Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 106

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 106

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To mention the various public measures and successful private business enterprises with which the late Judge Landis was hon- orably concerned, would be to name those which have best served to develop the city and to bring prosperity to all this section. He was one of the projectors of the enter- prise which resulted in providing Hollidays- burg with some of its public utilities-not- ably its fine water system. Other important undertakings were: the Hollidaysburg Gas Company, the Hollidaysburg and Gap Iron Works Company, and the Hollidays- burg and Bedford Plank Road Company.

Judge Landis is survived by his widow. She resides in her handsome residence at No. 511 Allegheny Street, Hollidaysburg. He was married in November, 1865, to Miss Eleanor Porter, who is the youngest daugh- ter of the late John Porter, who was an hon- ored citizen of Huntingdon County, Pa., for many years. For thirty-two years they en- joyed congenial companionship.

Judge Landis united with the First Pres- byterian Church of Hollidaysburg in 1864, and in 1868 he was chosen a ruling elder and his whole subsequent life was lived ac- carding to the religious precepts he then publicly accepted. His charities were many and his sympathies ready. In many ways his helpfulness was shown and he could al- ways be relied on to give support to benev- olent movements whether they were local or were of the kind that has demonstrated many times that Americans are brethren to every nation when calamity falls. It is in recalling men of this type that a country, state or city may be justly proud.

GEORGE G. PATTERSON, was born in Williamsburg, Pa., 1880. He is a son of Hon. George M. and Mary Roller Patterson, both of whom are of Scotch-Irish ancestry, the subject of this sketch being a direct lineal de- scendant of the Deans, Rollers and Caldwells, who were among the most prominent of the early pioneer settlers of the upper Juniata Val- ley.

During Mr. Patterson's boyhood, his par- ents were engaged in farming in Woodbury Township where he attended the public schools for several terms. After teaching in the pub- lic schools of the township for a short time, he engaged in the lumber business and general insurance business, and later in the mercantile business in Williamsburg. While thus occu- pied he prepared himself for the legal profes- sion, and in 1905 entered the law school of Yale University at New Haven, Conn., where he began the study of law. Upon completion of a three years' course of study at the law school and in the office of Marion D. Patter-

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son, Esq., at Hollidaysburg, he was admitted to practice in all of the courts of the state, Sep- tember 21, 1908. He has since been actively engaged in the practice of the law at Holli- daysburg, where he has met with very gratify- ing successes. In April, 1910, Mr. Patterson was unanimously elected treasurer of the Blair County Bar Association, to succeed President Judge Thomas J. Baldrige.

At the age of twenty-eight years, Mr. Pat- terson was unanimously elected president of the Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Williamsburg, upon its organization. He has served in that capacity continuously since, hav- ing been twice re-elected. The institution has enjoyed unusual prosperity and success and is recognized as one of the best banks in the county. He is a member of the First Presby- terian Church of Williamsburg, Pa.

SAMUEL CALVIN BLACK, one of the substantial and representative .citizens of Logan Township, Blair County, Pa., is pro- prietor of a tannery, which he operates in connection with farming. He was born Au- gust 14, 1845, on his present place, a son of William and Mary (Pottsgrove) Black.

William Black was born March 14, 1799, in Sinking Valley, Blair County, Pa., and was a son of Christopher Black, who came to this county from Cumberland County, Pa., and here operated a tannery for some years. William Black was also a tanner and about 1844 came to Logan Township and located on the farm now owned by our sub- ject. This farm, consisting of 40 acres, of which ten acres were timber, is located on the Greenwood road, and was bought by our subject's father from a Mr. Green. He erected a barn and stone house, and died here in the fall of 1867.

Samuel C. Black was reared on his pres- ent farm and educated in the local schools. He learned the tanners' trade under his father, and has always conducted a tannery in connection with general farming. His residence, which was built by his father in 1859, has been remodeled and equipped with

modern conveniences, including running hot and cold water. Mr. Black is actively identified with the Republican party in pol- itics, and has served for 23 years as a mem- ber of the school board, of which he is now president. He has been largely instru- mental in obtaining fine schools for the township, and has otherwise been promi- nent in affairs pertaining to the welfare of Logan Township. He is president of the road supervisors of this township.

ELINAS M. BRUBAKER, who resides on a farm of 50 acres in Frankstown Town- ship, Blair County, Pa., was born Decem- ber 10, 1875, in Allegheny Township, Blair County, Pa., and is a son of Samuel and Christena (Berkey) Brubaker, and a grand- son of Ephriam Brubaker. Samuel Bru- baker, father of our subject, served in the Civil War, and resides on a farm adjoining that of his son Elinas. He is politically a Republican and is a member of the Church of the Brethren. His marriage with Chris- tena Berkey resulted in the following issue: Sarah, the wife of Isaac Wilt; James (de- ceased) and David, who were twins; Sam- uel; Alexander; Aaron; Silas; and Elinas M.

Elinas M. Brubaker was reared on the home farm, and obtained his educational training in the local schools. He was then an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for eight years, but since 1906 has been engaged in agricultural pursuits on his present farm, and it is his intention to make that his future occupation.

February 20, 1900, Mr. Brubaker married Cora Sell, who is a daughter of Simon and Mary (Benton) Sell, prominent farmers of Blair County, and is the second eldest of . the following children born to her parents : Martha, the wife of Charles Brubaker; Cora, wife of our subject; Thomas; Rachel, wife of Archie Claar; Pearl; Susan; and Matthew. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brubaker: El- mer, Myra, Lloyd, Simon, Hiram, and

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Bertha. Mr. Brubaker is politically an ad- 1878, to Jessie J. Hite, a daughter of the late herent of the Republican party, but has never cared to hold office. He is a member of the Church of the Brethren.

WILLIAM G. KUNSMAN,* a progres- sive farmer and much respected citizen of Juniata Township, Blair County, Pa., has resided on his present farm of 76 acres since 1878, and was born May II, 1859, on Brush Mountain, Blair County, Pa., a son of William and Penna (Neff) Kunsman.

William Kunsman, the father of our sub- ject, was born in the Half Moon Valley, Pa., and was a son of William Kunsman, who was a native of Germany. He was for many years a resident of Allegheny Town- ship, Blair County, Pa., and died here at the age of 66 years. He was politically a Republican and served nine years as con- stable of Allegheny Township. He was a member of the Lutheran church of Dun- cansville, Pa. Penna Neff Kunsman, mother of our subject, was also a native of Blair County, Pa., and the surviving chil- dren born of her union with William Kuns- man, are as follows: Winfield S. resides in Frankstown Township; David resides at Tunnel Hill; Frank resides in Gallitzin, Pa .; Jonathan is a resident of Allegheny Township; Jane is the widow of the late John Ehrenfeld of Altoona, Pa .; Ann mar- ried Patrick Healy of Tunnel Hill, Pa.

William G. Kunsman spent his boyhood days in Allegheny Township, and after completing his education, which was ob- tained in the district schools, engaged in agricultural pursuits. He located on his present farm of 76 acres in 1878, and carries on general farming and gardening here. Mr. Kunsman was a member of the board of road supervisors of Juniata Township, and has served six years as a member of the school board. He is identified with the Re- publican party in politics, and served a num- ber of years on the board of election of Juniata Township.

Mr. Kunsman was married February 22,

George C. Hite of Juniata Township, and of their union have been born the following children: Albert J., a resident of Altoona, Pa .; Clara E., the wife of Samuel S. Wolfe of Tunnel Hill, Pa .; Charles L., who re- sides at Gallitzin, Pa .; Howard W., who lives at Tunnel Hill, Pa .; Myrtle M., who married M. Hines of Hollidaysburg, Pa .; and Elsie J.

HAMMOND KELLY HEGARTY, who is one of Antis Township's substantial and representative citizens, has been a lifelong resident of Blair County and for over twen- ty-three years has lived in Antis Township. He was born in Logan Township, Blair County, Pa., December 20, 1856, and is a son of Oliver and Caroline (Hutchison) Hegarty.

Oliver Hegarty was born in Half Moon Valley, Center County, Pa. His father was John Hegarty, who was born in Ireland and during his lifetime crossed the Atlantic Ocean three times. When he came to Blair County, Pa., he located in Logan Township and acquired large tracts of land which are now owned by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Oliver Hegarty, however, lived on that property until his death. He mar- ried Caroline Hutchison, who was a daugh- ter of John Hutchison, and the following children were born to them: John H., who lives in Logan Township, on the Dry Gap road; Joseph K., who resides with his brother, Hammond K., in Antis Township; Hammond K .; Margaret J., who is the widow of J. K. Patterson, of Altoona; James Mortimer, who died in boyhood ; Sarah Grace, who died in childhood; Oliver Wilson, who lives in Logan Township; Mary E., who is the wife of Harry Gamble, of Altoona; and an infant, the third born in the family, that died unnamed.

Hammond K. Hegarty was four years old when his parents moved into the newly erected brick house on the Logan Township farm, on which he was reared. His educa-

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tion was obtained in the Hamilton school in Logan Township and later he attended the White school night sessions for about a year, at Altoona. He learned the black- smith's trade and worked at it for five and one-half years. When the Pennsylvania Railroad bought the home place in. Logan Township, the father of Mr. Hegarty pur- chased 174 acres of farm land in Antis Township and 172 acres of timber land, on the mountain, for his two sons, Hammond Kelly and Joseph K. Hegarty. The brothers have always lived together and at first, Hammond K. rented his brother's part of the property and finally purchased it. This well improved farm once belonged to Rev. A. E. Bell and later to Michael Gintner. Some years ago, Mr. Hegarty erected a commodious two-story house and has a very attractive place. His residence commands a fine view of Gospel Hollow, the name given to this valley because of the residence and religious activities of the late Rev. A. E. Bell, above referred to.

Hegarty and family are members of the Presbyterian church at Bellwood. He is identified with the Patrons of Husbandry and in his political views is an Independent Democrat.

FRANK G. PATTERSON,* who has been engaged in the practice of law at Al- toona for the past twenty-three years, has been identified also with large business en- terprises here and is numbered with the city's substantial and representative citizens. He was born at Newry, Blair County, Pa., July 26, 1863, and is a son of Thomas and Isabella (McConaghy) Patterson. Both parents of Mr. Patterson were born near Dublin, Ireland, the father in 1814 and the mother in 1820. In 1854 they came to America and shortly afterward Thomas Patterson acquired a farm in Blair County, Pa., which became a very valuable property.

Frank G. Patterson was reared on the above farm and attended the country schools, later the Newry village schools, and subsequently took a course in the State Normal School at Millersburg. For some years afterward he gave his attention to teaching school and in the meanwhile com- menced the reading of law, and in October, 1886, he was admitted to the Blair County bar. He entered into partnership with Thomas H. Greevy, in April, 1888, under the firm name of Greevy & Patterson, a leading one at Altoona.

On March II, 1880, Mr. Hegarty was married to Miss Alice May Slep, who was born at Harrisburg, Pa., a daughter of Harry and Mary (Daugherty) Slep, the former of whom was born in Germany. He has been a resident of the United States since he was twelve years old and at present is connected with the Mirror newspaper of- fice at Altoona. Mr. and Mrs. Hegarty have children as follows: Caroline May, who married John Henshey, residing at In 1889 Mr. Patterson displayed unusual business ability in his efforts in the organi- zation of the Altoona, Clearfield & North- ern Railroad Company and served as presi- dent and general manager of that road. In politics, like his brother, the late John K. Patterson, he is a Republican and is very loyal in his support of friends but is no aspirant for public honors for himself. His place of residence is the Brandt Hotel, while he maintains his offices on the corner of Altoona, Pa., and they have two sons-Wil- bur Kelley and John Kenneth; Mary Wil- mena, who married John Geer and they live at Bellwood and have two children, Marian and Thomas; Oliver Wilson and Margaret Edna, twins, the former of whom married Elda Peterman and they live in Logan Township, and the latter of whom married John Crane and they live in Juniata Bor- ough, and have one daughter, Alice Mar- garet ; and Harry S. and Sarah Grace, Twelfth Avenue and Thirteenth Street, Al- twins, who reside with their parents. Mr. toona.

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BLAIR CHERRY, a representative citi- zen of Antis Township, Blair County, Pa., and an experienced and successful general farmer, has resided on his present farm for over a quarter of a century. He was born in Antis Township, about two miles north of Bellwood, September 5, 1856, and is a son of Jacob and Anna Elizabeth (Black) Cherry.

Jacob Cherry was born on what was known as the Emmett S. Cherry farm, on which his father, Nicholas Cherry located, this being the old Cherry homestead near Fostoria, O. Jacob Cherry was a black- smith by trade but spent the larger part of his life as a farmer and died at the age of seventy-four years. He married Anna Eliz- abeth Black, whose family lived for many years on what is now the D. W. Irwin place. Her father was John Black, who engaged in teaming to Pittsburg in early days. Ten children were born to Jacob Cherry and wife as follows: Mary Jane (Meredith), who died in Antis Township; Matilda (Ying- ling), who died at Altoona; John E., who lives near Tipton; Alfred, who was killed during the Civil War; Joseph, who is a resident of Maryland; David, who resides near Fostoria; George, whose home is near Tipton; Elias, who has recently moved from North Dakota to Virginia; Blair, the subject of this sketch; and Annie, who is the wife of Samuel Burkett, of Huntingdon County, Pa.

Blair Cherry was reared in Antis Town- ship and obtained his education in the dis- trict schools. Since reaching manhood he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits in Antis Township with the exception of one year spent in Iowa and another in Ken- tucky. His present farm, on which he has resided for twenty-six years, originally con- tained 130 acres and its first owner was Jo- seph Hopkins. The land passed from him to Alexander McFarland and was long known as the old McFarland place. Mr. Cherry was married October 17, 1883, to Miss Margaret Alice McFarland, who is a

daughter of Alexander and Jane (Hetrick) McFarland. Mrs. Cherry was born on this farm, January 18, 1854, and has never lived in any other place and hence all the sur- roundings are familiar and dear to her. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cherry, namely : George Monroe, born December 30, 1884, who is in the U. S. mail service; Albert Mathers, who died when aged four weeks; Mary Jane, who died at the age of three years and four months; and Roy Wellington, born July 22, 1893, who is a well advanced student in the Antis Township High School. Mr. Cherry and family are members of the Presbyterian church at Bellwood. Mr. Cherry takes a good citizen's interest in public matters and township affairs but does not consider him- self a politician, his main interests being in his own business. He votes with the Demo- cratic party.

CALVIN A. BOYER,* sole proprietor of the Forge Mill, situated near Roaring Spring, Pa., dealing in spring wheat and pastry flour, feed, and grain of all kinds and making a specialty of custom grinding, con- ducts his business under the style of the Forge Milling Company. He was born in Bedford County, Pa., October 6, 1869, and is a son of David M., and Sarah (Croyle) Boyer. David M. Boyer is a well known and highly respected retired farmer of Bed- ford County.

Calvin A. Boyer grew to manhood on the home farm and obtained his education in the Bedford County schools. When he was twenty-one years of age he started out for himself, his first occupations being saw-mill- ing and threshing and for eight years he was so engaged in Bedford and Blair Counties, after which he became a farmer near Roar- ing Spring. In March, 1908, he went into the milling business and has made the Forge Mill a very valuable property, equipping it with first class machinery and turning out only high grade products. He is numbered with the able business men of this section,

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having additional interests to his mill indus- try.

Mr. Boyer married Miss Mary Bush, a daughter of the late John Bush, of Taylor Township, Blair County, Pa. They have an adopted son, Harry B. Boyer. Mr. and Mrs. Boyer are members of the Reformed church. He is a Democrat in politics and is serving in the office of constable of Taylor Town- ship. While still residing in Bedford County he filled many township offices, hav- ing always been an active citizen. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A., at Roaring Spring, of the Order of Moose at Altoona, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge at Roar- ing Spring.

LEVI BOLGER, senior member of the firm of Bolger, Grafius & Co., proprietors and operators of the Martinsburg Planing Mill, doing an extensive manufacturing business here, has spent his entire life at Martinsburg, where he was born September 27, 1834. His parents were David and Nancy (Skyles ). Bol- ger.

David Bolger was born in Blair County, Pa., his father having been a pioneer in Bed- ford County. David Bolger died in 1857, but for many years he had been a well known contractor and builder and also was in the un- dertaking business at Martinsburg.

Levi Bolger attended the public schools at Martinsburg in early boyhood but he was not more than thirteen years of age when he be- gan to learn the carpenter's trade and under his father's instruction learned cabinetmaking, and carpenter work, and later went into con- tracting for himself. Still later he became in- terested with other practical business men in the Martinsburg Planing Mill, a well eqiupped plant with up-to-date machinery, the output of which includes sash, doors, mouldings, balus- ters, stair rail, blinds, etc., lath, pickets and shingles. The company also deals in all kinds of rough lumber and building material. Pros- pects for a heavy future trade are excellent and the business is in a flourishing condition.

In November, 1855, Mr. Bolger was mar-

ried to Miss Mary E. May, who was born in Bedford County, Pa., a daughter of John and Magdalena May, and six children were born to them, namely: Anna M., who lives at Martinsburg; Nancy J., who is the wife of George W. Geist, of the firm of Bolger, Grafius & Co .; Ida C., who is the wife of William H. Oelig, of Williamsburg, Pa .; William M., who is a well established dentist at Martinsburg; Ella, who is the wife of W. Boyd Morrow, a coal merchant at Chippens- burg; and J. Colvin, who is a Lutheran min- ister at Martinsburg.

In politics Mr. Bolger is a Republican and he has been an active citizen, serving on the borough council and also on the school board. He is a prominent Odd Fellow, belonging to the minor branch and to the Encampment, be- ing a charter member of the latter at Martins- burg, and is also a charter member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is a member of the Reformed church, in which he has served officially at times. He is numbered with Martinsburg's most reliable men and repre- sentative citizens.

SILAS A. McGOUGH, proprietor of the Hotel Belmar, which is situated on the cor- ner of Fourth Avenue and Fifteenth Street, Altoona, is a well known and highly respected citizen and an experienced hotel man. He was born July 25, 1836, at Loretta, Cambria County, Pa., a son of James and Margaret McGough. His grandfather on the paternal side was Arthur McGough.

The subject of this sketch was one of a large family, namely : Ellen, George, Susan, Charles, Anna, James, Silas A., Andrew, Demetrius, and Margaret. He was reared and educated in Cambria County and during a large portion of his life has been engaged in the hotel business. For the past 31 years he has been a resident of Altoona, and for one year conducted the City Hotel, and for three years the Windsor Hotel, while for the past five years he has been proprietor of the Hotel Belmar. While this is not the largest hotel in the city it is one of the most

MR. AND MRS. LEVI BOLGER

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comfortable and most favorably located, and the quality of the service furnished is such as to give satisfaction to the guests and build up the patronage of the hotel, which is very favorably known to the traveling public.

Mr. McGough was married in 1865 to Miss Rufina Harbor, who died in 1866, leav- ing one child, Harriet. His second marriage took place in 1868, to Miss Mary R. Whar- ton, and of this union there have been the following children: Edwin, Georgia, Henry O., Arthur, Margaret, Frances, Zoe, Elmer, Ralph, Jessie, Cyril, Frederick and Donald, all of whom have been given good educa- tional advantages.

In politics Mr. McGough is a Republican and for four years and a half he served in the office of chief of police of Altoona, his ad- ministration resulting in some important re- forms, and during which law and order were thoroughly enforced. Mr. McGough and his family are members of the Catholic church.

ADIE FRANKLIN IRVIN, deceased, for many years was one of the substantial and representative men of Antis Township, Blair County, Pa., of which he was a native, and he was also an honored veteran of the great Civil War. He was born on the homestead farm, October 3, 1839, and died on the same land, February 18, 1909. His parents were George and Margaret (Tip- pery) Irvin, and his uncle was Daniel Irwin (this branch of the family spelling the name differently), who was the father of Abram R. Irwin, who is a leading resident of Bell- wood, Pa. The father of Mr. Irvin was born in Blair County and his mother in Huntingdon County, Pa.

Adie Franklin Irvin was reared on his father's farm, attended the district schools and assisted in the tilling of the land until the opening of the Civil War. His interest and patriotism were aroused and on August 2, 1861, he became a member of Co. F, 76th Pa. Vol. Inf., in which he served faithfully

for three years, three months and one day, and was honorably discharged on October 28, 1864. In May of that year he had been promoted to the rank of corporal. During his long period in the army he was more or less constantly exposed to hardship and danger and he participated in the following battles: Pocotaligo, Fort Wagner, Ches- terfield Heights, Drury's Bluff, Cold Har- bor, Siege of Petersburg, Deep Bottom and Chapin's Farm. On one occasion he did not escape from the bullets of the enemy, re- ceiving a shot through the foot, an injury that made it necessary for him to spend some time in a hospital and which caused a slight but permanent lameness. He re- turned then to the home farm, which, in the course of time came into his possession, and during the remainder of his life devoted himself to the peaceful pursuits of agricul- ture. He was a man of sterling character, for many years a deacon in the Logan Val- ley Baptist Church and a liberal supporter of its religious movements. In politics he was a Republican. For a number of years he was a valued member of Sanford F. Beyer Post, No. 426, G. A. R., at Bellwood.

On July 4, 1865, Mr. Irvin was married to Miss Annie Boyles, who was born in An- tis Township, Blair County, on Sandy Run, December 2, 1842. She is a daughter of Andrew and Emily (Hanna) Boyles, the former of whom was a son of Henry Boyles, a very early settler in Blair County. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Boyles were as follows: Mrs. Irvin; Lucinda, who is the widow of David Bartlebaugh; J. Cam- eron, who is a resident of Bellwood; Alice, who is the wife of John W. Slotehower, of Altoona; Minerva, who lives in the old Boyles homestead at Altoona; Blair, who resides at No. 602 Sixth Street, Altoona ; Eliza, who is the wife of David A. Sunder- land, of Altoona; Margaret, who is the wife of John L. Gonder, of Altoona; Robert, de- ceased, who was formerly a resident of Al- toona; and Martin Boyles, who resides at No. 604 Sixth Avenue, Altoona, Pa.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 106

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