USA > Pennsylvania > Cambria County > History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III > Part 22
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Hiram Swank was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, July 16, 1834, a son of Samuel and Katherine ( Snyder) Swank, and a descendant of the Swank family, which is made the subject of extended mention in this work. He was brought up on a farm and attended school until he was about nineteen years old, when he began work as clerk in a general store. After a year there he went to Davidsville and learned the trade of a potter. Later for two years he and his brother Jacob carried on a pot- tery business at that place. In 1854 Hiram left Davidsville and came to Johnstown, where his brother joined him in 1856, and in the same year the firm of J. & H. Swank began a general pottery business in the then borough, as is mentioned in a preceding paragraph. He was a member of the. First Lutheran church.
In 1862 Mr. Swank married Melinda E. Wills, daughter of Elias Wills, of Somerset township. Nine children were born of this marriage: 1. Charles McClelland, born June 4, 1863, married Charlotte Oppy, daughter of William Oppy, of Johnstown, and had one son-Albert Mil- ton Swank, born October 6, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Swank are now dead. 2. Annie E., born March 10, 1865, married F. B. Harmoney, of Johns- town. 3. Albert Franklin, born November 17, 1867. 4. Leonore, born February 14, 1871, died September 3, 1871. 5. Milton R., born October 6, 1872, is a prominent Mason, a member of Johnstown Lodge No. 538, F. and A. M .; Portage Chapter No. 195, R. A. M .; Cambria Council No. 32, R. and S. M .; Oriental Commandery No. 61, K. T., and Java Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also is an Elk, and Knight of Pythias. C. Ida May, born June 16, 1875, married Frank Phillips, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 7. Mary B., born July 5, 1812, married L. G. Zang, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. S. James Webster, born February 10, 1880, married Elizabeth Crotzer, daughter of William Crotzer, of Elk Haven, Pennsylvania, and has one son-James Webster Swank, Junior. 9. Ralph Lloyd, born March 28, 1883. These sons and daughters were all born in Johnstown and were educated in the public and graded schools of the city. Charles McClelland Swank, the eldest son, was a practical machinist for several years previous to his connection with the pottery enterprise. He developed into an excellent business man, but death cut off his useful career.
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ALFRED HESLOP, of Johnstown. Pennsylvania, is a painter and paper-hanger, and comes of a family noted for skill in the art of color- making and blending, designing. and painting. But Alfred Heslop has not always followed the occupation of his father, although he began working with him when only about twelve years old. Instead, when he was seventeen, he followed the tide of immigration to Kansas. and for the next several years was closely connected with events which made his- tory in the West.
At Leavenworth, Kansas, Mr. Heslop enlisted with the Utah expedi- tion under General Smith, which had for its purpose the chastisement of the Mormons. After peace was declared with these people, Mr. Heslop went on an expedition under Colonel (afterwards General) Sumner against the Cheyenne Indians. Subsequent to making a treaty with this tribe, Mr. Heslop was one of a number of troops (two companies) sent to Texas to quell an aprising of the Comanche Indians, and to reinforce the soldiers already there. He was employed as a teamster and "riding ex- press" at Fort Arbuckle, on the Choctaw Reservation.
After the breaking out, in the same year (1858) of the Pike's Peak gold excitement, Mr. Heslop concluded to leave the government service and go to Pike's Peak. He, with four companions, proceeded to Leav- enworth City, Kansas (this was during the John Brown seare in that state). But instead of going to Pike's Peak, Mr. Heslop, with two ac- quaintances, hired with the famous Ben Hoffiday, a contractor who fur- nished supplies for the government, and who was about to leave Leaven- worth for Salt Lake City. The party was made up of Mr. Holliday, his clerk, Mr. Heslop as an extra, two drivers, and a colored man. The con- zeyances used were a light carriage and a baggage wagon, four mules to each, with three additional mules for emergency purposes. Mr. Holliday was given permission by the government to exchange his mules for fresh ones whenever the opportunity presented itself. The party had one day's start of the mail. Mr. Holliday had the contract for furnishing flour to the government. and it was his object to get to Salt Lake and sublet his contract before the arrival of the mail, which contained information as to the price he was to receive for the flour. He bought the same at seven cents a pound and received twenty-eight cents a pound, thereby making a profit of twenty-one cents a pound. The journey of 1,450 miles was made in sixteen and one-half days, and without mishap. The party reached Salt Lake one day ahead of the mail, covering the distance in about the time required by the same. All things considered, it may be said that it was a remarkable achievement of its kind, possibly never equaled in the history of the rugged west. Some time after Mr. Heslop had been in Salt Lake, an order came from Secretary of War Floyd for the government to sell 2,000 head of mules and 2.000 head of cattle. Holliday bought 1.500 head of the mules and 6,000 head of the cattle. Mr. Heslop, with the assistance of fourteen men, took the mules pur- chased by Mr. Holliday from Salt Lake to San Francisco. After his ar- rival in the latter city, Mr. Heslop left for Sacramento City, where he obtained employment at his trade.
In 1861, soon after the beginning of the Civil War, in San Fran- cisco. he enlisted in Troop B of the First California Cavalry, U. S. A. His company commandant was Captain Emil Fritz, while General Carle- ton was in command of the regiment, and both were efficient officers. For three years the First Cavalry was in the thickest and most hazardous frontier service through Texas, Arizona and New Mexico, here and there. not more than three months in any one locality, but constantly changing
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scene of operations and duty, fighting and pursuing Indians. Texans and renegade Mexicans, guarding wagon-trains, and escorting mails. The se- vere work of the regiment consisted chiefly of Indian fighting, generally in Indian and frontier fashion and seldom in the open, for the savage warriors of the western borders, true to the instincts of their race, never dare meet an enemy on equal terms, and preferred to gratify their mur- derous appetites by treachery and sneaking attacks. Capture by them meant death, sometimes at the stake. but inevitable and horrible death in some inhuman manner. The Apaches, against whom the First Cavalry was frequently sent, were led by the notorious halfbreed Cochise, known far and near as one of the most venomous and merciless savages of the Far West. His absolute fearlessness at times compelled the admiration of the troopers, but if ever a prisoner fell into the hands of his blood- thirsty horde, death was sure to follow, and in a manner as inhuman and devilish as it was certain. In the year 1863 Mr. Heslon was a member of the escort of Kit Carson, the famous scout who had charge of the Navajo Indian Reservation at Bosquerodondo, Texas.
Mr. Heslop spent over three years in service in surroundings such as have been described here, and went through it all without any person- al mishap worth mentioning. After the close of the war he returned to his home in Johnstown and again took up the more peaceful arts of trade. Many of his experiences in the west were very exciting. and quite often he was placed in positions of the greatest danger. The story of his life on the western frontier would make an ample volume and would be read with much interest. Since returning home he has been engaged in gen- eral house and sign painting, graining and interior decorating, and is as proficient in the work as was his father before him.
Alfred Heslop is the second son and third child of the late James Gale and Charlotte (Bracewell) Heslop, and was born in Johnstown, on the 2nd day of August, 1838. The Heslop family history is fully written elsewhere in this work, hence need not be repeated in this place. He at- tended the district schools, and when twelve years old began work with his father, who was a genius in the art of color-making and painting. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and Union Veteran Le- gion ; Cambria Lodge No. 278, F. and A. M. ; Portage Chapter No. 195, R. A. M .; and of Oriental Commandery No. 61, K. T. In politics he is a Republican.
On the 10th day of February, 1869, Alfred Heslop married Mollie Roberts, of Ebensburg. Pennsylvania, by whom he has had children as follows: John T., Edward A., Wesley J., Harvey M., Alfred, James G., Naomi H., Emanuel, and Mary. James was killed in an accident in 1901. All are living at home with the exception of Wesley, who married Cora Reed, of Conemaugh, Pennsylvania, and who is in business with his father; and Naomi, who is the wife of Samuel Howard Pegg, of Johns- town.
THOMAS HENRY CADDY, principal organizer and active man of the Caddy Coal Company of Johnstown, is descended from an old English family, and has lived in Johnstown and been a factor in the business history of that borough and subsequent city more than forty years.
His grandfather, Joseph Caddy, was born at Maryzion, Cornwall, England, and by occupation was a miner of copper and tin ores, as was his son JJoseph, and also his grandson Thomas, during the earlier years of his active life. The elder Joseph Caddy and his wife Elizabeth were
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members of the Church of England, and as they had received religious teaching from their parents, so they in turn imparted it to their own children. In their family were four sons and one daughter-Richard, Silas, John, Elizabeth and Joseph; of the sons only two-Richard, the eldest and Joseph, the youngest-emigrated to America. The other chil- dren spent their lives in Cornwall. After he came to this country Rich- ard Caddy never again was heard of, and his place of residence at any time remains unknown to the present time.
Joseph Caddy, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Caddy, first visited America in 1862, and then went to the Lake Superior copper regions on the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. He returned to Cornwall in the fol- lowing year and came again in 1864, remaining about three years at that time. In 1867 he went back to England and died in Cornwall about 1882. His wife was Sarah Hunking, who was a daughter of Philip and Prudence Hunking, of Cornwall. Several years after the death of her husband Mrs. Caddy came to this country and lived in Johnstown with her children until the time of her death, about fifteen years ago. All of the children of Joseph and Prudence Caddy were born in Cornwall and all afterward came to America. They were as follows: Joseph Caddy, died at the age of twenty-one years. Thomas Henry Caddy. of the Caddy Coal Company ; married Elizabeth Mary Gross, and has seven children. Philip Caddy, of Johnstown, an employe of the Cambria Steel Company ; married Ellen Oakley. Eliza Jane Caddy, married David Richards, and died in 1894.
Thomas Henry Caddy was born in Cornwall, England, on the 13th day of March, 1843, and was given a fair education in the schools of his native town. Although his school days were ended at that time and he was early put to work at the occupation of his father and grandfather, he nevertheless has been a close observer of men and affairs, a constant reader of the public newspapers and current literature, and thus has ac- quired an education that has served an excellent purpose in later years.
In 1862 Mr. Caddy came to this country and went to the copper re- gions of Michigan, remaining there three years. He then came to Penn- sylvania and settled at Johnstown, where he found work in the iron mines of the Cambria Iron Company, eventually becoming foreman of the mines. In the course of a few years the company mines were closed, upon which he turned his attention to the production of coal and fur- nishing it to the several works of the Woodvale Manufacturing Com- pany. In this business he was for some time in partnership with Thomas Fulton, and the firm, Fulton & Caddy, in connection with its other con- tracts, assumed that of Josiah T. Evans, who in 1885 had been appointed mine inspector. After the discovery and use of natural gas for generat- ing steam Fulton & Caddy took over the operation of the Gautier mine and furnished coal for all the boilers and furnaces in Cambria Iron Company in which gas was not burned, and after the exhaustion of the gas supply the firm carried on an extensive trade in coal for all domestic purposes. About 1898 Thomas Fulton was succeeded in the firm by his brother Alfred, and four years later, in 1902. the Caddy Coal Company was organized and took the place of the former partnership. At that time Joseph Caddy, son of the senior member of the company, acquired an interest in the business. The principal operation of the company is its own mine on Bedford street in Johnstown. Aside from the affairs of business which have occupied his attention so many years, Mr. Caddy is otherwise interested in the social and political life of the city and coun-
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ty. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church and in politics is a Republican.
Thomas Henry Caddy married Elizabeth Mary Gross, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Tague) Gross of Penzance, Cornwall, England. Henry Gross was a blacksmith. He sailed from England for Australia, and died of cholera soon after landing in that country. John Gross, brother of Mrs. Caddy, is a customs officer at Cornwall (St. Michael's). Children of Thomas Henry and Elizabeth Mary (Gross) Caddy: Sarah Ann Caddy, unmarried; lives with her parents. Joseph J. Caddy, a busi- ness man of Johnstown and member of the Caddy Coal Company ; mar- ried and has two children, Joseph Cady and Lillian Caddy. Lilly Cad- dy, married Thomas Harris, a brick contractor of Johnstown, and has two children, Thomas Harris and Ellen Harris. Ellen Caddy. a teacher in the Johnstown public schools; lives at home. Annie Caddy, married Emory Barnhart, a machinist, and lives at Roxbury (Johnstown ). Zeaida Caddy, a teacher in the Johnstown public schools. Thomas Hen- ry Caddy, Junior, lives at home.
JOHN GUSTAVUS BERGMAN, of Johnstown, has been in the employ of the Cambria Iron Company for nearly thirty years and during that time has always held an important position in the company's service. He came to Johnstown as an experienced workman, and in the subse- quent construction of some of the company's modern departments his skill and knowledge of the business has been of material assistance in arranging for successful operations.
Mr. Bergman is a native of Sweden and was born at Molnbach, March 26, 1854. His father is Charles Gustavus Bergman, of Friestadt, Missouri, which town he founded about thirty years ago. He too was born in Sweden, and by early occupation was a builder of blast furnaces, heating furnaces and structural iron work, an experienced and practical mechanic and one whose work always counted for good results to his em- ployers. In 1870 Charles G. Bergman came with his family to America, landed in Boston and soon afterward went to Worcester, Massachusetts. In 1875 he removed to Missouri, and there founded the now flourishing town of Friestadt, with its seven thousand inhabitants, chiefly Swedes and Germans. In that municipality he followed farming until a few years ago, and since then has lived in comfortable retirement, in the en- joyment of excellent health at the good old age of seventy-eight years. He married Catherine Jones, a native of Sweden and daughter of Alars Jones, of Nordland. She died in Friestadt, about 1896, and was a de- voted member of the Lutheran church, in which faith her children have been brought up. The children of Charles and Catherine Bergman are as follows: 1. John Gustavus, see forward. 2. Charles E., see for- ward. 3. Bernard, married Lena Jones and lives in Dent county, Mis- souri. 4. Anna, married Charles Forsman and lives in Springfield, Missouri. 5. Hulda, married Charles Mark and lives in Springfield, Missouri. 6. Emily, married John Agelquist, and is now a widow liv- ing in Friestadt, Missouri.
John Gustavus Bergman, eldest son and child of Charles G. and Catherine (Jones) Bergman, was sixteen years old when his parents em- igrated from Sweden to America. He was educated in schools in Moln- bach in his native country and also in Worcester, Massachusetts, but his opportunities for obtaining a good public school education were quite limited, as his father then was in moderate circumstances and it was necessary that young John, the eldest boy in the family. find some
John Bagman
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NE ' GO! PUELD L'R MY Astar, Lor a a filden Fou azt ons 1909
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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
profitable employment. He secured work in the wire mills of Wash- burn & Moen, Worcester, Massachusetts, but in 1877 he left there and came to Johnstown, Pennsylvania. At that time he was an experienced workman, and at once entered the employ of the Cambria Iron Com- pany as boss roller, and today he holds that position in the company's service, having been with the Cambria twenty-eight years, a period of continuons employment not frequently seen in the industrial history of that city. He started and assisted in the construction of the com- pany's rod mill, where he worked until 1881 and then was transferred to the Gautier department, where he has remained to the present time.
In politics Mr. Bergman is a Republican, and in 1899 was a mem- ber of the common council from his ward. He was one of the founders of the Johnstown Telephone Company and in various other ways for many years has been identified with the best interests and institutions of the city. In the disastrous flood of May, 1889, he lost part of his houshold goods, but fortunately all the members of his family escaped without injury. He himself barely escaped drowning. He is a member of the English Lutheran church, of Johnstown Lodge of Elks, and since 1819 has been a member of Alma Lodge No. 523, I. O. O. F., hav- ing passed all the important chairs of that fraternal body.
John Gustavus Bergman married, October 19, 1878, Aurelia Carney, a daughter of John and Phinetta (Brown) Carney, then of Johnstown and formerly of Blairsville, Pennsylvania. Mr. Carney was an old-time school teacher and later became a wagonmaker. At one time his father owned the Dublin Linen Mills of Dublin, Ireland. Phinetta Brown, mother of Mrs. Bergman, came of a prominent old southern family. She was a daughter of Samuel C. and Nancy (Cummings) Brown, who came from Virginia to Indiana, Pennsylvania, where they operated a saddlery and bakery; reared a family of fifteen children.
Children of John Gustavus and Aurelia (Carney) Bergman :
1. Blanch, wife of II. B. Heffley, druggist of Johnstown and ex- treasurer of Cambria county. 2. Anna, wife of Daniel R. Schnabel, a carriage painter living in Johnstown. 3. John, of Johnstown, a com- mercial traveler.
Charles E. Bergman, second son of Charles G. and Catherine (Jones) Bergman, came to Johnstown about 1882, and entered the em- ploy of the Cambria Iron Company. During the flood of 1889 he lost all of his household effects: he was living then on Locust street. After the flood he returned to Worcester, Massachusetts, for a short time and then went to Allentown, Pennsylvania, later returned to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and worked as roller in the mills here until 1899, when he returned to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he resides, living retired. He married Lizzie Shaw, and they have three children : Charles G., William E. and Marie.
JACOB C. HORNER. The Horner family life in Pennsylvania dates from the time of the province, and antedates the Revolution by many years. Adam Horner, with whom our narrative begins, was born in Adams county, and afterward was one of the pioneers of Cambria county. Among his several children was a son Jacob, who also was born in Adams county. He came to Cambria county when a young man, and eventually became owner of a large tract of land in what is now the Seventh ward of the city of Johnstown, but which for many years has been known by the distinguishing name of Hornertown, so named in allusion to Jacob Horner. He died in 1842, at the age of sixty-four
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years. Ile was a large and successful farmer. a man of substance in the township. He married and had a family of twelve children, whose names in the order of birth are as follows: 1. Samuel Horner, married Eliza- beth Deshong (the Deshongs formerly owned the site of Morrellville). 2. Emanuel Horner, married Ellen Coe, daughter of a Revolutionary veteran ; lived in Johnstown. 3. Jonas Horner, married Elizabeth Bar- ber. and lived in Pittsburg: died July 2. 1884. 4. Elias Horner, mar- ried Sarah Horner; lived in Johnstown. 5. Peter Horner, died un- married. 6. Susan Horner, married a Mr. Drew; both dead. ?. Nancy Horner, married George Beam, and lived in Johnstown. 8. Elizabeth Horner, married William Tibbett. and removed to Kansas; both dead. 9. Katherine Horner, married John W. Smelker: died in Wisconsin in 1899, aged eighty-one years. 10. Martha Horner. married Samuel Tib- bett ; now a widow living in East Conemangh, Pennsylvania. 11. John Horner, married Elizabeth Horner: lived in Johnstown; both dead. 12. Jacob Horner, born 1803: died 1874.
Jacob Horner. youngest son of Jacob Horner, and grandson of Adam Horner, the pioneer, was born in Hornertown, and at one time owned nearly all the land in that locality. He laid out Hornertown. which was called after his father, and also laid out Sandyvale cemetery. He was a substantial man. a farmer by principal occupation, but a good business man in whatever he undertook, and if he saw an enterprise that promised better returns than the farm he was generally ready to invest. When the old Pennsylvania canal was building he was engaged on that work as boss, and during the palmy canal days he owned a line of boats that run between Johnstown and Pittsburg. For several years he was assistant superintendent of the old Portage railroad. Mr. Horner died late in December. 1844. and was buried in Sandyvale cemetery on New Year's Day. 1875. Mr. Horner married his own cousin. Catherine Horner, who bore him nine children. Catherine Horner was a daughter of Christian Horner, who was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, January 25. 1118. and died October 6. 1865. In 1199 he married, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Mr. Stoy. founder of Stoystown. In the same year he removed from Somerset county to Cambria county and settled near Johnstown, one year before Joseph Johns laid out the town which has since borne his name. Christian Horner moved to a farm in Richland township. lived there until 1842 and then returned to Somerset county.
Like several others of his surname in the carlier generations of the family, Squire Horner was a prominent man in the community in his time. In 1809 Governor Snyder commissioned him justice of the peace. an office then of much dignity. carrying the title of "Squire." while the officer himself was generally regarded as the first man in the township. As justice of the peace he had jurisdiction over the large territory of Conemangh township, which then included the present township of that name. the townships of Croyle. Summerhill. Jackson, Taylor. Yoder and Richland and the towns of Johnstown and Wilmore. This office he held until 1847. when he removed to Somerset county. Squire Horner was married twice and had in all fifteen children. The children of Jacob and Catherine Horner were as follows: 1. Jonathan Horner, born De- cember 3, 1828, died November 4, 1895: married Lucinda Cover, who now lives in Johnstown. 2. Aaron Horner, died April 20, 1853, unmar- ried. 3. Simon Horner, died September 2. 1862; married Mary Horner, who after his death married Mr. Barnacle. 4. Mary Horner married Oscar Graffe, and died April 21. 1819. aged forty-two. 5. Nancy Horner.
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married James Crosby ; died at Braddock, Pennsylvania, November 3, 1898, aged fifty-nine years. 6. Edwin Horner, living in Martinsburg, Virginia. 7. Watson Horner, married Emma Burkholder, lives in Johns- town. 8. Allison Horner, married Rebecca Clark, lives in Johnstown. 9. Jacob C. Horner, living in Johnstown.
Jacob C. Horner, youngest son and child of Jacob and Catherine Horner, and great-grandson of Adam Horner, the Cambria county pio- neer, was born at Hornerstown, July 26, 1835, and has spent his whole life in the locality where three generations of the family before him have lived, and where some of his children and grandchildren are now living. He was brought up to farm work and attended the common schools of the township. For a time he ran his father's line of canal boats be- tween Johnstown and Pittsburg, and in 185% went to work as a rail heater in the iron mills of Wood, Morrell & Co., which concern after- ward became the Cambria Steel Company. He continued at this em- ployment until 1884, and then retired to give attention to his large per- sonal interests. He undoubtedly is the oldest native of Johnstown now living in that city. In politics Mr. Horner is a Democrat. He served six years as member of the Johnstown borough council previous to the city charter and four years as select councilman after the borough be- came a city.
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