Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 100

Author: Sell, Jesse C 1872-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Publishing
Number of Pages: 1036

USA > Pennsylvania > Blair County > Altoona > Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens > Part 100

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William H. Feather grew up on his father's farm and attended school in the neighborhood,

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not, however, enjoying the privileges that chil- lege; and Carrie, who is the wife of Archie dren of the present day have given them. He Furry, a machinist residing at Johnstown, Pa. may be said to have been a lifelong farmer, his business always having been along agricultural lines. In 1876 he moved from Bedford to Blair County, settling in Taylor Township, where he has lived until the present. Mr. Feather has identified himself with neither po- litical party but casts his vote according to his judgment.

On November 26, 1878, Mr. Feather was married to Miss Ellen Stern, who was born in Taylor Township, a daughter of Jacob Stern, now deceased. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Feather, namely: Cora R., who is the wife of John Kanode, of Taylor Town- ship; Mary, Roy Irvin and Jacob H., all three of whom live in Taylor Township; and Daniel and Emma, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Feather has witnessed many changes in the country since he first came to Taylor Town- ship and many of them undoubtedly are im- provements. Perhaps one of the greatest con- veniences is the speedy and regular delivery of mail, the letters and papers for himself and family being delivered from Roaring Spring.

IRVIN DILLING METZGER, M. E., M. D., O. et A. Chirurg., a prominent physician and surgeon in active practice at Tyrone, Pa., and a member of the staff of Mercy Hospital, at Altoona, was born in Bedford County, Pa., near New Enterprise, April 12, 1873, and is a son of Jacob B. and Catherine (Dilling) Metzger.

The parents of Dr. Metzger were born in Blair County but for many years have been residents of Bedford County. Dr. Metzger is the third in a family of eight children, the others being: Harry, who is principal of the Saxon public school; George, who is deceased ; Mary, who is the wife of Ira Kagarise, of Maria, Bedford County ; John, who is a farmer in the same neighborhood; Anna, who is the wife of Elry Furry, a farmer in Bedford County; Jacob L., who is a member of the class of 1911, in the Pennsylvania State Col-

Dr. Metzger received his early education in the public schools and graduated in the class of 1894 from Juniata College. Prior to en- tering college he taught school for two terms and since taught six more terms, at Hollidays- burg, where he was principal of the public schools. He then entered Hahnemann Med- ical College, Philadelphia, where he was grad- uated in the class of 1904. Later he took a special course at the Lying-in Charity Hospi- tal, Philadelphia. Late in 1904 he settled at Tyrone and for five years engaged in a gen- eral practice. In 1909 he entered the New York Ophthalmic Hospital, where he gradu- ated in May, 1910, receiving the degree of Oculis et auris chirurgus, and since that time he has confined his practice to diseases of the eye, ear and nose. He is a member of the Tyrone Medical Club, the Blair County Homeopathic Medical Society, the Pennsyl- vania Homeopathic Medical Society, the American Institute of Homeopathy, and the National Society of Ophthalmology, Otology and Laryngology. As stated above, he is also a member of the staff of Mercy Hospital at Altoona, and did not his large practice so ab- sorb his time, he would probably be identified with numerous other professional organiza- tions. In religious belief he is a Baptist. He is a Republican in politics and is president of the Tyrone School Board and a director in the Y. M. C. A. In 1905 Dr. Metzger was married to Miss Sara Rollins, a daughter of Jones and Susan Rollins, of Hollidaysburg.

J. P. REILLY, proprietor of Hotel Walton, which is located at No. 1608-10 Eleventh Avenue, Altoona, Pa., has been a resident here since 1904, but has always been identified with the hotel business since entering upon his busi- ness career. He was born February 21, 1875 at Hollidaysburg, Pa., a son of John and Bridget (Duffey) Reilly, who were both na- tives of Ireland. The following children were born to the parents of our subject: Anna, who is the wife of W. A. Feank; George; Philip;

IRVIN D. METZGER, M. E., M. D.

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Margaret, widow of George Zeigler; Cecelia, the wife of John Bailey; Bridget, who married Edward Knepper; Catherine, wife of C. A. Malone; Agnes, who married T. J. Lynch; and J. P., subject of this record.

J. P. Reilly spent his boyhood in Hollidays- burg and was there identified with the hotel business previous coming to Altoona. He was married in 1898 to Stella McCabe, a daughter of Edward and Lucinda McCabe of Hollidaysburg, and to them have been born children, Gladys, Maida, and John P. Mr. Reilly is politically a Republican, and is fra- ternally a member of the F. O. E. and the L. O. O. M. The religious connection of the family is with the Catholic Church.

JOHN C. DIEHL, who conducts a general blacksmith shop at Blue Knob, Blair County, Pa., was born August 28, 1864, in Greenfield Township, Blair County, Pa., and is a son of Aaron and Catherine (Imler) Diehl, and a grandson of Daniel Diehl, who was one of the early settlers of Greenfield Township.

Aaron Diehl and his wife were both natives of Greenfield Township and he died here in February, 1910. In early life he learned car- pentering and cabinet making, and later fol- lowed same in connection with general repair- ing and farming. In politics he was a Demo- crat, and served as assessor and as a member of the school board of Juniata Township. Of the children born of his union with Catherine Imler, the following are still living: Maria, who is the wife of William Mosel of Green- field Township; John C., who is a resident of Juniata Township; G. Calvin, who resides in Greenfield Township; Della, who married J. C. Bowser of Greenfield Township; and Alfred N., and Howard, both of whom live in Green- field Township. Aaron Diehl and wife were members of the German Reformed church.

John C. Diehl grew to manhood in Green- field Township and after attending the district schools, taught one term in this township. He was for twenty years engaged in the lumber in- dustry, and operated saw mills, but has for some time been conducting a general black-

smith shop near Blue Knob. Mr. Diehl is an expert mechanic, with a natural talent for me- chanical pursuits, and is well known in this locality for his skill in that line. Personally he enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.

Mr. Diehl was married May 28, 1889, to Leona Walter, who was born in Greenfield Township, a daughter of Henry Walter, and they have the following children : Elmer, Har- vey, and Alice, all residents of Juniata Town- ship. Mr. Diehl is politically identified with the Democratic party and has served eight con- secutive years as Justice of the Peace, and also served six years as a member and secretary of the school board of this township. He is fraternally a member of the P. O. S. of A. of Blue Knob, and is a member and elder of the Reformed church.

WEEST BROTHERS, proprietors of the Hotel Grand, one of the most comfortable, con- venient and well appointed hostelries of Al- toona, are numbered with the enterprising and popular business men of this city. The firm is made up of Harry W. and William Weest, both of whom were born at Altoona, sons of W. G. and Anna Mary ( Heoffler) Weest.

W. G. Weest was born in Germany but spent the larger portion of his life in America. For fifteen years he conducted a butcher business at Altoona, but in 1892 entered into the hotel business and continued to conduct it until his death, which occurred in January, 1900. His widow survives and also their five children : John, Harry W., Anna, William and Mary. The Hotel Grand, which is a commodious structure standing on the corner of Sixth Ave- nue and Third Street, has thirty-eight rooms and is fitted up in modern style with every comfort and convenience demanded by the traveling public. ' The patronage is generous. Both proprietors are men of family. Harry W. Weest married Miss Fannie Rutter and they have four children: Mary, Viola, Harry and Helen. William Weest married Miss Emma Lafferty, a daughter of Isaac Lafferty of Altoona, and they have two children :

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Thelma and Irene. The late W. G. Weest was a member of the Lutheran church. In politics he was a Republican and fraternally he was an Odd Fellow.

DR. FRANK KEAGY, who has been en- gaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Altoona, Pa., for the past 6 years, or there- abouts, was born in Woodbury, Bedford County, Pa., but reared at Altoona, where he attended the public schools. His knowledge of the medical profession was obtained at the Jefferson Medical College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904. Then after serving thirteen months as interne at the Al- toona Hospital, he embarked in the practice of his profession at Altoona. His skill has gained him the confidence of the public, and he has a large and absorbing practice. He is a mem- ber of the medical staff of the Mercy Hospital of Altoona, and belongs to the Blair County, Pennsylvania State, and American Medical So- cieties.

Dr. Keagy was united in marriage with Martha Bennett, a daughter of George Ben- nett, and they have two children: Robert Marvel; and Helen Elizabeth. Dr. Keagy is a member of the M. E. Church of this city, and affiliates with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias.

PROF. E. S. KAGARISE, principal of the Martinsburg High School which he organized in 1894, is a man of marked ability as an edu- cator, in which relation he has been connected with this borough for some seventeen consecu- tive years. He was born December 12, 1870, at Salemville, in Bedford County, Pa., and is a son of Rev. George B. Kagarise and a grand- son of Jacob Kagarise, who was an early set- tler at Everett, Pa. For many years the father of Professor Kagarise was pastor of the Eng- lish Seventh Day Baptist church at Salemville.

E. S. Kagarise was educated in the public schools of Salemville and the Pennsylvania State Normal School, at Lock Haven, where he was graduated in 1892. He taught his first term of school at Baden, in Bedford County,

and in September, 1893, came to Martinsburg and assumed charge of the borough schools. He entered into the work with the enthusiasm that has characterized his later efforts, the notable beginning being the organizing of the High School, in 1894, of which he has been principal ever since. In addition to his duties during the regular school term, for seventeen summers he has carried on Normal Institute work at Martinsburg and over 500 men and women teachers have taken advantage of these opportunities for higher study and thus have been better prepared for their work. So satis- factory have been these school sessions that the name and fame of Professor Kagarise have been carried to the uttermost ends of the county and he is probably the most popular candidate for the office of county superinten- dent of schools of Blair County, now before the public. In the meanwhile he has quietly pur- sued higher branches of study himself and in 1904 took a summer course at the University of Pennsylvania, perfecting himself in the classics.

On June 26, 1895, Professor Kagarise was united in marriage with a lady well qualified to be his companion, Miss Bertha M. Kerr, a graduate of the Pennsylvania State Normal School at Lock Haven, who, for eleven years was a successful teacher in the grammar schools at Martinsburg. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Martins- burg, of which he is a trustee and superinten- dent of the Sunday-school. They maintain a hospitable home and take part in the pleasant social life of the borough. In politics Profes- sor Kagarise is a Democrat. He is identified fraternally with Woodbury Lodge, No. 539 F. & A. M., at Roaring Spring, Pa.

H. C. MEANS, the genial proprietor of the Richelieu Hotel, a leading hostelry of Altoona, Pa., favorably situated for business and easy transportation, has had over a dozen years of hotel experience and is favorably known to a large contingent of the traveling public. He was born November 3, 1870, in Jefferson County, Pa., and is a son of John and Eliza-

ALLEN S. GARMAN

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beth (Filler ) Means, the former of whom was born in Center County and the latter in Blair County.

H. C. Means was educated in the public schools and almost the entire period of his business life has been connected with hotels. For eleven years he was clerk of the Brant House, at Altoona, and then became proprietor of the Richelieu Hotel, in 1909. It is a com- modious building situated on Chestnut Avenue, has thirty-two rooms and is equipped with steam, gas and electricity. Its many comforts and fine cuisine attract many patrons and Mr. Means is doing a very satisfactory business.

In October, 1899, Mr. Means was married to Mrs. Ollie Wilson, who was born in Frank- lin County, Pa. They attend the Presbyterian church. In politics Mr. Means is a Republican and fraternally he is identified with White Cross Lodge, Knights of Pythias and the Eagles, both at Altoona.

WILLIAM VAN ALLMAN, a leading citizen of Taylor Township, Blair County, Pa., where he owns a valuable farm of eighty acres, has been a resident of this township since 1877. . He was born in Frankstown Township, Blair County, September 13, 1846, and is a son of Adam and Catherine ( Mogle) Van Allman.

Adam Van Allman was born in Blair County, Pa., and died here in 1847. His father, Conrad Van Allman, was a native of Holland who came to Pennsylvania and was one of the earliest settlers in what is now Frankstown Township, Blair County. Adam Van Allman married Catherine Mogle, who was a daughter of Adam and Jane ( Bisbeer) Mogle. She was an excellent woman and after the death of her husband took charge of affairs and reared her children carefully and uprightly.

William Van Allman was eleven months old when his father died. He remained with his mother until he reached manhood, in the mean- while attending the district schools as oppor- tunity was presented. He is one of the three survivors of his parents' family, the others be- ing a sister and brother. Elizabeth is the

widow of Samuel Baird who was a resident of Taylor Township. She lives in Frankstown Township. Joseph is in business at Hollidays- burg. William Van Allman has practically de- voted his entire life to agricultural pursuits al- though for a short time in his youth, he taught school. The recreations that he enjoyed in those days were hunting and fishing and he developed the skill of a real sportsman. For many years he has been one of his township's most active public men and has been particu- larly interested in everything pertaining to educational matters. He served for ten years as a member of the Taylor Township School Board and during a portion of this time was secretary of the board. For two years he served also as township auditor and for nine consecutive years was assessor of Taylor Township. In all these offices he acquitted himself with credit and his fellow citizens ap- proved of his course. He is a Republican- works for his party because he believes in the principles it stands for.

On November 10, 1876, Mr. Van Allman was married to Miss Susanna M. Walls, a daughter of Enoch and Dorothea (Isenberg) Walls, natives of Huntingdon County, and three children were born to them : Lola D., who resides at home; Emma B., who is the wife of Dr. Fred Rice, of Sunbury, Pa .; and Irene C., who is the wife of Walter Neugard, also of Sunbury. Mrs. Van Allman is a member of the Reformed church at East Sharpsburg.

When Mr. Van Allman was a young man he served almost three years as a member of Co. C, 5th Pa. Nat. Guards. He is a member of the order of Odd Fellows, attending lodge at Hollidaysburg and Encampment at Roaring Springs, and belongs also to the Knights of the Golden Eagle and to the Grange, at Mar- tinsburg, Pa.

ALLEN S. GARMAN, proprietor of the Garman House, a representative and substan- tial citizen of Tyrone, Pa., having also many financial interests at other points, has been a resident of this borough since 1898. He was born at Bellefonte, Center County, Pa.,

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March 3, 1860, and is a son of Daniel and Louisa (Shreyer) Garman.

Daniel Garman was born in 1820, in Dauphin County, Pa., where his father had settled after moving from Lancaster County. In 1859 Daniel Garman moved to Bellefonte, Center County, where, for many years he was. engaged in the hotel and livery business, for a time being proprietor of the Garman House, at Bellefonte. His death occurred in that city, in 1908, in his eighty-eighth year. He mar- ried Louisa Shreyer, who was of German de- scent and was born in Milton, Northumber- land County, Pa. Her death occurred in Center County, in 1892. Seven sons and two daughters were born to them, namely: Ed- win F., who is a merchant at Bellefonte; Al- len S .; Ira D., who is in the jewelry business at Philadelphia; Corney M., who is proprietor of the St. Charles Hotel, at Williamsport, Pa .; Mrs. Isaac Maitland, who is a resident of Williamsport; William H., who is in the mer- cantile business at Bellefonte; Mrs. Charles Cruse, who is a resident of Bellefonte; C. Brose, who was in the hotel business, died at Bellefonte, in 1907; and Robert T., who is in the jewelry business, at Tyrone.

Allen S. Garman was reared and educated at Bellefonte and subsequently became one of the leading business men of that city. He con- ducted the Garman House for a time and in 1888 built the Garman Opera House, at Belle- fonte, and managed this property until he moved to Tyrone in 1898. Here he conducted the Garman House, formerly known as the Empire, selling out in 1905. In 1911 he again took over the hotel, which he is at present suc- cessfully conducting. Mr. Garman has made many improvements in the building-remod- eling it throughout and has one of the best equipped hostelries in the city. He is an able, progressive and enterprising business man and is widely known throughout both Blair and Center Counties. He is a stockholder in the Blair County National Bank, the Bellefonte Trust Company, the Empire Title and Trust Company, of Philadelphia; and also of the National Deposit Bank of that city. He is

identified with the Democratic party and has been a leading factor in the same both at Bel- lefonte and Tyrone, serving acceptably in pub- lic office and lending his influence at all times to bring about satisfactory party conditions.

Mr. Garman was married at Bellefonte, to Miss Sarah Ellen Condrick, who died in Jan- uary, 1909. She was a daughter of Morris and Mary Condrick. They had one son, who grew to the age of sixteen years and was a bright student and attractive youth, but his life closed at that time, his death being a heavy affliction. Mr. Garman was reared in the Episcopal church. Mr. Garman formed a second union January 14, 19II, with Miss Ruby Piper, a daughter of Emory and Sarah Piper, of Tyrone.

WILLIAM SHARBAUGH, M. D., a prom- inent physician and representative citizen of Altoona, Pa., has been identified with the med- ical profession of this locality for the past 18 years, and has won the esteem and confidence of his patrons and fellow citizens.

Dr. Sharbaugh was born in 1849 at Summitt, Cambria County, Pa., and was there reared and received his educational training. He was engaged in the drug business in Clearfield County, Pa., from 1872 until 1887, and then attended the Baltimore College of Physician and Surgeons, graduating from the Kentucky School of Medicine of Louisville with the class of 1891. He soon afterward embarked in the practice of medicine at Altoona, Pa., where he has established an extensive and lucrative practice .. He is a member of the Homeopathic Medical Association of Central Pennsylvania and of the C. M. B. A. of Altoona. Dr. Shar- baugh was joined in the bonds of wedlock, in 1882, with Catherine Bottorf of Clearfield County, Pa., and of their union have been born seven children. The religious connection of the family is with the Sacred Heart Catholic Church .

HENRY D. BRUMBAUGH. North Woodbury Township, Blair County, Pa., has its full quota of successful and intelligent busi-

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ness men and among these none are more en- terprising than Henry D. Brumbaugh, who is established at Clover Creek. He deals in farm implements and manufactures pure cider vinegar, chop, corn meal and buckwheat flour. Mr. Brumbaugh was born September 2, 1868, in North Woodbury Township, Blair County, and is a son of John B. and Catherine (Dil- ling) Brumbaugh.

John B. Brumbaugh was born in Hunting- don County, Pa., a son of David Brumbaugh, who was a resident of many years standing there. When Henry D. Brumbaugh was six years old his father died and six years later the death of his mother left him an orphan and he was thus early thrown entirely upon his own resources. For two years he worked for farm- ers in Huntingdon County and later for sev- eral years was in the employ of Aaron Mock. In 1900 he established his business at his pres- ent location at Clover Creek. The mill that he operates was built by George and John Brumbaugh away back in pioneer days, and ever since has been in the possession of some member of this family. His cider press is of more modern construction and is operated with improved machinery, but the old flour mill is run by the water of Clover Creek, with an old over-shot wheel, and it is one of the old land- mark structures of this section. Mr. Brum- baugh had few educational advantages in early days but has long since supplied any deficiency by reading and contact with the world, but this makes him particularly interested in the public schools, and anxious that his children should have good opportunities.

Mr. Brumbaugh was married to Miss Sallie Shoenfelt, a daughter of John Shoenfelt, who lives on Piney Creek, Huston Township. Mr. and Mrs. Brumbaugh have had seven children born to them, namely : Blanche, Leo, Florence, Irene, and three who are deceased. Mr. Brum- baugh and family are members of the Church of the Brethren. He casts his vote with the Republican party and for two terms he served acceptably as road supervisor in North Wood- bury Township.

MARTIN L. STULTZ, residing on the old homestead farm of 162 acres, belonging to his father and situated in Woodbury Township, Blair County, Pa., has been operating here since 1901. He was born in Frankstown Township, Blair County, in October, 1869, and is a son of Daniel and Susan (Morgan) Stultz, and a grandson of Jacob Stultz.

Martin L. Stultz attended the country schools with his brothers and sisters and then worked for his father on the home farm until manhood, after which he rented land from Anna P. Gardner, a resident of Hollidaysburg. He remained on that farm for eight years and then lived one year on the Clapper farm, after which he came to the old home farm which is one of the best pieces of property in this sec- tion. Mr. Stultz has the local reputation of being one of the best and most thorough going farmers of the township. He is also one of the leading citizens, having been president of the township school board for two years and a member of this body for three years.

Mr. Stultz was married in 1891, to Miss Elizabeth Clabaugh, a daughter of Martin and Martha (Rodkey) Clabaugh, farming people of Woodbury Township. Mr. and Mrs. Cla- baugh had three children: Elizabeth; Carrie, wife of Harry Suter; and Roland. Mr. and Mrs. Stultz are parents of five children: Or- ville C., Ivan D., Ernest H., Marie and Ralph. Mr. and Mrs. Stultz are active church people and belong to the Lutheran faith. In politics, he is a Republican.

CHARLES O. ACKER, whose valuable farm of 151 acres lies in Huston Township, Blair County, Pa., is a member of one of the old township families and was born February 4, 1875, in Huston Township, a son of John S. and Mary M. (Sorrick) Acker.

John S. Acker was born also in Huston Township and was a son of Christian Acker and a grandson of John Acker. John S. Acker was a leading citizen of this township for many years. His death occurred in 1895. Of his nine children, the following survive: Elizabeth A., who is the wife of A. K. Bechtel,

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lives in Woodbury Township; Loretta J., who is the wife of John B. McGraw, lives in North Woodbury Township; Martin L., who is a prominent farmer in Huston Township; Mary A., who is the wife of Elmer Lecrone, and lives at Gaysport, Pa .; Catherine F., who is the wife of Frank Ross, and resides in Huston Township; Reuben M., who is a resident of Martinsburg; Ida F., who is the wife of Albert Posten, of Huston Township; and Charles O. Amelia is deceased.

Charles O. Acker has been a lifelong res- ident of Huston Township, growing up on his father's farm, attending the Acker school, in Huston Township, marrying one of the town- ship's most estimable young women and set- tling down to an agricultural life among those who have known him from boyhood. He is one of the practical and successful farmers and stock-raisers of the township and is also one of its most respected and valued citizens.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 100

Author: Sell, Jesse C 1872- Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Number of Pages: 1036

Author: Sell, Jesse C 1872-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Publishing
Number of Pages: 1036