Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 114

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 114

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JOHN HALTON, deceased, passed out of life leaving not only a large fortune to his fam- ily, which he had accumulated through his own industrious efforts, but also a name that was held in honor and respect throughout a long and useful existence. He was six years old when he was brought to Altoona and this city claimed his loyal affection as long as he lived. He was born in County Meath, Ireland, August 15, 1844, a son of John S. and Jane (Darby) Halton, who had six children, three of whom are yet living. The death of John Halton oc- curred August 10, 1903.

The parents of Mr. Halton were both born in County Meath and there they remained until 1850, when they emigrated to America and came to Altoona, Pa. They were good people, - consistent and devoted members of the Catho- lic church, and in the new country found the opportunities for comfortable living that they had not been able to secure in their own land. John S. Halton died in 1879 and his widow in 1881.

John Halton attended the schools of Altoona until old enough to learn a self-supporting trade. He had a natural leaning toward me- chanics, although his father had been a farmer, and he entered the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Altoona and later was placed in charge of the gas and steam fitting department. His early investment in city property proved him a man of prudence and forethought and each year he had the satisfaction of seeing it increase in value.

In 1876, Mr. Halton was married to Miss Mary Rodgers, who is now deceased. She was a daughter of Andrew Rodgers of Philadelphia. Two children were born to this union : Mary R. and Edward R.

Edward R. Halton, who is manager of the Halton Coal Company at Altoona, was, born in this city, January 23, 1882. He was edu- cated in the Altoona schools, graduating from the High School, and at Lehigh University. The Halton Coal Company is a large commer- cial enterprise of Altoona, handling anthracite and bituminous coal and dealing also in coke and kindling wood. The office and yard of the company is located at 1605-1611 Ninth Avenue.

JOHN HALTON

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Altoona.

Mr. Halton resides at No. 1506 Sixth Avenue, placed with houses of reputation in larger cities, have been entrusted to him and have been satisfactorily completed. Mr. Snoe- berger was married to Miss Hannah Smouse, a native of Bedford County, and they have one daughter, Ada, who resides with her parents. Mr. Snoeberger and family are members of the Brethren church.

THEODORE D. SNOEBERGER,* of the firm of Gorsuch & Snoeberger, at Mar- tinsburg, Pa., founders and machinists, manufacturers of all kinds of castings, farm implements, etc., and dealers in pumps and fixtures, iron pipe, fittings, valves, engine and cylinder oils, making a specialty of heating and plumbing, is one of the repre- sentative business men of this place. He was born in Taylor Township, Blair County, Pa., December II, 1842, and is a son of Joseph and Hannah (Deeter) Snoeberger. The former was a native of Bedford County and the latter of Blair County.

Theodore D. Snoeberger is a true exam- ple of a self-made man. He was only four years old when his father died and when nine years of age he left the shelter which had been his home and went to earn his own living. Farmers in the neighborhood were glad to have the services of a bright and willing lad in return for board and clothes, and so capable did he prove himself that by the time he was twelve years of age he was able to secure wages, which he in large part devoted to taking care of his mother whom he provided for thenceforward until her death in the nineties. He has one sur- viving brother, Daniel T., who is also a resident of Martinsburg. When he was twenty-one years old, Mr. Snoeberger started to learn the carpenter trade and served an apprenticeship of three years and for a long time afterward worked as a car- penter and developed into a builder and contractor. Later he became interested in the foundry and machine business and has worked alone and also with partners, at Martinsburg, since 1874. The present firm of Gorsuch & Snoeberger was organized in June, 1909. A large amount of business is done by this firm in their various lines. Mr. Snoeberger is so well and favorably known to his fellow citizens that many large contracts that might otherwise have been

JOHN HALLER, who is owner and pro- prietor of the Eagle bakery at Altoona, Pa., is a representative business man of this city and he maintains his home and conducts his business at Nos. 1208-10-12 Fifth Avenue. He was born in Germany and is a son of John and Sarah Haller who still live in the old country. Mr. Haller has one brother, Matthew Haller.

In May, 1890, John Haller left his home and parents and came to the United States and stopped first at Pittsburg, Pa. In that city he learned the baking business and in 1893, when he reached Altoona, secured em- ployment as a baker with Albert F. Hess, with whom he remained for two and one- half years. Mr. Haller started into busi- ness for himself on April 6, 1896 and for eight years conducted an establishment on Thirteenth Avenue and Eighteenth Street. He then bought the business and location of Albert F. Hess, Jr., tore down the old structure and erected on the site his present modern bakery in which every improved de- vice known to the trade has been intro- duced in order to make his products whole- some and appetizing. It is probably the most sanitary bakery in the city and he does a very large business, having twenty- five people on his pay roll.

In October, 1894, Mr. Haller was married to Miss Anna Weiss, a daughter of Chris- tian and Sarah Weiss, of Altoona, and they have three sons: John Christian, William Herman, and Frederick Martin. Mr. Hal- ler and family are members of the German Lutheran church. Politically he is a Demo- crat and fraternally he is identified with the Eagles, the Owls and the Elks.

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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

ABRAM BURKET, general merchant and representative citizen of Claysburg, Pa., who has been identified with the interests of this place since 1870, was born in Blair County, Pa., March 6, 1842, and is a son of David and Barbara (Dively) Burket, and a grandson of Samuel Burket, who was a very early settler in what is now Greenfield Township, Blair County.

Abram Burket was seven years old when his father died. He was reared in Green- field Township and obtained his education in the public schools and when the Civil War broke out had scarcely yet decided what his life work should be. In August, 1861, he enlisted for service, entering Co. G, IIth Pa. Vol. Cav., which became a part of the Army of the Potomac. This was but the beginning of four years of army life, for, after the expiration of his first term of en- listment, he re-entered the same company and regiment and received his honorable discharge. He had enlisted as a private and through bravery and valor was pro- moted and was mustered out as a second lieutenant. He participated in the battles of Ream's Station and of Suffolk and fought in twenty-two sharp engagements. He was also employed in the dangerous service of scouting and, although he took hazards innumerable and faced every kind of danger, he survived to return home practically un- harmed. He subsequently embarked in the mercantile business and in 1870 established himself at Claysburg where he is one of the oldest continuous business men. For a time he served as postmaster but has never been eager for political office. His interest in the public schools led him to consent to serve as school director in Greenfield Town- ship, where he also held the office of con- stable for a time.

Mr. Burket was married to Miss Cather- ine Mauk, a daughter of Paul Mauk, a for- mer prominent resident of Claysburg, and of their children, the following survive : Paul W., who is a resident of Claysburg; Howard, whose home is near Philadelphia ;

Watson E., who is in the mercantile busi- ness at Claysburg; Edward M., who is a farmer in Greenfield Township; Charles E. and George I., both of whom reside at Claysburg ; Homer A., who is a Law student in the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, Mich .; and H. Claude, who also re- sides at Claysburg. Mr. Burket and family are members of the Reformed church. He is an independent voter.

DAVID M. THOMPSON, an enterpris- ing citizen of Williamsburg, who is now serving as street commissioner and super- intendent of the water works, was born February 28, 1851, at Hollidaysburg, Pa., and is a son of Roswell D. and Mary M. (Sellers) Thompson. The father was a blacksmith by trade, a Republican in poli- tics, and the religious connection of both parents was with the Methodist Church. The following children were born to the parents of our subject : Margaret, Caroline, John, David M., George, Mary, Emma, Charles B., William, and Harry.

David M. Thompson was reared in Blair County and was married March 5, 1874 to 'Annie M. Mentzer, a daughter of Ephraim and Susan Mentzer, and of their union were born the following children: Howard M .; Mary M., the wife of J. R. Detwiler ; Estella, married Andrew Gailey; and William G. Mr. Thompson is fraternally a member of the Portage Lodge of Masons at Hollidays- burg, and the I. O. O. F., of Williamsburg. He is a Republican in politics, and has served as a school director and is now su- perintendent of the water works and street commissioner of the borough of Williams- burg. The family holds membership with the Lutheran Church.

WILLIAM E. DEAN, proprietor of a general store and one of the substantial business men of Williamsburg, Pa., was born in 1863 in Juniata County, Pa. He was reared and educated in his native county and in 1884 came to Williamsburg

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and was engaged for some time here as a is the wife of C. A. Jones of Juniata, Pa .; mechanic. About 1890 he embarked in his and. Dora. present business, in which he has been quite successful. His store has a floor space of 32 by 100 feet and he carries a general line of dry goods and other articles in general demand, his stock being always of good quality. He keeps two clerks constantly employed.

In 1884 Mr. Dean was united in marriage with Della Fox, who is a daughter of Henry and Sarah Fox of Yellow Springs. Of this union there have been born one son and one daughter, namely: William, who is a civil engineer, now employed in the Philip- pines, and Ruth. The religious connection of the family is with the Methodist church. and Mr. Dean is politically identified with the Republican party.

D. E. PARKER, president of the First National Bank, and one of the leading citi- zens of Juniata, Pa., was born in 1856 in Huntingdon County, Pa., and was there ed- ucated and reared to maturity. About 1878 Mr. Parker came to Altoona and engaged in carpentering until 1889, and then estab- lished a planing mill and carried on a gen- cral contracting business until. 1905. In January of that year, Mr. Parker and others organized the First National Bank of Ju- niata, which was opened up for business June 28, 1906, and has been president of same since the time of its organization. They have met with uninterrupted success in their work and have grown rapidly along all lines. Mr. Parker has served 13 years on the village council, and is fraternally a member of the I. O. O. F., the Encamp- ment, the Juniata Grange, and the Juniata Fire Company. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian Church of Juniata, of which he is a member of the board of trustees.

On May 20, 1880, Mr. Parker was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Alice Miller of Huntingdon County, Pa., and to them have been born two children; Clara, who

D. G. MEEK, cashier of the First Na- tional Bank of Juniata, and a native of Cen- ter County, Pa., was born in 1870, a son of George Y. Meek, and comes of one of the oldest established families of Blair County, Pa. At the age of 12 years he came with his parents to Tyrone, Pa., where he ob- tained his educational training, and when about 2I entered the employ of the Blair County Bank. He continued in the employ of this concern about 14 years, beginning at the bottom as office boy and worked in various positions until the time of his resig- nation, after which he engaged in the mer- cantile business. Upon the organization of the First National Bank of Juniata, he ac- cepted a position as cashier of same and has since served in that capacity. Mr. Meek is a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, of which he is an elder and member -of the council. He affiliates with the I. O. O. F. and the Encampment, and is an hon- orary member of the Tyrone Club. Mr. Meek was married in January 1908 to Beu- lah Fasic of Juniata and they have one son, Richard Burns Meek.

EMORY E. RHODES, postmaster at Royer, Blair County, Pa., was born in this town, January 30, 1871, and is a son of James and Evaline (Gunnett) Rhodes.

The Rhodes family is an old settled one in Woodbury Township and the parents of Emory E. were active in the Methodist Episcopal church. They had six children, namely : Emory E., Minnie, wife of Charles Sweeny; Harry; Etta, wife of John Horton; Norman and Harvey.

Emory E. Rhodes obtained his education in the Royer schools. His first work was done for Royer business men, F. R. Schmucker & Co., with whom he remained for eight years, then John Manning and still later he was with the Pittsburg Limestone Company. Mr. Rhodes then went into

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business for himself and for the first two months had a partner, since when he has been alone and since 1897 has been post- master. In politics he is independent. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church. His fraternal relations are with the Masons and Odd Fellows, belonging to Juniata Lodge, No. 282, F. & A. M., and to the Odd Fellows at Williamsburg.

ARCHIBALD C. CLAPPER, a prom- inent citizen of Huston Township, Blair County, Pa., now filling the office of town- ship tax collector, was born in Huston Township, December 21, 1856, and is a son of John H. and Mary (Brumbaugh) Clap- per.

John H. Clapper was born on the farm in Huston Township now owned by his son, Archibald C., and spent his entire life here, dying in 1903. He was a son of Henry Clapper, who was a son of Ludwig Clapper, one of the earliest settlers in what is now Huston Township. The village of Clapper- town perpetuates his memory. At various times the late John H. Clapper consented to accept township offices and in the discharge of the duties pertaining to them he was honest and efficient. He was a member of the Lutheran church. He married Mary Brumbaugh, who was also born in Huston Township and now resides at Martinsburg, with her daughter, Mrs. Margaret Hagey. Although quite advanced in years she re- tains her faculties and enjoys visits from her friends. Three of her children still sur- vive, namely: Margaret, who is the widow of George W. Hagey; Archibald; and John S., who resides at Swissdale, Pa.

Archibald C. Clapper was reared in Hus- ton Township and attended the public schools and later passed three sessions of study at the Juniata Collegiate Institute at Martinsburg, Pa., which was succeeded by four years at Kishaquillas Seminary, in Mif- flin County. He was thus well prepared when he began to teach school and for nine terms followed educational work.

Since then he

has given his attention largely to farming and stockraising, devoting his 125 acres of land to these industries.

Mr. Clapper was married first to Miss Ada Rider, a native of Center County and a daughter of Michael C. Rider, a former well known citizen of Huston, Township. Three children were born to that marriage, namely: George L., of Chicago, Ill .; John C., of Birmingham, Ala .; and Fleda F., of Huston Township. Mr. Clapper's second marriage was to Mrs. Mahala Wilson, a daughter of the late John Donaldson, of Huntingdon County, Pa. Mr. Clapper is a member of the Lutheran church in which he is a deacon. In politics he is a Repub- lican. He has frequently been tendered public office by his party and fellow citizens and served three years as county auditor, three years as a member of the township school board and is now serving as county collector of taxes for Huston Township. He is identified with the order of Odd Fel- lows at Martinsburg. Mr. Clapper is a broad minded and intelligent man and has proved trustworthy in every charge com- mitted to his care.

HOWARD FRANCIS COX, an enter- prising agriculturist and highly esteemed citizen of Antis township, Blair County, Pa., was born November 29, 1862, on the farm where he now lives, and is a son of Asbury and Margaret Alice (Williams) Cox.

Samuel Cox, grandfather of Howard F., was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., and was a son of Joshua Cox, who was one of the very early settlers of that county. Sam- uel resided until 1842 in Huntingdon County, when he removed to what is now Blair, where he has a fine farm of 135 acres, which is now owned by his son J. B. Cox. He married Nancy Beck, also a native of Huntingdon County, and of their union were born the following children: Porter, who died aged twenty-two years; Asbury, father of our subject; Martha, who died at the age of three years; Samuel Davis, who

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is a resident of Altoona; Benjamin Frank- lin, who resides in Logan township; Cath- erine, deceased, who was the wife of Luther Coleman; Jeremiah Beck, who lives in Al- legheny, Pa., and is the owner of the old home farm; Anna, who is the wife of Allen McCartney, of Juniata; Ella, who is the wife of D. D. Coleman, of Juniata ; and Mar- tin T., who resides in Juniata.

Asbury Cox was born September 10, 1839, in Huntingdon County, Pa., and was three years of age when he accompanied his parents to Antis township. He has since resided continuously on his present farm of eighty acres, which is a part of the old Williams homestead. On February 14, 1862, he married Margaret Alice Williams, who was born and has always lived on the farm where she now resides. She was the only child of John C. and Ann (Cherry) Williams, and comes of one of the old fam- ilies of Antis township. Her grandfather, Thomas Williams, lies buried on this farm and was one of the first of the family to locate in the township. The following chil- dren were born to Asbury and Margaret A. Cox: Howard Francis, subject of this rec- ord; Ira Marvin, who died aged four years ; Nettie, who is the wife of Clark Nearhoof, of Antis township; Annie, wife of Harvey G. Reigh, of Antis township; Emma, who married David W. Irwin, of this township; Nannie, wife of Robert Mauk, of Grand Rapids, Mich .; and Bertha, who married Edward Steele, of Antis township. Mr. Cox belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry.

Howard Francis Cox resides on the home farm, just across the road from his mother and father, known as "Sabbath Rest Farm," and was here reared and in boyhood at- tended the local schools. He also attended a subscription school, which furnished a course of study equivalent to a high school course, the teacher being Prof. E. N. Root, of Bellwood. After thus completing his literary studies, he was engaged in teaching in Antis township for a time. Subsequently he spent four years working on the middle

division of the Pennsylvania Railroad. In June, 1885, he took charge of the home farm and has since resided here continuously. In 1885 Mr. Cox became a member of the Sheridan Troop and when he severed his connection therewith in 1894, he had risen to the rank of first sergeant. At the time of the Spanish-American War he attempted to re-enlist but the ranks were full. Mr. Cox is a member of the State Board of Agriculture from Blair County, and is act- ively interested in all matters that pertain to farming. He is an active member of the Pennsylvania State Grange and is its second officer, being subordinate only to William T. Creasy. In politics he is a Democrat and has served three years as township supervisor. Fraternally, he be- longs to the Patrons of Husbandry; the I. O. O. F .; K. of G. E .; I. O. R. M .; and the F. O. E.

On September 13, 1888, Mr. Cox was joined in marriage with Lucinda C. Bryan, a native of Altoona, Pa., and a daughter of Dr. M. M. and Emma (Defibaugh) Bryan, and to them have been born the following children : Ira Clyde, a stenographer in Ga- ble's Store in Altoona, who was born De- cember I, 1890, and is a graduate of Juniata College, and of Zeth's Business College ; Earl Raymond, who was born December 23, 1892, and is a graduate of the Antis town- ship High School and Juniata College; Alma Margaret, born August 2, 1895, who attends the schools of Antis township; Mil- dred May, born September, 26, 1897; and Samuel Paul, born August 4, 1902, who attends the schools of the township. Mr. Cox has successfully conducted the Farm- ers' Institutes of Blair County for a number of years, and has the confidence and esteem of the entire State Department of Agri- culture. He is a firm believer in, and an ardent advocate of, the centralization of rural schools, and the teaching of Agricul- ture therein.

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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

J. T. BROWN, a veteran of the Civil War, who has been living in retirement since May Ist, 1909, after an active career in the business world, was for 44 years identified with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and has been a resident of Blair County, Pa., since 1852. He was born April 9, 1839, in Fayette County, Pa., and is a son of Alexander and Mary (Lafferty) Brown, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. His parents were natives of Westmoreland County, Pa., but resided for a time in Fay- ette County, Pa., and subsequently came to Blair County, where they spent the remain- der of their lives. Of the seven sons and three daughters born to them but one still survives, namely, J. T. Brown, the subject of this record.

J. T. Brown was reared in Westmoreland County, Pa., and in 1852 came to Blair County and was for a year employed in the furnaces at Blair Furnace. He then lived in various parts of the county, but princi- pally in Logan township. and in 1865 en- tered the employ of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company, working first in the car building department. He was then for 15 years employed as a foreman in the car building department but since May I. 1909, has been living in retirement.

On April 18, 1861 at President Lincoln's first call for troops, Mr. Brown enlisted with Company B, and the 3rd Pa. Vol. Inf. for three months, and at the end of that time enlisted with Company F, 76th Pa. Vol. Inf. for three years and veteranized with that company." On July 11, 1863, he was ser- iously wounded, receiving a gun shot wound through both thighs at Fort Wagner, S. C., and was taken prisoner. He remained in the hospital some time and was first con- fined at Charleston, S. C., then removed to Columbia, and was also taken to Libby Prison and Belle Isle for a time, and was finally parolled and taken to his own lines. At City Point his shoulder was broken by a shell and he was confined to the hospital boat on the James River. His service was

principally in the army of the James in the department of the south. He was then sent to Richmond, where he was a member of the Tenth Corps until that corps was re- duced to such an extent, that it was con- solidated with the Eighteenth Corps, and was mustered out in May, 1865, at Harris- burg, Pa.

On September 17, 1868, Mr. Brown mar- ried Sarah Jane Shotts, who was born in Logan township, Blair County, Pa., a daughter of Philip and Katie (Mullen) Shotts, who were well known agriculturists of the county. Of their union were born the following children : James A., who lives adjoining his father, married Annie Smith and has two children, Joseph Clare; and Margaret; Harry, died aged II years; El- mer Ellsworth; Joseph Ambrose, lives ad- joining his father, and is employed in the shops. He married Bertha Grove, and has three daughters, Kathryn; Ethel and Min- nie and one son Clyde ; Cordella M., married John R. Johnson of Dubois, Clearfield County, Pa .; Margaret; and Catherine.

Mr. Brown is a member of the G. A. R. Post No. 468, the Union Veterans Legion, the I. O. O. F., the I. O. R. M. and the Knights of Malta. In politics he is a rad- ical Republican, and has served in various local offices, having been a member of the school board a number of years, auditor of the township one term, and also jury com- missioner one term. He and his estimable wife are members of the Fifth Avenue M. E. Church of Altoona.

OLIN K. McGARRAH, M. D., who has at- tained considerable prominence in the practice of medicine and surgery in Blair County, Pa., has been located at Altoona, since 1897, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. He was born in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pa., a son of Rev. James H. McGarrah, a prominent minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. His educational training was obtained at the Williamsport and Dixon Academies, and on May 5, 1895, he

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 114

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