USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and personal history > Part 41
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and personal history > Part 41
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The Kendall Brothers (Samuel A. and Jacob L. Kendall) while alert, active and successful men of affairs, as they must of necessity be to have risen in commercial. and manufacturing circles as narrated in these pages, are by no means slaves to their enterprises. During the summer months, at their hotel, The Ferncliff, at Ohio Pyle, at the homestead farm, and at their lumber towns in Maryland, with their families, they give them- selves up to all the pleasures and comforts at command. They are liberal and progressive. Somerset county has profited largely through their business enterprise and initiative along various important lines.
JACOB J. ZORN.
Jacob J. Zorn, the efficient secretary of the Co-operative Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and one of Berlin's repre- sentative citizens, was born in Berlin, April 30, 1838, the third son of Michael and Mary Louisa (Dom) Zorn.
Michael Zorn (father) was born in Lancaster, Pennsylva- nia, October 23. 1800. He came to Berlin with his parents at an early age and learned the trade of a potter, a business he en- gaged in until his death in 1850. He was an active member of the Lutheran church in Berlin, and served in the various official positions of that body. Politically he was a Democrat. In 1824, at Berlin, Michael Zorn married Mary Louisa Dom, born in Darmstadt, Germany, January 9, 1802, came with her par- ents to America in 1818. For fifty years she was an earnest member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and in 1868, at the age of sixty-six, passed away. The children of this mar- riage were: Charles, removed to Richmond, Indiana, where he died; Jackson, served three years in the Civil war, now (1906) living in Valparaiso, Indiana : Jacob J., of whom later; Mary Louisa (Mrs. A. K. Johnson, of Berlin) ; and Michael A., served over three years in the Civil war, a resident of Mckeesport, Pennsylvania.
Jacob J. Zorn was educated in the schools of Berlin. His
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tastes were for mechanics, and at the age of fifteen he began learning the plastering trade. After mastering this trade he followed it uninterruptedly for many years, teaching school two winter sessions in 1858-59. After becoming an expert in this business, Mr. Zorn engaged in.contracting and later formed a partnership with Washington Megahan, under the firm name of Megahan & Zorn, and for ten years thereafter the firm erected buildings and did general plastering throughout Somerset coun- ty. In 1876 Mr. Zorn built the public school building known as Bunker Hill school, at that date considered the best and finest school building in the county. Mr. Zorn retired from the con- tracting business in 1881, and for three years thereafter con- ducted a grocery and feed store in Berlin. At the expiration of this period of time he sold out his store and returned to work at his trade. A notable building erected by Mr. Zorn at this period in his life was Holy Trinity Lutheran church, on Main street, Berlin. This was a fine, modern, brick structure, and stands to-day as a monument to his skill as a builder.
In 1900 Mr. Zorn, with others, incorporated the Reitz Manu- facturing Company, for the manufacture of all kinds of roller mill machinery. They installed a very complete plant, and for three years conducted a successful business, but on the death of Mr. Reitz, who was the manager and the only practical ma- chinist in the company, it was decided to close out the business, which was accordingly done. Mr. Zorn and Captain A. Heffley purchased the plant, which has never since been operated in full. In 1898 Mr. Zorn, in the face of opposition and prejudice, organized the Co-operative Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Berlin. It was necessary before the company could obtain a charter that they have $200,000 of insurance pledged. Mr. Zorn personally undertook to secure this amount, and for eight months worked alone and unaided and secured the required pledges. February 19, 1898, the permanent organization was effected and the charter granted. As this is the best and most wisely planned and economically conducted mutual companies in the state, it is fitting that we note the names and standing of the men whom Mr. Zorn gathered around him at a time when the mutual plan of fire insurance was not considered in as favorable light as at present. The president is William H. Ruppel, one of the leading attorneys of the Somerset county har; vice-president, Charles A. Floto, cigar manufacturer of Berlin; treasurer. Fred Groff, one of Berlin's leading merchants ; secretary, Jacob J. Zorn, organizer of the company. The directors are: Will- iam H. Ruppel, H. L. Sipe, of Somerset: Harrison Snyder, of Rockwood; J. B. Davis, of Ursina; S. C. Hartley, of Meyers- dale; Josiah Specht, of Kantner; P. J. Blough, of Hooversville; Hon. Jeremiah Maurer, ex-member of the state legislature :
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J. G. Gardill and L. C. Boyer, of Elk Lick. These men are all prominent citizens of the county and well known business men. During the second year the company met with severe fire losses, but by wise management and the loyal support of the members the crisis was safely passed and the company entered upon a career of prosperity that more than justifies the hopes of its founders. This company has now (1906) in force $1,349,448 of carefully selected and widely distributed insurance, and has paid losses to the amount of $15,305,000, besides effecting a great saving in premiums to the insured. This fine showing is the result of the personal work of Mr. Zorn, he being the manager as well as secretary, and the only paid official of the company, no agents or solicitors being employed. The found- ing and successful operating of this great business enterprise is a fitting capstone to Mr. Zorn's long and busy life.
Mr. Zorn's first votes were cast for the Democratic candi- dates, but for the past thirty years he has been an ardent and earnest advocate of Prohibition. Now, in his sixty-eighth year, he has never yet had the pleasure of voting for an elected presi- dent of the United States. In borough affairs he has always been active, and has filled the various offices from clerk to bur- gess. In 1862, Mr. Zorn, then about twenty-four years old, helped to raise a company of volunteers which left Berlin in August, 1862, went to Harrisburg, same state, and was mustered into the United States service as Company F, One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. They were assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and joined that grand organization on the battle field of Antietam. They were at- tached to the Pennsylvania Reserve Division under command of General Meade. Their first time under fire was at bloody. Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862, and from that time on they participated in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac, and were present at the final scene in our great national tragedy at Appomattox. During all this time Mr. Zorn missed but one battle in which his regiment engaged (and it was in them all) and was never wounded or in the hospital. At Gettysburg he was taken prisoner and thrice offered a parole, but refused, hoping to escape, as General Lee was being so badly worsted in the fight. But this hope was vain; the prisoners were marched to Staunton, Virginia, and from there sent to Richmond. On August 1, 1863, he was paroled and taken to City Point, thence to Annapolis, and rejoined his command in November, 1863. Mr. Zorn was mustered out of the service at Washing- ton, D. C., May 29. 1865, with the rank of first lieutenant. All through the war Mr. Zorn kept a diary commencing with his day of enlistment. August 12. 1862, and ending with the grand review. Each day's occurrences were chronicled while the
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stirring events were fresh and vivid in his memory. When cap- tured and searched he hid his book in his boot leg, and it passed unnoticed. Since returning home he has transcribed the diaries in a large, handsomely bound volume, clearly and neatly copied in his own hand. The work is illustrated with photographs of his captain (Heffley), who was twenty-one monthis a prisoner in southern prisons ; his colonel, R. P. Cummins, who was killed at Gettysburg; and the general officers of the army, with many of his tentmates. As a history of the Army of the Potomac and a souvenir of the great war of the rebellion the volume is price- less.
In 1901-02 Mr. Zorn was elected president of the Regimental Association of the One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment, which holds a reunion every two years. He is past commander of Mark Collins Post, No. 344, Grand Army of the Republic, and has been quartermaster for the past twelve years. For three years the Post languished and no meetings were held, but Mr. Zorn kept the post in good standing and alive by sending in the per capita tax and annual reports to headquarters. He entered Somerset Lodge, No. 358, Free and Accepted Masons, in 1866, Uniontown Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, July 3, 1872, but withdrew from that body in 1893 to become a charter mem- ber of Hebron Chapter, No. 272, at Meyersdale, Pennsylvania. He was initiated in Berlin Lodge, No. 461, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in 1865, has passed all the chairs, served as district deputy grand master of Somerset county, and for twenty-two years has been secretary of that lodge and is still in the service. He has twice been a representative to the grand lodge, and is a past chief patriarch of the Encampment.
At the age of sixteen years Mr. Zorn connected himself with the church, joining Trinity Evangelical Lutheran church of Berlin. He has been an active and consistent member and worker in that body ever since, particularly in Sabbath school work. Besides holding the various church official positions, he has been secretary of the Sunday school for fifteen years, was superintendent, and is now teacher of a class of boys. His time and means are freely drawn upon, and in all religious matters he is always one of the faithful. Mr. Zorn, now (1906) in his sixty-eighth year, is active and alert in mind and body, is firmly devoted to his company and his family, to whose interests every business day is devoted.
On December 31. 1867, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by the Rev. Dr. E. W. Hutter, pastor of New Street Evangelical Lutheran church, Mr. Zorn was married to Jemima D. Statler, of Somerset county ancestry, her parents being David and Dorcas (Hartzell) Statler, of Stoystown. David Statler was a tinner, and for many years a lineman for the American Union
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Telegraph Company. Mrs. Zorn was educated in the town schools. The children born to Jacob J. and Jemima D. (Statler) Zorn are: Robert H., born November 20, 1868, cashier in the freight department of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Cleve- land, Ohio; he married Emerett Grant, of the same city. George S., born February 26, 1874, a machinist and foreman in the shops of the American Sheet Steel Company at Vandergrift, Pennsylvania; he married Rachel Link, of Chicago, Illinois. Edith, born April 16, 1872, a graduate of the Central Normal school at Lock Haven, Pennsylvania; she married Jacob Schrock, cashier of the First National Bank of Berlin, Penn- sylvania. Nellie, born April 18, 1876, married Allen C. Miller, a cigarmaker of Berlin. Annie, born March 22, 1878, resides at home with her parents.
IRWIN M. HOOVER.
The family of which Irwin M. Hoover, of Hooversville, is a representative, is of German-Swiss origin, the earliest known form of the name having been Huber. In its present form of Hoover it is, and has been for many years, prominently iden- tified with the interests of Somerset county.
George Hoover (or Huber), the founder of the family in this country, was born near Basel, Switzerland, whence he came, with his parents and his only brother, Ulrich, to the American colonies. They settled in York, Pennsylvania, the period of their immigration being many years prior to the revolutionary war. George Hoover grew to manhood in this country and was sufficiently prosperous at the time of the war for independence to loan the colonies twenty-two hundred pounds. After peace was declared he was paid in Continental money, which was sub- sequently repudiated. He was thrice married, his first wife being a Miss Shearer, who bore him eight children, six of whom, with their mother, died within six weeks. His second wife was Catharine Miller, of York, Pennsylvania, by whom he was the father of the following children : Margaret, wife of Philip Fehl ; Mary, wife of Henry Jones; Eve, wife of Frederick Eye- holds ; Katie. wife of George Eyeholds; Jacob, married Barbara Moritz; George, married Susan Tate; Samuel, married Mar- garet Raffensberger, and after her death the widow of John Moles; Jonas, see forward; and two who died in infancy.
Jonas Hoover. son of George and Catharine (Miller) Hoover, was born August 14, 1794. He served two years in the army during the war of 1812, and in that year was with Colonel Scott in his march through Bedford county. At Bed- ford he was taken ill, but recovered and rejoined his regiment at Erie. He participated in the two engagements at Fort Erie and also in the battle of Niagara, where Colonel Scott received
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a mortal wound, being upheld in his saddle by Mr. Hoover as his horse was led from the field. Mr. Hoover was honorably discharged in 1814.
In 1836 he sold his farm at Chambersburg and moved to Somerset county, taking up his abode, in 1847, in Hooversville, which was named in his honor. He engaged in farming and also owned and operated a grist-mill, which was built by John A. Clark. In 1847 Mr. Hoover erected near this mill another, which is still in operation. From 1852 to 1862 he was justice of the peace in Quemahoning township, from which Hooversville was taken. He was a Democrat in politics and a member of the German Reformed church.
After his discharge from the army, Mr. Hoover married a Miss Dearderf; and three children were born to them: Catha- rine, Martha, and Jolin. After the death of his wife he married Mary Lohrsbaugh, and by this marriage became the father of three more children: David, see forward; George, and Mary. On being left for the second time a widower, Mr. Hoover mar- ried Elizabeth Krichbaum, the issue of this marriage being one child, Amelia. Jonas Hoover died, and his widow is living at Hillsborough, Somerset county.
David Hoover, son of Jonas and Mary (Lohrsbaugh) Hoover, was born February 5, 1829, and for many years fol- lowed the trade of a millwright. Later he owned and operated a planing-mill at Hooversville. He enlisted, September 26, 1864, in Company D, Fifty-eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was honorably discharged at Richmond, June 5, 1865. He was a Democrat and a member of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Hoover married Susan Clark, and they were the par- ents of the following children: William P., born January 27, 1850, married Ellen, daughter of Emmanuel Lohr; Jonas, born February 11, 1852, died January 5, 1866; George E., born De- cember 8, 1853, married Elizabeth, daughter of John Dobson; Mary J., born March 12, 1856; Martha A., born September 7, 1858, wife of Dr. J. W. Hamer; Irwin M., see forward; Ella E., born August 8, 1868, married McGarey Stanton, and died Jan- uary 29, 1896. To all these children Mr. Hoover gave a good education. His death occurred June 17, 1888. His widow still resides in Hooversville.
Irwin M. Hoover, son of David and Susan (Clark) Hoover, was born February 24, 1862, and is a carpenter by trade. In 1885 he was employed at West Newton by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, and then for three years was at Connells- ville in the same employ. In 1889 he returned to Hooversville, and in February, 1891, was appointed by Governor Patterson justice of the peace. He was elected to that office in 1892, 1897
Vol. JII 25
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and 1902. In 1898 he was nominated for state senator by the Democrats of Somerset, Bedford and Fulton counties, but was defeated by a small majority, the district being strongly Repub- lican. On his return to Hooversville he resumed the business in which he had formerly been engaged, which was that of real estate, and took up again his duties as justice of the peace. He is a stockholder in the Hooversville National Bank. He affili- ates with Lodge No. 440, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of West Newton, and is a charter member of Fayette Council, No. 142, Order of United American Mechanics, of Connells- ville. He also belongs to Hooversville Tent, No. 324, Knights of the Maccabees, in which since 1898 he had served as secre- tary and keeper of finances. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Hoover married, March 24, 1885, Anna M., daughter of Samuel Soules, of Mckeesport, and they were the parents of one son, born September 28, 1888, who died in infancy.
JONAS A. WEAVER.
Jonas A. Weaver, of Windber, Pennsylvania, is a great- great-grandson of Jacob Weaver, the first of the Weaver fam- ily to come across the ocean. Jacob Weaver, in company with eleven other men, came to this country from Bavaria, and located in Juniata county. Jacob Weaver was married, and be- came the father of seven children as follows: Abraham, Jacob, Christian, John, Samuel, David, Peter, all of whom lived in this section of the country.
Abraham Weaver lived near Davidsville, Conemaugh town- ship, was a farmer and a member of the Mennonite church. He married a Miss Coughman and was the father of six sons and two daughters, as follows: Jonas, Christian, Manuel, Abraham, see forward; Daniel, Christina, Lucinda and David. Mr. Weaver, the father, died about 1860.
Abraham Weaver, son of Abraham Weaver, was born May 1, 1818. About 1840 he settled on the farm now owned by his son, Jonas A, Weaver, and devoted himself to its cultivation in connection with the lumber business. He owned several other farms, bought stock to supply the Johnstown markets, was a stockholder in the Scalp and Johnstown pike, of which he was the treasurer, and served several times as supervisor of Paint township. His political principles were those advocated by the Republican party, and he was a member of the German Baptist church. Mr. Weaver married Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Stutzman, and their children were: Lucinda, born 1841, married Noah Miller, died about 1865; Steven B., born 1843, married Elizabeth Custer, had ten children; Mary, born 1845, wife of Henry Hostetler, had seven children; Samuel, born 1847, mar-
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ried Mary Berkey, has seven children; Jacob, born 1849, mar- ried Lavina Hoffman, has nine children; Abraham, born 1851, died 1853; Hiram, born 1853, married Frances Reed, has eight children : Susan, born 1856, wife of Isaac D. Shaffer, has eight children; Jonas A., see forward; Elizabeth, born 1866, died 1870. The mother of this family died in 1877, and the death of Mr. Weaver occurred May 31, 1895.
Jonas A. Weaver, son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Stutz- man) Weaver, was born September 22, 1860. He settled on the homestead, where he has since lived as a farmer. For the last seven years he has supplied milk to the inhabitants of Windber. He is a stockholder in the Scalp and Johnstown pike, the Wind- ber National Bank, the Johnstown Trust Company, the Citizens' National Bank, and the Hooversville National Bank, in which he is also a director. He is a Republican and a member of the German Baptist church.
Mr. Weaver married Mary J., daughter of Hiram and Frances Shaffer, and granddaughter of David Shaffer. The marriage took place November 4, 1883, the issue being as fol- lows: Milton, born July 27, 1884; Charles, November 16, 1885; Abraham, December 23, 1887; Hiram, September 25, 1889; Quinter, October 14, 1891; Fannie, January 27, 1893, died March 12, 1900; Clara, December 17, 1894; Roy, April 17, 1896; Foster, April 28, 1898; Sylvester, December 11, 1899, died January 8, 1900; and Joseph, March 24, 1902. To these children Mr. Weaver has given the best educational facilities within his power, and Milton, the eldest, is now a teacher in one of the public schools.
JOSEPH EBAUGH.
Joseph Ebaugh, who throughout his active career has de- voted his attention exclusively to the cultivation of the soil, in which occupation he has achieved well-merited success, is a native of Summit township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, born November 12, 1865. He is a son of Roman and Mary (Albright) Ebaugh, the former of whom was born in Baden, Germany, March 1, 1826, followed the occupation of farming, was a Catholic in religion, a Democrat in politics and died Sep- tember 22, 1866, aged forty years, and the latter was born March 4, 1840, in Greenville township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania.
Joseph Ebaugh obtained an education in the public schools adjacent to his home, and upon taking up the practical duties of life followed in the footsteps of his father, who was one of the successful farmers of that section. By following the most progressive methods of agriculture and by the use of the im- proved machinery now in vogue, Mr. Ebaugh's farm yields large returns and enables him to gain a comfortable livelihood.
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He is a member of the German Baptist church, and a man of influence in the community in which he resides. He married, March 10, 1889, in Summit township, Mary Susan Saylor, daughter of William and Catharine ( Phillipie) Saylor, the former of whom is a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Ebaugh are the parents of one child, William Robert, born January 13, 1890, in Suminit township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania.
JOSEPH J. SEESE.
Joseph J. Seese, of Windber, is a great-grandson of Mel- cher Seese, one of the earliest residents of Paint township, who married Sophia Lint and reared a large family, his numerous descendants being scattered over Somerset county.
Emmanue! Seese, son of Melcher Seese, was born about 1792, and settled on a farm near Windber. He was a Whig and a member of the Lutheran church.
He married, about 1814, Barbara Hoffman, of Paint town- ship, and their children were: JJohn, see forward; Mary, born May 15, 1818; Philip, December 16, 1819; Sophia, March 7, 1821; William, February 22, 1823: Susannah, November 3, 1824; Sarah, September 3, 1826; Elizabeth, April 22, 1828; and Gil- lian, December 22, 1829. The death of Mr. Seese occurred Octo- ber, 1858.
John Seese, son of Emmanuel and Barbara (Hoffman) Seese, was born December 16, 1816, in Paint township, and in 1837 settled on the old Seese farm, now owned by his son, Joseph J. Seese. There he passed all the remaining years of his life. serving his township in the offices of school director, supervisor, assessor, tax collector, and notably in that of justice of the peace, which he held for twenty-five years. For many years he was identified with the Whigs, but later became a Re- publican. He was a member of the Lutheran church, Mr. Seese married, November 19, 1837, Hannah Custer, of Cona- maugh township, and their children were: Joseph J., see for- ward; Barbara, born November 1, 1841, married Joseph Leh- man, and died January, 1887; Emmanuel, born November 24, 1844, married Margaret Otto, and died December, 1894; Rachel, born May 8, 1846, wife of Henry J. Leman; Sarah, died May 18, 1850; Elizabeth, born March, 1851, wife of Henry Fyock; Sophia, born August 31, 1853, deceased; John, born December 31. 1855, died at the age of one year; Hannah, born December 7, 1857: Catharine, born July 26, 1860, wife of Hiram Myers; and Mary A., born April 10, 1864. Mr. Seese died August 23, 1892.
Joseph J. Seese, son of John and Hannah (Custer) Seese. was born August 6, 1839, and was given by his father the ad- vantages of education which the time and the place afforded.
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In 1862 he settled on his father's farm near Sealp Level, in Paint township, and for two years worked at the carpenter's trade. He then moved to Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and after re- maining there four years returned to the homestead, thence- forth, until 1900, devoting his attention to the cultivation of the old lands. In that year he moved from the farm to a small place in Paint township, where he has since resided. He has filled the offices of constable, treasurer and school director of the town- ship, serving in each three years, and has also been supervisor one year. He is a Republican and a member of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Seese married, November 30, 1862, Lydia, daughter of Jacob Blough, and they have been the parents of the following children : John F., born February 27, 1864, married Elizabeth Ott; Mary A., born November 10, 1865, died November 22, 1969; Elizabeth E., born January 2, 1868, wife of Lewis Statler, has eleven children; Emma B., born October 4, 1870, wife of L. R. Manger, has four children; Sylvester, twin to Emma B., married May J. Menster, has five children; Henry A., born October 4, 1877; Oliver C., born October 15, 1884.
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