USA > Pennsylvania > Cambria County > History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III > Part 80
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Harvey B. Frye. Jr., third son and youngest child of Harvey B. and Ellen (Kitts) Frye, was born in Fayette City. Favette county, Penn- sylvania, August 16, 1873. He was the recipient of a good education, and then commenced his business career by engaging in the coal industry.
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He was connetted with the firm of John A. Wood & Sons, of Pittsburg. for three years: then with the Eastern Division of the Pennsylvania Company for several years. until 1893, when he came to Johnstown, where he has since been located. He entered the employ of the John- son Company, and The Lorain Steel Company as an assistant in the order department. Here his faithful performance of the duties which his position entailed, and his reliability and attention to all details of the work, however minute and trifling they might appear, has brought him a well earned reward, and he has now for some time been chief of the order department, to the great satisfaction of the officials connected with the company. His unvarying cheerfulness and readiness to assist those associated with him in business have won for him a host of friends. He is a member of the Christian church, and supporter of the Repub- lican party.
JOHN HENRY YOUNG. for many years identified with the meat business in the state of Pennsylvania. and a well known citizen of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, is a member of the third generation of his family in this country, they tracing their ancestry to France. His great grandfather was a native of France, and removed to Amsterdam, Holland. He was at one time a soldier in the army of the great Napoleon.
John Young, grandfather of John Henry Young, emigrated to Amer- ica from Baden, Germany. He settled in Marietta. Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in the meat business for many years. He was twice married. The children of the first union were: John, Dan- iel, Henry, Jacob, Benjamin. Susan and Samuel. His second wife was Catherine (Faas) Young, and their children were: Abraham, David, Emanuel, see forward : Simon and Harriet.
Emanuel Young, father of John Henry Young, was born at Marietta. Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. July 19, 1826. He received his educa- tion in the schools of his native township, and was working for Samuel Faas, his mother's father, when his father died. At the age of sixteen vears he went to work for Henry Musser in the butchering business in Marietta, and at the age of nineteen years he went to work for Mr. Wike at Columbia. Pennsylvania. When he was twenty-one he left Columbia and started for the west by stage, which was in 1847. When near Stoyes- town the stage stuck in a snowdrift, the passengers shoveled their way out and reached Stovestown for supper. They were tired out and left the stage. The landlord advised Mr. Young to go to Johnstown and go from there by boat on the canal to Pittsburg. The landlord brought him to Johnstown and when they arrived they found the canal frozen up and the boats could not run for two or three weeks, so he went to work for Thomas Sharp at butchering. He worked for Mr. Sharp a short time and con- cluded to go into business for himself, selling pork, pudding and sausage. This was the first time pudding and sausage had been made in this sec- tion, so it did not meet with ready sale and he gave most of it away, tell- ing his customers if they liked it they should come around the next mar- ket day. He killed more hogs for the next market and sold all of it for cash. this being the first market in Johnstown where you could buy pud- ding and sausage. From 1848 to 1850 he was engaged in business with Frederick Tesh, their slaughtery being on the "Island." On July 4, 1850. he and George Spangler formed a partnership, their slaughtery being in the rear of Dibert's tannery. on Somerset street. From 1853 to 1855 he and James McMillen were in partnership. Their market was on the old
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Lock. In 1855 he went into business for himself on Lincoln street, and subsequently built a slaughtery on the lot on which the old homestead is situated on Franklin street, which he built in 1856. and in the basement of which he established the first daily meat market in Johnstown, in 1862. On August 26, 1863, he was employed as foreman of Wood, Morrell & Co.'s meat department. He remained an efficient worker in that capacity until his death in 1892. He was an expert in selecting stock and was widely known by stock dealers as such.
On August 26, 1849, he was married to Sarah A. Layton, born July 10, 1830, daughter of Henry and Helena Pretsman Layton. Her father came from Germany and was squire on the "Island" at the time of her marriage. Her parents had moved to Johnstown in 1833 from Green- castle. in covered wagons. Mr. and Mrs. Young had the following chil- dren : Lorenzo, died in infancy ; John H .; Harriet, married W. A. Stew- art : Catherine and Mollie, died in childhood ; Milton. B., married Abbie Mackin ; Annie, married Jacob Murdock; Lizzie, twin sister of Annie. married Gomer Walters: Grace: Mary, married Herbert Darling, de- ceased : Edith L., married James Piper ; George, died in childhood.
John Henry Young, second son of Emanuel and Sarah A. (Layton) Young, was born in Johnstown. December 12, 1851. His education was acquired in the public schools of that city, and in March, 1864, he entered the employ of Wood, Morrell & Co. in the feed and vegetable department. In 1867 he entered the meat department, remaining there until the year 1844, when he went to Somerset, Pennsylvania, and opened the first meat market in that town, meeting with success, but in 1877 he disposed of the business there to engage in business in Pittsburg in association with Jo- seph and George Berry. At the expiration of two years he disposed of his business there, intending to locate in California, but on reaching Johns- town was induced by Mr. James McMillen, the general manager of Wood, Morrell & Co., to return to work for that company, and remained with them until 1902, making in all thirty-three years of service for them. The following year he purchased the business at 98 Walnut street, where he has since been conducting a very profitable business. He has an excellent reputation in the business circles of the city, and his stoek is unexcelled in Johnstown. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, and he is an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in whose interest he has been an active worker and is at present its financial secretary. He is also a member of Cambria Lodge, No. 278, Free and Accepted Masons.
June 21, 1883, Mr. Young married Alice Wisegarver, daughter of John and Mary (Slick) Wisegarver, and their children are: Florence, Emanuel and Laura.
DAVID GRIFFITH, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, is a representative of a family. many generations of which have lived in this state.
William Griffith, great-grandfather of David Griffith, was born in the vicinity of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He removed to Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and there engaged in agriculture.
Jesse Griffith, son of William Griffith, was born on the homestead farm. He was engaged in farming and lumbering during his entire active life, and in addition to this carries on an extensive brokerage business and conducted a general store. This store was located at Jenner Cross Roads, on the Chambersburg and Pittsburg pike, and was the favorite stopping place in those days of the teamsters and all who had occasion to travel that
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road. He removed to Jenner Cross Roads, Jenner township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and lived to the age of seventy-eight years. He and his wife were members of the Quaker faith, and in politics he was an Old Line Whig. He married Lydia Connelly and they had children : 1. William, see forward. 2. Allan, conducted a store and tavern at Jenner Cross Roads, where he died. He married Polly Shaffer. 3. Samuel, was elected Sheriff of Somerset county, and died while in office. He married Betsey Helligas. 4. Jehu, removed from the home farm to the vicinity of Ligonier, Pennsylvania, where he died.
William Griffith, eldest child of Jesse and Lydia (Connelly) Griffith, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and when a very young lad was taken to Somerset county and raised on the homestead farm. His education was acquired in the old subscription schools. He was familiarly known as "Baptist Billy" to distinguish him from the Williams in the other branches of this family, who all bore some title to distinguish them from each other, as: "New Years Billy;" "Tobacco Billy," engaged in raising tobacco; "Brick House Billy," owner of the only brick house in the place; etc. William Griffith inherited one of the farms of his father in Jenner township, to which he made many additions, and was one of the largest land owners in that section. He was engaged in farming and lumbering all his life. and died on his farm in Jenner township, in 1898, at the age of ninety-three years. He was a lifelong member of the Free Will Baptist church, and a local preacher of renown. He held a place in the respect of the community, and his counsel was sought far and near. He was at first an Old Line Whig, but later joined the ranks of the Re- publican party. He married (first) Susan Cable, born in Jenner town- ship, daughter of Joseph and Barbara Cable, and their children were: 1. David, see forward. 2. Priscilla, married Jack Snyder and removed to California. 3. Leah, married Edward Walker, who drafted the first map of Somerset county. She died in Chicago, Illinois, in 1904. 4. Newton, resides in Jackson, Mississippi, married Jennie Bricker. Mr. Griffith married (second) Mrs. Sarah Mangiss, who was a widow, and they had children: 1. Sidney, married Josiah Griffith, of Jenner township Cross Roads. 2. Albonnes, resides in the state of New York. 3. Caroline, married Rev. Sisney, a preacher in Lincoln, Nebraska. 4. Eva, unmar- ried, resides at Windber.
David Griffith, eldest child of William and Susan (Cable) Griffith, was born on the family homestead, in Jenner township. July 2, 1827. His earliest education was obtained in the old subscription school, which was a log building furnished with several benches, and three miles from his home. This he attended during the session which consisted of three months in each year. The first teacher. Mr. Reese, of Philadelphia, lodged and took his meals in the school building, the farmers being obliged to take it in turn to supply him with sufficient food. He had a favorite ex- pression-"Jiminy-Pat"-and became known throughout the region as "Jiminy-Pat." the schoolmaster. These school days were precious breaks in the monotony of the country life of that time. The nearest doctor was fifteen miles away. A violent epidemic of smallpox broke out in this sec- tion, and between fifty and sixty persons were afflicted with this dreadful disease. Not one case had a fatal termination. they being all cured by the simple home remedies in which the people of those days were expert. After the second marriage of his father, Mr. Griffith, in 1850, with a cousin- Jesse Griffith-and several other adventurous spirits, set out for the gold fields of California. They crossed Pennsylvania, Ohio and Missouri on the way, bought their stock and outfit in St. Joseph, Missouri, and while
THE PUE
ORK LIBRARY
Astor, Lenox and Tliden Foundations. 1909
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traveling still farther west killed buffalo on the way. He remained in the gold fields for four years, was exceedingly successful there, and then re- turned to his home by way of the isthmus. Shortly after his return he engaged in the hotel business at Jenner Cross Roads, the house being pamed the Union Hotel, a name he was obliged to change while the Civil war was in progress. He removed to Johnstown. Cambria county. Penn- sylvania. in 1861, and there rented the old "Merchants' Hotel" for a period of three years, paying one thousand dollars. At the expiration of this period he accepted a position in the converting department of the Cambria Steel Works, remained with them until 1890, at which time he retired from active business life. At the time of the flood of May, 1889, his house was situated on Stony Creek street, but his entire family was saved. He erected his present residence at No. 218 Market street, in 1898. He is the owner of the old homestead in Somerset county, and it has been found that this property is underlaid with rich deposits of coal. He is a member of no church, but adheres to the Quaker faith. He has always given his support to the Republican party.
Mr. Griffith married, 1858, in Somerset. Minnie Parsons, born 1832, daughter of James Parsons, who is a hotel keeper at Somerset, and also runs stage lines between Johnstown, Cumberland, and other points. The children of Mr. and Mrs. David Griffith were: 1. Charles, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. 2. James, foreman in the roll shop of the Cambria Steel Works. He married Kate Shatto. 3. Jennie, married Speck Hermann. died in Johnstown, November, 1906. 4. An- nie, at home. 5. Minnie, at home. 6. Grace, at home. 7. Dr. Will- jam. a dentist, resides with his parents. S. Dorsey, a hotel proprietor at Kerwinsville, Center county, Pennsylvania. Married Mrs. Kate Clark.
JOSEPH BROTZ. deceased, who for a number of years filled very efficiently and capably the position of foreman of the Bessemer depart- ment of the Cambria Steel Works, was a native of Germany, and traced his descent to an honored family of Switzerland.
Pankratz Brotz, father of Joseph Brotz, was born in Zurich, Switzer- land, about the year 1837. He migrated to Germany, where he lived some years, and from thenee emigrated to the United States in 1862, with his wife and family. He made his first home in this country in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the coopering and brewing business with a fair amount of success. After some years residence in that town he removed to Allegheny, where he remained until 1874, when he lo- cated in Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, where he continued the same line of business. He removed his business to Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania, in 1866, and after eight years of active work in that eity re- turned to Johnstown and found employment with the Cambria Steel Company. This position he held until the terrible flood of May. 1889, when he lost his life in that disaster, as did also his wife. He was gen- erally successful in all his business undertakings, and was highly es- teemed for his sterling qualities and upright character. His death was deeply deplored by numerous friends as well as a devoted and loving fam- ily. In politics, he was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. He married Lena Weber, daughter of John Weber, and they had children: 1. Joseph, see forward. 2. Mary, died in early youth. 3. George. died young. 4. Annie, married John Ducoty, now resides in Elyria, Ohio, and has children: Lewis, Annie, and Magdalen. 5. Kate, married Charles Hammer, of Buffalo, New York, and has two children: Charles and Jo-
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seph. 6. Lena, married Vincent Herzog. now deceased, and had one child, Edgar.
Joseph Brotz, eldest child of Pankratz and Lena (Weber) Brotz, was born in Baden. Germany, December 14, 1859. He was but three years of age when he came to the United States with his parents, and his early years were spent in Altoona, Johnstown, and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, his education being acquired in the parochial schools of the last named city. At the age of fifteen years he came to Johnstown, where he sought and found employment with the Cambria Steel Works. He commenced at the very bottom of the ladder, his first work consisting of wheeling coal to the Spiegel furnace. From this lowly beginning he rose, step by step, rap- idly, until he had attained the responsible position of foreman of the Bes- semer Department of the Cambria Steel Works, which he held up to the time of his death. His rapid rise to this position was owing to the faith- ful and conscientious manner in which he discharged even the smallest duty entrusted to his care, and the remarkable executive ability which he displayed on every occasion. He amassed a comfortable fortune, and was the owner of the comfortable and commodious house in which he resided at 5251%, Somerset street. which he purchased in 1892, and valuable prop- erty in the fifth ward of Johnstown. He was a regular attendant at the services of the English Lutheran church, in whose work he took an active interest, and his political affiliations were with the Republican party. He was a member of Johnstown Lodge, No. 175, Benevolent Protective Order Elks; Johnstown Lodge, No. 157, Knights of Pythias: Germania Quartet Club, Johnstown Turnverein, and the Vigilant Fire Company.
Mr. Brotz married, June 4, 1882, Kate Myer, born in Johnstown, September ?, 1859, daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Fuchs) Myer. Christian Myer was born in Germany in 1823, came to America in 1850, and died in 1886. He was one of the best-known and most successful tailors in Johnstown. His first wife bore him children: William, now deceased, who married Caroline Hoger. and had one son, Charles. a teach- er in the Johnstown high school. Elizabeth, married Louis Lucky. Mr. Myers married (second) Elizabeth Fuchs, and they had children: Philip, married Kate Goebert. Kate, married Joseph Brotz, as stated previously. John, married Kate Shaffer. Mary, deceased. Caroline, deceased. An- nie, deceased. Christian, unmarried. Louis, married Martha Helfrich. Mr. and Mrs. Brotz had children: Stella, died in infancy. Christian, machinist, in the employ of the Cambria Steel Company, Johnstown. Jo- seph Brotz died in the Memorial Hospital. February 4, 1907. The fu- neral services were conducted by the Rev. Dr. William Alfred Shipman, assisted by the Rev. Hugo R. Erdmann. Interment was in Grand View cemetery.
CHARLES S. BOYTS was born February 24, 1861, near Somerset, Pennsylvania, on the farm on which his ancestors had resided for genera- tions. Through both his parents he is descended from German progen- itors who were numbered among the pioneers of Somerset county.
Jonathan Boyts, father of Charles S. Boyts, was born on the farm in Somerset county, and received an ordinary district school education. He was brought up on the homestead and made agriculture his life work. Soon after his marriage he settled on a tract of one hundred and fifty-two acres of meadow land, situated in Somerset township. The only building was an old log house to which was attached a barn. also constructed of logs and roofed with straw. He immediately began to clear the land, and
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by his perseverance and energy rendered it in time one of the finest farms in that region. The old house was used as an abode until the erection of a comfortable modern dwelling. In politics he was a life-long Repub- lican.
Jonathan Boyts married Elizabeth, born in Somerset township, Somerset county, daughter of Josiah Snyder, farmer and storekeeper, and their children were: 1. Hiram, during Civil war enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment. Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and died about 1871 from dis- case contracted while in service. He was a schoolmaster. He married (first) Hoffman and (second) - Apple. 2. John, educated in public schools and at college, and taught school many years. Enlisted as private in the One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was made captain. He was wounded in the hand while holding his sword above his head and giving commands to his men. After his return home he served as prothonotary, register and recorder, went to Pittsburg and engaged in stove business and real estate. He helped to build the railroad from Carson to Charferell. He married a- daughter of Edward Skull, and died in Pittsburg. 3. Frank, educated in public schools and college, and both before and after the war was engaged in teaching. Enlisted as private in the One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and was several times wounded. Conducted a general store at Uranius and Connersville. In- vented the mine pipe, now used all over the country, and built a machine shop for its manufacture, where he now employs two hundred and fifty men. Has extensive real estate interests in different cities and is presi- dent of the National Bank of Connellsville. For the last few years he has resided in Washington, District of Columbia. He married, at Ursina, Pennsylvania, Reid. 4. Josiah, resides on farm in Somerset county, married Miller. 5. William, married - Ten Eyck, of Illinois, and died on his farm in Kansas. 6. Charles S., of whom later. Jonathan Boyts, the father of this large family, was a man widely known, loved and respected, and one whose advice on matters of impor- tance was frequently sought by his neighbors. He was a truly religious man, and of extremely domestic tastes, finding his highest earthly pleasure at his own fireside.
Charles S. Boyts, son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Snyder) Boyts, attended the public schools of his native place until the age of eighteen, and remained on the farm with his father until the latter's death. He then moved to Davidsville, where he bought a small farm which he culti- vated for a time with a view to market gardening, but abandoned it on being elected supervisor of roads, a position which he held for three years. At the end of that time, in 1901, he took up his abode in Johns- town, where for two years he was employed in the store of N. B. Swank. He then engaged in mercantile business and opened a meat market, which he now rents to O. H. Thompson. His political principles are those of a stanch Republican. When but twelve years old he joined the English Lutheran church, becoming then a member of the choir, and has since be- longed at different times to the choirs of most of the churches in the places where he has lived. He has always been an ardent, active worker in the church and Sunday school.
Mr. Boyts married, March 12, 1885, in Davidsville, Irene, born in Somerset county, daughter of Henry and Charlotte (Border) Molford, and they have three children: Henry, Dorsey and Edna.
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WILLIAM H. BEILSTEIN, well known in the industrial world of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, is a descendant of German an- cestry and is a representative of the second generation of his family in America. He is a son of John Charles Beilstein, a native of Hesse-Darm- stadt, Germany, born May 10, 1811, died January 25, 1865. He married, May 21, 1841. Christina Crone, born March 21, 1814, died August 30, 1814, and had children: Susan Elizabeth, born March 4, 1842, married February 9, 1860, John E. Fry, born October 4, 183 ;. William H., see forward. John Charles Beilstein was a very devout member of the German Lutheran church.
William Henry Beilstein was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvan- ia, October 11, 1844. His preliminary education was received in the com- mon schools of the township, and he then attended the convent school at Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He was apprenticed to the trade of engineering, and upon completing his apprenticeship obtained a position as engineer. At present (1902) he has charge of a stationary engine, and his services, which are reliable and faithful, are fully appreciated. He attends the Lutheran church, and is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. He is a member of Johnstown Lodge, No. 89, Knights of Pythias, and of the Protected Home Circle.
Mr. Beilstein married, April 28, 1867, Mary Glitsch, born July +, 1850. daughter of Casper and Anne E. (Hoffman) Glitsch, and grand- daughter of Christian and Elizabeth Glitsch, the former born in 1800, died 1891. Casper Glitsch was born in Laundahausa, Hesse-Darmstadt, 1822, died July 24, 1883. He came to America in 1847, was by occupation a machinist. was in the employ of the Cambria Steel Company for thirty- five years, and during this period worked overtime in order to accumulate sufficient capital to purchase land. In his study of English, which he could speak and read with fluency, he made use of an English and German Bible. He voted the Democratic ticket until the breaking out of the Civil war, was a noted politician and widely and favorably known among the leaders of his party. He served in the capacity of school director for many years, being very active in educational matters in Johnstown, and also was a member of the committee for Sandyvale. He was energetic and pro- gressive in spirit and resolute in business purpose, and therefore was num- bered among the most useful of the successful men of affairs in Johns- town. He was an active member of the German Lutheran church. His wife, Anna E. ( Hoffman) Glitsch, daughter of Conrad Hoffman, bore him the following children: Henry, born 1846; Elizabeth, 1848; Mary, 1850, wife of William H. Beilstein; Susan, 1852; Christian G., 1854; Sophia, 1858; Louisa, 1860; Lena J., 1862: Amelia, 1864; George L., 1866; Re- gina, 1869. Children of William H. and Mary (Glitsch) Beilstein were: 1. Laura Christina, born December 18, 1868, married, August 20, 1891, Dr. J. W. Wirt, born April 28, 1861. 2. Charles C., born March 15, 1871; married (first) Ella May Grubb, born October 13, 1873; (second) Helena Newman. Children by first marriage: Mary Jane, born June 7. 1893. died September 15. 1900: Viola Ruth. born April 16. 1895: Lulu Gretchen. born December 18, 1896. 3. Susan E., born December 19. 1873, married. June 22, 1899, Otto Doepfer born February 10, 1828, one child, Arthur, born May 25. 1902.
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