Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 90

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers
Number of Pages: 972

USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II > Part 90

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On Aug. 10, 1897, Mr. Keys was married at Brockwayville to Macie Ellen Vandevort,

of that borough, daughter of John and Ella ( Bower ) Vandevort. They have four chil- dren: Marian, J. Clifford, William Glen and James Van, all at school, Marian and Clifford attending the Clarion State Normal School at Clarion, Pennsylvania.

WILLIAM 11. BELL is a sterling and popu- lar citizen whose secure place in the confidence and esteem of the people of Jefferson county needs no further voucher than the statement that he has served, and that with marked ef- ficiency, as treasurer of the county. He is now a progressive merchant of Reynoldsville, where he conducts a splendidly equipped cloth- ing store, which is one of the most attractive establishments of the borough. It is situated on Main street, in the very heart of the busi- ness district. ITis store is at all times fully equipped with the best standard lines of cloth- ing and men's furnishings of the latest ap- proved grades and styles. In the clothing de- partment a specialty is made of the handling of the celebrated products of Hart, Schaffner & Marx and Michael Stern & Co., and in the es- tablishment is also maintained an equally well stocked and conducted department devoted to merchant tailoring. In addition to general lines of haberdashery Mr. Bell also handles trunks, suit cases, traveling bags, etc., and his store as a whole is remarkably metropolitan in equipment and service.

Mr. Bell was born at Vineland, Cumberland Co., N. J .. on the 4th of June, 1865, and is a son of William H. H. and Matilda (Burch ) Bell. the former's father, Samuel E. Bell, hav- ing been one of the sterling pioneers of Jeffer- son county, where he owned and operated the old-time Catfish iron furnace, the closing years of his life having been passed at Natrona, Al- leglieny county, and his remains resting beside those of his wife in a cemetery at Tarentum. Allegheny county. William H. H. Bell was born in Brookville in 1841 and has devoted the major part of his active career to clerical work. Now venerable in years, he resides at Patton, Cambria county. He served in the 11th Penn- sylvania Regiment for three years and seven months, enlisting at Pittsburg Landing, Pa., and is a member of the G. A. R. Of the chil- dren born to his parents, William H. is the eldest ; Lincoln S. resides at Altoona, this State: James G. is a resident of Johnstown ; Samuel E. maintains his home at Smeth- port, Mckean county, and is prominently identified with oil development in Oklahoma ; two daughters died in childhood.

William H. Bell attended the public schools

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at Parker's Landing. Armstrong county, where his parents established their home when he was a child. As a youth he was there employed in a glass manufactory and later he was there identified with railroad work, in various ca- pacities. In 1884, when nineteen years of age he became associated with his brother, Lincoln S .. in establishing a clothing store at DuBois. Clearfield county ; in 1888 their store and its entire contents were destroyed by fire, with virtually no insurance indemnity. The broth- ers re-established the business and in 1889 opened a clothing store at Reynoldsville, the dual enterprise being conducted under the firm name of Bell Brothers until 1892, when Lin- coln S. sold his interest in the Reynoldsville concern to William H., who has since contin- ued the enterprise with success and has gained prestige as one of the progressive business men of Jefferson county. Mr. Bell established also the first up-to-date haberdashery in Brookville, and this he conducted in addition to his Rey- noldsville store for three years, when he sold the stock to the firm of Heasley & Reitz.

Mr. Bell has been an influential figure in the councils and campaign activities of the Repub- lican party in Jefferson county and in 1912 there came a gratifying mark of the popular appreciation of his character and ability when he was elected county treasurer by a very large majority. He was the first incumbent of this office after the term had been extended to four years, and he gave a most careful and effective administration of the fiscal affairs of the county. He was a delegate to the Republican State convention that nominated Governor Tener, and has long taken an active part in political affairs in the community. For four- teen years Mr. Bell served as secretary of the board of education of Reynoldsville, and in all things pertaining to the communal wellbeing is known for his liberality and loyalty. He and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he is serving as a mem- ber of its board of trustees. At Du Bois, Clear- field county. he is affiliated with Garfield lodge, No. 559. F. & A. M., of which he is past master ; and at Brookville he is affiliated with Jefferson Chapter, No. 225, R. A. M. ; he was originally affiliated with Knapp Commandery at Ridgway, but was demitted to become a charter member of Bethany Commandery, No. 83. at DuBois, of which he has been a member from the time of its organization to the pres- ent. A student and observer of the fraternity's tenets, Mr. Bell continued his course until he received the thirty-second degree of the An- cient Accepted Scottish Rite, in the consistory

at Coudersport ; at Altoona he is affiliated with Jaffa Temple, Order of the Mystic Shrine. He is actively identified also with Reynoldsville Lodge of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.

In the year 1892 was solemnized the mar- riage of William H. Bell to Lena A. Smith, daughter of Orton Smith, of Reynoldsville, and they have two sons : Byron E., who assists in his father's store ; and William O., who was a member of the class of 1916 of the Pennsyl- vania State College. Vital and enterprising both as a citizen and business man, Mr. Bell is one of the leading spirits in the civic and business life of Reynoldsville, and is an influ- ential charter member of the Reynoldsville Chamber of Commerce.

WILLIAM SHELDON JOHNSON (de- ceased) passed a number of years at Punxsit- tawney as a merchant, and made a reputation for competence and keen judgment that en- titled him to be classed among the forceful business men of the borough. Originally asso- ciated with his father, the late William E. Johnson, and subsequently with John H. Fink, both men of ability and sterling character, his experience brought him into touch with the strongest commercial element in the borough, and he showed himself quite worthy of a place among its representatives. Mr. Johnson was a native of Elk county, Pa., born March 6, 1852, at Benezett, where his father was established for a considerable period. The first members of the Johnson family in this country were his great-grandparents. Thew Johnson, Sr., and his wife, natives of England, who came to America during the first years of the nineteenth century, and spent the remainder of their lives in Pennsylvania.

Thew Johnson, Jr., grandfather of William S. Johnson, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1795. and was eight years old when he ac- companied his parents to this country. He grew up in Elk county, followed farming and lun- bering, and died in 1867, after an industrious, unassuming life. He married Sarah Coleman, a native of Pennsylvania, who survived hin many years, passing away in May, 1889, when almost ninety years old.

William E. Johnson, son of Thew and Sarah (Coleman) Johnson, was born Nov. 6, 1826, in Elk county, and lived at home until twenty- five years old, helping to support the rest of the family. His parents were not in affluent cir- cumstances, so he had to begin work early, and consequently had meager educational advan- tages, being able to attend school only on rainy

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days when work outdoors was impossible. But he was intelligent and applied himself well. and managed to secure a good knowledge of the common branches through his own efforts. His youthful training was practically all in the line of work on the farm and in the woods, and when he began for himself he continued lum- bering and farming until 1867. when he opened a general store at Benezett, Elk county. Though it was a venture into a new field he made a success of it, carrying it on until 1885. and soon after its establishment became post- master at Benezett, filling that position for six- teen years. In 1886 he removed to Punxsu- tawney, where he also engaged in general mer- chandising, forming a partnership with John H. Fink, under the firm name of Johnson & Fink. They did a wholesale as well as retail business, and commanded a trade which grew steadily. Mr. Johnson remained with the house until July, 1896, when he sold his inter- est to J. B. Eberhart, now the leading depart- ment store man at Punxsutawney, and retired. He had valuable real estate holdings in Punx- sutawney, including the handsome brick resi- dence at No. 114 North Penn street where he resided until his death, and which his widow still occupies. He died July 27, 1904, and is buried in Circle Hill cemetery. Politically he was a Republican.

In 1851 Mr. Johnson married Ann Murray. of Elk county, who died in 1856 leaving one son. William Sheldon. In 1858 Mr. Johnson married (second) Abigal Sophia Winslow. daughter of Carpenter and Beulah (Keen) Winslow, of Elk county, and by that union were three daughters: Ella E .. Mrs. William E. Zierden, of Johnsonburg, Elk county ; Emma E., Mrs. Thaddeus C. Zeitler, of Punx- sutawney ; and Adda, who died when thirteen months old.

William Sheldon Johnson was reared in Elk county. and acquired his education in the pub- lie schools of the home locality, which he at- tended regularly up to the age of thirteen years. From that time on he assisted his father. first on the farm and later in the store and post office at Benezett, where he became familiar with the details of merchandising, particularly the handling of country trade. When his father sold out and removed to Punxsutawney he, too, made the same change of residence. after which he was connected with the firm of Johnson & Fink and continued with Mr. Fink after the senior partner had withdrawn, and until he withdrew himself from active business associations, eight years before his death, which occurred May 27, 1913. Mr. Johnson met

with substantial success and enjoyed an honor- able position in the business circles of Punxsu- tawney by reason of his admirable personal qualities as well as his irreproachable dealings in material transactions. In his death Punxsu- tawney lost one of her most estimable citizens.

Mr. Johnson married, in October. 1896, Minnie Steffy, daughter of William Steffy, of Punxsutawney, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. They adopted a daughter, Eliza B .. who is now attending high school. Mr. John- son built a fine home at No. 109 South Pine street, where his widow and daughter reside.

THEOPHILUS PANTALL (deceased) filled a place of distinct worth as one of the forceful characters who animated much of the business progress which marked his genera- tion in Jefferson county. His influence was felt especially in and about Punxsutawney. where most of his operations were conducted and where he acquired large real estate posses- sions, in both town and country. His principal interests, however, drew him into active asso- ciation with business transactions requiring skillful management and executive proficiency. and he retained his hold upon all of them until about a year before his death, when he relin- quished his more arduous responsibilities.

Mr. Pantall was born in 1841 at the old homestead near Punxsutawney. His parents. James and Elizabeth ( Reece) Pantall. came to America from Herefordshire, England, in 1825. their family then consisting of two chil- (Iren. Locating at Philipsburg. Centre Co., Pa., the father worked for Hardman Philips. who established one of the first screw factories in the United States. But he was a miller by trade, and on coming to Jefferson county fol- lowed that calling at Port Barnett until 1839, the year of his removal to the vicinity of Punx- sutawney. Here he had charge of the mills of Dr. John Jenks for five years, after which he purchased and moved to the farm later owned by his son John R. Pantall. The rest of his life was passed there in farming, in which he prospered. His death occurred in 1883 when over eighty years old, he having been born in 1797. His wife, a native of Herefordshire. (lied in April. 1865. They were the parents of the following children : James, now deceased ; Elijah, living in DuBois; William, deceased ; John R., deceased; Philip R .: Theophilus ; Mary Jane, deceased, was the wife of Samuel Jordan ; Ralston, deceased: and Thomas M., of Punxsutawney. The last named married Mary Ann Rogers, daughter of Isaac Rogers,

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and had five children, Nora A., James J., Clyde T., Nannie I. and Frank B.

Theophilus Pantall had only the ordinary educational advantages of the public schools of the home locality. He was reared to farm work, and in his later years acquired valuable agricultural interests, in both land and stock. But he was chiefly engaged in industrial and financial operations, lumbering and real estate transactions keeping a large proportion of his capital busy, for though he began with nothing he accumulated beyond his own expectations or early ambitions. It is interesting to note that his first half dollar was earned splitting a hundred rails. From time to time he became interested in local enterprises, some of those most important to the business life of Punx- sutawney having originated with hin, others prospering by his encouragement or coopera- tion, as he had the vision to realize their place in the development of the borough. It was thus that he was connected with the establish- ment of two banks here, the First National and the Citizens', being a large stockholder and director in each. He dealt extensively in live stock, slaughtering from five hundred to one thousand head of beef cattle annually. most of which was disposed of in the local market. He was one of the promoters of the movement which brought about the establishment of the iron works at Punxsutawney, being the largest contributor to the enterprise, and his faith in its value to the community attracted much of the other capital thereto. Mr. Pantall's prop- erty holdings included the large "Hotel Pan- tall." at Punxsutawney ; valuable real estate at Clayville (now part of Punxsutawney ), and a fine farm of two hundred acres in Young town- ship. He continued to be one of the foremost business men of the county all his life, although he retired about a year before his death. which occurred Aug. 5, 1908, at Punxsutawney ; he is buried in the Circle Hill cemetery. His death was one of the greatest losses the community had experienced in many a year, for though he had withdrawn somewhat from active partici- pation in affairs his influence had in nowise abated, and his counsel and good judgment were sought on the most vital questions, par- ticularly those affecting industrial economies. Mr. Pantall never entered public life, though he kept in touch with the questions of the day and had decided opinions upon them. His first presidential vote was cast for Lincoln, and he supported the Republican party faithfully to the end of his life. He affiliated with the Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and with his family attended the Cumberland

Presbyterian Church, his wife being especially prominent in its membership and work.

In 1860 Mr. Pantall married Margaret Jami- son Work, a native of this locality, daughter of George and Mary (Hopkins) Work. The Work family were among the early settlers in Young township, Mrs. Pantall's parents own- ing a large farm there, afterwards purchased by Mr. Pantall, and now owned by Harry Lewis, of Young township. Mrs. Pantall re- sides at No. 532 West Mahoning street, Punx- sutawney.

Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pantall: Lon, who died in Punxsutawney, where he was cashier of the First National Bank, was married to Elizabeth Rosenberger ; Lillian, deceased, was the wife of J. U. Moore, a merchant of West Piqua, Ohio, and left a daughter Helen, who lived with her maternal grandparents after her mother's death until her marriage to Herman Rodkey, who sur- vives her with two children, Margaret and Raymond P. (she died Oct. 2, 1914) ; Clara was the wife of J. F. Goheen, a merchant of Lindsey (Punxsutawney), and both are de- ceased, survived by their son Max (he married Mabel Shanker, and has two children, Mar- garet and Maxine) ; Lottie is the wife of John Dorn, of Punxsutawney, and has three chil- dren, Theophilus (who is married to Adda Carmalt), Edward and Wilbur ; Minta May is the wife of W. . \. Sutter, assistant cashier of the Punxsutawney National Bank, and they have two children, Robert Pantall and Dorothy Jane.

MAGNUS ALLGEIER, late of Brookville, was a resident of that borough for forty-five years, during which period he became a power in local business eircles. The foremost posi- tion he gained was due to substantial and ad- mirable qualities which brought him popularity as well as prosperity. From humble beginnings he built up one of the really great business es- tablishments in the town, and in the course of his career became connected with others of im- portance to the community. His personal in- fluence kept pace with the worldly advancement he made, and as a sincere advocate of every good cause he came to be regarded as one of the most valuable citizens of his borough and county. His success was a shining example of the opportunities which have attracted ambi- tious toilers from the old world to the new.

Mr. Allgeier was a native of Baden, Ger- many, born in 1842, son of Jacob and Fran- eisca (Burger) Allgeier. The parents were also born in Baden, and the mother passed all

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her life in Germany, dying there in the year 1845. Several years later, in 1853, the father came to America, making his home in Clear- field county, Pa., where he remained until he retired, spending his last years in comfortable leisure at Brookville, where he died in 1888. In Germany he learned the tailor's trade, which he followed in that country and this.

Magnus Allgeier grew up in the land of his birth, and had the excellent educational advan- tages afforded in its public schools, which he attended until fourteen years old. He learned brewing, acquiring the exhaustive knowledge of the trade considered essential in the Father- land in any line, and which he found to be suffi- cient basis for a fortune when he came to this country. Coming from Germany in 1866, he first located at St. Marys, in Elk county, Pa., where he lived about two years, settling at Brookville in 1868. Here he found employ- ment with S. C. Christ, who then operated a brewery, continuing with him about two years, and in 1870 establishing himself in business. starting the Spring brewery, which under his capable management became a leading indus- trial plant of the town. He went about it mod- estly, expanding his facilities as the increase of the trade warranted, and did so well that it was his principal interest to the end of life; as well as one of the most valuable in its relation to the prosperity of the community. The pat- ronage came from a radius of twenty-five miles from Brookville, the product being of such superior quality that the demand grew steadily. especially in the local territory, the capacity of the plant never being much ahead of require- ments. Mr. Allgeier exhibited many strong traits in his long and useful life. He built up his first business by commendable methods. satisfaction to customers, unfailing attention to the demands of the trade, and thrifty busi- ness economy. As it became well ordered he found time for other affairs, and was always unselfish in supporting and promoting home industries. He established the first successful ice plant in Jefferson county, which he opened in 1889 and which soon justified his enterprise. He was a stockholder in the Brookville Title & Trust Company, the most important financial institution in the borough, and also in the Brookville Glass & Tile Company and the Brookville Manufacturing Company, up-to- date concerns whose operations have had an appreciable influence on the local business situ- ation. Mr. Allgeier's experience extended from primitive days to modern conditions in Brookville. When he began business there were no railroads to the town, and he made

many a trip to Ridgway by team, forty miles from his brewery, to haul supplies. It was uphill work in those days, but he persevered. and retained active connection with all his in- terests until his death, which occurred March 13, 1913. His taking away was considered a loss to this entire region.

Mr. Allgeier never participated directly in public affairs to any extent, finding his oppor- tunities for service to his fellow citizens in providing better living conditions and employ- ment in and around Brookville. But he was loyal to his adopted country, having been nat- uralized May 2. 1870, at Brookville, when J. M. Steck was county prothonotary (his witnesses were B. Verstine and Casper Endres). In politics he believed in the principles of the Democratic party, but in voting he supported good men regardless of party ties, especially in local matters. In religion he was a Catholic.

In 1866, the year of his arrival in this coun- try, Mr. Allgeier married at St. Marys. Mary Ringwald, who had come to America in the same vessel as he. She was a native of Baden. Germany, and a daughter of Lorenz Ringwald. Mrs. Allgeier died in Brookville April 17, 1915, and is buried beside her husband in the Catholic cemetery at Brookville. The follow- ing children were born to them :

(I) Philip J. Allgeier was born April 30. 1867. at St. Marys, Elk Co., Pa., and grew up at Brookville, where he attended the paro- chial school under Father Winker. In his youth he entered the employ of his father. under whom he received adequate business training, and is taking his place among the solid men of the borough, where he has given evidence of trustworthy ability in various un- dertakings. In 1893 he engaged in the hotel business at the present site of the "Jefferson House" in Brookville, at that time operating a two-story hotel owned by his father. Nine years later, in 1902, he purchased the prop- erty and tore down the old building, replacing it with one of the best hotel structures in Jeff- erson county, a five-story brick with all modern conveniences and appointments. Upon its completion he resumed the hotel business, call- ing his house the "New Jefferson Hotel." which he carried on in the most efficient man- ner until Jefferson county "went dry," closing his hostelrv to the public at noon Feb. 16, 1916. Mr. Allgeier has also interested himself in other enterprises. He was one of the organizers of the Brookville Glass & Tile Company, and its second vice president. Fraternally he holds membership in the Elks Lodge, No. 519. of Reynoldsville, and in the local lodge of the

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Fraternal Order of Eagles, which latter he helped organize ; at one time he was a member of the Knights of Pythias. He takes his greatest pleasure in hunting and fishing.

On June 7, 1893, Mr. Allgeier married Clara Amelia Young, who was born in Indiana, Pa., .in 1873, daughter of Joseph J. Young and his wife Anna (Pass), the former now residing at Punxsutawney ; Mr. Young was at one time sheriff of Jefferson county. Mrs. Young died in 1911. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Allgeier: Annie Gertrude, a grad- uate of St. Benedict's Academy, at St. Marys, Pa., 1913, where she took the courses in music and painting ; Philip Magnus, and Mary Gene- vieve.

(2) Herman Allgeier, born Feb. 13, 1869. in Brookville, attended the parochial school and learned the brewing business in Chicago, where he graduated from the Wahl & Henius Insti- tute in 1893. Returning he entered his father's brewery, where he is still engaged. He mar- ried Edith Guth, daughter of Charles B. Guth, of Clarion, Pa., and the following children have been born to them: Frederick C., Paul M., Walter V., Mary, Herman M., Edith, Francis X., Albert, Charles B., Cecilia, Mar- garet M. and Catherine.

(3) Mary Allgeier is the wife of T. C. Doberneck, and has one child. Gertrude. They reside in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

(4) Albert C. Allgeier, born Sept. 26, 1874. in Brookville, received his education in the parochial school there and since has been em- ployed at the brewery. Since 1900 he has also had charge of the ice business. He is unmar- ried and lives at the old home.

(5) Lewis Allgeier, born Nov. 19, 1882, re- ceived his education and business training at Brookville, and has always been engaged at the brewery. He is unmarried and resides at home.

(6) Minnie Allgeier, twin of Lewis, resides at the family home with her two brothers.

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 90

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918 Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers Number of Pages: 972

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers
Number of Pages: 972