Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 120

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 120

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Mary Mock reared the following children : J. C .; G. W .; Viola, the wife of J. E. Stoner ; Anna E., the wife of Roller Rhule; Sadie, deceased; Lilly B., deceased wife of P. H. Laymond; and D. S.

J. C. Mock spent his boyhood days on the home farm, and after obtaining an education in the local schools, engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he has followed all his life. In 1901 he purchased from the other heirs of his father's estate, the home farm, which consists of 100 acres of highly improved and cultivated land. He is one of the enter- prising and public spirited citizens of the township and has served in various town- ship offices, including that of supervisor and committeeman, and is at present one of the school directors of Woodbury township. In politics he is a Republican. His religious connection is with the Church of God.

In 1894 Mr. Mock married Margaret Longacker, who is a daughter of Jacob Longacker, and is one of the following chil- dren born to her parents: Harry, George, Essie, Barbara, (wife of Adam Treese) ; Elizabeth; Carrie; Joanna, and Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Mock have reared the follow- ing children: Ethel, Grace, Roy, Alma, Melda, John, and Mary.

D. S. BURGET,* one of the enterprising and representative business men of North Woodbury Township, Blair County, Pa., deals in general merchandise, lumber, doors, sash, mouldings, etc., also coal, feed and flour, at Curryville, Pa., and also carries on a contracting and building business: Mr. Burget was born in North Woodbury Town- ship, Blair County, May 14, 1856, and is a son of Adam B. and a grandson of John Burget, who was an early settler in the county.

David S. Burget was reared in his native county and attended the public schools until about fifteen years of age, when he learned the carpenter trade and has followed the same ever since, expanding into building and contracting and in 1885 building a plan-

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ing mill at Curry Station, which he has operated ever since. He has been a resi- dent of Curry Station since 1877 and his business interests have been developed here, here he has reared his children and through the uprightness and usefulness of his own life, has exerted a beneficial influence on others. Few business men are so highly considered in their own communities as is Mr. Burget, a man whose word is always as good as his bond.

In early manhood, Mr. Burget was mar- ried to Miss Sarah Weyandt, of Bedford County, and nine children have been born to them, six of whom survive: Ira W .; Flora, the wife of Scott Fluke; William W .; and Anna, Harry and Elvin. Mr. Burget and family are members of the Church of the Brethren. He takes no active interest in politics but by his good citizenship assists in making his community law abiding and a pleasant village in which to seek a home.

HARRY CRAWFORD LOTZ,* who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Tyrone Township, Blair County, Pa., was born March 1, 1864, in Sinking Valley, and is a son of George and Catherine (Fleck) Lotz. The father of our subject has always followed farming. He is politically a Republican, and holds membership with the Lutheran Church. The following children were born to the par- ents of our subject : Abbie, deceased wife of Edward Fleck of Hollidaysburg, Pa .; Milton, a resident of Duncanville; Mary, deceased; Emma, deceased; Howard, who is engaged in farming; Edward, a resident of Hollidays- burg; Leslie; and Harry C.

Harry C. Lotz, subject of this record, was married March 15, 1899, to Anna Fleck, who is a daughter of T. M. and Sarah (Stoner) Fleck, of Sinking Valley, and of their mar- riage were born three children: Thomas, Pauline and Beatrice. Mr. Lotz is a Repub- lican in politics, and is fraternally a member of the I. O. O. F., and the Modern Woodmen of America. His religious connection is with the Lutheran Church.

WILLIAM FUOSS,* who has been a resi- dent of Antis Township, Blair County, Pa., for a period of thirty-two years, is a member of the well known firm of Fuoss Brothers, who have been operating a mill since 1887, and is also identified with other business en- terprises of this locality. He was born Jan- uary 26, 1862, at No. 617 Washington Street, Huntingdon, Pa., and is a son of Jacob and Annie K. (Schmiermund) Fuoss.

Jacob Fuoss was born in Germany and in 184I came to the United States and located at Huntingdon, Pa., which was previous to his marriage. He learned the miller's trade at Bellwood and later bought the Cherry Tree Mill and also considerable timberland, and being of a speculative nature bought and sold tracts of land, but was not highly successful in this line of business. He also spent some time in Iowa, and in 1878 came to Antis Township and located where our subject now lives. He was married July 2, 1859, to Annie K. Schmiermund, who was born in Germany but did not come to this country until long after Mr. Fuoss had come. Of their union were born the following children: Anna C., who lives with her brother, the subject of this sketch; William, our subject; Jacob, who was born September 24, 1863, in Huntingdon, Pa., is one of the proprietors of the mill, and was married January 25, 1898, to Mary Shay (they have four children, Jacob Harold, Fred Earl, Milton Shay, and Anna Leah) ; George H., also a member of the firm of Fuoss Brothers, was born February 22, 1865, and married Myrtle Bulick, who was born in Bell- ville (they have three sons, William Emmor, Frank Albert, and George Clarence) ; Leon- ard, born October 3, 1867, who is engaged in cattle raising in Carlsbad, N. M. (he married Annie Byers, daughter of Henry and Susan Byers), and John, who lives at Bellwood, Pa.

William Fuoss was thirteen years of age when his parents moved to Birmingham-in the spring of 1875-and received his educa- tion in the schools there and at Huntingdon. In 1878 the family came to Antis Township and located on our subject's present place, the

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old mill which is on the place, and having been established in 1820 by a Mr. Byer. It was owned by the Byers until 1883, but had for some years prior to that time been leased by the Fuosses. The father bought the mill and property in 1883 and on December 14, 1886, sold it to his sons, William, Jacob and George, who also own the mill at Bellwood, which they bought in 1895. The latter mill is operated separately now by John Fuoss. In 1882 Mr. Fuoss completed a commercial course at the Mount City Business College of Altoona. Since 1903 he has been president of the Farmers' and Merchants' National Bank of Tyrone, of which he is one of the di- rectors, and one of the original stockholders. Fuoss Brothers are also interested in the E. W. Rothrock Drug Company, a corporation of Tyrone. The brothers also have a tract of 235 acres on which they carry on farming in connection with the mill.

On September 18, 1890, Mr. Fuoss mar- ried Lulu Ermine, who was born in Antis Township, a daughter of Sylvester and Eleanor (Harrison) Ermine, and they have three children: George Ermine, who is a stu- dent at the college at Valparaiso, Ind .; Leon- ard Lee, also a student at the Valparaiso Col- lege; and William Robert, now 16 years of age, attending the Antis Township High School. Both of the older sons, who are 19 and 18 years old respectively, entered the col- lege in the fall of 1910, and were shortly after advanced to the senior class, both being thor- ough students. Mrs. Fuoss died June 18, 1901, and is buried at Tyrone Cemetery. Mr. Fuoss is a Democrat in national politics, but independent locally. He is president of the Antis Township school board and has also served in other local offices. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he has been an elder since 1887, and has been super- intendent of the Sabbath school for some years. He is fraternally a member of the Ty- rone Lodge, F. & A. M., and also the Consis- tory of Harrisburg, Pa.

ARCHIBALD CONRAD HARNISH, an enterprising farmer and progressive citizen of

Blair County, Pa., resides on a farm of 136 acres in Frankstown Township, near the East Hollidaysburg railroad yards, this farm being one of the most finely located and desirable in the county. He is also the owner of 140 acres of mountain land in Blair Township.

Mr. Harnish was born September 20, 1860, on the farm on which he now lives. He is a son of William and Maria (Ross) Harnish, both deceased. William Harnish was born in Canoe Valley, Huntingdon County, Pa., and his wife was a native of Centre County, Pa. He was one of the early settlers of Blair County and followed farming here during his active life. Retiring from this occupation, he spent eighteen years in Hollidaysburg. After the death of his wife he again returned to the farm, spending the last five years of his life with his son, at whose home he died in 1893, at the age of 76 years.

The following children were born to Will- iam and Maria Harnish: Jennie, deceased, wife of William Waters; Samuel, deceased; Archibald C., and Maria, who is the wife of William Matthews.

William Harnish was, politically, a Repub- lican, and the religious connection of the fam- ily was with the Presbyterian Church.

Archibald C. Harnish spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and obtained his education in the local schools and at Prof. Stewart's Academy, which institution he at- tended for five years. For a period of six years after leaving school he was in ill health, and did not enter into business activities until 1884 when he came to the old homestead farm, which has been in the Harnish family for almost 100 years.

This farm was first owned by Lazarus Lowry, who sold to the Denlingers and they in turn sold the mill and thirty-four acres of land to John Lowry. The remaining acres of land he sold to Dr. Wolf, he in turn selling the same to Tobias Harnish, of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Tobias Harnish became the owner of seven farms, five situated in Canoe Valley, the homestead farm now owned by Archibald C.

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Harnish and the adjoining farm owned at present by Harry Bouslough.

Tobias Harnish willed the place to William Harnish, our subject's father, who before his death, willed it to his son, Archibald C. Here Mr. Harnish now lives, actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is also the owner of some fine Jersey stock, the source of consider- able income.

In May, 1887, Mr. Harnish was united in marriage with Mary A. Meyers, a daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Metz) Meyers, the latter deceased. Andrew Meyers is a well known contractor and builder, now living in retirement in Hollidaysburg. The Metz fam- ily were among the first settlers of Williams- burg and Morrison's Cove.

Mrs. Harnish is one of the following chil- dren born to her parents: Emma, Mary, An- drew, Catherine, wife of W. A. Mattern, of Gaysport, George M., an attorney of Bell- wood, Pa., Susan and Margaret.

No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harnish but they are now rearing their fourth orphan.

Mr. Harnish is a member of Juniata Lodge, No. 282, Free and Accepted Masons, Wanita Lodge, No. 1142, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Progressive Encamp- ment, No. 105, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Hollidaysburg. Politically he is a Republican.

ISAAC P. WALTON,* deceased, formerly vice president of the First National Bank of Tyrone, Pa., and for many years a prosper- ous and honorable business man of this city, was born in Bucks County, Pa., December 22, 1827. He came of old Quaker stock and was a son of Jesse and Mary Walton-one of their nine children, three of whom were sons.

Isaac P. Walton left his home in Bucks County when sixteen years of age and went to Philadelphia, where he served an appren- ticeship to the jewelry trade and subsequently went into the jewelry business there for him- self. Failing health caused him to seek an- other home and thus, in 1859, he came to Ty- rone. It was while looking about for a suit-

able business field that he had a very unpleas- ant adventure that came near resulting in the loss of his life. With one whom he supposed to be his friend, he visited a remote mountain region and there his companion robbed him of his money and jewelry and then murderously pushed him over a cliff. Fortunately Mr. Walton was able to break his fall by catching some twigs and thus saved his life. He came to Tyrone after this unpleasant encounter with no assets but a good name and excellent credit and his whole subsequent life proved the value of these in conducting his large business transactions.

Mr. Walton opened his jewelry store at Ty- rone on the site of the Walton Block, No. 1039 Pennsylvania Avenue, and here devel- oped from a modest beginning what is re- puted the largest concern of its kind on the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad be- tween Philadelphia and Pittsburg. There were few more public spirited men than Mr. Walton. Although he was born a birthright Quaker, he never felt himself bound by its somewhat narrow creed, although to the end of his life, he subscribed to many of its ad- mirable tenets. He laid the first brick pave- ment in Tyrone, in front of his own business block, setting an example to his fellow citizens in the way of public improvement, was the organizer of the first brass band and the first electric light company and also was a pro- moter of the first opera house at Tyrone. He was a man of social instincts and of happy disposition and it is remembered of him that he was an encourager of innocent gaiety and was considered an excellent and graceful dancer. Three times he was elected burgess of Tyrone and the borough made rapid prog- ress under his intelligent administrations. He became president of the Tyrone Electric Light Company and gradually acquired a large amount of real estate among which is included the Walton Block and an adjoining property.

Mr. Walton in his marriage was as fortu- nate as he was in business, the lady of his selection being Miss Abby Noble, who was born at Portland, Me. She survives and re-

MRS. ABBY N. WALTON

ISAAC P. WALTON

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sides in the Walton Block, having much of her property now under rental. In this con- nection it is interesting to recall their early married life, showing as it does, that Mrs. Walton possessed the admirable qualities of a true helpmate and also the business capacity which not only made her able to care for her own family, including her aged blind father, but to also help her husband to build up his fortune. She opened up a millinery business and conducted it so wisely and thriftily that she realized from that source alone an ample income, retiring with some $20,000 to her credit.

In the death of Isaac P. Walton, Tyrone lost one of her men of real worth. He was scrupulously honest and of unimpeachable business integrity and with those who knew him no bond was ever required to bind a trans- action; his word was sufficient. He was loved, honored and respected by all classes. In his later years he was strong in the faith of Spiritualism and died in that belief. On many occasions he visited Spiritualistic con- ventions, serving as a delegate. For fifty years he was a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and this fraternal birthday was cele- brated by a banquet in his honor. His funeral was conducted with Masonic honors. The death of Mr. Walton occurred in October, 1904, at the age of seventy-seven years.

DON CAMERON KYPER, M. D., physi- cian and surgeon in active practice at Al- toona, Pa., was born at Bellwood, Blair County, Pa., January 19, 1888, and is a son of George Washington and Abigail Susan (Ramey) Kyper.

The late George W. Kyper was for many years a well known and esteemed resident of Bellwood, where he was engaged in the hotel business. He was born and reared in Sink- ing Valley. His widow and all of his chil- dren, with the exception of the subject of this sketch, still reside in Bellwood. Leslie Ramey is in the grocery business, John Daniel in the insurance business, and Maude is the wife of W. T. Stevens, a business man of Bellwood.

Don Cameron Kyper, was sent to school when only five years old, and in 1904, at the age of seventeen, having passed through the intermediate grades, was graduated from the Bellwood High School, and in the following year from the Altoona High School. In the fall of 1905 he continued his studies in the University of Pennsylvania and was gradu- ated from the medical department in 1909. After serving as resident physician for one year at the Williamsport Hospital, he located July 7, 1910, in Tyrone. On February 8, IgII, he moved to 1015 Chestnut Ave., Al- toona. February 16, 1911, he was married to Alice A. Echenlaub. Though Dr. Kyper has had as yet but a limited experience, he is a well qualified physician and has already made a creditable beginning in his profession. He is a member of the Tyrone Medical Society and of the Blair County Medical Society, and be- ing a close student keeps in touch with the latest discoveries in medical and surgical sci- ence. In politics he is a Republican, and is identified fraternally with the Elks and For- esters. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church.

CAPT. ALEXANDER M. LLOYD, for- merly president of the First National Bank of Altoona, Pa., was a man who played a large part in developing various important interests in Blair County, and one whose career is full of interest-in large measure because he won many of life's prizes through his own un- aided efforts. Born in December, 1823, in Huntingdon County, Pa., he died in Blair County, March 31, 1892. His parents were Thomas and Mary ( Moore) Lloyd.

The Lloyds and Moores figure prominently among the pioneers of the Juniata Valley, their names appearing frequently in the early records. At the time of his death in 1847 the father of Capt. Lloyd was serving as sheriff of Huntingdon County. The other members of this family were the following: William M., of Altoona, who is the eldest; Mrs. Jane Swoope, of Huntingdon, Pa .; Mrs. Elizabeth Anderson, of Dixon, Ill .; Samuel Lloyd, of

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Altoona; Henry, who is deceased; and directors, his brother, Henry Lloyd, being the Thomas B., who was the youngest.

In 1833, when ten years old, Alexander M. Lloyd left home and became a member of the household of his maternal uncle, James Moore, who then lived in Woodcock Valley. At the age of fifteen years he found a self- supporting position with Thomas Owens & Son, at Birmingham, and a year later ac- cepted a clerkship in the warehouse of his brother, William Lloyd, at Hollidaysburg. He also had some business training in the of- fice of the Portage Iron Company at Dun- cansville. In 1846 he became a merchant in his own right by becoming a partner in the business house of Gardner, Lloyd & Co., at Hollidaysburg, and in 1854 he assumed per- sonal direction to the hardware establishment of Lloyd & Co.

In 1857, as a member of the firm of Gard- ner, Osterloh & Co., Mr. Lloyd built Chimney Rock Furnace at Hollidaysburg, which he managed until 1859. Then, in association with his brother, Thomas Lloyd, he organized the firm of Lloyd & Co., in the canal-boat trans- portation business between Pittsburg and Col- umbia, which turned out to be a prosperous undertaking, and was continued until the Pennsylvania Railroad purchased the canal from the state and absorbed the large volume of business formerly carried on by private en- terprise. Mr. Lloyd, however, immediately recognized another favorable opportunity and went into the transhipping of freight between Williamsburg and Hollidaysburg, at the Port- age railway connection of the canal, continu- ing in this occupation until that portion of the water route was closed for traffic.

After the abandonment of this enterprise, or in 1868, he embarked in the warehouse and produce commission business at Hollidays- burg, being associated with C. C. Wright. Inflated prices following the close of the Civil War prevailed and this business in staples became one of large proportions and in 1879 a branch house was established at Al- toona.

When the First National Bank at Altoona was organized, Mr. Lloyd became one of its

president of the institution; and when the lat- ter died in 1879, Alexander M. Lloyd suc- ceeded him and continued at the head of the bank during the remainder of his life. He was interested also in other business enter- prises and was proprietor of a large general merchandise store at Altoona. To all of these enterprises he gave of his energy and experience and through his initiative and able management engineered them to prosperity.

Captain Lloyd was a loyal citizen in the days when patriotism meant more than a mere expression of beautiful sentiments. When the Civil War broke out he was the captain of a local military company-the Juniata Rifles-which had been organized October 28, 1858. When President Lincoln issued the first call for troops, Capt. Lloyd hurried his command to Harrisburg, and on April 20, 1861, took them to Washington, his being the first company to report from western Penn- sylvania. He was later appointed by the sec- retary of war to be a commissary in the vol- unteer service and his headquarters were at Huntingdon, Washington, Alexandria or Ball's Bluff. On account of loss of health he resigned in 1862 but was almost immediately after appointed by Governor Curtin, one of the commissioners to enroll the militia of Blair County; and by the general government one of the commissioners to attend to the first draft in the county.

In January, 1864, he was appointed pro- vost marshal of the Seventeenth Congress- ional District and so continued until the close of the war. A trained business man, he brought business habits and methods to bear in the administration of his various offices and, whether guarding railroad lines early in the war or upholding the law in a civil capac- ity later on, he performed efficient service for his country that brought about practical re- sults. In his political affiliations he was a Re- publican and in 1849 he was chosen county treasurer and in 1860 was elected auditor of Blair County. Otherwise his acceptance of. public office was confined to those purely local in character. For twenty-five years he was a

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member of the Gaysport borough council and also served for the same length of time as borough treasurer; he was also for many years a member of the school board.

Capt. Lloyd was widely known in Masonic circles. He became a member of Portage Lodge, No. 220, F. & A. M., in 1849. Later he organized Juniata Lodge, No. 282, of which he was the first worthy master, and for about a quarter of a century he was district deputy grand master. He belonged to Mount Moriah Chapter, No. 166, of Hollidaysburg, Mountain Commandery, No. 10, of Altoona, and to the Masonic Veteran Association, of Philadelphia.

This man of many interests and absorbing business life was a Christian, from 1842 being an active member of the Baptist Church, in which he held many offices of responsibility. From 1869 to 1872 he was superintendent of the Baptist Sunday-school and moderator of the Center Baptist Association. In May, 1843, he was appointed teacher of the Judson Bible class and during forty-nine years ex- erted a remarkable influence over the young men who came under his teaching-more than a thousand in number-and in point of years of service he was the oldest Sunday-school teacher in the United States. He was very active in temperance work, and in the cam- paign of 1889, during which he was president of the Blair County Amendment Association, he was credited with remarkable influence. He was also a director of the Young Ladies' Seminary at Hollidaysburg.

On February 4, 1847, Capt. Lloyd was mar- ried to Miss Mary Barr, a daughter of Will- iam Barr of Gaysport. Four children were born to them, namely: Anna L., James Gard- ner, Katherine, and Thomas P.

Thomas P. Lloyd was born April 1, 1860, in the same house that he now resides in at Gaysport, Blair County, Pa. He was edu- cated in the common schools and at the Lewis- burg University. He is now engaged very extensively in the coal business and has been a constant resident of Blair County, with the exception of a short time spent in the west for his health. He is a Mason of high rank

and politically a Republican. He married Miss Ida Smith, who is a daughter of the late Dr. G. W. Smith, formerly of Hollidaysburg. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd are members of the Pres- byterian Church.

Anna L., the only living daughter of Cap- tain Lloyd, is the widow of Hon. John Riley, formerly of Congress, prominently identified with the Pennsylvania Railroad system and a Philadelphia capitalist.

PHILLIP J. GRAU, chief engineer for the- Morrison & Cass Paper Company, at Tyrone, Pa., is a man who has had a large experience in his profession and has also made a reputa- tion for himself through his successful and practical inventions. He was born in the city of New York, September 12, 1845, and is a son of George M. and Catherine ( Byer) Grau.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 120

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