History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III, Part 32

Author: Storey, Henry Wilson
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 940

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Alexander McKeever, third son and fourth child of the parents just mentioned, was born at Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. January 12, 1855. and removed with his father's family to Johnstown. in 1857. His subse- quent life has been spent in that locality and is well filled with interesting events. As a boy he attended the public school and at the same time was brought up to work. His father owned a small parcel of land on the South Side (still owned in the family). where he raised fruits and vege- tables, and it fell to young Alexander to sell the product of the garden.

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He distinctly remembers selling vegetables to the Union soldiers in camp near the place, and the money he received in that way and in pay for washing dishes for the troops was the first he ever earned. Later and while going to school he sold vegetables through the town, and still owns the wheelbarrow with which he delivered his produce. At the age of sixteen years he began to learn the trade of brick mason, following in the foot- steps of his father and still earlier of his ancestors. He worked as jour- neyman about eleven years, then became assistant to his father at the Cambria Iron Company's works, and after the death of his father suc- ceeded him as superintendent of the bricklaving department of that entire concern. That position he still holds and has been in the company service more than thirty years. This period has witnessed its successes and has not been entirely without accident, but on the whole his business career has been gratifyingly successful.

Mr. Mckeever is a member and for nearly ten years has been a trus- tee of the First English Lutheran church of Johnstown. He is a Mason, member since 1877 and trustee since 1888 of Cambria Lodge, No. 218, F. and A. M .: past high priest of Portage Chapter, No. 195, R. A. M .; past illustrious grand commander of Cambria Council, No. 32, R. and S. M .; past eminent commander of Oriental Commandery, No. 61, K. T .. and a member of Jaffa Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. In politics he is a Republican.

Alexander McKeever married, September 14, 1893, Elizabeth Al- bright, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Arnold) Albright, of Mont- gomery county, Pennsylvania. Of this marriage there is one son-Earl Alexander McKeever, born November 20, 1894.

Jacob Albright, father of Mrs. McKeever, was a farmer, son of Samuel AAlbright, grandson of Jacob Albright, great-grandson of Jacob Albright, and great-great-grandson of Amos Albright, who with three brothers emigrated from Holland to America some time during the seventeenth century and settled in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. Thomas Arnold. Mrs. McKeever's maternal grandfather, was one of the early conductors on the railroad between Norristown and Philadelphia when horses furnished the motive power. When the line became a steam road he was made baggageman. Mr. Arnold's father came from England and was an early settler in Montgomery county.

PATRICK LAVELLE. vice-president and general manager of the Lorain Steel Company of Johnstown. Pennsylvania, president of the Johnstown and Stony Creek Railroad Company, and otherwise closely identified with industrial interests in Cambria county for several years. is a native of Mount Savage, Alleghany county, Maryland, born August 25. 1851. son of John Lavelle and Mary Hlenagham, his wife, and grandson of John Lavelle and Jane Burke, his wife.

John Lavelle, the elder, grandfather of Patrick Lavelle, came to America when he was twenty-three years old. and was by occupation a farmer. He married Jane Burke, who bore him two children: John Lavelle, married Mary Henagham ; and Ellen Lavelle, married Edward Barrett.

John Lavelle, of the children just mentioned, was a contractor and engaged on the work of construction on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad when it was first begun. Later on he settled permanently at Mount Say- age, in Maryland, where he was justice of the peace thirty-two years. a man of substance and influence in the community in which he lived. He married Mary Henagham, who bore him eleven children: Patrick Lavelle.

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

married Mary Frances A. Maurey; Jane Lavelle, deceased; Bridget La- velle, wife of Patrick O'Connell; and the following named who are de- ceased : Ellen, Mary, John, Margaret, Anthony, Kate, Michael and Sarah. Mary Henagham, wife of John Lavelle, was one of a family of six children, in the order of birth as follows: Michael, James, Anthony, Honora, Bridget and Mary.

Patrick Lavelle, of whom this sketch is intended particularly to treat, was given the benefit of a good common school education at his home town in Maryland, and at the age of fourteen years he started out to make his own way in life. He first found employment in the brickyard and worked there eighteen months. In connection with this yard was a rolling mill, known by the name of Union Mining Company, and there he gained an understanding of mechanical work. Later he went into the general office of the Cumberland & Pennsylvania Railroad Company, but soon afterward began work as an apprentice in the company machine shops. Having learned the trade of machinist he worked as a journeyman and was employed in the company shops altogether about fifteen years. How- ever, from the machinist's bench in the car shops at Mount Savage. Mr. Lavelle became foreman of MeKeig's foundry and machine shops at Cum- berland, remained there six months and in 1887 came to Johnstown and worked first for the Cambria Steel Company, afterward with the Johnson Company as machinist for six months, and then was made foreman of the machinery department. This position he held until the flood of 1889, which destroyed the entire plant. He then returned to his former em- ployment as master mechanic, and so continued until 1895, when he was appointed manager of the switch works, a position he held five years. In 1900 Mr. Lavelle was elected general manager and vice-president of the Lorain Steel Company of Johnstown, and has acquired a considerable interest in that corporation. He is numbered among the successful busi- ness men of the new city of Johnstown, and whatever measure of success has been his is wholly the result of his own personal effort and industry. Besides his official relation to the steel company he is president of the Johnstown & Stony Creek Railroad Company, and a director of the Union National Bank. In polities he is a Democrat, and in religious prefer- ence a Roman Catholic.

On June 29, 1880, Mr. Lavelle married Mary Frances A. Maurey, daughter of Francis A. and Dorothy (Worin) Maurey. Of this marriage eight children have been born: 1. John Lavelle, born June 28, 1881 : now dead. 2. Francis Lavelle, born January 15, 1883; now dead. 3. Edgar Lavelle, born September 15. 1885 ; now dead. 4. Joseph Lavelle, born Octo- ber 22, 1887 ; now dead. 5. Raymond Lavelle, born March 19, 1889; now dead. 6. Mary J. Lavelle, born May 30, 1890. 7. Eulalia Lavelle, born February 19, 1892. S. Paul E. Lavelle, born October 20. 1894. Of these children the first three perished in the disastrous flood of 1889. also Mr. Patrick Lavelle's mother, brother and three sisters.

Francis Maurey, father of Mrs. Lavelle, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, and for many years previous to his death was prominently iden- tified with coal mining interests in Pennsylvania and Maryland. At one time he was general manager for a French coal mining company operating in Imzerne county, and later built the first Borden shaft at Frostburg, Maryland, for the Borden Mining Company, a German corporation. Mr. Maurey married Dorothy Worin, by whom he had fourteen children : 1. Catherine Maurey, married John Paules. 2. Helen Maurey, married Henry Wegman. 3. Frances Maurey, married Conrad Brandler. 4. Mary Frances A. Maurey. married Patrick Lavelle. 5. Amelia Manrey, Sister

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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

Lucina, at St. Francis' College, Trenton. New Jersey .. 6. Francis Maurey, married Alice Goodwin. 2. Rose Maurey, unmarried. 8. Clara Maurey, married Peter Martin. 9. Joseph Maurey, married Mary Winner. 10. Anna Maurey, married George Church. 11. Louisa Maurey, now dead. 12. George Maurey, now dead; and two other children who died in ex- treme infancy.

MERRITT B. SCHULTZ, PHI. G., M. D., one of the most prominent and best known of the physicians and surgeons of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, is an example of what steady application. deter- mination and ambition are able to accomplish. As his name indicates, he is of German ancestry, but several generations of the family have resided in this country.

Henry Schultz, grandfather of Dr. Merritt B. Schultz, was born in Germany, from whence he emigrated to the United States in the early days of the nineteenth century. He settled in Indiana county, Pennsyl- vania, where he purchased a tract of land of between three and four hundred acres, which was heavily wooded. This he proceeded to clear, converting the timber into lumber and selling it advantageously, and then cultivated the land for general farm purposes for many years. His death occurred in 1830. He married a Miss Strong, and had children: 1. Mi- chael, married Katherine Cramer. 2. Samuel, of whom see forward. 3. Jacob, married Sophia Campbell. 4. John, married Sarah Duncan. 5. Henry, married - TIill. 6. William, married Sarah Jane Coy. R. Mary, married John Schelling. 8. Catherine, married Thomas Wil- son. 9. Sarah, married Thomas Stiles.

Samuel Schultz (second son and child of Henry and (Strong) Schultz), was born on the farm of his father near Strongstown, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, May 14, 1826. At the early age of six years he was taken from his home by Mr. John Marshall, of Saltsburg. Pennsylvania. with whom he made his home and by whom he was raised. He attended the public schools of the district in which he resided, but the opportunities for obtaining a good education in those early days were limited. He, however, taught the Black Lick Furnace school for a time. He was apprenticed to the trade of millwrighting, and so apt was he at his chosen occupation that at nineteen years of age he assisted in the con- struction of the Pensacola Mills, which were among the first to be erected in this country and which were an excellent piece of work. He was also for many years successfully engaged in the lumber trade, to which he de- voted considerable time. Though never an office seeker, he was active in working for the welfare of the community, doing all in his power to further public interests, and serving as school director. He enjoyed the respect and esteem of the entire community, and his death, which occurred May 22. 1906, was deeply deplored. He married Elizabeth Graham, and had children : 1. Jane, married Samnel George, of Cambria county, and raised a large family. 2. Mary Ellen, married John Craige, and has a large family. 3. Matilda, married J. D. Gibson, of Indiana county, Penn- sylvania. 4. Emma, married Blair W. Shaffer, of Brush Valley, Indiana county, Pennsylvania. 5. Tirzah Pearl, married N. G. Altemus. of Strongstown, Indiana county, Pennsylvania. 6. Merritt B., see forward.

Merritt B. Schultz, Ph. G., M. D., youngest child of Samuel and Elizabeth (Graham) Schultz, was born near Strongstown, Indiana county, Pennsylvania. May 14, 1870. His early education was acquired in the public schools of his township and in the Greenville Academy. From his earliest years he displayed a decided inclination for study, and anything

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he attempted along those lines was successful. He acquired an excellent fund of knowledge as a foundation, and then commenced the active busi- ness of life as a teacher, following this occupation for a period of two years. While thus employed he commenced the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. E. H. Diekey, at that time the most prominent physician in Strongstown. Later Dr. Schultz entered the Columbus Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, from which he was graduated with honor in 1892, after a course of three years. He then passed an excellent examination before the Board of Examiners of the medical department of the Western University of Pennsylvania, his diploma being attested. the seal of the faculty attached, and the document signed by Dr. J. B. Mar- dock, dean of the college. He at once entered upon the active practice of his profession, locating in his birthplace, Strongstown, and for a period of ten years he enjoyed the confidence of numerous patients and the respect of his fellow citizens. At the expiration of that time he decided to re- move to a place which would afford him a larger field for his activities. and accordingly decided upon Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he prac- ticed for the following three years. While in that city he determined to take advantage of the facilities for continued study which offered them- selves, and prompted by the ambition to take a foremost place in the ranks of his profession, he enrolled himself as a student in the post- graduate class of the Polyclinic Hospital, in which he subsequently be- came an assistant to Dr. John B. Roberts, for two years. In order to further his studies in chemistry, in which subject he was greatly inter- ested, he entered the Medico-Chirurgical College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated in 1904, having by close application and hard study

completed a three years' course in one year. He then took and passed the examinations of the following boards of pharmacy: Pennsylvania. New Jersey, Delaware, Washington, District of Columbia and West Vir- ginia, and was registered by diploma in the state of Texas. Subsequently he became an assistant to Dr. Christian at the Medico-Chirurgical College for a period of six months, in the genito-urinary department, after his course in that college was completed. He came to Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1905, where his reputation as a capable and skilful physician and surgeon had preceded him. He located in Moxham, where he is enjoying a large and constantly increasing practice. He recognized the need of another drug store in the Seventeenth ward of the city. and established one at the corner of Village street and Grove avenue, which has a large patronage, and is conducted in the most ap- proved and up-to-date manner. Dr. Schultz is known and beloved not alone for the numerous cases of physical ills he has cured, but for his kind heart and helpful manner in all cases where assistance is needed.

He married (first), March 8, 1890, Rebecca Widdeson, of Dickson- ville, Indiana county, and had children: Augusta and Charles H. He married (second), June 5, 1902, Laura Campbell, daughter of Lewis Campbell, of Johnstown, and they have had one child, Merritt C.

HENRY MILTON HEINZE, the organizer of the corporation doing business under the style of H. M. Heinze & Company, ranks high in the business world of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, and owes his success to his own indefatigable efforts, ambition, perseverance and determination. He is a representative of a well known and highly re- spected family of Germany.

Adam Heinze, grandfather of Henry Milton Heinze, was the son of Adam Heinze, who married Margarethe Schelling, and had children :

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1. Philip, married Maria Nalser. 2. Frederick, married Elizabeth Ger- mann. 3. Christian, see forward. 4. Maria Stremmer. 5. Katrina, mar- ried August Braunbach. 6. Henrietta, married Heinrich Lei. Christina, married Adam Rohde.

Christian Heinze, third son and child of Adam and Margarethe (Schelling) Heinze, was born at Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. October 29, 1841, died in Johnstown, Cambria county. Pennsylvania, April 11, 1902. He emigrated to the United States in 1864, settling in Johnstown, where he resided for five years. At the end of that period he removed to Adams township, Cambria county, and purchased there a tract of wooded land, consisting of fifty acres. This he proceeded to clear, and then commenced the cultivation of the soil. He erected a dwelling house, which is still (1906) standing in a good state of preservation, in which he and his family resided until 1890, the year following the great flood in Johns- town. Ile then sold this property and removed to Johnstown, where he lived retired from active business interests until his death. While re- siding in Adams township he took an active and beneficial interest in all affairs of public importance, and served the community in various official positions. Among other offices he held that of director on the school board for some time. He made a trip to Europe in 1885, visiting his birthplace and traveling extensively.

He married Elizabeth Boyle and had children as follows: 1. Albert, born in Johnstown, February 18, 1867. 2. Philip, single. 3. Daniel, mar- ried Amanda Black; had one child, deceased, and one living, Chalmer. 4. Henry Milton, concerning whom see forward. 5. Lewis, married Norah Lyden, and had children: Esther, deceased; Harry and Kenneth. 6. John, married Myrtle Bowser, daughter of Polk and Mary (Clark) Bowser, of Bedford county, Pennsylvania. 7. Lena, married John Beck- ley, of Bedford county, Pennsylvania. 8. Amelia, single. 9. Reuben, mar- ried Frieda Wehn and has one child, Helen. 10. Minnie, single.

Henry Milton Heinze, fourth son and child of Christian and Eliza- beth (Boyle) Heinze, was born on the family homestead in Adams town- ship, Cambria county. Pennsylvania. May 25, 1873. He spent the early years of his life until the age of fifteen on the homestead farm, attending the public schools of his district, where he acquired a good education and had the reputation of being an apt scholar. He then went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and sought employment, which he found as a clerk in the wholesale carpet business of Oliver Mcclintock & Co. He was very am- bitious, and desiring to pursue his studies further, he devoted his earn- ings to paying for his tuition in evening schools. He decided to remove to Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, in 1888, and was employed in that city at the time of the disastrous flood of 1889. He served his apprenticeship in the meat trade for two years in the market of Young & Young, also W. M. Rohde, and in 1890 established himself in a similar line of business. His store was located in Coleman avenue. Moxham, now the Seventeenth ward of Johnstown. and here his tact, courtesy and thorough knowledge of the business soon necessitated removal to larger quarters. He removed to a larger store in Grove avenne, in 1896, where the business is conducted at the present time (1906). Under the able management of Mr. Heinze the business increased steadily and con- sistently, and in 1905 it was organized into a stock company, and is How transacting its affairs under the title of H. M. Heinze & Company, the partners of Mr. Heinze being H. J. Baumgartner and J. W. Heinze, brother of H. M. Heinze. They are dealers in meat, vegetables, fish. ovs- ters, butter, eggs and cheese, and they have an enviable reputation for the

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fine quality of the stock they handle. and their thorough reliability. It is one of the largest concerns of the kind in Johnstown. and besides an ex- tensive retail trade. they transact a large wholesale business. principally in dressed meats and all kinds of sausages. doing all this class of work under their own supervision. Mr. Heinze is a strong supporter of the Prohibition party, and is a member of the United Evangelical church. in which he takes an active interest. and for which he has done much good work. He is also superintendent of the Sunday school connected with that church.

He married. May 23. 1895. Margaret M. Stewart, born July 18. 1822. daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Berkybile) Stewart. and they have had four children, of whom the following are now living: Lloyd. born March 3, 1896. Florence. November 10. 1898. Clarence. February 20. 1903.

JAMES McMILLEN. It is not easy in these days of ardent com- petition to attain success in any line without the advantage of systematic training, and there is distinctive ability in a man. unaided, which makes for himself a fortune without injuring the rights of others. As it follows that the condition of life of a self-made man is the proof of his inborn capacity or lack of it. the above has had a literal interpretation in the life of James McMillen. who was widely known as an influential business man of Johnstown. Pennsylvania. and who occupied a high place among his fellow-citizens as a man of ability and integrity. He attained posi- tions of trust and profit. not from the force of external circumstances, but because of innate strength and sound ability. He was born November 21. 1822, in Indiana county. near Blairsville. where his father, who was a native of either Blairs or Bedford county, emigrated near the beginning of the present century.

He educated himself, chiefly through his association with men and connection with business interests, and such an education makes a man of affairs and dispels the illusions which makes the dreaming theorist. The latter is seldom useful to many people. and the former is always so if he possesses executive ability. energy and good judgment. which traits made Mr. McMillen what he was to his fellowmen. In March. 1850. he came to Johnstown. Cambria county, and at the organization of the Cambria Iron Company. in 1853. became a member. He was appointed to superintend the transferring of the property from Shoenberg & King. the old company, to the new corporation. a task of considerable difficulty owing to neces- sary complications. From that time to the day of his death. November 3. 1896. he was an active and valuable member of the company. being one of the few who were connected with that great enterprise for nearly a half of a century. He was for a number of years a member of the board of directors, but in later life was advanced to the position of resident director. a recognition due to his qualifications.

He was president of the First National Bank of Johnstown, Penn- sylvania. and of the Savings Bank of the same place. This bank was or- ganized in September. 1870. and enjoys the distinction of having had two prominent men for its president-Daniel J. Morrell and James Me- Millen-Mr. Morrell being the president immediately preceding Mr. Mc- Millen. For the position of bank president Mr. McMillen's natural abili- ties, his capacity and inclination for business. and his sernpulousness in money matters combined to make him a very desirable nerson. He was also president of the Johnstown Water Company. the Johnstown Water and Gas Company, and of the Grand View Cemetery Association, having

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been one of the organizers of the latter. This, as well as the Savings Bank, is a mutual arrangement; fifty members control it. From this brief sketch a small idea may be obtained of what Mr. MeMillen has done for the publie welfare. His life affords an instructive lesson of what may be achieved by a capable and ambitious man. Mr. MeMillen was a consistent member of the English Lutheran church, and, although not in any sense an active politician, discharged the duties of a citizen in such a way as to win the respect and confidence of his fellow townsmen.

Mr. MeMillen married Susanna Fair, now deceased, and to them were born Melissa Fair, wife of William Harry Rosensteel, of Johnstown, and another child, who died in 1888.

William Harry Rosensteel, son-in-law of James McMillen, was born in the year 1850. For many years he was engaged in the tanning busi- ness, continuing until the flood of 1889, which devastated Johnstown, after which he sold the tannery to the United States Leather Company, the consolidated concern that took over most of the tanneries in this coun- try. Mr. Rosensteel, who has always been among the foremost men of Johnstown, was the treasurer of the Johnstown Passenger Railway Com- pany for many years, and at the time of his retirement from active busi- ness life, about 1900, was president of the Johnstown Electric Company, in which capacity he had served for some time. He married, September 5, 1877, Melissa Fair MeMillen, a native of Blairsville, Pennsylvania, daugh- ter of James and Susanna (Fair) McMillen, by whom he had two chil- dren: Susanna, deceased, was the wife of Dr. C. E. Hannan, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; and William Frank, of whom later.

William Frank Rosensteel was born in Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1880. He attended the schools of his native city, and this was followed by a course in the Kiskimenetas Springs school, at Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, a two years' course in Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and Cornell University, which he entered in 1891 and where he completed his studies. He now devotes his entire time to the management of the Globe foundry, the largest foundry in the city of Johnstown, of which he is the general manager. It was purchased of George S. Gore about 1900; its product is almost entirely car casting sand and its business extends throughout the United States. Mr. Rosensteel is a Republican, and a member of the Lutheran church.

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History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III, Part 32

Author: Storey, Henry Wilson Publication date: 1907 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 940

Author: Storey, Henry Wilson
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 940