USA > Pennsylvania > Cambria County > History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III > Part 68
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
Mr. Farabaugh married Thersa, daughter of Charles Anna, of Pat- ton, and they have had the following children: 1. Regina, born September 7, 1881, at home. 2. Herman, born September 25, 1887, died the fol- lowing year. 3. Rosa, born January 10, 1889, teacher in public schools of Cambria county. 4. Bertha, born June 10, 1890. 5. Modestus, born December 4, 1892. 6. Anicetus, born March, 1894. 7. Mary, born No- vember 8, 1896. 8. Alvin, born April, 1898, died 1899. 9. George, born January, 1900. 10. Agnes, born April 7, 1903.
FRANK P. DAWSON, of Gallitzin, was born August 15, 1867, and is a son of Jerome Dawson, and a grandson of Patrick Dawson, who came about 1810 from Ireland and settled in Lancaster county. In 1840 he moved to Cambria county, where he bought a large tract of land near Chestspring, and there passed the remainder of his days. He was the father of the following children: Jerome, of whom later; Bridget ; Mill- er : and May L., wife of Bernard McFely, who was her father's home- maker at the time of his death, which occurred about 1846.
Jerome Dawson, son of Patrick Dawson, was born in 1814, in Lan- caster county, and was a mason and bricklayer, following his trade until 1850, when he came to Cambria county and took up his abode in Gallitzin township. About 1848 he bought the old Storm gristmill and the farm connected with it, and during the remainder of his life operated the mill
474
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
and cultivated the land. He served in most of the township offices, and was a Democrat in politics and a Roman Catholic in religious belief. Mr. Dawson married Eliza Conrad. who bore him six children: Mary; Mar- garet : William ; Eliza : Angeline ; and Michael, died in childhood. On be- ing left a widower Mr. Dawson married Mary Kaylor, and their children were: Matilda ; John; Clara; Henrietta; Frank P., of whom later; and Jerome. Mr. Dawson died in 1869.
Frank P. Dawson. son of Jerome and Matilda (Johns) Dawson, es- tablished himself in business in Gallitzin in July, 1898, opening a hard- ware, furniture and saddlery store under the firm name of Shilling & Dawson. They carry a large line of all goods connected with the business. Mr. Dawson is a member of the council of the borough. In the sphere of politics he affiliates with the Democrats and in religion he is a Roman Catholic.
Mr. Dawson married. October 23, 1887, Josephine, daughter of Pe- ter Seymour, of Portage, and they are the parents of two children: Regg- nis. born September 23, 1888 ; and Mary M., born March 25, 1892; both at school.
WILLIAM COLE. of Patton, was born in 1829, in Germany, and is a son of Henry Cole, also a native of the Fatherland, where his birth occurred in 196. In 1830 he emigrated to the United States and in 1836 took up his abode in Cambria county. He settled in the woods in Carroll township, cleared up his farm, and on it passed the remainder of his days. For two terms he served the township as supervisor. He was a Democrat and a member of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Cole mar- ried, in his native land, Elizabeth Elfens, who bore him the following children : 1. John, born in 1826. deceased, married Catharine Wasber, had eight children: Joseph, Henry. Ferdelus. Riss, Isadore, Sylvester, Liser and Anna; by his second wife, Mary Hott, five children; Alford, Cinda. Emma. Jennie and Edgar. 2. Joseph, born in 1828, married El- len Dohrt. had five children : William. John R .. Cellia. James and Clem- ina. 3 and 4. William and John J. (twins). the former mentioned later, the latter died at the age of five years. 5. Mary, born in 1834. wife of John Snyder. had eleven children: George M., Ann, Vennice, Alice, Will- iam. Syvillia. Mary. Antoinette. John, deceased. Benjamin, and Anna Mav. who died at the age of three years. 6. Elizabeth. born in 1839, wife of James Kane, had these children: Aaron. Cellia, deceased, Ann, Joseph, Mary. Clara, deceased ; Lucinda. Dennis, Ellen and Thomas. Mr. Cole. the father of the family, died in 1875.
William Cole, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Elfens) Cole, was reared on a farm and for some years was engaged in the lumber business in connection with his agricultural labors. owning and operating several sawmills at different times. For five years he conducted a farming im- plement store at Carltown, and when it was destroyed by fire moved to Ebensburg. where he owned and operated a sawmill and planing mill. After the Johnstown flood he engaged in moving houses and also in con- tracting and building. For one year he owned a sawmill at Condon, whence he moved to Dean, remaining there two years and then migrating to Asheville for another two years. Then went to Albion, whence at the end of seven years he removed in 1903 to Patton, where his sons estab- lished a machine shop and planing mill. and now carry on a regular con- tracting business under the firm name of Cole Brothers. In politics Mr. . ('ole affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Aster, Lenox and Tilden Foundations. 1909
Amos, D. Strong
475
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Mr. Cole married Mary Fairabaugh of Carroll township, and the fol- Jowing were their children: 1. Mary, born in 1854, wife of Otto Lauer, had six children: William, Thomas, Grace, Edna, Elizabeth and Ray- mond. 2. Sarah A., born in 1856, wife of Henry Lauer, had fifteen chil- dren : Frank, Mary, Alfred, Elnora, Gertrude, Morris (accidentally killed), Joseph, Otto, Edith, Walter, Charles, Ethel, John, Lawrence and Albert. 3. Angustine, born in 1858, married Lena Marks, had ten children : Prax- cedus, Coletta, Edna, Adrian, Basil, Mabel, Ora, Raymond and Elsbeth. 4. Elmira T., born in 1860, wife of John W. Burley, had ten children : Ernest W., Gertrude M., Myrtle E., Reuben A., Demaris H., J. Donald, Modestus F., Chadwick J., Leona W., (deceased) and Fenwick G. 5. George, born in 1862, married Margaretta MeComber, had two children: Aldo and Anacedius. He married secondly Ellen Burns and they had four children : Emma, Twig, Charles Redo and Dennis.
After the death of his first wife Mr. Cole married Mary Deitchrich, who bore him the following children: 1. Peter, born in 1864, married Margaret Sanders, had nine children: Regina, Earl, Edgar, Viola, Eve- lene, Verna, Ella and William, deceased, and Ellene. 2. Tessa, born in 1866, accidentally killed. 3. Michael, born in 1868, single. 1. Clara, born in 1869, single, at home. 5. Catharine, born in 1871. wife of Edwin Inlow, no issue. 6. Barbara, born in 1872, wife of David O'Connor, had five children : Clair, Mildred, Lamont, Leroy and Mary. 7. Joseph, born in 1873, single, at home. S. Henry, born in 1875, de- ceased. 9. William, born in 1876, married Lucinda Laney; one child, Anna Lista. 10. Henry, born in 1879, single, at honte. 11. Flora, born in 1880, wife of Charles Leitenburger; one child. 12. John, born in 1882, killed an accident. 13. Francis, born in 1884. Mr. Cole has been in all the father of eighteen children, fifteen of whom are living; he has sixty-five grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.
AMOS D. STRONG, of South Forks, was born August 23, 1863, son of Michael Strong, Junior, and grandson of Michael Strong, Senior. The father of the latter was a native of Ireland, who came to the United States as the indentured servant of a German immigrant, with whom he remained two years. After coming to the United States he married a woman of German blood.
Michael Strong, Senior, son of the emigrant ancestor, was a farmer in Indiana county, owning a large tract of land which he divided among his children previous to his death. He was a Whig, a worthy member of the Lutheran church, and a man of an extremely kindly and charitable disposition. He married Hannah Reed, of Indiana county, and their children were: 1. Kate, wife of Michael Helman. 2. Samuel, married Susie Brown, has three children, George, John and Mollie. 3. Tenie, wife of Michael Fetterman, has two children, William and Sarah. 4. Moses, married Susie Orner, has two children, William and Nancy. 5. Michael, of whom later. 6. George, married Harriet Mench, has one child, Amos W. 7. Leander, married Margaret Henry, has four chil- dren, Michael, Sarah, Kate and Lizzie. 8. Henry, married Harriet Ben- net, has six children, Burgess, William, Hiram, Adabell. Edward and Harry. 9. Sarah, wife of Isaac Michaels, has five children, Alton, Cur- tin, Rose I., Hannah and Etta. 10. James, married Caroline Mench and moved to the far west. Michael Strong, the father of this large family, died at the age of sixty years.
Michael Strong, son of Michael and Hannah (Reed) Strong, was born August 1, 1827, in Indiana county, and followed the shoemaker's
476
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
trade in connection with farming, cultivating his own land. He was a Republican and a member of the Lutheran church. He married, in 1854, Julia A., daughter of Warren Hayes, of Richland township, and their family consisted of the following children: 1. Mary M., born in 1859, wife of Frank B. George, had eight children: Viola M., Renna L., Harry N., Anna M., Myrtle I., Jasper N., Warren F., and Violet, deceased. 2. Samuel J. G., born July, 1861, married Matilda Graw, has five children : Blaine, Zoc, Ray, Harry and Irene. 3. Amos D., of whom later. 4. Anna M., born August, 1865, wife of J. S. Miller, has nine children : Lawrence, Pearl, deceased; Emma, deceased; Everet, Ray F., Walter, Jennie M., Herbert and Helen. 5. Isaac, born in 1870, single, living on homestead. 6. Rosalie, born in 1873, wife of Dr. Jasper Mardis, has one child, Gertrude. Michael Strong, the father, was seventy-six years old at the time of his death.
Amos D. Strong, son of Michael and Julia A. (Hayes) Strong, learned the shoemaker's trade under the instruction of his father, and worked at it in connection with farming in Strongstown, Indiana county, a place which received its name in honor of his family. On December 24, 1888, he moved to South Forks, and there followed his trade, at the same time conducting a small cigar store. His business increased to such a degree that he has at the present time the largest general store in South Forks, situated on Main street, with about five thousand square feet of floor space. He is also the proprietor of a wholesale produce flour and feed store known as the Merchants' Supply Company, situated near the South Forks branch of the Pennsylvania railroad. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of South Forks. For three years he served as borough councilman. He is connected with the following fraternal or- ganizations: Junior Order of United American Mechanics, No. 238, of South Forks: Cambria Lodge, No. 278, Free and Accepted Masons of Johnstown ; Commercial Travelers', of Johnstown; and the Young Men's Christian Association. He is a Republican and a member of the Method- ist Episcopal church.
Mr. Strong married, September 6, 1885, Lucy A. Hite, and they are the parents of the following children: 1. Anna M., born May 18, 1887, graduated at the age of thirteen at South Forks high school and is now a teacher in the public schools. 2. Merritt L., born October 2, 1889, graduated in high school at age of sixteen. 3. Ethel, born March 7, 1895. 4. Clare O., born May 7, 1897. 5. George Hite, born Janu- ary 8, 1901. 6. Esther P., born December 11, 1903. Mrs. Strong is a daughter of John B. Hite, who was born in 1824, in Bedford county, and in 1862 came to Cambria county, where he held at different times all the town offices. His father, John Hite, a farmer of Bedford county, was the son of Jacob Hite, a revolutionary soldier, who served under "mad Anthony Wayne" and rendered good service at the battle of Stony Point.
RICHARD J. PLUNKETT, of Gallitzin, was born June 24, 1857, at Tunnel Hill, and is a son of Thomas Plunkett, who was born in 1817, in Ireland, and in 1846 emigrated to the United States, settling the fol- lowing year at Tunnel Hill. He was in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company until 1862, when he entered the mines, where he was employed until 1879. Thenceforth during the remainder of his life he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a Democrat and a member of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Plunkett married Ann Solen, and their children were: 1. John, born in 1851, married Mary Riley, had twelve children: Richard, James, Mary (wife of D. Sellers), Thomas.
477
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Anna, Joseph, John, Christopher, David, William, Rose and Ruth. 2. Patrick, born in 1854, married Catharine Keagen, had seven children : Edward, Rose, Clara, Garret (killed on the railroad in 1905), Anna, Marie and Celestine. 3. Richard J., of whom later. 4. Thomas, born in 1861, resides in Homestead, married Alice Karney, had six children; Anna, May (deceased), Thomas, Rosella, Mildred and Esther. 5. Brid- get. 6. Mary, died in childhood. The death of Mr. Plunkett occurred May 17, 1886. His widow is still living.
Richard J. Plunkett, son of Thomas and Ann (Solen) Plunkett, aft- er his father's death remained at home caring for his mother. For a few years he was engaged in mining and in 1882 went to Pittsburg, remain- ing six years. During that time he was employed as conductor on the Fifth Avenue railway. He was next employed for three years by Hawley & Company, contractors, as fireman on the railroad, and in 1891 opened a saloon in Pittsburg, which he conducted for two years and a half. He then sold the business and returned to Tunnel Hill, where he now con- duets a grocery store and pool-room. In 1895 he was elected justice of the peace, and several times he has served the borough as councilman. He is a Democrat in politics and in religious belief a Roman Catholic. He has never married.
CLAIR J. SHOFF, of Cresson, was born April 8, 1871, in Clearfield county, and is a son of Christopher Shoff, and a grandson of Frederick Shoff, whose father, also Frederick Shoff, was born in Germany, and about 1802 emigrated to the United States, settling near Bellefonte, Centre county, Pennsylvania, where he was a prominent landholder. About 1815 he sold his land and moved to Madra, Clearfield county, hav- ing purchased from the state three thousand acres of land which he sub- sequently divided and sold. He was a Protestant in religious belief. He married, before leaving his native land, Elizabeth Bunyon and in their new home they reared their family. His death occurred about 1847.
Frederick Shoff, son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Bunyon) Shoff, was born about 1810, in Centre county, and was a farmer and lumberman of Clearfield county, manufacturing large quantities of hewed square tim- ber which was floated down the Susquehanna river to market. Politically he was a Democrat. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Shoff married Wilhelmina Ginter, and the fol- lowing children were born to them: 1. Elizabeth, wife of Solomon Beyer. 2. Nettie, wife of Thomas Mullen. 3. Hannah, wife of Archie Witherow. 4. Martha, wife of John Johnson. 5. Sarah, wife of James West. 6. Lillie, wife of Frank Dunlap. 7. Christopher, of whom later. Mr. Shoff, the father, died about 1882, and was survived by his wife and six of his children.
Christopher Shoff, son of Frederick and Wilhelmina (Ginter) Shoff, was born in 1843, at Hagerty's Crossroads, Clearfield county, where he has thus far passed his life as a farmer and lumberman. During the last ten years he has speculated in coal lands, purchasing and then leas- ing them to different companies. In the various branches of industry in which he is interested he gives employment to a large number of men. The cause of education strongly appeals to him, and he has given to his children all the facilities for culture within his power. He is a Demo- crat, and a vigorous supporter of the Lutheran church. Mr. Shoff mar- ried Anna E., daughter of John Glasgow, of Glasgow, Cambria county, and they have been the parents of the following children: 1. Ella V., born 1869, wife of Herbert J. Mahaffery, had six children: Martha, Elery,
478
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Dawson, Ash, Frederick and Anna. 2. Clair J., of whom later. 3. Paul born 1813, died 1903, married Mary Mohler, had two children, Paul and Harold. 4. George, born 1876, merchant at Boswell, Somerset county. 5. Luther, born 1818, married Effie Whitride, of Clearfield county, also merchant at Boswell, Somerset county. 6. Harry, born 1880, married Ruby Rowles. :. Hudson, born 1882, single, at home. S. Frederick, born 1884. also single, at home. 9. Mary J., born 1887, student at Lutherville Academy. Maryland. 10. Died in infancy.
Clair J. Shoff, son of Christopher and Anna E. (Glasgow) Shoff, is an electrician, and has been for the last eleven years in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, having charge of the electrical lines, etc .. on the Cambria and Clearfield division of the road. He belongs to Lodge No. 124, I. O. O. F., and Cresson Encampment, No. 240, I. O. O. F., at Cresson. He affiliates with the Prohibitionists and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Shoff married, in 1893, Elizabeth K., daughter of Samuel and Jemima (Brady) Mott, the former of French extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Shoff have been the parents of the following children : Floyd E., born Oc- tober 12. 1893; Grace, born October 22, 1895; Lemott, born March 17, 1899, deceased : Ruth E., born September 1. 1901. deceased; Meade, born June 12, 1903, died November 12, 1905; and Ruth C., born January 28, 1905.
FRANK X. BRADLEY. of Gallitzin, was born in 1863, at Tunnel Hill, and is a son of Thomas Bradley, who was born in 1834, in Ireland, and in 1856 emigrated to the United States, settling at No. 6 Plane on the old Portage road. He was employed by that company for four years and then moved to the top of the mountain, where he engaged in general mercantile business. In 1868 he established himself in the coal business in partnership with Senator Lemmon, the connection being maintained five years, when it was dissolved by mutual consent, Senator Lemmon re- tiring. Mr. Bradley was closely identified with all the coal business in this part of the county, and was at the same time engaged in the coke in- dustry and in mercantile affairs. He was a Democrat, but limited his in- terest in politics to local matters. His religious belief was that of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Bradley married Catharine, daughter of Eagin King, and of the nine children born to them eight arrived at ma- turity, among them Frank K., of whom later. The death of Mr. Bradley occurred in 1899.
Frank X. Bradley, son of Thomas and Catherine (King) Bradley, succeeded his father in the coal and coke business, which he still conducts, also carrying on a general store at Gallitzin. His transactions in both in- dustries are extensive. In regard to politics and religion also. he follows in his father's footsteps, being an adherent of the Democratic party and a member of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Bradley married Emily E., daughter of John Trixtal. of Gal- litzin. and they have been the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living.
MICHAEL BRACKEN, of Gallitzin, was born March 26, 1831, at Johnstown, and is a son of Michael Bracken, who was born about 1790, in Kings county, Ireland, and for a number of years was a tenant of Lord Ross. the scientist.
In 1825 Michael Bracken emigrated to the United States and after living for a short time in Pittsburg moved to Johnstown, where he re-
.
479
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
mained six or seven years. In 1839 he settled on a farm one mile west of Mineral Point, on which he passed the residue of his days, living at the viaduct and working on the farm. He engaged largely in contracting. He was a Democrat and a Roman Catholic. Mr. Bracken married, before coming to this country, Mary Coughlin, and the following children were born to them: 1. Bridget, wife of John Eagen. 2. Maria, wife of Thomas McCabe. 3. Margaret, single. 4. Catharine, wife of John T. Cooney. 5. Patrick, married Maria Brayden, had three children : Joseph, Walter, and Mary, wife of John Fleming. 6. Bernard. single, lived at Conemangh and Johnstown, and died at Gallitzin. 7. Michael, of whom later. Mrs. Bracken died.in 1847. Like her husband, she was a member of the Roman Catholic church. The death of Mr. Bracken occurred in 1863.
Michael Bracken, son of Michael and Mary (Coughlin) Bracken, was reared on the homestead and educated in the common schools. In 1852 he contracted for laying rails on the new Portage railroad. In 1855 he engaged in the lumber business in Conemaugh township, and in 1864 moved to Gallitzin township, carrying on the business there and in Alle- gheny township. He furnished the lumber for and built nearly one- half the houses of his borough, and also erected the fire-brick school house and the opera house. He leased large tracts of timber and by means of his portable saw mill manufactured all the lumber he handled. He built one mill at Cress Spring and another at High Bridge, and during the time that he was engaged in the business had four saw mills and one planing mill destroyed by fire. From 1885 to 1895 he conducted a general store in Gallitzin. In 1903 he retired from the lumber business. In 1889 he was the chief mover in the organization of the Gallitzin Water Com- pany. in which he was the largest stockholder. For twelve years he served as councilman and for thirteen years as school director. The Democratic party receives his vote and influence and he is a member of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Bracken married, in 1866, Louisa, daughter of Martin Christie, of Blair county, and they have been the parents of the following children : 1. Francis B .. born January 29. 1869. 2. James H., born October ?8, 1870. married Margaret MeNeal, has one child : Louisa. 3. William C., born June 5, 1872. single, at home. 4. Joseph L., born May 22. 1874, died at the age of two years. 5. John P., born December 5, 1875, mar- ried Elizabeth Paul, of Carnegie. has one child, Mary P. 6. Paul, born September 18. 1877, married Sarah Bick, has one child, Haden. 7. Michael J., born February 26. 1879, single, at home. S. Lewis C .. born December 13, 1880, killed by the cars at twelve years of age. The mother of these children died in 1887, and in 1891 Mr. Bracken married Anna Storm.
WILLIAM R. KIRBY, proprietor of a flourishing general store in Summer Hill, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, traces his ancestry to Ire- land, and is a member of a family which has been prominently identified with the public affairs of the district for several generations.
John Kirby, grandfather of William R. Kirby, and of the first gen- eration to settle in this country, emigrated from Ireland about 1850 and settled in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he established a wholesale and retail flour and feed business. He took an active and intelligent interest in the affairs of the township, was elected county commissioner, and served three terms very acceptably. Ile raised the following-named children : Patrick F., of whom later; Thomas; Polly; William, who, with his wife,
480
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
was drowned in the Johnstown flood; David; James; Mary and Siss. They all lived in or near Johnstown. John Kirby died in Johnstown, at the age of about seventy-five years, universally respected.
Patrick F. Kirby, son of John Kirby, was born in Ireland in 1846, and probably came to the United States with his parents about 1850. He received his education here, and became a merchant in Wilmore, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, where he conducted a general store for twenty-five years. Ile moved from there to Conemaugh, where he was employed by the Cambria Steel Company as shipping clerk, an occupation in which he is engaged at the present time (1906). In politics he is a strong Democrat, and while living in Wilmore, held public office for many years, serving as school director, assessor, and collector of the borough. He married, first. Ellen Naff, daughter of Daniel Naff, of Croyle township, and they were
the parents of fourteen children: 1. Mary, married Conley, had five children. 2. Anna, deceased. 3. Rose, married Charles Conrad, and had three children. 4. Catherine, married John Duffey and has one child. 5. John H. 6. Daniel, married Nancy Coons and had four chil- dren. . William R., the subject of this sketch. S. Thomas, deceased. 9. Frank, a barber in Johnstown. 10. Elizabeth, married Francis Straney. 11. Genevieve, deceased. 12. Nellie. 13. Thomas, deceased. 14. Guy S., occupied as clerk in Dubois. He married, second, Ella Rig- ley, and by this marriage has three children now living.
William R. Kirby, third son and seventh child of Patrick F. and El- len (Naff) Kirby, was born May 28, 1879. He acquired his education in the common schools of this district, and his first business venture was in 1896, when he accepted a position as clerk in the general store of Anthony Wesner, in Summer Hill, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. Here he faith- fully attended to all the duties of his position for six years, at which time he purchased the business and has since ·conducted it alone, making a de- cided success in his undertaking. He is progressive and enterprising, and ready to adopt all new methods that seem to be practical. He is a member of the Catholic church, and a Democrat. He was elected auditor of the borough in 1902, and again in 1901. He is a member of the Knights of St. George of New Germany, and of Prince Gallitzin Council No. 140, Y. MI. I., of Portage.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.