History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III, Part 9

Author: Storey, Henry Wilson
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 940

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HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

in Kentland, Indiana. 3. Thomas, twin of John P., died in infancy. 4. Eliza, mentioned hereafter. 5. Thomas, born January 17, 1836, died May, 1837. 6. Daniel, born January 11, 1838, enlisted in the Eleventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, and later joined Company A, Cambria Guards. He was captured at the battle of Gaines Mills; was in Libby prison for six weeks; severely wounded at the battle of Bull Run and at Gettysburg. He was finally killed at the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864, having been promoted to the captaincy of Company A. Mr. Jones married Ann Pryee, of Iowa City, Iowa, Feb- ruary 13, 1864. 7. Thomas D., born May 5, 1841, captured at Gaines Mills; was at Libby prison for six weeks; wounded at the battle of Bull Run, recovered and served his three years out. He then re-enlisted and was captured on Weldon Roads and imprisoned five months at Saulsbury, North Carolina. He married Mrs. Jane E. Davis, by whom were born Earnest Dean, December 28, 1871; Melvin Daniel, born June 24, 1874, deceased; Vernon D .. March 10, 1876; Roseoe, died in in- faney 8. Mary P., born March 1, 1843, married Benjamin Jones, of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, at which place they still reside.

Mary Davis, the first wife of Daniel J. Jones, was born May 28, 1801, Flynonddewe Farm, in the parish of Henfynwy, county of Car- digan, South Wales. Her educational advantages were very limited, con- sisting of a few months at the church school, called "Chapel Atoel," taught by the rector, but she was a diligent student and became a great reader of both Welsh and English. When fifteen years of age, she united with the Welsh Calvanistie, or Presbyterian, church, of which she remained a member all her life. She was a devoted student of the Bible, and so familiar with it, that she was considered as exact as a concordance. She was keen and critical regarding the sermons she read and heard, and if the minister departed from the orthodox views of the times, was not slow to inform him of it, in a quiet manner. She was very strict in all of her religious observanees, even of the austere and exact church requirements of the last century; living a consistent Christian life, she was beloved by her children, grandchil- dren and the community .. She died August 2, 1875, and is buried at Lloyds cemetery, Ebensburg, Pennsylvania.

Eliza Jones, eldest daughter of Daniel J. and Mary (Davis) Jones, was born at Aberaeron-by-the-Sea. Cardiganshire, South Wales, March 13, 1834. She was four years old when she came with the family to America. She attended the subscription schools at Ebensburg, but was obliged to leave on account of the illness of her mother. She re- sided at home until her marriage with Dr. W. W. Walters, February 12, 1857. They were married on the farm and conveyed to Wilmore by stage, from there taking the train to Johnstown, where Dr. Walters was then practicing.

Dr. Walter Winston Walters was born in the town of Brecon, South Wales, January 11, 1824. His father, Rev. John Walters, was a minister of the Welsh Calvanistie Methodist church. Dr. Walters came to this country in 1843, locating at Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, where he was employed at the blast furnaces of the Crane iron works, under the direction of the famous David Thomas, the great iron-mas- ter. The privileges for securing an education having been limited in his native land, the young man seized every opportunity for self-im- provement and his efforts secured for him a prominent place in the class of 1853. of the medical department of the Pennsylvania College, at Philadelphia. He always referred, with pleasure, to the eneourage-

HISTORY OF CAMBRIAA COUNTY.

ment and sympathy he received from David Thomas and other friends in his struggles to realize his ambition to become a physician. Promi- nent among those early and dearly loved friends were the late James Williams, Isaac E. Chandler, and Captain William R. Jones, between whom the friendship of early manhood never failed.

Soon after his graduation Dr. Walters began the practice of his profession at Catasauqua, and there remained for two years. The suc- cessful operation of the Cambria Iron Works at Johnstown, commene- ing about 1854, induced him to remove thither in 1855, since which time, with the exception of two years, 1859-60, he has passed in Johns- town. He enjoyed a large practice, but found time to take an active interest in public affairs, and his early struggles for an education him- self, gave him a peculiar interest in the public schools. He served as school director of Johnstown borough from 1866 to 1881, fifteen years. and for fourteen years acted as the secretary of the board. The es- tablishment of the high school was one of the first results of his work in this connection. His interest in the school system never flagged, even after his retirement from active duty in their government. Among his younger friends he never ceased urging the attainment of a liberal education, and his encouragement and advice have been the means of many a poor boy rising from the difficulties in his way and entering the learned professions. In medical circles Dr. Walters was honored by the warm friendship of every practitioner with whom he came in contact. He took an active interest in medieal societies and was promi- nent in the Cambria County Medical Society, organized in 1868. At the re-organization of this society in 1882, he presided, and became its president in 1886.

From his youth he was a member of the Welsh Calvanistic church and had, since his residence in Johnstown. been the leading member of the local church. His broad views, however, made him a sympathizer with all denominations of the Christian religion, and his aid and sup- port were cheerfully given to the various churches. In politics he was an ardent Republican, having originally been an Abolitionist. He was present at the organization of the Republican party of Cambria county, and was nominated as coroner for the first ticket nominated. His political principles. well grounded as they were, were never obtruded upon his many friends in other parties, and he ever earnestly depre- eiated personalities in polities.

He assisted in the organization of the Johnstown Savings Bank, having been one of its trustees since its incorporation in 1870, and vice- president since 1893. He took a great interest in this institution, and invariably found time to attend its meetings, where his advice and judgment were greatly respected. He assisted in the organization of the Citizens' Cemetery Association. being one of its incorporators. Thus prominent in public affairs, known and esteemed by the business community, yet it was the practice of his well loved profession in the homes and at the bedside of suffering humanity that Dr. Walters was best loved and respected. His kindly manner, genial presence, and warm-hearted sympathy will ever be remembered among the many families in Johnstown, where his duties called him. When in aetive practice, no day or night. neither weather nor his own failing health, found him unresponsive to the many calls for his services.

In the great flood of 1889, Dr. Walters' home was badly wreeked, and was entirely destroyed by fire the July following, together with his extensive library and mineralogical collections. The day after the awful

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Ilcan tarean

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

flood, he attached himself to the temporary hospital, established in the old "Hansmann Hall," on Bedford street. He remained on duty con- tinuously, giving his services to the detriment of his health. When urged by family and friends to take a vacation, his invariable reply was that his services were needed at home in the crisis. He took a great interest in the various hospitals, and was one of the first managers of the Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital. Dr. Walters was connected with the Masonic fraternity from 1868, being a member of Cambria Lodge, No. 278, F. and A. M. He died July 23, 1896. Ilis wife still lives at the old Vine street home, which was rebuilt the year after its destruction by fire.

Their children were: 1. Margaret Winfred, mentioned hereafter. 2. Gomer John, born January 29, 1860, married Sarah Elizabeth Young; he is a partner in the firm of Ogle & Walters, real estate and insurance, at Johnstown. 3. Anderson Howel, whose sketch will be found elsewhere. 4. Mary Eva, born December 31, 1864, married Will- iam F. Saltmarsh, with the Dupont Powder Co .. of Wilmington, Dela- ware. 5. Cromwell Philip. born March 8, 1868; unmarried, resides at home, is of the firm of Walters & Decker, plumbers. (See sketch.) 6. Carrie (Caroline), born November 16, 1871. married James G. Ellis. (See sketch. ) 7. Ivy June, born June 6, 1874, married Fred W. Wat- erman, the chief engineer for the United States Steel Corporation works at Elyria, Ohio. S. Myrtle May, born June 6, 1874-twin of Ivy June -residing at home.

Margaret Winfred Walters was born November 19, 1857, at Johns- town, Pennsylvania. After attending school at Johnstown and several terms at Indiana Normal School, she taught a number of terms as kindergarten and primary teacher in her home town. May 8, 1888, she married Fred Krebs, by whom the issue was: Frederick, born July 19. 1889, six weeks after the flood, now a student in the high school ; Margaret Eliza, born January 30, 1892, attending public school : Walter Winston, born Mareh 8, 1894, attending public school ; Winfried Louise, born October 5, 1897, at home.

S. DEAN CANAN, one of the oldest residents of Johnstown, Cam- bria county, Pennsylvania, and at one time one of the best known business men of that city, is now (1906) living retired from active busi- ness cares and responsibilities. He is a descendant of one of the old pioneer families of the state, who came originally from Ireland.

(I) John Canan, grandfather of S. Dean Canan and son of Moses and Hannah Canan, was born in Ireland in October. 1746. He emigrated to America prior to the Revolutionary war, and for many years held important offices in his adopted country. He was a mem- ber of the general assembly from Bedford county in 1786 and 1787. At the time of the organization of Huntingdon county in 1787 he re- sided in Oneida township. and was elected a member of the supreme exeentive council, in which office he served two years. Under the con- stitution of 1790 he was appointed an associate judge, but served only a short time, having been elected a member of the house of representa- tives. which position he filled from 1791 to 1794. He represented the distriets of Huntingdon and Bedford in the state senate from 1795 to 1799. He was a man of prominence and influence, and closely identified with the early history of Huntingdon county. During the war of the Revolution, in 1777, he was second lieutenant of the Second Pennsylvania Regiment. He also served as deputy surveyor of the

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

county for eighteen years. He died in October, 1831, in the eighty- sixth year of his age. He married, in 1775, Margery Dean, born 1760, died 1815, daughter of James and Catherine Dean, both natives of Ireland, and married after their arrival in America. The children of John and Margery (Dean) Canan were: 1. Hannah, born July 5, 1778, married James Gray. 2. Sarah, who died at the age of two years. 3. Catharine. both Angust 1, 1871 : married (first) Rev. Alexander McIl- wain: married (second) Thomas Jackson. 4. Moses, see forward. 5. James, born July 25, 1786. 6. Henry, born May 1, 1790. 7. John, born August 25, 1792. 8. Robert, born February 25, 1795. 9. Samuel, born May 10, 1801.

(II) Moses Canan, eldest son of John (1) and Margery (Dean) Canan, was born in a log eabin in Hartslog valley, in Bedford (now Huntingdon ) county, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1784. In his early boy- hood he attended school under different teachers and made good prog- ress considering the paucity of school books at that period. Dilworth's Spelling Book and Arithmetic and the Bible were the only books then in use commonly in the schools. At the age of ten years he commeneed the study of Latin and Greek under the tuition of Rev. John Johnston, who was the head of a Latin sehool in the town of Huntingdon. Rev. Johnston was an excellent linguist and young Canan made rapid prog- ress under his instruction. He went to Carlisle, March, 1800, and be- came a student at Dickinson College, then under the presidency of Rev. Charles Nesbit, D. D. Rev. Robert Davidson was vice-president ; Will- iam Thompson, professor of languages: and James McCormick, pro- fessor of mathematics. These were all able and competent teachers and their pupils profited greatly by their instruction. After studying at this institution for four years Mr. Canan commenced the study of law under the preceptorship of Jonathan Henderson. Esq., an eminent at- torney of Huntingdon. He remained with him for some time and then went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and continued to study in the law office of Judge Rawle, of the firm of Sergeant & Rawle, and was admitted to the bar in December, 1807. He moved to Roekview Farm, on the Juniata, in the spring of 1811, and in September of the following year went to Buffalo, New York, in command of the Juniata Volunteers in the war of 1812, and was honorably discharged Decem- ber 31 of the same year. The regiment was under Colonel Jeremiah Snider, and a part of the brigade under the command of Brigadier General Adamson Tannehill. While with this brigade Mr. Canan aeted as brigade judge advocate. After the war he received in addition to his monthly pay two warrants under the laws of the United States- one for forty acres of land, the other for one hundred and twenty acres. He sold his farm to John Neff in May, 1818, and removed to Ebensburg, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. He was among the earliest settlers and first lawyers in this county, and was subsequently elected major of a battalion of volunteers. He removed to Johnstown, in the same county, in 1837, and resided there until his death, which occurred September.30, 1863. The year following his location in Johnstown he united with the Presbyterian church, then under the care of Rev. S. H. Terry, and was soon after eleeted and ordained elder, in which ca- pacity he served until his death. He had been a resident of Johnstown for thirty years when he received his commission from Governor Pol- lock as associate judge of the county. Much of his time during his en- tire life was devoted to the cause of education, and many of the im- provements in the school system of the county are directly due to his

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

instrumentality. In his manner he was a gentleman of the "old school." and few men of his time had a larger circle of friends. As a patriot his devotion to his country was ardent and his loyalty was unquestionable; as a Christian his piety was humble and his conduct exemplary ; as a father and husband he was kind and affectionate, gen- tle and forbearing; and as a citizen he was law abiding and peace loving.

Judge Canan married (first), September 8, 1807. Mary Hender- son, born in 1784, died in December. 1833, daughter of Major William Henderson, who was a captain in the Revolutionary army, and acted as captain of the Guards who surrounded Independence Hall while the Declaration was being signed by the fifty-six immortal heroes, July 4, 1776. The children of Judge Moses and Mary ( Henderson) Canan were: 1. Margaret Wilkin, horn June 16, 1808; died July 31, 1829. 2. Mary Catharine. born June 30. 1810; died November 26. 1882. 3. Jolin James, born April 24, 1813: died September 2. 1903. 4. William Henderson, born August 3, 1815; died June 16th, 1873. 5. Margery Dean, born November 28, 1817: died March 31, 1820. 6. Moses An- drew. born June 19, 1820: died October 6. 1845. 7. Robert Henry, born October 31. 1822; died July 5, 1873. 8. Charlotte Ineretia, born November 17, 1824, married Rev. Israel C. Pershing. 9. Samuel Dean, see forward. Judge Canan married (second). January 6, 1845, Eliza- beth Rndesill, daughter of Frederick and Catharine Sharretts, who survived him. They had three sons --- F. E. Canan, T. C. Canan and W. S. Canan. F. E. and W. S. Canan live in Kansas, and T. C. Canan in Ohio.

(III) S. Dean Canan, youngest child of Judge Moses and Mary (Henderson) Canan, was born at Ebensburg, Cambria county. Penn- sylvania, February 16, 1827. He received a good education in the eom- mon schools of the districts in which he lived, and when he was ten years of age he removed with his parents to Johnstown. Upon the completion of his school days he was employed for several years as clerk, and in 1846, associated with his two brothers, William H. and Robert H., he established himself in the wholesale and retail grocery business, which they carried on very successfully until 1862. In con- nection with this business they were extensively engaged in shipping on the Portage canal and railroad, and had the exclusive handling of all freight shipments made by the Pennsylvania Railroad during the first year of its existence from 1851 to 1852, under Thomas A. Scott, then dispatcher, afterwards president of the road.

S. Dean Canan tanght school during the winter months from 1853 until 1861. He enlisted for nine months. August 23. 1862, in Com- pany K, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Infantry, Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, under Captain J. K. Hite. and was mustered out May 29, 1863. At the conclusion of the war he aceepted a position as traveling sales- man in the meat and grocery lines. and this he held very successfully for forty years. He is now living in retirement, enjoying the fruits of a well spent life. His cheery demeanor and unfailing kindliness and readiness to assist those less fortunate than himself have won for him a host of sineere friends. Mr. Canan is one of the charter members of the Royal Arcanum, No 401, of Johnstown: was elected treasurer at the first meeting in October. 1879. and has been treasurer ever since. He is also a member of Emery Fisher Post No. 30. G. A. R., was elected commander and served as such during the year of 1898, and is now chaplain. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church during the pas-

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

torate of the late Rev. William Lynch, and has been a member of its official board for over forty years. In 1873 a bell was purchased for the Methodist Episcopal Church of Johnstown and the names of the nine trustees were cast on the inside of the bell, this being done with- out the knowledge of the officers thus honored. Out of the nine trus- tees Mr. Canan is the only one living.

He married, February 16, 1854. Mary Elizabeth Davis. born April 2. 1831. daughter of Amos B. and Martha ( Wakefield) Davis, and their children were : 1. Martha I., married Samuel M. Miller. 2. Charles M .. died in infancy. 3. Moses H .. married Frances Custer. 4. William D., married Sarah Oppy. 5. Mary C .. unmarried.

DAVID D. BLAUCH a resident for many years of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, and prominently identified with the commercial, civic and military interests of that section of the state of Pennsylvania. represents a respected family of that state which traces its descent to Swiss ancestry.

Christian Blauch (1), the great-grandfather of D. D. Blauch, with John (Hans) Blauch, his brother, and their families. came from the canton of Berne, Switzerland, to this country, landing at Philadelphia, November 3. 1750. He settled in Lancaster county, and in 1761. bought a farm in Lebanon township of the same county from the Penn brothers. Two sons of Christian, Christian and Jacob, who were born in Switzerland and came to America with their father. located in Som- erset county, Pennsylvania. between 1765 and 1790.

Christian (2). the elder son. was one of the first settlers in the county and located near Berlin. His farm has remained in the family and is now owned by J. J. Blauch, a great-great-grandson. Christian (2) died in 1777, aged thirty-four, and left eight children.

Jaeob. a younger son of Christian (1). came to Somerset county with his family in 1790, locating near the junction of the Quemahon- ing and Stonycreek. He had nine children, namely: Jacob. Christian, Henry, John, Elizabeth, who married John Saylor; Mary, who married Henry Hershberger; Anna. who married Samuel Kline: Veronica, who married Mr. Berkey and moved to Canada : and David.

A story is related that when Jacob was a young man in Berks county. during the Revolution, the British made an effort to impress him into the service. He hid in a hay-mow, and at times the points of their bayonets touched him, but he remained concealed till they had gone. It may be mentioned here that the early Blauchs were Mennonites, and although they are like the Quakers, opposed to fighting, two Blauchs. John and Abraham, took part in the Revolution, belonging to the Lan- caster county militia. Later on Jacob's daughter, Veronica, who had moved to Canada before the war of 1812, was forced during that war to cook for British soldiers, on account of her sympathy with the states.

Jacob (2) was the first bishop of the Mennonite church in the Johnstown district, and was the head of a family which has always been prominent in religious circles. He was a very powerful speaker as well as being very powerful physically. Christian, his brother, was the grandfather of Mrs. Rachel Dibert. one of the pioneers of Johns- town.

David Blauch. the youngest son, father of D. D. Blauch, was born in Berks county, July 8. 1789, and died in Somerset county. March 21, 1872. He worked in Johnstown while the old state canal was being built, but subsequently located on a farm near Foustwell, Somerset

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

county, where D. D. Blauch was born. He was married four times. His first wife was Mattie Lehman. by whom he had children as fol- lows: Jacob. Marie, who married Rev. Tobias Blanch, a descendant of Christian of Berlin: Anna. married Peter Speicher: Martha, married John Rummell. His second wife was Mattie Mishler, and had chil- dren : 1. Franie, born August 19. 1823. married John Thomas. 2. Katrina, born November 27, 1825, deceased. 3. Rachel, born May 23. 1828, married John O. Griffith. His third wife was Barbara Livings- ton, and had children: 1 and 2. John and Joseph (twins), born July 23. 1834; the former married Rachel Berkey, the latter died in infancy. 3. Eve. born October 25, 1836, married Joseph Myers. 4. Barbara, born January 17, 1839, married Samuel Blanch. 5. Susanne, born February 27, 1842, married Harrison Lohr. His fourth wife was Mrs. Barbara Fyock Replogle. She was a daughter of John Fyock, born about 1770, died 1852, who is said to have been the first settler in Paint township. Somerset county, Pennsylvania. and a granddaughter of Jacob Fyock or Veock, who came from Swabia to Ameriea in 1726, and settled near Holsopple, Pennsylvania. John Fyock married Susanna Messerbaugh, and had children: Catherine, Elizabeth (Growden). Frances (Shoemaker), John. Peter. Mary, Barbara (Blauch). Samuel. Daniel, Jacob, David, and Sally (died young).

Jacob Fyock. John's father, was a young man when he came to America. and married after he came here. He had children : John, David, Elizabeth, married to Berger, Catherine, married to Charles Hoke, Susan, single.

Barbara was first married to John Replogle, and had children : Susan, born 1828, married John Lehman: Jacob. born 1830; Mary, born 1832, married Jacob Spangler; Elizabeth, born 1834, died while young; Daniel, born 1836; John, born 1840. Jacob is the only survivor of this family. He lives at Hawthorne, Florida, and was a former resident of Johnstown. Daniel died during service in Civil war. Barbara was born in Paint township, July 5, 1808, and died in Johnstown. October 1, 1884. She and David Blauch were married March 10, 1845, and had two children: Hannah, born October 12, 1846, single: D. D. Blauch, born June 11, 1849. Of David Blauch's children only Frani, Henry, Hannah, and David D. survive.

David D. Blauch was born in Paint township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, June 11, 1849. His education was acquired in the com- mon schools of Paint township. and he came to Johnstown at the age of sixteen and engaged as a elerk in the store of Replogle & Howard, but later became an apprentice of Jacob Fyoek and learned the car- penter trade. At the time, puddling being a very good paying trade, he engaged as a helper in the Cambria puddling mill, and worked with George Studeny, but owing to an injury became incapacitated from following this line of work. He worked at odd jobs after a long siege of illness, and finally drifted into Indiana county and bought a saw mill, but being unable to follow the work on account of his injury he again came to Johnstown, where he entered the employ of the Cambria Steel Company as an engineer, in which capacity he was employed for a number of years, until he entered the roofing department, where he was employed as a driller, riveter, etc., until he took charge of the time-keeping and clerical department. At the time of the Johnstown flood he was in the employ of the Cambria Iron and Steel Company as time keeper and department elerk of the roofing department. In

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History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III, Part 9

Author: Storey, Henry Wilson Publication date: 1907 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 940

Author: Storey, Henry Wilson
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 940