Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 122

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 122

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Some time ago he and his brother and sis- ter, while residing together, were attacked in the house by three footpads. Both being re- markably stout men they put up a vigorous resistance. While they were fighting the sis- ter succeeded in getting out doors and ring- ing the dinner bell, which frightened the robbers away, though not until they had given Mr. Dilling quite a bad beating. In spite of this incident he is today a strong and stout man for his age, being as well preserved as many a one much younger than himself. He has always manifested the German character- istics of thrift and industry, united with a sterling honesty in his dealings with his fel- low men that has made him widely respected and esteemed.

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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

WILLIAM VOGT, a pioneer merchant of Tyrone, Pa., and one of the oldest citizens of the borough from a business standpoint, was born in Koenigsbach, Bavaria, Germany, June 6, 1839, a son of Francis Henry and Catherine (Fischer) Vogt.

Francis Henry Vogt died in Bavaria when his son William was only nine months old, Frederick being four years older which com- prised the family. The widow, who was a woman of courage and enterprise, brought her boys to America in the spring of 1852, and lived long enough to see both of them grow up to honorable manhood and become prosperous. Frederick Vogt married and reared a family and died at Tyrone in 1890. For many years he was proprietor of the Key- stone Hotel.

Early in April, 1852, the Vogts came to Union Furnace, Blair County, Pa., and in the latter part of September following moved to the farm of Francis Kolbenschlag, an uncle of William Vogt, which was situated about three miles from Newry, and there the family lived for a little over two years, during which time William Vogt attended public school and thereafter served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade, under his cousin, William Kolbenschlag. Later he worked at Roaring Spring and Allegheny Furnace and for a short time resided in Altoona, from which place he came to Tyrone in the fall of 1855. After working at this trade for about three years he was compelled to give it up, as it proved in- jurious to his eyes. In 1857 he accepted a sit- uation as clerk in the general store of Samuel Ettinger, later S. Ettinger and Ullman, and for three years Mr. Vogt conducted it there as a general mercantile establishment for them, as they moved to Philadelphia and there went into the business of manufacturing ready made clothing.

In 1861 Mr. Vogt purchased the store from the above named firm and converted it into a. clothing and gents' furnishing establishment, where, for fifty years he enjoyed a large and lucrative business. The same site was re- tained but at different times as the expansion of his busness required, he made improvements

and additions to his floor space. Early in life he established a reputation for honesty and business integrity which was never shadowed and when he retired and gave over his respon- sibilities to his sons, Austin S. and Francis W. Vogt, it was with the proud consciousness that no name stood higher in the business world at Tyrone than his own. His prudence, foresight and industry were also factors in his success, but the foundation stone was business integrity.

William Vogt was married on November 23, 1869, to Miss Georgetta Sneringer, a daughter of Pius and Eliza A. Sneringer. She was born in Westminster, Maryland, and later moved with her parents to Adams County, Pa., and from there to Tyrone. Her father, Pius Sner- inger, was one of the very early merchants and lumber dealers at Tyrone, where he was in a wholesale and retail business and owned one of the first stores in the place. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Vogt, namely: Austin S. and Francis W., who are associated together in the mercantile business as successors to their father; Rosemary, who resides at home; Charles Joseph, who has an office position with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Pitts- burg; Albert Leo, who is connected with the Relief department of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company, at Pittsburg married Emilie Alexander, of Centre Hall, Center County, Pa., and they have one son, John A .; and Alexis Bernard, who has been cashier of the Blair County National Bank of Tyrone, since Sep- tember 3, 1909. The mother of the above fam- ily died March 25, 1906. She was a woman of beautiful character, devoted to her family and home and mindful of her church duties. She was charitable and kind to the needy and was helpful and sympathetic to all in distress. Mr. Vogt and children are members of St. Mathew's Roman Catholic Church and is lib- eral in his benefactions to the same. With his sons he is identified with the Democratic party.

HIRONIMUS HIRT,* has been proprietor of a small general store located just east of Al- toona, Pa., on Eighth Street for the past two years, and has been a resident of Blair County, Pa., for nearly a quarter of a century. He was

PUBLIC SCHOOL, HOLLIDAYSBURG

ROUND HOUSE, HOLLIDAYSBURG

PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD STATION, BELLWOOD

TYRONE, LOOKING FROM THE WEST

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born August 5, 1861, in Prussia, Germany, and is a son of Cauls and Johanna (Whitman) Hirt, who spent their entire lives in their na- tive country.

Hironimus Hirt was reared in his native country and at the age of 21 came to America, locating first in Altoona, where he boarded some time with his brother. He spent some nine years in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, then operated a dairy eleven years, then hauled stone for four or five years. He later worked six weeks in the shops, where he was injured and incapacitated for business for about two years, and since regain- ing his health has been engaged in operating his present store, which is located just beyond the city limits of Altoona.

Mr. Hirt was married November, 1885, to Louisa Sheik, also a native of Prussia, and to them have been born the following children : Louisa, married A. C. Wenner, of Altoona, 'and has four children: Lena, the wife of Charles Riling, of Lakemont Terrace; Hironi- mus Robert, John, Elizabeth, and Matilda. Mr. Hirt's family are members of the Trinity . Reformed Church, although he is not. He is politically inclined to be independent, and was elected assessor of the township, but found it necessary to resign on account of his business interests. Mr. Hirt obtained his naturalization papers about two years after coming to the United States.

HARRY W. SHIREY, M. D., who is en- gaged in the practice of medicine at Williams- burg, Pa., was born January 17, 1883, at Youngstown, Westmoreland County, Pa., and is a son of C. F. and Sibilla (Bossart) Shirey.

C. F. Shirey made farming his life occupa- tion and resided for many years in Unity Township, Westmoreland County, Pa., where he was held in high esteem. He was politically a Democrat and served as auditor and held al- most every office in Unity Township. He was a member of the Lutheran church. C. F. and Sibilla Shirey were parents of the following children: Edgar R., who is an attorney of Greensburg, Pa .; Estella, who is the wife of Rev. F. E. Strobel, pastor of the Lutheran

Church of Ridgway, Pa .; Charles M., who re- sides on the home farm; T. Logan, who is a. clerk for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company ; Harry W., subject of this record; and Freder- ick, who is attending the Latrobe High School.

Dr. Harry W. Shirey was reared in West- moreland County, Pa., and after a common school education, taught three terms in the schools of Unity Township. He then entered the employ of the Mellon National Bank of Pittsburg, for whom he dealt extensively in real estate, and then entered a medical college at Philadelphia, graduating with the class of 1907. He first embarked in the practice of medicine at Numidia, Columbia County, Pa., and two years later came to Blair County, and located at Williamsburg, where he has now been engaged in practice for one year.

In June, 1907, Dr. Shirey married Miss Ma- bel Lawrence, who is a daughter of Douglas and Catherine (Gault) Lawrence, of Philadel- phia, who also have one son, John Ross Law- rence. Dr. and Mrs. Shirey have two children, Mabel Sibilla and Warren Lawrence. Dr. Shirey is fraternally a member of the I. O. O. F., Goodwill Lodge, of Numidia, Pa., and the Heptasophs, at Williamsburg, and a Mason, Portage Lodge, Hollidaysburg. He is a mem- ber of the Lutheran church. In politics he is a staunch Democrat.

THE FARMERS AND MERCHANTS NATIONAL BANK, of Tyrone, Pa., was or- ganized in November, 1902, by its present cash- ier, Frank M. Waring, who had been, for eleven years previous to that time, associated as a clerk and cashier with another banking in- stitution at Tyrone. Mr. Waring saw the open- ing for a third bank in the borough, and he felt that he had the friends to draw upon for its capitalization and whose influence in the community would insure it the support neces- sary to its success, and with this assurance he resigned the position he then held and within one week had all of the $60,000 capital sub- scribed. Within the same month, November, 1902, the capital was paid in and the charter, No. 6499, was secured, and the bank opened for business.

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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

The officers chosen at the organization were : Col. E. J. Pruner, president; A. M. Brown, vice president; and Frank M. Waring, cash- ier. Col. Pruner had demonstrated his ability as a financier by amassing a fortune for him- self and was well fitted to head a financial in- stitution, and proved his ability by serving the bank as its president until his death, in 1904, when A. M. Brown was elected his successor and William Fuoss was elected vice president, succeeding Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown is a suc- cessful lumberman, whose keen business abil- ity and genial disposition qualify him admi- rably for the position of a bank president, and Mr. Fuoss, whose success in the milling busi- ness, is a matter of common knowledge in the community, is also well fitted to assist in di- recting the bank's successful and increasing business. Mr. Waring, the cashier, has been in the banking business from boyhood and has directed the affairs of the Farmers and Mer- chants National Bank of Tyrone as its active executive head, since its incorporation.

This bank at present, has a capital of $60,- 000, and a surplus of $20,000, and pays a semi- annual dividend of three per cent or of six per cent annually on its stock, which is closely held. More than $20,000 in dividends has been al- ready paid to its shareholders.

The Farmers and Merchants National Bank commands the confidence of its many patrons and the entire banking community, and it has demonstrated the wisdom of its founders and is a real active factor in the business and finan- cial life of this section and its future is se- cured by the conservative management of the following board of directors: A. M. Brown, president ; William Fuoss, vice president ; Frank M. Waring, secretary; and S. Pierce Gray, George W. Strong and George W. Bri- denbaugh.

B. F. HOOVER, a successful farmer and prosperous fruit grower, residing on a valuable farm of fifty acres, situated in Huston Town- ship, Blair County, Pa., devotes twenty-five acres to the growing of choice fruit. He was born December 20, 1845, in South Woodbury

Township, Bedford County, Pa., and is a son of David O. and Susan ( Sivets ) Hoover.

David O. Hoover was born in Morrison's Cove, Bedford County, and his wife in Somer- set County, Pa. His father was Rev. Emanuel Hoover, who was an early settler in Bedford County and was a pioneer minister in the sect now known as the River Brethren. David O. Hoover was a member of the Church of God. He was a wise and worthy man and lived in peace with his neighbors. Of his children there are three survivors: B. F .; Nancy, who is the wife of S. H. Beegle, of Bedford County ; and Savina, who is the widow of W. K. Le- crone, of Woodbury, Pa.

B. F. Hoover obtained his education in the South Woodbury Township schools, attend- ing until old enough to learn the milling busi- ness, and then serving an apprenticeship at Brooks' Mills, in Blair County. For some fourteen years he followed milling and for twelve years owned the grist mill that he con- ducted at Beavertown, which is now known as the post office of Drab. He manufactured flour, feed and chop and for over a quarter of a century also was interested in the shipping of horses, cattle and sheep, traveling on the road. On the departure of his son for the West he was obliged to give up the live stock business and go to farming and fruit growing. The farm on which he carries on his operations belongs to his wife, it having come to her as an inheritance from her father, Adam Fouse. Mrs. Hoover is one of the best informed wom- en on the growing of fruit in Blair County and for years she has handled the horticultural part of the business. Mr. Hoover still owns a one-third interest in his father's Mantion farm in Bedford County, Pa ..

Mr. Hoover was married to Miss Sarah A. Fouse, who was born in Huston Township, a daughter of Adam Fouse above mentioned, who was a former well known resident. They have four children, namely: Flora, who is the wife of A. B. Miller, of East Freedom, Pa .; Minnie, who is a popular teacher in Huston Township and a graduate of the Pennsylvania State Normal School at Shippensburg, Pa .: Jeannette, who lives with her parents; and

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Adam, who resides at Elgin, Ill. In politics Mr. Hoover is a Republican.

WILLIAM NORRIS BOYLES,* superin- tendent of the Juniata branch of the Altoona post office, comes of one of the early families of Blair County, Pa., and was born in Altoona, a son of Henry and Susan (Norris) Boyles. Jonathan Boyles, grandfather of our subject, was one of the very early residents of Logan Township, and owned what is now Oak Grove. Of his children there are now living: Andrew, who lives at Greenwood; and Rebecca, who is the wife of Samuel Robbins.

Henry A. Boyles, father of William N., was born in Blair County, and was a carpenter by trade. After leaving the home place, he lived two years in Altoona, then moved to Eliza- beth Furnace, and thence to Blair Furnace, where he remained until 1872, when he came to Juniata. He was there employed by the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company until November, 1888, after that being engaged in the grocery business until three years previous to his death, which occurred February 8, 1906. His union with Susan Norris, who was a native of Center County, resulted in the following issue : Blair N., resides at No. 531 Sixth Avenue, Juniata, Pa .; Harry A., resides at No. 712 Third Avenue, ^Juniata; Molly (Goodman) lives in Juniata, Pa .; William N .; Jessie, wife of A. C. Ergler, resides at No. 531 Seventh Avenue; Sadie, wife of F. C. Reizer, lives in Juniata; Minnie, who married Frank Reig- hard, lives at 617 Sixth Avenue; Gertrude, married N. F. Arble, of Pittsburg. Mrs. Boyles still lives and makes her home with her daughter Jessie (Mrs. Ergler).

William N. Boyles was reared in Juniata and attended the Hamilton school. He subse- quently learned the carpenter's trade, but never followed it after learning it. He served as postmaster at Juniata from October 3, 1904, until January 1, 1908, since which time the office has been consolidated with the Altoona office. He has since then been superintendent of the branch office at Juniata. Mr. Boyles served one term as burgess of Juniata, but re- signed when appointed postmaster here. He

has been committeeman several times, and was actively interested in politics until that office went under civil service rules. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and the F. O. F. Mr. Boyles was married September 27, 1900, to Emma J. Coofer, who was born in Kansas, but later in life came to Blair County with her par- ents, William and Rose (Waters) Coofer.

ALBERT A. WITTER, chief of the tele- graph and the telephone department for the Tyrone Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, has been a resident of this borough since the spring of 1879, and is an old experienced rail- road man, having been in the railroad service for forty-six years. He was born at Milton, in Northumberland County, Pa., July 13, 1842, and is a son of Amos and Mary (Delavan) Witter.

Amos Witter was born and reared in Con- necticut. He served in the War of 1812, and was major of his command, one of the youngest officers. Afterward he came to Pennsylvania, and settled at Milton, where he worked as a wagonmaker for many years, and died there in 1856. He married Mary Delavan, who died when her younger children were small. Ten children were born to them, namely: Mary, Elizabeth, Lucy, Almeda and Jane, all of whom are deceased; Margaret, who is the wife of Paul Cudworth, of Manistee, Mich .; Henry F., who was a graduate of West Point and died in the U. S. Army; Amos C., who lives at Erie, Pa .; Albert A .; and Robert Ham- mond, who is also deceased.

Albert A. Witter had the misfortune to lose his mother while still a child of tender years. He was the ninth in his parents' large family and circumstances did not permit any extended period of school attendance. He was only ten years old when he started to learn the printer's trade, in the office of the Miltonian, at Milton, Pa., and while there also applied himself to learning the art of telegraphy. On April 16, 1860, he went to Williamsport, Pa., as tele- graph operator on what was then the Will- iamsport & Elmira branch but now is the El- mira Division of the North Central Railroad, where he remained until April, 1861. . He was

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continuously engaged at very important points during the stormy years that followed and his experiences as a telegraph operator during this period are well worth hearing. He was trans- ferred by the same company to Bridgeport and later from there to York, Pa., and subse- quently to Baltimore, Md., and then became train dispatcher with headquarters at Erie, Pa., for the West Division, P. E. Railroad. In 1865 he returned to the North Central Rail- road and was detailed as trainmaster, at Har- risburg, on the Susquehannah Division and continued in that position until after the Penn- sylvania Company took charge of the North Central. This gave Mr. Witter several years to devote himself to his private affairs, but on March 1, 1879, he came to Tyrone, resuming railroad work and becoming train dispatcher on the Tyrone Division. In 1881 he was made division operator and assistant passenger train- master and has charge of the telegraph and telephone work, in this connection. Mr. Wit- ter is one of the best known railroad men in this section. He has made his own way in the world, practically without any assistance, and stands today with that band of trusted, reliable, efficient men whom a great railroad system justly regards as one of its bulwarks.

Mr. Witter was married to Miss Isabel Moore, of Erie, Pa. Her father was Capt. John Moore, formerly a commander of a ves- sel on Lake Erie, and one of the first passenger conductors on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad. Two sons and one daugh- ter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Witter: Charles T., who is in the telegraph depart- ment of the Renova Division of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad; James, who is a dentist at Tyrone; and Jennie F., who is the wife of W. H. Agnew and a resident of Tyrone. Mr. and Mrs. Witter have a comfortable home situ- ated on Lincoln Avenue, Tyrone. They are members of the Presbyterian church. In his political views, Mr. Witter is in close sympathy with the Independent Republicans. He is a member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M., at Harrisburg. He was interested in the Masonic Order from youth as his father had been a charter member and also the first

master of Milton Lodge, at Milton, Pa., and was active in the fraternity until the close of his life.

HARRY MCCLURE HILEMAN, one of the substantial and well known citizens of Al- toona, Pa., has been a resident here since 1867, and was born April 15, 1856, in Cromwell Township, Huntingdon County, Pa., a son of James and Caroline (McClure) Hileman.

James Hileman was born in Blair County, Pa., a son of Daniel Hileman, who was one of the early residents of Frankstown Township, as was our subject's great-grandfather, who probably came from Germany. The old Hile- man farm is now owned by J. King McLana- han. Daniel Hileman married a Miss Closen, and subsequently removed to Huntingdon County, Pa. James Hileman was reared in Blair County, and during early manhood taught a few terms of school in this county. He later removed to Huntingdon County with his parents and in 1867 came to Blair County, and located in Pleasant Valley, Logan Town- ship, where he resided until 1881. He then returned to Huntingdon County, where he re- sided until the time of his death, and always made farming his occupation. James Hileman married Caroline McClure, who was born in Alexandria, Huntingdon County, Pa., a daughter of Andrew McClure, who was a na- tive of Ireland, and a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Hileman died in 1860, and left the fol- lowing children: Charles Mosheim, residing in Pleasant Valley, Logan Township; Harry McClure; Alvaretta Frances, wife of Alex- ander Young, of Juniata; Mary Elizabeth, who married Arthur Zeigler, and resides at the east end of Altoona.

Harry McClure Hileman was about eleven years old when his parents came to Blair County and received his education in the com- mon schools of Huntingdon and Blair Coun- ties. He has always followed farming and farmed on the Baker estate for 25 years, after- wards superintending three farms of that es- tate. He moved to Huntingdon County in 1879 and in 1881 returned to Blair County, and located on the Sheriff Bell homestead, un-

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til coming to Altoona. In 1903 he bought the first lot sold on Sixth Avenue, which is now built up of fine homes, and in 1904, he erected a commodious brick home.

Mr. Hileman was married December 24, 1878, to Margaret Alice McCormick, who was born and reared in Sinking Valley, and is a daughter of James and Lucinda (Templeton) McCormick. James McCormick was born in Ireland and when about a year old came to this country with his father, who settled in Alex- andria, Huntingdon County, Pa. He married Lucinda Templeton, who was a daughter of William and Catherine (Fleck) Templeton, both now deceased. Seven children were born to James and Lucinda McCormick; John, liv- ing in Altoona; Louvenia, wife of S. R. Mat- thews, who lives in the vicinity of Hollidays- burg; Mary, wife of J. R. Pleasant, of Mt. Eagle, Center County; Thomas H., who lived in Altoona, and died in 1909; Alice, (Mrs. Hileman) ; Catherine Isabella, wife of Charles Mosheim Hileman; and Ella, who is the wife of John Gartham, of Altoona.

The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hileman : Laura Mary, married Robert E. Dunlap, of East Liberty; Jessie Edna, who teaches and lives at home; Alice. Lucinda, employed as a stenographer; Lou- venia Winifred, a teacher; and Alma Gertrude, who died aged about five years. Mr. Hileman is politically a Republican, has served as tax collector, and in minor township offices, and is now serving his fifth term on the school board. He is religiously a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, of Millville, and was for a number of years one of its trustees.

CLAUDE JONES, register of wills and recorder of deeds in Blair County, Pa., and managing editor of the Tyrone Herald, at Ty- rone, Pa., is a native of this place and was born November II, 1865. His parents were David M. and Amanda (Palmer) Jones, the former of whom died on July 16, 1877.

Claude Jones and a brother were the only children born to his parents. His educational advantages included the common school course and a period at Cornell University, where he

was graduated in the class of 1889. He has been identified with newspaper work the greater part of his life and since the death of his uncle, the late Major C. S. W. Jones, has been the managing editor of the Tyrone Her- ald, finding time in addition to his official duties to keep in touch with the Herald and contrib- uting by his efforts to make it one of the bright- est and newsiest dailies in this section of the state. Mr. Jones wields a vigorous pen and impresses his personality on the pages of the paper when he assumes active editorial work. He is deservedly popular in the newspaper fra- ternity of the county and when he ran for register and recorder he received the enthu- siastic support of his contemporaries without regard to their political affiliations. He takes a deep interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the profession. He is enthusiastic- ally devoted to the interests of his town and loses no opportunity through the columns of the Herald to promote the welfare of Tyrone and its people.

Mr. Jones was married to Miss Stella A. Armor, a daughter of Monroe Armor, of Bel- lefonte, Pa., and they have two children: Ben- jamin C. and Mary E. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are prominent in the city's pleasant social life. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and she of the Catholic church. He is a 32d de- gree Mason and belongs also to the Odd Fel- lows and the P. O. S. of A. He is a Repub- lican.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 122

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