceased ); David H., Harry J., Lloyd A., Ella, and James F.
James F. Leighty was reared on the farm, and received his education in the common schools. In 1885 he began business for himself as a contractor and builder at Ty- rone, and there remained a few years, when he became an employee of T. M. Ake, and afterward was engaged with James Barry, of the same place, for some time. After this he again entered into business for him- self, and now enjoys the command of an ex- tensive trade. In 1891 he erected nineteen dwellings and three large barns, besides doing various other kinds of carpenter work.
In 1889 he was united in marriage with Jennie A. Sell, of Learnersville, Blair county, and their union has been blessed with one child, a son, named John II., who was born August 24, 1890.
James F. Leighty owns valuable real estate at Duncansville, and has a very neat and comfortable residence at Y Switches, on Railroad street, in the suburbs of the same place. He is a democrat, and attends the Lutheran Evangelical church. Starting in life with a capital of but one hundred dollars, by industry, honesty, and good management he won a competency for him- self, and enjoys the reputation of being a good and reliable contractor and business man.
OHN W. WEBBER, the well known contractor of Altoona, is a man who has won success in life by first deserving it, and then with indomitable courage compelling it. He is the eldest son of
Andrew and Sarah ( Wilson ) Webber, and was born May 22, 1829, in Venango county, Pennsylvania. Andrew Webber (grandfather ) was a native of Germany, but left the Fatherland while yet a young man to make himself a home in America. Ile settled in Centre county, Pennsylvania, where he became a farmer and passed his life in agricultural pursuits. After spend- ing a number of years in Centre, he removed to Venango county, where he ended his days at the advanced age of ninety years. He married and reared a large family. Andrew Webber ( father ) was born in Centre county, this State, where he was reared and edu- cated. When a young man he removed with his father's family to Venango county, and continued a resident of that county until 1870, when he went to Mercer county, Illinois, and from there to Poweshiek county, Iowa. In the latter county he ended his earthly pilgrimage in 1882, at the ripe old age of four-score years. He was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, and in polities a Jacksonian democrat. In early life he learned the trades of tanner and shoemaker at Bellefonte, this State, but soon abandoned them, and devoted the re- mainder of his active life to farming. He wedded Sarah Wilson, by whom he had a family of children. She was a native of Venango county, of Scotch-Irish descent, and died in that county. She was for many years a consistent member of the Presby- terian church, and was highly esteemed by her neighbors and friends.
John W. Webber was reared in his native county in the Keystone State, and acquired a good common school education. After leaving school he learned the trade of house and sign painting, and shortly after- ward, in 1849, removed from Venango to
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Huntingdon county, where he worked at his trade until 1852. He then came to the city of Altoona, this county, where he has ever since resided. In that same year he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in the painting depart- ment of their car shops at Altoona, and a few years later was promoted to be master painter for that company. He occupied that important position until 1875, when he resigned and engaged in contracting and building in that city, which business he has conducted ever since. He is active and enterprising, gifted with capacity for de- tails and good business judgment, and has achieved remarkable success.
In 1850 Mr. Webber was united in mar- riage with Harriet Lias, a daughter of Abraham Lias, of Huntingdon county, this State, and to their union was born a family of three children, two sons a daughter : Harry W., Mollie M., and James L. Mr. Webber has for many years been a prom- inent member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Altoona, and is serving as steward and trustee of his church. He is also a member of Logan Lodge, No. 490, Free and Accepted Masons; Mountain Chapter, No. 189, Royal Arch Masons; and Mountain Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar. Politically he is a republican. His business life has been successful and honorable, and he stands high as a citizen. During the civil war, in 1863, he enlisted in a Penn- sylvania regiment, and served three months. By his ability, industry and enterprise, Mr. Webber has accumulated a handsome competency, and now lives in an elegant home in the city of Altoona, surrounded by all the comforts of life, and popular alike in business, religious and social circles.
WILLIAM H. STEPHENS, a member
of the city council of Altoona, and a wounded veteran of the army of the Po- tomac, is a son of Nicholas R. and Ruth (Curry) Stephens, and was born near Hol- lidaysbury, Blair county, Pennsylvania, on April 6, 1840. His paternal grandfather, Nicholas Stephens, was a native of Germany, who came to near Hollidaysburg, where he purchased a farm and reared a family of thirteen children. In 1850 he sold his farm and removed to Benton county, Iowa, where he died. He was a hard working man, and a consistent member of the Evangelical Lutheran church. His son, Nicholas R. Stephens (father), was born near Hollidays- burg in 1824, and learned the trade of car- penter. In 1850 he went to Benton county, Iowa, where he worked at his trade for two years, and then returned to Blair county, in which he followed mining for several years. IIe died in Altoona in 1890, when in the seventy-fourth year of his age. He was an old-line whig and republican in politics, and in 1861 enlisted as a soldier in the Federal army for a term of nine months, of which he served the last six months in the construction corps. He was a Lutheran in religious faith, and married Ruth Curry, who was born in 1812, and is now a resident of Altoona, where she is a member of one of the Catholic churches of that city.
William H. Stephens grew to manhood in his native township, and received his edu- cation in the common and normal schools of Pennsylvania. In 1863, when dangers were settling thick around the Federal cause, and grave fears existed in many parts of the north concerning the preservation of the Union, Mr. Stephens attested his devotion and loyalty to his country in her hour of need by enlisting in Company D,
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13th Pennsylvania infantry. He served in the army of the Potomac in Maryland and Virginia, and in May, 1864, crossed the Rapidan, and was in the terrific Wilderness struggles until he had his right arm shot off in the thickest of the fight at Cold Harbor. IIe was removed to a hospital, and after his arm was healed he was placed on light service, from which he was not discharged until 1866. He then returned home, at- tended school for two years, and was en- gaged in teaching in Frankstown and Logan townships until 1882. In that year he came to Altoona, where he embarked in his present grocery business.
In 1870 Mr. Stephens married Maria Reem, daughter of Lieut. Charles Reem, who was a native of near Hollidaysburg, and fell in defense of his country's liberties in the battle of Winchester. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens have a family of six children, two sons and four daughters: Cora J., Annie R., Howard A., Olive G., John Edgar, and Flora M.
William H. Stephens is a member of the Catholic church of Altoona, and Stephen C. Potts Post, No. 62, Grand Army of the Republic. He has been successful in the grocery business, and has a good patronage. Ile is a republican in politics, and has always taken an active part in municipal and political affairs. He is a resident of the sixth ward, and was elected as alderman from that ward in 1885. Toward the close of his term, he was re-elected in February, 1890, for a second term, on which he is now serving in a very creditable manner to himself.
JACOB A. FOX, a resident of Altoona, and who owns and operates the largest marble cutting establishment and the
largest marble yards in the county, is a son of Jacob and Lydia ( Matters ) Fox, and was born at Annville, North Annville township, Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1857. The Fox family, although of Ger- man lineage, yet is by residence one of the old families of the Keystone State. George Fox, the paternal grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch, was a life-long resident of Lebanon county, where he married and reared a family. Ilis son, Jacob Fox (father), was born in 1825, at East Han- over, and now resides at Annville, that county. He received his education in the old subscription schools when they were about to be succeeded by the present free school system, and then learned the trade of shoemaker, which he followed during the winter seasons until about 1872. Ilis time, during the summer months, he gave to brick making, but some years ago he retired from active life. IIe is a member of the United Brethren church, and a republi- can in politics, and in 1892 was elected road supervisor of his township. He married Lydia Matters, who was born in Lebanon county in 1832, and is a member of the United Brethren church. Mr. and Mrs. Fox reared a family of children.
Jacob A. Fox grew to manhood at Ann- ville, and received his education in the common schools. He learned the trade of marble cutter at his native village, and in 1878 came to Altoona, where he served for two years as foreman of Dr. Pierce's marble yard, on Seventeenth street. At the end of that time, in 1880, he went to the marble yard of Demetrius Bradley, where he worked until the death of Mr. Bradley, in 1883. In September of that year he opened a marble shop for himself, and has con- tinued successfully in the marble business
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