USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and personal history > Part 30
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and personal history > Part 30
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He married, May 18, 1904, Edna, a daughter of Edgar Kyle, ex-sheriff of Meyersdale. One child, John Kyle, born May 5, 1905.
WILLIAM H. HABEL.
William H. Habel, a representative business man of Mey- ersdale, who has achieved a large degree of success in his undertaking as a result of earnest and close application, energy
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and perseverance, was born at Bebra, Germany, December 17, 1855. His parents, Conrad and Elizabeth (Knieriem) Habel, natives of Germany, came to the United States in January, 1866. Their family consisted of the following children: Anna D., born October 20, 1850; William H., December 17, 1855; John, January 27, 1859; Sophia, February 5, 1863; Henry A., January 15, 1866; Frederick, September, 1868. Conrad Habel (father) was born September 13, 1822, died September 10, 1892.
William H. Habel attended the public schools of Greenville township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, whither his parents removed upon their arrival in this country in 1866, and com- pleted his studies therein at the age of nineteen years. He taught school for six terms, or until 1881, in which year he became telegraph operator for the Baltimore & Ohio railroad at Sandpatch, and later accepted a position as freight, ticket and express agent at Meyersdale, serving in that capacity until 1898. He then established a grocery business at Meyersdale, which he conducted alone most successfully up to 1905, in which year he admitted Charles A. Phillips as a partner. His store is well stocked with a full line of staple articles, and they enjoy the patronage of many of the leading families of the town. He is a stockholder and director in the Second National Bank, and a stockholder in the Meyersdale Sheet Steel Company and The Somerset Telephone Company. He takes an active interest in public affairs of his adopted town, and was chosen by his fellow townsmen to serve as councilman and member of the school board, serving nine years in the former and three years in the latter position. He is a member of the Reformed church, and a member of the Masonic Order, affiliating with Lodge No. 554, F. and A. M., Hebron Chapter, No. 272, R. A. M., and Com- mandery No. 49, K. T., Uniontown. He is a staunch adherent of the principles of Republicanism.
Mr. Habel married, July 15, 1883, Emma Frances Troutman, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Troutman, of South Hamp- ton township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania. Their children are : Harry Franklin, born April 16, 1884; John Alpheus, September 8, 1885; Emma Frances, April 28, 1887.
NORMAN E. MILLER.
Norman E. Miller, of Meyersdale, senior member of the firm of Miller & Collins, is a native of Summit Mills, Somer- set county, Pennsylvania, born November 24, 1853, son of Ephraim and Lydia (Miller) Miller, and grandson on the pater- nal side of Daniel Miller, and on the maternal side of Peter Miller, of Summit township.
Ephraim Miller (father) born at Summit township, Som-
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merset county, Pennsylvania, January 20, 1820, on the Miller farm, which is now known as the Lichty farm. He devoted his time and attention to farming and mercantile pursuits, and at one time was the oldest postmaster in the state, serving in that capacity at Summit Mills. He was straightforward and honest in all his transactions, enterprising and public-spirited, and therefore won the esteem of his fellow townsmen. Mr. Miller married, about 1845, Lydia Berkley, who died about 1847, leav- ing one child. Simon B., born 1846, who married Lydia Fike, of Summit township, and they now reside in Iowa. In 1851 Mr. Miller married for his second wife Lydia Miller, daughter of Peter Miller, aforementioned, and the following named chil- dren were the issue: Uriah M., born March 20, 1852; Norman E., November 24, 1853, of whom later; Mary, October 17, 1856; Ellen, June 28, 1860: and Maggie, September 28, 1865.
Norman E. Miller attended the public schools of Summit Mills until sixteen years of age, after which he clerked for D. H. Wolfsburg, of Rockwood, who conducted a restaurant and general store. He then pursued a course of advanced studies at the California State Normal school, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and from 1873 to 1877 was employed in the Key- stone mines and general store. In the latter named year he located in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, where he was employed as a salesman for different lines until 1883, when he opened a department store in partnership with G. W. Collins under the firm name of Miller & Collins, which they are conducting at the present time. He is vice-president and director of the Second National Bank, and a stockholder in the Meyersdale Sheet Steel Company, one of the leading enterprises of that town. He is a member of the Brethren church, and his political alle- giance is given to the Republican party.
Mr. Miller married, December 31, 1876, Fanny Schrock, daughter of the Rev. John C. Schrock, of Somerset, Pennsyl- vania. Two children were the issue: Robert, born September 18. 1880, married, October 1, 1903, Margaret Bittner, daughter of Samuel Bittner, of Meyersdale. Walter, born June 10, 1886, died June 2, 1900.
JOSIAH MOSTOLLER.
Josiah Mostoller, of Stonycreek township, is a great- grandson of Frederick Mostoller, a native of Germany, who settled near Friedens, where he took up a large timber tract and cleared a farm. He married and founded the family in Pennsylvania. His children were: George, of whom later; John and two daughters.
George Mostoller, son of Frederick Mostoller, was a farmer, a Whig and a Lutheran. He married a Miss Mowry,
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who bore him the following children: Sarah, wife of Isaac Wendell; Daniel, of whom later; Samuel Uriah, a veteran of the civil war; and Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Swank. Mr. Mos- toller died in 1856, being then seventy years old.
Daniel Mostoller, son of George Mostoller, was born in 1827, and was a farmer in Somerset township, at one time the owner of very large tracts of land. He was a Republican and a Lutheran. Mr. Mostoller married Charlotte, daughter of Joseph Long, a farmer, a Whig and a member of the Reformed church. Mr. Long died in 1875, at the age of seventy, and his wife lived to an advanced age. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mostoller: Josiah, of whom later; Lincoln, merchant and farmer in Illinois; Joanna, wife of Isaiah Good, merchant of Somerset; Emma, wife of Charles T. Shaver, clerk in recorder's office, Somerset; Mary, wife of H. Fritz, lives in Kansas; Harriet, wife of William Miller, hard- ware merchant in Virginia; John, died in childhood; Eli, also died in childhood; Minnie (Mrs. Forney), afterward (Mrs. Shaffer). The mother of these children died in June, 1874, at the age of forty-three. She was a member of the Lutheran church. On being left a widower Mr. Mostoller married Mary, widow of Jacob Flamm and daughter of Samuel Lowry, and their children were: Samuel, miner at Wells Creek; and a daughter who became the wife of Yutzy and is now deceased, as is her husband. Mr. Mostoller died in 1899, and his widow resides with her son at Wells Creek.
Josiah Mostoller, son of Daniel and Charlotte (Long) Mostoller, was born October 10, 1850, in Somerset township, and was educated in the public schools of Friedens. He worked with his father until attaining his majority, when he married and settled on a farm adjoining the homestead, and half a mile from Friedens. This farm he worked for two years on shares, and then moved to a farm in Stony Creek township, also owned by his father, which he cultivated for three years on shares. At the end of that time he moved to the Samuel Yoder farm, which he worked on shares for seven years, and then settled on the Stephen Trent farm, which he bought of Samuel Philson in 1882. The original purchase was forty-eight acres, to which he has added until it now consists of one hundred and fifty- two acres, one hundred and thirty of which are under cultiva- tion. The farm is well stocked with fine horses and cows and there are good orchards of apples and other fruits. In addition to his other farming operations Mr. Mostoller conducts a dairy. He built his present comfortable residence in 1892. The barn was erected in 1866 by Stephen Trent, and still has its first roof in good condition. Mr. Mostoller has served as school director and is a Republican in politics. He is elder of the
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Mizpalı congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran church and also serves as superintendent of the Sunday school.
Mr. Mostoller married Lydia, daughter of Frederick and Annie (Lephart) Smith, of Snydersville, both natives of Ger- many. Their daughter Lydia was born February 28, 1849, was educated in the public schools and was a member of the Pro- gressive Brethren church. Mr. and Mrs. Mostoller were the parents of the following children : Allen V., born February 5, 1871, farmer on Brick House Schrock farm, Bedford Pike, Republican, German Baptist, married Emma, danghter of John F. Reiman, has one child Orpha. William L., born January 25, 1873, married Daisy Spangler, died in 1901. Newton, born November 19, 1875, farmer on Bedford Pike, near Brother- ton, married Jennie Hoffman, has three children, Frederick, Leora and Nevin. Annie, born November 12, 1877, wife of Edward Schrock, has three children, Carrie, Marion and Alice. Carrie, born May 31, 1881, wife of Robert Will, had two chil- dren, Manford and Lillian. Mrs. Will died January 29, 1903, and her husband is also deceased. Bessie, born December 2, 1883, wife of William Ling, miner at Liste, has one child, Marie. Daisy. born August 24, 1888, lives at Liste. The mother of these children died September, 1892. Mr. Mostoller mar- ried for his second wife, Alice, widow of Ezra Baer, and of this union were born the following children: Merle, born Novem- ber 2, 1895; Cloyd E., born May 17, 1898; and Alverna, born November 16, 1904. Mrs. Mostoller is a daughter of Levi and Mary (Zigler) Walker, was born July 22, 1863, and educated in the Wills public school. The other children of Mr. and Mrs. Walker were: Charles, Samuel, Wilson, Sadie, deceased, Jen- nie, wife of Charles Keifer, and Kate, wife of Millard Walker.
WILSON CHRISTNER.
Wilson Christner, the popular and efficient conductor on the "Berlin Branch." was born near Garrett, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, September 29, 1873. His parents were Zach- ariah and Magdalene (Hoover) Christner. His grandfather Christopher Christner, was a native of Germany, who on emi- grating to the United States settled in Somerset county, Penn- sylvania, where both he and his wife died at advanced ages. He was a farmer by occupation. He was a consistent member of the Lutheran church, and in polities was a Democrat. His children were: Zachariah, John, Caroline (Mrs. Christner), and Susan (Mrs. Hoover).
Zachariah Christner, eldest child of Christopher Christ- ner, was for many years a farmer in Summit township, Somer- set county, Pennsylvania and is now living a retired life in
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Canton, Ohio. He and his wife are both members of the Luth- eran church. He was a Democrat in politics, and earnest in the maintenance of his views. He married Magdelena Hoover, and to them were born the following children: Austin, resides on the homestead farm; Washington, a conductor on the Bal- timore & Ohio railway, resides in Garrett; Theodore, a conduc- tor on the same road, and lives in Cumberland, Maryland; Carrie, lives with her parents in Canton, Ohio; Missouri (Mrs. George Judy), of Pennsylvania Furnace, Cambria county; Jennie (Mrs. Nathan Burkett), of Cumberland, Maryland; Wilson.
Wilson Christner, of the family last named, was five years old when his parents removed to Mount Pleasant, Pennsyl- vania, and he received his education in the common schools of that town. He gave himself to a life of industry from his very vouth, and worked in and about the mines and factories until he was eighteen years old, when he entered the employ of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company in the capacity of brakeman. He so proved his efficiency and fidelity that after four years' service he was advanced to the position of freight train conductor. He rendered efficient service as such for a period of eight years, when he was promoted to the place which he has uninterruptedly held to the present time, that of pas- senger conductor on the Buffalo Valley Railroad, a part of the Baltimore & Ohio system, enjoying the entire confidence of his superiors, and the esteem of the traveling public. He adheres to the religious faith of his ancestors, and is a member of the Ber- lin Lutheran church. In politics he is a Democrat of the most stalwart type. He is affiliated with various fraternal and beneficial orders: Connellsville Lodge, No. 503, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Berlin Lodge, No. 503, Knights of Pythias; Connellsville Lodge, Order of Railway Conductors; and Berlin Lodge, Modern Woodmen. He is a great admirer of athletics, and his tastes cover the entire range of athletic sports. He is manager of the Berlin Base Ball team who were the champions of the Somerset County League in 1905. He is a lover of a good horse, and delights in speed contests between well trained and high bred animals. He is ardently fond of travel, and has visited every part of the United States, and journeyed into Mexico. In the autumn of 1905 he made a tour of Europe, spending some time in France and Germany, and also visiting England, Scotland and Ireland. While greatly enjoying the scenery of these distant lands, and deeply interested in the manners and customs of their peoples, he returned with a higher respect and love for his own country.
Mr. Christner married Elizabeth Walter, a daughter of
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Samuel and Rosanna (Judy) Walter, of Garrett, Pennsylvania. Of this marriage were born four children: Clinton, Blanche, Lelon and Leona. The family residence is in Berlin.
DANIEL YOUNKIN.
Daniel Younkin, a representative citizen of Rockwood, was born April 1, 1857, in Upper Turkeyfoot township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania. His parents were John M. and Laura (Miner) Younkin, whose children were: Mary, Catherine, de- ceased; William S., Jacob, Millie, Charles, Josiah, Daniel, Jose- phine, and David, deceased. John M. Younkin (father) was born in Lower Turkeyfoot township, Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania, was a farmer by occupation, and his remains were in- terred at Kingwood, Somerset county. His ancestors were na- tives of Germany.
At the age of fourteen years, after completing a common school education, Daniel Younkin secured employment with the Baltimore & Ohio railroad and continued the same for a period of two years. He then removed to Mount Pleasant, Westmore- land county, where for fourteen years he was engaged in mak- ing boats, and then returned to Somerset county, locating in Rockwood. The first year he worked for a Mr. Wolf, and since then has been employed as laborer on the tracks of the Balti- more & Ohio railroad. He is a Republican in politics.
In 1878 Mr. Younkin married Elmira Zimmerman, born in New Salem, Ohio, December 19, 1853, and their children are as follows: Catherine, deceased; Gertrude married John Weaver; Mary E., deceased; John W. E., Malzena, Lulu Malinda, de- ceased; Georgia M. Mrs. Younkin is a daughter of William and Mary (Yates) Zimmerman, whose children were: John E., Amanda, Elmira (Mrs. Daniel Younkin), Jennie, Emma, Anna, Catherine, Barbara, Sadie, William, deceased; and Mary E., de- ceased. William Zimmerman, a descendant of a German an- cestry, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and through- out his active career gave his time and attention to farming. Mr. Younkin and his family are highly respected in the com- munity in which they reside.
CHARLES H. WALTER.
Charles H. Walter, a telegraph operator at Rockwood, Som- erset county, Pennsylvania, is a native of the county in which he now resides, born December 9, 1874, in Meyersdale. His parents-Cyrus S. and Clara (Boyer) Walter-were born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, 1848, and December 2, 1848, re- spectively. The former named was a farmer by occupation, and the latter was a daughter of Samuel Walters and Dinah Boyer.
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Their family consisted of four children: Winfield, Charles H., Franklin W., and Mary, deceased.
Charles H. Walter attended the common schools of Meyers- dale until he attained the age of fourteen, after which he learned the art of telegraphy. When fifteen years old he was competent to assume charge of the office for the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, continuing there until 1897. In the meantime he had pursued a course in shorthand by mail, and in the latter named year completed the same in the two weeks school. He then removed to Pittsburg and accepted the position of stenographer at the Pittsburg Junction railroad, his duty being to take notes from the train master, and this he followed for one year. He then took an agency of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad at Keystone Junction, and followed the same until 1893, after which he re- turned to Meyersdale and engaged in the baking business. After conducting the same for a period of two years he sold out and returned to Pittsburg, where he was employed as stenographer for six months, and then changed his place of residence to Rock- wood, where he has since been employed as telegraph operator. As a citizen Mr. Walter is public-spirited and progressive, aiding to the best of his ability all measures that tend toward the growth and prosperity of his state and country.
On May 23, 1900, Mr. Walter married Minnie E. Griffith, born June 16, 1878, in Meyersdale, Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania, daughter of Charles S. and Anna (Fike) Griffith, and granddaughter of Daniel and Susan (Supler) Griffith, whose an- cestors were natives of Wales. Charles S. Griffith was born in Somerset county, 1840, died in 1894; he was a blacksmith by trade, and was also a dealer in wagons and all kinds of vehicles. His wife, Anna (Fike) Griffith, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, 1834. Mr. Walter is a descendant of a German ancestry.
ISAAC G. JONES.
The ancestors of Isaac G. Jones, of Somerset, were among those Welsh immigrants who have done so much toward build- ing up certain regions of Pennsylvania. Isaac Jones came from Wales in 1825 and settled in Schuylkill county, afterward mov- ing to Lancaster Gap. His wife was Belsie Thomas, and they were the parents of a son, Isaac G., of whom later. While Mr. Jones was working at Lancaster Gap the first engine made its first trip in Pennsylvania, running from Philadelphia to the end of the railroad, which was at Lancaster Gap. It was a single cylinder engine and at every stopping-place was set in motion by two crowbars.
Isaac G. Jones, son of Isaac and Belsie (Thomas) Jones, was born July 4, 1832, in Pottsville, Schuylkill county, attend-
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ing the common.schools until he reached the age of ten years. He then became a driver on the Pennsylvania canal between Phil- adelphia and Pittsburg, his father having been one of the work- men employed in the construction of the canal. He next went to Jolinstown, where he learned the trade of a plasterer and mason, which he followed for a time in New York and then spent three years in whale fishing.
Mr. Jones has travelled extensively, having been around the world, crossed the equator four times and made an aretie voyage, On one occasion he went around the Horn and for twenty days was employed day and night in pumping in order to keep the ship afloat. On his arrival at New Bedford he embarked for Liverpool. England, whence he returned to the United States on the Australian Black Star line, and then shipped on the "Elin- or," of New York, to Hole Pine Wood, for the Old Colony rail- road. He visited all the places of interest in Boston, and then returned to New York, whence he shipped on the "Target" to Brook Haven, New Orleans and Charleston, and in 1856 re- turned home. He visited in the course of his wanderings all the southern states and saw slavery in many of its worst aspects.
In 1861 he enlisted for three months in Company H, Tenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, Captain Eastley com- manding. After serving his term he was discharged and for some time worked at his trade. He then re-enlisted for nine months in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-third Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and at the expiration of his term of service received, as before, an honorable discharge. During his experience as a soldier he participated in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellors- ville. In the last-named engagement he was wounded, May 3, 1863. He is a member of the G. A. R.
Mr. Jones married, March 3, 1867, Catharine, born August 13, 1841, in Somerset county, daughter of George and Liddie L. (Long) Trent, and their children were: George, Anna, wife of James Holderbaum; Edward P., Brinker R., Mary F., and Bertha A. Mrs. Jones died January 26, 1889, and on March 2, 1891, Mr. Jones married Ella, born August 4, 1864, daughter of Chauncey and Catharine Lowery. The issue of this mar- riage was one son, Ira Clyde. The lad's mother died February 10, 1903, and since then Mr. Jones' youngest daughter has kept house for her father.
JEREMIAH BERKEY.
The ancestors of Jeremiah Berkey, of Stoystown, were among the first settlers of Somerset county. The first genera- tion came from Germany, probably before the revolution. Jacob
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Berkey, grandfather of Jeremiah Berkey, was born in 1792, in Conemaugh township, where he led the life of a farmer.
The Berkey homestead is a tract which was originally des- ignated as "the Vineyard" in the deeds and transfers dating back as far as 1780. The order for the application of survey found in the purchase application book in the surveyor-general's office in the state of Pennsylvania, was entered April 7, 1769, and the land was surveyed in September, 1776, for Thomas Mitchell. The original tract included two hundred and eighty- four acres, ninety-two perches.
On March 20, 1780, Thomas Mitchell conveyed the land by deed to John Vanderen, of Philadelphia, who, unable to pay his indebtedness, conveyed the property, March 7, 1782, to John Hazelwood, Edmund Milne, Samuel Garrigues and Josiah Hawes, as assignees. The next transfer was made June 28, 1805, to Edmund Milne, a merchant of Philadelphia, for the sum of "one dollar in silver money of the State of Pennsylvania, and for other good and valuable considerations." .
A deed dated August 1, 1805, shows that "the Vineyard" was sold at public sale to John Clarkson, of Philadelphia, and on the following day was repurchased by Edmund Milne. The farm, at this period, was described as in Quemahoning town- ship, Bedford county.
Ten years later, March 16, 1815, Edmund Milne conveyed the tract to General Alexander Ogle, of Somerset. county, who, on April 26, 1822, sold it to Frederick Smith, Joseph Smith and Frederick Smith, junior. The joint owners, being unable to meet their obligations, the farm was sold, June 6, 1827, by George Meese, high sheriff of Somerset county, to Charles Ogle, an at- torney, and son of General Ogle, the previous owner.
Jacob Lohr, of Quemahoning township, purchased the farm from Charles Ogle March 31, 1829, and on April 2, 1832, sold it to William Sadoris and Jacob Berkey, the latter mentioned above, grandfather of Jeremiah Berkey. Jacob Berkey pur- chased his partner's interest and in his last will and testament, made August 31, 1837, gave the farm to his son, William Ber- key. The last transfer was made April 2, 1880, when William Berkey sold the farm to his son, Jeremiah Berkey, who is its present owner.
Jacob Berkey married Elizabeth Sadoris, who bore him the following children: Daniel, William, of whom later; Jonathan, deceased; Jacob S., Oliver, deceased; Henry S., Susan, Mary, and Louisa. Daniel, William, Oliver and Henry S. served in the civil war, Oliver dying in the service. Oliver, who served two terms of enlistment, was taken prisoner and for two months was confined in Libby prison. Jacob Berkey, the father, died in 1872, in Qnemahoning township.
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William Berkey, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Sadoris) Berkey, was born August 4, 1823, in Conemaugh township, and in 1883 took up his abode in Stoystown. He is a Republican in politics. He married Caroline, born in 1827, in Quemahoning township, daughter of Jacob Maurer, and their children were: Albert, Herman W., Jeremiah, of whom later; Jacob M., Cath- arine E., Amanda, Minerva, Adella C., Mary E., deceased; Noah, Bertha, Anna, and William.
Jeremiah Berkey, son of William and Caroline (Maurer) Berkey, was born December 6, 1852, on the Berkey homestead. and received his education in the common schools of Quema- honing township. After leaving school he spent a short time in teaching, and then turned his attention to farming, a calling which he has followed continuously ever since, cultivating the homestead acres, of which he has been the owner for more than a quarter of a century. Politically he is a Republican.
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