Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 103

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 103

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J. P. Seedenberg was a student in the Al- toona schools until he entered upon the study of medicine. When prepared he entered Jef- ferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and was there graduated in the class of 1907. After serving as an interne, he came to Altoona to begin practice and for one year was resident physician at the Altoona Hospital, since which time his practice has been general and remark- ably successful. He is a member of the Blair County and the Pennsylvania State Medical Societies.

In October, 1908, Dr. Seedenberg was mar- ried to Miss Marcella Dalton, of Altoona. They are members of the Second Lutheran church. He is identified with the Order of Heptasophs.

ABRAM L. FLECK, who is living in retirement in Tyrone Township, is the owner of a fine farm of 120 acres, which is operated by his son, and has always made farming his life occupation. He was born February 21, 1836, in Sinking Valley, Tyrone Township, Blair County, Pa., and is a son of Jacob and Susana (Hostler) Fleck.

Jacob Fleck was born in Sinking Valley, Blair County, Pa., and died at the advanced age of 87 years. The mother was born in Half Moon Valley, Center County, Pa., and died at the age of 56 years. They were both members of the Lutheran church and were bur- ied in the Lutheran Cemetery in Sinking Val- ley. Jacob Fleck always followed farming. He was politically a Republican, and served a number of years as supervisor, and also as

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election officer judge a number of times. He was a father of the following children: Abram L., subject of this record; John Francis, deceased; Mary Jane, widow of John A. Fleck of Sinking Valley; Eunice Catherine, the wife of Jabez Beyer, of Iowa.

Abram L. Fleck was reared and educated in Tyrone Township, and has always engaged in agricultural pursuits, but is now living in re- tirement, in the enjoyment of a well earned rest after years of unceasing activity. He is politically a Republican, and has served as su- pervisor of the township and as a school di- rector for a number of years. He is a member of the Grange of the Sinking Valley Lodge, and holds membership with the Lutheran church.

Mr. Fleck was married January 3, 1861, to Martha Cryder, who is a daughter of Jacob and Margaretta Cryder, of Tyrone Township, and they have reared the following children : Margaretta, who was born October 24, 1861, is the wife of A. C. Sorrick, of Juniata, Pa .; Anna Belle, was born April 20, 1863, and mar- ried Hudson Irvin, of Bellwood, Pa .; Susana Frances, was born August 21, 1866, and mar- ried Rev. L. H. Waring, of Washington, D. C .; Mary Ada, was born May 15, 1870; Wil- bur Henry, who is an instructor in the schools of Philadelphia, Pa., was born February 4, 1873; Forrest Roy, superintendent of the Eastern Pennsylvania Light, Heat and Power Company of Tamaqua, Pa .; and A. Ross, who operates his father's farm of 120 acres in Ty- rone Township, was born February 21, 1883.

DANIEL P. DICK,* a general farmer and highly respected citizen of Taylor Township, Blair County, Pa., is also a survivor of the great Civil War, in which he bore an active part for many months. He was born in Tay- lor Township, May 24, 1837, and is a son of Daniel and Catherine (Pote) Dick.

Daniel Dick, father of Daniel P., was a son of Harman Dick, who was born in Germany and when he emigrated to America, came di- rectly to Blair County, Pa., settling in Taylor Township. Daniel Dick followed farming all

his life, his death occurring many years ago. He married Catherine Pote, whose father, Michael Pote, was born in Germany and came to the American colonies prior to the Revolu- tionary War, in which he took part, serving under General Washington. Of the children born to Daniel and Catherine Dick, three sur- vive, namely: Elizabeth, who is the widow of Levi Neterer, who resides in Elkhart County, Ind .; Catherine, who is the wife of Martin S. Wareham, of Taylor Township; and Daniel P.

Daniel P. Dick attended school and worked on the farm during boyhood, passing his time happily and usefully and then became his father's main helper and continued to cultivate the home acres until 1864, when he decided to enter the army and do his part in suppressing the rebellion that threatened to disrupt the Union. He enlisted on August 27, 1864, in Co. C, 205th Pa. Vol. Inf., which became a part of the 9th Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac, and before he secured his hon- orable discharge in June, 1865, had partici- pated in many fiercely contested battles. He took part in the struggle at Fort Steadman and went all through the siege of Petersburg and was an individual part of General Grant's victorious army that received the surrender of General Lee on that memorable day at Appo- mattox. It was a wonderful experience to safely pass through, although it is doubtful whether he or any of his brave comrades would care to repeat it.

Mr. Dick returned then to Taylor Township and on February 2, 1866, was married to Miss Susan Garber, a daughter of the late John B. Garber, of Taylor Township, and nine chil- dren were born to them, as follows: Ulysses Grant, who resides at McKee, Pa .; Melchia, who is now deceased; Irene, who resides in Taylor Township; Hattie, who is the wife of Rev. David Adams, a minister of the Dunkard faith now living at Johnstown, Pa .; Ezra, who lives at McKee, Pa .; Ella D., who is the wife of A. Ellis, of Taylor Township; Franklin, who lives in Bedford County; Edna, who is the wife of Clinton Croft, who lives at Roar-

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ing Spring; and James, who is a resident of Taylor Township. Mr. Dick and family re- side on his farm of ten acres, situated in Tay- lor Township. He is a Republican in his polit- ical opinions.

HON. SAMUEL CALVIN,* deceased, was once a distinguished citizen of Pennsyl- vania, his native state, in which, for many years he was a political leader, and he was an eminent lawyer of Blair County, where his name is inscribed with those who have re- flected honor on her bar. He was born in Columbia County, July 30, 1811, and was a son of Matthew and Mary Calvin, the former of whom was born in Chester County, Pa.

Samuel Calvin profited by the educational advantages afforded him and when he com- pleted his course at the Milton Academy he was tendered and accepted the principalship of Huntingdon Academy, and two years later he became a student of law under Attorney James M. Bell, of that place. He was admitted to the bar in April, 1836, and in the following July became a resident of Hollidaysburg, which remained his chosen home until the close of his long and useful life, his death tak- ing place in 1890. For forty years he was one of the ablest and most successful law practi- tioners of Blair County, possessing a keen, vig- orous, alert mind. He was deeply interested in the public school question and for forty- five years was a member of the school board of Hollidaysburg. He was equally at home in considering public questions, being a close and sound student and having a broad and master- ful mental grasp of every problem which he set himself to solve. These qualities were ap- parent in the attention he gave to local affairs and still more so when he became a member of Congress, elected in 1848, on the Whig ticket.

This was a memorable congress-the slave question being then of great public importance -while then, as now, the tariff question was also a paramount one. In this, the Thirty- first Congress, Mr. Calvin represented Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Center Coun-

ties, and his speeches and writings during this remarkable session in favor of the protection of American industries, might, with profit, have been carefully considered by the august body which closed its labors on the tariff, at Washington, D. C., a half century later. He also foresaw the importance of carefully drawn · currency laws-now also a burning question- and with remarkable clearness of view, pro- posed remedies not different from the advanced opinions of the leading present day financiers. When the Civil War was precipitated he took his place in the ranks and helped protect his country from the invasion by the enemy.

Mr. Calvin was married December 26, 1843, to Miss Rebecca S. Blodgett, who was born in Bedford County, Pa., and they had three chil- dren, one of whom is deceased. The survivors are Matthew and Eliza, the latter of whom is the widow of Dr. G. W. Smith. -

Matthew Calvin, the surviving son of the late Samuel Calvin, was born at Hollidaysburg and was educated in the Hollidaysburg Acad- emy and the Lewisburg University. He pre- pared for the bar under his father's supervi- sion, was subsequently admitted and has been in active practice at Hollidaysburg ever since, and maintains his office at No. 417 Montgom- ery Street. Mr. Calvin is additionally inter- ested in business enterprises. In politics he is an ardent Republican and has frequently been honored by his party by appointment to posi- tions of prominence and responsibility. His residence is at No. 612 Allegheny Street, Hol -. lidaysburg.

EDWARD BELL, a progressive farmer and enterprising citizen of Antis Township, Blair County, Pa., is the owner of a fine farm of 189 acres and was born December 12, 1830, in what is now Bellwood, a son of David and Margaret (McKnight) Bell.

David Bell, father of our subject, was born June 23, 1805, at Bells Mills, and was a son of Edward Bell, who was known throughout Blair County as a financier, and iron manufac- turer, and who was the largest land owner of the county in its entire history. David Bell

DR. D. KAUFMAN

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was reared and spent his entire life in Antis Township, coming to the farm owned by our subject at an early period. Here he made a clearing, and in 1834, erected a large barn, which is still standing, cutting the pine with which it was built from off the place. He also built a fine brick residence that same year, and both buildings are still in excellent condition. On February 4, 1830, David Bell married Mar- garet P. McKnight, who was born December 19, 1807, and died July 8, 1889. David died March 28, 1841, and both were buried in the Logan Valley Cemetery. The following chil- dren were born to David and Margaret Bell: Edward, subject of this record; Mary Jane, who died aged four years; John P., who lives in Antis Township on a farm adjoining the old home place; Henrietta, who died aged four years; and Richard M., who was killed May 4, 1864, at Drury's Bluff during the Civil War. He enlisted in 1861 and was a member of Company F., 76th Reg. Pa. Inf.

Edward Bell was reared in Antis Township, and was less than three years of age when his parents moved to his present farm. He has lived here continuously, except for a period of nine years, returning in 1850, and has always followed general farming. Mr. Bell was mar- ried September 26, 1865, to Anna Graham, the Rev. D. D. Clark officiating. Mrs. Bell was born in Waterloo, Juniata County, Pa., and is a daughter of James and Mary (Mont- gomery) Graham, the former of whom died when she was less than two years of age. Her mother, who came of one of the oldest families of Juniata County, subsequently moved with her family to Newton Hamilton, where Mrs Bell was reared. Eight children were born to Mr and Mrs. Bell, as follows : Margaret mar- ried W. H. Bently of Bellwood, and they have three children-C. Kenneth, Annabel and Ed- ward Bell Bently. James Graham died Octo- ber 19, 1888, aged twenty years. Eliza, is the wife of Rev. J. R. Wood, pastor of the Bap- tist church of Hollidaysburg, Pa., and they have two children, Elizabeth R., and Richard Graham. Mary lives at home; Edward, Jr., is a resident of Johnstown, Pa., and married

Elizabeth Eckfeldt. Richard M., who lives on the home place, attended Bucknell University (as did also the others sons except Graham, who at his death was a junior at the Troy Polytechnic College of Troy, N. Y.), and was for some years a professional ball player, hav- ing played ball in all parts of the country. Adie K. met his death in the yards of the Green River, Wyoming & Union Pacific R. R. on December 15, 1907; he married Mary Freeburn of Bellwood. Allan C. died in No-' vember, 1906, aged 19 years. Mrs. Wood is a member of the Pi Beta Phi order, and Rich- ard M., and Edward Bell are members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. Mr. Bell is polit- ically a Republican and served as school di- rector, supervisor, and poor director, and was post master at Sabbath Rest 24 years. He is a member of the Logan Valley Baptist Church, and is the oldest member of that church, having been identified with the same since boyhood.

DR. D. KAUFMAN, who has been en- gaged in the practice of medicine at Altoona, Pa., for the past nine months, is one of the leading physicians of the younger generation. He was born in Athens, Bradford County, Pa., and after an elementary education in the local schools of that county, graduated from the Philadelphia High school, and then spent one year at a preparatory school. He obtained his knowledge of the medical profession at the Jefferson Medical College, from which he graduated with the class of 1908, then spent 14 months in St. Joseph's Hospital at Phila- delphia. He has since been located at Altoona, Pa., in the practice of medicine and has estab- lished a profitable and steadily growing practice.

HON. RICHARD BEASTON, formerly burgess of Tyrone, Pa., and a leading business man of this borough, has been identified with the paper manufacturing industry for the past twenty-six years. He was born at Brooklyn, N. Y., and is a son of Richard and Mary (Somers) Beaston.

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Richard Beaston was small when his parents moved to Camden, N. J., where he attended both the public schools and private institutions until he entered the office of the American Dredging Company, of Philadelphia, one of the largest concerns of its kind in the country. He had one year of office training and then came to this section of Pennsylvania and en- gaged with a large lumber firm which operated in Center and Clearfield Counties. He was connected with this concern from 1872 until 1884, and had charge of the purchasing and sales department and acquired a thorough knowledge of every detail. In 1884, he ac- cepted a responsible position with the firm of Morrison, Bare & Cass, paper manufacturers and has been with this house continuously for twenty-six years, during which time the firm style has changed several times. It has been Morrison & Cass, later the Morrison & Cass Paper Company and more recently the title of the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company, has been adopted. Its offices are at Tyrone and it operates mills in both Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Mr. Beaston is in charge of the timber and wood department for several of the various plants. He is a thorough-going business man and has been active in all matters tending to the development of Tyrone. He is a member of the Merchants' Association and has served several terms as a member of the town council and has been president of that body. In 1886, he was elected assistant bur- gess and filled out an unexpired part of that term and later was elected burgess and served two terms in this highest municipal office. He has also been president of the Tyrone Board of Trade. In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. Beaston married Miss Flora May Wal- son, who was born at St. Albans, Vt. They are members of Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church at Tyrone, of which he is treasurer and also a member of the vestry. He is one of Ty- rone's high minded, representative and re- sponsible citizens.

AMBROSE E. CORL, who resides on a farm of 103 acres in Juniata Township, Blair

County, Pa., is one of the enterprising citizens of the township and has been engaged in agri- cultural pursuits here for more than a quarter of a century. He was born December 27, 1848, in Greenfield Township, Blair County, Pa., and is a son of Josiah and Elizabeth (Ritchey ) Corl.

Josiah Corl was born in Bedford County, Pa., and at an early age was left an orphan, being reared by an elder brother, Samuel Corl of Bedford County Pa. He learned wagon making with his brother, but only followed the trade for a short time, when he removed to Juniata Township, Blair County, Pa., and sev- eral years later to Greenfield Township, where he followed farming until the time of his death at the age of 38 years. His early death was due to consumption. The mother of our subject was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., and early in life came with her parents to Blair County, Pa. Our subject has one sur- viving sister, Lavina, who is the wife of Dan- iel Diehl of Cambria County, Pa.

Ambrose E. Corl was reared in Greenfield Township and his education, which was ob- tained in the district schools of his home lo- cality, was supplemented by practical experi- ence in later life. He was but 12 years of age at the time of his father's death, and resided with his widowed mother until her death, which occurred some few years ago. For a number of years he was identified with the saw-mill industry of Clearfield County, Pa., but for more than a quarter of a century has been engaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm of 103 acres in Juniata Township, Blair County, Pa.

Mr. Corl married Rebecca Bowser, who is a daughter of Conrad Bowser, who was a resi- dent of Juniata Township, and of their union have been born the following children: Mar- tha, the wife of B. F. Long of Juniata Town- ship, George W., who resides in East Al- toona, Pa .; Reuben B., also a resident of East Altoona; Roy B., of Juniata Township; Ruth; and two who are deceased. Mr. Corl is politically a Republican and has served as committeeman from Juniata Township at the

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county convention a number of years, and was also judge and inspector of election. He was also road supervisor and a member of the school board of this township for a number of years. He is a member of the Mt. Moriah United Brethren Church, of which he has served as a trustee, and affiliates with the Pop- lar Run Grange and the Patrons of Hus- bandry.

A. LEE FLECK, who is numbered with the substantial and representative farmers and cit- izens of Tyrone Township, Blair County, Pa., owns two very valuable adjoining farms, one of 125 acres and the other of 151 acres, both in Tyrone Township. He was born on the former farm, September 16, 1853, and is a son of O. P. and Katherine (Ramey) Fleck.

O. P. Fleck was a farmer in Tyrone Town- ship for many years. He was a man of ster- ling character and a leading member of the Lutheran church. In politics he was a Re- publican and he was identified with the Patrons of Husbandry, belonging to Sinking Valley Grange, No. 484. He married Katherine Ramey, who died May 20, 1902, and they had eight children born to them, namely: Ada- line; Caroline; G. C., who died in October, 1907; Josiah D., who died at the age of eleven years; Ada R., who died in May, 1906; A. Lee, who lives on the old homestead; Thomas R., of Laramie City, Wyo .; and Lottie A., who lives with her brother in the old home. The father died October 5, 1892.

A. Lee Fleck was reared in Tyrone Town- ship and obtained his education here. He has made farming his main business in life and has taken much interest in everything pertain- ing to agricultural development. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, belong- ing to Grange No. 494, at Tyrone. In poli- tics Mr. Fleck is a Republican and he has fre- quently been elected to responsible offices. For twelve years he served as a director of the poor and has also been auditor. Both he and sister are members of the Lutheran church. The family is an old and respected one in this section.

WILLIAM M. ELDON, M. D.,* a leading physician and surgeon of Roaring Spring, who has been engaged in the practice of his pro- fession here since 1894, was born in Adams County, Pa., November 23, 1859. His father, John W. Eldon, is now deceased, but the ven- erable mother still survives and resides at Car- lisle, Pa.

William M. Eldon had only public school advantages. In early manhood he prepared for the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, from which he later was graduated, and sub- sequently became a student at Jefferson Med- ical College, where he was graduated in 1888. He began practice at Philadelphia, but in a few years came to Blair County and selected Roar- ing Spring as his home and has continued here ever since. He gives the larger part of his attention to his practice, which is very large, but he has made some investments and is a di- rector in the Roaring Spring Bank.

Dr. Eldon married Miss Anna Bare, the youngest daughter of Hon. D. M. Bare, of Roaring Spring, and they have one daughter, Sarah. Dr. and Mrs. Eldon attend the Meth- odist Episcopal church. He belongs to the Blair County Medical Society and the Amer- can Medical Association. In large measure, Dr. Eldon is a self made man but he never has regretted the discipline of earlier years when, through his unassisted efforts, he provided for his professional education. He is held in the highest· esteem both as a physician and as a citizen.

DR. FRANK A. FORD,* who makes a speciality of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, has been located at Altoona, Pa., since the fall of 1900, and was born in Cresson, Cambria County, Pa., in 1873. He came to Blair County, Pa., when five years old, with his parents, who settled in Bellwood, and was there reared and received his early education. After graduating from the Altoona High School, he entered the University of Pennsyl- vania, graduating from the medical depart- ment in 1897, and then was resident physician of the Altoona Hospital and the St. Chris-

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topher Hospital of Philadelphia for some time. He then took up special work at the Wills Eye Hospital of Philadelphia, and since the fall of 1900 has been located at Altoona, where he makes a specialty of eye, ear, nose and throat diseases. Dr. Ford is a member of the staff of the Mercy Hospital of this city, and is a member of the Blair County, and the State and American Medical Societies.

Dr. Ford is fraternally a 32d degree Mason, a member of the Logan Lodge F. & A. M., and the Jappa Shrine of Altoona, the Harris- burg Consistory, the B. P. O. E., and the Uni- versity Club of Altoona. He is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church. Dr. Ford was married in June, 1906, to Rachael B. Dunn of Philadelphia, and has one son, Boyd Albert.

GEORGE F. GILL, dealing in electric sup- plies, automobiles and sporting goods, and pro- prietor of the Gill Garage, at No. 208 E. Tenth Street, Tyrone, is one of the prosperous and enterprising business men of this borough. He was born July 14, 1869, in Center County, Pa., two miles from Pleasant Gap, and is a son of Isaac and Mary A. Gill.

Isaac Gill and wife were born in Center County. He was a carpenter, contractor and stair builder and owned two threshing outfits. As a stair builder he constructed the stairs when the state college, at State College was built and was considered a very skillful work- man. He died when his son, George F. Gill was nine years old and was survived but two years by his widow. They were the parents of twelve children, George F. being the only one of the family residing at Tyrone.

George F. Gill was educated in the public schools of Center County, in Bellefonte Aca- demy and the State Normal School at Lock Haven. Possessing natural mechanical skill he directed his studies in the line of electrical engineering, taking an interest in experiment- ing long before electricity became the acknowl- edged agent in every line of activity and in all the industries that it now is. He invented many pieces of machinery on which he sub- sequently obtained patents. His trolley wheel

invention patent he sold to the Westinghouse people as well as a patent brake for Pullman cars, and was employed by the Westinghouse Company at Pittsburg for a time, leaving them in the spring of 1906, with a fine record, and then came to Tyrone. Here he first opened up a general electrical business and later his garage. He carries goods of every kind for electrical purposes in the way of appliances and handles a number of first class motors.

Mr. Gill was married in 1893, to Miss Lin- nie Lyle, a daughter of Robert Lyle, of Bell- wood. To the encouragement afforded him by this estimable lady, Mr. Gill generously at- tributes much of his prosperity.

DAVID L. SHOWALTER,* who is one of Taylor Township's most substantial citizens, renting the farm of 175 acres which belongs to Mr. Snowberger, and owning a farm of 134 acres, which is located near the borough of Roaring Spring, has made a specialty of the dairy industry since 1892, when he came to the first named property. He was born in Huston Township, Blair County, Pa., in October, 1854, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Lynn) Sho- walter.

Joseph Showalter was born in Huston Town- ship, Blair County where his father and mother had founded the family home after their marriage. His mother was a native of Germany. He passed his life in Huston Town- ship and was a farmer all his days. His death occurred many years ago. He married Mary Lynn, who was also born in Blair County, and of their children the following survive: Susan, who is the wife of Samuel Frederick, of Bed- ford County; Jacob, who resides in North Woodbury Township; Felix, who lives in Hus- ton Township; David L., who is a resident of Taylor Township; Mary, who is the wife of John Smith, of Taylor Township ; and Adam, who lives in Blair Township.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 103

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