USA > Pennsylvania > Cambria County > History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III > Part 44
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Mr. Price married, July 1, 1870, Margaret Decker, daughter of James K. and Martha (Long) Decker, who had seven children: John, Jennie, Kate. Annie. Margaret, Eveline and Emma. The children of John W. and Margaret (Decker) Price were: 1. Kate L. married Samuel Bair, and has children : Jolin B .. Samuel, Eva, Ralph. 2. Lulu C., married George W. Reese (see sketch of George Reese). 3. Annia M .. married Charles Bailey and has two children: Charles and Marion. 4. Eva W., married John S. Mcclellan. and has children : Harry W. and Leone. 5. John W., Jr., a stenographer for W. W. Dempsey, lumber merchant.
JAMES S. EDWARDS, one of that large class of workers whose earnest efforts. thrift and prudence, have done so much to enable the state of Pennsylvania to maintain the proud supremacy which she has attained in the industrial world. is a valued resident of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. and a descendant of a respected family of Eng- land.
Thomas Edwards. father of James S. Edwards, was born in Eng- land in 1827. died in Johnstown in 1893. He was the son of William Edwards, also a miner by occupation, who was the father of five chil-
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dren : Thomas, John, Henry, Jane and Emma. Thomas was a miner, and lost his sight while in the discharge of his duties. He emigrated to the United States about 1847 and made a very comfortable livelihood by selling brooms, and was a well known character throughout the city. He was a member of the Methodist church. He married Emma Stephens, born in 1847, one of seven children: William, James, John, Mary, An- nie, Emma and Jennie. The children of Thomas and Emma (Stephens) Edwards were: Emma, deceased; James S., see forward; Bessie, mar- ried Richard Probert: Mollie, married Arthur Bennett; Minnie, mar- ried Frank Walters; Mary D., unmarried.
James S. Edwards, only son of Thomas and Emma (Stephens) Ed- wards, was born in Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1867. He received a good common school education in his native city and then entered the employ of the Cambria Steel Company, in which he rose from grade to grade. He has now been in the Gautier depart- ment of that company for the past twenty-three years, and his present . position is that of roller. His faithfulness in the discharge of his duties, his reliability and careful attention to detail, arc duly appreciated by his employers, and his friendly acts of kindness to his fellow workers have made him popular among them. He is a member of Linton Lodge, No. 451, Knights of Pythias. He is associated with the Methodist church, and supports the Republican party. He married, December 21, 1892, Annie Folsom, daughter of Josiah and Mary (Kilgore) Folsom, who had five children : John, married Josie Todd : Charles, married Jean Hunter ; Annie, mentioned above; Henry, married Kate Taylor; and Bella, died November 26, 1906, married John Robbins. Josiah Folsom, born in 1833, was a heater by occupation. He was a son of Hiram Folsom, who was a schoolmaster and a peddler. Mary (Kilgore) Folsom was born in 1831. The children of James S. and Annie (Folsom) Edwards were: 1. Blanche, married John A. Mellugh, and has one child: John. 2. Charles, born July 9. 1894. 3. James, born July 16, 1896. 4. John, October 15, 1900.
GEORGE W. STUTZMAN. a valued citizen of Johnstown, Cam- bria county, Pennsylvania, prominently identified at various times with the commercial, manufacturing, and lumber interests of that town, is a representative of the Stutzman family in the fourth generation in this country, they having come originally from Holland.
Jacob Stutzman, great-grandfather of George W. Stutzman, and the founder of the family in this country, emigrated from Holland in the early part of the eighteenth century and settled in Virginia. He was by occupation a farmer. married, and raised a family.
Jacob Stutzman, son of Jacob Stutzman, was born in Virginia, 1782, died in 1859. He was the first of the family to settle in Penn- sylvania, where he followed the occupation of shoemaking. He married Susan Ulrich, born 1782, died 1862. Their children were: Daniel, mar- ried Mary Hildebrand; Abraham, married Sarah Schrock; Jacob, of whom later: John, married Sarah Huffman : Samuel, married Babbara Knavel : Stephen. married Rachel Berkey; Elizabeth, married Jonas Wea- er : Hannah, married George Knavel: May, married (first) Samuel Ber- key, married (second) Christopher Good; one child died in infancy.
Jacob Stutzman, son of Jacob and Susan (Ulrich) ) Stutzman, was born in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, in 1808, and died in 1861. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his life, and was a man of considerable prominence in the community, having been elected to-
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fill several of the township offices. He lived at first on a farm in Yoder township, and subsequently moved to a farm in Taylor township, now West Taylor, where he died. He married, 1831. Lydia Hildebrand, born 1808. died 1844. She was one of thirteen children, as follows: Abra- ham : Jacob: John; George; Samuel: Stephen; Daniel; Lvdia; Cath- erine ; Christina; Ann : Hannah; and Mary. The children of Jacob and Lydia (Hildebrand) Stutzman were: George W., of whom later; David, married Mary Nicodemus : Daniel, married Mary Cobaugh ; Samuel, un- married ; Benjamin. married Hattie Smith : Aaron, married Mary Bracken ; Jacob. married (first) Jennie Bracken, married (second) Lena Dellett ; Eli, married Sarah Yoder : Ephraim, married Mary Baumgarden ; Hiram, married Emma Dellett : and two children who died in infancy.
George W. Stutzman. son of Jacob and Lydia (Hildebrand) Stutz- man, was born on the Hohstine farm. Upper Yoder, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. November 2, 1834. George W. Stutzman was reared on the farm, and received his education in the common schools of the dis- trict. He was then apprenticed to learn the trade of carpentering, and followed it until 1863, when he established himself in the general mer- chandise business in the fourteenth ward of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. This business he conducted very successfully for twenty- six years and then engaged in manufacturing in the cooperage line, and also became interested in a lumber niill at Cooperdale, in the same county. The great flood of May 31. 1889. destroyed this entire plant. and the following year Mr. Stutzman retired from active business life. He is now enjoying the fruits of a long life of industry in his home at No. 272 Cooper avenue, Cooperdale. He has always believed in keeping both mind and body actively employed. feeling that in this lay the secret of success, and the comfortable fortune which he has amassed would lead one to share this belief. His religious affiliations are with the de- nomination of Dunkards.
He married. December 3, 1857. Sarah Seigh, born in 1840, daugh- ter of John, Jr., and Nancy (Arthur) Seigh, and granddaughter of John Seigh. John, Jr., was born 1815, died 1863. He was a farmer by occupation, and migrated to Cambria county, from York county, in the same state. His wife. Nancy Arthur, was born in 1819, died in 1890. They had four children: Sarah; Julia, married James Wills; Elizabeth, deceased ; and John, deceased. The children of George W. and Sarah (Seigh) Stutzman are: Francis M., married Jane Hoffman; Naney A., married Anson B. Cooper ; Julia, married Frederick Schramm ; and Emma J .. married David Cartwright.
JOHN W. WIRT, M. D., a well known physician of Johnstown. Cambria county, Pennsylvania, whose opinion is highly valued by his fellow practitioners, traces his descent to both German and Scotch an- cestry. and unites in his person many of the admirable characteristics of both those nations.
John Wirt, grandfather of John W. Wirt, M. D., and the first of the family to settle in this country, was born in Germany, in 1798, and emigrated to the United States about 1820. He was a baker by occu- pation, but he later opened a general store in New Rumley, Ohio, was a merchant and banker there for many years, and became exceedingly wealthy. He married Mary Shull, who was of Scotch descent, and they had children: 1. George. of whom later. 2. Elizabeth. deceased. 3. Catherine, deceased. 4. William O., married Margaret Blaine, niece of
THE NE ORK PUBLI - BRARY
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Astor, Lonox and Tliden Foundations, 1909
Joseph, mastre
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James G. Blaine. 5. Mary C., married Jasper Horner. 6. Joshua G., married Emma Simmons. 7. John S., married Lucy C. Pickerl.
George Wirt, eldest child of John and Mary (Shull) Wirt, was born in New Rumley, Ohio, December 17, 1839. Ile was a dealer in wool and general merchandise at New Rumley, and then went to Chi- vago, Illinois, where he was a commission merchant for many years. Later he bought a seat on the Exchange, and retired from active business life about 1872, having amassed a large fortune. His death occurred February 16, 1902. He married Emma Grissinger, born 1839, died 1863, daughter of John and Catherine (McCarran) Grissinger, the for- mer a native of Germany : Emma was one of four children: William H., Caroline, Melinda, and Emma. The children of George and Emma ( Grissinger) Wirt were: Dr. John W., see forward; Mary C., married George H. Crabb; and Elmer, deceased.
John W. Wirt, M. D., son of George and Emma (Grissinger) Wirt, was born in New Rumley, Ohio, April 28, 1861. He was educated in the common schools of New Rumley, Ohio, and then worked in the store of his father for two years, when his health failed. He next studied telegraphy and was an operator on the Panhandle railroad for seven years. While thus occupied he commenced the study of medicine, and then attended the Columbus Medical College, from which he was grad- uated March 2, 1892. He commenced the practice of his profession in Unionport, Ohio, in May, 1892, remained there about eighteen months, then went to Johnstown for four months, removed to Loraine, Ohio, where he opened an office and practiced until 1897, and then returned to Johnstown, where he again commenced medical practice, and has since that time been located in the Suppes building. His practice has in- creased at a remarkably rapid rate and it is now large and lucrative. January 15, 1906, he established the Eighth Ward Pharmacy at 969 Franklin street. He is highly esteemed and respected both in professional and social circles. His political faith is that of the Republican party. He is connected with the following associations: Unionport Lodge, No. 33. Free and Accepted Masons, of Unionport, Ohio; Unionport Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Unionport, Ohio; Junior Order of United American Mechanics, of Unionport, Ohio; Johnstown Eyrie, No. 778, Order of Eagles; Knights of Malta; Order of Red Men ; and is medical examiner for the Modern Woodmen, the American Insurance Union, and the Or- der of Eagles.
He married, August 20, 1891. Laura Christina Bielstein, daughter of William H. and Mary (Glitsch) Bielstein.
JOSEPH MASTERS, familiarly known as "Judge," who holds the position of superintendent of lands and dwellings with the Cambria Steel Company, of which he is one of the oldest employees, being con- nected therewith for the long period of fifty-four years, occupies a high place in the confidence and esteem of his townsmen, and his popularity among all classes is unquestioned.
William Masters, grandfather of Joseph Masters, was a native of England, and migrated to the United States about the year 1800. He landed in New York city and later settled in the south end of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming in a small way, as the country was poor, also the people, and the times were hard. He was married four times. His first wife came with him from England, and it is supposed he brought two or three children also. He was the father of these children: 1. Nicholas, married a Miss Lambert, and
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moved to Stark county, Ohio, at an early day and died there. 2. Ben- jamin, married a Miss Smith; he owned several farms, one of them now owned and used by Somerset county as a poor farm; he died near Som- erset. 3. George, see forward. 4. Peter, moved to Stark county, Ohio, at an early day, and married there. William Masters attained the ad- vanced age of ninety years.
George Masters, father of Joseph Masters. was born on the old home- stead near Somerset, Pennsylvania, in 1812. His boyhood days were spent on the farm, and he was inured to hard work. He received no education whatever, and at the time of his majority could neither read nor write. At that time he began to educate himself, and in course of time acquired a fine education, holding positions of trust and respon- sibility. He learned the trade of coverlid weaving. near Somerset, with John Mellinger. At the time of marriage he established his home one and one-half miles from Davidsville, in an old log house covered with split clapboards, held down by poles, at the tannery operated by John Dibert. At that time people raised their flax and made all their cloth- ing for person, bed and table. In a room of this old house Mr. Mas- ters began to weave coverlids and rag carpets, and so continued for a little over two years. He then moved into Davidsville and continued his work there, but eventually started a small store. He was appointed jus- tice of the peace by Governor Ritner, and held that office for fifteen years. He settled up many estates. He was widely known, loved and esteemed by his fellow citizens, sober, honest and industrious, above the average in intelligence, and held the confidence of the people. He was a devout Christian, and a consistent member of Methodist Episcopal church at Hopewell, where his remains were buried, but they have since been raised and are now buried at Grand View cemetery, Johnstown. He died at Stanton's Mills, Somerset county, June 19, 1850, aged thirty-eight years. He married. at Davidsville, Somerset county, 1832, Sarah Custer, of Davidsville, daughter of Jacob Custer (see sketch of J. P. Custer). Their children were: 1. Joseph, see forward. 2. Hezekiah, died in in- fancy. 3. Katy Ann, married Theodore Ringo, removed to and still re- sides in St. Louis, Missouri. 4. Jacob, died at the age of seven years. 5. Hiram, died in infancy. 6. Samuel ex-postmaster of Johnstown, vet- eran of Civil war, married a Miss Metz. 7. Amanda, married J. P. Cus- ter, of Johnstown.
Joseph Masters, eldest child of George and Sarah (Custer) Masters, was born May 22. 1834, in the little old log cabin mentioned above, and was an infant when his parents removed from the tannery to Davidsville. In 1840, when six years old, he could not speak a word of English, Dutch being all that was spoken in his home. In that year he commenced go- ing to the school of Thomas O'Connor, brother of Judge O'Connor's grandfather. It was an old log schoolhouse and stood where the pres- ent cemetery now is. Mr. O'Connor received eight dollars per month for teaching, and this small salary, which was all he had to support a large family, was paid by the parents of the children. The school held its sessions only two months each year. The following winter Joseph went two months to the school of Benjamin Beechley, the next year went two months to the school of George E. Foy, and the following winter went two months to the school kept by Michael Witt. This was all the educational advantages he enjoyed, as the free school system in Somer- set county was slow in making its appearance. Few people could read or write, and there was only one newspaper in Somerset county and one
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in Cambria county. During the Mexican war it was two and three weeks before the people received news of the battles fought.
When a very small boy, Joseph Masters assisted his father in the weaving room, winding bobbins and performing such other things as his strength would allow. At the age of sixteen he went to George Sech, a blacksmith in Davidsville, and hired out to him at five dollars per month and board. April 1, 1851. Mr. Sech sold his property there and moved to a farm and built a blacksmith shop thereon, and Joseph Mas- ters worked in this shop and on the farm. The Sechs owned eighty- four acres of land in what is now Coopersdale, or the twenty-first ward. On August 21, 1852, while picking apples in the orchard, two big, stout Yankees accosted Mr. Sech. saying. "We understand you have a black- smith shop on your place. Now then the Boston Company have con- cluded to build a rolling mill here, and we have taken the contract to get out the stone for the rolling mill." The names of these men were Knowlton and Ward. They asked Mr. Sech to make drills, hanimers, wedges, pieks and other tools necessary to quarry the stone and to keep them sharp. They agreed on the price. made contraet that evening, and Mr. Sech and Joseph Masters began working on the tools. After stone was taken it was dragged to canal and loaded on boats and taken to the site of the rolling mill. Mr. Sech told Joseph Masters they would have to work nights. "Well," Joseph. said, "you ought to raise my wages." Mr. Sech said, "I will give you eight dollars per month-you work from 5 A. M. till 9 P. M." They continued at this work till the following spring. In addition to this the company wanted six thousand heavy elay picks to dig sites of Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 furnaces. They contracted for one dollar and fifty cents per pick. Mr. Sech went to Pittsburg and bought a boatload of iron and steel, and he and Joseph Masters made thirty-seven pieks each day until the six thousand were finished, which piece of work was considered worthy of being placed on record.
In the spring of 1853, Mr. Masters left Mr. Sech and went to work in Benshoff's flour mill, owned by the Boston Company, and remained in their employ until the business was suspended in 1859. The com- pany then built a new flour mill at the south end of the present rolling mill, and carried steam to run the engine in that mill from the heating furnaces. Mr. Masters conducted this mill for the company till 1862, when he took charge of their lumber department. In 1869 he took charge of their dwellings, collecting rents and looking after repairs. This was in connection with his duties pertaining to the lumber. In 1878 he took charge of all their real estate, such as lumber, lands and dwellings, looking after the taxes, and this office is known as superin- tendent of lands and dwellings. He also looks after their insurance, etc. He 'is the only employe of the Cambria Steel Company that began with it when it was known as the Boston Company. Mr. Masters is straight- forward and honorable in all his aetions, a man of quick perceptive facul- ties, sagacious and far-sighted, an excellent judge of human nature, and therefore justly merits the confidence reposed in him by the company with whom he has been connected so long and so faithfully served.
Before removing to his present home, Johnstown, .Mr. Masters resided in Coopersdale for twenty-two years, and was there an officer in the church for many years. He has been a Republican since attaining his majority ; he east his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856. He lived in Millville borough (now the thirteenth and fourteenth wards) when it was organized in 1858, was its first burgess, also school director and member of common council. He also served in the same
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capacities in Coopersdale. In 1882 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for associate judge; the regular Democratic majority in this county was from fifteen to eighteen hundred, but Mr. Masters was elected by over eight hundred majority, which fact clearly demonstrated his popu- larity and the esteem in which he was held by his fellow-citizens. In 1890 he moved to the ninth ward and was nominated for select council on Republican ticket; there were eighty-five Republican voters in the ward and four hundred and sixty Democrats. He was elected by four majority. He holds membership in the order of Free and Accepted Ma- sons.
Mr. Masters married in Conemangh township, Cambria county, No- vember 27. 1857, Elizabeth Shaffer, daughter of John and Maria (Leh- man) Shaffer, the former of whom was a farmer. Mrs. Masters has proven a valuable helpmate to her husband, being kind, loving and moth- erlv, and, the Lord willing, this worthy couple will celebrate their golden wedding, November 29. 1907. They have had ten children, the second one dying in infancy; thirty-six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Mr. Masters and wife are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has been trustee and steward for nine years. Their children were: 1. Anzanetta, married J. W. Wonders, and their children are: Homer, Carrie, Florence and Edith; they reside in Johnstown. 2. Emma. married Samuel S. Greer, of Johnstown, children ; Mary M., Elizabeth M., and David C. 3. Kate, married Ellsworth Kunkle, of Johnstown, and have children: Joseph, Edna. 4. Lillie, married John C. Spence ; one child, Mildred R. 5. Sarah, married H. B. Clough. one child. Alice. 6. Cora, married W. R. Berkybile; five children: Herbert, Arthur, Sarah, Ethel. Bertha. ?. George H., of Johnstown, married Sarah Lewis; five children : Harold, Edeith, Nanna, Lewis, Marion. S. Albert, of Johnstown, married a Miss Mary Alexander; six children : Harry, Ralph. Ruth. John, Mary, Margaret. 9. W. Frank. of Johns- town, married May Montgomery, of Cambria county, Pennsylvania.
MOSES ALWINE, for many years associated with the building and contracting industry in Johnstown. Cambria county, Pennsylvania, and who has made many improvements along those lines, in this section of the country, is a descendant of an old family of the county.
Jacob Alwine, grandfather of Moses Alwine, was born in Cone- maugh township, Somerset county. He married Katie Blough. After his marriage he moved to Stonvereek township, Cambria county. Jacob Alwine had five children: Abraham, sce forward: John; Jacob; Frani; and Samuel. Jacob Alwine had three brothers and three sisters: 1. John, married Lizzie Ream. 2. Joe, married Polly Gindlespicher. 3. Philip, unmarried. 4. Sally, married Mr. Paul. 5. Lydia, married George Eichle- bier. 6. Bessie, married John Sanlow.
Abraham Alwine, eldest child of Jacob Alwine, was born in Stony- creek township, Cambria county, September 10, 1829, and died May 3, 1899. IIe married Martha Kauffman, born June 20, 1831. died Jan- uary 29, 1900, who was one of eighteen children. Her father was Jonas Kauffman. Jonas Kauffman married twice. His first wife was Fanny Keim. Their children were: 1. Moses, deceased, married Christina Mishler. 2. Martha, deceased, mentioned above. 3. Jacob. deceased, married Susan Miller. 4. Gideon, deceased. married Elizabeth Living- ston. 5. Joseph, deceased, married Elizabeth Miller. 6. Frani, deceased, married John Woods. 7. Mary. deceased. married David Mishler. 8. Elizabeth, living, married John Karrar. 9. Nancy, deceased, married
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Levy Harshberger. 10. Child, died in infancy. 11. Jonas, unmarried, killed in army. 12. John, living, married Katy A. Livingstown. 13. Christina, living, married Hiram Livingston. Jonas Kauffman's sec- ond wife was Maud Miller. Their children were: 1. Sally, deceased, un- married. 2. Lydia, deceased, unmarried. 3. Polly, living, married An- nias Custer. 4. Jeremiah, living, unmarried. 5. Child, died in infancy. The children of Abraham and Martha (Kauffman) Alwine were: 1. Moses, see forward. 2. Jacob. living, born July 25, 1854, married Gertrude Kauffman. 3. Josiah, living, born March 7, 1856, married Elizabeth Mishler. 4. Jeremiah, living, born December 27, 1860, mar- ried Minnie Berkley. 5. Hiram, deceased, born August 21, 1864, un- married. 6. Abraham, deceased. born November 30, 1866. unmarried. 4. Catharine, living, born November 21, 1869, married Andrew Blough. 8. Andrew, living, born May 17, 1871, married Elizabeth Blough. 9, 10. Children died in infancy.
Moses Alwine, eldest child of Abraham and Mand (Kauffman) Al- wine, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1853. He had the advantage of a good common school education, and upon the com- pletion of this he engaged in the butcher business in connection with his farming work. At the end of two years he learned the carpentering trade and was engaged in this for a period of twenty-two years. He then associated himself in a business partnership with his brother-in-law, W. J. Kuntz, in the building and contracting lines, and this concern has been a very flourishing one for the past eight years. They have put up many of the important buildings in Johnstown and the vicinity. beside a great number of minor ones. The concern is a most enterprising one, and is always one of the first to adopt all modern and practical inven- tions to improve their work. Kuntz & Alwine dissolved partnership No- vember 17. 1906. On November 19, 1906, work was continued under the new firm name of Moses Alwine & Son. Mr. Alwine is a director of the Cambria and Johnstown Building and Loan Association, and is con- sidered one of the substantial business men of the city. He is a member of the United Evangelical church, and a trustee of that institution. He gives his political support to the Republican party.
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