USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and personal history > Part 50
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and personal history > Part 50
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John Howard Meager, son of John and Charlotte (Trus- cott) Meager, was born May 24, 1875, at Frostburg, Maryland, and was a child when the family moved to Salisbury, where he obtained his education in the public schools. At the age of eleven years he went to work in the mines as driver boy, and worked there for eleven years. During four years he was
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trackman in the mines and since January 20, 1903, has held the position of mine foreman. He belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men of Salisbury, and is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Salisbury, of which he is trustee and steward.
Mr. Meager married. December 22, 1898, Dorothy A., daugh- ter of P. M. Connor, of Salisbury, and they have two children : Hazel and Elizabeth.
JOHN LOCHRIE.
Tohn Lochrie, of Windber, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, who has large interests in the oil fields of California, and in timber lands in Georgia and South Carolina, is a coal operator and general superintendent of mines for the W. K. Niver Coal Company, at Macdonaldton, Somerset county. He was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, in 1861, is the son of Neil and Janet Provan Lochrie, and grandson of John Lochrie, who was born in Ireland, in the county of Antrim. He was by trade a gunsmith. He died in 1836, and shortly after his death his widow removed to Glasgow, Scotland, where she reared her family. She died about 1855.
Neil Lochrie, father of John Lochrie, came to the United States in 1864, and enlisted in the army, during the Civil war. At the close of the war he returned to Scotland, where he re- mained for fourteen years. On his return to this country he settled at Houtzdale, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in mining until he retired from active life. He married Miss Janet Provan, of an old Scotch family, about the year 1858, and of this marriage twelve children were born, seven daughters and five sons, viz .: Agnes, born 1859, married John Forsyth ; they live in Windber and have had nine children ; John, see forward; Martha, born 1863, married William Winning; they live in Pittsburg and have nine children; Neil, born 1865, died at the age of two years; Janet, born 1867, married Ralph Hen- derson; they have four children and live in Macdonaldton; Ma- tilda. born 1868, married Edgar Laney; they have six children, and live at Garrett; Robert, born 1869, married Mary Rowland; they live in Boswell; Thomas, born 1871, married Hannah Es- tep; they have two children and live in Windber; Mary, born 1872, married Thomas Boyd, of West Virginia, and they have eight children; Jennie, born 1873. married Edward Loyd; they have three children and live in Windber; Jamima, born 1875, married Charles Estep; they have one child and their home is in Macdonaldton; Hugh, born 1880, unmarried, lives in Wind- ber.
John Lochrie engaged in mining as soon as he was old enough to enter the mines, and soon after becoming of age was Vol. III 30
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promoted to the position of mine foreman. Later he became a mine superintendent, then general mine superintendent, in the duties of which responsible position he is now engaged, in con- nection with his other extensive successful business operations. He is a Republican in politics, and in church connections a Presbyterian. Mr. Lochrie married, in 1883, Miss Matilda Wakefield, daughter of William and Fanny (Mills) Wakefield, of Staffordshire, England. The ceremony was performed in Glasgow, Scotland, Mr. Lochrie having crossed the ocean for the purpose. Nine children were the issue of this mar- riage, viz .: Fanny M., born in Brisbin, Clearfield county, Penn- sylvania, April 6, 1884, married Harry Kenney, of Cone- maugh, and they have two children, Rose Matilda, born March 6, 1904; John Francis, born April 25, 1906; Jannette, born in Houtzdale, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, February 27, 1886; Matilda, born in Houtzdale, December 26, 1887; Gilbert Neil, born in Columbus, Ohio, February 7, 1890; Minnie May, born in Graceton, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, June 10, 1892; William Albert, born in Graceton, April 11, 1894; Martha E., born in Graceton, September 20, 1895; John H., born in Graceton, Au- gust 27, 1897; Rufus Hugh, born in Scalp Level, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, May 28, 1899. His first wife died April 23, 1900, and Mr. Lochrie married Miss Kathleen MeNamara, and two children have been born to them: Kathleen P., born at Windber, June 29, 1903; Thomas Clair, born in Windber, August 29, 1905.
CHARLES W. KURTZ.
The history of Confluence would in a manner be incom- plete without a biography of the late Henry Kurtz, who, although dead since May 25, 1904, is not forgotten. For over twenty years his name was identified with every improvement in the town of his adoption, and although retired from active busi- ness pursuits at the time of his death, he left a vacancy in the town that can never be filled. He was born near Denver, Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, November 4, 1836, where he spent his younger days on a farm. Like many farmer boys, being dissatisfied with his surroundings, he resolved to start out for himself and battle with the world. With no capital but his indomitable energy and perseverance and the strict integrity that characterized his course through life, he left the paternal home, with a determination to surmount every obstacle in his path, and in this determination he was very successful. Novem- ber 26, 1857, he married Miss Albina Winters, of the same county. To this marriage was born eight children, of whom the following are now living: Mrs. Clara Zeigler, of Frederick City, Maryland; Mrs. Fanny Moon, of Confluence; Charles W.,
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of Confluence; Harvey, of Confluence; Mrs. Rose Beal, of Mey- ersdale; Harry, of Weston, West Virginia; one child died in childhood; and William, for many years a prosperous business man of Confluence, died February 2, 1900. Henry Kurtz's first wife died February 6, 1875. He married (second), October 21, 1880, Miss Rebecca Miller, in Juniata county, to whom were born seven children, of whom two died in childhood and John died at Confluence, July 17, 1902. The surviving children of this marriage are Mrs. Katie Crow, who resides in the state of Ohio, and Winfield, Francis and Miss Daisy Belle, who reside in Con- fluence.
Mr. Kurtz engaged at one time in the iron ore business, but on account of the competition of the Lake Superior ore this venture was not a very successful one. He also engaged in the lumber business, at which he was very successful. In 1882 he moved to Ursina, where he resided until 1883, when he removed to Confluence, where he resided permanently until the time of his death with the exception of a year which he spent in Atlan- tic City, New Jersey, for the benefit of his health.
He established a planing mill in Confluence that gave em- ployment to a number of employes. He also established the first electric light plant in Somerset county, when it was counted to be a hazardous undertaking. He built many houses in Conflu- ence, and also established a water plant. During his business career of forty years his word was always as good as a bond. In the lumber business, he purchased the first circular sawmill he ever saw, as his business intuition convinced him that it was the only system.
He was an ideal citizen, kind and generous, a kind father and loving husband, a true friend, a generous and indulgent landlord, a pure and noble hearted man, respected by all con- ditions of men. He always lived up to the Golden Rule and did unto others as he would be done by. His life was a true exem- plification of the "good Samaritan," and he always showed during his long and useful life by his deeds that he believed in no demarcation, but considered all belonging to the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. He came of pioneer stock, being descended from one of three brothers who came from Ger- many in 1747, settling in Berks county.
CHARLES W. KURTZ.
Charles W. Kurtz, a son of the late Henry Kurtz, was born at Roxbury, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1869, and attended school at Carlisle, Cumberland county, until his twelfth year, when he started to work in his father's sawmill and remained in this position until his eighteenth year, when he took a contract of sawing lumber for his father. When twen-
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ty-two years old. he bought a sawmill and started into the lum- ber business, which business he followed continuously until his twenty-ninth year, when he leased the Confluence planing mill and electric light plant, and after three years bought the plant which he successfully conducted, adding to the business the addition of all kinds of building material, including brick, cement and everything required in building. During this time he did quite a business in contracting, erecting several fine buildings, besides a large number of smaller ones.
The crowning business of his life so far has been the instal- lation of a water plant in Confluence, an undertaking that has greatly benefited the town and enhanced the value of property in that town. The Citizens' Water Company, which he inaugu- rated and successfully carried through, is one of the finest plants of its kind in this county; it was completed and water turned on November 4, 1904. The following notice from "The Meyers- dale Commercial" at that time shows the energy and persever- ance shown by him in the undertaking :
"The citizens of Confluence were most fortunate in having entrusted this, to them, most important undertaking to Mr. Kurtz, he being a quiet, determined man, who knew no such word as fail, and in the work of organizing the Citizens' Water Company and installing the plant, he had not only the courage of his convictions, but also to overcome all and every obstacle; for instance, he gave the borough a bond of $2,500 and in addi- tion to this, to forfeit his franchise and all work done and ma- terial furnished in the borough, if not completed within six months. He fulfilled all this with seven weeks to spare, showing that while he understood the magnitude of the undertaking, at the same time, he showed his judgment in knowing that the work could be done within the stipulated time."
He bought the historical Tom Ream mill and homestead at Draketown, and fitted up the house and grounds with all modern conveniences, and here he spends his summers in looking after the water works and engaging in light farming.
MICHAEL KNECHT.
Michael Knecht, a business man of West Salisbury, is a grandson of George Knecht, a native of Germany, whose son, Laurentz Knecht, was born September 3, 1813, in Bavaria, and in March, 1837, emigrated to the United States, settling in Balti- more. Maryland. He married Elizabeth Trice, also a native of Germany, and their children were: Michael, see forward; Adam. Catherine, Elizabeth, Otilla and Dorothy. Laurentz Knecht was a cooper and in America was prominently connected with C. and O. canal. Died in 1874, aged fifty-six ; his wife died in 1885, aged seventy-four.
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Michael Knecht, son of Laurentz and Elizabeth (Trice) Knecht, was born January 18, 1838, in Baltimore, and was an infant when his parents moved to Accident, Garrett county, Maryland. He attended the public schools of that place until he was eight years old, when the family moved to Kaiser's Ridge, on the National Pike, after which his school-days were very few. Here his father owned and operated a distillery. He was employed at mining and learned the blacksmiths' trade at Lonaconing, Maryland, commencing at the age of sixteen and is master of his trade. Until 1879 he was engaged in farming at Kaiser's Ridge, and then went to work in a blacksmiths' shop at Grantsville. In 1880 he moved to West Salisbury and went into business for himself as a blacksmith. In 1883 he be- came engaged in the sawmill business, and in 1892 went into lumbering, living in and near Salisbury. He bought out the old Salisbury foundry and moved to West Salisbury, where he is now in business. The firm name is M. Knecht and Sons. They are manufacturers and dealers in machinery; mine, and mill supplies and heavy forging and casting of all kinds. The shops are located at West Salisbury. They do all kinds of repairs on lumbering and mining machinery, and since 1895 two of his sons have been in partnership with him. For ten months he filled the office of justice of the peace by appointment. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Knecht married in Cumberland, Maryland, June 8, 1868, Mary A., daughter of Isaac Daniels, of Accident, Mary- land, and the following are their children: Elizabeth, deceased; John A., in partnership with his father; William Martin, also in partnership with his father; he is interested in the breeding of blooded stock and possesses two very fine specimens of high- ly bred horses, Harry Hontas and Colonel Salisbury. He mar- ried Alice Bevans, and their children are: Helen Marguerite, Joanna Marie, Bernadine, Ruth Elizabeth, Eugene Gerald, de- ceased; Sarah Catherine, wife of Robert Branther and mother of Joseph M. Branther; Joseph Adam, married Margaret Sloan; George F., married Ollie Spicher, and they have one child, Michael Knecht; Gertrude; Henry Francis. The family are all connected with the Roman Catholic church, and the sons are Democrats.
JAMES A. JONES.
As his name indicates, James A. Jones, of Somerset, is the descendant of Welsh ancestors. Isaac Jones was born in Wales and emigrated to the United States not less than sixty years ago, settling in Cambria county, Pennsylvania. His wife was Nancy Decker.
James A. Jones, son of Isaac and Nancy (Decker) Jones,
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was born November 25, 1848, in Cambria City, Cambria county, and received his education in the common schools of Westmore- land county. In 1864 he left school, being then sixteen years of age, and enlisted in Company B, First Battalion, Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Cavalry, and after serving his full term re- turned to his home, which was at New Florence, Westmoreland county. After four years he went west and lived there fourteen years, four of which were spent in Nebraska and Kansas. At the end of fourteen years he returned to the east and took np his abode in Somerset county, where he purchased the foundry which he now owns and operates, manufacturing stoves and all kinds of castings. In the sphere of polities he adheres to the Republican party. to which he uniformly lends the aid of his vote and personal influence.
AUGUSTUS TAYMAN.
Augustus Tayman, deceased, who was an esteemed resident of Rockwood, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, was born in Ber- lin, September 1, 1856, the son of Augustus Tayman, and was of German origin. His father was a native of Germany, and came to this country when a young man, settling in Pennsyl- vania.
Augustus Tayman obtained his educational training in the public schools of his native place, and immediately after leaving the schoolroom turned his attention to the trade of carpenter. For several years he was engaged at this trade, in the employ of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. In politics he was a life- long Democrat, and deeply interested in the progress and ad- vancement of that organization. He married Mary E: Yntzey, born December 6, 1863, in Somerset county, near Berlin, a daughter of Simon and Lydia (Ringler) Yutzey. Her maternal grandfather, Solomon Ringler, was a native of Somerset county, and a farmer by occupation. Her father, Simon Yutzey, was born in Somerset county, was a farmer and a carpenter. He married Lydia Ringler in 1860, and by that union children were born as follows: William, Mary E. (Mrs. Tayman) ; Joshua, Alice and Lizzie. Mr. and Mrs. Tayman have one child, L. Pearl, born January 22, 1885.
H. CHARLES MATTHIAS.
HT. Charles Matthias, a representative business man of Rockwood, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1875. a son of William and Rachel (Gallagher) Matthias, grandson of John Matthias, and a descendant of a family of German extraction. John Matthias (grandfather) was a native of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and was by trade a gun- smith. William Matthias (father) was also a native of Hunt-
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ingdon county, and was a carpenter and contractor by trade. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, namely : Minton, H. Charles, Clinton, Joseph, Albert, Blaine, Bruce and Ray Matthias.
H. Charles Matthias received his education in the common schools adjacent to his home, completing the same at the age of fifteen years. After serving three or four years apprentice- ship at the trade of blacksmith in his native county, he went to Pittsburg and there secured employment as a journeyman, re- maining for a short period of time. He next located in Moor- head, Minnesota, where he worked at his trade for eighteen months, and at the expiration of this time returned to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and for the following three years was engaged there. In 1903 he took up his residence in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and there established a blacksmithing business, being also a dealer in all kinds of wagons. He is a man of ener- gy and enterprise, honorable and conscientious, and therefore merits the success which has attended his efforts. He is a Re- publican in politics.
Mr. Matthias married, December 18, 1901, Nettie Mangle, born November 16, 1874, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Shoners) Mangle, and granddaughter of David Mangle, a native of Germany. John Mangle, who was a native of Hunt- ingdon county, Pennsylvania, and a farmer by occupation, was the father of six children. as follows: Grace, Nettie (Mrs. H. Charles Matthias), Howard, Harvey, Mary and Esther Mangle. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Matthias, Helen, September 14, 1903.
JOHN C. F. MILLER.
John C. F. Miller, postmaster of Rockwood, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, former justice of the peace, and a man of prominence and considerable influence in his town, is a de- scendant of a family which was among the pioneer settlers of this country, having emigrated from Germany. Daniel Miller, grandfather of John C. F. Miller, was a resident of this country, and followed the occupation of farming. Daniel D. Miller, son of Daniel Miller, was born in Summit township, Somerset coun- ty, Pennsylvania, April 2, 1815. He followed in his father's footsteps as a farmer and was very successful. He married Mary Miller, born in Summit township, Somerset county, Penn- sylvania, December 15, 1817, and they had ten children: Cyrus, born June 27, 1837; Joseph D., March 29, 1839; Samuel, March 20, 1841, deceased; William, deceased; Daniel, deceased; Susan, October, 1844; Ephraim D., May 9, 1847; Mary, November 6, 1853; John C. F., see forward; Milton B., October 31, 1858,
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married Emma Surber, of Nebraska, and they have four chil- dren.
John C. F. Miller, seventh son and ninth child of Daniel D. and Mary ( Miller) Miller, was born May 3, 1856, in Milford township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania. Through his own efforts he educated himself, and at the age of eighteen was well qualified to teach and began as teacher in the common schools and subsequently in the graded school and was two terms prin- cipal of the graded school and wound up his career with eight- een consecutive years of teaching. As a teacher he was con- siderate, progressive and popular. He then entered upon his business career, accepting a position as clerk in the store of Miller Brothers, and worked there for about six years. He then received his appointment as postmaster and filled a term of four and a half years, until Cleveland was elected president. He was then elected justice of the peace for five years, resigning his office, however, in order to enter again upon the duties of postmaster, a position to which he had been appointed by Presi- dent MeKinley. He was at first a postmaster of the fourth class, but in January, 1903, he was advanced to that of third class. At that time he was appointed by President Roosevelt for a further term of four years. He has always discharged the duties of his office to the entire satisfaction of all concerned in the matter, paying the strictest attention to all the numerous details. Ile is methodical, observant, and possessed of sound business judgment. In politics he has always affiliated with the Republican party. He is a member of Somerset Lodge, No. 358, Free and Accepted Masons.
Mr. Miller married, December 30, 1888, Louisa Miller, born April 15, 1861, in Milford township, Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania, daughter of Jones H. and Susan ( Baker) Miller.
ROSS SECHLER.
Ross Sechler, of Keim, is a grandson of Daniel Seehler, a native of Germany, who emigrated to the United States. He married and was the father of six children: Henry; Andrew; Joseph, see forward; Elizabeth; Mary; and Sarah.
Joseph Seehler, son of Daniel Sechler, was born in Milford township and was a farmer and cooper. He married Ellen, daughter of Joshua Rhoads, of Milford township, and their family consisted of the following children: Daniel, deceased; Mary; Ross, see forward; Joshua; Mareellus; and Charles.
Ross Sechler, son of Joseph and Ellen (Rhoads) Sechler, was born August 7, 1851, in Upper Turkeyfoot township, where he attended the public schools until the age of twenty-one. Hle found employment with different farmers in his native township
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until 1873. when he went to Keim and was there employed for two years on the farm of Jerry Folk. In 1876 he bought a farm in the neighborhood, on which he lived until March, 1903, and then purchased the old Folk Farm, on which he had worked when he first came to Keim. He has served three terms as su- pervisor and six terms as school director, which office he still holds. He is a Republican and a member of the Reformed church.
Mr. Sechler married, in 1874, Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Folk, of Elk Lick township, and they were the parents of the following children: Calvin, Ellen, Charles J., William H., Jacob I., and Sadie E. After the death of the mother of these children Mr. Sechler married Mrs. Catharine (Folk) Liven- good, daughter of Jacob Folk and sister of his first wife. On being again left a widower he married Amanda, daughter of Peter Camp, of Garrett county, Maryland. By the second and third marriages there were no children.
GEORGE H. TRENT.
George H. Trent, a farmer of Somerset county, Pennsylva- nia, was there born October 30, 1862, a son of William and Margaret (Reitz) Trent, and grandson of Trent, who was a native of Somerset county and a farmer by occupation. William Trent was also a farmer of this county and married Miss Margaret Reitz, who was of German parentage.
George H. Trent received his education in the common schools of Somerset county, and, leaving school at the age of sixteen years, engaged in teaming and farming. He is now one of the leading farmers in the county and owns a very fine home, which he built, in Listie, Pennsylvania, in 1904, about eight rods from the depot, which consists of eleven rooms, supplied with all modern improvements, hot and cold water, etc. His farm, a short distance from the town, is a highly cultivated and improved one. August 25, 1882, George H. Trent was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Shultzman, who was born July 4, 1864, in Somerset county. Three children were born of this union, viz: Carrie, May 2, 1884; Fannie, September 20, 1898; and Lottie, April 2, 1902.
EDWARD F. CUSTER.
Edward F. Custer, of Stoystown, is a grandson of Henry Custer, who was a native of Somerset county and a farmer. He married Anna Hart, and their son, Jonas Custer, was born in Somerset county, and, like his father, devoted himself to agri- cultural pursuits. Politically he was a Republican.
Mr. Custer married a Miss Kimmel, a native of Somerset county, and their children were: Anna, wife of Men-
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ser; Ida B .; Mary G .; William H .; and Edward F., mentioned hereinafter.
Edward F. Custer, son of Jonas Custer, was born No- vember 8. 1871, in Somerset township, where he received his education in the common schools. At the age of fifteen he left school. and until his twenty-eighth year was engaged in farm- ing with his father. He then built the Hotel Leslie, which he condneted for thirteen months and then sold the property to Mr. Bloom. For one year thereafter he carried on a lime and coal business and then moved to Stoystown, where he pur- chased Spangler's livery business, which he has since success- fully conducted.
Mr. Custer married, June, 1899, Victoria Matthews, and they are the parents of one child, Harold B., born December 8, 1900.
Mrs. Custer is a daughter of W. S. Matthews, a native of West Virginia and a farmer. His wife was Jane Aumor, and their family consisted of the following children: Victoria, born August 15, 1877, in West Virginia, wife of Edward F. Custer; Benjamin E .; Bruce; and Arthur.
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