USA > Pennsylvania > Cambria County > History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III > Part 77
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THE NEW YORK PUR' IL LIBRARY
Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations. 1909
IRa Creer
537
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
1867 the widow of Johan Justice Heckrode came to the United States and settled in Johnstown. She was accompanied by her daughter, Alice Elizabeth, who became the wife of Eckhart Pfeil.
GREER FAMILY. There is but one Greer family now residing in Cambria county, and that is the one to which belonged the late David Francis Asbury Greer, who for more than a half century took a prominent part in the industrial development of Johnstown and vicinity.
Mr. Greer was born in Middletown, Maryland, June 24, 1836, the only son of William Greer and Mary (Ramsberger) Greer. His father was the only son of Robert Greer, who died at an early age in 1810, and was interred at Emmittsburg, Maryland. William Greer was engaged in the manufacture of woolens and superintended the erection of numerous woolen mills, among them, some of the earliest in Somerset county, Penn- sylvania. About the year 1836 William Greer removed to Winchester, Virginia, where he died, leaving to survive him the following children : David Francis Asbury; Mrs. Annie Greer Meade and Mrs. Mary J. Blair, widow of William Blair, late editor of the Waynesboro Record.
Upon the death of his father, Mr. Greer became a member of the family of Samuel Keagy, whose home was in Chambersburg. where he attended, for some years. the Chambersburg Academy. Mr. Keagy hav- ing embarked in the lumber business of the firm of Hamilton & Keagy, Mr. Greer, while quite a young man, became manager of the firm, and upon the death of Mr. Keagy acquired an interest in the business and continued to operate the plant in the vicinity of Mineral Point, Jackson township, until purchased by the Cambria Iron Company. Subsequently Mr. Greer and D. W. Angus erected a saw mill on Hinckston Run, Taylor township, which was soon destroyed by fire. A second mill was erected by Mr. Greer in the vicinity of Fairview, now Vinco, which was also burned ; and in the autum of 1872, having suffered these losses, Mr. Greer moved to Johnstown. For about ten years he was variously engaged, and in 1882 formed a partnership with George Schrader in the furniture business, their first site being the corner of Clinton and Centre streets, which site they continued to occupy until the building and contents were destroyed in the great flood of 1889. Immediately thereafter. the firm rebuilt on land of Mr. Schrader, on Bedford street, and in June, 1890, Mr. Schrader withdrew, the business being conducted by Mr. Greer alone. In 1901 Mr. Greer with his three sons purchased from the heirs of Jacob Swank the homestead at the corner of Bedford street and Apple alley, and thereon erected a five story brick and stone structure, designed for a furniture establishment, to meet the demands of his very much in- creased business. He remained in business until December, 1905, when he retired, assigning the business to his sons. Samuel S. and Edwin S .. who for some years previously had been associated with their father, Mr. Greer died suddenly of pneumonia, after a few days illness, on April 30, 1906.
Mr. Greer was twice married, first to Mary Jane Coover, daughter of the late Jacob Coover and Anna Margaret Coover, now of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in March, 1867. To them three children were born: Charles C. ; Samuel S. and Edwin S., the first mentioned being a member of the Cambria county bar. and at present solicitor of the city of Johnstown, the latter succeeding their father in business. Mrs. Greer died July 16, 1893. Several years later, Mr. Greer married Mrs. Alice Frick of Waynes- boro, who survives him.
Mr. Greer in an unobtrusive way, throughout his life, was in-
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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
terested in philanthropic and benevolent enterprises. The erection of the Wesley Chapel on the Ebensburg road in East Taylor township, was largely due to his efforts. During his residence in Johnstown, he was a member of the Franklin Street Methodist Episcopal church, and for a time an official therein. He left an honorable and untarnished reputa- tion for integrity in business. Simple, straightforward and conservative, he represented the old school of successful business men. In politics, he was an old-line Democrat (see Coover family history elsewhere in this work).
Charles Coover Greer, son of David Francis Asbury Greer and his first wife, Jane (Coover) Greer, was born March 30, 1868, in Taylor township, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather was William, and his great-grandfather was Robert Greer. He graduated at the public schools of Johnstown in 1886; at Dickinson College, Carlisle, in 1892, and Dickinson Law School in 1893, and was admitted to Cumber- land and Cambria county bars in 1893. Politically he is a Republican. He was made solicitor of the city of Johnstown in 1899, and has served ever since, thus showing his fitness for the position. He is a member of the Franklin Street Methodist Episcopal church. As an undergraduate student he became a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity; and after graduation, was elected to Dickinson Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity.
Mr. Greer was united in marriage at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, October 8. 1895, to Georgia Boyd Bratton, who graduated from Metzgar Seminary, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She is the daughter of Hon. John Brisban Brat- ton and wife Mary Ellen (Boyd) Bratton. The father was editor of the Carlisle Volunteer, for over forty years. He was a staunch Democrat, and was defeated for congress by "Dick" Haldeman in 186 -. Mrs. Greer is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, through both paternal and maternal ancestors.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Greer are as follows: Robert Bratton, born September 19, 1896; Mary Boyd, born September 27, 1899; Georgia Curran, born March 15, 1901: Charles Asbury, born January 22. 1903: Katherine Harper, born May 8, 1905.
Edwin Shryock Greer was married, at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, July 1894, to Clara Cooper, daughter of John Cooper, veteran of the Civil war, and Margaret Bowman Cooper. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Shryock Greer are as follows: Francis Cooper Greer, born Feb- ruary 14, 1896: Ellen Bowman born June 23, 1898: and Edwin Shryock born April 1, 1902.
Samuel Sheridan Greer was married at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, October 18. 1894, to Emma E. Masters, daughter of Joseph Masters, a former associate judge of Cambria county. and Elizabeth Shaffer Masters. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Sheridan Greer are as fol- lows: Mary Margaret, born August 12, 1895: Elizabeth Masters. born October 22. 1896. and David Coover, born February 15, 1897.
GEORGE A. SPANGLER, of Johnstown, who has served both Cam- bria and Somerset connties in offices of trust and responsibility, was born October 2. 1856, in a log house situated on the Hershberger farm, in Upper Yoder township, son of George Spangler, and a grandson of John Spangler, who emigrated from Bavaria, Germany, and settled in Lan- caster county.
George Spangler, son of John Spangler, the emigrant. came to Johnstown in 1844, where for twenty-three years he was engaged in busi-
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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
less as a butcher. At the close of the Civil war he purchased from the Rev. Abram Stutzman, of Upper Yoder township, a farm of seven acres and forty-five perches, on which he raised produce for the market, en- joying the distinction of being the first market gardener in Upper Yoder township. For a number of years he served as night watchman at the First National Bank of Johnstown, and at the time of the flood gave a striking example of faithfulness in the performance of duty under the most trying circumstances, not leaving his post even for one hour during those days which tested the courage of the bravest. During the last six years of his life he was confined to his home.
George Spangler married Elizabeth Hildebrand, and their children were: George A., of whom later. Harry M., of the fifth ward of Johns- town. Elmira, wife of H. Scritchfried, who served in a cavalry regiment during the Civil war. Mary. Emma, wife of Edward White, of Braddock, salesman for United States Steel Company. Mary, the second of these daughters, became the wife of George W. Champeno, a steel-worker with the Carnegie Homestead Steel Works, where he served the union as a member of the advisory board during the great strike, after the strike resuming his position, and in 1901 meeting death while at his post of duty. George Spangler, the father of these two sons and three daughters, died at the ripe age of eighty-four years.
George A. Spangler, son of George and Elizabeth (Hildebrand) Spangler, received his education in the district schools, and began when a boy to learn the butcher's business from his father. In 1885 he learned steel-heating at Braddoek and moved to Upper. Yoder township, settling in the following year on a part of the Richard O'Connor farm at Sugar Hill. where he still lives. He has held for nine years the office of county constable, and for three years was fish warden of Somerset and Cambria counties. For the last two years he has been state fish warden and state game proctor. He is a Republican, and a member of the German Lutheran church.
Mr. Spangler married, January 15, 1885, Lonise O'Connor, and they have been the parents of the following children: Edward Lee, born December 21. 1887. Laura, born August 21, 1889. Earl W., born November 6, 1890. Estella, born June 21, 1892. One child deceased.
SAMUEL LEMMON REED, one of the leading lights of the Cam- bria bar, and a director of the American National Bank, is one of the most prominent citizens of Ebensburg.
William Reed, grandfather of Samuel Lemmon Reed, was a native of Connectient, and like many of the New Englanders was a sailor in early life. Hle relinquished this oceupation and migrated to Cambria county, Pennsylvania, settling upon a traet of land situated on the old Clay Pike, in Cambria township. At that time that section of the country was but partially populated and the improvements were very slight, con- sisting usually of a patch of cleared land, with a log hut or cabin rudely constructed upon it, representing the habitation of the carly settler. Will- iam Reed was a pioneer and set about with that enterprising spirit which is characteristic of the New Englander to clear up and convert the forest into a home, which he accomplished after passing through many trials and hardships incident to pioneer life. He served in the war of 1812 under the command of General William Henry Harrison, and was a valiant soldier. He was a pioneer of Methodism, and his home was its headquarters, not only for the ministers of his own church, but for all denominations as well, and services were frequently held in his house
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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
prior to the building of churches in that section. Politically he was an old line Whig, and was looked upon as a leader in his neighborhood in religion, politics and business. His neighbors frequently sought his ad- vice and opinion on these and other subjects. He died in 1846, aged fifty-six years, having had the pleasure of witnessing a complete meta- morphosis of the country, and possessing the comforting knowledge that he had been one of the most potent factors in bringing about the great transformation.
Samuel Reed, son of William Reed, was born upon the old Reed home- stead, in 1824, the year in which La Fayette visited America. He obtained such education as the public schools of his day afforded, and upon reach- ing manhood engaged in agricultural pursuits. In connection with his farming he was extensively engaged in stock raising. He acquired from the other heirs their interest in the old homestead, and resided thereon until his death, which occurred March 14, 1890. He was a success- ful business man. He was a stanch pillar of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a class leader and superintendent of the Sabbath school. He was an ardent adherent of the Republican party, and was a factor in the councils of his party, usually representing his precinct in the county conventions. He was a strong advocate of the free school system, believed in the education of the masses, and for many years served as a member of the school board. He was a man in whom the people re- posed the most implicit confidence, filled all the local offices of his town- ship, but never sought political preferment. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in Company I, Two Hundred and Eleventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the conflict. He was a member of John A. Jones Post, Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr. Reed married, (first) Christina Orner, and had three children: 1. Arabella, married George W. Strong, of Tyrone. 2. Tillie, deceased, was the wife of Aaron Rishel. 3. A child which died in infancy. He married. (second) Ellen Simson. and had children: 1. Annie, married George Martis, a farmer of Blaeklick township. 2. Ettie E .. married J. C. Rishel, a merchant of Punxsutawney. 3. Samuel L., of whom later. 4. Kate B., married James C. Raulston, a farmer of Indiana county, Pennsylvania. 5. Sophia E., married William Gillespie, a merchant of Strongstown. Indiana county. 6. Lizzie C .. married Curtis McDonald, an engineer in the employ of the Pennsylvania railroad, and residing at Conemaugh, this county. 7. Tillie, married Lester B. Shoffer. 8. Theresa, at home.
Samuel Lemmon Reed, third child and eldest son of Samuel and Ellen (Simson) Reed, was born in Blacklick township. Cambria county, Pennsylvania. He was reared at home and acquired his early education in the common schools, at the Strongstown Academy and the Ebensburg Normal Institute. At the age of seventeen years he adopted teaching as a profession, and for the seven years following taught in the district schools of his native township. The summer months he devoted to work- ing on the farm of his father. During his work as an educator Mr. Reed took up the study of the law. and in the spring of 1888 entered the law office of George M. Reade, of Ebensburg. under whose preceptorship he schooled himself for the final examination. which he passed successfully July 7. 1890. Immediately following his admission to the bar he opened an office in Ebensburg, and two years later he formed a law partnership with Mathiot Reade. the son of his preceptor. This partnership existed for eight years. being dissolved in 1900. when Mr. Reed retired from
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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
the firm and departed on a trip to Europe. Upon his return, within a year, he opened an office in the MeKenrick building, in Ebensburg, where he remained until May, 1905, when he removed to his present com- modious and elegant offices in the new Davis block. Mr. Reed is not only a very able attorney, but possesses all the requisites that go to make up the character of a true gentleman. He is a member of the board of school controllers in Ebensburg, and has always evinced a deep interest in the welfare and advancement of the public schools. He is an active member of the Congregational church of Ebensburg, and belongs to the Patriotic Order of the Sons of Veterans. He is also one of the directors of the American National Bank.
Mr. Reed married, October 18, 1893, Elizabeth Evans, daughter of John O. and Lydia Davis Evans.
HAROLD G. KAYLOR, treasurer and business manager of the Journal Company, and associate editor of the Johnstown Journal, is a descendant of an old and honorable family which traces back to good old German stock. The first member of the family to emigrate to America settled in Pennsylvania in 1765.
(I) Peter Kaylor, great-grandfather of Harold G. Kaylor and the founder of the family in this country, emigrated from Germany in 1765. He served with honor in the war of the Revolution under Washington, and at the battle of Brandywine was close to La Fayette at the time that officer was wounded, and to his dying day was proud of the fact that he had helped to carry La Fayette off the field. At the close of the War of Independence Peter Kaylor settled in Adams county, not far from Gettysburg. His children were: 1. Peter, who came to Cambria county in 1799, having followed Prince Gallitzin when that pioneer priest came to Loretto. He settled about two miles from Loretto, at what is now known as Kaylor Station, and married Catharine Adams, a member of the family in honor of whom Adams county received its name. 2. Jacob. of whom later. 3. Helen.
(II) Jacob Kaylor, second son of Peter Kaylor (1), also settled near Loretto, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. He married Catharine Me- Connell, one of a family of twelve children who had been brought up under the protection of Prince Gallitzin, and they had twelve children, of whom one was named James J.
(III) James J. Kaylor, one of the younger children of Jacob (2) and Catharine (McConnell) Kaylor, was born in 1826. He was the only one of the family who remained in that section of the country. Although educational facilities were most conspicuous by their absence in those early days, yet he was so ambitious and studions and made such excellent use of the few opportunities that came to him that he succeed- ed in acquiring a considerable and valuable store of knowledge, which he utilized to the best advantage throughout his life. He purchased a farm, and taught school for a number of years in order to earn money to pay for it. He accumulated a library of which anyone even in these days might well be proud. Shortly after his marriage he was appointed steward of the County Home, a position which he filled with honor and credit for a period of ten years. He then returned to his farm and devoted the remainder of his life to the education of his children and the cultivation of his land. He refused all public office except that of school director, which he held for many years, and died in 1894. He married, September 2, 1856, Cecelia E. Burke, of Wilmore, and they had children, among whom was Harold G.
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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
(IV) Harold G. Kaylor, son of James J. (3) and Cecelia E. (Burke) Kaylor, was born at the County Home of Cambria county, Penn- sylvania, April 16, 1867. He was reared on the old homestead and his home life was a model one, where education and intelligence were re- garded as the choicest blessings of life, but this quiet atmosphere was unsuited to his temperament and he longed for a wider field of action. When but seventeen years of age he taught school for two years, and then attended college for four years, acquiring a classical education. After leaving college he commenced his business career as a canvasser for a Pittsburg newspaper, an occupation at which, as in all others to which he turned his attention, he was very successful, and which he fol- lowed for about two years. He started in business in Johnstown in 1892, having purchased for the sum of five hundred dollars all of the news- paper agencies in the city, and these he combined. While developing this business he conducted a book and stationery store, and this combination, which proved very profitable, continued for ten years. In the meantime he had acquired control of the newspaper agencies in Altoona and all the intermediate towns, and thus formed the largest newspaper agency in Pennsylvania. Mr. Kaylor sold this news agency in 1902 and purchased the Johnstown Book Store, the oldest concern in the city, and this he managed in connection with his larger establishment on Washington street. In 1903, although at that time conducting the two largest book and stationary stores in Johnstown, he formed a business association with his brother, R. J. Kaylor, of Ebensburg, who was then editor of the Cambria Tribune, and Harry M. Benshoff, a well known local printer, known as the Journal Company, for the publication of a new daily news- paper. the Johnstown Journal. Mr. Kaylor is the largest individual stock- holder in this corporation. He has been the treasurer and business manager ever since incorporation. The Johnstown Journal is now recognized as one of the leading papers of the city, and much of its prosperity and suc- cess is due to Mr. Kaylor's energy and capacity for hard work. His ambition and business acumen have been rewarded by considerable worldly wealth, and he is interested in a number of other corporations in Johns- down. He lives in an elegant home on Westmont, the choicest residence suburb of the city. He was married September 18, 1894, to Miss Margaret Cronin, and they have five children, who are all living.
Mr. Kaylor is justly regarded as one of Johnstown's most progressive and successful self-made men. He is first, last and all the time, a worker and when asked for the secret of his success replied: "A good home train- ing as a foundation to build upon, and then persistent hard work. Be- ing smart doesn't count. It is perseverance that wins."
FRANK T. CARNEY, who fills with efficiency the onerons and re- sponsible position of superintendent of the police and fire department of the Cambria Steel Company, is one of the well known residents of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, and is a representative of a family which traces its ancestry to Ireland.
John Carney, grandfather of Frank T. Carney, was a farmer by occupation. . He married Bridget Devaney and had children: Thomas. married Catherine Kagen. John P .. see forward. Patrick, married Mary Mechan. Lawrence, married Jane Murphy and emigrated to America. settling in California, where he died. August 12. 1904. Julia, married Michael Riley. Katherine, married Thomas Waldron. Bridget, married Michael Canfield.
John P. Carney, second son and child of John and Bridget (Devaney)
543
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA .COUNTY.
Carney, was born in the parish of Onah, county Mayo, Ireland, January 6, 1812. He emigrated to the United States, and after residing for some time in Boston, Massachusetts, removed to Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, which city he thought he would make his perm- anent home. He was engaged for a time as an ore digger at the mines at the old Ray furnace, and then removed to Westmorland county, Pennsyl- vania, where he purchased a farm in the vicinity of New Florence, and spent forty years of his life in farming. His death occurred February 24, 1901, and his remains were interred at the cemetery of St. John's Catholic Church, at Geistown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. He mar- ried, about 1850, Ellen Keley, and they had children : John, died in child- hood. Margaret, born April 1, 1855, died September 2, 1904; she was a teacher in the public schools. Frank T., see forward. Mary E., born January 2, 1861, married Peter Dowling. James Lawrence, born Angust 12, 1863, died September 10, 1904. He married Laura Brown and had children : Mary G., Laura E. and Ellen M. John Henry, twin of James Lawrence, is now (190?) living with his family in Bradenville, West- moreland county, Pennsylvania. He married Loretta Fisher, and they have had children : Peter H. and Mary G.
Frank T. Carney, third child and second and eldest surviving son of John P. and Ellen (Keley) Carney, was born in Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, December 2, 1856. He received a good and practical education in the publie schools of his native city, and his first step in his business career was to enter the employ of the Cambria Iron Company, with which he was connected until the great flood of 1889. He was then appointed to the police force, September 16, 1890, by Mayor Rose, the first mayor of the city after its incorporation. Ten years Jater he resigned this position in order to accept that of superintendent of the police and fire department of the Cambria Steel Works, an office which he is filling so capably at the present time. Mr. Carney has an enviable reputation for faithfulness to the interests of his employers, and conscientious discharge of the manifold duties which fall to his share. These qualities, united with a remarkable degree of executive ability, make him in truth the right man in the right place. He is a stanch sup- porter of the Democratic party, and a consistent member of the Catholic church.
Mr. Carney married, January 12, 1897, Mary McNeelis, daughter of Edward and Ann ( McCool) MeNeelis, both of Irish descent, and they have children : Francis T., born September 21, 1898. John R., January 24, 1901. Charles J., May 29, 1903. James L., September 19: 1905.
FRANK S. LEWIS, one of the most prominent retail business men in the city of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, is a representa- tive of a family whose carlier members came to this country from Wales many generations ago.
Albert Lewis, grandfather of Frank S. Lewis, married and was the father of children: 1. Wilson, engaged in the hotel business at New Alexandria. He married (first ) Kull, (second )- Thomp- son. 2. Harriet. 3. John, see forward. 4. Albert, deceased. 5. Belle, married William Griffith.
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