USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and personal history > Part 38
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and personal history > Part 38
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
SAMUEL P. MAUST.
Samuel P. Maust, of Meyersdale, is the great-grandson of Jacob Maust, who came from Germany about 1779 and settled in Elk Lick township. Jacob Maust was the father of Abraham Maust and the grandfather of Peter Maust.
Samuel P. Maust, son of Peter Maust, was born June 26, 1848, in Summit township, where the Shaw mines are now in operation. Until the age of nineteen he attended the public schools of his native township and also of Elk Lick township. After leaving school he taught for one term and then engaged in farming. He became by purchase the possessor of the Maust farm, the warrant for which was issued February 21, 1785, by the state of Pennsylvania, to his great-grandfather, Jacob Maust. Since 1900 Mr. Maust has given his attention to real estate and to the building of Maustdale, Elk Lick township. He is also interested in the retail coal business and is a stock- holder in the Second National Bank of Meyersdale. He is a Democrat and a member of the (German Baptist) Brethren church, of which he has been a minister since July 4, 1879.
Mr. Maust married, December 21, 1871, Lucinda N., daugh- ter of Abraham P. Beachy, of Elk Lick township, and their children were: Abraham L., married Carrie Kelson and lives at Scott City, Kansas; Elizabeth E., wife of D. J. Meyers, also of Scott City; Morris S., married Anna Grace Raymond and lives at Elk Lick; Orpha A., wife of Elder I. S. Richie, of Everett; Elsie M., at home; Lucinda A., also at home; and Ed- ward N., died in infancy.
SAMUEL G. SHAFFER.
Samuel G. Shaffer, of Stovstown, was born October 4, 1866, in Conemaugh township, and traces his descent from David Shaffer, a native of Germany and an early settler of Somerset
352
BEDFORD AND SOMERSET COUNTIES
township. His son, Simon P. Shaffer, was born in 1785, prob- ably in Bedford county, and came with his father to Somerset county. About 1842 Simon P. Shaffer removed to Quemahoning township, becoming the owner of about six hundred acres in that township and in Jenner. Simon P. Shaffer married Bar- bara Poorman, and their children were: George, Jeremiah, Jacob, David, Samuel, Aaron (of whom later), Adam, Noah, Simon (served nine months in the army during the Civil war), Nancy, Mary, and Elizabeth, wife of John Anawalt. The father of the family died in 1862.
Aaron Shaffer, son of Simon P. and Barbara (Poorman) Shaffer, was born in 1823, in Friedensburg, and was a lifelong farmer. During the Civil war he served nine months in the Union army. He was a Republican in politics. He married Anna M., born May 21, 1828, in Somerset county, and their chil- dren were: Cyrus A., William B., Anna E., Phoebe E., Mary A., Simon P., John, Milroy, Samuel G., and one who died in infancy.
Samuel G. Shaffer, son of Aaron and Anna M. (Bender) Shaffer, received his education in the common schools, and at the age of twenty-two entered the service of the Adams Ex- press Company. in Johnstown, remaining one year. He was then employed for four years as timekeeper by the Johnstown Street Railroad Company, after which he became clerk for the Swank Hardware Company, but at the end of six months ob- tained the position of bookkeeper for the Cambria Iron Com- pany, of Johnstown. His next removal was to Stoystown, where he has since been engaged in farming.
Mr. Shaffer married. September 6, 1892, Anna K., born August 21, 1871, daughter of Jacob A. and Sarah (Stufft) Zim- merman, of the town of Somerset.
FRANK PHENICIE.
Frank Phenicie, of Garrett, is the grandson of Stephen Phenicie, a native of Scotland, who emigrated to the United States about 1819, and settled in Somerset county, where he followed his trade, which was that of a shoemaker. He was a Republican and a member of the Lutheran church. He was the father of the following children, all of whom made homes for themselves in Somerset county: Stephen, of Windber, Pennsyl- vania ; John, deceased; Eli. of whom later; and Jacob, deceased.
Eli Phenicie, son of Stephen Phenicie, was born in 1834, at Scalp Level, Somerset county, and in early life was a shoe- maker. but later worked in the coal mines. He married Emma, daughter of John Meyers, of Cambria county, and their chil- dren were: Frank (of whom later), William, Nettie, Anna, Howard. Robert, Charles, Nellie, Emma and Alice. The death
353
BEDFORD AND SOMERSET COUNTIES
of Mr. Phenicie occurred September 13, 1886, aged fifty-two years; Mrs. Phenicie died February 25, 1898, in her fifty-third year.
Frank Phenicie, son of Eli and Emma (Meyers) Phenicie, was born January 7, 1866, at Scalp Level, Pennsylvania. Re- moved to Garrett in 1871, where he attended the public schools until the age of sixteen. He then entered the coal mines, where he worked until 1900, and in that year became gauger in the in- ternal revenue department, a position which he held until 1902, when he purchased the Riverside Hotel at Garrett, Pennsylvania, which he has since successfully conducted. For three years he held the office of councilman, and for the same length of time served as school director. He affiliates with Lodge No. 471, Knights of Pythias, of Meyersdale, and Lodge No. 175, Benev- olent Protective Order of Elks, of Johnstown. He is a Re- publican.
Mr. Phenicie married, in 1885, Anna M., daughter of Fred- erick Hoos, of Meyersdale, and their children are: Lee, Harry, Grace, Pearl, Clara, Frederick, Clay, and Anna.
JOHN M. CRITCHFIELD.
John M. Critchfield, one of the practical and progressive agriculturists of Somerset county, was born July 29, 1851, in Milford township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, son of Jacob and Mary (Dull) Critchfield, grandson of John M. Critchfield, a native of Somerset county and a farmer by occupation, and great-grandson of William Critchfield, a native of Germany, who came to this country at a very early day, settling in Mil- ford township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania. Jacob Critch- field (father) was born in Milford township, March 10, 1830, followed agricultural pursuits, and he and his wife, Mary (Dull) Critchfield, were the parents of the following named children : Oliver, John M., Louisa, Emma, Minerva, Anna, Nora, Edward, and William.
John M. Critchfield was educated in the common schools of Milford township, completing his studies at the age of nine- teen years. He was reared to farm life, and consequently chose that occupation as a means of livelihood, beginning operations on his own account in 1875. His farm is well cultivated and therefore highly productive, and the product thereof, being of a superior quality, finds a ready sale in the nearby markets. As a citizen he is active and alert, contributing to the best of his ability in every enterprise that tends toward the growth and prosperity of the community and its inmates. He casts his vote for the candidates of the Republican party.
Mr. Critchfield married, February 2, 1875, Anna Hay, born March 1, 1856, in Milford township, Somerset county, Pennsyl-
Vol. III 23
354
BEDFORD AND SOMERSET COUNTIES
vania, daughter of John and Martha (Lobe) Hay, born August 31, 1822, and August 31, 1829, in Somerset county, respectively, and their children were as follows: William, deceased; Anna (Mrs. John M. Critchfield), and John Hay, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Critchfield are the parents of eight children, as follows: Albert M., born May 1, 1876, died February 9, 1877; Charles, July 1, 1878; Howard, June 15, 1880; Mary M., July 8, 1884; Laura, April 26, 1888; Emma, May 20, 1891; Florence, May 4, 1892; Edna, July 22, 1894.
JACOB P. CROYLE.
Jacob P. Croyle, of Stoystown, was born May 2, 1869, in Stony Creek township, and is a son of Barnard Croyle and a grandson of Jacob Croyle, who was a native of Bedford county and a farmer, removing, at what period of his life is not known, to Somerset county.
Barnard Croyle, son of Jacob Croyle, was born in Milford township, Somerset county, and followed agricultural pursuits. He adhered to and supported the men and measures advocated by the Republican party. He was a soldier of the war of the rebellion, in Company J, Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers ; served about three years and was wounded in one of the great battles of the war. Mr. Croyle married Ellen Lohr, born in Quemahoning township, and their children are: Luther, Jacob P. (of whom later), Satie, George, Anna, Emma, and Tillie.
Jacob P. Croyle, son of Barnard and Ellen (Lohr) Croyle, obtained his education in the common schools of his native county, and after leaving school engaged in mining. In 1903 he turned his attention to farming, a calling to which he has since devoted himself. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Croyle married, February 28, 1889, Nancy Barnett, and their children are: John G., born April 16, 1890; Mary E., July 17, 1891; Stella E., July 18, 1893; Harrie M., December 3, 1896; Nellie O., April 25, 1899; and Neoma R., May 16, 1901. Mrs. Croyle is a daughter of Nicholas Barnett, who was born in Quemahoning township, and was a Republican. He married Harriet, daugh- ter of David and Sarah Barnhart, and the following children were born to them: Sarah, Esther, Nancy (born May 4, 1869, wife of Jacob P. Crowle), John, Thomas, James (deceased). William, Margaret, David, Daniel, Julie, and Anna.
JOHN C. REITZ.
John C. Reitz, a well known and influential citizen of Som- erset, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and a prosperous dealer in lumber, is a native of this country, but descended from Ger- man stock.
Hartman Reitz, father of John C. Reitz, and founder of
355
BEDFORD AND SOMERSET COUNTIES
the Reitz family in America, was born in Germany, May 6, 1806, and came to the United States in 1832. He received a good education in Germany. He married (first) Catherine Ginds- parer, born in Stony Creek township, Somerset county, Penn- sylvania, and had two children: John C., of whom later; and Conrad. He married (second), in 1847, Sarah Giger, and by that marriage had nine children: Ellen, Hartman, Elizabeth, Millin, Daniel (deceased), Henry, Jacob, George (deceased), Sarah (deceased).
John C. Reitz, eldest son of Hartman and Catherine (Gindsparer) Reitz, was born in Stony Creek township, Somer- set county, Pennsylvania, May 28, 1838. He enjoyed the advan- tage of a good education in the common schools of the district, and upon leaving school, at the age of sixteen years, was ap- prenticed to the trade of millwright. This he followed for a number of years, being also engaged in the building of houses. barns, etc., until 1868. He then turned his attention to the lum- ber business, in which he was interested for about a year, when he went into a machine shop with one of his brothers. This he continued for about two years, and then sold out his interest and bought the gristmill at Rockwood, which he operated for thirteen years. He disposed of this and then engaged in the lumber trade, which he has continued up to the present time (1906) in West Virginia, having taken his son John W. into the business. He has been successful in his business ventures, dis- playing energy, determination and good business judgment. He is looked upon as a man of undoubted honesty, integrity and capability. In politics Mr. Reitz is a Prohibitionist.
Mr. Reitz married, January 22, 1857, Mary Keefer, born August 2, 1836, in Stony Creek township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Peter and Catherine (Zarfs) Keefer. They were the parents of nine children, of whom the following are now living: Emma J., Rebecca, Rosalie, Mary E., J. W., Bertha. Those who have died are: Catherine, Peter, and an infant child.
SAMUEL H. KANTNER.
Germany was the original home of the family to which Samuel H. Kantner, of Somerset, belongs. Mr. Kantner is the grandson of J. F. Kantner, whose son, John H. Kantner, was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, where he received the greater part of his education. He lived four years in Stoystown, where his father established a woolen mill. He subsequently moved to Somerset, and married Emlie Huston.
Samuel H. Kantner, son of John H. and Emlie (Huston) Kantner, was born May 7, 1853, and received his education in the common schools of his birthplace. At the age of fifteen he
356
BEDFORD AND SOMERSET COUNTIES
left school and entered the woolen mill owned and operated by his father. He maintained his connection with the establish- ment until January, 1906, when he sold the mill to Cook, Ernest & Brown, who organized a stock company and received their charter in May, 1906, and will continue the business as a stock company. Politically he is a Republican, being an advocate and supporter of the men and measures upheld and indorsed by the organization.
Mr. Kantner married, January 26, 1886, Lottie B. Weimer, and they have one child. J. Ralph Kantner. Mrs. Kantner, like her husband, comes from old German stock. She is a great- granddaughter of Frederick Weimer, who was born in Reading, where he received his education in the common schools and passed his life as a blacksmith. Francis E. Weimer, son of Frederick Weimer, was born in Somerset, educated in the com- mon schools of that place, and, like his father, followed the trade of a blacksmith all his life. He married Maria J., daugh- ter of Jacob Stahl, and their children were: Alice; Lottie, born January 8, 1859, in Somerset, and became the wife of Samuel H. Kantner, as mentioned above; Cyrus B .; Frank N .; Alexander C .; Mary M., and Nannie B.
HENRY SHAUD.
Henry Shaud, an industrious farmer of Somerset, Somer- set county, Pennsylvania, is a native of Germany, born March 12, 1835. He came to the United States when he was about twelve years of age, and has ever since followed agricultural pursuits. He is an excellent farmer, and his land is in a high state of cultivation and improvement. He married, in 1863, Sophia Hess, born September 12, 1839, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Shoemaker) Hess. Mr. and Mrs. Shaud have two children, viz .: Laura, born December 30, 1879, and Elsie, Mav 5, 1883. Laura married E. F. Weimar, and they have one child, Elsie R., born March 2, 1904.
PETER SPEICHER.
Peter Speicher, a farmer of Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania, was there born October 2, 1851, a son of Jacob and Sallie (Schrock) Spiecher, and grandson of Peter Speicher, who was born in Somerset county and was a farmer by occupation.
Jacob P. Speicher (father) was also a native of Somerset county. and a farmer bv occupation. He married Miss Sallie Schrock, and their children were: Pollie. Catherine, Rebecca, William (deceased), Peter (of whom later), Ephraim, Emma and Sadie.
Peter Speicher obtained his education in the common schools of Somerset county, left school at the age of seventeen
357
BEDFORD AND SOMERSET COUNTIES
years, and engaged with his father in the cultivation of the home farm. He and his family are members of the German Baptist church. December 17, 1872, he married Rebecca J. Sipe, of German descent, who was born March 15, 1854, in Sipesville, the daughter of Henry and Rebecca (Beesucker) Sipe, who were the parents of children as follows: Alexander, Nancy, Susan, Sarah, Agnes, Franklin, Rebecca, Michael, Emma, Anna, Edward. Her grandfather was Michael Sipe, who was a native of Somerset county. He married Susanna Bets, a member of a family of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Speicher have six children, namely: Park, born October 16, 1873; Robert, July 25, 1875; Larrie B., December 18, 1881 .; Harrie B., April 14, 1884; William P., November 24, 1887; and Earl E., October 26, 1891.
ROBERT E. LOCHRIE.
Robert E. Lochrie, of Boswell, was born June 21, 1870, in Scotland, whence his father, Neal Lochrie, emigrated to this country in 1878, settling in Houtsdale, Clearfield county, where he was employed in the mines.
Robert E. Lochrie received his primary education in Scot- land, being about eight years old when the family came to the United States. He afterward attended the schools of Clear- field county, and on leaving school went to work in the mines and was there employed until 1899. In that year he established himself in the liquor business at Windber, where he conducted a wholesale store until 1902. He then sold out and moved to Boswell, where he has since been engaged in the same line of business. In 1903 he was elected first burgess of Boswell. He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Lochrie married, in 1890, Mary, born March 16, 1871, in France, daughter of Frank and Mary Roland, by whom she was brought to this country when but three years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Lochrie were born four children: Mamie, Jennett, Ruth, Robert.
WILLIAM F. UHL.
William F. Uhl, a prosperous farmer of Somerset, Somer- set county, Pennsylvania, was there born April 21, 1836, a son of Charles and Eliza Uhl, and is of German descent.
William F. Uhl obtained his education in the common schools of his native county, and leaving school at the age of eighteen years engaged in milling grain, continuing in this occu- pation with good success for twenty-two years. He then went into the lumber business, continuing for three years, when he moved to the farm on which he now lives and which he
358
BEDFORD AND SOMERSET COUNTIES
has brought to a high state of cultivation and improvement. In June, 1871, Mr. Uhl married Anna M. Winter, born Novem- ber 10, 1852, daughter of John and Fannie (Somerland) Winter, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter a native of Bir- mingham, England, who came to this country with her mother, her father having died in England. Mr. and Mrs. William F. Uhl have children as follows: Florence, married William K. Lambie; William U .; Catherine; John P., and Grace, married Frederick L. Williams.
JUSTUS VOLK.
Justus Volk, of Boswell, was born June 19, 1870, in Ger- many, and received his education in the schools of his native land. At the age of nineteen he emigrated to the United States and settled in Johnstown, where he worked as a carpenter and cabinetmaker. He then went to South Fork, Pennsylvania, en- gaged in contracting and building and owned a planing mill and lumber yard for four years. For one year he was engaged in the liquor business, and has also worked as a contractor about four years at Boswell. In 1905 he bought the Merchants' Hotel at Bowell, of which he has since been the proprietor, thus add- ing one more to his many interests. This is a first class hotel in every particular, being a brick building three stories in height, second to none in the county. He is a member of the Mystic Chain, the Improved Order of Redmen and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is a Republican in politics.
Mr. Volk married, in 1892, Lizzie Roth, born December 15, 1872, in Johnstown, and their children are Gertrude, Carl, Fredie, Ermie, and Herbert.
GEORGE H. SMITH.
George. H. Smith, for many years one of the energetic and prosperous agriculturists of Somerset, was born in Hoovers- ville, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, May 18, 1843, a descend- ant of a family that has long resided in that section of the state. His parents were John L. and Margaret (Crissey) Smith, na- tives of Somerset county, the former named having been a son of Ludwig Smith, who was born and resided all his lifetime in Somerset county, and the latter a daughter of David Crissey, also a resident of Somerset county.
George H. Smith attended the common schools of Somerset until eighteen years of age. He then served an apprenticeship at the trade of carpenter, which he followed six years with more or less success, after which he turned his attention to farming and followed that pursuit for many years, meeting with very encouraging success. He served three years as director of the poor of Somerset county, and six years as school director. He
359
BEDFORD AND SOMERSET COUNTIES
was a member of the Reformed church, and served as elder of that body for twenty-six years. He served nine months in the Civil war as a member of Company G, Ninety-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and participated in the following battles: Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864; Fall of Petersburg, April 2, 1865; Sailors Creek, April 6, 1865. He was a member of the R. P. Cummins Post, Grand Army of the Republic, Somer- set, Pennsylvania. He was a Republican in politics. He was al- ways willing and ready to assist in every enterprise which tended to promote the best interests of his township. He died May 15, 1906, aged sixty-two years, eleven months and twenty- seven days, on the farm on which he resided for twenty-six years, which was well improved and carefully cultivated, and which consisted of one hundred and eighty acres.
Mr. Smith married, July 9, 1871, Susan Ankney, born No- vember 30, 1849, daughter of Peter and Mary (Zimmerman) Ankney, and granddaughter of Peter Ankney, who was a pros- perous farmer of Somerset county. Peter Ankney was a farmer, served in the Civil war, and died in the hospital at Balti- more, Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had the following chil- dren: Huldah W., born February 14, 1872. Russell K., born September 17, 1873, married, June 26, 1901, Mabel S. Brown, daughter of Calvin and Anna (Simmons) Brown, and they are the parents of one child, Nina Grace, born April 26, 1902. Mary M., born February 3, 1876, deceased. Michael Z., born April 28, 1877, married, October 22, 1902, Elizabeth S. Heiple, daughter of Isaac and Louisa (Gonder) Heiple, and they are the parents of one child, Mary Alta, born April 25, 1903. Edmund B., born March 28, 1879. Emma O., born March 28, 1879, married, Feb- ruary 11, 1903, Oscar D. Weigle, born November 28, 1881, son of Jacob and Abbie (Hill) Weigle, and they are the parents of one child, Naomi Ruth, born December 14, 1904. Gertrude R., born June 4, 1880. married, May 22, 1905, Arthur G. Hoffman, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Coleman) Hoffman and they re- side at Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Jennie E., born April 6, 1882, married, June 28, 1905, Bruce U. P. Cobaugh, son of Daniel and Catharine (Gohn) Cobaugh, and are the parents of one son, George Daniel, born June 18. 1906. Katie Naomi, born May 29, 1884. Alta D., born July 25, 1889.
ANDREW E. BITTNER.
Andrew E. Bittner, a farmer and mail carrier of Somerset, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, was born in Berlin, November 3, 1864, a son of John Bittner, the former a native of Berlin, Germany.
Andrew E. Bittner acquired his education in the common schools of Somerset county, and immediately after leaving the
360
BEDFORD AND SOMERSET COUNTIES
school room entered into his first regular employment as wire- drawer for the Cambria Iron Works. After five years thus occupied he turned his attention to the pursuits of a farmer, in which work he is now engaged. He owns and cultivates a farm of ten acres of fertile, well laid out land. He is an excellent, enterprising farmer and a useful, industrious member of the community. He has served his township as supervisor for sev- eral years, and is now a rural free delivery mail carrier.
Mr. Bittner married, June 13, 1890, Maria H. Boyts, a na- tive of Somerset county, who was born July 25, 1870, a daughter of William and Rebecca (Freeman) Boyts. She is of German descent, and the granddaughter of Harry Boyts, who was born in Somerset county, and engages in agricultural pursuits. Her father, William Boyts, was born in Somerset in 1850, is a farmer by occupation and a Republican in politics. He married Re- becca Freeman, who was also born in Somerset township, and of this marriage the following named children were born: Ida, Nora, Sadie, Harry, Charley, Lulu, Frank, Morton. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew E. Bittner have children as follows: Harry W., Elmer G., Robert W., Lloyd, Meldow, and Elsie E.
WILLIAM J. GLESSNER.
William J. Glessner, a prosperous farmer of Somerset, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, was born April 11, 1856, in Stony Creek township, Somerset county, son of John M. and Mary (Walker) Glessner.
The founder of this family in America was Jacob G. Gless- ner, a native of Germany, who emigrated to this country when quite young, settling in Berlin, Somerset county, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Reformed church. The preacher, Rev. Mr. Spangenburg, decided to resign, and held a meeting one day to solicit the congregation to support him for the re- mainder of his life. He was not an old man, and Mr. Glessner took exception to this move, knowing that the church was in debt and the congregation small. At the close of the meeting, the minister called Mr. Glessner to the back of the church, say- ing he desired to talk the matter over. As soon as they were alone Mr. Spangenburg pulled out a knife and stabbed Mr. Glessner in the heart, and he died immediately. The minister was the first man to be hanged in Somerset county.
Jacob Glessner, son of Jacob G. Glessner, was born near Berlin, in Somerset county, and was a miller by trade. He mar- ried, and among his children was a son, Joseph.
Joseph Glessner, son of Jacob Glessner, was born in Stony Creek township in 1800. He was a farmer by occupation, and also engaged quite extensively in milling. He married Cath- erine Musser, and they had the following named children :
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.