USA > Pennsylvania > Cambria County > History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume III > Part 91
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
The years of his early childhood were passed on the homestead. When he was seven years old his parents moved to Johnstown. and it was in the common schools of that city that he obtained his education. When a young man he labored for a time at the Cambria Iron Com- pany, making ninety cents a day, by which he saved enough money to purchase a team. with which he did general hauling. At the time of his marriage he purchased fifteen aeres of land, on which he erected a home and what is now known as "Springhill Farm." He purehased fifteen acres from his father and afterward inherited eight acres more. In 1880 he engaged in the dairy business, which he has conducted very successfully up to the present time (1907). always finding in Johns- town a ready and profitable market for his produce. He has shown his interest in the educational affairs of his township by serving one term as school director. Like all the other members of the Griffith family, he is a staneh Republican.
Mr. Griffith married, September 15. 1880, Sophia Glitch, and they have had the following children : Laura Lulu, born September 26. 1881. Ralph, born June 4, 1883. died March 24. 1887. Regina, born June 18, 1885. Clifford, born September 15, 1887, died March 15, 1888. Mary Amanda. born April 15, 1889. Philip G., born September 13, 1892. Warren E., born September 30, 1894, died March 22, 1895. Richard C. E .. born August 20, 1896. Lovice Evangeline, born September 1, 1898. They have also one grandson, James, born March 17, 1902, son of Joseph and Laura (Griffith ) Martin.
Mrs. Griffith was born March 20. 1858. daughter of Casper and Anna E. (Hoffman) Glitch. and granddaughter of Christian and Eliza- beth Glitch. the former born in 1800 in Germany. Casper Glitch was born in 1822. at Landenhause. Hesse-Darmstadt. Germany, and in 1847 emigrated to the United States. He was by trade a machinist and for thirty-five years was employed by the Cambria Steel Company.
WILLIAM GRANT GRIFFITII. to whose publie-spirited efforts are largely due the settlement and upbuilding of Bon Air, which is now his place of residence, was born June 1, 1865, on the old homestead, in Cambria county, son of Nehemiah and Rebecea (Jaeobi) Griffith. In a sketch of the former, which appears elsewhere in this work, is given the Griffith genealogy.
William Grant Griffith received his education in the common schools of his township. and after completing his studies acted for a time as the assistant of his father in the labors of the farm. He then estab- lished a dairy business which for ten years he conducted successfully, finding in Johnstown an excellent market for his produce. After this experience as a dairyman he purchased the greater part of the old homestead farm. and his brother. Simon L. Griffith. the remainder, one hundred and eighty-four acres in all. It was then he conceived the idea of making this estate of one hundred and eighty-four acres more profitable than it would be as a farm by dividing it into lots. In 1901 he took Into partnership his brother. Simon L. Griffith. D. W. Kleinfelter and William Colter. They had it then laid out in lots. sold a great many of
637
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
them, and erected houses on a number of them, finding tenants for them. In the spring of 1904 he bought Mr. Colter's interest in the company, and in 1905 his brother bought ont Mr. Kleinfelter. The settlement, which they named Bon Air, continued to grow, and now has a popula- tion of some two hundred or more inhabitants. Over two hundred and fifty lots have been sold in all. For ten years he served as assessor for Conemangh township, and has also held other township offices. The pressing demands of his real estate enterprises have, however, pre- vented him from taking any very active part in public affairs.
Mr. Griffith married, April 19. 1888, Della, daughter of David and Margaret (Work) Shaffer, and they have been the parents of the fol- lowing children : Waldo, born September 12, 1889. Austin H. and Mel- vin H. (twins), born February 21, 1892; latter died November 1, 1899, Ralph, born October 9, 1894. Merle, born July 25, 1900.
FRANKLIN A. GRIFFITH, of Walnut Grove, who has been for a number of years prominently identified with the United Brethren church of that place, was born August 27, 1869, on his father's farm in Cambria county. He is a son of Nehemiah and Rebecca (Jacobi) Griffith. In a sketch of the former, which appears elsewhere in this work, is given the genealogy of the family.
Franklin A. Griffith grew up on the homestead, acquiring his edu- cation in the public schools of his county. Until attaining his majority he assisted his father in the labor and management of the farm, and afterward served as clerk in his father's store at Walnut Grove, where a general merchandise business was carried on. On his father's retire- ment he succeeded him as proprietor of the store, and conducted the business successfully until 1903, when he sold out, being forced to do so by reason of ill health. He is now employed by S. S. Grumbling, contractor and carpenter. In the sphere of politics he adheres to the Republican party, supporting with his vote and influence the candi- dates and principles endorsed by the organization. He was one of the organizers of the United Brethren church at Walnut Grove, and has ever since been one of its most active members. He has for a long time held the office of steward and has served one term as superintendent of the Sunday school.
Mr. Griffith married Blanche Shade, by whom he has had five children : George E., living. Crawford Jerald. who died when three years of age. Stella Irene, living. Alfred Berton, died in infancy. Babe, died in infancy.
JAMES E. JOHNSTON, postmaster of Barnesboro, Cambria county. Pennsylvania. and prominently identified with the general hard- ware trade of the county. is essentially a self-made man. He com- menced at the bottom of the ladder and by his own efforts climbed rung by rung until now he ranks as one of the most important business men of the county.
Alexander Johnston, father of James E. Johnston, was a contractor and barn builder, and resided in Boalsburg, Center county, Pennsyl- vania. He was extensively engaged in these two lines of business and was a man of considerable social and financial standing in the com- munity. His death occurred in 1865. He married Ellen Johnston, born 1826. died 1864, daughter of Colonel James Johnston, of Boals- burg, who was an officer in the war of 1812. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was engaged in the general mercantile business in Center
638
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
county, until his death at an advanced age. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. The children of Alexander and Ellen ( Johnston) Johnston were: Margaret, who is unmarried and resides in Boalsburg, Center county, Pennsylvania, and James E., of whom see forward.
James E. Johnston, only son of Alexander and Ellen (Johnston ) Johnston, was born in Boalsburg, Center county. Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 2, 1862. His boyhood days were passed in his native place, and there he attended the public schools until he had attained the age of fourteen years, when he entered the State College. This he left when he was about seventeen years of age. and went to Keokuk, Iowa, where he accepted a position as elerk in a grocery store, and remained there for two years. He then went to Philipsburg, Center county, Pennsylvania, in 1883. where he engaged in the general mercantile business. He con- tinned thus engaged until 1900, when he removed to Barnesboro, where he established himself in his present business. His establishment is the largest of its kind in northern Cambria county, and is in a flourish- ing condition. He is a man who entertains broad and liberal views on all subjects. is greatly interested in educational matters, and is at pres- ent a member of the school board of Barnesboro. Since early manhood he has been an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and has been an active worker in the ranks of that body. He was appointed post- master of Barnesboro in March, 1905, and is discharging the duties of that office to the satisfaction of the entire community. He is ever ready to give his full support to any measure which will tend to the improvement and advancement of the town or county, and has been the instigator of many plans which have been for the general benefit. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum.
He married, in 1887, Jane Barnes, born in Center county, Pennsyl- vania. in 1868, daughter of Thomas and Ann (Asheroft) Barnes, and they have one child, Ruth. Mrs. Johnston is a member of the Episcopal church.
OTTO SCHARMANN, one of the leading contractors and builders of Johnstown. was born Mareh 27, 1863, in Frankfort, Germany. his ancestors having for generations resided in and near that eity. He is a son of Johannes Scharmann and a grandson of Henry Scharmann, who was born near Frankfort and followed the calling of a carpenter and cabinetmaker. as had his father before hin.
Henry Scharmann married Elizabeth Hoffman, and their children were: Johannes, of whom later: Margaret; Elizabeth: George, shoe- maker, came to United States, settled in San Francisco, and died in Seattle: Conrad. died in 1871. in Germany; Henry, came to United States. settled in Johnstown and died there. The parents of these children both died in Germany.
Johannes Scharmann, son of Henry and Elizabeth ( Hoffman) Seharmann, was born August 25, 1822. near Frankfort, and attended school until the age of fourteen. He assisted his father in the cultivation of a small tract of land owned by the latter, and also learned the trade of a earpenter and cabinetmaker. After his marriage he settled in Frankfort, where he lived until 1865, when he came to the United States. He landed in New York and there for seven years plied his trade, at the end of that time returning to Germany. In 1880 he again came to the United States, this time accompanied by his wife and all his children, with the exception of one. After landing in New York he remained two months in that city, but was then persuaded by his son
639
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Otto, who had friends in Johnstown, to go thither. There he was em- ployed in the carpenter shop of the Cambria Steel Company until he became associated in business with his son Otto. He was a Democrat, and a member of the German Lutheran church.
Mr. Seharmann married Anna Elizabeth Schwitzer, a native of the same place as himself, and the following were their children: Kate, wife of Henry Walker, of Brownstown, Cambria county; Mary, 'wife of Conrad Uhi, of Frankfort, Germany; and Otto, of whom later. Mr. Scharmann, the father, died in October, 1896, and is buried in Grand View cemetery. His widow passed away August, 1897.
Otto Seharmann, son of Johannes and Anna Elizabeth (Schwitzer) Scharmann, was sent to the schools of Frankfort until the age of four- teen, when he began to learn his ancestral trade of carpenter and cabi- netmaker. In 1880 he came with his parents to the United States, and after they had found a home in Johnstown was for a few months em- ployed as a laborer by the Cambria Steel Company. In the spring of the following year he returned to his trade, and until the autumn of 1887 worked for the firm of Smith & Lucas, after which he was em- ployed for six months by a Mr. Hornick.
In 1888 he determined to strike out for himself along the line of endeavor which he has since followed, and on February 15, of that year, established himself in business as a contractor and builder. His first contraet was to build an addition to the house of John Allendorfer, of Johnstown. The flood, which brought disaster to so many, was a source of prosperity to Mr. Scharmann, the widespread havoc then wrought bringing him more contracts than he was able to handle. Since that time he has built over one hundred dwellings. In 1892 he erected the Belvidere, the Washington Hotel and the Rathskeller. He is the owner of valuable real estate in Johnstown. He belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and the Johnstown Turnverein. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran church.
Mr. Scharmann married, in March, 1888, Mary B., born June 9, 1868, in Johnstown, daughter of Henry Allendorfer. Her parents were natives of Germany, and are now deceased. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Scharmann : John, died in infancy ; Frank George, student in high school; Bertha Elizabeth; and Luev Gertrude.
HARTMAN HENRY WEIMER, justice of the peace for the Sev- enth ward of Johnstown, was born July 2, 1856, on his father's farm in Donegal township, son of David Weimer, Jr .. and grandson of David Weimer. Sr. The latter was born in Germany, and in early manhood emigrated to the United States, settling as a farmer in Ohio. Later he came to Pennsylvania and settled on a farm in the neighborhood of Donegal, becoming the owner of an estate of three hundred acres. He was a skillful agriculturist and brought this farm out of the timber to a high state of cultivation.
David Weimer married a Miss Porch, also a native of Germany, who came to this country in girlhood. They both died in Westmoreland county.
David Weimer, Jr., son of David Weimer, was born on the home farm in Westmoreland county, and received a common school education.
640
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Ile assisted his father on the farm until his marriage, and after that event settled on land near the old home.
David Weimer married Hannah, danghter of John Barclay, a farmer of Donegal township, and the following children were born to them: John, of Argus, Indiana; Mary, wife of Noah Getmey. of Westmoreland county; Priscilla, died at the age of six years; William, of Preston county, West Virginia, married Elizabeth Miller; Christina. wife of John Ross, of Nebraska: Malinda, wife of Frank Stairs, of Westmoreland county: Hartman Henry. of whom later; Ozich D., of Scottdale, Pennsylvania, married Rebecca Miller. These children were early left orphans, both their parents dying the same year, the father at thirty and the mother at thirty-two. The youngest of the children was only a year old, and all, with the exception of Hartman Henry, were taken charge of by relatives.
Hartman Henry Weimer, son of David and Hannah (Barclay ) Weimer, was three years old at the time of the death of his parents, and after that sad event was received into the household of Jacob L. Hayes, a farmer of Donegal township, with whom he remained until the age of ten years, obtaining his education in the common schools.
Upon the death of Mr. Hayes, which occurred when the boy was ten years old. the latter was taken charge of by a family named Neider- sheiser. of the same township, remaining with them nearly three years, attending school during the winters. and working on the farm in the summers. He next became an inmate of the home of a farmer named Harmon, also of the same township, remaining until his eighteenth year. At that age he began life for himself, working on shares for two years and then purchasing a farm of one hundred aeres in Donegal township. After cultivating this farm for three years he sold it and bought one of fifty-seven and a half acres in Mount Pleasant township, Westmoreland county. This latter farm he cultivated until 1889, when he disposed of it and moved to Johnstown, where for six years he was successfully engaged in the livery business in the Seventh ward. Since that time he has dealt in live stock and horses and has engaged in train- ing. In 1902 he bought a farm of sixty-three acres in Geistown, which he still cultivates, and is also the owner of another of one hundred and thirty-five acres. In 1896 he built his present home on Pine street. He served two terms as councilman from the Seventh ward, and in Feb- ruary, 1906. was elected justice of the peace for a term of five years. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen, and in national affairs is a stanch Democrat; in local matters, liberal. He is a member of Trinity In- theran church, in which he serves as elder and trustee.
Mr. Weimer married. in Donegal township, Emma C., daughter of Henry and Catharine C. (Stairs) Keyser, of Westmoreland county, and they have had the following children: Ira. died at the age of eleven years: Catharine, wife of Dr. D. L. Frouke, of Johnstown ; May; Earl, student at Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. died October 26, 1905; and Roth, attending high school.
HUGH T. SLATER, a teacher in the public schools of Cresson, was born in the hamlet of Carnegie. Pennsylvania. September 24, 1881, the son of Frank J. and Margaret J. (Mckeever) Slater. The father was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1837, and reared on a farm. He was a soldier in the Union cause in the time of the Civil war, enlisting in the Sixty-third Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was in several battles. in one of which he was wounded. the shot taking
641
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
effeet in his arm. He had learned the blacksmith's trade, and when this accident happened to his right arm he was compelled to use the left for wielding his hammer. He was an expert marksman with a gun, holding the championship for Clearfield and Center connties, Pennsyl- vania. He followed his trade until an advanced age, but now lives at Cresson, retired. Elis father eame from Ohio to Cambria county, Penn- sylvania, in 1842, and bought a large tract of land in Allegheny township.
Frank J. Slater (father) married Margaret J. Mckeever, daugh- ter of George Mckeever, of Loretto. Cambria county. She was born in 1835. They have the following children: 1. Peter, born in 1878, mar- ried Elizabeth Slight, of Elk county, Pennsylvania. and they have two children: Zedriek, bern 1898, and Maree, born 1900. 2. George, born 1879, married Bertha Myers, of Cambria county, and they have three children : Leo, born 1898; Beatrice, born 1900, and Frances, born 1901. 3. Cornelius, born 1880, married Mary Storm, of Cresson. 4. Hugh T., see forward.
Jacob Slater, the grandfather, was born in 1813, in Butler county, Pennsylvania, and reared a large family, two of which are Thomas, who resides in Buffalo, and Mrs. Susan Smith, who lives in Butler county. After a long and eventful life, the grandfather died in 1903, on the farm where his life had been spent.
Ilngh T. Slater was educated in the public schools of Cambria county, the parochial schools of Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, and the Indiana State Normal. He has followed the profession of a teacher ever since his graduation. He began in 1896 in Portage township, was principal at Summer Hill in 1902, and at Loretto the same year. Since then he has been employed in the schools of Cresson. He made the presentation speech when the business men presented a flag to C. M. Schwab on his return from Europe in 1903, at Loretto. Politically Mr. Slater is a Democrat, and in his religious belief a Catholic. He has served as town clerk for Cresson.
He married Beatrice M. Mower, of Summit, Pennsylvania, June 30, 1903. She is the daughter of Edward P. Mower, a condnetor on the Pennsylvania railroad. Two children have blessed their union: Mar- garet B .. born March 23, 1904, and Lenore G., born July 13, 1905.
DAVID J. PFEISTER, of Cresson, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, a general merchandising dealer, was born November, 1860, the son of Roman and Wilhemina ( Eutha) Pfeister. The father was born in Germany, in 1821, and was married in 1843. He emigrated to this country in 1846, with his wife and one son, Gottlieb. They settled at Summit, Pennsylvania, but later moved to Hollidaysburg and from there to Butler, where they lived eight years. In 1857 he returned to Cresson. He was a Demoerat. and a Catholic. He learned the mill- wright's trade, but did not follow it: he became a railroader, as night watchman. and met his death by being struck by an engine in 1904. In their family were the following children : Gottlieb. Agnes, married Michael Slatery, and had four children: John L., Josephine, Thomas and Agnes. May, who became the wife of W. B. Tubbs. Sophia, mar- ried Frank Lang, and had George L. and Leo M. David J., see for- ward. John F., single. The mother of these children lives with her son John at Cresson.
Blachwus Pfeister, the grandfather, came to the United States in 1846 and located in Cambria county, where he farmed and operated a
642
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
fouring mill in the neighborhood. He died about 1870. aged eighty- eight years. His wife died the same year. Their children were Gott- lieb, who was the father of six children and lived in Nicktown, Cambria county, where he died. Vitus, a resident of Cambria county, was the father of nine children. Earhart. a resident of Johnstown, married and they have six children : Anna, Amelia. Matilda, Leona, Frank and Charles. Blashwus Pfeister was an upright man and a devout Catholic. In politics he voted the Democratie ticket.
David J. Pfeister was at first a telegraph operator and in the em- ploy of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for twelve years, at the ex- piration of which time he, in company with his brother, --- Pfeister opened a general store, commencing their business operations in 1887, and with which he is still connected. In politics Mr. Pfeister is a Dem- ocrat, and belongs to the church of his forefathers-the Catholic. He has held the offices of tax collector and assessor for Cresson, Pennsyl- vania. He is a member of the order of Knights of Columbus, No. 522, at Ebensburg, and Catholic Mutual Benevolent Association, Branch No. 128, of Cresson.
He married Ella, daughter of Jacob Warner, of Summit, in 1899. They have one son, Robert, born September 27, 1900, and an adopted daughter, Alice McChill, born February 14, 1894.
SIMON F. SANKER. a railroad engineer of Cresson, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, was born in the borough of Loretto, Pennsyl- vania, August 10, 1869, the son of John. Jr., and Elizabeth (Storm) Sanker.
The father was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, in 1822. He followed farming near Loretto all of his life, dying in 1899; his wife died in 1902. He was a Democrat in politics, and a Catholic in his religious faith. He served as tax collector in Allegheny township, and had the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. He married Eliza- beth Storm, daughter of Peter Storm, of Loretto. and they were the parents of eleven children : Vincent P., Gertrude A., Andrew J., Luke T., Joseph, Angela, Susan, Simon F., Ella, Edward, and
John Sanker, Sr., the grandfather of Simon F. Sanker, came from Germany, and little is known of his history except that he was a farmer and settled in Adams county, Pennsylvania, where he reared his family. It is known that he could not speak a word of the English language until a man grown. Later in life he moved to Cambria. Ilis children wore: Anthony, Samuel, Henry, Ambrose, Aloysius, John, Susan, Agnes, Elizabeth and Mary. His wife died in 1886. The family all came to Cambria county with him.
Simon F. Sanker remained at home on his father's farm until he was twenty-two years of age; he then worked at the plastering trade for two years, and then entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, on a work train. Later he was a brakeman for eight months and fired about five years, and at the expiration of this time. in 1900. he was promoted to engineer. He now runs a passenger train on the C. & C. division of the Pennsylvania road. In polities Mr. Sanker is a Democrat, and in religious belief a Catholic. He is a member of the Engineers' Brotherhood at Altoona, and belongs to the Knights of Columbus at Ebensburg, No. 255.
He married Julia C. Gousman. of Summit. the daughter of Jacob and Helen (Crist) Gousman, February, 1901: two children : Helen E .. born March, 1902: Edna M., born February. 1904.
643
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
EDWARD GLASS. of Patton, was born in 1856, at St. Augustine and is a son of James Glass, and a grandson of Edward Glass, who was born in Cambria county.
James Glass, son of Edward Glass. was born in 1815, and was a farmer, living on the homestead in Clearfield township, and carry- ing on the lumber business in connection with his agricultural labors. Ile was a Republican, and a member of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Glass married Elizabeth Adams, and they were the parents of the following children : Haden T., born 1845, died 1887; married a western woman, no issne. Albert, died in childhood. Mary, born 1848, single, at home. Charles. born 1852, single, at home. Edward, of whom later. John, born 1858, single. Victoria, born 1860, single, at home. The death of Mr. Glass occurred in 1860.
Edward Glass, son of James and Elizabeth (Adams) Glass, was reared on a farm and learned the carpenter's trade, which he has fol- lowed throughout the county, beginning at St. Augustine, whence he moved to Ashville, remaining there about two years. His next re- moval, which took place in 1893, was to Patton, where he has since remained.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.