History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III, Part 40

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

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1. Johanna, born in Duncansville, Pennsylvania, April 19, 1858: mar- ried Henry Casper Rippel. of Johnstown, October 19. 1886. They have lived since then in Alliance. Ohio, and have two children-Elizabeth and Herbert. 2. Amelia, born in Johnstown, July 22. 1860 ; died January 28, 1876. 3. Louis Henry, born in Johnstown. March 8. 1862. He is a physician. whose office is at 413 Main street, Johnstown. Dr. Mayer married Olive Frances Stephens. May 21. 1889. They have since lived at the corner of Lincoln and Market streets, and have four children- Louis Henry, Olive Frances. William Frederick, and Stephens.

GEORGE W. REESE. superintendent of the Lorain steel foundry in Johnstown, Cambria county. Pennsylvania, is a descendant of an hon- ored family of Pennsylvania.

Job Reese. grandfather of George W. Reese. married Margaret Wat-

kins, and they had five children : William. married -McCand- less. Sarah. married Benjamin F. Watkins. Mary Ann. married George Watkins. John G., of whom latter. Jennie, married John Davis.

John G. Reese. son of Job and Margaret (Watkins) Reese, was born in Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, about 1840. He was a moulder and puddler by trade, and followed that occupation up to the time of his death. He was a member of Company G, Fourteenth Cavalry, and served four years in the Civil war with bravery. He was one of the organizers of the Order of Foresters. In Johnstown: was past grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows: a member of the Grand Army of the Republic : and of the Union Veteran Legion. He married Elizabeth Barnes, and they had eight children: William H., married Dot Sample. George W .. of whom later. Job Clara, deceased. Frank. deceased. Gertrude, married Thomas A. Osborn. Arthur. married Margaret Wilhelm. Reno.

George W. Reese. second son and child of John G. and Elizabeth (Barnes) Reese, was born in La Salle. Illinois, November 11, 1810. He had the advantage of a good common school education, which fitted him for his future business career. His first business engagement was with

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the Cambria Steel Company, and he left them to accept a position with the Lorain Steel Company, which he held until 1899. He was then ad- vanced to the responsible position of superintendent in the steel foundry, a position which he is holding at the present time (1906) to the benefit of the company. Ile is energetic, progressive and resourceful. and his services are highly appreciated by the company. His courtesy and kind- liness have won for him many friends, and he is deservedly popular in the circles in which he moves. He is at present school controller for the sixth ward. He is a member of the following organizations: Knights of Pythias: Sons of Veterans ; Protected Home Circle ; Johnstown Lodge, No. 538, Free and Accepted Masons : Portage Chapter, No. 195: Cambria Council. No. 32; Oriental Commandery. No. 61; and Syria Temple of Pittsburg.

Mr. Reese married, April 11, 1895, Lulu C. Price, daughter of John W. and Margaret (Decker) Price. Mrs. Reese has three sisters and one brother : Katie, married Samuel Bair: Annie, married Charles Bailey ; Eva, married John McClellan : and John. Jr. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Reese are: George W., Jr., born January 24. 1896. Margaret E .. May 10, 1900.

SAMUEL C. WEEKS. superintendent of the foundry of the Lorain Steel Company, of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. is a rep- resentative of the third generation of the Weeks family in the United States.

(I) Thomas Weeks, grandfather of Samuel C. Weeks, and the · founder of the Weeks family in this country. came to America and set- tled in Baltimore, Maryland. He married and had five children: 1. Sam- uel, married Margaret Turner. 2. Alfred, married Mary Kelley. 3. Jeremiah, of whom later. 4. Sarah, married Phineas Getzandaner. 5. A child that died in infancy.

(II) Jeremiah Weeks, third son and child of Thomas Weeks (1), was born at Baltimore, Maryland, March 13. 1836. and died April 28. 1901, at Ironton, Ohio, and was buried there. He was educated in the common schools, and was by occupation a foundryman. He was for many years in the employ of the Pittsburg Locomotive Works, and also in that of the Atlas Works of Pittsburg. He was a member of a New York regi- ment during the Civil war, and served for two years as wagonmaster. He was a member of the Methodist church. He married Mosline Brown- ing, daughter of Wesley Browning, who was a native of France. Wesley Browning was overseer of the Holbert plantation in Maryland until the Civil war, when he was wagonmaster at Washington, and part of his con- tract was the breaking in of horses for the army. While thus engaged he contracted a disease which ultimately resulted in his death. The children of Jeremiah and Mosline (Browning) Weeks were: Samuel C., of whom later, and two children who died in infancy.

(III) Samuel C. Weeks, only surviving child of Jeremiah (2) and Mosline (Browning) Weeks, was born in Laurel, Prince George county. Maryland, February 17, 1858. His education was acquired in the public schools, and early in life he showed a decided inclination toward mechani- cal work. He was for several years in the employ of the Union Foundry and Machine Co., Pittsburg, Pa., and also the Buffalo Steam Pump Com- pany, as foreman, and then obtained the position of foreman in the foundry of the Lorain Steel Company at Johnstown, Cambria county. Pennsylvania. He held this position to the great satisfaction of the com- pany for ten years, and was then advanced to that of superintendent.

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which he has now held for five years. He is a man of energy and de- termination, and under his able management the Lorain Steel Company has prospered. Ile is a member of the Presbyterian church, and a presid- ing elder, and of the following organization: Lodge No. 223, Free and Accepted Masons ; Allegheny Commandery, No. 35; and Allegheny Chap- ter, No. 217.

Mr. Weeks married November 4, 1880. Garetta Van Ryn, and they have one child: Alfred B., born October 12, 1881, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1904. He is a mechanical engineer, was employed in the bridge department of the Cambria Steel Company, and is now in the employ of the Fort Pitt Bridge Co., of Canonsburg, Penn- sylvania. Mrs. Weeks is the daughter of Arie and Mary M. (Mouerer) Van Ryn. Arie Van Ryn was a son of John George and Garetta (Von Ening) Van Ryn, and was one of five children: 1. Arie, just mentioned. 2. Harvey, married Sarah Ewing. 3. John, married Sadie Peirce. 4. Otto, married Mary Kelly. 5. Rino, married Lydia Moore. Arie and Mary M. (Mouerer) Van Ryn had children: 1. Garetta, wife of Samuel C. Weeks. 2. Armenia, married George Phillips. 3. Cora L., unmarried. 4. Clara E., married Edward Hough. 5. Elizabeth G., married John W. Owens. 6. Frank W., married Sadie Shafer.

DAVID R. BRYAN, who bears an enviable reputation for bravery in the Civil war, is a representative in the present generation of a family the members of which have always distinguished themselves in the de- fense of their country.

Thomas Bryan, grandfather of David R. Bryan, came from Scot- land with two of his brothers-James and John-and settled at James- town, Virginia. James, the eldest, went to Kentucky; John remained in Virginia; and Thomas came to Maryland, where he settled and had a large plantation. After a few years he sold this and removed to South Carolina, but later returned to Maryland, where he passed the remainder of his days. He married, and had four children : 1. Thomas. 2. John. 3. William L., of whom later. 4. Annie E.

William L. Bryan, third son and child of Thomas Bryan, was born at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1810. He was a teamster by occupa- tion, removed to Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. in 1836, and to Johnstown in 1848. Here he worked on the old Portage road and later drove a six- horse team at Cambria Furnace for a number of years, then removed to Millcreek, lived there for two years, and died at Blacklick Furnace, March 28, 1857. He took an active part in the war with Mexico. He married Nancy Hess. born in 1814, died in Johnstown. Pennsylvania, in 18:3. She was the daughter of Henry and Eliza (Ray) Hess; the former, born in 1775, was a weaver by occupation, came to this country when young, and died at Johnstown, Pennsylvania. in 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Hess had ten children: 1. David R., married Jane Lamison, and had two sons who served in the United States army. 2. Mary A., married William Craig. 3. Nancy, married William L. Bryan, as above stated. 4. John. married Elizabeth Fisher. 5. J. Jacob. married Sarah Slusher, and served in the Union army. 6. Thomas, married Elizabeth Myers ; served in the Union army. . George, married Caroline Shuman, served in the Union army. 8. William. married Mary Koch, served in the Union army. 9. Elizabeth, married Henry Kuntz. 10. Jane, married Jacob Gough- nour.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. William L. Bryan were: 1. George W .. unmarried. served in the Civil war. 2. Alfred N., married Christina

David R Bryan

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations. 1909

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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

Larden, served in the Civil war; is dead. 3. Anne E., married Henry Prunkard, both dead. 4. David R., the subject of this sketch. 5. John HI., married Sallie -, took part in the Civil war; is dead. 6. 'Jacob. died in infancy. ?. Thomas M .. unmarried, served in the Civil war; is dead. S. William B., served in the Civil war. 9. James, Im- married; is dead. 10. Silas, unmarried; is dead. 11. Martin Luther, married Jane Asher; is dead. 12. Orlando, unmarried; is dead.

David R. Bryan, third son and fourth child of William L. (?) and Nancy ( Hess) Bryan, was born in Newton Hamilton, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, September 14, 1840. He received a good common school education, and started to work on the ore cars, later working four years on the Pennsylvania canal as a boat driver; he then came to Bens- creek Furnace and drove the six-horse team that had formerly been driven by his father, and held this position until the breaking out of the Civil war. He responded to the first call of his country to serve in her de- fence, and following is the record of Mr. Bryan's career during the progress of the war. He enlisted from Cambria county, Pennsylvania, to serve three months, and was mustered into the United States service April 20, 1861, at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as a private in Captain John P. Suter's Company K. Third Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry, Colonel Francis P. Minier commanding. The regi- ment was one of the first organized in answer to Lincoln's call for vol- unteers at the outbreak of the war, Companies G and K being the first companies of soldiers to occupy Camp Curtin, arriving April 18th. The regiment was composed of independent volunteer companies organized and existing before the war. It was organized and mustered into the serv- ice April 20, 1861, and left camp on the same evening by rail for Balti- more, Maryland, but halted at Cockeysville. the bridge having been de- stroved, encamping there until the 22nd, then returning to York, Penn- sylvania, where it went into camp and was thoroughly drilled and dis- ciplined. The commissary department not yet having been fully organ- ized, the men would have suffered for lack of provisions had it not been for the generosity of the citizens of York in contributing supplies. They moved to Camp Chambers on May 27, three miles from Chambersburg, where the regiment was later assigned to Wyncoop's (Second) Brigade, Keim's (Second) Division, of General Patterson's Army of the Shenan- doah. This army was organized to operate against the rebel forces in the Shenandoah Valley, who were threatening the adjacent parts of Mary- land and Pennsylvania. They moved by rail, June ?, to Hagerstown, Maryland, marched thence to Funkstown, and took up a position to op- erate against the enemy established at Harper's Ferry. under General .J. E. Johnston. They moved to Williamsport on July 1, and on July ? participated in a skirmish at Falling Waters, forded the Potomac, and marched with the army into the country controlled by the enemy. who was driven back to Winchester, where he remained entrenched. Patter- son's army arriving at Martinsburg, Virginia, on July 3rd. The regi- ment was then detached from the brigade and ordered to Williamsport to guard the main depot of supplies and the approaches thereto, remain- ing on guard and garrison duty until July 26th, when. its term of sery- ices having expired, it was ordered to Harrisburg and there mustered ont.

After bearing a faithful part in all the operations of his command. as above outlined, David R. Bryan was honorably discharged with his company. at Harrisburg. July 30, 1861, by reason of expiration of term of enlistment. He re-enlisted and was mustered into the service at Har- risburg, September 5, 1861, to serve three years or during the war. as

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a corporal of Captain John P. Suter's Company A, Fifty-fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Colonel J. M. Campbell. He was hon- orably discharged at South Branch, Virginia, February 10, 1861, by rea- son of re-enlisting on the same day to serve a second term of three years or during the war, as a veteran volunteer in the same company and regi- ment. The regiment rendezvoused at Camp Curtin, where it was or- ganized and mustered into the service, and on February 17, 1862, left camp for Washington, District of Columbia, encamped near Bladens- burg cemetery and thoroughly disciplined. The regiment was armed with old Belgian rifles, except Company A, which had the Maynerd patent primer arms. The regiment was ordered to Harper's Ferry, Virginia, March 29, 1862, reporting to Col- onel D. S. Miles, and was stationed for guard duty along fifty-six miles of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, between Cumberland, Maryland, and Martinsburg, Virginia, and for nearly a year was entrusted with the important duty of guarding this great thoroughfare through territory mainly hostile, protecting the few loyal inhabitants, scouring the country and fighting the guerrilla bands of Edwards, White, Imboden and Me- Neil, capturing many prisoners, horses and arms, participating in en- gagements at Back Creek Bridge. Virginia. September 22, 1862, and Mangares Mills, Virginia, October 25. October 4, 1862, Company K, stationed at Little Cacapon, and Company B, at Paw Paw, were sur- rounded by an overwhelming force of the enemy under Imboden, and captured after a sharp fight. Upon the organization of the Eighth Army Corps of West Virginia the regiment was assigned to the Third Brigade, Second Division. Companies B and K were exchanged in December and returned to the regiment, and the command was relieved from guard duty, moving to Romney, January 6, 1863, attached to the Fourth Brig- ade, First Division, and marched April 3 in pursuit of the enemy, fight- ing at Burlington, Virginia, Putgitsville on the 6th, and Gowan's Ferry on the ?th. July 6th it moved by forced marches in pursuit of Lee's army retreating from Gettysburg, engaging the enemy at Heagueville, July 17, 1863, and at Cherry Run, July 19, returning to Romney. Au- gust 15, 1863, moved to Petersburg, West Virginia, engaging the enemy at that place September 1, 1863. November 6th moved to Springfield, and assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division. In the spring of 1864 marched under General Sigel, later under Hunter and Crook, bearing a gallant part in the battles of New Market, Virginia, May 15, 1864; Piedmont, or Mount Crawford, June 5; Lexington, June 11; James River, June 14; Blue Ridge, or Peak of Otter, June 15; Lynch- burg, June 17-18; Liberty, June 19 ; Salem, June 22. Marched across the mountains to Camp Piatt on the Kanawha river, suffering untold hard- ships, and moved thence via Parkersburg, West Virginia, to Martinsburg, Virginia, arriving July 14. Joined in pursuit of Early, fighting at Snicker's Gap, or Island Ford, Virginia, July 18: Kernstown or Win- chester, July 23; Martinsburg, July 25. Participated under Sheridan in his brilliant Shenandoah campaign, including the battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia, August 12, 1864: Charlestown, August 17; Halltown, August 19; Berryville, September 3; Opequan. or Winchester, September 19; Fisher's Hill, September 22; Strasburg, October 13; Cedar Creek or Middletown, October 19, 1864. Moved via Washington. District of Co- lumbia, to City Point, Virginia, and on February 16,. 1865, the Third and Fourth Pennsylvania Reserves were consolidated with the Fifty- fourth under Colonel A. P. Moulton. Assigned to the Second Bridage, Independent Division, Twenty-fourth Corps, Army of the James, with

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which it participated in Grant's final campaign, fighting at White Oak Swamp. Virginia, March 23, 1865; Hatcher's Run, April 1; Fort Gregg, April 2; and High Bridge, Virginia, April 6, where a small force en- gaged in a desperate battle with the vastly superior numbers of the enemy, were surrounded and taken prisoners, marched four days without rations with the fleeing army, released at the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, Virginia. April 9 sent to Parole Camp, Annapolis, Maryland, and there mustered out.

For meritorious services David R. Bryan received the following pro- motions: From corporal to fifth sergeant; to third sergeant; to first sergeant ; December 14, 1864; to first lieutenant, April 5, 1865. He was wounded by gunshot in the side, at New Market, Virginia, May 19, 1864; bayonet thrust in ankle at Piedmont, Virginia, June 5, 1864; and scalp wound by gunshot, at Lynchburg, Virginia, June 18, 1864. At Cedar Creek, Virginia, the explosion of a caisson knocked him senseless and he lay on the field all night. He received a sunstroke just before returning home on veteran furlough. In September, 1862, he contracted typhoid fever and was confined to the hospital at Cumberland, Maryland, for six months, and then returned to duty with his company. With these exceptions he was at all times with his command, bearing a loyal part in the campaigns and battles as outlined above, and achieving a gallant record for soldierly conduct. He was taken prisoner with the regiment at High Bridge, Virginia, April 6, 1865, and he and Sergeant Stearn were tried by the rebels on a charge of having killed a rebel major. He was released at Appomattox, sent to Annapolis, Maryland, and there re- received a final honorable discharge, May 31, 1865, by reason of General Order No. 77, at close of war.

When Mr. Bryan returned from the war he went to Dunbar, Fay- ette county, Pennsylvania, and worked at the blast furnace for one year, then came to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to work for the Cambria Steel Company in the position of engineer in the rolling department, and re- tained this position four years, when he attended to the firing of the boilers for one year, and then to the testing of the water until 1902. He was in the employ of the Cambria Steel Company for a period of thirty years. In 1902 he accepted the position of watchman at the United States National Bank, and this he still holds (1906). Mr. Bryan was instru- mental in having a monument erected at New Market, Virginia, in mem- ory of the comrades who fell in that battle and were members of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of Cambria. He himself prepared the bill that was presented to the legislature for the appropriation of money for this purpose, and the sum of two thousand dollars was finally granted. The monument was dedicated in the latter part of October, 1905, and Mr. Bryan was awarded the appreciation he so richly deserved. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious faith, a member of the United Brethren church. He is a member, past commander, and trustee of Emery Fisher Post, No. 30. Department of Pennsylvania, Grand Army of the Republic. and has served on the staff of the department commander, also on that of the national commander-in-chief ; he is secretary of the Fifty- fourth Regimental Association ; is keeper of exchequer of the Golden Eagle ; and past councillor of the Junior Order of United American Me- chanies.

He married, July 28, 1868, Annie M. Wolford, daughter of William and Eliza ( Wolford) Wolford, the former a native of Bedford county, and a laborer by occupation. They had four children: 1. Jacob, mar- ried Sarah Penrod. 2. Annie M., married David R. Bryan, as above

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stated. 3. Margaret. married Philip M. Smith. 4. Andrew, married Mary Hocker. Mr. and Mrs. David R. Bryan had children: 1. Mar- garet M .. born May 15, 1869, married John Trinbath. 2. Cora. born April 9, 18:1, died 1882. 3. William L., born April 13. 1813. married Ada Grav. 4. Hulbert H .. born August 9, 1882, unmarried.

JOHN W. WALTERS. It is due to the excellent characteristics brought to this country by the emigrants from other lands that Pennsyl- vania, and, in fact. the entire country, owes much of its prosperity. The inhabitants of Wales are noted for their industry. economy. endurance, and many other good qualities, and John W. Walters, a prosperous and well known lumber merchant of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsyl- vania, whose name heads this sketch, has at least his full share.

Rev. John Walters, grandfather of John W. Walters, was a native of Wales, and a noted divine. He married Margaret Winston and had children : Dr. Walter W .; Margaret: Mary; Howell : Winifred; Eliza- beth ; and Philip J. Rev. John Walters was a man who commanded the respect of the populace generally. having traveled extensively through- out his own country. evangelizing and advocating the cause of temper- ance. He was regarded with great favor and respect in the synod of his church, and as a testimonial of respect to his memory the synod erected a fine monument at his grave at Ystradgyulois.

Philip J. Walters, second son of Rev. John and Margaret (Winston) Walters, was born in Brecon. Wales, about the year 1830. He received a good education, and like his father turned his attention to the min- istry, in which he attained a considerable measure of prominence. He married Magdalene Thomas, born in Llarddansant. Wales. about 1835, daughter of William and Mary (Thomas) Thomas. William Thomas was the grandson of William S. Pantycelyn, who was the author of three- fourths of the hymns sung by the Welsh people. He was called by the English the "Watts of Wales." He prospered greatly and owned much land in Wales, leaving it by will to his descendants. Three of these farms are now in the possession of John W. Walters, one of which was especially prized by William Thomas. because the first meeting of the synod of the Calvinist Methodists was held there. The children of Rev. Philip J. and Magdalene (Thomas) Walters were John W., and Howell, who married Mary Reese.

John W. Walters, eldest son and child of Rev. Philip J. and Magda- lene (Thomas) Walters, was born in Llangadock, Wales, October 16, 1861. He received a good common school education in his native land, and early in life showed great ambition and enterprise. He emigrated to the United States in 1883, arriving in Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, May 1. He immediately sought employment and found a position with T. R. Marshall as bookkeeper. He retained this for one vear in order to become thoroughly well acquainted with the business methods of his adopted country, and then established himself in the lum- ber business, associating himself with R. R. Thomas. under the firm name of Thomas & Walters. He bought out the interest of Mr. Thomas in 1895, and since then has conducted the business under his own name. He is very methodical and systematic in his manner of conducting busi- ness operations, weighing well every point to be considered before he takes a forward decisive step. As a natural consequence his business ventures are very rarely failures. He is a stockholder and director in several of Johnstown's leading industries, and also in the United States

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National Bank of Johnstown. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and affiliates with the Republican party.

He married, December 20, 1888, Emma Krebs, born in Johnstown. Pennsylvania, May 2. 1866, daughter of Frederick and Louisa (Berg- man) Krebs, who had nine children. The Krebs family, which orig- inally came from Prussia, Germany, has furnished men of excellent stand- ing in the industrial and professional fields of the last half century. The children of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Walters are: Winifred, born No- vember 6, 1889; Albert W., born June 25. 1893; Margaret D., born Au- gust 30, 1894; and J. Philip, born October 5, 1898.

HUGH P. MULLEN. Among the many prominent men who have risen to distinction by their own ability, perseverance and enterprise, in the city of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, a list of whom would be a credit and honor to any town, must be mentioned the name which heads this sketch. Hugh P. Mullen, an American by birth, at present chief of the police of Johnstown, is a most valuable citizen.

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History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III, Part 40

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