Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 102

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 102

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James Walter Irwin was educated at New Market, Ontario, after which he entered the medical department of the University of Mich- igan and was graduated in the class of 1892. He entered into practice in Michigan and re- mained in that state until 1897, then spent a year in Canada and then practiced at War- rior's Mark, Huntingdon County, Pa., for three years and at Spruce Creek eight years,

coming to Tyrone July, 1910. He is a member of the Tyrone Medical Club and is identified also with the Modern Woodmen, I. O. O. F., and the Order of the Moose. He takes no very active part in politics but may always be found casting his influence in support of law, order and good citizenship.

Dr. Irwin was married in 1891 to Miss Ethel Pegg, who died in 1895. She was a daughter of Samuel Pegg, of New Market. Two children were born, both of whom are de- ceased. Dr. Irwin was married second to Miss Edith Wertz, in 1897, a daughter of the late John Wertz, of Clearfield County, Pa. She died in 1904, survived by three children : John W., Gwendolyn and Ila Lenore. In 1905, Dr. Irwin was married to Mrs. Ella Keatley, a daughter of Castleton McIlvaine, of Huntingdon-County, Pa. The family resi- dence is situated at No. 1208 Pennsylvania Avenue, and Dr. Irwin maintains his office at 1210 Penn Avenue. He attends the Presby- terian church.

CHARLES F. KENOTE SR., proprietor of one of the leading grocery houses of Bell- wood, Pa., has been identified with the busi- ness interests of this borough since September, 1891, when he broke ground for his present building and established himself in the grocery business. He was born May 3, 1849, in Ger- many, a son of Peter and Catherine (Hicks) Kenote, and was past six years of age when his parents came to this country and located first at Lackawack, Ulster County, N. Y. From there they removed to Mountaindale, Sullivan County, N. Y., and in 1871 our sub- ject left home and went to Ridgway, Elk County, Pa., where he was for two years iden- tified with the lumber industry. From there he went to Cameron, Cameron County, Pa., where he also was engaged in the lumber business, and two years later returned to Elk County, Pa., where, in 1875, he embarked in the gro- cery business, in which he continued with much success four years. He subsequently operated the Koch Hotel at Centerville, Elk County, Pa., for one year, after which he re-

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turned to St. Mary's and resumed the grocery business. Seven years later Mr. Kenote dis- posed of his residence and business and re- moved to Punxsutawney, Jefferson County, Pa., and was there engaged in the grocery business until 1891, at which time he sold his business interests, which consisted of a three- room store building on Findlay Street, in which his store was located. He has since lived continuously at Bellwood, where he es- tablished himself in the grocery business, in which he has been eminently successful.

Mr. Kenote was married October II, 1877, at Richmond, Va., to Nancy Bacher, who was formerly a resident of that city, and of their children seven were born at St. Mary's, and one in Punxsutawney. Only two still survive, namely : Charles F., Jr., engaged in the insur- ance business at Altoona, who married Irene Croak, of Lockhaven; and Ora Evaline, who is the wife of J. Van Taylor, of Tyrone, Pa.

Mr. Kenote is politically identified with the Republican party but has always refused to ac- cept office. He is fraternally a member of the Royal Arcanum, and his religious connection is with the Presbyterian church, of which he is also an elder. Mr. Kenote formed a second union on October 7, 1890, with Amanda Hart- meir, of Clayville, Jefferson County.

GEORGE W. SMITH, M. D.,* deceased, for many years occupied a prominent position in the medical fraternity at Hollidaysburg, and stood high in the affections of the people who had benefited through his care and skill and whose hours of pain and sickness had been cheered and alleviated by his helpful and genial presence.

Dr. Smith was graduated in 1862 from the medical department of the University of Penn- sylvania and in the same year located at Hol- lidaysburg, which place continued to be his home through the succeeding years of his busy and useful life. He identified himself with the leading medical organizations, including the Blair County Medical Society, the American Medical Association, and the Academy of Medicine and Surgery at Altoona. His ability,

learning, and professional enthusiasm brought him frequent and public recognition, and his name was closely associated with the progress of medical science, particularly in western Pennsylvania. He was a prominent Free Mason, having been identified with the frater- nity from early manhood. During the Civil War he served as assistant surgeon of the 54th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry for one year, being then appointed a member of the U. S. Board of Examining Surgeons at Altoona, Pa. He attended to the duties of this office without changing his place of residence.

Dr. Smith was married first to Miss Eliza- beth T. McCune, who died in 1871, survived by four children: Ida, Mac, George, and Lil- lian. In 1874, Dr. Smith was married to Miss Eliza B. Calvin, who survives him. She is a daughter of the late Hon. Samuel Calvin. To this marriage three children were born, namely: Rebecca, whose death occurred May 19, 1909, and who was the wife of Albert C. Steck, a prominent attorney of Ottumwa, Iowa; Mary, the wife of Frank McFarland, who is in the employ of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company at Hollidaysburg; and Samuel Calvin, who is a very prominent physician of Hollidaysburg, with a residence and office on Allegheny Street.

Dr. Samuel C. Smith is a graduate of Buck- nell University and of Jefferson Medical Col- lege, taking honors at the latter institution. He married Miss Louise Warriner, the daugh- ter of Rev. E. A. Warriner, for forty years rector of the Episcopal church at Montrose, Pa. Mrs. George W. Smith resides in a beautiful home at No. 208 Allegheny Street, Hollidaysburg. She is a lady who has many friends among the best society of the place.

CHARLES A. BAKER,* well known as farmer and gardener, all over Blair Township, Blair County, Pa., owns thirty-five acres of richly cultivated land. He was born at Newry, Blair County, Pa., August 16, 1843, and is a son of Andrew and Jane ( Fraker) Baker.

Andrew Baker was born in Bedford County, Pa., a son of Peter Baker, who was an early

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settler in North Woodbury Township, Bed- ford County. Andrew Baker was a gunsmith by trade and during a number of years con- ducted a shop at Newry, where, with care, skill and patience he fashioned a certain kind of muzzle-loading gun, greatly favored by hunters, and other fire arms made use of at that time and the completeness of which es- tablished his reputation all over this section. He was a man of pronounced temperance views and a consistent member of the Lutheran church.

Charles A. Baker attended the public schools and also a private school at Newry. When the Civil War was precipitated there was not only an immediate necessity for the soldier with the gun but also an equally pressing one for the men with the strength and skill to enter the construction corps and, to the latter Mr. Baker turned when he felt it his duty to enter into military life. At first he was a member of the Army of the Potomac but later was transferred to the Army of the Cumberland and served under Generals Halleck and Thomas. He be- came a member of the construction corps in the fall of 1862 and was honorably discharged in October, 1865. Twice he fell into the not too tender hands of the enemy, first near Murphreesboro, Tenn., and later at Vaughn's Gap, but secured a release on both occasions and lived to return safely to his home. A brother, the late Thomas J. Baker, of Blair Township, was also in the service. Mr. Baker has devoted his farm to truck gardening and for many years has sold his choice products to the residents of Altoona. He is also the busi- ness agent for the Judge Gardner estate in Blair Township.

In 1875, Mr. Baker was married to Miss Lovina Wilt, a native of Blair Township, and a daughter of the late David Wilt, and they have had three children, Ida May, Mary Blanche and Jane Alice, of whom Blanche is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Baker attend the Lutheran church at Newry, Pa. Mr. Baker's farm was entered from the Government by Abraham Sell, over 100 years ago, but the

larger part of the improving has been done by. its present owner.

HARRY F. BOUSLOUGH, residing on a farm of 135 acres in Frankstown Township, has been a life long resident of this township. He was born on the home farm February 16, 1859, a son of William and Anna (Fleck) Bouslough. His parents were both natives of Blair County, as also were his grandparents on both sides. The father was of German de- scent and a life long resident here. He was a farmer by occupation, a Republican in politics, and religiously a member of the Lutheran church. He was first married to a Miss Eliza Young, by whom he had five children, four of whom died in infancy, the other, Blair Y., a resident of Altoona. His marriage with Anna Fleck resulted in the following issue : Mary C., now deceased, who was the wife of Lorenzo D. Stewart; Harry F .; Sadie E .; now Mrs. Robert Hileman; Anna Margaret, who is the wife of Fletcher Hand; William W .; and Eliza Jane, who died wnen young.

Harry F. Bouslough attended the local schools of Frankstown Township until eight- een years of age, his father's farm being the scene of his boyhood activities. After leaving school he engaged in agricultural pursuits and for the past twenty-seven years has farmed his present place, which he inherited in 1904 from his father. All the improvements were on the farm, which is sufficiently equipped and stocked for general farming, but the house was remod- eled by Mr. Bouslough after he came into pos- session of the property.

On March 12, 1885, Mr. Bouslough was married to Catherine Wertz, a daughter of John and Jane (Vanallman) Wertz, both now deceased. Her parents were among the early settlers of the county, as also were her grand- parents on both sides. The children of John and Jane Wertz were as follows, born in the order named: David, Samuel V., Jane E., Malinda L., (all deceased), John C., Francis M., Meartin L., Sevell W., Andrew C., and Catherine, wife of the subject of this sketch. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bous-

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lough, namely : William M., who married Martha E. Culp; Olive M., Frank C., Harry C., Mabel C., and Jesse M.

In politics Mr. Bouslough is an adherent of the Republican party, and has served one year as supervisor ; he is township auditor, and was school director about fifteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Bouslough are both members of the Lu- theran church.

JOHN DICKSON, farmer and fruit grower, resides on his forty-five acres of valu- able land which is situated near Sinking Val- ley, in Tyrone Township, Blair County, Pa. He was born May 27, 1846, and is a son of David and Maria (Erman) Dickson. He is one of a family of eight children, the others being: Sarah, who is deceased, was the wife of John Mutersbaugh; Samuel and George, both of whom are deceased; Margaret, who is the widow of James Templeton, of Tyrone Township; David, who resides in Essex County, N. Y .; Mathew, who lives at Des Moines, Ia .; and Adam L. who is employed in the Tyrone Paper Mills.

John Dickson married Miss Anna Parks, of Hares Valley, Huntingdon County, Pa., and seven children have been. born to them, namely: Ada, who is the wife of John Calder- wood, of Sinking Valley; Susie, who is the wife of Sidney Bridenbaugh, of Tyrone, Pa .; and David W., John, Samuel Foster and Vic- tor, all of whom are at home, and William Guy, who died aged 15 months. Mr. Dickson and family are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a Republican.

GEORGE W. REPLOGLE,* who has been a resident of Roaring Springs, Pa., since the spring of 1907, was for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits in Middle Woodbury Township, Bedford County, Pa., and was born there August 10, 1848, a son of John B. and Elizabeth ( Brumbaugh) Replogle.

Daniel Replogle, grandfather of subject, was one of the early settlers of Middle Wood- bury Township, Bedford County, Pa., which was the birth place of John B. Replogle, father

of subject. John B. Replogle was a farmer by occupation, and a life long resident of Bedford County, Pa. His wife, who was Elizabeth Brumbaugh in maiden life, was a native of Huntingdon County, Pa.

George W. Replogle was reared to maturity in Bedford County, and was educated in the district schools of his native township. He was for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits in Middle Woodbury Township, but in the spring of 1907 came to Roaring Springs, Blair County, where he is held in high esteem and enjoys the confidence of his fellow men.

Mr. Replogle was first united in marriage with Mary Cramer, and of this union were born five children, but four of whom are still living: Lizzie, the wife of Ira Bechtel, of Taylor Township; James, a resident of Pitts- burg, Pa .; Hulda, who married Charles Guyer and resides in southern Idaho; and Hiram, a resident of Middle Woodbury Township, Bed- ford County, Pa. Mr. Replogle formed a sec- ond union with Sarah Brown, by whom he became the father of four children, namely : Clara, a teacher in the schools of Roaring Springs; Howard, who resides in Bedford County, Pa .; Abraham, who lives in Roaring Springs; and George, who is a resident of Bedford County. Mr. Replogle is identified with the Democratic party in politics and his religious connection is with the Brethren church of which he has been a deacon for many years.

ADIE ALLEN STEVENS, vice president of the First National Bank of Tyrone and also vice president of the American Lime and Stone Company as well as its general manager, for years has been identified with Tyrone's leading business interests and is one of the city's larg- est property owners and tax payers. He was born August 20, 1845, in Blair County, Pa., and is a son of James and Catherine A. Stev- ens.

James Stevens was born also in Blair County and during a comparatively short life, continued to reside in Antis Township, where his death occurred in 1846. He married Cath-

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erine Agnew, also a native of Blair County and now a venerable resident of Tyrone, hav- ing reached her eighty-seventh year. Two children were born to this marriage, Finley and Adie Allen. The former was killed at the battle of Fort Wagner, during the Civil War, having been a member of Co. F, 76th Pa. Vol. Inf.

Adie Allen Stevens was a babe of one year when his father died. He was carefully reared by his capable and judicious mother and was educated at Tipton, Charlottesville and Al- toona, where he resided at the time Altoona was first laid out as a town. He was a volun- teer of the Civil War, enlisting in the First Pa. Vol. Inf., and reenlisting in the 15th Pa. Vol. Cav., and continued in the service until the end of the war, his record being that of a brave and efficient soldier. He then learned photography and from 1865 until 1870 de- voted himself more or less to perfecting his skill in the art, but in the latter year he settled down to the serious study of law, entering the office of the law firm of Neff & Riley, at Al- toona. In March, 1872, after being admitted to the bar of Blair County, he located at Ty- rone and ever since then has been recognized as an able exponent of the law, practicing in the Supreme and Superior Courts of Pennsyl- vania and in the United States District and Circuit Courts. He has been successfully con- nected with a large part of the important liti- gation engaging the attention of the courts of Blair County, and for twenty years served as president of the Blair County Bar Association.

His professional interests, however, al- though important from the first, by no means measure Mr. Stevens' capacity or aggregate what he has accomplished. As early as 1873 his fellow citizens welcomed his spirit of en- terprise when he became one of the promoters of the Tyrone Gas and Water Company, util- ities of which the borough was in great need of having reorganized, and it was mainly through his efforts that the present complete and satisfactory systems were put in, and he is now and has been its president and general manager. He was also early interested in the

Home Electric Light Company and was one of the first agitators and suggestors of prac- tical methods for improving and paving the public streets of Tyrone. To appreciate the full value of such efforts, it requires the look- ing back of but a few years to a time when the city's well laid out avenues were still unpaved, when the highways into the city, with few ex- ceptions, were only drawbacks to trade and when Tyrone's famous and beautiful driveway, the Parkway, had not been thought of perhaps, in any but the fertile brain of Mr. Stevens. He owns the beautiful park adjoining Tyrone and maintains it for the free use of the public. In cooperation with other capitalists, but usu- ally as the prime mover, Mr. Stevens has been the promoter, founder and fosterer of very many of the important business enterprises of this section, and various industries, banks, business houses, schools and churches have profited by his liberality and broad-minded policies. He was one of the organizers and builders of the Tyrone Opera House; was one of the founders of the First National Bank; is a member of the present school board and chairman of its finance committee and also had charge of the erection of the beautiful building belonging to the First Methodist Episcopal Church. Seemingly a man with so many in- terests would have little time for family or social life, but this is not the case. He is the center of an admiring and devoted family, is an active member of the Tyrone Club and the Tyrone Country Club, having been one of the founders of both organizations, and is other- wise interested.

Mr. Stevens was first married, May 31, 1868, to Miss Emma Howe, who died January 9, 1899. She was a daughter of Maxwell Howe, of Altoona. To this marriage four children were born, namely: George B., Emma May, Irene, and James Howe. The eldest son, the late George B. Stevens, was born December 15, 1876, and died September 29, 1907. He was one of the foremost busi- ness men of Tyrone and his loss was felt in every circle. For some years he was general sales agent for the American Lime and Stone

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Company of Tyrone, which is the largest con- cern of its kind in the United States. Person- ally he had many friends. He married Edith B. Hoffman and two children survive him: Helen and George. Emma May Stevens mar- ried B. Frank Brantley, who is a traveling salesman for a Philadelphia house. Irene died at the age of three years. James Howe Stev- ens is associated with the Tyrone Gas and Water Company. He married Mabel Craw- ford, a daughter of Dr. L. F. Crawford, of Tyrone, and they have one son, Adie Allen Stevens, Jr.

Mr. Stevens was married second to Miss Sarah C. Cochran, June 12, 1899, who died January 27, 1904. She was a daughter of William and Eliza Cochran, of Tyrone. Mr. Stevens was married to the estimable lady who now graces his home, Mrs. Mary Hazzard, on April 29, 1909. She is a daughter of Azro Goff, of Washington City, D. C., and was the widow of Chilton Hazzard, formerly a promi- nent journalist of Monongahela City, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens attend the First Methodist Episcopal Church and he for years has been a liberal contributor to its many benevolent en- terprises. In politics he is a Prohibitionist and is widely known in this connection, his attitude giving encouragement to all workers in the cause of temperance. He retains his interest in his old comrades in battle and is a member of D. M. Jones Post, G. A. R., at Tyrone.

DR. CHARLES F. McBURNEY, one of the leading medical practitioners and highly esteemed citizens of Altoona, Pa., has been a resident of this city since March, 1888, and was born August 29, 1874, in Huntingdon County, Pa. His early education was ob- tained in the local schools of his native local- ity and Mercersburg College, after which he took a course in medicine at the Jefferson Med- ical College, from which he graduated with the class of 1897. He has since been located at Altoona, where he has established a large and growing practice, and enjoys the confi- dence and esteem of a large circle of friends and patrons. He is a member of the Blair County Medical Society, of which he is sec-

retary, and also of the Pennsylvania State and American Medical Associations. He is a member of the medical staff of the Altoona Hospital, and is examining physician for a number of Insurance Companies, namely, the Canadian Life, the Pacific Mutual, the Trav- elers Life Insurance Company, and the Grand Fraternity and Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. Dr. McBurney is a Knight Templar Ma- son and Shriner, an Elk, and a member of the Grand Fraternity. He affiliates with the Sec- ond Lutheran Church. September 26, 1899, Dr. McBurney was married to Lizzie M. Rhine, a daughter of George Rhine, of Al- toona, Pa. Dr. McBurney has always taken an active interest in local politics.

JOHN FUOSS, proprietor of the Bellwood Mills, at Bellwood, Pa., and a dealer in flour and feed of all kinds, has been in the milling and flour business here since January 15, 1901. He was born September 13, 1874, in Hunting- don County, Pa., and is a son of Jacob Fuoss.

John Fuoss was about four months old when the family moved to Birmingham and three years later to the place called Fuoss Mills, in Antis Township, Blair County. He attended the township schools and had ten months of business training at the Altoona Commercial College. He learned the milling business in early manhood and has been engaged in mill- ing and farming for many years and has con- fined himself exclusively to milling since com- ing to Bellwood. He is a careful business man, possessing both good judgment and a thorough knowledge of the industry in which he is engaged and is numbered with the sub- stantial citizens of Antis Township.

On June 3, 1903, Mr. Fuoss was married to Miss Blanche Bailey, who was born in Snyder Township, Blair County, but at the time of her marriage was residing at Harrisburg. She is a daughter of William T. and Mary ( Mc- Farland) Bailey, the latter of whom survives, being now in her eightieth year, and residing in Antis Township. Mr. and Mrs. Fuoss have two children: Mildred Lois and Kenneth Al- ton. In politics, Mr. Fuoss is identified with

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the Democratic party. He and wife are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church at Bellwood.

S. BLAIR TREESE,* who owns a farm of 166 acres in Woodbury Township, Blair County, Pa., and has other business interests in this section, is one of the representative citizens and a member of one of the old county families. He was born in Woodbury Town- ship, and is a son of Alfred and Mary (Fleagle) Treese.

Alfred Treese was born also in Blair County, but his wife was a native of Somerset County. They were members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. In business, Mr. Treese was a farmer. His family consisted of the following children: Eliza, who is deceased, was the wife of Thomas Gorsuch; Alfred; S. Blair; and Zelia, who is the wife of John Hoover.

S. Blair Treese obtained his education in the schools of Woodbury Township. His occupa- tion has been farming ever since he became old enough to assume responsibilities. In 1898 he settled on his present place and also rents an adjoining farm. He is a man of enterprise and carries on large operations, giving employment to a number of men. He keeps about twenty- eight head of cattle and ten horses and makes the growing of good stock a feature of his work.

In 1896, Mr. Treese was married to Miss Mollie C. Rhodes, a daughter of a neighbor- ing farmer, Jacob Rhodes. Mrs. Treese has one sister, Emma, who is the wife of Charles Stultz. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Treese: Frank, Ethel and Robert. Mr. Treese was reared a Methodist and his wife a Lutheran. In politics he is a Repub- lican but he takes no special interest in public affairs, contenting himself with casting his vote and permitting others, with fewer business in- terests or those with greater political ambition, to perform the duties of office. He is a mem- ber of the board of directors of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank at Williamsburg. The Treese family was established in Blair County

by his grandparents, John and Barbara (Nep- per) Treese.

J. P. SEEDENBERG, M. D.,* who has been a resident of Altoona for over two dec- ades and who stands among the foremost men of the medical profession here, was born in Blair County, Pa., and is a son of the late E. B. Seedenberg, who died in February, 1908. For many years he was a prominent citizen of Altoona, was a member of the city council and served as chief of police under Mayor Giles.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 102

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