USA > Pennsylvania > Cambria County > History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III > Part 63
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Edmund J. Waters (father) was born in Monmouthshire, England, December 18, 1797, son of Alexander and Elizabeth Waters, who emi- grated to the United States in 1801-02 with their family. consisting of two children. At first they located in what is now Cambria township, Cambria county, Pennsylvania; they, however, moved to Westmoreland county, settling in the Ligonier Valley, where the grandfather of Alex- ander J. Waters died a short time later. His widow returned to Cam- bria county, locating near Beulah, on the "Old Springfield Tract," where later she married a Mr. Jenkins ; they had no children. She survived her second husband and died in 1828, in the house in which Alexander J. Waters, her grandson, now resides.
Edmund J. Waters, in his early years, was apprenticed to the chair- maker's trade, under John Lloyd, and for many years followed this oc- cupation. He located in Ebensburg while yet a single man; early in the second decade of the last century. He built the present Waters' house in Ebensburg, which is pointed out as one of the early landmarks of the borough. In politics he was first a Whig and later supported the new Republican party in its early struggles. He was elerk in the county commissioner's office, and served as justice of the peace for forty years. He was an active member in the Christian church, being for a long period a deacon and church elerk. He died December 11, 1878, highly es-
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teemed by all who knew him. His wife, Margaret (Tibbott) Waters, was born at old Tibbott's Mills. about a mile from Ebensburg, June 4, 1819. She is the daughter of Jabez and Eleanor (Reese) Tibbott, and the granddaughter of William Tibbott, an emigrant from Wales, who was the founder of Tibbott's Mills. Eleanor (Reese) Tibbott was one of the first white children born in this section, her birth occurring Au- gust 15, 1797, on the Elias Jones farm just north of the borough limits of Ebensburg. She was a daughter of Reese and Margarett Reese. Mrs. Waters is still living, hale and hearty, although past eighty- seven years of age. She resides with Alexander J. Waters.
Alexander J. Waters was reared in the manner common in his boy- hood days, and attended the public schools until about seventeen years of age, when he began his career as a school teacher, following it for eight years, devoting his winters entirely to education. While he never served an apprenticeship, being by nature of a mechanical mind, he adopted the trade of carpenter, which he followed until 1896. Having come to be a skilled artisan, he always had employment. In 1896 he accepted the position of transcribing clerk in the county recorder's office, under F. B. Jones, serving there for six years. March 20, 1901, he was appointed jus- tice of the peace to fill a vacancy, and after leaving the recorder's office, January 1, 1902, he devoted his whole time to the office of justice. In May, 1902, he was elected to succeed himself. In 'March, 1905, he was ap- pointed to the office of burgess of Ebensburg, and the following spring, 1906, was elected to succeed himself to that office for the regular term. In politics Mr. Waters is Republican. He is a member of the Masonic order, Summit Lodge, No. 312; he also holds a membership in the Odd Fellows order, Highland Lodge, No. 528, and Crescent Encampment, No. 240. Mr. Waters is a member of the Christian church. Aside from other business interests, he is one of the directors of the Ebensburg Building and Loan Company.
Mr. Waters married, January 22, 1895, Sue Owens, of Cambria township, Cambria county, daughter of Edward and Ann Owens. Mrs Waters died January 24, 1899.
THOMAS ARTHUR ESTEP, prominent in the coal industry of western Pennsylvania, and well and favorably known in other business circles, is a representative of the fifth generation of the Esteps in America, who came here from England in the days of the early settlers and located in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania.
Thomas W. Estep, grandfather of Thomas Arthur Estep, was born near Cassville, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1800. He was a collier and contractor, and was the builder of the Elizabeth fur- nace, near Altoona, and many of the furnaces throughout Huntingdon and Blair counties. He was also identified with the charcoal industry. and burned charcoal for many of the furnaces in his section of Pennsylvania. He was an earnest worker for and a factor to be reckoned with in the Whig party, and was a fluent and ready stump speaker for his party in Huntingdon and Blair counties during campaign work. Later he was one of the active workers in the organization of the Republican party, and was affiliated with it up to the time of his death, which occurred April 16, 1876. He married Elizabeth MeNicol.
Burdine Estep, son of Thomas W. and Elizabeth (MeNicol) Estep. was born in Newry, Blair county, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1831. He worked with his father as a collier up to his thirteenth year, and then secured a position as driver in the old Miller and Lemon mines, from
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which two mines the prominent coal veins in Cambria county derive their names. He worked here for two years and then obtained a similar position on the old Portage railroad over the mountains, teaming all the way from Hollidaysburg to Conemaugh, and later was in charge of the stock at the building of the tunnel at Gallitzin, on the Pennsylvania Central railroad. Following this he worked for a short time in the Nail Mills in Duncansville, Pennsylvania, and some time in the early fifties he went to Ohio and was made boss collier of the Vesuvius & Aetna furnaces, in Lawrence county. Here he remained until 1863 or 1864. From Lawrence county he removed to Coalmont, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in coal mining, and in 1871 removed to Osceola Mills, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, where he followed min- ing and later acquired coal property which he operated until his death, March 18, 1898. He was a teamster in the service of the army for two years during the Civil war. He was a Republican. He was highly es- teemed for his integrity and many sterling qualities, and was mourned by the entire community in which he lived.
He married, in 1858, in Lawrence county, Ohio, Lydia Ward, born in Lawrence county, Ohio, November 19, 1840, daughter of Jonathan and Anna Ward. Mrs. Estep's grandfather, Ward, was at one time possessed of an extensive plantation and a great number of slaves in Virginia. He freed his slaves prior to the rebellion, and this aroused such a feeling of enmity against him that he removed into Ohio, where he engaged in farming until his death. Mrs. Estep resides at Osceola Mills, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Estep had children: 1. Mary E., lives at home. 2. Thomas Arthur, of whom later. 3. Fannie B .. married W. R. Sweet, of Crawfordsville, Indiana. 4. Sarah C., married George W. Custred, of Sherman, California. 5. Henry C., is at Ruther- ford College, North Carolina. 6. Amy F., died in 1890, single. 7. Effie A .. at home. S. Laura G., at home. 9. George M., lives at Osceola, Penn- sylvania. 10. Albert B., resides at Bridgeville, Pennsylvania. 11. Rob- ert L., at home.
Thomas Arthur Estep, second child and eldest son of Burdine and Lydia (Ward) Estep, was born at Vesuvius Furnace, Lawrence county, Ohio. September 24, 1862. He was reared at home and acquired his education in the common schools. At the age of thirteen years he went to work in the mines, and his schooling was suspended until his twenty- third year, when he attended Juniata College, Huntingdon county, Penn- sylvania. From his thirteenth year until his entrance upon college life, he was employed in the mines. After leaving college he and his father opened and operated a mine at Madera, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania. In 1890 he went to Portage, where he superintended the opening of a coal property for J. C. Lukens. Two years later he went to Beulah, Clearfield county. and took charge of a shaft for the Berwin White Coal Mining Company, in which capacity he remained up to 1898. He then came to Cambria county and for three years was superintendent of the Madera Hill Coal Mining Company, at Barnesboro. In 1901 he super- intended the opening of the mines, at Garmans Mills, for the Greenwich Coal & Coke Company, being associated with them for about three years. In October, 1904, he removed to Ebensburg, and soon after became iden- tified with the organization of the Auld Run Coal Company, operating in Indiana county. Pennsylvania. Mr. Estep being the manager of the company. In 1902 he was appointed member of examining board for mine foreman in fifteenth bituminous district of Pennsylvania. He is also a member of the firm of Luther Lieb & Estep Company, house fur-
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nishers, of Ebensburg; they also have an establishment at Carrolltown. He is a Republican in politics, has served as school director, and as coun- cilman in the borough of Ramey, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of Osceola Lodge, No. 515, Free and Accepted Masons, of Osceola Mills; Williams- port Consistory, A. and A. S. R. ; Jaffa Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Al- toona, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Estep married, November 22, 1889, Margaret B. Moore, daugh- ter of Thomas and Amelia (Bunting) Moore, of Osceola Mills, the for- mer deceased, the latter residing in Windber, Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania. Mr. and Mrs. Estep have had ten children, of whom six are now living: Eva W., Hazel B., Margaret, Thomas A., George M., and James.
WILLIAM McCLARREN, a prominent citizen of Ebensburg, Cam- bria county, Pennsylvania, former mine superintendent, now builder and general contractor, and a man of great versatility, who has built some of the finest residences in this section of Pennsylvania, is a native of this country, of Irish and German descent.
Francis MeClarren, father of William MeClarren, was born in Ire- land, and emigrated to the United States some time in the forties, locat- ing at Summer Hill, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, where his marriage took place and where he resided until his death, which occurred some time in the seventies. He was a faithful member of the Catholic church. He married Elizabeth Diamond, born near Sumner Hill, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, in 1825, daughter of Casper Diamond, a promi- nent farmer, of German descent, in Croyle township, Cambria county, and one of the contracting builders of the new Portage railroad. Mrs. McClarren now resides with her son, James P. Mr. and Mrs. McClar- ren had nine children, of whom seven are now living: 1. James P., who is a constable, and foreman at the Stoneman Coal Company, in South Fork, Pennsylvania. 2. Charles, resides in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 3. Susan, married William Voice, of South Fork, Pennsylvania. 4. Cornelius, lives in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 5. Elizabeth, married Charles Bunton, of Ehrenfelt. Cambria county, Pennsylvania. 6. Maretta, married William Welsh, of Ehrenfelt, Pennsylvania. 7. Will- iam, of whom later.
William McClarren, eldest surviving child of Francis and Eliza- beth (Diamond) McClarren, was born near Summer Hill, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, October 28, 1849. He was but little more than twelve years of age when he left the parental roof, and going to Johns- town he found employment in peddling slack from the old coke yards. Many of the boys who were associated with him in this work at that time are now well known business men of Johnstown. He had followed this occupation for about a year when he was unfortunate enough to con- tract smallpox and returned to his home before the nature of the disease was recognized. After his recovery he returned to Johnstown, where he worked as a hod-carrier for a few months for a Mr. Totten, a promi- nent contractor and builder of that city. His diligence and zeal were rewarded by his promotion and a short time to the position of bricklayer. This position he resigned after a few months and entered the railroad service, in 1865, continuing in this until 1880. His time was about equally apportioned between mining and railroad work; he rose to the position of mining superintendent on the one hand, and to that of extra conductor on the railroad on the other. From 1878 to 1879 he also en- gaged in some contracting. Following the panic of 1880, he engaged in
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the business of contracting and building, giving it his entire attention. He has erected many of the prominent residences of South Fork, the opera house and many other buildings in that place. In 1893 he re- moved to Ebensburg, where he pursued the same line of business. He has personally superintended the erection of many of the best buildings in the town, both public and private. He is an Independent in politics, and has served seven terms as member of the school board in Croyle town- ship, and was a dominant factor in educational matters. He is a mem- ber of the Catholic church. His work is well known and highly thought of throughout Cambria county, and he is progressive in his ideas in every way and keeps well abreast of the times in business as well as in private life.
Mr. McClarren married, in 1871, Jane Moss, of Wilmore, daughter of Frederick Moss, a prosperous farmer of that section. They have had six children, of whom five are now living: 1. Tenie, married Barney Boyle. of Clearfield, Pennsylvania. 2. Dora, married John Simindinger, of Summer Hill. 3. Joseph, lives in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 4. Es- tella, married William Connoley, a resident of Albany, New York. 5. Ella, unmarried, resides with her sister, Mrs. Boyle. Mrs. McClarren died in 1887.
WILLIAM S. STUTZMAN, one of the leading agriculturists of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, and who has filled a num- ber of positions of trust and responsibility in that county, is a descendant of an old and honored family of Germany. About the middle of the eighteenth century a German, filled with the spirit of enterprise, left his native land and settled in what is now the little mountain republic of Switzerland. The German referred to was Abram Stutzman, the great-great-grandfather of William S. Stutzman. In that land his son Abram was born.
Abram Stutzman, son of Abram Stutzman, continued the journey to the west begun by his father. emigrated to the United States and founded the family of Stutzman in this country. He settled in the old German settlement in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, on the waters of the Conococheague creek, where he spent the remainder of his days, fol- lowing the pursuits of shoemaking and farming.
Jacob Stutzman, son of Abram Stutzman, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, 1777, died in Taylor township, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, 1859. He was reared in his native county, and learned the trade of shoemaking under the tuition of his father, and when a young man came to Cambria county, seeking work along the line of his craft. In those early days it was the custom of the trade to travel from house to house seeking employment, and it was while thus engaged that he became acquainted with a family named Ulery, one of the daughters of which he afterward married. Jacob was an industrious worker, and of a thrifty and frugal disposition. He was soon able to purchase a farm of two hundred and thirty-one acres, now known as Osborn, or the seventh ward of the city of Johnstown. He lived upon this home- stead until 1853, when he sold it to his son Stephen, removed to Taylor township, and spent the remainder of his days with his son Samuel. Jacob Stutzman married Susanna Ulery, and they had children: Daniel, Abraham, Jacob, John and David, all deceased; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Abraham Weaver, also deceased; Hannah, wife of George Knable; Mary, married (first) Samuel Berkey, and (second) Christian
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Good, also deceased; Samuel, a resident of Taylor township; and Stephen, see forward.
Stephen Stutzman, son of Jacob and Susanna (Ulery) Stutzman, was born on the old homestead, now known as Osborn, December 20, 1825. His opportunities for securing a good education were very limited in those days, and it was but natural that he should turn to agriculture as a means of earning a livelihood. He worked for his father for a number of years, and finally bought the paternal homestead farm for the sum of six thousand dollars. This was a much larger amount in those days than it would be considered at the present time, and showed the enterprise and ambition of the young man. Later he sold the farm for seven thousand dollars to George W. Osborn. With the thousand dollars thus earned he made a payment on a farm of one hundred and ninety-five acres, in Upper Yoder township, for which he paid three thousand six hundred dollars. Upon that farm he lived, successfully cultivating it, until 1888, when he removed to Westmont, where he has since resided enjoying the fruits of his industry. Religiously he is a devout and consistent member of the German Baptist church, and in poli- tics is a Republican. He has served three years as tax collector of his township. He has always evinced a deep interest in the cause of popu- lar education, and for eighteen years has served as a member of the school board of his township. He married (first), March, 1849, Rachel Berkey, daughter of Peter Berkey, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and they had children: Peter, an agriculturist of Taylor township. Sarah, married Aaron Straver, of Morrellville. Franklin, a farmer of Upper Yoder township. Jacob S., a farmer of the same township. Mary Jane, wife of Slater Allen. of Johnstown. Lovina and Lizzie, the former the wife of Dr. L. S. Livingston, of Johnstown, and the latter the wife of Joseph D. Finley, of Glenford, Ohio. William S., of whom later. Mr. Stutzman married (second) Mary Fvock, widow of the late Samuel Fyock, of Paint township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania.
William S. Stutzman, fourth son and youngest child of Stephen and Rachel (Berkey) Stutzman, was born in Upper Yoder township, Cam- bria county, Pennsylvania, April 26, 1867. He was reared at home on the farm which he now owns, and on which he resides, one and one-half miles distant from Westmont, and his education was acquired in the common schools of the district. He was very large and strong for his vears, and was soon obliged to do a man's work. At the early age of thirteen years he began his active business career. teaming for his father, and this was alternated with farm work up to his twenty-second year, when he purchased the homestead and assumed full charge. Since that time his entire time has been given to agricultural and horticultural pur- suits. Under his able management his homestead has been made one of the finest farms in Upper Yoder township, and he has a peach orchard of more than one thousand fruit bearing trees, of the finest varieties. He also has an orchard of other kinds of fruit trees, all in excellent bear- ing condition. His residence, built since he acquired possession of the farm, is one of the finest in the township; the house is modern in every particular, being provided with all improvements, such as hot water and electric lights throughout, etc.
It has been a rule of Mr. Stutzman's life that every effort he put forth must be the very best he could muster, and it is probably this which has been the secret of his success. He has been thoroughly in earnest at every moment of his business career, and his success has not been due so much to actual manual labor, as to the executive ability of
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which he is possessed. This caused him to speculate considerably in land, and he has owned five farms at different times, paying interest at one. time on eight thousand dollars. He furnished the poles for the Bell Telephone Company and the local telephone company for two years. He is a member of the German Baptist church, and is a stanch Republican. He has taken an active part in politics since his twenty-first year, and has served as judge or inspector of elections since that time. He has held the office of supervisor of the county, and in the fall of 1902 was elected county commissioner of Cambria county, his term expiring January 1, 1906. This office he filled very acceptably, bringing to it the same quali- fications which have made him so successful in business life. He is one of the most energetic and enterprising men in the township, and his opinion is frequently sought and highly valued.
Mr. Stutzman married, March 27, 1887, Anna M. Blough, daugh- ter of David Blough, a prominent farmer of Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania, and they have children: Robert C., born October 1, 1888; Ralph, March 17, 1894.
TIMOTHY M. SHEEHAN, at one time a commissioner of the county of Cambria, a large land owner and farmer, and now living in retirement after many years of active and arduous labor, is of American birth and Irish parentage.
Michael Sheehan, father of Timothy M. Sheehan, was born in county Cork, Ireland, about the year 1820, and came to the United States in 1852. He lived for a time in White township, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, which was then a wilderness, and was employed on the Pennsylvania railroad for about three years. After his marriage he went to the forests of White township, where he located on a piece of land which he cleared and cultivated in order to make a comfortable home for himself and his family. He resided thereon until his death, which occurred in 1895. He was frugal and hardworking, knew how to make the best of everything and succeeded in amassing a competence. He was Democratic in his political opinions, and a consistent member of the Catholic church. He was respected and well liked in the entire com- munity. He married, in 1855, Julia Sheehan, born in county Cork, Ire- land, 1820, the marriage being solemnized by Father Mullen, of Wil- more (at Wilmore), who later became Bishop of Erie. Mrs. Sheehan died in 1890, at the age of seventy years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sheehan were two in number, both of whom are now living (1906) : Timothy M., of whom later; Mary A., who married James F. Davis, of White township, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Sheehan are buried in the Catholic cemetery at St. Augustine, Pennsyl- vania.
Timothy M. Sheehan, only son of Michael and Julia (Sheehan) Sheehan, was born in White township, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, September 15, 1856. He acquired his education in the public schools of his district, and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty- three years of age, working upon the farm for his father. After his marriage he located on a piece of land in Clearfield township, which he had previously purchased. This farm had been but very slightly culti- vated, and was almost entirely without improvements of any kind. Mr. Sheehan decided that here he would build a house and make a comforta- ble home for his family. Accordingly he set to work with a will, clear- ing the land and making his farm one of the best and most productive in the entire section. He erected commodious farm buildings, and during
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations, 1909
George Boone
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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
the winter worked in the woods at lumbering, employing every moment of his time in the most profitable manner. This industry and method, combined with his sound business judgment, could not fail of their effect, and he is now one of the most substantial and prosperous men in the en- tire community. For many years he was also engaged in buying and shipping stock to Philadelphia, and this also was a very prosperous ven- ture. He has now retired from the active management of his two farms, turning them over to his two sons, while he and his wife have removed to Patton, where they now reside. In spite of the many demands that business has always made upon his time, Mr. Sheehan always had time to cultivate social intercourse, and has many friends who admire his kind and open-hearted manner. He has been an influential Democrat for many years, and has served in the various township, offices. He was the chosen nominee of the Democratic party, in the fall of 1899, for the of- fice of county commissioner of Cambria county, and was elected, and in 1902 he was re-elected to the office. He is a member of the Catholic church, and a liberal contributor to its ever present needs.
He married, in 1879, Mary T. Weakland, daughter of .Valentine and Catherine (Miller) Weakland, of Susquehanna township, Cambria coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and they have two children: Valentine M., of Clear- field township, Pennsylvania; Daniel V., of Altoona, Pennsylvania. They have also an adopted daughter, Mary.
GEORGE BOONE, of Patton, was born in 1840, in Blair county, and is a son of Charles Boone, who was a descendant of English ances- tors. The famous pioneer, Daniel Boone, belonged to another branch of this family.
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