USA > Pennsylvania > Cambria County > History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III > Part 84
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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
teacher in the public schools of Johnstown. James. Frank, an electrical engineer, residing in Pittsburg.
Thomas Barnes, third child and second and eldest surviving son of James and Harriet (McDowell) Barnes, was born in Johnstown. Cam- Iria county, Pennsylvania, Angust 5, 1869. He was educated in the pub- lic schools of his native city, and upon the completion of his education accepted a position with the Cambria Steel Company, in whose employ he remained until he was nineteen years of age. He then learned the trade of plumbing in the business of F. B. Ringler, and at the expiration of his apprenticeship went to work for the Cambria Supply Company, under . the management of J. H. Waters. He was faithful in the discharge of his duties for this company until 1894. when he became a member of the firm of the Cambria Plumbing Company, located at No. 640 Franklin street, Johnstown. He is one of the most enterprising and progressive business men of Johnstown, and takes an active and intelligent interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, and he is a member of the Lutheran church.
JOHN B. REED. There are always pioneers in the settlement of any new country or in the development of any branch of industry, and to John B. Reed must be ascribed the honor of being in the vanguard of op- erators at the now enterprising borough of Bakerton, Pennsylvania. He began his operations at that point in the development of the coal industry, in 1892, shipping his first car load of coal, December 12. of that year. Mr. Reed was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, January 24, 1857, son of J. J. and Ellen (Bradley) Reed, both natives of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and of good old Quaker stock.
John B. Reed was educated at the West Chester State Normal school, and soon after leaving school he embarked in the coal business. first in Broad Top mines, Huntingdon county, and subsequently in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania. Still later he operated in Cambria county, where he has come to be very prominent in mining and general business enter- prises. In all he has been connected with the opening of eight mines. four of which are in active operation today (1906). When in full capacity they run out three thousand tons of coal per day, shipping to eastern mar- kets. The product of these mines is of a superior quality, and the mines are equipped with the latest appliances, including electric machines. The veins are from three feet to three feet and ten inches in thickness and is graded into two classes -- grade "B" and grade "D." The coal bearing area of this field extends over 3500 acres.
When Mr. Reed came to this section for the purpose of mining coal. he was the pioneer in the business in that section, and Hastings was the nearest point of operation. When Mr. Reed located in that vicinity it was all a wilderness, but with the passing years the stir and bustle brought into play by the forces set at work through the energy of Mr. Reed all has been transformed. Where then was but the mountain side as nature had left it. now may be seen a thriving modern town. with all that goes to make life desirable. The work of delving into the hidden treasures -- the rich coal deposit-has brought into existence many great industries, aside from mining itself. The present population of Bakerton is 3500, and steadily growing. The mining industry has been under the direct management of Mr. Reed, but the Elmore Coal Company was the style of the corpora- tion for the first seven years. after which the company materially enlarged its operations and changed the name to the Sterling Coal Company.
THE NEW YORK DUEL/ LIBRARY
Astor, Lenox and I don Four ations 1909
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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Aside from his mining activities, Mr. Reed was one of the organizers of the Bakerton Water Company, of which he is one of the directors; also the Bakerton Land & Improvement Company. He is the vice-president of the Spangler National Bank and was one of its organizers. He is a stock- holder and director in the Indiana Land & Improvement Company, which company owns twenty-eight hundred acres of coal land in Indiana county and one thousand acres in Cambria county. The operations of this com- pany are now carried on in Indiana county. Mr. Reed is interested in coal lands in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, thus being connected with a vast coal land and rich mining district, his future prosperity is assured. He is the general superintendent of the Sterling Coal Company, which does an extensive business. Being a thoroughly modern man, and of the social type, he most naturally found a membership in the Masonic order; he is of the Huntingdon Lodge, No. 300, F. and A. M .; Chapter No. 201 of the same place and Commandery No. 65, Knights Templar, at Huntingdon.
In his domestic relations Mr. Reed is happily situated, having been united in marriage, in 1883, to Ida Black, daughter of John W. Black and wife. This union has been blessed by one daughter, Jessie, born July 11, 1888. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, although Mr. Reed still cherishes the plain and holy faith of his forefathers, who were of the Quaker or Friends Society, the early influence of which moulded his spiritual life and religious opinions to a large degree. Being broad-mind- ed and liberal, he saw the needs of the town he helped to found, and through his efforts was erected the commodious Methodist church and parsonage at Bakerton. In all that tends to build up the moral, intellec- tual and religions element of the place, Mr. Reed is foremost as a ready, willing helper. As a business man, a good citizen and progressive char- acter, he stands out as a model. While he has accumulated wealth, by le- gitimate methods, he ever lends a helping hand to further on the welfare of his fellowmen. While other operators have much trouble, at times, with their employes, he, by reason of his fair-mindedness, seldom meets such difficulties, believing as he does in the Golden Rule.
CHARLES SCHENKEMEYER, proprietor of the Johnstown Gran- ite and Marble Works, was born May 22, 1855, in Hanover, Germany, where his ancestors had lived for generations. His father, Carl Schenke- meyer, followed the calling of a butcher. He served seventeen years in the German army, part of the time as a substitute, and took part in the wars with Austria and Denmark. After his long period of military serv- ice he returned to his trade, which he followed until his death. Carl Schenkemeyer married Julia Schenkemeyer. and the following children were born to them : Charles, Henry, Lena. Wilhelmnina. Doretto, Louisa and Conrad. All married, and with the exception of Charles, remained in Germany. The mother of the family still survives at the age of seventy-eight.
Charles Schenkemeyer. son of Carl and Julia (Schenkemeyer) Schenkemeyer, attended the schools of his native place until the age of fourteen, and then learned the bricklayer's trade. which he afterward fol- lowed. In 1883 he emigrated to the United States, landing in Philadel- phia, May 21, and going thence to Johnstown. He there found employ- ment at his trade with the Cambria Steel Company, with whom he re- mained until 1887. He then established himself in a general contract business, which he continued until three years ago, when he founded the Johnstown Granite and Marble Works. He has done stone work on buildings of Johnstown. also the public library, which was destroyed by
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
the flood. six or seven churches, the Cambria brewery, the Colonel Davis building in Ebensburg, the South Fork schoolhouse and church in Gal- litzin, etc. He also did stone work on the Windber schoolhouse, the First National Bank of Windber and a church in the same place. He has now in process of erection a schoolhouse of twelve rooms in the eighteenth ward. one of six rooms in the seventh ward. and is also doing the marble and granite work for the new Swank Hardware Company building and the marble work for St. Casimir church, Cambria City. He recently completed the foundation of St. Joseph's parochial school building.
Mr. Schenkemever married, August 25. 1875, in Essen, Germany ; Gertrude, born in 1859, in Rhine province of Prussia, daughter of Fred- erick Wertz. and their children are: Louis, married Mand James, and re- sides in Johnstown. Wilhelm, of Johnstown, married Daisy Shannan. Mary, married June 29, 1905, Edward C., son of Jonas and Elizabeth (Marsh) Dull, the former a native of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of London, England. Edward C. Dull was born Angust 11. 1845, in Alliance, Ohio, and when four years old was brought by his par- ents to Johnstown, where he has since lived. Gertrude. Edward. Min- nie. Charles. Freda. Emma. Helen. Edith.
NATHAN S. GARRETSON. who has been prominently identified with the public interests of Johnstown. Cambria county, Pennsylvania. and who is highly esteemed in business circles in that city, owner of a tin- smithing store at No. 738 Bedford street, is a representative of a family which has resided in Pennsylvania for a number of generations, and which has been ably represented in the defense of the rights of the coun- try.
Nathan Garretson, grandfather of Nathan S. Garretson, was one of the early settlers of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and followed the oc- cnpation of farming. He married Mary Penrose, and had children as fol- lows: Rebecca. Content, married Hiram Blackburn. Margaret, married Daniel Callithan. Josiah P., see forward. Benjamin, who served with bravery in the Union army during the Civil war and lost his life in battle. Sophie, married David Wyant. Sarah E., married George Lingerfelter.
Josiah P. Garretson, fourth child and eldest son of Nathan and Mary ( Penrose) Garretson, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1840. There he received his education and was apprenticed to learn the trade of shoemaking, an occupation he followed for the greater part of his life. During his later years he purchased a farm of more than one hundred acres which he cultivated until his death, December, 1888. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company H, Fifty-fifth Regiment. Pennsylvania Volunteers, served three years, and was actively engaged in some of the most important engagements of the war. Upon the conclu- sion of his term of service he was honorably discharged. He was always a strong advocate of the principles of the Republican party and an active worker in its behalf. He married, February 2, 1868. Arabella Gates. born July 3, 1841, daughter of Henry Gates, and they had children: 1. William Henry, born October 27, 1868, married Loretta Lewis, and had children : Twylla, Thelma. Dwite and Roselea. 2. Samuel Benjamin. born June 26. 18:1, married Katie Kaltenbaugh, and had one child, Ara- bella Beatrice. 3. Nathan S., see forward. 4. George W., born June 27, 1815. married Elsie Waters, and had one child, Anabella. 5. John B., born March 3, 1877, married Mabel Gross. and had one child, Ardelle Ver- non. 6. Charles P., born May 1. 1880. married Pearl Coleman. ?. Thomas E., born September 1. 1884.
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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Nathan . S. Garretson, third son and child of Josiah P. and Arabella (Gates) Garretson, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, April ?, 1843. His very early years were spent in his native township, but he was educated in the Soldiers' Orphan School, at Mount Joy, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He was apprenticed to learn the trade of tinsmithing with the firm of F. A. Joy & Sons, for whom he worked eleven years in all. He then established himself in business, April 15, 1901, at the address men- tioned in the beginning of this sketch, and the reliability of his work has enabled him to build up an exceedingly profitable patronage. He is pro- gressive and enterprising in his manner of conducting his business, and has executed many important commissions. Among them may be men- tioned the making and assisting in placing the box which was put into the cornerstone of the Trinity Lutheran Church, at the corner of Pine and Poplar streets, when that building was erected. He has been a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and was a member of the common council of the borough from 1902 until 1905. He is a member of the Society of American Mechanics.
Mr. Garretson married, 1894, Nellie Oldham, born February 12, 18:5, daughter of Jethro and Sarah (Border) Oldham, the former one of the oldest employes of the Cambria Steel Company, having been in their em- ploy for the long period of forty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Garretson have had children : Edgar Lloyd, born January 3, 1894. Albert J., born April 13, 1896. Clifford B., born November 23, 1900.
GEORGE FIIG, vice-president of the corporation of Woolf & Reynolds, having charge of the clothing department of this well-known concern, is the son of George and Elizabeth (Schwing) Fiig, and his birth occurred November 6, 1874, at Johnstown. The father was a heater in the steel mill of the Cambria Steel Company, he having been with that corporation over thirty years.
George Fiig, Jr., obtained a common school education at Johns- town, in the public and parochial schools. When he was sixteen years of age he commenced to work for E. C. Lorentz, in the shoe business. He remained with him, however, not more than three months, when he was engaged in the same line by J. D. Edwards, with whom he re- mained nntil the great flood of 1889, after which he accompanied his employer to Wilmerding, Pennsylvania, and soon they removed to Pitts- burg, where Mr. Edwards failed in business. Mr. Fiig then returned to Johnstown, entering the service of L. M. Woolf & Son as a clerk. He remained through the retirement of the elder Woolf, and the admis- sion of T. E. Reynolds to the firm, in 1899, known as Woolf & Reynolds, and in February, 1903, when the business was incorporated, Mr. Fiig became vice-president. He is an independent voter. He is an active member of the German Lutheran church, and has served as assistant secretary in the Sunday school. He is a member of Linton Lodge, No. 451. Knights of Pythias, and Cambria Lodge, No. 278, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, at Johnstown.
Mr. Fiig married, June 14, 1905, Harriet Enos Gibson, of Altoona, Pennsylvania. Mr. Gibson was a cabinet maker. He died, but his widow is still living at Altoona, where Mrs. Fiig was born.
HARRY A. HOFFMAN, a prosperous business man of Johnstown. Cambria county, Pennsylvania, is a member of a family many of whom perished in the great flood of May 31. 1889, which carried death and devastation in its path.
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THISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Joseph Hoffman; grandfather of Harry A. Hoffman, was a resident of Davidsville, Somerset county. Pennsylvania, where he died at the age of ninety years. He married and among his children was Benja- min F.
Benjamin F. Hoffman, son of Joseph Hoffman, was born in Davids- ville, Somerset county, 1832. He was a man of varied pursuits. He went to California in 1849, being one of the pioneers in that field. After some years he returned to Pennsylvania and was engaged as a bridge builder in the employ of the Keystone Bridge Company, of Pittsburg. Pennsylvania. He then became a mail messenger, and was thus occupied for thirty years. He established the Hoffman Transfer Company in 1856. in what was then the village of Johnstown, and conducted this business very sueeessfully until his death, which occurred at the time of the Johnstown flood, May 31, 1889. He also operated a line of (five- cent fare) omnibuses between the upper end of Woodvale (now the Eleventh ward) and the lower end of Cambria city (now the Sixteenth ward), being the pioneer in the street car service of this eity. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and was greatly respected and esteemed by all in the community. He married, in the spring of 1867, - Mary Marsh, born in New York city, 1847. When very small she was taken to Gallitzin. Cambria county, Pennsylvania, by her unele, who raised her. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman: Harry A., see for- ward. William W., married Alice Baker. Bertha, deceased. Minnie, deceased. Frank, unmarried. Marion, deceased. Joseph, deceased. Florence, deceased. Helen, deceased. Freda, deceased. A child who died in infaney. Of these children, Joseph, Bertha, Minnie, Marion, Florence, Helen and Freda perished in the great flood.
Harry A. Hoffman, eldest child of Benjamin F. and Mary ( Marsh) Hoffman, was born in Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, De- eember 29, 1867. He was educated in the common schools of Johnstown, and upon leaving school entered the business of his father, the Hoffinan Transfer Company, and thus obtained a thorough and practical knowl- edge of its workings. Since the death of his father he has conducted the business alone, and under his able management it has prospered and grown to vast proportions. IIe has been mail messenger for the past eighteen years. He is very popular socially, as well as enjoying an enviable reputation in business eireles. He is a eharter member of Linton Lodge, No. 451, Knights of Pythias, and is a trustee of Johns- town Lodge. No. 175, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
JOHN HENDERSON, a valuable citizen of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, and the pioneer in the embalming business in the smaller towns of the state, is a representative of a well-known family of Cambria county, Pennsylvania. which came originally from Ireland.
William Henderson, father of John Henderson, was born in Ire- land, and was one of three children. the other two being Samuel and Robert, both unmarried. William Henderson was engaged in the oecn- pation of farming. He married Mary Mahon, and their children were: Eliza, John (of whom later), William M., Samuel, Robert M., Joseph and George.
John Henderson, second child and eldest son of William and Mary (Mahon) Henderson, was born in Ireland. August 1, 1849. He received a common school education. and in 1866 emigrated to the United States. HIe learned the cabinetmaking trade with William Orr & Son, and in 1870 located in Blairsville and engaged in the furniture and under-
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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
taking business. In 1874 he returned to Johnstown, purchased the establishment of B. F. Orr and conducted a successful undertaking busi- ness for four years, when he again added the furniture business to his establishment, and in 1881 admitted John G. Alexander into partner. ship, the business being conducted under the style of Henderson & Alexander until the flood of 1889, when Mr. Alexander was drowned Subsequently Mr. Henderson again engaged in the undertaking busj- ness, which he has continued continuously since, his efforts meeting with a well-deserved success. His business was destroyed by fire in 1891, and again in March, 1906. His establishment is conducted af No. 632 Main street. It is fitted up in the most complete and elaborate manner, having every appliance and improvement which modern in- genuity has devised. He was the first person outside of the large cities to take up embalming, and for many years Johnstown had the only embalming establishment in western Pennsylvania, with the exception of those located in Pittsburg. He has been enterprising, progressive, systematic and consequently successful. He is a director in the Johns- town Trust Company and trustee of Johnstown Savings Bank and Citi- zens' Cemetery Association.
Mr. Henderson married, September 4, 1874, Mary C. Alexander, daughter of James and Martha Alexander.
JACOB GRUBER. who has been closely identified with the business interest of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, as a builder and contractor for many years, and who has a high standing in the com- munity, is a representative of an old family of that name who emi- grated to this country.
Matthias Gruber, father of Jacob Gruber, was born in Germany, and emigrated to the United States about 1850. He settled in Hagers- town, Maryland, where he lived for some time, and then removed to Cumberland in the same state. He had learned the trade of stone masonry and brick laying in his native country, and when he came to this country took up this occupation and followed it for a number of years. He was an expert in his line of business, and was one of the first to be engaged in the construction of the locks on the Chesapeake & Ohio canal. Later he held the position of foreman in the construction of the Cumberland viaduct. About this time he determined to make Cumberland his permanent home, and there engaged in the building and contracting business, which undertaking was followed by such a measure of success that at the time of his death he was the owner of a considerable amount of valuable property. He was twice married. His first wife bore him children : Mary, married Conrad Zimmerman. Christina, married George Blaising. Margaret, married John Raywalt. His second wife, Minnie Gruber, bore him children: Jacob, see for- ward. William, married Maryetta MeClelland. Henry, married Sophie Stunt. Catherine, married C. Dory Cook. Minnie, married Michael Schertżer.
Jacob Gruber, eldest child of Matthias and Minnie Gruber, was born in Cumberland, Maryland, December 25, 1852. His early years were spent in his native town, where he was educated in the German Lutheran and public schools, and upon the completion of his education he learned the trade of bricklaying under the able supervision of his father. He was engaged in this line of work until he removed to Johns- town. Cambria county, Pennsylvania, in 1878, when he started in busi- ness for himself as a builder and contractor. His energy, enterprise
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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
and reliable workmanship have of necessity made this a successful undertaking for him. He has erected many of the finest private resi- dences in the city, among them that of Dr. Larshan; and among the business and publie structures may be mentioned: Cambria Library, Turner Hall. Young Men's Christian Association building, Johnstown Opera House. Hannan and Wolf blocks, the new power house of the Johnstown Passenger Railway Company, and many others. Mr. Gruber entertains liberal views in politics, with a leaning toward the Prohibi- tion party, and is an independent voter. In religious matters he is a consistent member of the English Lutheran church.
Mr. Gruber married (first), May 27, 1878, Mattie J. Province. daughter of David Province, of Geneva. Fayette county, Pennsylvania. He married (second), July 11, 1901, Annie Fredericks, daughter of William H. and Anna ( Easter) Fredericks, of Johnstown, and has one child. Jacob, Jr., born December 4, 1902.
WESLEY A. ADAMS, a business man of Johnstown, whose suc- cess has been due to his own unaided efforts, and the exercise of pru- denee, energy and perseverance. was born in Somerset township, Somer- set county, Pennsylvania, November 23, 1853.
Adam Adams, grandfather of Wesley A. Adams, was a descendant of a Germany ancestry. Prior to the revolutionary war he settled on what is known as the Adams farm, and throughout the active years of his life followed the occupation of farming. Adam Adams died at the advanced age of eighty-six years.
Daniel Adams, youngest son of Adam Adams, attended the com- mon schools in the neighborhood of his home. and chose farming as an occupation, thereby following in the footsteps of his forefathers. He was a member of the Protestant English Lutheran church, and served as reader of the Lutheran Observer of Philadelphia for sixty years. He cast his vote for the candidates of the Democratic party, using his influence to further their interests. He married Catherine Seibert, granddaughter of --- Seibert, who was a revolutionary soldier. and also a soldier in the Indian wars, was captured by the Indians, but having black eyes and black hair, found grace and afterward escaped.
Wesley A. Adams, son of Daniel and Catherine (Seibert) Adams, attended the public school. Normal School, Somerset, Pennsylvania and Brethren College, Huntingdon. Pennsylvania. For a number of years following the completion of his studies he devoted his attention to farul- ing. He then accepted a position as teacher in the public schools, hav- ing secured a professional certificate, in which capacity he served for twelve years. He then accepted a clerkship in the store of S. A. Co- baugh, in Johnstown, and after a service of eight years purchased the grocery department of the establishment, which he has condneted ever since, making of it both a profitable and pleasant vocation. He is now located in the new fireproof building on the corner of Franklin and Somerset streets, and his store is well stocked with a full line of fancy and staple groceries. He has the patronage of the best people in that section of the city. In business and private life Mr. Adams has borne himself above reproach, and by his ability and manly traits of char- acter has won an enviable respect and popularity. He is an active and zealous worker in the Brethren church, serving for many years as elder in the same, and giving of his time and substance to its maintenance and advancement. He is a Republican in politics.
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