Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 115

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 115

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graduated from the Hahnemann Medical Col- lege, after which he located in Huntingdon, Pa., where he followed his profession until 1897 He then came to Altoona, where he engaged in practice for two or three years, when he re- moved to Philadelphia, where he established himself in business while taking a special course at the Hahnemann and Orthopedical Hospital. He also attended clinics at the vari- ous hospitals in that city and in 1900 returned to Altoona, where he has been eminently suc- cessful in the practice of medicine and surgery, practicing according to both the regular and the homeopathic systems.

On January 3, 1902, Dr. McGarrah was joined in marriage with Miss Louisa A. John- son, a daughter of Joseph A. Johnson.

Dr. McGarrah affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Belle-Letter Fraternity of Williamsport, the K. of P., Red Men, Eagles and the Owls.

JACOB A. BOYCE,* who has had an active and varied career in the business world, is engaged in truck gardening at Eldorado, Blair County, Pa. He was born in Bucks County, Pa., February 19, 1834, and is a son of Jacob and Charlotte (Davis) Boyce.

Jacob Boyce, the father of subject, was a civil engineer and also conducted a store while in Bucks County. He moved west to Cambria County, near Carrolltown, and thereafter followed his profession. While thus engaged he came across a beautiful place in the corner of Clearfield County, which he purchased and resided upon until his death. This farm is rich in coal and timber, is now owned by the two survivors of the family, Jacob A. and his brother M. L. Boyce, the latter of whom resides on the place. Of the other children, Evan died in the west; John died in the army during the Civil War; another son died in infancy, and a daughter, Charlotte, died in early woman- hood. The father of this family was a man of exceptional education for his days, and

gave his children superior training at home, so that there was little to be gained from attendance in the common school.

Jacob A. Boyce was educated largely at home, but attended the public schools some time and afterward received instruction from an old professor. At an early age he learned civil engineering, which he has fol- lowed more or less all his life. He began teaching school at Cherry Tree, Indiana County, as early as 1858, and continued in that profession, with some interruptions until 1882. He has been a resident of El- dorado since 1863, and for some two years taught in the old school standing opposite his residence. His last two years as a teacher were spent in the schools of Al- toona. He operated a saw mill up in the mountains until 1869, and was afterwards variously employed until 1882, at which time he was appointed agent of the station at Eldorado, and also postmaster. He filled these positions in a most acceptable man- ner for more than 25 years, and was also during that time proprietor of a store. In connection with his duties as agent and postmaster he carried on a coal business, which he still retains. About the time he became agent at Eldorado, Mr. Boyce be- gan gardening in a small way, and after leaving that position went into it more ex- tensively, building a large greenhouse. He sells his products directly to the customer in Altoona, and has some who have been his patrons for more than 20 years.

In 1865 Mr. Boyce married Sarah Lance, whose sad loss he was called upon to mourn in January, 1909. She is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Boyce: Jennie, who has charge of the railroad office at Eldorado ; Anna (Culbert), living in Philadelphia, Pa .; Kate (Gorsuch), a resident of Patten, Pa .; and Mary, also employed in the railroad office at Eldorado. Mr. Boyce is politically a Republican, and religiously, the family attend the Fifth Avenue Church at Altoona.

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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

ABRAM R. IRWIN, who has been a res- ident of Bellwood, Pa., since 1875, was for forty years engaged in farming in Blair County, Pa. He was born on what is now the Wentzell farm below Hensheystown, Pa., March 9, 1832, a son of Daniel and Catherine (Crain) Irwin, and is a direct descendant of one Jared Irwin, who came from Ireland about the time of the advent of William Penn. It is said that Jared Ir- win bought the land of Penn, where Phila- delphia now stands, and the family branched out to various parts of the country, many becoming prominent and useful citizens. Jared Irwin married into the royal Stuart family and had a family before coming to this country. One Jared Irwin became sec- ond governor of the state of Georgia, and the branch from which our subject's family sprang, settled in the vicinity of York, Pa. The grandfather of our subject was named Jared, as also was his great grandfather. The name seems to occur in all branches of the family, indicating that the Irwins in all this country generally are descendants of this original Jared Irwin. Jared Irwin, grandfather of our subject, lived in Hunt- ingdon County, Pa.

Daniel Irwin, father of Abram R., was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., and was for some years located in the vicinity of Tyrone. About 1833 he bought the farm now owned by the heirs of Frank Irwin, and resided in Gospel Hollow until the time of his death at the age of sixty-eight years. He was survived some years by his widow, who in maiden life was Catherine Crain. Daniel and Catherine Crain reared the fol- lowing children: Belinda, now deceased, who married Abram McCartney; Adie Crain Ir- win, deceased ; Evaline, deceased, who mar- ried Joseph Adlum; John, deceased; and Abram R., who is the only survivor.

Abram R. Irwin was reared on the home- stead and attended the common schools of the township. He began working on the farm at a very early age, and was glad to be allowed twenty-five cents a year to at-

tend the review in Sinking Valley. He ul- timately received a part of the home farm tiring in 1875, and moving to Bellwood, where he bought four or five lots on First Street and built a home. He then entered the employ of the Bell's Gap Railroad, and worked as rodman in laying out the roads from Lloydsville to Coalport. He later ran on the road for some time as baggage mas- ter, being with the company some ten or fifteen years. In 1881 Mr. Irwin bought a square of land and built his present home on the corner of Third and Martin streets. He also has three other houses and several lots left, and a son of his also owns six lots of this square.

On January 17, 1854, Mr. Irwin married . Betanna S. Hileman, who was born near Frankstown and died February 1, 1874. They had the following children: Howard, born November 16, 1854, who lives in De- pew, N. Y .; Isadora Blanche, born Decem- ber 13, 1856, who is the widow of John Min- gle and lives in Sinking Valley ; Harry Hud- son, born October 8, 1858, who lives on the home farm, in which his father still has an interest ; Jessie Kate, born March 17, 1861, who married James Campbell, of Bellwood ; George Brinton McClellan, born June 20, 1863, who lives in Gadsden, Alabama; Rose Leslie, born October 20, 1867, who is the wife of William Stafford and resides near Davenport, Iowa; Fred Bennett, born Oc- tober 30, 1869, who lives near Davenport, Iowa; Hester Bell, born March 22, 1872, and now deceased, who was the wife of Clyde Greenland; Rebecca Hileman, born October 22, 1873, who married Harry Laird of Bellwood. Mr. Irwin formed a second matrimonial union with Catherine Gwin, who is now deceased. On October 23, 1884 he was united in marriage with Jane Eliza- beth Beigle, who was born September 17, 1835 in Franklin County, Pa. Mrs. Irwin is highly educated and was for about twenty years engaged in missionary work in Ten- nessee, Georgia and Alabama. She belongs to the Baptist church, Mr. Irwin being a

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member of the Presbyterian church. The latter has charge of the Logan Valley Cem- etery, serving as secretary. He was for many years a Democrat but votes inde- pendently, voting for the man rather than for the party, and, other things being equal, favoring prohibition candidates.

DAVID E. NORTH, one of the leading attorneys of Altoona, Pa., has been identi- fied with the legal profession of Blair County, Pa., since 1899, and was born in 1872 at Huntingdon, Pa., where he was reared and obtained his elementary educa- tion. He attended the George Washington University of Washington, D. C., and sub- sequently read law in that city, and in 1899 was admitted to the bar of Blair County, Pa. He has since resided at Altoona, Pa., where he has been engaged in the practice of his profession, and has established an en- viable reputation as a lawyer and counselor of unusual ability and intelligence. Mr. North has always taken an active interest in politics, and is president of the Common Council of Altoona.

JOSEPH M. DELOZIER,* one of the representative farmers of Frankstown Township, Blair County, Pa., was born at Sinking Valley, Blair County, January 3, 1868, and is a son of David and Susan (Moore) Delozier. Both parents are de- ceased. They were members of the Pres- byterian church. Their family contained the following children : Mary, who married

Joseph M. Delozier attended school with" more or less regularity until he was seven- teen years of age, since when he has worked continuously on a farm. In 1897 he bought his land from Jonathan Slippey, his father- in-law, and carries on general farming and on account of his success is ranked with the best farmers of the township. He uses im-

proved machinery and follows modern methods, reaching results that are entirely satisfactory.

On December 25, 1889, Mr. Delozier was married to Miss Blanche Slippey, a daugh- ter of Jonathan and Rebecca (Hileman) Slippey, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Slippey were old and well known residents of this township. They had five daughters, namely: Blanche (Mrs. Delozier); Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Morrison Lindsey; Sarah, who is the wife of Frank Mentzer; Rebecca, who. is the wife of Irvin Mentzer ; and Clara, who is the wife of W. F. Reese. Mr. and Mrs. Delozier have one son and one daughter: Frank, who is his father's assistant, and Cora, who is a student in the Stewart school. The family belongs to the Lutheran church. He has always cast his vote with the Re- publican party and has been elected to a number of township offices, indicating that he enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens to a considerable , degree. He served as tax collector and auditor for three terms and at present is township as- sessor.

JOHN WINFIELD GARDNER, of the well known firm of Gardner & Miller, retail dealers in coal, brick and builders' supplies, with business location on West Tenth Street, Tyrone, Pa., is a member of one of the old pioneer families of this section of Pennsylvania. He was born in Clearfield County, Pa., January 29, 1853, and is a son T. T. Hileman ; Nellie, who married J. C. of Andrew and Mary Ann (Ream) Gardner. Myers; Russell; Unice, deceased, who was

Andrew Gardner was born in Blair the wife of Kail Baird; Jennie, who is the County, Pa., in 1830, and is a son of Andrew wife of Edward E. Leader ; and Joseph M.

Gardner, and the grandson of William Gard- ner. It was William Gardner who estab- lished the family in what is now Blair County, coming here prior to the Revolu- tionary War. There were no roads through the forests and the hardy pioneers found their way about by following Indian trails. William Gardner built a log house on one of the mountain streams and lived in that

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until he was able to erect a better one. The latter was but recently torn down after standing for 116 years. William Gardner married a daughter of John Kratzer, of Kratzer's Forge, known to the present gen- eration as Cold Springs. A family of sturdy children were born in this forest home and the sons were mainly engaged in lumbering and 'teaming. The family has produced men of robust constitution and an example is found in the venerable father of John W. Gardner, who, after years of lumbering, en- tailing physical exertion of the hardest kind, still enjoys good health and easily bears the weight of his eighty-one years. He mar- ried Mary Ann Ream, who was born at Phillipsburg, Pa., a daughter of John Ream, and died in Blair County, in 1908. Ten children were born to this marriage, namely : John Winfield; Frances, who is the wife of Andrew Foreman, of Houtsdale, Pa .; Clarissa, who married Edwin Garman; William A., a railroad man, who lives at Cumberland, Md .; Elmira, who is deceased, was the wife of Henry Rhinesmith; Robert C., who was accidentally killed in the lum- ber regions near Elkins, W. Va .; Harry, who is a resident of Chicago, is a railroad man; Frank, who is engaged in the mercan- tile business at Tyrone; Charles, who is a traveling salesman, maintains his home at Tyrone; and Violet, who is the wife of Ed- ward Fulton, of Pittsburg, Pa. The father of the above family is a member of the Brethren church.

John W. Gardner was reared near Tipton, in Blair County, where he attended the pub- lic schools and seminary, afterward becom- ing interested in the lumber regions and later being foreman of a body of timber and mining men. Then he came to Tyrone, where he has resided for the past thirty years, mainly identified with merchandising and for the past ten years has been in his present line and is numbered with the sub- stantial and representative business men of the city.

Mr.'Gardner married Miss Violet Fore- man, a daughter of Moses Foreman, of In- diana County, Pa., and they have had five children : Harry, who is a member of the firm of Cryder & Gardner, clothiers, at Ty- rone, married Elizabeth Troutwine; James Albert, who is a merchant at Tyrone, mar- ried Facie Campbell and they have one son, James Winfield; Susan and Winfield, both of whom are at home, and one child now deceased. The family residence is on Jefferson Avenue. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is an active citizen, in politics a Republican but with independent tenden- cies. His fraternal associations are with the Knights of Pythias, the Heptasophs and the Woodmen of the World.

JOHN M. RHODES,* a well known farmer and stock-raiser and also a competent veterinary surgeon, with a large practice, has been a resident of Barbara, Pa., since 1878, and owns 165 acres of valuable land situated in Huston Township, Blair County, Pa. He is a native of Huston Township, born February II, 1840, and is a son of Abraham D. and Eliza (McGraw) Rhodes.

Abraham D. Rhodes was born in Huston Township and was a lifelong resident of Blair County. His father, Daniel Rhodes, was born in Pennsylvania and at a very early day located in North Woodbury Township, Blair County, and later moved from there to Huston Township. He was a veterinarian and his son, Abraham D. also engaged in its practice and in natural suc- cession, the latter's son, John M., inherited the tastes and skill which led to his begin- ning his practice in veterinary science when he was only fifteen years old. Abraham D. Rhodes married Eliza McGraw, who was also born in Huston Township, and of their children there are three survivors : John M .; Jane, who is the wife of Daniel Hoover, of Huston Township; and Anna, who resides at Hollidaysburg. Abraham D. Rhodes was a Republican in his political views and

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was a leading member of the Reformed church.

John M. Rhodes has always had his home within the boundaries of Huston Township and since leaving his school books has been actively and continuously interested in ag- ricultural matters. To the cultivation and improvement of his large farm he has de- voted time and intelligent care, while stock- raising has been an important feature. He is a fine judge of stock and for eighteen years was general agent for the Union Horse Insurance Company, being well qual- ified for the same on account of his years in the horse business as dealer and shipper, and also on account of his professional knowledge. Mr. Rhodes was an early set- tler in the village of Barbara and it was mainly through his efforts that this place was made a post-office, and he served ten years as the first postmaster. He has been active in many directions and is one of the township's most public spirited men. In politics he is a Republican. For six years he served as secretary of the school board and has always advocated measures looking to the improvement of the township schools.

Mr. Rhodes was married to Miss Barbara Fouse, who was born in Huston Township, a daughter of Adam Fouse, a former well known citizen, and they have had three children: · Adam, who is deceased; Sarah J., who is the wife of David Barnet, of Martins- burg; and John, who is a resident of Bar- bara, Pa. Mr. Rhodes is a member of the Reformed church at Drab, Pa., and was a member of the building committee when the present church building was erected some years ago.

FRANK H. HAGERTY, a leading cit- izen and successful business man of Arch Springs, Blair County, Pa., where he con- ducts a general store, a flour mill and owns 600 acres of land, is a progressive and en- terprising citizen who is well and widely known. He was born at Janesville, Clear- field County, Pa., June 2, 1856, and is the

eldest of four children born to his parents, James A. and Sarah E. Hagerty .- The three others are: Theresa, who was the wife of Daniel H. Paulhamus, now living in Aber- deen, S. D .; J. F., who is a resident also of Aberdeen; and Roberta, who married J. L. Warren, of Monango, N. D.

Frank H. Hagerty was educated in Hunt- ingdon County and was variously em- ployed until November, 1880, when he went to St. Paul, Minn., and in 1881 moved to Jamestown, N. D. In February, 1882, he went to Aberdeen, S. D., where he em- barked in the real estate business and later the banking business in which he continued until 1891, when he removed to Tacoma, Wash., remaining there until December 25, 1895, and then came to Arch Springs, Blair County. Here he has invested largely and by his enterprise and use of capital has con- tributed to the prosperity of the place. He was reared in the Republican political faith but in late years votes independently. For two and one-half years previous to the ad- mission of North and South Dakota as states, he served as commissioner of emi- gration and held local offices there.

Mr. Hagerty was married September 27, 1882, to Miss Ada M. Crawford, a daugh- ter of John A. and Elizabeth Crawford, of Arch Springs, Pa. No children were born to them but they have two adopted sons who are as their own. One of these is Frank R., who is city editor of The Aber- deen American, of Aberdeen, S. D., and the other is Harry J., a graduate of the medical department of Tuffts' College in Septem- ber, 1910, who is now one of the physicians of the Wooster State Hospital for the In- sane. Mr. and Mrs. Hagerty are members of the Presbyterian church.

CHARLES LOWREY DOUGLASS, foreman of the car repair shops of the P. & N. W. Railroad, at Bellwood, Pa., has been a lifelong resident of Blair County, and was born in Antis Township, June 22, 1855.

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His parents were John and Abeline (Liv- ter of Lewis Boyer, who came to Antis ingstone) Douglass.

John Douglass was born in what is now Tyrone Township, Blair County, but which was then Huntingdon County, Pa. He lo- cated in Antis Township in 1841, and his business was farming and lumbering. He owned a small farm of eleven acres and was living on it at the time of his death. He was a son of John Douglass, who was born in Ireland and was in early manhood when he came to this section of Pennsylvania, lo- cating first in Sinking Valley and later re- moving to Loveland. John Douglass, father of Charles L., married Abeline Liv- ingstone, who was born in Bedford County, Pa., and is a resident of Bellwood. Her father went out as a soldier in the War of 1812 and never returned. Of the chil- dren born to John Douglass and wife there are five survivors, namely: Jane, who is the wife of Joseph Cherry, of Carolina County, Md .; Charles L .; Mary, who is the wife of William Williamson, of Antis Township; Susanna, who is the widow of William Carothers, of Bellwood; and James, who resides with his mother at Bell- wood.

Charles Lowrey Douglass obtained his education in the public schools of Antis Township. For thirty-eight years he has been identified with the P. & N. W. Rail- road, beginning as a brakeman in the Mid- dle Division, working then as a blacksmith in the Altoona shops, and advancing stead- ily from one position to a higher one. For thirty years he has been in the repair shops and for twenty of these has been foreman. Mr. Douglass not only has the practical knowledge and dexterity required in such a position as his, but he possesses also the large measure of executive ability that en- ables him to handle a large body of men without friction, at the same time securing the best results for the company.

Mr. Douglass was married August 27, 1874, to Miss Margaret Boyer, who was born in Berks County, Pa., and is a daugh-

Township when Mrs. Douglass was five years old. Mr. and Mrs. Douglass have two children, Francis Eldridge and Bertha Alice. The former is with the Erie Railroad and is located at Lima, O. He married Addie Estep and they have two children, Robert and Bertha. The daughter of Mr. Doug- lass is the wife of F. C. Nohewald, of Ta- coma, Wash. Mr. Douglass is a member of the German Baptist church. Nominally he is a Republican but is inclined to cast his vote very frequently as his judgment dictates.

CALVIN WALTER, one of the county commissioners of Blair County, Pa., and a leading citizen of Claysburg, was born in Greenfield Township, Blair County, July 24, 1854, and is one of a family of five chil- dren born to Joseph H. and Susannah (Claar) Walter. Joseph H. Walter was a soldier in the Civil War, a member of Co. K, 19th Pa. Cav., and died at Memphis, Tenn., in 1863.

Calvin Walter was educated in the public schools of Greenfield Township, and then learned the cabinetmaking trade and with it combined undertaking. For some twen- ty-seven years he was thus engaged. When he assumed the duties of a county commissioner he retired. The election took place in the fall of 1908, Mr. Walter having Joseph Harney as an opponent. Blair County is normally Republican but Mr. Walter had the personal popularity which overcame this and he was elected on the Democratic ticket. He has long been numbered with the county's solid and representative men and is well qual- ified to belong to as responsible a public body as the board of county commissioners.

Mr. Walter was married first to Eliza- beth Walter, of the same family name but no relation, who died. Three children were born to that union: Kirk; an infant that died unnamed; and Alton, also de- ceased. Mr. Walter later married Miss Sarah Black, a daughter of Michael Black,

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of Greenfield Township, and they have had Peter Shirey and a brother of Rev. J. D. three children: Mabel, deceased, Mary F., and John H.

Kirk Walter, who succeeded his father in the mercantile business, and is interested in the lumber and saw-mill business in ad- dition to his father's late business interests, is a graduate of the State Normal School at Lock Haven. Later he taught school for some seven years and then was connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He married Miss Jennie Johnson, a daugh- ter of a leading physician of Claysburg, and they have four children-three daughters and one son. Miss Mary F. Walter has been a highly valued teacher in the public schools of Greenfield Township for some years. John H. Walter, the youngest of the family, is also devoting himself to edu- cational work. Mr. Walter is identified with no organization of a public nature ex- cept the Grange, Patrons of Husbandry.

REV. ERNEST ROEDEL McCAU- LEY, D. D., pastor of Grace Lutheran Church of Altoona, has had his present charge since February 1, 1900. A man of great force of character, an enthusiast in his noble calling, he has exerted a wonderful influence for good in the community.

Dr. McCauley was born in Salem, Va., June 13, 1869, and is a son of Hon. William and Margaret (Shirey) McCauley. It is an old and respected family of that state, having been located there for some genera- tions. The paternal grandfather, Hon. John McCauley, was, in his time, a leader and a great power among his people in the Old Dominion, and for years faithfully rep- resented his district in the state senate.

Hon. William McCauley above men- tioned, was clerk of the U. S. District Courts of the Western District of Virginia, and was the incumbent of that office when his death occurred, May 29, 1908. On the maternal side, Dr. McCauley comes of no less honored blood. His mother is of Ger- man extraction, a daughter of the late

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 115

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