USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and personal history > Part 15
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and personal history > Part 15
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Levi Deal, eighth child and fifth son of Edwin and Nancy (Lepley) Deal, was born at Deal postoffice, Somerset county, May 3, 1860. He obtained his education in the old log-house school, called Baker school, in Larimer township. He left the schoolroom at the age of eighteen, and for the succeeding three years was engaged by his father in the saw, planing and grist
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mill. He then turned his attention to the carpenter and mill- wright trade, in which he became proficient and at which he worked until 1886. He then decided to go in business for him- self, and in the last named year he and his brother Herman em- barked in the lumber business, conducting the establishment under the firm name of H. & L. Deal, at Deal's Mills, Somerset county, Pennsylvania. Between the years 1886 and 1895 they had cut about eleven million feet of lumber. In 1895 Levi sold his interest to his brother Herman and purchased a large tract of lumber land at Pinkerton, Pennsylvania, and continued his lumber operations there until 1898, when he formed a partner- ship with H. C. Huston, of that place. This arrangement ex- isted until 1903, and during this period the firm cut seven mill- ion feet of lumber a year, besides two hundred thousand rail- road ties, tanbark and telegraph poles. In 1903 Mr. Deal sold his interest in the enterprise to Mr. H. M. Lytle, of Braddock, Pennsylvania. He then took a much-needed vacation of about six months.
When he again engaged in active pursuits Mr. Deal gave his attention exclusively to the coal industry. He is at pres- ent interested in various commercial enterprises, among them being the following: The Penn-Marva Coal Company, of Gar- rett, Pennsylvania, of which Mr. Deal is treasurer and general manager; the Erie Coal Company, of Meyersdale, of which he is vice-president and director. He is director in the Scott- Ogilvie Coal Company, which has recently been exchanged for real estate in Columbus, Ohio, valued at $50,000. He is a large stockholder in the following concerns: Livingood Coal and Coke Company, of Meyersdale; Littleton tract of coal land in Wetzel county, West Virginia; the Citizens' National Bank of Meyersdale, of which he is also a director; First National Bank of Garrett, Pennsylvania; International Trust Company, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Economy Telegraphy Company, Somerset, Pennsylvania. He is vice-president of Bergholtz Mining Company, of Bergholtz, Ohio, which, with his brother Ezra, he controls. In his political relations Mr. Deal affiliates with the Democratic party, and is always ready and willing to lend his assistance to any enterprise tending to advance the in- terests of the party and the community. Fraternally he holds membership in the B. P. O. E., No. 175, of Johnstown, Penn- sylvania. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
Levi Deal married, April 14, 1889, Margaret B. Scott, a daughter of David C. Scott, of New Centerville, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and they have the following children : Leora M., born July 30, 1890; Edwin S., September 7, 1892; James M., September 24, 1893; Marian D., February 3, 1894; and Nancy Marie, March 15, 1895. Mr. Deal's residence on
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Meyers avenue, Meyersdale, built in 1900, is a beautiful stone structure with all modern ideas embodied to secure telling effect and comfortable living.
JOHN LIVENGOOD BARCHUS.
John Livengood Barchus, president of the First National Bank and a prominent business man of Salisbury, is a son of Daniel Barchus, of English ancestry, and a grandson of John Barchus, who was the son of - and Elizabeth (Jones) Barchus, the former an Ohio farmer and the latter a native of Ireland.
John Barchus was born in Ohio, and when a young man came to Garrett county, Maryland. He was a miner and farmer. His teams, driven by his sons, Otho G. and Daniel, were em- ployed in teaming on the National pike. In Garrett county, Maryland, Mr. Barchus met Elizabeth Porter, of Scotch an- cestry, to whom he was married September 12, 1811. Their children were: Otho Gwinn, born in 1812, a wagoner and a mail coach driver in the mail coach days on the pike, who died in 1883. Daniel, see forward. John Barchus died in 1868. His wife, Elizabeth (Porter) Barchus, died the preceding year. Daniel Barchus, second son of John and Elizabeth (Por- ter) Barchus, and father of John L. Barchus, was born in Allegany county, Maryland, December 27, 1820. He received the limited education that the schools of his day afforded, and in 1838 began teaming on the "pike" with his brother, Otho G. An incident in his career at this time is quite interesting. When the Baltimore & Ohio railroad was built to Cumberland, Maryland, among the first goods to arrive was a consignment of freight for Wheeling, Virginia, this shipment weighing six thousand pounds. Mr. Barchus contracted to deliver it in Wheeling in six days, a feat he accomplished. The mer- chants of Wheeling met the six-horse team, drawing the load, outside the city and escorted Mr. Barchus in. In the evening there was public rejoicing over the then unprecedented event of freight reaching Wheeling from Baltimore in seven days. Mr. Barchus was also a postillion or mail rider in those olden days. After the decline of the pike Mr. Barchus engaged in coal mining in the Frostburg region for a time and then bought a farm in Allegany county, Maryland. After a time he re- moved to a Somerset county farm, and from there to Fayette county, Pennsylvania. In 1870 he located in Salisbury and for nine years was the proprietor of the Valley House. In 1879 he bought a farm near Hagerstown, Maryland, on which he re- sided for six years. At this time Mrs. Barchus died and he sold out and returned to Salisbury, Pennsylvania, where for the last ten years of his life he was a guest at the Valley House,
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then and now conducted by his son-in-law, Henry Loechel. Mr. Barchus invested in coal lands, and by careful management of his various enterprises became a man of considerable wealth. He had a wonderful memory and could recall each business transaction and keep faithful records without the aid of books. He was a man of the strictest business integrity, was a mem- ber of the German Baptist Brethren church and an adherent of the Republican party.
Mr. Barchus was twice married. His first wife was Har- riet, a daughter of Moses Poland, of Virginia. They were mar- ried in 1852, but after a brief married life of three years Mrs. Barchus passed away on June 27, 1855, at the age of nineteen. One child was born of this marriage, Annie Elizabeth, January 9, 1855; she is the wife of Henry Loechel, proprietor of the Valley House, Salisbury. January 15, 1857, Mr. Barchus mar- ried Barbara, daughter of David Livengood, of Salisbury. Mrs. Barbara (Livengood) Barchus was a direct descendant of Peter Livengood, the Swiss emigrant, who founded the family in America. (See the Livengood ancestry on another page of the work.) To Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Barchus were born two sons: David L., who died in 1864, aged five years; and John L., see forward. Daniel Barchus died August, 1900. His wife, Barbara (Livengood) Barchus, died September 12, 1884.
John Livengood Barchus was born October 10, 1865, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and was about five years of age when the family moved to Salisbury, where he attended school until the removal to Hagerstown, Maryland, where he was a student at the academy of that place. He engaged in mercan- tile life in Salisbury, as a clerk for a time. To perfect himself in correct business methods, he entered a commercial college in Baltimore, Maryland, and took a special course, and after com- pleting the same went to Kansas, where he clerked in a store for a friend. On his return in 1889 he opened a clothing and furnishing store in Salisbury, which, in 1895, became the pres- ent firm of Barchus & Livengood through the admission of A. E. Livengood, whose sketch appears on another page of this work. In 1889 Mr. Barchus founded the Valley Bank in Salis- bury, and in 1902 organized, with other leading men of the town, the First National Bank of Salisbury, and was chosen its first president. This institution has been wisely and con- servatively conducted and enjoys the confidence of the banking public. Their deposits for a small town are unsually large, reaching over two hundred thousand dollars, with a surplus fund of fifteen thousand. Mr. Barchus is interested in other business enterprises. He is a director in the Improved Trac- tion Engine Company, and in the Livengood Coal and Coke Company, a West Virginia corporation. He is secretary and
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treasurer of the Salisbury Coal and Lumber Company of West Virginia, and director of the Citizens' Light, Heat and Power Company of Salisbury. Mr. Barchus is one of the incorpo- rators of the Pennsylvania and Maryland Street Railway Com- pany, in which he also serves as secretary and treasurer. This company will build and operate an electric line from Salisbury to Meyersdale, and are now consolidating with another company with a view to extending the line through Somerset county to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and south to Frostburg and Cumber- land, Maryland. Work is now (1906) under way between Salis- bury and Meyersdale and the towns will soon be connected. Mr. Barchus is a Republican. For six years he served as presi- dent of the borough council, and for four years as school di- rector. He is a consistent member of the Brethren church of Salisbury.
Mr. Barchus is a worthy scion of a worthy sire. He is a man of many sterling characteristics, with strict regard for commercial ethics, with a high standard of citizenship and with social qualities that render him popular with his circle of friends. His career has been one of perseverance and enter- prise and is indeed worthy of commendation and should serve as an example to young men who are ambitious and desire to succeed in the business world. Never shrinking a duty, and never seeking an honor, he is ever ready to give support and encouragement to all undertakings that have for their objects the elevation and advancement of mankind and the growth and prosperity of his adopted town.
Mr. Barchus married, October 10, 1899, Mary Edna, born August 21, 1878, daughter of Captain Q. A. McClure, of Mc- Keesport, Pennsylvania. She was educated in the public schools of Mckeesport and Bucknell University of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and is a member of the Baptist church. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. John L. Barchus: J. MeClure, April 10, 1902; Dorothy, May 12, 1906.
GURDON E. BISHOP.
Gurdon E. Bishop, editor of the Meyersdale Republican, Meyersdale, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, was born June 13, 1862, at Owego, Tioga county, New York, the son of Peleg Tabor and Estella (Evans) Bishop.
His grandfather, James Henry Bishop, was also a native of Owego. He married Abigail Tabor, of Union Springs, Ca- yuga county, New York. Their children were: Jane, Sarah, Rettie, Anna, Celia, Frederick H. and Peleg Tabor.
Peleg Tabor Bishop (father) was born at Owego, October 17, 1834. He was a carriage maker by trade, and carried on business at Owego, where he established the Owego Carriage
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Works. In 1871 he removed with his family to Winneconne, Wisconsin, and engaged in the same business, which he is con- tinuing at this date (1906). His wife was Estella Evans, a daughter of Henry Evans, of Owego, New York, to whom he was married November 25, 1859. They had the following chil- dren: Gurdon Earle, of whom later; James H., born Septem- ber 5, 1866; Nettie, born September 5, 1870. died October 15, 1904; she was the wife of P. J. Roblee; Rettie, born August 15, 1874, wife of C. W. Rogers, of Wisconsin.
Gurdon Earle Bishop attended the public schools in Owego until his father's family removed to Wisconsin, and was a student in the Winneconne schools until 1876. Immediately after leaving the school-room he entered into an apprenticeship to learn the newspaper business with Frank S. Verbeck, who was then the proprietor of the Winneconne Local, and is the present manager of the Inland type foundry of Chicago. When he was in the third year of his five years' apprenticeship his employer, Mr. Verbeck, removed to Neenah, Wisconsin, and Mr. Bishop followed him and there completed his trade on the Neenah Times. From there he went to Milwaukee, and in 1881 became press agent for W. W. Cole's circus, remaining with them until 1885. Mr. Bishop's next removal was to Dixon, Illinois, in 1887, where he founded the Daily Star. He con- tinued this successfully until 1891, when he sold out the estab- lishment and went to Marshalltown, Iowa, and was there en- gaged for a year on the Times-Republican. In 1892 he removed to Ida Grove, Iowa, and was editor of the Ida County Pioneer until 1894. He next went to Monticello, Iowa, where he owned and conducted the Jones County Times until 1900, when he sold out and came to Meyersdale, where he has since made his resi- dence. He is now engaged in the conduct of the Meyersdale Republican, which paper enjoys the confidence of the public and a very generous patronage. Mr. Bishop is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Lutheran church, Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America.
Mr. Bishop married, December 25, 1887, at Falls City, Ne- braska, Rose C. Macgregor, and they have one child, Earle Ronald, born November 17, 1889, at Dixon, Illinois.
WILLIAM THOMAS HOBLITZELL.
The Hoblitzells came originally from Lorraine, Germany, at an early date and settled in Norfolk, Virginia. Six brothers, one of whom, Jacob, was the great-grandfather of William T. Hoblitzell, removed to Annapolis, Maryland, in 1780. They were a family of builders, contractors and manufacturers. In 1800 Jacob removed to Cumberland, Maryland, where he at once became prominent in business life. He was the largest
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brick manufacturer of his day and became engaged in coal mining on a large scale. He was the first sheriff of what now constitutes Allegheny and Washington counties, and served in the state legislature. His second wife, Amy Bell, bore him three children, one of whom, Dennis, was the father of James J. Hoblitzell.
Dennis Hoblitzell was born in Cumberland, Maryland, about 1812. He inherited all the family traits and engaged in con- tracting, building, mercantile life and steamboating. He was also a contractor on the national pike, extending from Balti- more westward. He was one of the delegates selected to revise the state constitution in 1827. He married Sarah A. Stoddard, and they were the parents of James J., William T. and Eliz- abeth Hoblitzell.
James J. Hoblitzell was born at Pleasant Mills, near Cum- berland, Maryland, in 1832. He received a good common school education and learned the trade of saddler and harness-maker in Cumberland, where in 1852 he opened his own store and manufactory. He later extended his business to Frostburg and then to Pittsburg, operating in the three cities. During the war he contracted for large amounts of military equipment with the government, faithfully fulfilling his obligations. He later be- came engaged in milling and very extensively in oil lands and leases in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Tennessee. Other business undertakings of Mr. Hoblitzell were the Savage Brick Company, a very large plant, the Baltimore & Cumberland Coal Company, the Willmetto Limestone Company, and others. Po- litically he was a Republican and served as mayor of Frostburg. He is still active in business life and is now (1906) in Illinois, where he has important business interests. In 1851 Mr. Hob- litzell was married to Julia K. Hartzell. Of this marriage there were born thirteen children, one of whom, William T., is the direct subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Hoblitzell were Meth- odists in religion.
William Thomas Hoblitzell, secretary, treasurer and gen- eral manager of the Meyersdale Coal Company, Meyersdale, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, was born at Pittsburg, Decem- ber 14, 1853. He attended school at Frostburg, Maryland, until he was seventeen years of age, and in 1870 entered the Agricult- ural College, at College Station, Maryland, remaining there un- til 1872.
He then went to Meyersdale and found employment in the Hoblitzell & Hockings general mercantile store, continuing there for six months. He then identified himself as bookkeeper and general manager with the Savage Fire Brick Company, being thus engaged from 1875 to 1895. In the last named year he be- came secretary, treasurer and general manager of the company
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and continued in this capacity until April, 1902. The firm oper- ated three large plants situated at Keystone Junction, Williams and Hyndman, Bedford county. During the period he was con- nected with this firm Mr. Hoblitzell was also associated with his father and brother in the conduct of general stores at each of the three towns named. In 1902 he sold his interest in the brick business, and in October of that year, in company with F. B. Black and others, he organized the Meyersdale Coal Com- pany, of which he is secretary, treasurer and general manager. He is also interested in various other commercial enterprises among them being the Sandspring Water Company of Meyers- dale, of which he is president, the First National Bank of Gar- rett and the Citizens' National Bank of Meyersdale, in both of which he is a large stockholder. In political relations Mr. Hoblitzell accords allegiance to the Republican party, and is in- terested in all community affairs. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of Cumberland, Maryland, No. 63. In religious faith he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Meyersdale.
William T. Hoblitzell married, May 8, 1879, Susan L. Black, daughter of George J. and Margaret Black, of Somerfield, Mad- ison township. Miss Black was educated in the public schools. The young couple began their married life in Meyersdale, which has ever since been their home. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoblitzell: Margaret, married William H. Leas, chief chemist of the United States Leather Company at Ridgway, Pennsylvania; they have one son, John. James J., graduate of State College, class of 1904, now a civil and mining engineer at Meyersdale. George B., learning the same pro- fession with his brother. Julia, died in childhood.
CYRUS W. TRUXAL.
Cyrus W. Truxal, one of Meyersdale's foremost merchants and leading citizens, was born near Greensburg, Westmoreland county, May 14, 1850. He is a son of Elder William Truxal, who was born about 1812. William Truxal was a farmer. He was twice married; by his first wife he had two children: Si- mon P. and Sophia. His second wife was Annie Rugh, and to them were born children, as follows: Albert E., whose sketch appears on another page; Lucinda (Mrs. David B. Fish- er), William J., Cyrus W., see forward; Almira C. (Mrs. Mitchel Horn), Jacob R. and Edward F. William Truxal was a member and an elder of the Reformed church. In politics he was a Democrat.
Cyrus W. Truxal received his early education in the com- mon schools of Hempfield and Unity townships, which he at- tended until 1868. After leaving school he engaged in agricult-
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ure until 1875, when he removed to Somerset county and en- gaged in a general mercantile business with C. A. Walter at Gebharts, Milford township. In the spring of 1881 Mr. Truxal removed to Glade, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the same line of business until 1883, when he located in Meyersdale and opened a retail grocery, which business he still retains. In the spring of 1901, with others, he organized the Second National Bank of Meyersdale and became its first president, an office he still holds. This has been an exceedingly successful institution and ranks as one of the solid financial houses of this section. Mr. Truxal is also president of the Meyersdale Sheet Steel Com- pany and a director in the Mahoning Coal Company, the Somer- set Telephone Company, and has large interests in various coal and other enterprises.
While Mr. Truxal is an eminently successful and practi- cal business man, this trait shows only one side of his nature. He is essentially a great reader and a deep thinker. All through his business life he has cultivated his intellectual nature and his well stocked library of metaphysical, theological and scien- tific books shows the depth of his research and the wide range and scope of his reading. He is well versed in philosophy and in the various sciences, political economy, theology, aesthetics, anthropology and psychology. Although still active in the con- duct of his business, Mr. Truxal has thrown off many of its cares and gives more time to his favorite books and subjects of thought. He is a strong debater and delights in friendly con- troversy with well informed and congenial minds. Mr. Truxal is interested in all subjects pertaining to his city and her bet- terment and development and can always be found working with those who have this end in view. He is a member of the Re- formed church of Meyersdale and is closely identified with the interests of that body. He has represented his church in the county conferences and both his time and purse are largely con- tributed from. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party.
Mr. Truxal married, May 5, 1877, Martha J., daughter of William Zimmerman, of Somerset county. William Zimmerman was one of the influential men of the northern part of the county. He was a farmer. He was an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party. In church fellowship he was of the Reformed faith. Martha J., his daughter and wife of C. W. Truxal, was reared in the same religious faith and has never departed therefrom. She received her education in the public schools. While a young woman of twenty she became deeply interested in primary Sabbath school work, and in this line of church work she has been engaged for the past thirty- two years. At the present time she has one hundred and sev-
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enty-five children under her care in the Sabbath school of the Reformed church of Meyersdale, of which she and her husband are members. Although no children of their own have ever gladdened the home of Mr. and Mrs. Truxal, they have ever been the friends of children and have taken to their hearts and reared three, two of whom were taken from them by death. Mr. Truxal is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Meyers- dale.
WILLIAM THOMAS McMILLAN, M. D.
William Thomas McMillan, M. D., one of the most progress- ive and popular of the younger physicians in Meyersdale, Som- erset county, Pennsylvania, was born at Accident, Garrett county, Maryland, June 17, 1871, a son of Eli and Catherine A. (Walker) McMillan, grandson of John K. and Mary (Rush) McMillan, and great-grandson of John McMillan.
John McMillan (great-grandfather) was a native of Somer- set county, Pennsylvania, and was a large landowner and farm- er. He was one of the prominent men of his day, was a man of good principles and strong religious temperament, also a leading member of the Methodist church. He died at the ad- vanced age of ninety-one years. Of the previous family his- tory little can be learned further than they were Somerset county pioneers and tillers of the soil.
John K. McMillan (grandfather) was born in Somerset county and spent his entire life there. He learned the trade of a tanner, a business he followed throughout his active years in connection with his farming interests, which were very large, he being one of the wealthy, influential men of his section. He was a Whig originally, but on the formation of the Republican party cast his political fortunes with that organization. He served four years as postmaster of Upper Turkey Foot, Penn- sylvania, and held various township offices. He married (first) Mary, daughter of Jacob Rush, and of the six children born to them one was Eli, of whom more will be written. Mary (Rush) McMillan died at the early age of thirty-nine. John K. McMil- lan married (second) Sarah Critchfield, who bore him two sons. John K. McMillan married (third) Clarissa Williams, by whom there was no issue. Mr. McMillan died at the age of seventy- four.
Eli McMillan (father) was born on the homestead farm in Upper Turkey Foot township, November 27, 1828, the last born child of his parents. He was reared on the farm and received his education in the township schools. He learned the trade of a harnessmaker under the preceptorship of his brother Reuben, and at the age of twenty-five removed to Garrett county, Mary- land. In 1852 he opened a harness shop in Accident, Garrett
W. T.M. Millau M. W.
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county, for the manufacture and repair of all kinds of harness and leather horse goods. He met with most excellent success and became one of the leading men of the town. He purchased and operated a farm of one hundred acres near the town, this undertaking being in addition to his harness business. He was industrious and thrifty, kept abreast of the times and was deeply interested in political, religious and temperance sub- jects, also in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the people. He was prominently identified with the Order of Good Tem- plars and was an earnest worker in the cause of temperance. In religious faith he was a Lutheran and one of the oldest mem- bers of the church at Accident, which he served as deacon and elder. Politically he was a local leader of the Republican party. He served for two years as county commissioner and for ten years as justice of the peace. Under Governor Lowndes he was appointed magistrate, in which capacity he made an hon- orable record.
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