USA > Pennsylvania > Blair County > Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Blair County, Pennsylvania > Part 61
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 (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
521
OF BLAIR COUNTY.
early life, but after coming to Blair county was engaged in the hotel business. When he came to Altoona he commenced the erection of a hotel on the site of the Globe house, but made a great mistake in allow- ing himself to be persuaded that the city was declining, and sold his partly erected hotel. After this he conducted the Man- sion, Leonard, and Arcade hotels, of Al- toona. He was a democrat before, and a republican after, the late civil war, and had been identified for several years before his death with the Evangelical Lutheran church. Ile married Rachel Shute, a native of Mifflin county, and a Lutheran. After Mr. Stahl's death, Mrs. Stahl, in 1877, mar- ried George D. Randolph, and still resides in Altoona.
John B. Stahl was reared at Altoona, where he received his education in the pub- lic schools. Leaving school he entered the printing office of the Tribune and learned the trade of printer. In 1883 he became the general agent for the paper, and on No- vember 27, 1891, formed a partnership with D. L. Potter, Joseph J. Sansom, and Charles A. Greer ( all former printers on the Trib- une), under the firm name of Potter, Stahl & Co. They purchased the Daily Times; and have issued it successfully ever since. It is an eight column quarto, contains all of the local news of the city, besides giving everything of State and National interest, together with much choice and valuable miscellaneous matter. It is one of the lead- ing democratic papers of central Pennsyl- vania, has already a circulation of two thousand, with the best of prospects for a continued future increase, and has been mainly brought up to its present high standard and large circulation through the persevering efforts of Mr. Stahl, who ex-
pects soon to issue a weekly sheet in con- nection with the daily.
On March 22, 1883, Mr. Stahl was united in marriage with Eva Keesbury, of Altoona.
In politics Mr. Stahl is a strong and pop- ular democrat. He was city auditor for three years, has served for five years, and was reelected in 1888 for five years more, as clerk of the select council, which, at that time, was a largely republican body, and was barely defeated in 1883 for mayor of the city, on account of being too young a man for the position. Mr. Stahl was chairman of the city democratic committee for two years, served for three years as secretary of the county committee, and has frequently been a delegate to State democratic con- ventions.
A MANDUS G. SINK, proprietor of the Central hotel at Altoona, and for many years prominently identified with the interests of the city, is a son of Christian B. and Catherine ( Gable ) Sink, and was born October 26, 1838, in Olick township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. The Sinks are of Scotch origin, but have been residents of the United States since a very early day. Christian B. Sink ( father) is a native of Chester county, this State, where he grew to manhood, and received the education afforded by the schools of that period. While yet a young man he removed to Berks county, and was married there to Catherine Gable, a native of that county, by whom he had a family of children. She died in 1857, aged thirty-seven years. About 1840 Mr. Sink removed from Berks county to New Hanover township, Mont- gomery county, where he remained until 1853, when he located in Altoona, and has ever since been a resident of Blair county.
522
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
While in Montgomery county he was en- gaged in the hotel business and in mer- chant tailoring, but after removing to Al- toona he embarked in general merchandis- ing, and was thus employed for a number of years. He now resides on his farm, near this city, in his seventy-seventh year, and is quite active for a man of his age. In poli- tics he is a democrat, and for many years has been a member of the Masonic frater- nity. He was very successful during his long and active business career, and in ad- ·dition to his property in Blair county, now owns considerable real estate in the State of Ohio.
Amandus G. Sink came to Altoona with his father when about fifteen years of age. Ilis early education was received in the common schools of Montgomery and Blair counties, and he afterward took a course of training, extending over two years, in Washington college. In 1856 he began reading medicine with Dr. Christy, of this city, and was thus engaged for a period of three years, when his health failed, and he retired to the farm. He remained on the farm about four years, and then engaged in the butchering business in Altoona, which he followed successfully until 1879. In that year he embarked in the general mer- cantile business, and after conducting it for two years became manager of the Central hotel, which he had erected in 1872-73, and is still engaged in this occupation. This hotel is a large four-story structure, one of the finest in the city, and is widely popular with the traveling public. In 1864 he enlisted in the construction corps con- nected with the Federal army, and was on duty for nine months, traveling all through the south. He has been highly successful in his various business enterprises, and, in
addition to his hotel property, is now pro- prietor of the Standard Furniture Com- pany's store, in this city, and owns a fine hay and fruit farm in Logan township, this county, beside considerable valuable real estate in Ohio.
In 1863 Mr. Sink united in marriage with Sallie J. Bonsall, a daughter of Amnos Bonsall, of the city of Philadelphia. To this union was born one child, a son, named Edgar A. Politically Mr. Sink is a demo- crat, and gives his party an unvarying sup- port, but his popularity among his fellow citizens is such that he was elected to a seat in the select council of Altoona, in the spring of 1892, from the First ward, al- though his party is in the minority in that ward by nearly one hundred and sixty votes. He also served in the common council of this city from 1868 to 1872. For the last two years he has been president of the Al- toona Driving Park association, and is a member of the German Reformed church. He is an intelligent, companionable gentle- man whom it is a pleasure to meet.
EDWIN M. AMIES, a rising young lawyer of Altoona, who has already won a fine position at the bar, and is active and influential in local politics, is a. son of Oswald A. and Elizabeth C. ( Mather) Amies, and was born in the city of Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, October 19, 1859. Ilis grandfather Amies was of French ex- traction, a native of Delaware, and a large paper manufacturer at Brandywine, fur- nishing great quantities of paper to the United States government. He died in 1889, at his home in Philadelphia, aged eighty-eight years. He was a republican in politics, and had retired from active
-
1
523
OF BLAIR COUNTY.
business several years prior to his death. Oswald A. Amies (father) was born in Philadelphia, and after attaining manhood engaged in the manufacture of paper at Brandywine, a suburb of Wilmington, Del- aware. Ile was thus engaged in 1861, when that historic shot was fired at Fort Sumter which startled the country like a peal of thunder from a clear sky. Catching in- spiration from the spirit of patriotism that baptized the northern States from the At- lantic to the Pacific, Mr. Amies enlisted in Co. D, 68th Pennsylvania reserves, and at the expiration of his term of three months re-enlisted for three years, and served until the battle of Gettysburg, where, on July 3, 1863, he was killed in action while engaged with his regiment in heroically opposing the advance of the invading Confederates. He was a republican in politics, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was thirty years of age at the time of his death.
By his marriage with Elizabeth C. Mather he had a family of children. She was born in Philadelphia, and died in that city in 1882, after an active and useful life span- ning half a century. She was an earnest and faithful member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and honored the faith she professed.
Edwin M. Amies was reared and edu- cated in the city of Philadelphia, graduat- ing from Gerard college with the class of 1876. On March 4th of that year he en- tered the law office of Alexander & Herr, at Altoona, this county, and after reading law for four years was admitted to the Blair county bar in December, 1880. He at once opened a law office in the city of Altoona, and has ever since been engaged in the practice of his profession in this county. In February, 1882, he was elected
city recorder of Altoona, and faithfully discharged the duties of that office for a period of five years. He is a deep student in law, and has won an honorable standing at the bar.
On November 2, 1881, Mr. Amies was wedded to Laura Bower, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Bower, of Lancaster county, this State. She is a lady of intelligence and refinement, and is very popular among her large circle of friends and acquaint- ances.
In politics Mr. Amies has always been a stanch republican, and has taken an active and prominent part in political affairs, be- ing a local leader of recognized ability and influence. He is pleasant and affable in manner, impressive in appearance, and quick in thought and action. He is a member of Logan Lodge, No. 490, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Mountain Chapter, No. 189, Royal Arch Masons. He is also a member of Lieutenant Pott's Camp, No. 12, Sons of Veterans; Blair Lodge, No. 281, Knights of Pythias; Altoona Lodge, No. 102, Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and the Independent Order of Heptasophs. In all these benevolent and fraternal organ- izations he stands deservedly high, and as a citizen takes rank with the most intelligent and progressive of his county, while his position at the bar gives promise of a bril- liant and useful future career.
GEORGE PRICE, M. D., one of the prominent physicians of Altoona, and proprietor of a first-class drug store in that city, is a graduate from the Pennsylvania State university, and has taken special courses in the leading medical institutions of Philadelphia and New York city. He
1
521
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
is the youngest son of Daniel and Catherine ( McKeethen ) Price, and was born in Bed- ford county, Pennsylvania, on the 8th of Angust, 1849. The Prices are descended from old Welsh stock, Doctor Price's great- grandfather being a native of that part of the British dominions, but emigrating to America and settling in Pennsylvania at an carly day. John Price (grandfather) was born in Huntingdon county, this State, but removed to Fulton county, where he died. Ile was a farmer by occupation, and married and reared a family of children. One of these was Daniel Price (father), who was born in Huntingdon county about 1814, and died at Waterside, Bedford county, in 1879. Hle was a veterinary surgeon by profession, a republican in politics, and took an active interest in political matters. IIe was widely known as a man of great enterprise, won- derful activity, and sound judgment. IIe was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and married Catherine McKeethen, whose father was a native of Ireland, but came to America and settled in the old Keystone State, from whence he enlisted in the United States army during the progress of the Mexican war, and fell fighting on the plains of Mexico. By this marriage Daniel Price had a family of seven children, three sons and four daughters: Eliza, married John Bayer, a farmer of Bedford county ; Mary Ann, married Joseph Snowden, also a farmer, and residing in the same county; Leah; David, who enlisted in Co. C, 110th Pennsylvania infantry, served until the close of the civil war (being wounded three times), and is now serving as sheriff of Bedford county, having been elected by the republicans, of which party he is an active and prominent member; Daniel, who en- listed in the army during the great civil
war, and served first in the 205th Pennsyl- vania infantry, and later in the 133d regi- ment from the same State ( receiving serious injury at Petersburg ), and is now a moulder, employed at Indianapolis, Indiana; Cath- erine, married David Carpenter, who served as a soldier during the civil war, and now resides at Roaring Spring, this county ; and George, the subject of this sketch.
George Price grew to manhood in his native county of Bedford, and was educated in the public schools there. He was a quick and earnest student, making use of every advantage that came within his reach, and started in life with an honorable ambition to achieve success, and a strength of pur- pose that never faltered. Ilis youthful mind was early drawn toward the medical profession, and soon after leaving school he entered the office of Doctor Long, at New Enterprise, and began reading medicine. After he had made considerable progress in his studies he entered the medical depart- ment of the university of Pennsylvania, and was graduated from that well known insti- tution in 1878, with the degree of M. D. In the fall of that year he located at New Enterprise, Bedford county, but after a brief period spent in practice he determined to more thoroughly qualify himself for the intricate duties of his profession, and ac- cordingly went to New York city, where he took a special course at the State university, and at the Bellevue Medical college, giving particular attention to the diseases of women. When he had completed these special lines of study he returned to Bedford county and opened an office at Lloydville, where he practiced for a time. But his ambition was not yet satisfied. He had started with a de- termination to make himself master of the healing art, and in doing so resolved to use
525
OF BLAIR COUNTY.
every advantage which the medical institu- tions of this country could offer. In 1879 he went to Philadelphia, and for eighteen months pursued a special course of study on the diseases of the eye and ear, under the instruction of two distinguished special- ists, Professors Norris and Risley. At the same time he was engaged in the study of homeopathy -a school of medicine with which he had been very favorably im- pressed. On his return to practice he lo- cated for a short time at New Enterprise, but on January 16, 1883, removed to Al- toona, where he opened an office, and has ever since been engaged in the general practice of medicine. The energy he in- herited and the knowledge and skill he has acquired could not fail to make an impres- sion in any community, and Doctor Price at once took high rank in his profession, and now has a large and lucrative practice. lle is still an earnest student of the great science to which he dedicated his life, and keeps step with the march of progress in his special lines. In addition to his prac- tice he owns a fine drug store in the city, and has already accumulated a handsome fortune.
On September 12, 1882, Doctor Price was united in marriage with Ada G. Me- Cleary. This union has been blessed by the birth of an only child, a daughter hamed Mary Increleo, born June 7, 1885. On March 18, 1887, Mrs. Price died, and was greatly mourned by a wide circle of friends, who had been won by her fine social qualities, sterling character and genuine womanhood.
Doctor Price is a stanch republican in politics, taking an active interest in all pub- lic questions, and is very popular among his party associates. He enlisted in Co. D,
99th Pennsylvania infantry, and served dur- ing the last six months of the great civil war, and is a member of Stephen C. Potts Post, No. 62, Grand Army of the Republic. Ile is now serving as secretary of the board of pension examiners for Blair county, and is an active and prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Altoona.
W ILLIAM J. McFEELY, manager of the Franklin house at Altoona, pro- prietor of the - White Hall hotel in the same city, and one of the many successful young business men of this county, is a son of Joseph P. and Julia A. (Nagle) McFeely, and was born in Clearfield township, Cam- bria county, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of November, 1858. The family is of Irish origin, and was planted in America by Bernard McFeely (grandfather), who was born in the Emerald Isle about 1798, and came to the United States while yet a boy. HIe located first at Carlisle, Cumberland county, and from there removed to Cam- bria county, where he was among the early settlers of Clearfield township. There he continued to reside until his death in 1873, at the advanced age of seventy-five years. He was a farmer by occupation, and spent nearly all his active life in the cultivation of the soil. He served as a soldier in the war with Mexico, and was a democrat in politics. In religion he was a Roman Catholic, and married and reared a large family, among his sons being Joseph P. McFeely (father). The latter was born in Clearfield township, Cambria county. There he was reared and received such education as was afforded by the country schools of that day. He became a farmer, and was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits
526
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
until his early death, when only twenty- two years of age. In politics he was an ardent democrat, in religion a strict mem- ber of the Catholic church, and a man of energy, enterprise and ability. He married Julia A. Nagle, by whom he had a family of children. She is a native of Clearfield township, Cambria county, and resides with her son, William J., being now in her fifty- fifth year. She is a member of the Cath- olie church. Her father, John Nagle, ma- ternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Cambria county, and a farmer. He settled in Clearfield township at an early day, when his nearest neighbor was sixteen miles away, and pur- chased and cleared out the farm on which he lived until his death. In later years he became very prosperous, and was widely known and highly esteemed. He served in the war of 1812, and also in the war with Mexico. He was a man of powerful physi- cal development, active and energetic in disposition, and lived to be a centenarian, dying at his home in Cambria county. Until after his ninety-ninth birthday he remained very active, and was only con- fined to the house for three months pre- vious to his death. He was of Irish de- scent, a democrat in politics, and a Catholic in religion.
William J. McFeely was reared on the farm in Cambria county until after he was twelve years of age, when he removed to Blair county. IIe received a primary edu- cation in the common schools, but his most valuable knowledge has been obtained in the practical school of actual life, where he has been a student of men and things for many years. When a young man he went into the lumber regions and worked at whatever he could get to do, and was thus
employed until 1884, when he engaged as clerk in a hotel. He remained there one year, after which he became clerk in the Brandt house, of this city, for a period of five years. In February, 1890, he em- barked in the business on his own account, and opened the hotel known as the Frank- lin house, at No. 906 Seventeenth street, which he is still managing. In August, 1891, he purchased what is now known as the White Hall hotel, located on Sixteenth street, between Union and Twelfth avenues, Altoona. This is a large and commodious structure, with livery stables attached, and Mr. McFeely expects to take charge of this hotel some time during the present season (1892), and will thereafter devote his best energies to the entertainment of the travel- ing publie in his own building. He has had a wide experience in the hotel business, and has been very successful and popular in his management.
On November 6, 1883, Mr. McFeely was united in marriage with Annie E. Lutton, of Cambria county, this State, who died June 14, 1884. On the 12th of July, 1887, he wedded Katie Kehough, of the city of Altoona. To this last union have been born two children, one son and a daughter : Mary J. and William J., jr.
In his political affiliations Mr. McFeely is a democrat, and gives his party a hearty support. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church of this city, and stands high as a business man and citizen,
H. PRICE GRAFFIUS, a resident of Altoona, and the junior member of the well known legal firm of Shaw & Graf- fius, is a son of Abraham and Rachel (Sisler) Graffius, and was born at Yellow
-
527
OF BLAIR COUNTY.
Springs, Blair county, Pennsylvania, May 14, 1861. The Graffius family" is one of the most widely known families of IIunt- ingdon county, and its numerous descend- ants are now widely settled throughout central Pennsylvania. Martin Nicholas Graffius, the founder of the family, was born May 2, 1722, and died May 20, 1790. IIis eleven children, who were born between 1746 and 1770, were: Nicholas, Peter, Re- becca, John, Abraham, Mary, Elizabeth, Catherine, Martin, and Jacob. Nicholas, the eldest child, married Elizabeth Coryell, by whom he had eleven children: Jacob, Martin, Abraham, Catherine, Mary, Mar- garet, Elizabeth, Susan, Hettie Charlotte, and Lydia. John, the third son of Martin Nicholas Graffius, settled on the Raystown Branch, in Huntington county, where he reared a family of children, of whom three were sons: Abraham, Jacob, and William.
Abraham Graffius (father ), was born on the Raystown Branch in 1827. In 1840 he came to Catherine township, where he re- mained until 1866, when he removed to Petersburg, Huntingdon county, at which place he has resided continuously ever since. While reared on a farm and trained to farming, yet when he came to commence life for himself he engaged in stock dealing, which he followed successfully for many years. Through stock-dealing he became widely known throughout Huntingdon and adjoining counties, but of late years he has retired from active business, and is living a quiet life at Petersburg. He is a republi- can in politics, but never took any promi- nent or active part in political affairs, as his time was given to his business. IIe married Rachel Sisler, who was born in Catherine township in 1836, and is a mem- ber of the Evangelical Lutheran church.
II. Price Graffius was reared principally at Petersburg, Huntingdon county, and re- ceived his education in private and normal schools. He attended the Shippensburg Normal school, of Cumberland county, for some time, and then entered the Lock Haven Normal school, of Clinton county, from which educational institution he was graduated in the class of 1881. After graduation he taught two terms at Peters- burg, and then read law with George B. Orlady, of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. He was admitted to the bar December 14, 1885, and after making an extended tour through the western States and territories, he came to Altoona, where, on December 1, 1886, he entered into his present law partner- ship with Edmund Shaw, under the firm name of Shaw & Graffius. They have a very fine practice, and Mr. Graffius gives the closest of attention to all cases intrusted to his care and management.
June 3, 1890, Mr. Graffius was united in marriage with Cora Roush, daughter of Mrs. S. A. Roush, of Altoona. Their union has been blessed with one child, a son, named Edmund Shaw.
H. Price Graffius is a member of Oak Hall Lodge, No. 783, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias. He is a republican in politics, and has al- ways been active in the interests of his party as well as being a believer in its cardinal principles.
CAPT. AMBROSE M. AULTZ, who commanded a company in the 205th regiment Pennsylvania volunteers during the late civil war, was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, in 1844. He was a son of Samuel Aultz, who is now a retired
528
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
farmer of Blair county. Captain Aultz commenced the study of law with Judge Banks, of Altoona, and shortly after enter- ing the office the dark days preceding Get- tysburg and Vicksburg came, and he re- linquished his legal studies to respond to his country's call for men in her hour of peril. He enlisted as a private in a regi- ment of Pennsylvama volunteers, and after the expiration of his nine months' term of service he re-enlisted in the 205th regi- ment, in which he served until June 2, 1865, when he was mustered out of the United States service at Alexandria, Vir- ginia. Upon entering the 205th regiment he was commissioned second lieutenant. Soon afterward, for bravery on the battle- field, he was promoted to captain, and com- manded a company until the close of the war. At the battle of Petersburg, the color-bearer falling mortally wounded, Cap- tain Aultz picked up the colors, and in the act of planting them on the enemy's works, was shot down. Ile was not fatally wounded, yet had to be carried off the field. He was greatly beloved by his men on account of his manly principles, superb bravery, and tender solicitude for those under his command. He was deservedly popular throughout the regiment, and was known as the "boy captain." After the war he came to Tyrone, where he was en- gaged in business until his death, which occurred on February 17, 1874. He was a di mocrat in politics, and had always been an active and energetic worker for the suc- cess of his party. In 1873 Captain Aultz was honored by his party with a nomina- tion for the house of representatives of Pennsylvania, and received a handsome vote in a county which was then republican by a large majority.
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.