USA > Pennsylvania > Cambria County > History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III > Part 51
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Jacob Custer, fourth son and seventh and youngest child of John Custer, was born, presumably. in Shade township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, on the old Custer farm, in 1798. He was educated in the old German schools which were popular in those days, and was trained to farm life. After his marriage he removed with his wife and family to Richland township, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, where he pur- chased a traet of timber land, made a clearing, and built a log house and barn. Later he cleared more land and placed it under cultivation, and was thus employed until his death, which occurred about 1853. In politics he was an Old Line Whig, and he was a member of the Evangelical church, the services being often held in his home. He mar- ried Christiana Kuntz, born about 1799, died in 1863. They had chil- dren : 1. Henry, who settled on a farm in Richland township and died there. He married Phoebe Hughey, who survived her husband. 2. Catherine, married (first) Ezra Giffen; married (second) Christian Gossard; died in Conemangh township. 3. Susanna, married John Maneeley, died in Johnstown. 4. Elizabeth, married Elias Ream, died in Richland township. 5. Martha, married David Varner, died in Adams township, Cambria county. 6. George, resides in Adams town- ship. Cambria county ; married Elizabeth Varner. 7. Samuel, resides in Adams township; married (first) Elizabeth Riblet; married (second)
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Barbara Moose. 8. John, resides in Johnstown. He enlisted as a pri- vate in 1864 in Company F. One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was wounded in the foot at the battle of Hatch's Run. He married Lucy Fisher. 9. Sarah, married David Strayer, and died in the Seventh ward, Johnstown. 10. Jacob P., see forward. Three children died in infancy.
Jacob P. Custer, fifth son of Jacob and Christiana (Kuntz) Custer, was born on the Custer farm in Shade township. Somerset county. Penn- sylvania, July 2. 1844. He was but one year old when his father re- moved to the farm in Richland township, Cambria county, Pennsyl- vania. He attended the public school of his district until he was about fourteen years of age, that is, going to school in the winter, and assist- ing on the farm in the summer as soon as he was tall and strong enough to do so. He was eleven years of age when his father died, and he com- meneed to work in the Cambria Iron Works the following year. One year later he bound himself out as an apprentice to a carpenter for three years, learning the trade under the instruction of David Wis- singer, who was considered the best man in this line of business in that day and section of the country. At the end of a few months young Jacob was able to superintend the erection of a barn built for Daniel Kriarg, and at the end of two and one-half years Mr. Wissinger gave him his time and paid him journeyman's wages for the balance of the time of his apprenticeship. He also presented him with a hundred- dollar tool chest. He continued working for Mr. Wissinger for another two and one-half years, then held a position for one year in the rolling mill department of the Cambria Iron Works, under old Judge White. His next proceeding was to run away from home and enlist, at Johns- town, in July. 1864, as a private in Captain Bonecker's cavalry com- pany. He was in Harrisburg two days. when he was sent home by Governor Curtin, the governor having received a request from young Jacob's mother to that effect. He was at home but a very few months when his mother died. He re-enlisted at Johnstown. as private in Com- pany F, One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, Captain Stackhouse, Colonel Siekles, the latter later becoming general. He was mustered into service Angust 27, 1864, and honorably discharged June 12, 1865. He was an active participant in the follow- ing battles : Hatch's Run, Poplar Grove and Ream Station.
He returned to his home at the elose of the war and again entered the employ of the Cambria Iron Company. He has been in their em- ploy continuously since that time, and now (1906) holds the position of superintendent of the mechanical department of the Cambria Steel Company. He was foreman of the roof shop department for thirteen years, and was then advanced to the position of foreman of the ma- chine shop. At the end of one month he was taken ill and was obliged to retire from his work for eighteen months. He then became assistant to the master builder for two years, and was then placed in charge of the electric light department. and was also inspector of the entire property. He then had charge of all the floating labor, the electric light, and the earpenter shop. He was relieved of the last two offices and given charge of the floating labor, and ereeting at their Franklin plant. He broke the first ground for their coke ovens in connection with this plant. He has been conscientious and faithful in the dis- charge of all the many responsible positions he has held, and his services are highly appreciated by the company. He and his wife are members
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of the Franklin Street Methodist Episcopal church. His political sup- port is given to the Republican party, and he has served as councilman from the Tenth ward for two terms. He is a member of Emery Fisher Post, No. 30, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Order of Heptasophs.
Mr. Custer married, May 28, 1868, Sarah Amanda Masters, born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania. She was brought to Johnstown in 1861 and educated in the public schools of that city. She is the daughter of George and Sarah (Custer) Masters, granddaughter of Jacob Custer. great-granddaughter of John Custer, great-great-granddaughter of Jonathan Custer, and great-great-great-granddaughter of Paul Custer, mentioned previously. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob P. Custer were: 1. Sarah, married John W. Tittle, and resides in Johnstown. They have children : James, Jacob and Sarah. 2. Albert Monroe, cashier of the Pennsylvania Traffic Company; married Anna Young and has children: Donald, Nina and Helen. 3. Minnie May, married Ralph J. Benford, and resides in Johnstown. 4. Arthur, resides in Johnstown, married Mary Whitney. 5. Nellie Blanch, at home. 6. Francis Rella.
Mrs. Custer is one of the charter members of the Union Benevolent Association of Conemaugh Valley, and at this time (1906) is the presi- dent of the association. She is also a charter member of Woman's Re- lief Corps of Johnstown, and Emery Fisher Post, No. 30. . She was the organizer of the Ladies' Auxiliary of Sons of Veterans, No. 16, having, passed the chair; a charter member of the Johnstown City Hospital, and now (1906) vice-president ; also member of Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital.
JOHN COX, deceased, for many years prominently identified with the financial interests of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, especially in the insurance line, and who was a factor in the political history of the city, was descended from a respected family of Ireland.
He was born in county Mayo, Ireland. His education was acquired in the schools of his native town, and he was apprenticed to learn the trade of shoemaking, in which he became an expert. He was still a very young man when he came to the United States, settled in New Jersey, and followed his trade. After a time he removed to Johnstown, Penn- sylvania, where he continued his trade, his shop being located on the present site of the home of his widow, at the corner of Railroad and Matthews streets. He was very successful in his occupation, but gave it up later in order to establish himself as an insurance broker, for life and fire insurance companies. He was progressive and enterprising in his methods of business, and had an enviable reputation for reliability and probity. This rendered his business a very flourishing one, and at his death it was carried on by his widow. Mr. Cox was an active and influential member of his political party, and held public office for many years, to the great benefit of the community. He was elected justice of the peace while still carrying on his trade of shoemaking, and held this office for a period of twenty-four years. He was injured at the knee- cap in the platform accident at the Pennsylvania railroad station in Johnstown, when President Johnson was passing through the city. At the election of county officials which followed, he was elected to the office of county treasurer on the Democratic ticket. He had accepted the nomination for this office against his own inclination, but acceded to the wishes of his wife. He served the full term, which was at that
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time for two years, still continuing to hold his office as alderman. After an intervening term held by some one else. Mr. Cox was again elected to the office of county treasurer and served an additional term. Upon the expiration of this term, he devoted all his time and attention to the affairs of his office as alderman, and that of an insurance broker. He spent the greater part of his leisure time in the bosom of his family : was a devoted husband. loving father and helpful friend. His charities were numerous and unostentations, and he was a devout member of St. John's Catholic church. Mr. Cox was exceedingly fond of outdoor sports, especially hunting and fishing, and his friends were always wel- comed to share his pleasure.
John Cox was married February 3, 1857. in Johnstown, at the old Catholic church (St. John's), which was located then in what is now known as the Tenth ward of Johnstown, to Jane Horan, who was born in Roscrea, county Tipperary. Ireland, the Rev. Father Carney offi- ciating. Jane Horan was a daughter of John Horan, who came to the United States after his marriage to Miss Bergin, and who died in Holli- daysburg. Mrs. Cox was raised by near relatives in Ireland, and when a young girl was taken by them to Dublin and sent to school there. She came to the United States when quite a young girl, with an aunt. to join her parents, and upon her arrival in Hollidaysburg was informed that her father had died on the day she left Dublin. After the death of her husband. which occurred December 25, 1883, Mrs. Cox, although entirely unfamiliar with the details of the business carried on by her husband, with a determination worthy of emulation, put her shoulder to the wheel, and by sheer will power learned the business thoroughly, down to the minutest detail. and proceeded to carry it on in the same manner as her husband had done. meeting with remarkable and un- qualified success. Mrs. Cox is a woman of great force of character and energy, and her ambition and bravery in the struggle have won for her a host of friends. She has been ably assisted in her business efforts by her daughters. The only surviving children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cox are: Kate. at home, and Cora G., who is employed in the First National Bank of Johnstown.
REV. WILLIAM EDWARD DOWNES, vicar of St. Columba Roman Catholic church, located in Broad street, Johnstown, Cambria county. Pennsylvania. although a comparatively young man, has achieved a notable reputation as a clergyman and preacher in the city in which he resides. He is a representative of the third generation of his family in the United States, and traces his ancestry to Ireland.
He was the seventh child of John and Catherine (Cushen) Downes, and was born in Tyrone, Blair county. Pennsylvania. March 24, 1879. His preliminary education was obtained in the parochial and high schools of his native town, and he entered Pittsburg College in 1896, remaining there for two years, then matriculated at Mount St. Mary's College, Emmitsburg, Maryland, from which institution he was grad- nated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1900. He then spent three and one-half years in the Theological Seminary of Mount St. Mary's. where the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him, and was ordained by Bishop Garvey, of Altoona, Pennsylvania, December 20, 1903. The first ten months after ordination were spent as assistant in St. John's church in Altoona, and he then returned to the Catholic University in Washington and took a post-graduate course. making a specialty of the study of canon law. He was then sent to Johnstown,
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Pennsylvania, as vicar of his present parish, where his excellent work is productive of excellent results. He is fine orator, a conscientious and faithful worker, and is greatly beloved by his parishioners.
JOHN BERT DENNY, one of the stirring business men of the en- terprising borough of Ebensburg, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, was born November 9, 1861, the son of Matthias and Mary ( Latterner) Denny.
The paternal grandfather. Peter Denny, was a native of Alsace- Loraine, France, and emigrated to this country about 1820, locating in Hollidaysburg, Blair county, Pennsylvania, but later removed to Elder township, Cambria county, where he followed the trade of a stone mason and also farmed for many years.
Matthias Denny, only son of Peter Denny and wife, was born in Pennsylvania Furnace, now Blair county, and there received his school- ing. He was born in 1831, and in 1865 the family removed to Altoona, Pennsylvania. He was a carpenter and followed contracting work in that line. During the Civil war he was drafted into service three times, which he answered, but served only a short time. Politically he is a Democrat, representing his party in both county and state conventions. In 1886 he was elected burgess of Gallitzin and later served on the school board. He is a devout Catholic. In 1858 he married Mary Latterner, born at Loretto, 1842, daughter of Peter and Catherine (Sharbaugh) Latterner. Michael Latterner, the grandfather, was a native of Zwei- bricken-on-the-Rhine, France. He emigrated to this country and lo- cated in Loretto, Cambria county. He followed the trade of tailor. To Matthias Denny and wife were born eleven children: 1. John Bert, see forward. 2. Michael R., deceased. 3. William C., a carpenter of Altoona. 4. Rev. Joseph G., an ordained priest of Cincinnati, Ohio. 5. Mollie, married William Post, a coal dealer of Altoona. 6. Annie R., deceased. 7. Edward R., a painter at Cresson, Pennsylvania, in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. 8. Tillie M. 9. Frank, deceased. 10. Stella, married Charles Stevens, an undertaker of Al- toona. 11. Loretta, at home.
John B. Denny, eldest child of Matthias and Mary ( Latterner) Denny, was educated at the public schools, and being a poor boy he was forced, when fourteen years of age, to make his own way to manhood. He commenced in a small way in the produce business at Chestsprings, Pennsylvania. He was frugal and saved his profits and, it seems, was a natural business manager. As he prospered, he engaged in the gen- eral merchandising business, having stores at Chestsprings and St. Augustine, Cambria county. He married and then engaged in the hotel business, first renting a small hotel in the modest borough of Loretto, paying ten dollars per month rental. Within fifteen years he was the proprietor of the Merchants' Hotel of Johnstown, this being one of the largest hotels of the city, or western Pennsylvania, at the time. Since then he has owned the West End Hotel in Altoona, which he sold, and now owns the Mountain House of Ebensburg, the Belmont House of the same place, and the Grand Central of Johnstown. Besides his hotel property, he owns the controlling stock in the Cambria Brewing Com- pany, of Johnstown ; coal lands in the Black Lick region ; street railway interests in Johnstown, as well as in the northern part of Cambria county. He is a stockholder in the United States National Bank of Johnstown, the Johnstown Trust Company, the First National Bank of Conemaugh, the First National Bank of Cresson, the First National
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Bank of Ebensburg, Farmers' National Bank of Patton. He is also a heavy stockholder in the Electric Light Company of Johnstown, the Consumers' Ice Company of Johnstown, the Sanitary Dairy Company, the A. J. Haws & Sons Brick Company of Johnstown; also the Johns- town Telephone Company and Johnstown Gas Company. In 1901 Mr. Denny was elected chairman of the Democratic county committee, serv- ing three years. He has for years been a moving spirit in Cambria county Democracy, having represented his party in both county and state conventions, and was the nominee in 1894 for the state legislature.
Mr. Denny married, October 19, 1884, Caroline, daughter of Dr. A. J. and Mary (Gwin) Christy, of Loretto. and the niece of Rev. R. C. Christy. who established and built St. Joseph's Convent and was also a leader in the erection of the church. But his memory is the brightest in the minds of the Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, for whom he was chaplain through the Civil war, when he was a councilor, ad- viser and confidential friend at all times. After his death, members of his regiment erected a monument to his memory at Greensburg, Penn- sylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Denny have been born nine children : Mary Olean, Matthias Andrew (deceased). Emily Grace, Hilda Rose, John, Caroline, Elizabeth. Robert and Marie. Mary Olean and Emily Grace are graduates of Ebensburg high school and St. Joseph's College, Em- mitsburg, Maryland, where Miss Grace received the Carroll medal in 1906 for excelleney in graduating elass. Mr. Denny attributes his suc- cess to the hearty co-operation of his worthy companion, Mrs. Denny.
ADAM TRABOLD, head of the firm of Trabold & Bittman, leading merchants of Johnstown, was born October 26, 1870, in Konigheim, Baden, Germany, son of Frank Joseph Trabold, who was born in 1837, in the same place, where he attended the publie schools until the age of eleven, and then followed the calling of a butcher until he entered the German army, in which he served his full time. On leaving the army he married, and later came to the United States, making the voy- age from Antwerp to New York. He settled in Johnstown, Pennsyl- vania. where he has followed various occupations, and now resides in Conemaugh township.
Frank Joseph Trabold married Genevieve Hammer, born in 1838; in Konigheim, Baden, Germany, daughter of F. J. Hammer, and their children are: Philomena, wife of Philip Berger, of Johnstown. Lena. wife of Joseph Vogel, of Brownstown, Cambria county. Adam, of whom later. The two daughters came to the United States ten years after their father's arrival here, and one year later the mother followed with Adam. After landing in New York they all came immediately to Johnstown, where they have since resided.
Adam Trabold, son of Frank Joseph and Genevieve (Hammer) Trabold. attended school in Germany until the age of eleven, when his mother brought him to the United States. For one year he went to school in Johnstown, and then worked three years and a half as "printer's devil" in the office of the Free Press. He next spent five years in the rolling mills of the Gautier works, after which he learned the machinist's trade with the Cambria Steel Company, remaining in their service thirteen years. At the end of that time he succeeded Frank Partsch, his father-in-law, in his present business, which had hitherto been conducted by the firm of Partsch & Bittman. The firm of Trabold & Bittman carry a general line of goods, and also conduct a meat shop in connection with their store. In the spring of 1907 Mr.
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Trabold will withdraw from the firm in order to conduct an automobile manufacturing and repair establishment. He has erected buildings on Railroad street at a cost of seventeen thousand dollars in which to carry. on the business. For a time he manufactured automobile gongs in con- nection with his store, and these gongs he shipped to all parts of the United States and also to foreign countries. He possesses an undoubted genius for mechanics. the exercise of which is at the same time a sourcee of pleasure and profit to him.
For ten years he has been a member of the Austrian Band. In pol- ities he is an Independent and has never consented to accept office. He and his family are members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church. He has a cousin, the Rev. Father Anthony Stephens, who is a missionary among the Indians in the west. At the time of the flood Mr. Trabold saved the lives of no fewer than six persons, the individuals being Louis Koenig and his family. The rescue was effected at the Gautier works. While the family, under the guidance of Mr. Trabold, were on their way to the hills as a place of refuge, they were overtaken and partially sub- merged by the waters, in spite of which their rescuer succeeded in lead- ing them in safety to their destination.
Mr. Trabold married, May 2, 1901. in Johnstown, Annie E., daugh- ter of Frank Partsch, and they are the parents of two children: Arnold and Carl.
ARTHUR McPIKE, of Cambria City, now serving as alderman of the Fifteenth ward of Johnstown, was born May 20, 1868, in the house in MeConaughrey street of which he is now the owner, son of Daniel McPike, who was born in 1825, in Derry, county Armagh, Ireland, son of Arthur MePike, who died in Derry.
Daniel McPike received a common school education, and in 1851 came to the United States, making the voyage from Queenstown to New York, whence he proceeded to Johnstown, where for the remainder of his active life he was employed in the mines. For a number of years he represented his ward in the council, and was always an earnest Democrat, attending every convention for twenty-five or thirty years. He was a member of St. John Gaulbert's Roman Catholic church, and later of St. Columba's church, of which he was one of the founders.
Daniel McPike married, July 1, 1856, in Loretto, Cambria county, Mary Mullen, who was born March 25, 1827, in Allegheny township, and brought up in Loretto, where she attended the subscription schools until old enough to assist with household duties. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McPike established their home on Chestnut street in a house which stood on the site of the one now occupied by Lemuel Ar- baugh. The following children were born to them: Edward, died in infancy ; James, died at the age of eighteen; and Arthur, of whom later. Daniel McPike retired from business in 1890, and his death occurred February 21, 1901. Owing to injuries received in the platform accident, he was a cripple during the last years of his life. He was a public-spirited citizen and a thoroughly good, kind-hearted man. His widow, who is now one of the oldest residents of Cambria City, is able to bring forth from the storehouse of a retentive memory the material for many graphic descriptions of life in this county "sixty years since." Among other things she recalls the quilting parties to which the young people flocked from far and near, and how, after the work was done, the festivity would close with a merry dance.
Arthur MePike, son of Daniel and Mary (Mullen) McPike, received
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his primary education in St. John's parochial school, whence he passed to the public schools of Cambria City. At the age of thirteen he went to work with his father in the old mine of the Cambria Iron Company, remaining until the age of eighteen. He then learned the trade of a mason with Henry Roberts, and after serving his time was engaged in working by contract on pavements, excavations and sewers, being ex- tensively employed by the city. In 1901 he disposed of his contracting business, being then elected without opposition to the office of alderman, and again elected without opposition in 1906. Mr. MePike has been an active worker in the Democratic party and is a power in the organiza- tion. He is a member of St. Cohunba's church. He is unmarried.
ALEXANDER B. PRINGLE, deceased, was a representative of one of the old families of Cambria county, the son of William and Eliza- beth (Bolwine) Pringle. and was born in Croyle township, this county, September 17. 1829. His paternal grandfather, Phillip Pringle, was born in the eastern part of the state, but at a very early day settled with his brother George in the wilderness. which is now known as Pringle's Hill. From these two brothers have sprung the numerous family of that name in Cambria county. They are of Scotch origin, while the Bolwines are from German stock.
The mother of the subject of this notice was born in Somerset county. Pennsylvania, in 1798. Her father was Henry Bolwine, a na- tive of Germany, but was also an early settler of Somerset county. The subject's father, William Pringle, was born in Croyle township, Cam- bria county, there lived and died there, March 20, 1895, aged ninety- seven years. His was truly a pioneer experience, living in that section when the woods were filled with deer and bear, in the hunt of which he was an expert. His occupation was almost necessarily that of a farmer and lumberman.
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