USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and personal history > Part 31
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and personal history > Part 31
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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
Mr. Berkey married, April 11, 1878, Anna C., born April S, 1856, in Berlin, daughter of John Fisher, a native of Germany, and they were the parents of three children: Harvey G., born March 11, 1880; William A., August 10, 1882; and Carrie G., May 30, 1886. The mother of these children died January 1, 1888, and in 1892 Mr. Berkey married Mary E. (Bowman), widow of Harvey Engle, and daughter of Jacob and Mary A. (Weimer) Bowman, the former a carpenter of Elk Lick. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman were the parents of three children: Mand- field Ross, Jessie B., and Mary E., wife of Jeremiah Berkey. Mr. Bowman died in 1903. By her first marriage Mrs. Berkey was the mother of one son, Harvey Clifford Engle, who lives with his mother and step-father on the Berkey homestead. Mr. Berkey's second son, William 1. Berkey, graduated in 1902 from the Indiana State Normal School, afterward taught in the pub- lic schools of Johnstown and Indiana county and is now a stu- dent at Gettysburg College.
C. S. ICKES.
C. S. Ickes, of Boswell, Pennsylvania, was born April 26, 1865, in Pleasantville. Bedford county, a son of John W. Ickes. who was born in 1829, in Bedford township, and a grandson of George and Susan (Slick) Jekes, the former a farmer of Bed- ford county.
John W. Jekes, like his father, was a farmer. Politically he was a Republican. He married Susan Alstadt, born in 1832. in Pleasantville, and the following were their children: Re- becca, Henry, Emma, Anna, Chauncey S. and George.
Chauncey S. lekes, son of John W. and Susan ( Alstadt) Ickes. received his education in the common schools of Bedford county, which he attended until the age of sixteen, and then for
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ten terms was engaged in teaching in the schools of his native county. Subsequently he was employed for two years in the wire mill at Johnstown and then went to Eltonburg, where he again became a teacher. He was also for a time a partner in a blacksmith's shop and finally obtained a position as manager of the Telephone Company of Scalp Level, where he remained four years. In January, 1902, he moved to Boswell in order to assume the management of the Boswell Hardware Company, in which he holds an interest. While a resident of Scalp Level he was elected justice of the peace and burgess of Paint town -. ship, and since taking up his abode in Boswell has served two years as justice of the peace in addition to being at the present time burgess of the borough.
Mr. Ickes married, in 1891, Rose E., born April 15, 1863, in Johnstown, daughter of George and Agnes (Straub) Eich- enschr, and their children were: Comfrey, Anson J., deceased; and Virgie.
CHARLES P. HOLDERBAUM.
Among the Somerset county families of German origin must be numbered that represented by Charles P. Holderbaum, of Somerset. The founder emigrated from the Fatherland at least a century ago and his lineal descendant, Martin Holder- baum, married Susan Anawalt. Martin Holderbaum was a native of Bedford county, whence he moved to Somerset coun- ty, where his branch of the family has since been resident.
John Holderbaum, son of Martin and Susan (Anawalt) Holderbaum, was born in Somerset and was engaged in mer- cantile business. He married Julia Imhoff, and they were the parents of four sons : James B., Henry, George, and Charles P., of whom later. The death of Mr. Holderbaum occurred November 2, 1904.
Charles P. Holderbaum, son of John and Julia (Imhoff) Holderbaum, was born March 15, 1850, in Somerset county, where he received his education in the common schools. At the age of sixteen he left school and became his father's assistant in business, filling this position until 1871, in which year he attained his majority. He and his brother George then suc- ceeded their father in the charge of the business which they conducted until 1872, when the stock was largely destroyed by fire, although the building escaped. They were very success- ful until 1876. when they again suffered from fire, the build- ing as well as the stock being then destroyed, in consequence of which the firm dissolved and the business was discontinued. Mr. Holderbaum became again for a time the assistant of his father and then went west for three years. On his return he went into business with his father and his two older brothers,
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James B. and Henry, the firm remaining unchanged until 1884, when James B. went into the hardware business. In 1886 Mr. Holderbaum withdrew and engaged in the revenue business, abandoning it at the end of four years in order to take the posi- tion of travelling salesman, which he held for another four years. He then returned to his place in his father's store, and after the death of the latter continued the business which he still conducts. He has thus far been a life-long Democrat.
Mr. Holderbaum married, June 23, 1889, Sara A., born March 7. 1866, in Wellersburg, daughter of Henry and Anna ( Hayman) Moser.
GEORGE A. PILE.
George A. Pile, of Boswell, was born October 21, 1839, in Jenner township, and is a son of Abraham Pile, who passed his life as a farmer in his native county of Somerset. He was a Republican in politics. Abraham Pile married Mary Friedline, and their children were: John, deceased; Lewis, deceased; and George A., of whom later.
George A. Pile, son of Abraham and Mary (Friedline) Pile, received his education in the schools of his native county, and on September 3, 1861, enlisted for a term of three years in Company C, Fifty-fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and after serving his time re-enlisted, in 1864, in Company H, of the same regiment, then known as the Fifty-fourth. He served until the close of the war, being honorably discharged June 5, 1865. After his return home he was, until 1892, engaged in farming in Jenner township, and was then for one year the proprietor of a hotel at Jenner. At the end of that time he again became a farmer, remaining so until 1902, when he built a hotel in Boswell to which he gave the name of the Central Hotel and of which he became the proprietor. In November, 1905, he sold his hotel and retired from active business. He has filled the offices of councilman and street commissioner and has also served as assessor and judge of election. He is a member of the G. A. R. He has been a life-long Republican.
Mr. Pile married, December 28, 1865, Phoebe J., daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Hay) Coleman, and their children are: Harry, Emma, Philip, Edgar, Maggie, Lizzie, Mary and Myrtle.
HOWARD L. McVICKER.
Howard L. McVicker, of Boswell, was born April 22, 1883, in Stoystown, and is a son of W. A. MeVicker, and a grandson of James McVicker, who was of Scotch-Trish descent and was born on Dry Ridge, Bedford county. From 1831 to 1843 he was engaged in farming at Statler's mill, near Schellsburg, whence he came to Somerset county, where he was twice elected
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justice of the peace. In 1859 he returned to Bedford county. He was twice married and was the father of nine children.
W. A. McVicker, son of James McVicker, was born in 1857, and for four years followed the tinner's trade in Clays- burg, Blair county. In 1880 he moved to Stoystown and es- tablished himself in the hardware business, which he conducted for twenty-four years, thence moving to Johnstown, Pennsyl- vania, to engage in business of the like nature. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. and is a Republican in politics. Mr. Mc- Vicker married Lizia A., born in 1867, daughter of John I. Hoover, of Claysburg, Blair county, and the following chil- dren were born to them: Howard L., of whom later; Ada P., Martha L., and Kenneth W.
Howard L. McVicker received his education in the com- mon schools of Stoystown, and afterward took a business course at Iron City College, of Pittsburg. His first employment was in connection with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and then as assistant cashier at Stoystown, a position which he retained two years. At the end of that time he became cashier of the First National Bank of Boswell, in which position he is still serving. He is a tinner by trade, member of the I. O. O. F. and Masons, Lodge No. 358, Somerset, Pennsylvania. He is a Re- publican in politics.
ISAAC FRIEDLINE.
Isaac Friedline, of Boswell, was born June 14, 1855, and is a son of Aaron Friedline, whose ancestors emigrated from Ger- many. Aaron Friedline was born in 1821, in Somerset county, and was a farmer and a Republican. He married Catharine Pile, and thirteen children were born to them.
Isaac Friedline, son of Aaron and Catharine (Pile) Fried- line, was educated in the common schools of his native county, and for twenty-one years followed the blacksmith's trade. In 1894 he established the furniture and undertaking business, in which he has since been engaged, and is doing a thriving busi- ness. Mr. Friedline is a Republican. He married Lizzie, born February 14, 1855, daughter of John and Jane (Cowen) Sachs, and they had children: Elson, deceased; Simon, deceased; Minnie, deceased; Marion, and Edgar.
CORNELIUS F. ENOCH.
Cornelius F. Enoch, of Boswell, was born December 25, 1882, and is a representative of an old family of Washington county, Pennsylvania, his great-grandfather having been one of those engaged in the famous whiskey rebellion. Mr. Enoch's grandfather, Herom D. Enoch, was born in 1830, in Washing- ton, Pennsylvania, and is a physician and surgeon. Mr. Enoch's
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father, S. F. Enoch, married Martha J. Fleming, and three children have been born to them: Cornelius F., of whom later; Saralı, and Martha.
Cornelius F. Enoch, son of S. F. and Martha J. (Fleming) Enoch, was born in Burgettstown, Washington county, where he received his education in the common schools. After com- pleting his course of study he obtained a position as clerk in a store, which he retained for two years. October 17, 1902, he went to Boswell as general agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road Company, and is still serving in that capacity. Mr. Enoch married, November 5, 1904, Mary K., born January 1, 1883, in Uniontown, daughter of Thoman F. and Margaret (Duhlin) Higgins, and they have one child, Martha, born August 24, 1905.
FRANKLIN MILLER.
Franklin Miller, of Stoystown, was born March 15, 1855, in Quemahoning township, and is a descendant of Joseph Miller, who was of German lineage and came from Reading, Pennsyl- vania, to Somerset county. He settled in Stony Creek town- ship, near Coleman's Station, where he purchased a large tract of land which he improved, and on which he resided until his death. He married and was the father of a numerous family. His remains were interred in the Miller burying-ground, one mile north of Coleman's Station, on the Berlin road.
Joseph Miller, Jr., eldest child of Joseph Miller, Sr., was born in 1784, in Reading, Pennsylvania, and was reared to the life of a farmer. At the age of twenty-three he moved to Quemahoning township and settled upon a tract of three hun- dred and twenty acres of land adjacent to Higgins' creek, a branch of Stony ereek, now known as Beaver Dam creek. The patent for this land was issued in 1784 by the executive council of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to John Paul, a member of the Society of Friends, from whom Mr. Miller made his pur- chase. The enterprise was successful, enabling Mr. Miller to bequeath a farm to each of his sons. He was a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Miller married Mary, daughter of Henry Shaffer, and their children were: Samuel J., of whom later; Jacob J., Valentine J., Elizabeth, Susanna, Rosanna, Noah J., Nancy, Mary, and Sarah. Mr. Miller's death occurred in 1860.
Samuel J. Miller, son of Joseph and Mary (Shaffer) Miller, was born July 27, 1806, in Quemahoning township, and there passed his life in agricultural pursuits. He was a Republican in politics. Mr. Miller married Elizabeth Mowry, born Octo- ber 11, 1811, in Brothers Valley township, and the following were their children: Josiah, born in 1835, served in the Union army during the civil war; Noah S., born in 1837, held a cap- tain's commission and was wounded in the service; Gideon,
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born in 1839, was killed at the battle of Gettysburg; Peter, born in 1841; Samuel S., born in 1843, also served in the civil war; Nancy, born in 1845; Adam, born in 1847; Jacob S., born in 1849; Jeremiah S., born in 1851; David, born in 1853; Frank- lin, of whom later; Lemon, born in 1857; Benjamin S., born in 1860.
Franklin Miller, son of Samuel J. and Elizabeth (Mowry) Miller, obtained his education in the common schools of Som- erset county, which he attended until the age of seventeen, and then for one winter was engaged in teaching. The following autumn he entered the normal school. After completing his education he began farming, a calling to which he has since devoted the greater part of his time. He spent four years in Johnstown as foreman in a lumber yard, and for the same length of time served as deputy and road manager. He has been a life-long Republican.
Mr. Miller married, September 24, 1882, Sadie A. Bow- man, and they are the parents of two sons: Lavan M., born July 13, 1888; and Samuel G., March 28, 1896. Mrs. Miller is a daughter of Noah Bowman, a native of Jenner township, who enlisted during the Civil war, and a few years after his return home died from the effects of disease contracted while in the service. Politically he was a Republican. Mr. Bowman mar- ried Mary Cover. and their family consisted of the following children: Lavan, Nancy C., and Sadie A., born April 10, 1864, in Jenner township, wife of Franklin Miller. After the deatlı of her husband, Mrs. Bowman married Jonas Mamrer, a farmer and a Republican, becoming by this union the mother of one child, Michael C. Mamrer.
CHARLES F. ZIMMERMAN.
Charles F. Zimmerman, of Stoystown, was born April 29, 1854, in Berlin, and is a son of Peter Zimmerman, a native of Germany, who was brought to this country by his parents when a boy of ten years old. The family settled near Berlin, where Mr. Zimmerman, on reaching manhood, turned his attention to agriculture, and passed his life as a farmer. He married Sarah, born in Berlin. daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Zorn) Ream, and their children were: Samuel, Elizabeth, William, Mary, deceased; Peter, Joseph, deceased; Charles F., of whom later; and Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of Walter Lane.
Charles F. Zimmerman, son of Peter and Sarah (Ream) Zimmerman, obtained his education in the common schools of Berlin, which he attended until the time arrived for him to learn a trade. Having selected that of a tinner, he served an appren- ticeship thereto and afterward followed the trade for five years. After spending two years in business as a butcher, he decided
Vol. III 19
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to become a farmer, and has ever since given his undivided at- tention to agriculture. He is a Prohibitionist in politics.
In the fall of 1905 he was nominated by the Prohibition party for county commissioner, and also endorsed by the Fu- sionists, and was elected by over one thousand majority, and was qualified as county commissioner in the spring of 1906. He is a member of the Reformed church, holding membership ever since he was seventeen years of age. He has been assist- ant superintendent of the Sunday school and has served for several years as deacon and elder in his church. He is a mem- ber of the Knights of Maccabees.
Mr. Zimmerman married Eliza Coleman and their chil- dren are: Tillie, Myrtle, Frank, Samuel Hay, Marion, George, Herbert, and Jacob. Mrs. Zimmerman is a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Musser) Coleman, the former a native of Somerset county and a farmer. Their children are: Alexander, Eliza, born October 20, 1854, near Berlin, wife of Charles F. Zim- merman; Frank, Addie, and Alice.
SAMUEL BUCKMAN.
The late Samuel Buckman, of Rockwood, was born in Le- high county. He was by occupation a contractor and bridge builder, erecting in various parts of the United States no fewer than one hundred and twenty-seven railroad and other bridges. After coming to Somerset county he built within its limits seven bridges. In 1880 he settled in Rockwood, and for two years thereafter was the proprietor of the old Eagle Hotel. In 1882 he built, at a cost of ten thousand dollars, the Mer- chants' Hotel, a structure which is one of the ornaments of the town.
Mr. Buckman married, in 1887, Mary Critchfield, widow of Daniel T. Myers, and two children were born to them: Lucy, and Samuel, deceased. The death of Mr. Buckman, which de- prived the town and county of a useful citizen, occurred Feb- ruary 5, 1905. His widow, who resides in Rockwood, is now the proprietor of the Hotel Casselman in that town.
JACOB W. MENSER.
Jacob W. Menser, deceased, who was the proprietor of a hotel in Listie, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, was born in Somerset township, August 3, 1865, son of David and Mary Ann (Nedrow) Menser. He is of German descent, his great- grandfather having emigrated from Germany at a very early day. His grandfather, Jacob Menser, was a native of Frank- lin county, Pennsylvania, and a carpenter by trade. His father, David Menser, was a native of Somerset township, born in 1831. He was by trade a weaver and cooper. His wife, Mary
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Ann Nedrow, was born in Somerset county in 1830. Their children were: Margaret, Philip, Alexander, Jacob W., de- ceased, of whom later.
Jacob W. Menser received a common school education, and after leaving school was for six years employed about the mines. In 1900 he built a hotel in Listie, in the conduct of which he successfully engaged for the remainder of his life. He was a Republican in politics, and always evinced a lively interest in all community affairs.
Jacob W. Menser married Annie Custer, born October 31, 1867, in Quemahoning, Somerset county, daughter of James and Nancy (Kimmel) Custer. Her great-grandfather was born in Jenner township, and was a stonemason by trade. Her father, James Custer, was born April 12, 1841, in Quemaho- ning, was a farmer by occupation and a soldier in the Civil war, having served in the army two years and nine months. He married, December 25, 1864, Nancy Kimmel, a daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Darr) Kimmel, and their children were: Isaac, Matilda, Nancy, John, Mary, deceased; Anna, deceased ; and Amanda. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob W. Menser became the parents of children, as follows: George Earl, born April 1, 1885, a school teacher by occupation; Henry A., June 11, 1886, has been for two years engaged in school teaching; Bertha May, September 30, 1888; Anna Viola, August 25, 1890; Al- berta Bell, July 31, 1892; Margaret G., March 8, 1894; Mary Elizabeth, November 13, 1898; and Emilie Pearl, February 25, 1900. The death of Jacob W. Menser occurred on October 19, 1901. In his demise the community lost a useful member, and his family a kind and loving husband and father.
GEORGE A. NOON, M. D.
George A. Noon, a practicing physician of Listie, Somerset county. Pennsylvania, was born June 6, 1859, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a son of Daniel and Susanna (Hoffman) Noon.
Dr. Noon is a descendant of John Noon, a native of Mann- heim, Germany, who emigrated to this country. He was a farmer by occupation. He served in the great struggle for national independence for eight years under General Wash- ington, and in his old age went to Johnstown, where he lived until his death, which occurred when he had reached the ad- vanced age of one hundred and ten years. He married, and among his children was a son, Adam.
Adam Noon (grandfather), was a minister in the United Brethren church. He married Mary Laner, and among the children born to them was Daniel.
Daniel Noon (father), was born at Johnstown in 1833. He was a farmer by occupation, and was a Republican in politics.
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He married Susanna Hoffman, daughter of Jacob Hoffman, born in Somerset county. They had children as follows: George, of whom later; Milton A., Charles P., Emma, Almira, and Goldie.
George A. Noon received his early education in the com- mon schools of Cambria county, and later entered into the study of medicine in the Georgia Eclectic Medical College at At- lanta, Georgia, receiving his degree February 26, 1890. He located in Stoystown, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and was engaged in the practice of his profession in that place for five years. He then removed to Listie, where he has since resided, and where he has built up for himself an extensive and luerative practice. Politically he is a staunch Republican.
June 11, 1895, he married Marie E. Metzgar, born Novem- ber 7, 1871, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Weller) Metzgar, the former a native of Somerset county, a farmer by occupation and a Republican in politics. Dr. and Mrs. Noon have two chil- dren: Russell Alleyne, born August 5, 1900, and Lillian Bea- trice, April 24, 1901.
THE SECHLER FAMILY.
The Sechler family to which Edwin S. Sechler, of Somer- set, belongs, descended as follows: The forefathers came to America from Germany, but the date is not known.
(I) John Sechler was born in one of the eastern counties of Pennsylvania, and is buried at Lurel church in Black town- ship, Somerset county, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer. He married into the Hinebaugh family and was the father of four sons and four daughters, Jonathan, Henry, Andrew, Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah and one deceased.
(II) Jonathan Sechler, son of John Sechler (1), born in 1800, in Milford township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania. He followed farming, and died November, 1869. He was a mem- ber of the Reformed church and a staunch Republican. He married Elizabeth Dull, daughter of Peter Dull and wife, by whom were born: Harriet, married John Mason; Daniel, died when twenty-one years old; Juliana, married Joseph Siebert; Barbara, married George Kimmel; George; Elizabeth, married (first) Samuel Kuhlman and (second) Herman Kreager; Joseph. This family was all born in Milford township, Somer- set county, Pennsylvania.
(III) George Sechler, son of Jonathan Sechler (2), re- ceived a common school education and when about twenty years of age offered his service to his country in defense of the Union cause. He was a member of Company "K," Fifth Pennsyl- vania Heavy Artillery, serving until peace was declared. He took part in the Shenandoah campaign, but was more fortunate
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than many of his comrades, as he was never wounded and was only in the hospital a few days. He is now a member of R. P. Cummins Grand Army Post, No. 210, of which he has been both junior and senior vice-commander. By occupation Mr. Sech- ler has always been ranked among the farmers. Politically he is a staunch Republican, and in religious matters is a member of the Lutheran church.
He married (first), 1867, Minerva, daughter of John and Lizzie (Walter) Boucher. Mrs. Sechler died May 23, 1891. The issue by this union was: Charles G. born January, 1868; Edwin S., December 25, 1869; Whitelaw Reid, 1972; Allen U., Harry E., 1878; Sadie E., 1884. For his second wife Mr. Sech- ler in 1892 married Catharine (Knogey) Reese, widow of Sam- uel Reese. She died in child-birth, January, 1893, leaving a son, William, who died when two years of age.
(IV) Edwin S. Sechler, son of George and Minerva (Boucher) Sechler, was born in Milford township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1869, and was educated at the Somerset county common schools. He was reared to farm life, but with his brother, Allen U., in 1904, engaged in the liv- ery business at Somerset, under the firm name of Sechler Broth- ers. He married, April 11, 1906, Anna M. Knupp, daughter of Eli and Harriet Knupp, of Somerset, Pennsylvania.
DAVID W. KOONTZ.
David W. Koontz, deceased, a well known and highly re- spected citizen of Somerset, Pennsylvania, was a native of Lonaconing, Maryland, born July 5, 1867. His father Salem Koontz, was also a native of Maryland, a farmer by occupation, and by his marriage to Margaret Harden the following named children were born: Anna, David W., Susan, Ellen and Birdie.
The common schools in the neighborhood of his home af- forded David W. Koontz the opportunity of obtaining a good English education. Mr. Koontz, not unlike the majority of his relations, was never very robust and rugged, and the family possessing considerable means, he never ventured out into the labors known to strenuous lives, but as far as possible hus- banded his strength. He removed from his native state to Somerset, Pennsylvania, in 1900, more especially for the bet- ter advantages which could be afforded his interesting family in both social and educational ways. He had great faith in Somerset and the good citizens, its schools and churches. It seemed to both himself and wife an ideal place in which to rear and educate their children. Accordingly the farm property, so valuable, well improved, and suitably located, just to the north of the borough, still occupied by his family, was purchased. Here Mr. Koontz took much delight and comfort in improving
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