USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and personal history > Part 54
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and personal history > Part 54
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Mr. Liphart married, November 28, 1898, Mary, daughter of Samuel and Ellen (Dull) Brougher, of Upper Turkeyfoot township, and they are the parents of one child, Olive, born February 15, 1904.
CHARLES R. McMILLAN.
During the many years that Mr. McMillan has been a resi- dent of Listonburg, he has not only witnessed its progress, but he has also aided in its development, being a promoter of nearly every industry in the community. His life has been a busy and useful one; he has rightly valued every moment given him, and has thus gained a reputation for promptness in originating plans and dispatch in executing them.
John McMillan, great-grandfather of Charles R. McMillan, came to Somerset county from Dauphin county at an early date. and engaged in the tanning business on what is known now as the A. J. Case farm, at Fort Hill. He had no vats or leeches,
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and took large chestnut logs and made troughs in which to lime bait and tan his hides. He was probably the first tanner in Som- erset county, and his great-grandson, Charles R. McMillan, whose name heads this sketch, is tanning at the present time (1906) on the old methods, being the last one to conduct business along those lines. Jolin Kilpatrick McMillan, grandfather of Charles R. McMillan, married Mary Rush, and their son, Jehu McMillan, father of Charles R. McMillan, married Mary Ann Ream, daughter of Samuel and Mary Ream. Jehn McMillan was the first postmaster at Listonburg, appointed May 28, 1877.
Charles R. McMillan, born January 16, 1866, received a common school education, and his first occupation was that of school teacher, in which capacity he served for ten consecutive winters. Since then he has been engaged in various pursuits, in which he has achieved a well-merited degree of success. He has been a tanner, merchant, manufacturer of woolen goods with Jesse Liston, and through his instrumentality many busi- ness industries have been established along White's Creek, a beautiful mountain stream flowing rapidly; its headwaters are at the western base of Negro mountain, and it empties into the Castleman river near Harnedsville. In 1850 it was known as Jones' Mill Run, but between that year and 1856 the name was changed to White's Creek, the reason for this being that the Jones family, who resided where the town of Unamis now is, sold out to the White family. The first settlement at Liston- burg was made about the year 1756, or near the time that Gen- eral Braddock made his famous trip through this region.
Mr. McMillan has always taken an active interest in mat- ters pertaining to the public welfare, especially along educa- tional lines, and served one term of three years as school di- rector. He was elected township clerk at the age of twenty-one, later was elected tax collector, and subsequently served as jus- tice of the peace three terms, in all a period of fifteen years, dis- charging his duties to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Mr. McMillan married Ida M. Augustine, who died several years ago, leaving two sons: Arthur Columbus and Paul Kil- patrick, both of whom are attending public school and progress- ing rapidly in their studies.
JESSE LISTON.
Jesse Liston, of Listonburg, was born August 3, 1839, in Addison township, son of Thomas Liston, who was born 1809 at Selbysport, Garrett county, Maryland, and came to Somer- set county in order to take charge of the Cantner woolen factory, Somerset. Later he took charge of the Listonburg woolen mill, which he conducted for many years. His political principles were those indorsed by the Democratic party. He was in early
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life a member of the Presbyterian church, but subsequently united with the Methodist Episcopal church.
Thomas Liston married Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Kel- ler, of Somerset, and their children were: 1. Ellazana, died 1903, wife of George Wass, lumberman of Addison township; twelve children, all deceased, with the exception of Amanda and Laura; the former is the wife of Luther Lininger, of near Con- fluence, Fayette county; they have twelve children. 2. Juliana, wife of Alfred Mitchell, of Listonburg; seven children: John; Felicia; Bruce; Wallace; Edwin; Laura; and Albert. 3. Jere- miah, of Braddock, married Mary Coburn, who died, leaving three children, Milton, Frank and Emma; second wife, Emma Windner; five children: Albert; Mayne; Camille; Sadie (drowned when a child in the creek at Listonburg) ; and one who died unnamed. 4. Mary, wife of Alexander Van Horn; two children, Thomas and Adelia; Mr. Van Horn served during the Civil war in the Eleventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserves, and was killed in the Peninsula; his widow married Otto Speel- man; two children, Norval and Ellen. 5. Rachel, wife of Eli Burnworth, of Illinois; four children: Thomas; Jennie; Atha; and John. 6. Jesse, of whom later. 7. Simon, died 1901, mar- ried Salome Younkin; three children, Alice, Edward and Jen- nie. 8. Died unnamed. 9. Sarah Ellen, drowned at three years of age in the millpond at Listonburg. 10. Thomas, died at the age of one year. Mr. Liston, the father, died 1875.
Jesse Liston, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Keller) Lis- ton, received his education in the common schools of his native township and at the old Somerset Academy. For forty-three years he conducted the woolen mills at Listonburg, being at the same time engaged in mercantile business. He has recently re- tired. During the Civil war he enlisted, September 22, 1862, in Company B, Fifty-fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserves, under Captain Hight, and participated in the following battles : Cherry Run; Williamsport, Maryland; Hedgesville, and many others, being wounded at the battle of Newmarket, Virginia. He was honorably discharged June 7, 1865. He is a Democrat and a member of the Southern Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Liston married, September, 1870, Susan, daughter of John and Mary Ann (Ream) McMillan, of Addison township, and they have been the parents of two sons, Harry and Thomas, both deceased:
JEROME H. JUDY.
Jerome H. Judy, a prominent merchant of Garrett, Penn- sylvania, was born on the home farm, two miles north of Gar- rett, May 14, 1853, son of Jonathan and Eve (Chressner) JJudy,
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and grandson of Cornelius Judy, one of the early settlers of Brothers Valley township.
Jonathan Judy (father) was born in Brothers Valley town- ship, and in connection with farming operated a sawmill, mak- ing from the trees of that region farm and house lumber. He was a member of the German Baptist church and a Republican in politics. The children of Jonathan and Eve (Chressner) Judy were: Jacob; Jerome H., of whom later; William; John; Cornelius, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Polly; Malinda; and Caroline. Jonathan Judy (father) died in 1899 and his wife in 1902.
Jerome H. Judy was reared on the farm and attended the township schools. He assisted with the labors of the farm and sawmill until attaining his majority, and in the meantime at- tended the Berlin Normal School and thus became qualified to teach, which occupation he followed for one term in the Broth- ers Valley school. The four years following his coming of age he worked around among the different farmers, and at the ex- piration of this period of time, 1879, served as clerk in the store of Frank Enos at Garrett. The following year he formed a partnership with his cousin, Samuel Judy, bought out the Enos store and business, and for four years conducted a gen- eral store under the firm name of J. H. & S. Judy. In 1884 Jerome H. Judy retired from the firm, selling out his interest. The firm owned timber land and a sawmill, and for the follow- ing year he was employed in that department. His next busi- ness move was the erection of a store building and residence in Garrett adjoining his former place of business, and in 1886 he opened there a general store. In 1890 he bought out the older store of Samuel Judy and combined the two stores under his own name, J. H. Judy. The store occupies the first floor of the whole block and is well stocked with all that is necessary in a general country store. The business is managed by his son, Frank E. In addition to this property, Mr. Judy is the owner of a farm near Garrett, which is in charge of his son, Albert B. Mr. Judy is treasurer of the Garrett Water Company and a director in the First National Bank of Garrett. He is inter- ested in western mines and in the Somerset Pump Company, of Somerset, Pennsylvania. Mr. Judy was formerly a Democrat, but for the past four years has worked and voted with the Pro- hibitionists. He served the borough of Garrett in the capacity of councilman.
Mr. Judy married, July 1, 1880, Barbara, a native of Som- erset county, daughter of William Burkholder, of Somerset county, and their children are: Frank E., manager of his father's store in Garrett; he married Missouri Peterman; Charles, who met a sad death in Garrett, April 14, 1891, by being crushed by a moving train on the Berlin branch, at six
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years of age; Albert B., works his father's farm near Garrett; William L., a student in Juniata College; Annie G .; Verta May, died in infancy ; Richard J .; Harry A.
ALBERT L. LOWRY.
Albert L. Lowry, of Salisbury, was born April 5, 1859, on the old Lowry homestead, in Elk Lick township, son of George and Lucinda (Beachy) Lowry. The history of the Lowry fam- ily is given in the sketch of M. F. Lowry, which appears else- where in this work.
Albert L. Lowry was reared on the farm, acquiring his education in the common schools, and remained at home with his parents until he attained his majority. He worked at va- rious occupations and finally found employment in a planing mill, where he acquired a knowledge of the carpenter's trade, which he has followed for about a quarter of a century. In 1886 he moved to Salisbury and purchased his present home. He is a Republican and a member of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Lowry married, August 12, 1883, Nancy E., born in Greenville township, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Bit- ner) Garlets, and they are the parents of the following chil- dren: Addie Malissa; George Milton and William Herbert (twins) ; Lucinda Elizabeth; Robert Lincoln; and Mary Edna.
JOHN CUSTER.
The family of which John Custer, of Hooversville, is a representative was founded in this country by Paul Custer, who came from Holland about 1717 and took up his abode in New York. He was accompanied by his sister Mary, and the two, after remaining for a time in New York, moved to Phila- delphia, where Mary Custer became the wife of Colonel Ball, of that city. Paul Custer subsequently settled in Lancaster coun- ty, where he died at an advanced age. His sister, Mrs. Ball, who had been for some years a childless widow, died before her brother.
John Custer, son of Paul Custer, was a soldier of the Revo- lution and participated in the battle of Bunker Hill. He sub- sequently went from Lancaster county to Somerset county, tak- ing with him his son, also John Custer.
Abraham Custer, son of John Custer, Jr., was born in 1796 in Somerset county and moved to Bedford county, where he devoted his attention to agriculture. He was a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Custer married Angie Berket and their children were: Richard; Jacob; John; Daniel; Adaline; Eliza; Catharine; and William, see forward. Mr. Custer died in 1881, having spent his last years in the home of his son Will- iam.
William Custer, son of Abraham and Angie (Berket) Cus-
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ter, was born in 1843 and began life as a laborer, but in 1897 purchased the farm on which he now lives. During the Civil war he served in the Union army, enlisting in 1863. In religious belief he is a Lutheran. Mr. Custer married, in 1866, Elizabeth Seese, and they were the parents of the following children; John, see forward; William; Mary; Ida; and Jessie.
John Custer, son of William and Elizabeth (Seese) Custer, was born February 28, 1867, in Cambria county, Pennsylvania; and for the last seven years has lived at Hooversville. He is a Republican and a member of the United Brethren church. Mr. Custer married Emma J., daughter of Samuel Wible, and they have two children: Daisy M., born February 15, 1893; and Harry O., December 5, 1900.
NORMAN D. SHAFFER.
Norman D. Shaffer, of Holsopple, is a grandson of John Shaffer, who was born about 1796 and for a number of years lived as a farmer in Conemaugh township, subsequently sell- ing his property and moving to Paint township.
He married Catharine, daughter of John Custer, Jr., and granddaughter of John Custer, Sr., who came to Somerset county from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and had been a Revolutionary soldier, having been present at the battle of Bunker Hill. John Custer, Sr., was the son of Paul Custer, who came from Holland about 1710 and settled in New York. He was accompanied by his sister Mary, and after residing for a time in New York they moved to Philadelphia, where Mary Custer became the wife of Colonel Ball, of that city. Paul Custer died in Lancaster county at an advanced age, the death of his sister, Mrs. Ball, having occurred some time before. She had been for some years a widow without children.
David Shaffer, son of John and Catharine (Custer) Shaf- fer, was born January 27, 1828, and married Rachel, daughter of Isaac and Christina Holsopple. Among their children was Norman D., mentioned at length hereinafter. The death of Mr. Shaffer occurred October 7, 1902.
Norman D. Shaffer, son of David and Rachel (Holsopple) Shaffer, was born December 14, 1869, at Windber, and re- ceived a good common school education. When he was twenty years old he helped his father to make a home at Scalp Level, whither the family moved after leaving the farm. He moved from Paint township to Johnstown, where he was employed for a time in a sawmill belonging to the Cambria Steel Company. October 1, 1896, he came to Holsopple as manager, secretary and treasurer of the Farmers' Milling Company. January 15, 1903, the property of the company was destroyed by fire, and on May 1, 1903, Mr. Shaffer engaged in business for himself, opening a wholesale and retail flour and feed store and build-
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ing a new mill. This enterprise he is still successfully conduct- ing, also controlling a car lot distribution of flour, feed and grain at Johnstown. He has a half interest in the Petaria coal mine, situated at Holsopple, and is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Benson borough, also holding the position of secretary of the board of directors. In 1892 he served as tax collector and in 1899 was elected justice of the peace, being re- elected in 1904. Since 1899 he has been a member of the school board. He is a Republican and a member of the United Breth- ren church.
Mr. Shaffer married Tillie Foust and they are the parents of three children: Nellie M., born January 3, 1893; Forrest C., October 13, 1894; and Mildred V., January 14, 1899.
FRANK B. WHITEMAN.
Frank B. Whiteman, of Holsopple borough, is a grandson of Levi Whiteman, a native of Philadelphia and the son of an Englishman who settled in that city and amassed a large fortune, buying a farm which is now included within the city limits.
Jolın A. Whiteman, son of Levi Whiteman, was born in 1841 in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, and in 1861 enlisted in the Nineteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, serving as a scout under command of General Carshey. At the expiration of his term, which was for three months, he re- enlisted in the same regiment and became known in the service as the "black-horse scout." He participated in the battle of Rull Run and in a number of other engagements, being cap- tured while on a scout and taken to Andersonville, where he was confined six months. At the end of that time the war was brought to a close and he received his liberty. After his re- turn home he was for about fifteen years engaged in the lumber business in Mifflin county, and then entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church. His labors led him into the south- ern states, where he met a Mr. Hill, the Confederate soldier who had captured him, and their acquaintance resulted in a warm friendship. Mr. Whiteman is now the pastor of a church at Burnt Cabin, Fulton county.
Mr. Whiteman married, in 1867, Barbara V. Murphy, of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and their children were: 1. Harry L., born in 1869, married Mary Johnson, had three chil- dren. 2. Elmer W., born in 1870, married Bell Freeland, of Orange county, North Carolina; they have ten children: Nora; Andrew; Carl; Viola; Myrtle; Blanche; Mamie; George; and two who died in childhood. 3. Lloyd A., born in 1872, married Maggie Lun, has had five children: Ethel; Bessie; Lloyd; Wil- ber: and Albert, who died in infancy. 4. Frank B., see for- ward. 5. Arthur E., died in childhood. 6. Nina D., born
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March 24, 1879, wife of George Williams, has one child, Vir- ginia. 7. Roland J., born in 1881, married May Stiner, has one child.
Frank B. Whiteman, son of John A. and Barbara V. (Mur- phy) Whiteman, was born February 6, 1874, and served for three years as constable and also as a member of the police force of Hinman, Bradford county, Pennsylvania. For another three years he was on the police force of Garrett, Somerset county. In 1903 he was appointed state game and fish warden and later became chief of police in Holsopple. The latter office he intends to resign, having been reappointed state game and fish warden. He is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Whiteman married, August 1, 1897, Londie, daughter of J. O. Purbaugh, of Bedford county, and they are the par- ents of the following children: Malviria A., born April 9, 1898; Arthur L., February 14, 1900; and Frank O., May 21; 1902.
STEPHEN D. YODER.
Stephen D. Yoder, of Holsopple, is a grandson of Chris- tian Yoder, who came from the Glades to Conemaugh town- ship, where he purchased a farm which is still known as the "Christian Yoder farm." He was twice married and was the father of the following children: Jacob; Stephen; Tobias; Daniel, see forward; John; Valentine; Herman; Moses; Jo- seph; and Catharine.
Daniel Yoder, son of Christian Yoder, was born December 21, 1824, and passed his life as a farmer in Conemaugh town- ship. His educational opportunities were limited to those af- forded by the common schools of that day. He was a Repub- lican and a member of the Amish church.
Mr. Yoder married Catharine, daughter of Christian Hos- tetler, and the following children were born to them: Chris- tian; Moses; Josiah: Daniel; and Barber. After the death of the mother of these children Mr. Yoder married Barbara, daughter of Samuel Kuffman, and by this union there were five children : Aaron, born November 18, 1862, married Amanda Hostetler: Noah, March 14, 1864, married Lydia Hostetler, has three children; Levi D., April 17, 1866, married Laura Eash, has five children ; Stephen D., see forward; Samuel K., Novem- ber 5. 1873. The death of Mr. Yoder occurred December, 1884.
Stephen D. Yoder, son of Daniel and Barbara (Kuffman) Yoder, was born August 3, 1868, and received his preparatory education in the common schools, passing thence to the college at Ada, Ohio. He has been for the last three years principal of one of the graded schools of Benson borough, having pre- viously taught for seventeen terms in the public schools.
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Politically he is a Republican. He is a minister of the Men- nonite church, filling no fewer than six different appointments.
Mr. Yoder married, March 16, 1892, Christanna, daughter of Aaron Miller, and they are the parents of four children: Hattie M., born April 16, 1893; Glendora, August 25, 1897; Slater S., November 5, 1899; and Alretta, February 1, 1905.
CHARLES FRANKLIN UHL, JR.
Among the members of the Somerset county bar is Charles F. Uhl, Jr., whose ancestry is as follows :
(I) Conrad Uhl, a native of Germany, came to this coun- try in 1753 and settled in Berks county, Pennsylvania. Among his children was a son, Jacob.
(11) Jacob Uhl, son of Conrad Uhl, was born in Berks county in 1760, married Maria Cochenbach, and with her started for the western settlements, locating near what is now known as Wellersburg, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, although then a part of Bedford county. There he made a clearing for a farm, built one of the early wayside inns or taverns and operated a gristmill.
(III) Charles Uhl, son of Jacob (2) and Maria (Cochen- bach) Uhl, was born on the homestead near Wellersburg in 1804, and lived there until his death in 1871, having succeeded his father in title to the farm and mill. He married Eliza Uhl, a daughter of John Uhl and wife, of the Maryland family of Uhls, there being no relationship existing between these families prior to this marriage. As a result of this union fourteen chil- dren were born, seven of whom lived beyond childhood, viz: John H .; William E .; Charles F .; Eli, deceased; George; Solo- mon, deceased; Mary Ann, intermarried with Levi Wilhelm, of Nachusa, Illinois.
(IV) Charles F. Uhl, son of Charles (3) and Eliza (Uhl) Uhl, was born on the Uhl homestead near Wellersburg in 1838, finished his education at the Somerset Academy and engaged in the mercantile business. He married Ann Eliza Allison, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Allison, of Cumberland, Maryland, to whom six children were born, viz: Harry A., de- ceased; Annie E., intermarried with John N. Snyder, of Som- erset, Pennsylvania, the mother of three children, of whom two are living, John U. and Catharine U .; Elizabeth, deceased ; Rob- ert, deceased; William, deceased; Charles F., Jr., see forward.
(V) Charles F. Uhl, Jr., son of Charles F. (4) and Eliza (Allison) Uhl. was born in the borough of Somerset, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, November 27, 1871. He obtained the rudiments of his education in the public schools of his home town. being faithful and persistent in his efforts to acquire knowledge. He was graduated from the high school and at once determined that he would train himself for the law. Placing
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himself under private tutors, he took up the study of such branches as would most assist him in the line of his chosen profession. supplementing this with a carefully selected course of reading. He was selected as a teacher in the high school of Somerset, and during the two years he served in that capacity was registered as a law student in the offices of Coffroth & Ruppel. Applying himself assiduously to the study of the law, he was admitted to practice in the several courts of Som- erset county, January 22, 1895, and subsequently to practice before the appellate courts of his state. His talents, industry and the care with which he conducted what business fell to his hands has earned him a large clientage. While being a general practitioner, he has, in a sense, specialized the study of the law as it applies to real property and corporations. He has been engaged in several important criminal cases, but frankly admits that that branch of the practice does not appeal to him.
Politically Mr. Uhl is a Democrat, although in local and state matters he is more of a stickler for men than for party name. He has never held public office, being of the minority party. In 1904 he was given the district nomination for con- gress in the twenty-third Pennsylvania district, composed of the counties of Fayette, Greene and Somerset. He has served as chairman of the county committee, member of the state execu- tive and of the state central committees of the Democratic party. He is a member of the Lutheran church and is identified with the following societies: P. M. of Somerset Lodge, No. 358, F. and A. M .; member of Mt. Hebron Chapter, No. 272, R. A. M .; member of Johnstown Lodge, No. 175, B. P. O. E., and a member of the Royal Arcanum.
Mr. Uhl married Miss Leah Katharine Krebs, daughter of Simon and Henrietta Krebs, of Somerset, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1901. They have two children, Simon K. and Henrietta. (See Krebs sketch.)
SIMON KREBS.
With the advent of Simon Krebs to Somerset, Pennsylva- nia, in 1892, and his organization of the Listie Mining and Manufacturing Company, of which he was the president, Som- erset county was started on its wonderful mineral develop- ment. Prior to that time mining in the county was confined to the limited section underlaid with the big vein coal in the vi- cinity of Meyersdale, and that in a desultory manner. The small vein coal of the lower productive measures underlying the greater part of Somerset county was not regarded as valu- able for commercial purposes, having been discredited as coal or mineral territory by the state geological survey. Under these conditions and impressions the vast mineral wealth of the coun- ty remained undeveloped.
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