USA > Pennsylvania > Cambria County > History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III > Part 86
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Mr. Woy married Jennie. daughter of Benjamin and Harriet (Shank) Baldwin, and they have been the parents of the following chil- dren: Carrie, wife of J. T. Spangler; one child, Ruth. Charles, mar- ried Sarah Shaffer; one son. Harry. Newton, married Elizabeth Leh- man. Harriet. Gertrude, deceased. Dorothy.
JOHN G. HASSINGER, a valuable and highly-respected citizen of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, is the present representa- tive of a family whose pioneer ancestor came to America at a very early date. He has been active in the public affairs of his town, and his war record is one of which he may well be proud.
John Hassinger, grandfather of John G. Hassinger, was a farmer, and died at the advanced age of ninety-eight years. He married Taylor, and had children : Jacob ; John S., of whom later; Samuel, and Susan.
John S. Hassinger, second son and child of John and (Taylor) Hassinger, was born in 1818. His ocenpation was that of a school teacher, in which he was very successful for a number of years. He abandoned this and opened a feed store, which he conducted until 1872. when he went west and located in Springfield, Missouri, where he died in 1900. He married Martha Musser, and their children were : 'Hiram, killed at Fredericksburg: William : John G., of whom later: a child. who died in infancy; Samuel, Harry, Susan, James, Sadie, Mary. and Clark.
John G. Hassinger. third son and child of John S. and Martha (Musser) Hassinger, was born at Juniata, Center county, Pennsylvania. May 10, 1844. He received a good common school education, and then worked on the homestead farm until he was twenty-one years of age. ITe abandoned farming at this time and went to Johnstown, where he sought and found employment in the Cambria Iron Company's wire mills, where he was occupied for seventeen years. During the past six years he has been the janitor of the Grand Army of the Republic building. and has attended to the duties of that position faithfully and acceptably. He is a member of the Methodist church, and affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of the Emory Fisher Post. No. 30, Grand Army of the Republic, and has filled the following offices
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in it: senior vice-commander, past surgeon, past officer of the day, past officer of the guard, past ordnance sergeant.
Mr. Hassinger married, August 29, 1871, Elizabeth Allison, daugh- ter of John and Rebecca (Oldham) Allison, and they had one child, Mary Martha, deceased.
HIRAM JAMES KENNEDY, one of the public-spirited citizens of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, who has for many years been identified with the interests of the Cambria Steel Company, is a representative of a family which has been prominent in business, social and political circles of the state of Pennsylvania.
James Kennedy, grandfather of Hiram James Kennedy, was for many years a hotel proprietor in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. and was well known far and wide. He married Elizabeth Baker and had children : 1. Hiram, who was a Baptist preacher of renown, and was in active service during the Mexican war, his death occurring in Mexico. 2. Alexander, see forward.
Alexander Kennedy, second and youngest child and son of James and Elizabeth (Baker) Kennedy, was born in Stoyestown, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, February 28. 1826. His early years were spent in the town of his birth, and he then removed to Johnstown with his parents in 1837. His education was acquired in the public schools, and at an early age he was apprenticed to learn the trade of shoemaking, with Cyrus Riley, with whom he lived for a time, and became an expert in his line of business. He left the employ of Mr. Riley in order to establish himself in business, and for some time conducted a store in Washington street. He removed to Pittsburg in 1849, and after a short time spent in that eity. returned to Johnstown, where he worked at his trade for C. Bilestine. Subsequently he associated himself in a partner- ship with Cyrus Riley, but this was dissolved in March, 1857, when Mr. Kennedy removed to Ageney, Iowa. He returned to Johnstown during the fall of the same year and entered the employ of Wood, Mor- rell & Company, taking charge of their boot and shoe department, and retaining this position until the disastrous flood of May, 1889, at which time he retired from all aetive business occupation. He was interested in many of the most important financial undertakings of the city, among which may be mentioned: One of the oldest members of the Vigilant Fire Company; stockholder in the Johnstown Passenger Rail- way Company and the Citizens' Bank, and a number of others. During the Civil war he was one of the earliest volunteers, serving his country with gallantry and loyalty. and receiving an honorable discharge at the termination of his period of service. In politics he was always a stanch Republican, in his later years a strong advocate of temperance principles, and was first elected a leader in his ward in 1851. He was a member of the Common Couneil of the city for twenty years, and by this long term of service had earned the title "Father of the Council." In his ward he was known by the name of "Pap" Kennedy. He was a candidate for the legislature. The welfare and advancement of Johns- town and its citizens always has his close attention, and he spared neither his time nor means to further improvement in every direction. He was one of the charter members of the Grand View Cemetery, and is cred- ited with having given it its name. Up to the time of his death, which occurred December 16, 1895, he took a great and beneficial interest in the religions affairs of the Presbyterian church, and was an earnest worker in that institution. He was a trustee and ruling elder in the
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church. and at one time superintendent of the Sunday school. He was also connected with the following organizations : Johnstown Lodge, No. 538, Free and Accepted Masons; Portage Chapter, No. 195, Royal Arch Masons: Conemaugh Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. and William F. Packer Encampment.
IIe married, May 8, 1851, Mary Webb Shehan, eldest daughter of John and Sarah Ann Shehan, and they had children: 1. Naomi, mar- ried George E. Hamilton, city clerk, has children : George W. and Kennedy W., twins. 2. Hiram James, see forward. 3. Miriam, mar- ried Harry Buchanan, has one child: Frank K. 4. Elizabeth, married Grant Moses, of Elyria, Ohio. and has children : Alexander, Mary and James. 5. Mary, unmarried.
Hiram James Kennedy. second child and only son of Alexander and Mary Webb (Shehan) Kennedy, was born in Bedford street, Johns- town, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1854. He was edu- cated in the public schools of that city, and was still a young lad when he entered the employ of the Cambria Iron Company. finding a position in the engine room under the supervision of James Malloy. Later he went with Captain Jones when the latter was engaged in the construc- tion of the Cambria Steel Works, and as soon as these were put in operation he was given the position of engineer in the engine room, and blew the first heat that was blown in the new steel works. At the expiration of about twelve months he was transferred to the machine shop, in order to familiarize himself with all the details of this depart- ment, and since that time has been occupied as a machinist for the company, holding at the present (1907) time the responsible position of gang foreman in this shop. He has been in the continuous employ of the company for almost forty years. In his political views he affiliates with the Republican party, and he and his family are regular attendants at the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Kennedy married, in 1879, Mary Given, daughter of William and Bridget (O'Neil) Given, the former an active worker for the Re- publican party in the Thirteenth ward, and at one time a member of the common council. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy have children : Mary Frances, William Alexander and Elizabeth Baker.
CHRISTOPHER PALLISER, fruit grower and market gardener on a large scale in Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, is one of the prominent farmers in this locality. The family is of French de- scent. According to tradition the Pallisers came from France during the seventeenth century, and settled in Yorkshire, England, at Scarboro, on the estate of Lord Launsbury. They were honest, frugal and in- dustrious people, and became excellent husbandmen, and resided on this estate, cultivating the land, for many generations.
John Palliser, father of Christopher Palliser, lived on the Launs- bury estate, but was a stone mason by trade. He married Hannah Backle, and among their children was Christopher.
Christopher Palliser. son of John and Hannah ( Backie) Palliser, was born on Lord Launsbury's estate, at Scarboro, Yorkshire, England. November 15. 1831. He learned the stone mason trade under the able ; tuition of his father, and followed this occupation until he emigrated to America in 1868. Here he located in Johnstown. Cambria county, Pennsylvania. where he entered umon the business of stone contracting and stone setting, and continued thus occupied until 1878, when he pur- chased the farm upon which he now (1906) resides. He had been in
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the stone mason trade for more than forty years, and now settled down to the peaceful occupation of fruit growing and market garden- ing. In this he has been unusually successful. He has a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of improved land, which he keeps in a high state of cultivation. Politically he is a Republican, and he and his family are members of the United Brethren church. He is a self-made man, and it is owing to his individual exertions and industry that he has attained the position he now holds in the community. The family live in a commodions house, and are surrounded by all the comforts and luxuries which they desire. His straightforward dealings in all busi- ness matters, and general sterling qualities have won for him the respect of his fellow citizens.
He married, in Scarboro, Yorkshire, England, Sarah Pickering, daughter of George Pickering, also of French descent, and they have had children: George; William ; Thomas, deceased; Robert, deceased : Esther; Hannah, Jessie, Sarah, and Rhoda, deceased.
HENRY KOCH, at present engaged in raising and dealing in thoroughbred horses, and well known as the proprietor of hotels both here and in the west, is a German by birth, but has become closely identified with the interests of the land of his adoption.
Adam Koch, father of Henry Koch, was born in Germany and emigrated to the United States in 1869. his wife and children following him one year later. He obtained employment with the Cambria Steel Company, at that time known as the Cambria Iron Company, and con- tinued in their service during the active years of his life. Politically he was a Democrat, and he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. He died in 1906 at the age of seventy-eight years. He mar- ried Anna Marie Pein, born in Germany in 1824, died in Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. in 1906, and they were the parents of children : John; Adam, Jr .; Christopher, deceased; Henry, see forward.
Henry Koch, fourth son and child of Adam and Anna Marie (Pein) Koch. was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, April 13, 1861. He came to America with his mother in 1870, and all the school educa- tion that fell to his share was that which he received in Germany. After his arrival in this country he spent all his leisure moments in study, and so earnest was he in this matter that he succeeded in acquiring a fairly good education. At the age of twelve years he was apprenticed to learn the butcher trade, which he followed for a number of years. Upon attaining manhood he established himself in the hotel business, conducting what was then known as the Koch House on the present site of the Leneta Hotel. He sold this in 1892 and removed to Chicago, Illinois, where he established himself in the same business, in which he was successfully engaged until his return to Johnstown in 1895. He. then commenced a butcher business, in connection with which he con- ducted a dairy farm very successfully until 1905. At this time he pur- chased what was known as the Johnson Gardner farm, in Upper Yoder township, and converted this into a farm for the purpose of breeding and selling a high grade of horses. In this undertaking he has been eminently successful. Although never holding public office, Mr. Koch takes an active and intelligent interest in all matters of public im- portance, and is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church.
He married, October 5, 1884, Hannah E. Petterson, daughter of
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George and Anna F. Petterson, and they have had children: Mary E., Henry, Robert, Milton Y. (deceased), Anna Pearl, Martha and Selina Carrie.
SAMUEL E. PETERSON, of Johnstown, was born May 1, 1860, son of John Peterson. and grandson of Joseph Peterson. John Peter- son was born in Somerset county and brought up on a farm. He learned the earpenter's trade, which he followed about twelve years, but at the end of that time resumed the occupation of an agriculturist. In 1872 he purchased of E. Christman a farm in Upper Yoder town- ship, the estate being now owned by his son, Samuel E. Peterson. John Peterson married Lena Christman, born in Lower Yoder township, on what was then the Christman, but is now the Ramberger farm, and their children were: Amanda Croyle; Samuel E., of whom later; and a son and daughter, deceased.
Samuel E. Peterson, son of John and Lena (Christman) Peterson, received such an education as the district schools of that day were capable of giving, but is indebted chiefly to his own powers of observa- tion and application for the fund of information of which he is now possessed. He chose for his life-work the calling of a farmer and is now living on and cultivating his father's estate. He is recognized as one of the leading farmers of the neighborhood, and for the last twenty-four years has been an office-holder in Upper Yoder township. He is now serving as supervisor of roads. He supports with his vote and influ- ence the Republican party, and is a member of the English Lutheran church.
Mr. Peterson married, in May, 1883. Susan Miller, and they are the parents of two children: George L., born September 1, 1885; and a daughter, born October 12, 1886.
EDWARD PEDEN, of Johnstown, was born July 4, 1830, in Phila- delphia, son of William Peden, and grandson of George Peden, who came to this country from Ireland and settled in Philadelphia, where he engaged in weaving. This was about 1813.
George Peden was the father of two sons: William, mentioned above, and James The latter was the first of the family to emigrate to the United States, coming hither about 1812 and taking up his abcde in Philadelphia, where for many years he worked at tailoring. He had two sons: James, who was a physician : and Horatio, who followed the calling of a salesman.
William Peden, son of George Peden, was born in county Derry, Ireland, and like his father and brother emigrated to the United States. He went first to Ligonier Valley, Westmoreland county, settling on a farm known as the "Tom McDowel farm," whenee he moved, in 1843. to Conemaugh township. He was a Republican, and in early life joined the Presbyterian church, later uniting with the Methodist Episcopal denomination. William Peden married, about 1815, Mary Anna Clemens, and the following children were born to them: James. William, Henry, John, Edward (of whom later), Alexander. Abel, Nancy and Sarah. Of these the sole survivors are Edward and Abel.
Edward Peden, son of William and Mary Anna (Clemens) Peden. received his early education in the distriet school, whenee he passed to the public schools of Conemaugh township. He learned the carpenter's trade, and immediately after the expiration of his apprenticeship en- gaged in contracting and building on his own account, establishing a
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business which he conducted for more than thirty years. During this period he erected many of the older houses in Johnstown, some of which are still standing, while others were destroyed by the flood. In 1886 he purchased a farm of one hundred acres, in Upper Yoder township, known as the "Mountain View farm," and ever since making his home on this estate has served at different times on the school board of Upper Yoder township. He is a member of the United Brethren church. Mr. Peden married, December 7, 1855, Charlotte Sharp.
ABEL PEDEN, of Johnstown, was born October, 1835, son of William and Mary Anna (Clemens) Peden. The history of the Peden family is given in the sketch of Edward Peden which preceeds this in the work. He received his education in the schools of Conemaugh town- ship, and learned the carpenter's trade, to which he steadily adhered as a means of livelihood, working at it in Johnstown for more than forty years. In 1895 he purchased from the Hershberger estate a tract of ten acres, on which he has since made his home. He supports with his vote and influence the candidates and principles of the Republican party.
Mr. Peden married Sarah Catharine Collier, and the following children have been born to them: George. foreman in Cambria Steel Company. William, settled in the west. Albert, Charles, Joseph (all of whom are working at different occupations in Johnstown). Annie P., wife of John L. Timman. Lottie. Mr. Peden, the father of these five sons and two daughters, is also the grandfather of fifteen children.
ADAM KEAFER, a well known and prosperous farmer of Upper Yoder township, Cambria county. Pennsylvania, is a representative in the third generation of the Keafer family in this country. His grand- parents emigrated with their family to the United States from Germany in 1828.
Adam Keafer, father of Adam Keafer, was born in Germany, and was very young when he came to this country with his parents. He served bravely during the Civil war. He married. 1849. Matilda Yoder, and they had several children, among them being Adam, of whom later. Adam Keafer was a staneh supporter of the Republican party, and he and his wife were members of the German Lutheran church.
Adam Keafer, son of Adam and Matilda (Yoder) Keafer, was born on a farm in Conemaugh townshin, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, February 23, 1854. He received his education in the subscription schools of the district. and was then annrenticed to learn the trade of carpentering. He and his brother Tobias, now deceased, in 1876, pur- chased four hundred acres of wooded land from Thomas Trebet, of Unved Yoder townshin. This land was virgin forest, not an acre being under cultivation, and the two brothers immediately set ahont elearing and cultivating it. They erected a saw mill on a portion of it, this being operated by water power, to convert the felled timber into Imber of all kinds, and this was a very profitable undertaking. as it saved them the expense of carting the logs to Johnstown and naving to have the work done. At the same time they were gradually getting their land cleared for cultivation purposes. It was extremely hard work. but there are at present seventy acres of land in an excellent state of cultivation, and the farm is considered a model of its size in that section of the country. Mr. Keafer is a member of the Evangelieal church. and has always been an ardent supporter of the Republican party. He has served on the
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
school board for a period of twelve years, and is now road master in Upper Yoder township.
Hle married, September 15. 1878. Mary E. Spigler, at Bens Creek, and they have had children: 1. Minnie Trixie, born June 17, 1880, married Lemon Kauffman. 2. Martin Henry, born April, 1882. 3. Rudolph Adam. born March 17, 1884, unmarried. 4. Annie Matilda, born March 4. 1886. 5. Earl Josiah, born February 14, 1888. 6. Elma Irene. born JJanuary 8, 1890. 7. Elsie Almeda, born March 25, 1892. S. Mary Bertha, born March 28, 1894. 9. Edna Ellen, born Septem- ber 12, 1897.
HENRY HOFECTED extensively engaged in the general farm- ing and dairy produce business in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, is a decided example of what can be accomplished by main hard work and determination. He traces his aneestry to Germany, and his inherited the habits of thrift and industry which characterize the natives of that country.
John Christian IIofecker, father of Henry P. Hofeeker, was born in Germany and emigrated to this country with his wife and family. He settled in Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, and found employment with the Cambria Iron Company as a stone mason. He also contracted on his own account for the building of barn walls, etc. He was successful'in his undertakings and purchased a farm in Somer- set county, Pennsylvania, known as the Anstead place. He remained there but a few years. when he removed to Bedford county, in the same state. At the outbreak of the Civil war he volunteered and served with great bravery.
Henry Hofecker, son of John Christian and Eva Hofecker, was born on a farm near Sulphur Springs, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1868. His education as far as attendance at school was eon- cerned was a very limited one. He attended the district schools in Bedford county, which had a five months' term, and he was frequently compelled by the press of work on the farm to omit even this infrequent attendance. However. by diligent use of his spare moments at home, which he devoted to study. he succeeded in acquiring a good education. After he had been married some years he purchased a tract of heavily timbered land, consisting of fifty acres, which he cleared and ereeted thereon the first house, and to which he added a further purchase of eighty-seven acres. He now (1906) has this entire traet of one hundred and thirty-seven acres in a high state of cultivation, and for the past two years has added dairy farming to his general farm products, and has been successful in this undertaking as well as the first. He is methodical and systematic in all his proceedings, allowing no waste of any kind, and the results are apparent in the flourishing and well kept appearance of all his surroundings. He finds a ready sale for all his products in the market at Johnstown. He is a member of the Ger- man Baptist church. and is an ardent supporter of the Republican party.
Hle married. March 13. 1888. Elsie M. Roddy. and they have had children : Samuel Owen, born 1889. died August 13, 1904: Irene Mirrel, Cora Elizabeth. Lloyd Henry, Myron Lester, Roy Quinter, Glen, Wilbur.
JEFFERSON ROWLAND, who has been numbered for many years among the successful farmers and dairymen of Johnstown, was born March 3. 1853, on a farm four miles from Ebensburg, his father
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and grandfather both having borne the name of Elias Rowland. Elias Rowland, the grandfather, emigrated from Wales and settled on a farm six miles from Ebensburg, Blakely township.
Elias Rowland, son of Elias Rowland, the emigrant, was born in 1805, on the homestead, six miles from Ebensburg, and himself always followed agricultural pursuits. He married Jane, daughter of Thomas Thomas, a noted preacher of the Baptist church in those days, and the father of two sons and five daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Rowland had five sons, two of whom are still living: Jefferson, of whom later; and Amos. Their two daughters, Alice Jane and Eliza, still survive.
Jefferson Rowland, son of Elias and Jane ( Thomas) Rowland, re- ceived his education in the distriet schools, and was trained to the knowl- edge and pursuit of agriculture. In January, 1887, he bought the farm on which he has since made his home. The estate comprises one hun- dred and four acres which he has cultivated with gratifying success, at the same time condneting a flourishing dairy. He is a Republican, and a member of the Baptist church.
Mr. Rowland married. April 21, 1870, Ellen Allbaugh, and they are the parents of the following children: MeClure, born August 2, 1871, married Alice Gillinger, four children: Emily, born September 20, 1872, wife of Harvey Berkey, two children: Melvin, born August 15, 1875, married Cora Stutzman, three children; and Allen, born March 28, 1878. married Bertha Ackers, one child. Mrs. Rowland is a daughter of Daniel P. Allbaugh, and a granddaughter of Peter All- baugh, a native of Germany, who emigrated to the United States and settled on a farm in Jackson township. Daniel P. Allbaugh married, in 1855, Elizabeth Dishong, and their daughter Ellen became the wife of Jefferson Rowland, as mentioned above.
JACOB S. STUTZMAN, one of the prosperous farmers of Upper Yoder township. was born on a farm in that township, August 5, 1858. Ilis parentage, together with the history of the Stutzman family, will be found in the sketch of his brother, William Stutzman, which appears elsewhere in this work.
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