History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III, Part 50

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

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Patrick F. Dowling (father) was born in Ireland and came with his parents to America when a few months old, in 1841. He learned the trade of puddler and was one of the early iron workers of Johnstown, entering the employ of the Cambria Steel Company and remaining to the present time (1906). Mr. Dowling married, in Johnstown, Pennsyl- vania, 1870, Mary Mitchell, daughter of the late Patrick F. and Mary Mitchell, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. O. P. Gallagher. Their children are: 1. Rev. John W., pastor of St. Patrick's church, Mt. Savage, Maryland, ordained June 30, 1896, at St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland. by Cardinal Gibbons. 2. Walter, see forward. 3. Annie, resides at home. 4. Mary, a teacher in the public schools of Johnstown. 5. Patrick V., and attorney of Washington, D. C .; he is a graduate of Georgetown University, 1905. 6. Richard M., elerk at Armour & Company's plant in Johnstown. Pennsylvania. 7. Ber- nardine. a teacher in the publie schools of Johnstown. 8. Cecelia, a teacher in musie at St. Agnes College, Baltimore, Maryland. 9. Loretto, resides at home. 10. Catharine, resides at home. 11. Rosalia, a book- keeper in Johnstown's Book Store. The family reside at No. 315 Main street, Johnstown, enjoy the acquaintance of a wide circle of friends and are highly esteemed in the community.

Walter Dowling, second child in the above mentioned family, re- ceived an excellent education in St. John's parochial schools. At the age of thirteen he entered the general office of the Cambria Steel Com- pany and for four years served in the capacity of messenger boy. He then accepted a clerkship in the office of the Johnstown Water and Gas Company, serving for a period of thirteen years. He then purchased a half interest in the Johnstown Board of Exchange from F. A. Criss- well, but at the expiration of one year sold his interest to Mr. Crisswell, from whom he purchased it. He then entered the First National Bank of South Fork as assistant cashier, and in 1903 became one of the or- ganizers of the First National Bank of East Conemaugh, of which he

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was elected its first eashier and a member of its board of directors. In addition to this he deals extensively in real estate, and ranks among the progressive and enterprising men of this thriving city. He takes an active interest in the workings of the Democratic party, is a member of St. John's Roman Catholic church, Knights of Columbus, of which he is treasurer, and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Johnstown.

Mr. Dowling married, October 11, 1899, Caroline Cecelia Mal born in Reno, Nevada, daughter of Richard and Theresa (Braddock) Maher, the former a lieutenant for four years of Company C, Seventh Regiment, United States army, and the latter a daughter of Captain Pius J. Braddock, who was a musician of note in his time and was the leader of the first combination band ever organized in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

THOMAS WILLIAM DICK, the well known and highly respected attorney of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. was born October 7, 1839, in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, son of James and Mary (Stewart) Dick. This family came from county Antrim, Ireland; the grandfather of Thomas W. Dick, whose name was James Dick, was a native of the county mentioned and in 1812 emigrated to this country, landing at Baltimore, Maryland, from which point he, with his family, consisting of wife and eight children, journeyed across the Allegheny mountains in wagons and settled on a farm in Wheatfield township, Indiana county, Pennsylvania. They endured many great hardships in getting to their new home, as well as for some years afterwards. But the parents lived a happy and at last a prosperous life, and enjoyed their old age. The wife of the American anéestor was Mary (Dinsmore) Dick, born in county Antrim, Ireland. She accompanied her husband and children to the New World in 1812, and remained on the farm with her husband until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-six years. After that sad event she lived with her sons, who had established themselves. on good farms of their own, in the same county. She survived until she was ninety-two years old.

(II) James Dick, son of James Dick, who came from Ireland, and who became the father of Thomas W. Dick, was also born in county Antrim, Ireland, about 1804, and died in 1884. He obtained a common school education, such as his day and generation afforded, which, how- ever, was limited. He learned the trade of tanner, and engaged in tanning and farming. combined, in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, where he was fairly successful, and had accumulated a modest com- petence when he died, aged eighty years. He married Mary Stewart, born in Philadelphia, daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Moore) Stewart. In polities Mr. Dick was first a Whig and later a Republican. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. Aside from positions on the school board, he held no offices. They were the parents of several chil- dren, including Thomas W. Dick.

(III) Thomas W. Dick, of the third generation of the Dieks in this country, received a good common school education, also took a course at the once famous old "Elder's Ridge Academy," located at Elder's Ridge, Pennsylvania. He entered the office of William Banks, Esq., of Indiana county, in the spring of 1865, and pursued the study of law for over two years and was admitted to the bar in November, 1867. Prior to his study of the law he had taught school several years. He was admitted to the Cambria county bar in 1868, at the November

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term of court, and then entered upon the practice of his profession. He is now a life member of the Cambria County Bar Association. In politics he is a Republican and cast his first vote for President Abraham Lincoln, in November, 1860. He has never held office, save that of some local nature. He has been burgess of the borough of Ebensburg: also a member of the school board many years. During the Civil war he served his country as a soldier in the Union cause, being engaged in that conflict for three years. He was a sergeant in Company H, Twelfth Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteer Regiment (Pennsylvania Reserve Corps). He was wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, May 8, 1864. Mr. Dick is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Ebensburg, and is an elder in the same. He has also been active in Sunday school work, and has served as superintendent. He is now the adjutant of John M. Jones Post, Grand Army of the Republic, No. 556, at Ebensburg.

Mr. Dick was united in marriage, October 16, 1867, in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, to E. Lucie Kern, who was educated in the public schools of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and at Pittsburg Female College. She is the daughter of George and Margaret ( Wakefield) Kern. Her father was both a merchant and farmer. He was the first burgess and first postmaster of the borough of Johnstown ; also a justice of the peace there for many years. The children born to Mr. Dick and wife are as follows :

1. John B., born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, July 23, 1868. educated in the public schools of Ebensburg; is now a dairy farmer in Indiana county. Pennsylvania. He married Laura, only daughter of James Altimus, of Buffington township. Indiana county, Pennsylvania. 2. George, born in Ebensburg, February 5, 1870, graduated at the Ebensburg schools: he resides in Hamilton, Montana, where he is the cashier of the First National Bank. He married Celia McCue. 3. Mar- garet MI., born at Ebensburg, March 21, 1872, educated at the public schools of Ebensburg; married John I. Bowman, Pennsylvania railroad agent at Blairsville intersection. 4. James, born at Ebensburg, August 6, 1874, graduated in the Ebensburg schools: married Blanche, daugh- ter of J. F. McKenrick, Esq .; is now a clerk in the offices of the Mary- land Steel Company, at Baltimore, Maryland. 5. Carl, born at Ebens- burg, February 13, 1878, educated there; is now in the insurance busi- ness : he is unmarried, at home. 6. Bessie G., born in Ebensburg. Au- gust 25, 1880, died December 13. 1900.

JOB MORGAN. The late Job Morgan, of Johnstown, whose name is enrolled on the list of those victims of the flood who sacrificed their lives in the endeavor to save those dear to them, was born about 1834, in Swansea, South Wales, son of Richard Morgan, a native of the same place. .

Richard Morgan was by trade a blacksmith, and in middle life emi- grated to the United States, landing in New York city, whence he pro- ceeded to Pittsburg and there found employment at his trade. During the Civil war he worked at making chains for the government, and later removed to Johnstown, where he conducted successively two shops of his own building, one on Conemangh street, and another, later, on the site of the livery stable of J. M. Matthews. In consequence of injuries received in the platform accident he was forced to relinquish his busi- ness to his son Job. Richard Morgan married, in Wales, Rebekah Mor- gan, who bore him the following children: Mary, still living in Wales;

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Richard: and Job, of whom later. Richard, the elder son, came with his father to the United States, during the Civil war enlisted from Pitts- burg in a Pennsylvania regiment, was taken prisoner and for a long time was confined in Andersonville prison. He is now in the Soldiers' Home, Dayton, Ohio. Mrs. Morgan died in her native land, and Mr. Morgan subsequently married Mrs. Mary Williams, who bore him one son, Thomas, now living in Johnstown. Mr. Morgan, the father, died about 1880, aged about eighty years.

Job Morgan, son of Richard and Rebekah Morgan, was educated in the schools of his birthplace, and on leaving school began to learn the blacksmith's trade, but emigrated to the United States before finishing his apprenticeship. He was nineteen at the time of leaving his native land, and embarked from Liverpool for New York. The voyage occu- pied three months and was most disastrous, the ship being delayed by contrary winds and severe storms. The supply of food failed. in conse- quence of which several of the passengers died and were buried at sea. Mr. Morgan, on reaching New York, went at once to Pittsburg, where he finished learning his trade under the supervision of his father. He then went to Johnstown. there engaged in business with his father, and helped to lay the first water-pipes in the city. He went after a time to Dudley, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, where he worked at his trade until called back to Johnstown to take charge of his father's busi- ness, which he conducted until the time of the flood. From the age of twenty-one to the close of his life he was identified with the I. O. O. F. He was a stanch Republican and a member of the Congregational church.

Mr. Morgan married, December 25, 1864, Eleanor Hopkins, a na- tive of Brady's Bend, Pennsylvania, and their union of a quarter of a century was terminated by the flood. When the waters were engulfing the city, Mr. Morgan, having placed his family in comparative safety on the third floor of their brick house, remained in the lower part of the dwelling, endeavoring to save as much as possible of the property. While thus occupied the house was struck by a floating train of cars and swept from its foundations, Mr. Morgan losing his life in the raging waters. The upper part of the house was carried away with the roof, and thus the lives of the family were saved. Mrs. Morgan and her three children were rescued at the stone bridge; their ages were fifteen, nine and six years. Job Morgans' body was found three weeks after the flood, buried in the sand in the river up towards Kernville, in a very good condition.

BURKHART FAMILY. This numerous family, branches of which may be found in various counties of Pennsylvania and in distant parts of the United States. and which counts among the number of its well- known representatives Dr. E. J. Burkhart, of Johnstown, is of German origin.

The founder of the American branch of the race was Joseph Burk- hart. who emigrated from the Fatherland and settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he passed the remainder of his life. He married Margaret Hart, widow of - - Hart, and his children were : Michael, died in Lancaster county: Jacob, died in Greensburg. West- moreland county, Pennsylvania : Ephraim, of whom later: Joseph, died in Cambria county: Samuel, died in Indiana county, Pennsylvania. William, died in Altoona. Blair county; and David. died in Indiana

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county. The mother of these children, after the death of her husband, ended her days among her children in Cambria county.

Ephraim Burkhart, son of Joseph and Margaret ( Hart) Burkhart, was born in 1796, in Lancaster county, and followed the millwright's trade. He came to Cambria county, where he was employed by Judge Abram Hildebrand to build a grist mill, in which he afterward re- mained as miller. About 1829 he purchased a tract of woodland in Jackson township, about one mile from where is now the village of Vinco, erected a house, in which he took up his abode, and a stable, and began to improve the land. There were then but two houses on the Ebensburg road between the old turnpike and the farm of the late Rev. Levi Roberts, now belonging to the heirs of the late Jacob Angus, Samuel Singer and John Benshoff. There Mr. Burkhart lived to the end of his days, enduring in the earlier years very great difficulties and hardships, which, in the course of time, his energy, skill and perse- verance triumphantly surmounted.

Mr. Burkhart married Catharine Hildebrand, whose family history is appended to this sketch, and their children were: Abram; Joseph, of Adams township, minister in German Baptist (Dunkard) church; John, in lumber business, Zearing, Iowa, whither he moved prior to Civil war; Samuel, of whom later; Margaret, wife of James Sense- baugh, of Mineral Point ; Keziah, who died at Mineral Point, widow of George Ford, accidentally killed on railroad at that place; Mary, went to Iowa many years ago, later married George James, of Rock Falls, Illinois, and died there; Jane, wife of Abram Byers, of Mineral Point, perished in Johnstown flood, May 31, 1889; Lovina, wife of Edward Muller, now deceased; and Charlotte, died in infancy. Mr. Burkhart, the father of this family, died July 16, 1872, aged seventy-six years. After her husband's death Mrs. Burkhart moved with her son Joseph to Adams township, taking with her sufficient furniture to furnish two rooms in her son's house, which he had placed at her disposal. She re- mained there until 1879, when she gave up housekeeping and went to live with her daughter Jane in Jackson township. In the winter follow- ing she fell on the ice and sustained a fracture of the arm which par- tially disabled the limb for the remainder of her life. About 1880 Mr. Byers, her son-in-law, purchased the old homestead and moved thereon, Mrs. Burkhardt being thus again installed on the farm where she had spent forty-three of her happiest years. In the spring of 1887 Mr. Byers sold the homestead, and after living in several places in Jackson township moved to Mineral Point in the autumn of 1888. There Mrs. Burkhart, with her daughter Jane, perished on that memorable day, May 31, 1889, aged eighty-five years, one month and twenty-two days.

Abram Burkhart, eldest son of Ephraim and Catharine (Hilde- brand) Burkhart, had not yet attained his majority when the Mexican war broke out, and desired to enlist in company with some of his asso- ciates, but was opposed by his father. One day when on the way to the mountain for his axe, he met his friends on their way to Mexico, and decided to join them despite his father's opposition. When on his way he wrote to his parents informing them of what he had done. After serving about a year and a half in the army he was stricken with the measles and taken to the hospital. When the army started to take the City of Mexico he was in a fair way for recovery and wished to go with his company, but was ordered by his captain to remain in the hospital. Notwithstanding this he followed his company, and participated in the

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engagement, suffering in consequence a relapse which caused his death soon after the city was captured.

Samuel Burkhart, son of Ephraim and Catharine (Hildebrand) Burkhart, married Caroline Custer, who bore him two sons: Ephraim J., of whom later: and Samuel H. Samuel Burkhart was killed August 11, 1865, by a boiler explosion at the furniture works at Mineral Point, where he had accepted the position of fireman and engineer about a month before the explosion oeeurred.

Ephraim J. Burkhart, son of Samuel and Caroline (Custer) Burk- hart, was born January 1. 1864, in Cambria county, and with the ex- eeption of a few years' residenee in Pittsburg has lived all his life in Johnstown or its vicinity. At the time of his father's death he was the only child, his only brother being born some time after. Owing to the limited means of his mother he was deprived of ordinary educational advantages. and when but ten years old was compelled by circumstances to earn what he could. Until the age of twenty he was employed in various ways, working at different times on a farm in a saw mill, in a wire mill and on the railroad track. During this time, by elose applica- tion, occasional and brief attendanee at sehool and diligent night study he obtained sufficient edueation to pass an examination, and was awarded a teacher's certificate. He then taught school for three terms, using the money he earned by teaching in the winter to defray his edu- eational expenses during the summer. In 1885 he took a stenograpme course at Lebanon, Ohio, and in February, 1886, aceepted a lucrative position with the Cambria Iron Company, which he held for over eight years, and resigned on aeeount of failing health.

In 1893 he decided to fulfill a long-cherished ambition by taking up the study of medicine, and was entered as a student in a doctor's office, where he studied at night for over a year, while employed by the Cambria Iron Company. In September, 1894, he entered the West Penn Medieal College, Pittsburg, and was graduated with honors March 25, 1897. He immediately opened an office on Fairfield avenue, and has built up a large and lucrative practice. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Pennsylvania State Medical So- ciety and the Cambria County Medieal Society. On his father's side he is deseended from ancestors of Dunkard faith, while through his mother he comes of stock which held the Evangelical belief. In Oeto- ber, 1889, he became a member of Johnstown Circle, No. 72, Protected Home Cirele, and in 1898, on account of having taken up his profession in the lower part of the eity. transferred his membership to Morrellville Circle, No. 78. He was at once commissioned as a loeal examiner, which commission is still in effect. During this time he has examined more candidates for the Protected Home Cirele than any other one examiner in the Conemaugh valley, the number being at least two hundred and fifty for this and other eireles. Out of all his candidates that were ac- eepted, until this time. only two died natural deaths, one of No. 78 and one of No. 72. This record shows the careful and thorough examination to which he subjects every candidate.

Dr. Burkhart married, October 26, 1886, in Johnstown, Belle, daughter of Rev. Stephen and Mary (Goehnour) Hildebrand, the former a minister of the Progressive Brethren church, now residing in Rose- dale. Dr. and Mrs. Burkhart have had six children : Maurice, died at the age of two and a half years; Blair, Earl, John, Viola, and Olive. Dr. Burkhart is the owner of his attractive home on Fairfield avenue, next

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door to which is situated his office, consisting of waiting room, consulta- tion room. operating room. laboratory and bath rooms.

The Hildebrand family to which Dr. Burkhart is related as men- tioned above, was founded in Cambria county by Abram Hildebrand, who came hither from Lancaster county about 1797, and for several years resided in different places now included within the limits of the city of Johnstown. He subsequently purchased the tract of land on which East Conemaugh is now situated, and about 1823 erected thereon a grist mill and a saw mill which at that time were considered important improvements in the neighborhood. These mills were operated by him for a number of years, and were then sold to Daniel Huber, who after- ward sold them to William Huber, by whom they were in turn trans- ferred to Mr. Butterbangh. The old grist mill building was finally re- modeled into a dwelling house and store-room, which were in use as re- cently as twenty or twenty-five years sinee. In the saw mill was cut the lumber for the section boats on the old canal, and although all traces of the mill itself disappeared many years ago, the dam, with the exception of a small break on the north side, remained intact until a few years before the flood, and the entrance to the race, with its timbers, could plainly be seen until the occurrence of that event.

Abram Hildebrand was one of the first associate judges of this county, under Judge Young, who was the first judge of Cambria county, and the old log house which he built and lived in at East Conemaugh remained intact and was occupied until shortly before the flood, when it was demolished. Here and there the town is dotted with old apple trees which were once a part of his orchard.

Judge Hildebrand was the father of twelve children, six boys and six girls, six of whom had blue eyes and six dark eyes. All of them lived to very old age, George, one of the younger sons, dying in East Taylor township, December 19, 1877, at the age of ninety years, two months and four days. Judge Hildebrand himself lived to an advanced age, dying at the home of his son John in Huntingdon county, where he is interred. His wife met her death by blood-poisoning, the result of an accident, and is buried in the old Union cemetery, Johnstown.

Catharine Hildebrand (paternal grandmother of Dr. Burkhart), youngest child of Abram Hildebrand, was born April 9, 1804, in Johns- town, then composed of possibly a half-dozen settlers and their families, and so far as is known she was not only the first white female ehild born here, but the first white ehild born in what is now the city of Johnstown. She became the wife of Ephraim Burkhart, as mentioned above. Mrs. Burkhart was a remarkably vigorous old lady, having been blessed with almost perfeet health all her life, her only illness of any consequence being a very severe attack of pneumonia in the autumn of 1888, her complete recovery being attributed by the physician in at- tendance chiefly to the careful nursing of her daughter Jane. Mrs. Burkhart had a wonderful memory, and could entertain friends for hours relating in her pleasing way incidents in the life of early Johns- town and its vicinity, the vivacity of her mind being expressed to a very advanced period of life in the brightness of her dark eyes. Had it not been for the awful calamity which terminated her existence, she would no doubt have lived to see the century mark before death over- took her in a natural manner. She was a consistent member of the Church of the Brethren for more than fifty years.

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JACOB P. CUSTER, a respected citizen of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. who has been for many years in the employ of the Cambria Iron Works, is a descendant of one of the most famous families in the state.

Paul Custer, the direct ancestor of Jacob P. Custer, was an English gentleman, but it is not definitely known whether he was born in this country or in England. He resided in Pennsylvania about the begin- ning of the eighteenth century, and married Sarah Martha Ball, daugh- ter of Colonel Ball, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Custer had a brother-Jonathan-and a sister-Mary- who became the second wife of Augustine Washington, and the grandmother of the illustrious George Washington. Jonathan Ball, the brother of Mrs. Custer, had a son-Joseph-who died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1820, pos- sessed of immense wealth. He was also the owner of vast estates, and among his descendants may be found the names of Lewis, Ball, Wash- ington, Custer and Curtis.

John Custer, son of Paul and Sarah Martha (Ball) Custer, had a son, John.

John Custer, son of John Custer, was born in one of the eastern counties of Pennsylvania, probably Cumberland, and followed agricul- tural pursuits all his life. He removed to Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania. after his marriage, acquired a tract of land in the woods, and cleared a part of this for farm purposes. He died in Somerset county, and is buried in Shade township. He married -, and they had children : 1. Frederick, who settled in Richland township, and spent his life there. He married Sophie Fisher. 2. Henry, remained in Shade township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and is buried on his own farm. He married a Miss Holsapple. 3. Abraham, settled in Mor- rison's Cove, Pennsylvania, and died there. He married Martha 4. Susan, married George Berkeible, died in Richland township, Cam- bria county, Pennsylvania. 5. Elizabeth, married Daniel Woodford, died in Shade township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania. 6. Martha, married John Shaffer. died in Shellsburg, Bedford county, Pennsyl- vania. 7. Jacob, see forward.

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History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III, Part 50

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