Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 112

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 112

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H. S. GURD

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nessmaker until 1900, when he retired. His death occurred January 4, 1910, when he was aged eighty years, five months and four days. He married Margaret Braun, who was born also in Germany and died on her sixty-fifth birthday, February 7, 1892. Of their children three daughters and one son survive, namely : Wilhelmina and Hen- rietta, both of whom reside at Tyrone; A. Mary, who is the wife of John E. Bottger, of Fort Wayne, Ind .; and William F.

William F. Hiller was born in the year following the location of his parents at Ty- rone and later obtained his education in the Tyrone schools. When old enough to learn a trade he entered his father's shop and worked at the saddlery business until 1892, when he went into insurance and real es- tate dealing, with which line he has remained connected ever since. In addition to his im- portant interests in this direction he has others and is president of the W. E. Hoff- man Co., milk, bakery, ice and ice cream; is vice president of the Central Building and Loan Association of Tyrone; is presi- dent of the Harrison Mutual Burial Asso- ciation, and is president of the local board of fire underwriters at Tyrone. For many years he has been active in politics, voting with the Republican party, and has served as tax collector, as a member of the board of health and as burgess, in all capacities proving his worth as a sterling citizen.

In 1892 Mr. Hiller was married to Miss Sarah E. Valentine, a daughter of Cyrus Valentine, of Altoona, and they have had eight children born to them, namely: Es- ther and Margaret, twins, John A., Fred- erick V., William F., Helen, Anna and Karl Edgar. Mr. Hiller and family are members of the English Lutheran church. Frater- nally he has been interested in several or- ganizations and an official in these for many years, being a member of Sinking Spring Lodge, No. 127, Knights of Pythias, of which he has been treasurer for twenty years ; a member of Good Will Council, No. 42, Jr. O. U. A. M., at Tyrone, of which he

has been treasurer for twenty-five years, and a member of the Tyrone Castle, No. 79, K. G. E .; and also a member of the Volun- teer Fire Department.

AUGUSTUS G. MYERS, whose valu- able farm of about eighty-four acres is sit- uated in Taylor >Township, Blair County, Pa., is a highly respected citizen of this sec- tion, in which he has lived since 1906. He was born in Bedford County, Pa., March 30, 1859, and is a son of Henry B. and Maria (Mock) Myers.

Henry B. Myers and wife were members of old Bedford County families of German extraction. They remained in Bedford County until 1872, when they moved into Blair County, where the remaining years of their lives were spent.

Augustus G. Myers was thirteen years old when his parents came to Taylor Town- ship, Blair County, and he has lived in this township ever since. He is largely a self made man, through industry and good judg- ment having gained a foothold as to ma- terial things and through honesty and good will having secured a wide circle of friends. He settled on his present farm in 1906 and has been carrying on general agriculture here with a success that speaks well for his methods of farming.

On October 13, 1886, Mr. Myers was married to Miss Rachel E. Clapper, who was born in Bedford County, Pa., a daugh- ter of Samuel and Susan (Garver) Clapper, and a granddaughter of John Clapper and of John Garver, who were early settlers and responsible men in Bedford and Blair Counties. Samuel Clapper was born in Bedford County and died December 7, . 1905, at the age of 72 years. His widow, who was born in Blair County 70 years ago, still survives. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Myers: Harry B., Pearl S., Elmer B., Carl P. and Ruby A. All survive except Carl P., who died June I, 1895, at the age of one year. Mrs. My- ers is a member of the Brethren church.

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Mr. Myers casts his vote with the Demo- cratic party.

JOHN GRANT ANDERSON, general manager of the Tyrone and Williamsburg Paper Mills of the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company is one of the leading busi- ness men of Tyrone, Pa. He was born in Coshocton County, O., October 29, 1863, and is a son of Dr. John and Anna (Steven- son) Anderson.

Dr. John Anderson was born in Ohio in 1817, and died in Coshocton County in 1888, where he had practiced medicine for a number of years. He married Anna Stev- enson, who was born in Maryland and died in Coshocton County, O., in 1878, aged fifty-one years. Of their family of seven children, one son died in infancy and three sons and three daughters are living. Sarah is the wife of Joseph K. Cass, of Tyrone. Annie M. is the wife of Samuel Irvine, of Pittsburg. Ida M. is unmarried and re- sides at Tyrone. Leroy K. is a paper sales- man in business at Chicago. Charles E. is in the drug business at Coshocton, O. John Grant completes the family.

John G. Anderson was educated in the Coshocton schools and graduated from the Coshocton High School in 1880, after which he completed a business course in a com- mercial college and in 1881 he entered the employ of the well known paper firm of Morrison, Cass & Co. This subsequently became the Morrison & Cass Paper Com- pany, which now operates under the style of the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Com- pany. In 1890, Mr. Anderson came to Ty- rone as secretary and treasurer of the Mor- rison & Cass Paper Company and since its consolidation has been general manager of the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Com- pany's Tyrone and Williamsburg mills. Mr. Anderson was reared in the Presbyte- rian faith. He is a Republican in his polit- ical views.

S. F. HETRICK, who is now living in retirement at Williamsburg, Pa., is vice president of the First National Bank of this borough, and is also the owner of two fine farms in Woodbury Township, Blair County. He was born January 4, 1840, in Morris Township, Huntingdon County, Pa., and is a son of John and Catherine (Focht) Hetrick, who were prominent farmers of Huntingdon County. The father was polit- ically a Democrat and he and his wife were both members of the Lutheran church. They were parents of the following chil- dren: S. F., the subject of this record; Margaret, who is the wife of John Plum- mer; Mary, who married John L. Miller ; Elizabeth, the wife of Frank Brennaman; Susan, who married William Morgan; and David M.

S. F. Hetrick was reared and educated in his native township, then engaged in agri- cultural pursuits until about 26 years of age, after which he was employed in vari- ous ways for about two years. He ran a hucksters wagon to Altoona for three years, then was unable to work because of illness for about three years, and subsequently ran a boarding house for a time. He again re- turned to farming, renting a farm in Cath- erine Township for five years, after which he purchased a farm in Woodbury Town- ship about four miles south of Williams- burg. This he operated for 20 years, mak- ing many improvements on it, including the erection of a fine modern home. He sub- sequently purchased another tract of farm land in Woodbury Township, residing upon and farming it for nine years, and in 1908 came to Williamsburg, where he purchased property and has since been living here in retirement. He still owns his two farms and although retired from business activ- ities, is engaged in shipping grain on a small scale. Mr. Hetrick is politically a Republican, and his religious connection is with the Lutheran church.

Mr. Hetrick was married January 18, 1866, to Maria Nancy Biddle, who is a

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daughter of Jacob and Susan Biddle, and is one of the following children born to her parents : Melinda; Caroline ; Maria Nancy; Gilbert; and Andrew. Mr. and Mrs. Hetrick have reared the following children : Frances Marrion; John C .; Walter B .; Elmyra B., wife of Vance Craig, deceased; and Oscar B.

CHARLES MCCLELLAND WAPLE, the genial and popular proprietor of the Ward House, one of the leading hostelries of Tyrone, Pa., was born at Salem Church, Clearfield County, Pa., December 29, 1863, and is a son of Thomas and Maria Waple.

Thomas . Waple was born in Virginia. He is a blacksmith by trade but now lives retired at Phillipsburg, Pa., being in his sev- enty-fifth year. He married a lady of Clear- field County and they had two children: Charles McClelland and Lillie, the latter of whom is the wife of Amos Owens, of Clearfield.

Charles M. Waple was reared in Clear- field County and obtained his education in the public schools of Bigler. On June 26, 1880, he came to Tyrone and for seven years following had charge of the finishing de- partment in a tannery at this place. In 1887 he went into the hotel business, taking charge of the Pennsylvania House at Ty- rone and conducting it for some five years. In 1893 he changed to the Central Hotel, which he successfully conducted for eleven years and then went to Phillipsburg, where he had charge of the Potter House for five years. In May, 1910, Mr. Waple came back to Tyrone, where he has a host of friends. and purchased the lease of the Ward House. Since taking charge he has spared no ex- pense in renovating the whole building and not confining his efforts to the inside. The beautiful cement walks around the hotel make an exceedingly attractive relief for the stately building which has between eighty and 100 rooms and all of these have been equipped with appropriate comforts and conveniences, from the office to the

servants' quarters. It is conveniently lo- cated near the station of the Pennsylvania Railroad and the cuisine is kept up to the highest mark. It is Mr. Waple's aim to make this a favorite stopping place for trav- elers, transients, tourist parties and perma- nent guests, giving them assurances and proof that this is a pleasant home for any length of time.

Mr. Waple is a member of all leading fraternal organizations. In politics he is a Republican and has served two terms as a member of the Tyrone town council as he was also of the Phillipsburg council. He takes an intelligent citizen's hearty interest in county politics.

In 1884 Mr. Waple was married to Miss Margaret Troutwine, and they have three living children: Walter, who is proprietor of the Potter House at Phillipsburg; Charles, who is a student at Susquehannah University; and Catherine, who attends the public schools at Tyrone. Mr. Waple is a man who stands high socially and other- wise, is of unimpeachable business integrity. His fame as a host extends all through Cen- tral Pennsylvania.

ALEXANDER DYSART MORROW, who has been a resident of Tipton, Pa., for the past seventeen years, was prior to that living in Sinking Valley, Tyrone Township, Blair County, Pa., and was born there April 18, 1844, a son of Matthew and Ellen (Dy- sart) Morrow.

Robert Morrow, great-grandfather of our subject, was of Irish descent and was one of the pioneers of Sinking Valley, having come from Path Valley, and was living here as early as 1783. He died in Tyrone Town- ship in 1810. Robert was father of two sons and one daughter-Robert, grandfather of our subject, lived in Tyrone Township; James, who also lived in Tyrone Township, died in 1841; and Rebecca, who married James E. Stewart of Tyrone Township. The farm settled upon by Robert Morrow is now owned by one of his descendants, Miss

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Margaret Morrow. Robert Morrow, grand- father of subject, married Margaret Moore, a daughter of Joseph Moore, who resided some years on the Robert Morrow farm, where he was several time obliged to de- fend his home from the Indians. He died in 1807. Robert Morrow was father of the following children: Robert, George, John H., Matthew, Joseph, Samuel-all of whom resided in Blair County-and Rebecca, who married Joseph K. Orr of Sinking Valley; and Nancy, well known in the valley, who died May 21, 1885.

Matthew Morrow, father of Alexander D., was born in Tyrone Township in 1814, and lived in Sinking Valley until 1869, when he left the farm and located at Tipton. He some time later bought three lots and the house where our subject now lives from Capt. Elliott, and retired except from the banking business. He was one of the orig- inal stock holders and organizers of the Altoona Bank, now the Central Trust Com- pany, and was one of the original directors. His son, Robert P. Morrow, now deceased, was the first cashier of this bank. Mr. Morrow continued his connection with the bank until his death in September, 1893. Matthew Morrow married Ellen Dysart, who was born in Sinking Valley, a daugh- ter of Alexander Dysart, and died January 9, 1871. The following children were born of their union: Margaret, died November. 24, 1871, aged 30 years; Alexander Dysart, subject; John Harvey, lives in Tama County, Iowa; Robert R., died in July, 1873, aged 24 years; William G., died at Tipton, lived some years in Colorado; Ella V., died August, 1880, aged 24 years; and Ann, who died aged one year. Mr. Mor- row was politically a Republican, and served in various local offices. He was a member of the Presbyterian church.

Alexander D. Morrow was reared on the home place in Tyrone Township, and ob- tained his education in the local schools and at Elders Ridge Academy, where he attended a short time. He remained on the

home place until August 18, 1861, when he enlisted for service in the army in Com- pany G, IIth Pa. Cav. He served three years with that company mainly in Vir- ginia and North Carolina, his company bearing the envied reputation of being the best drilled cavalry regiment in service. He was mustered out in August, 1864, at Jones' Landing, and has a relic of a spur, taken from a wounded prisoner, whom he carried on horseback before him. After his father left the farm and moved to Tip- ton, Mr. Morrow conducted the place for twenty-five years, and in the spring of 1894, ran for sheriff on the Republican ticket, and was offered the nomination the following term, but did not care to accept it. He then came to Tipton and has since added four lots to his father's old place here, and sold the farm to Lawrence Pagin.

Mr. Morrow was married March 11, 1869, to Alice Tussey, who was born in Canoe Valley, Huntingdon County, Pa., a daugh- ter of Robert and Dorothy (Harnish) Tus- sey. John Tussey, great-grandfather of Mrs. Morrow, was the first of the family to come to Pennsylvania, and located in Harts Log Valley, below Alexandria, in Hunting- don County. He was the father of three children, David, John B. and Mary. David, grandfather of Mrs. Morrow, was born near Alexandria in 1783, and was 21 years of age when he moved to Canoe Valley. He mar- ried Elizabeth Means, a daughter of Hughey and Margaret (Dean) Means, the latter also coming of one of the oldest fam- ilies of Huntingdon County. The Deans suf- fered considerable loss of property and rel- atives through the Indians. Robert Tussey was born January 30, 1816, in Canoe Val- ley, and was reared on the home farm. He was married February 6, 1840, to Dorothy Harnish, who was born December 15, 1814, a daughter of Samuel and Susannah (Kel- ler) Harnish. Robert Tussey always lived in Canoe Valley, where he farmed exten- sively, and also dealt in cattle, supplying the people of that community with beef

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and fresh meats. He was the father of the following children: William H., deceased; Susannah, married William Irwin of Phil- lipsburg; Samuel C .; Mary E., deceased ; Elizabeth A., wife of subject, born March I, 1847, and died January 27, 1904 (she is buried in Arch Spring Cemetery) ; David F., deceased; Lydia Laura, married William Isett and lives in Philadelphia; Anna Caro- line, married George Moore of Altoona; Robert J., lives in Alexandria; and Lillian M., who teaches in the schools of Altoona. Christian Harnish, grandfather of Mrs. Tus- sey, came from Berks County, Pa., where his grandfather had settled in 1800, to Hunt- ingdon County, and bought 1,000 acres of land in what is now Morris Township.

Mr. and Mrs. Morrow had the following children: Frank Tussey, who was born April 23, 1870, is a member of the Blair County bar, but is not engaged in practice on account of ill health. He read law with Craig & Bowers of Altoona, and also at- tended the Carlisle Law School and at Dover. Edith Bell was born September I, 1871, and died June 3, 1904. Ella Kate was born March 2, 1873, and died June 10, 1873. Samuel B. was born July II, 1874, and died April 4, 1880. Mary M. was born May 7, 1876, and is a graduated nurse of the Nason Hospital at Roaring Spring, Pa. Rachel Harnish, who was born November 20, 1877, is a trained nurse, and a graduate of the Philadelphia Children's Hospital. Alice Elizabeth, who was born February 26, 1879, was married June 15, 1910, to J. W. Shoen- felt of Altoona. She is a graduate of the Normal School and taught some time in Bellwood. One son born July 10, 1880, died unnamed. Dorothy, who was born July 9, 1882, is a graduate of Millersville School and teaches in Bellwood. Alex- ander Dysart, Jr., born October 27, 1885, died December 9, 1905. Mr. Morrow is politically a Republican, although inclined to be independent.

HON. JOHN HOWARD GRAZIER, burgess of Tyrone, Pa., as well as a leading business man of the place, belongs to one of the old and representative families of Blair County. He was born in Sinking Val- ley, Blair County, Pa., January 17, 1863, and is a son of Joseph B. and Mary (Webb) Grazier.

Joseph B. Grazier was born in Hunting- don County, Pa., and was brought to Blair County when a small boy. He followed an agricultural life and died on his farm situ- ated near Tyrone, in 1879, at the age of six- ty-three years. He married Mary Webb. who was born in York County, Pa., and was brought to Blair County in infancy. Her death occurred at Tyrone, when aged seventy-five years. Of the eleven children born of this marriage, two died in infancy, the others being as follows: Cynthia, who is now deceased, was the wife of G. W. Swayne; Albert, who is a resident of Al- toona; Kate, who is the wife of G. W. Bur- kett, of Altoona; Frank, who lives at Ty- rone and follows the carpenter trade; Ellie, who is the wife of H. M. Stover, of War- rior's Mark, Huntingdon County; Alice, who is the wife of H. C. Stine; James B., who is a member of the firm of Grazier Bros. & Stine, of Tyrone; Priscilla, who is a resident of Altoona; and John Howard, who is the youngest of the family.

John Howard Grazier was educated in the public schools and Birmingham Semi- nary, attending until he was twenty years of age, after which he alternated working on the home farm and teaching school for four years. In 1888 he came to Tyrone and went into the hardware business and has been identified with the same ever since, first under the style of Grazier Brothers and later as Grazier Bros. & Stine, being the head of the firm. Mr. Grazier has been much more than a successful business man. He has interested himself in public mat- ters and has frequently been called on by his fellow citizens to take charge of impor- tant affairs and on each occasion has ac-

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quitted himself with credit. He served as a member of the borough council for four years and during two years of this period was the president of that board, and in Feb- ruary, 1909, he was elected burgess. His administration of this office has been en- tirely in the interests of the public, no pri- vate concern ever enjoying special privi- leges or receiving favors. While he is nom- inally a Democrat, he is disposed to give political support occasionally to candidates, irrespective of party, whose past record as well as present availability, meets with his approval.

In November, 1899, Mr. Grazier was married to Miss Olive M. Grammer, a daughter of A. J. Grammer, of Newark, N. J. They have four children: Allen, Jo- seph, Clara and John. Mr. Grazier is a member of Allegheny Gateway Lodge, No. 187, I. O. O. F., at Tyrone. He is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as an elder.

SOLOMON S. LAYMAN, deceased, for many years was a successful agriculturist of North Woodbury Township, Blair County, Pa., and later a valued citizen of Martinsburg, in which borough his long and useful life closed, on November 23, 1907. He was born November 7, 1832, in Taylor Township, Blair County, and was a son of John and Mary Layman. Three of his brothers still survive, namely: Jacob and William, both residents of North Wood- bury Township; and Samuel, living at Dal- las Center, Ia.

Solomon S. Layman spent his whole life in Blair County. Farming and stock rais- ing were the main interests of his manhood and thereby he accumulated a comfortable fortune. In later years he retired to Mar- tinsburg and during his years of residence there took an interest in public matters and at times cheerfully accepted citizenship re- sponsibilities. Previous to moving to the borough he had many times served in town- ship offices and afterward became a mem-

ber of the borough council where his expe- rience and sound judgment made him valu- able as a public official. He was a Repub- lican in his political views but he was a broad-minded man and never permitted his private sentiments to dominate his official acts. He was a member of and a deacon in St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Martinsburg.

On January 27, 1868, Mr. Layman was married to Miss Mary A. Brown. She was born November 14, 1842, and now resides in a handsome home at Martinsburg. Her parents were Daniel and Susan , (Ling) Brown, both of whom were natives of Bed- ford County. When she was nine years old the family moved to North Woodbury Township, Blair County, where the parents subsequently died, and there she was reared and educated. Of the children of Daniel and Susan Brown, the following survive: Mary A .; Jeremiah, who resides at Ros- well, New Mex .; Hannah, who is the wife of Benjamin Newcomer, of Curryville, Pa .; Isaac C., who lives at Martinsburg; Heze- kiah, who is a resident of Pittsburg; Cath- erine, who is the wife of Jacob Law, of Cur- ryville; George F. and Daniel, both of whom live at Martinsburg; Susan, who is the wife of George Burket, living. at Mar- tinsburg; and Martha, who is the wife of S. S. Rhodes, of Curryville.

To Solomon S. Layman and wife six chil- dren were born, namely: Emma, who is the wife of Rev. John Furry, of North Woodbury Township; Mrs. Minnie C. Al- len, who lives in North Woodbury Town- ship;" Annie, who is the wife of William Tipton, of North Woodbury Township; W. Roy, who lives in North Woodbury Town- ship; Homer B., who is in business in Pitts- burg; and Effie M., who is now deceased. This family has long been active and inter- ested in the work of St. Matthew's Evan- gelical Lutheran Church, and belong also to the social circles which give and accept neighborly hospitality.

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WILLIAM F. TAYLOR, J. P., one of Tyrone's best known citizens, to which place he came in 1875, has ever since been identified more or less with business inter- ests here and for twenty-three years has served in the office of justice of the peace. He was born at Milesburg, Center County, Pa., November 6, 1848, and is a son of Thomas B. and Livan (Lucas) Taylor.

Thomas B. Taylor was born in Hunt- ingdon County, Pa., a son of John Taylor, moved to Center County when a young man and died there in 1888, at the age of eighty-two years. He spent his active years working as a forgeman in the McCoy & Lynn Iron Works at Milesburg. He was married first to a Miss Brooks and five chil- dren were born to them, namely: Jose- phine, who married Alfred Green, for- merly of Altoona but now of Kansas; Sam- uel B., who resides in Clearfield County ; Thomas T., who is a retired citizen of Al- toona; Harriet, who is the wife of Wilson Hahn, of Philadelphia; and Maggie, who is the wife of Abram Peters, of Eureka, Kans. Thomas B. Taylor married Livan Lucas for his second wife. She was born in Center County, Pa., and survived until December, 1908, having reached her nine- ty-second year. She was a daughter of John Lucas, who lived at what is now known as Snow Shoe. Four children were born to the second union, namely: Will- iam F .; Agnes, who was the widow of John Grant and later married L. H. Fowler of Berwick, Pa .; and Lyda and Florence, both of whom reside at Milesburg, in Center County.

William F. Taylor attended the Miles- burg schools in his youth and afterward worked for a time at the cabinet-making trade, following which he engaged in clerk- ing both at Milesburg and at Hopewell, in Bedford County. After coming to Tyrone he entered the employ of the firm of Van Valzah, & Wilson and continued as a clerk with that house until 1880 and for the suc- ceeding five years was in the furniture busi-

ness for himself. In 1887 he was elected a justice of the peace and appointed register of vital statistics and has been busy with official duties ever since.

On February 13, 1873, Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Emma Haupt, a daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Auchmoody) Haupt, of Union County. Five children were born to this marriage, as follows: Vema, who is the wife of Rev. J. Max Lantz, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Spring Mills, Center County, and they have four children-Richard T., William, Emily and Elizabeth; Edna, who is the wife of Robert A. Zentmyer, a civil engineer at Tyrone, and they have two children-Roberta and Rebecca ; John V., who is a clerk in the su- perintendent's office of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, married Ora Keynote; William F., who is bookkeeper for the West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company, married Maud Mackey and they have two children -Edna and Sarah; and Mabel, who is en- gaged in the millinery business with the firm of Grazier & Taylor, and resides at home. Mr. Taylor and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The pleasant family home is situated at No. 1230 Washington Avenue. In politics Mı. Tay- lor and sons are Republicans. All have lit- erary talent to a marked degree and Judge Taylor and two of his sons are newspaper correspondents, his own letters appearing in the Mirror; those of John V., in the Tri- bune, while William F., Jr., contributes to the Times.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 112

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