Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 128

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 128

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

JOHN KERR HAMILTON, a prominent farmer and highly esteemed citizen of Logan Township, has been a life long resident of Blair County and comes of one of the oldest and best known pioneer families of the county. He was born January 21, 1855, on his present farm in Logan Township, and is a son of Jona- than and Mary (McKee) Hamilton, and a grandson of Robert Hamilton.

Robert Hamilton came to this country from Ireland and first settled in the Kiskaquilla Val- ley, in Pennsylvania, and from there came to Blair County, where he owned a farm in Scotch Valley, Frankstown Township. He was a man of affluence and the owner of four or five farms in Blair County. He came from Frankstown Township to Logan Township and obtained a patent to 200 acres of land, which has ever since been the home place. He cleared a major portion of the place and built a log house, which now forms a part of our subject's pres- ent residence, although, of course, the logs are not now visible. Robert Hamilton married Mary Smith, who also came of one of the old families of Blair County, and resided in Scotch Valley, and of their union were born the fol- lowing offspring: James, who lived in Hun- tingdon County, Pa., at the time of his death; Jonathan; John; Robert; Smith; Mary, who was the wife of James Hutchinson; Nancy Jane, who was the wife of Dr. Gabriel Thomas, a pioneer physician, who was first located at Collinsville, and later at Altoona, Pa .; and Sarah Ann.

Jonathan Hamilton was born August 8, 18II, in Scotch Valley, Frankstown Township, and was about eight years old when the family came to Logan Township. Here he was reared and followed farming throughout his entire act- ive career. He was a member and an elder of

the Presbyterian church at Hollidaysburg pre- vious to the erection of the Presbyterian church at Altoona, and was an elder of the latter church at the time of his death. Jonathan Hamilton married Mary McKee, a native of Blair County, whose parents came here from Clearfield County, Pa., and of their union were born eleven children, of whom three sons and four daughters were reared to maturity, namely: Jennie, deceased, who was the wife of C. B. Bowles; Nannie and Hettie, who re- side in Altoona; Gabriel T., who resides in Logan Township; Mattie, who died at the age of twenty-two years; John Kerr; and Joseph Smith. The last mentioned was a member of the 10th Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf., was wounded in the battle of Chancellorsville, taken prisoner and died because of lack of attention to his wounds.

John Kerr Hamilton was reared in Logan Township and educated in the local schools. During his early manhood he spent a year and a half traveling through the west, but has since devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits. He is a director of the First National Bank of Juniata, is politically a Republican and has served some eighteen years as a school director. He is a member of the Presbyterian church of Juniata, and also of its board of trustees.

On October 27, 1878, Mr. Hamilton was joined in marriage with Amanda Hutchinson, who comes of one of the pioneer families of the county, and is a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Lafferty) Hutchinson. They have four chil- dren living and one deceased: Jonathan Max- well, who died aged thirteen years; Mary Hutchinson; Sarah Melvina; Josephine Mar- garet ; and Hetty Eleanor.

RICHARD N. DURBOROW, who has been continuously identified with the Pennsyl- vania Railroad system for the past thirty years and now fills the important office of superinten- dent of the motive power of the Eastern Penn- sylvania Division, with home and office at Al- toona, Pa., was born at Philadelphia, April 10, 1860. He was one of a family of nine children born to his parents, who were Charles B. and

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Jane Elizabeth Durborow. His father was a native of Philadelphia and was a merchant in that city. His mother was born at Savannah, Georgia.

Richard N. Durborow was educated at Chel- tenham Academy, attending from September, 1872, until June, 1874, and at the Maryland Military Institute, which he attended from June, 1876 to 1877. He entered the railway service on February 24, 1879, and served until September 2, 1880, as apprentice machinist, West Philadelphia Machine Shops, Pennsylva- nia Road; from September 2, 1880, to August I, 1883, machinist apprentice in the Altoona shops; from August 1, 1883, to March 1, 1890, in the draughting room, at Altoona; from March 1, 1890, to October 1, 1892, inspector West Philadelphia Car Shops; from October I, 1892, to November 18, 1895, assistant gen- eral foreman, same shops; from November 18, 1895, to March 1, 1896, acting master me- chanic, same shops; from March 1, 1896, to May 15, 1900, master mechanic, same shops; from May 15, 1900, to August 1, 1900, superin- tendent of motive power, P. B. & W. Railroad; from August 1, 1900, to October I, 1901, superintendent of motive power, B. & A. V. Division and on October 1, 1901, was made superintendent of motive power of the Eastern Pennsylvania Division of the Pennsylvania Road. Efficiency of service and fidelity to the great interests concerned have been the founda- tions on which Mr. Durborow has built success in his chosen work. Mr. Durborow was united in marriage on August 24, 1887, to Miss Helen McCormick a daughter of Blaine McCormick. They reside at No. 1215 Eleventh Avenue, Altoona.

HARRISON HENRY,* superintendent of the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Mill at Ty- rone, Pa., has resided all his life in Blair County. He was born at Hollidaysburg, Pa., January, 1861, son of Frank and Martha (Webster) Henry, his parents being both natives of Blair County. The father was an iron worker and superintendent of iron works in various parts of the county. He died in 1881 at the age of forty-nine years. The mother of

our subject died in 1874 at the age of thirty- eight. Harrison Henry was the fourth born of a family of nine children, all of whom are still living. Those of whom we have record are: Annie, wife of David Teetor; Frank, a special claim agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., located at Philadelphia; Harrison, the subject of this sketch; Delia, widow of Albert Bowers; J. King, who is located at Frankstown as super- intendent of the American Stone and Lime Co .; Martha, who is unmarried; and Susan, who is the wife of H. I. Davis.

Harrison Henry, while yet quite young, re- moved with his parents from Hollidaysburg and acquired his education at Maria Forge, Henrietta and Roaring Spring. In 1878 he entered the Morrison, Bare and Cass paper mills at Roaring Spring, where he served an apprenticeship of two years and a half. He then entered the employ of the Jessup & Moore Paper Co., at Rockland, Del., where he re- mained eighteen months, after which he re- turned to the Morrison, Bare & Cass mills. Here he was employed until 1890, in which year he came to Tyrone, Pa., being employed at first as paper maker. Later he was pro- moted to the position of night foreman, which he held for six years. In the spring of 1906 he was promoted to be superintendent of the mill . and has occupied that position for the past five years. He is thoroughly posted on all the de- tails of the business, having been engaged at it uninterruptedly for the past thirty-three years. A man of fine personal presence he is active and industrious and is thoroughly devoted to his life's work.

Mr. Henry was married in 1891 to Miss Tillie Miller, of Tyrone. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, being a member of Portage lodge, F. & A. M., of Harrisburg consistory, and Jaffa Temple of the Mystic Shrine, Al- toona ; also of Tyrone lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 152, and the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Henry owns a beautiful home located at 1310 Lincoln Ave- nue. He is a Republican in politics.

SAMUEL S. BLAIR, who was superinten- dent of the Tyrone Division of the Pennsyl-

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vania Railroad for thirty years, was born in Dauphin County, Pa., three miles west of Har- risburg, on the Susquehanna river, Oct. 9, 1833. His parents were Samuel and Catherine ( Moyer) Blair. The father, a native of Penn- sylvania and a farmer by occupation, spent the greater part of his life in Dauphin County, where he died in 1865 at the age of 60 years. The mother of our subject was born in Penn- sylvania and died in Dauphin County this state. Of their marriage there were four children which attained maturity. Two-George and John-both now deceased, served in the army. Catherine resides with the subject of this sketch.

Samuel S. Blair was' educated in the public schools of Dauphin County, and at an early age entered the employ of Kerr, Jones & Co., Pittsburg, engaged in a transportation business. In 1853 he entered the service of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad, filling various positions until he attained that of superintendent of the Bal- timore office and that at York, and was in York when General Early made his raid through that place. He was transferred to Tyrone in 1873 as superintendent of the Tyrone Division, which position he filled up to 1903, when he retired. For 37 years he has been a well known resident of Tyrone. He is associated with the Blair Bros., his sons, as producers and distributors of coal. They operate Orient mines Nos. 4 and 4, at Powelton, Center County, Pa., the firm having been thus en- gaged for more than 20 years.

Mr. Blair first married in 1859 to Miss Ada- line Wolf, of Columbia, Pa., a daughter of Christopher Wolf. Of this union there are four sons living, namely: Charles F., Horace C., Louis B. and Samuel Howard. Howard is in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad; the other three are engaged in the coal business. Mr. Blair, our direct subject, is a member of Tyrone Lodge, F. & A. M. He is also a mem- ber and elder in the Presbyterian church at Tyrone; in politics a Republican. He owns the residence built by Adam Hoover, at No. 934 Washington Avenue, which is one of the finest

in Tyrone. He is one of the most prominent and respected residents of the borough.

GEORGE C. WILSON, a prominent citizen of Tyrone, proprietor of the Wilson Chemical Works, was born in Tyrone, Blair County, Pa., son of Dr. James T. and Henrietta (Clement) Wilson. His grandparents on the paternal side were George and Agnes (Cunningham) Wil- son. The grandfather, who was born in Mifflin County, this state, in 1799, removed in early life to Huntingdon County and resided at Alex- andria, that county, until his death in 1850. He was a carpenter and cabinet maker, and also conducted a machine shop, being a man of great mechanical ability and skill. He and his wife had a family of nine children, several of whom became skilled artists, especially Jeremy, who is now deceased. Mr. Wilson's maternal grand- mother was a daughter of Jeremy Cunning- ham, a native of Ireland, who came to this country at an early day, served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in Huntingdon County, Pa., at an advanced age. This sturdy ancestor of our subject married a daughter of Col. John Spencer, of Massachusetts, who - served on General Washington's staff in the Revolutionary War.

Dr. James T. Wilson, father of George C., was reared in Alexandria, Pa., and after at- tending the common schools, graduated from a commercial college at York, Pa., being then only sixteen years old. He then taught school for two winters, afterwards worked in a store at Pottsville for a year, and later for two years was a store keeper at Pennsylvania Furnace. He then began the study of medicine under Dr. Daniel Houtz of Alexandria, and was subse- quently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with the degree of M. D., in March, 1864. After a short period of practice in Petersburg, Pa., he moved in 1865 to Ty- rone, where he is now numbered among the most successful physicians and most prominent citizens of the place. His wife, Henrietta, is a daughter of Samuel and Henrietta Clement of Huntingdon County, Pa., and a great-grand- daughter of Michael Hilligas, or Hillegas, the

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first treasurer of the United States. The chil- in America, three brothers of the name coming from Germany to the colonies prior to the Rev- dren of Dr. James T. Wilson and wife were four in number-S. Clement, George C., Ed- . olutionary War, in which they took part, and ward B., and Carroll Dewey. Of these Ed- ward B. and Carroll D. are now deceased. members of the family also participated in the War of 1812. Abraham E. Hahn moved to Tyrone, Pa., in 1873, where, during his active years, he was engaged as a carpenter and painter. He still survives, being in his eighty- fourth year, and lives at Phillipsburg. His wife died at Tyrone. They had four children; A. J .; Charles Calvin, who is an employe of the Tyrone paper mill; Edwin Franklin, who died at Tyrone; and Mary L., who is the wife of Lincoln Dennis, of Williamsport, Pa.

George C. Wilson acquired his education in the public schools of Tyrone, Pa., and since be- ginning his industrial career. has developed a marked degree of business ability. He was clerk in the Tyrone postoffice under Peter A. Reed, and for six months under Major Jones. For fifteen years he was business clerk for Mr. A. G. Morris, who was president of the Blair County National Bank and also of the Amer- ican Lime and Stone Company. Later on Mr. Wilson established the Wilson Chemical Works in Tyrone, the products of which reach the mar- kets of the entire country and have a national sale as well as reputation, and of which concern Mr. Wilson is now the proprietor. He has also large real estate holdings both in Tyrone and in other cities, both in Pennsylvania and other states. He is also a director in the Blair County National Bank of Tyrone. Ambitious and energetic, his success has been self- achieved, as his initial capital consisted chiefly of pluck and ability to rise. He occupies a prominent place among the successful men of Tyrone. He is a 32d degree Mason, a mem- ber of Tyrone Lodge, F. & A. M., also of the Harrisburg consistory, and Syria Temple of the Mystic Shrine, at Pittsburg. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Wilson married Miss Loueffa Ross, a daughter of George Ross. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of two children-Adelaide and George Hillegas. Mr. Wilson and family reside at their handsome home on Washington Avenue.

A. J. HAHN, master mechanic of the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Mills of Tyrone, Pa., has been identified with the paper making in- dustry for thirty-one years. He is a self-made man and a substantial and representative citizen of Blair County. His birth took place in Car- roll County, Md., June 17, 1849, a son of Abraham E. and Mary Jane ( Myerly) Hahn.

The Hahn family is one of the very old ones

A. J. Hahn was given some educational op- portunities but is mainly self-educated. He was young when he started out independently. In 1873 he came to Tyrone and went to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in bridge construction. In 1880 he went to work for the paper company and assisted in the building of the paper mill when the first stick of timber was made use of. He assisted in building and framing the mill and after the first mill burned down, helped in making plans for the second. Mr. Hahn had practically no special training for this work, merely follow- ing out a natural inclination and mechanical talent. He is master mechanic for the Pulp and Paper Company, a position of great re- sponsibility.

In 1871 Mr. Hahn was married to Miss La- vina Ella Rudolph, a daughter of H. Rudolph, of Maryland, and they have two children : Charles William, who is foreman of machinists for the paper mill, married Eva Briggs and they have an adopted daughter, Catherine ; and Mary Rudolph, who resides at home. Mr. Hahn owns a fine residence at No. 1313 Penn- sylvania Avenue, Tyrone, together with other real estate. He is a member of the First Eng- lish Lutheran church. In politics he is a Repub- lican. In late years Mr. Hahn has taken con- siderable enjoyment in the way of automobil- ing, being the first purchaser of a machine in Tyrone, and the third in Blair County to own a car and take out a license. He has made many trips through the valley of Virginia, accom-

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panied by parties of congenial friends, and has collected a large number of fine views of the most interesting points.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF TYRONE was organized in 1890 and was opened for business on August 7 of the same year. The original directors were: John S. Morrison, J. F. Van Valzah, John A. Craw- ford, A. A. Stevens, I. P. Walton, Dr. J. M. Smith, and George D. Blair. The first presi- dent was John S. Morrison, the first vice presi- dent being J. F. Van Valzah, with D. Shelly Kloss as cashier, who has remained continu- ously in that capacity to the present time and has had much to do in bringing about its pres- ent great prosperity.

President Morrison did not long survive the organization of the bank and he was suc- ceeded in January, 1891, by Joseph K. Kass. The vice presidents after the death of J. F. Van Valzah were successively George D. Blair, I. P. Walton, and A. A. Stevens, Mr. Stevens being vice president at the present time. The present board of directors includes the follow- ing capitalists: Joseph K. Kass, A. A. Stev- ens, John A. Crawford, Jacob H. Mattern, D. Shelly Kloss, A. D. Mingle and John G. An- derson. The working force is as follows: D. Shelly Kloss, cashier ; D. H. Burnham, assist- ant cashier ; Guy B. Rickenbaugh, teller ; Leo L. Garman, bookkeeepr; and Edward R. Cox, clerk.

The First National Bank of Tyrone started into business with a capital of $75,000, which has been increased to $100,000. Its surplus and undivided profits amount to $135,000. Its total net profits since organization are $280,- 000. Its first depositor was A. P. Lancaster, on the day of opening. There was special rivalry to push in the first deposit on the morn- ing when they opened for business in their present handsome bank building. The first morning's mail brought deposits of $24,000 The largest single deposit was a check for $10,- 000 on Drexel & Co., of Philadelphia. The bank is housed in one of the finest buildings in Tyrone, four stories in height and beautifully

finished in the interior and thoroughly equip- ped. It is a United States depository and in addition to carrying on a general commercial business has a savings department.

ALEXANDER G. MORRIS, who is prom- inently identified with the business interests of Blair, Center and other counties of Central Pennsylvania, is president of the Blair County Natonal Bank of Tyrone, Pa .; president of the American Lime and Stone Company, with offices at Tyrone ; president of the Tyrone Man- ufacturing Company, and manager of the Pennsylvania Industrial Reformatory at Hun- tingdon, Pa., indicating the possession of great business ability and a career of far-reaching usefulness. He was born November 5, 1834, at Freeport, Armstrong County, Pa., and is a son of Robert and Isabella (Gilchrist) Morris.

Robert Morris and wife were born in Scot- land and were brought to America by their parents when quite young. Robert Morris was a son of James Morris, who was a very early settler near Freeport. Robert was an architect and builder. He became the father of two sons and two daughters, the only survivor of the family being Alexander G., whose place of residence is Bellefonte, Pa.

Alexander G. Morris attended the common schools of Freeport and a local academy, after which he learned the carpenter trade and worked at it for a short time, after which he began contracting. Subsequently he became in- terested in the oil industry and engaged in oil production for a time and later in the limestone business west of the Allegheny Mountains in Westmoreland County. His first operations in the limestone business were confined to the above county but later he expended and at pres- ent covers a large field including Blair, Hun- tingdon and Center Counties, having been identified with this important line for forty years. In 1868 Mr. Morris came to Tyrone and became identified with numerous important interests, some of which have been enumerated. For the past nine years the American Lime and Stone Company has been organized and is now

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the largest concern of its kind in the United States.

The Blair County National Bank, of which Mr. Morris has been president since its organi- zation, was developed from a private bank owned by Mr. Morris and doing business as the Blair County Banking Company, which was founded in 1874. The Blair County National Bank was organized as a national bank in 1902. Its present officers are: Alexander G. Morris, president ; Frank K. Lukenbach, vice president, and A. Bernard Vogt, cashier. The capital stock is $100,000, surplus, $100,000, and it has deposits of nearly $1,000,000. It owns a very fine building, thoroughly equipped for banking, its upper floors being utilized for office pur- poses.

In 1910 Mr. Morris moved to Bellefonte, Center County, in order to be near his large business interests in that county, but he main- tains his private office in the Blair County Na- tional Bank building and spends much time in Tyrone attending to his large concerns here. He has led an active and very useful life, is widely known and is connected in business and in social life with the representative men of the day. He is a member of the Union League, at Philadelphia; of the Tyrone Business Men's Club; is president of the Country Club, and a member of the Nittany Club, near Bellefonte. Apparently his many interests have kept him young, for his perceptions are just as keen, his judgment as unfailing and his enjoyment of his hours of leisure as complete as are those of men many years his junior. He is noted for his benevolence and he confines his char- ities to no one section. In his political views he is a Republican.

Mr. Morris was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Swartz, a daughter of Horatio Swartz, of Pittsburg, and they have had seven children, namely: Ira E., who resides with her parents; Thomas King, who is a resident of Pittsburg; Charles A., who is engaged in the limestone business at Bellefonte; Robert, who is at the head of the Anthracite Fuel Company, of Philadelphia; Alexander G., Jr., who is an officer in the U. S. Army; and Mary E. and

Harry P., both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Morris and family belong to the Presby- terian church.

MAJ. CHARLES S. W. JONES, formerly editor and proprietor of the Tyrone Herald, who died at his home, corner of Logan Avenue and Eleventh Street, Tyrone, on May 6th, 1905, was a man well known in journalistic circles throughout this section. He was born in Graysville, Huntingdon County, Pa., October 29, 1842, and was a son of Samuel and Eliza- beth (Mattern) Jones, both now deceased. The father was a potter and followed his trade in Tyrone for a time after the family came here in 1851. The subject of this sketch was then a boy only nine years of age, so that by far the greater part of his life was passed here. After a limited schooling he was apprenticed at the age of thirteen to the printer's trade in Tyrone, which was his introduction to the field of activ- ity in which he subsequently achieved his reputation.

His industrial life was, however, broken for a time owing to the Civil War, for on March I, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Co. F., 2d Pa. Cav. (59th Pa. Volunteers). He was pro- moted to corporal April 1, 1863, and to quarter- master sergeant in the fall of the same year. He reenlisted March 1, 1864, and was pro- moted to first sergeant one month later. On Christmas day, 1864, he received his commis- sion as first lieutenant. Transferred from Co. F, he was promoted February 27, 1865, to be captain of Co. B of the same regiment. On June 1, 1865, the 2nd and 20th Pa. cavalry regiments were consolidated, forming the Ist Pa. Provisional Mounted Volunteers, and C. S. W. Jones was retained as captain of Co. B. of the. new organization. He was mustered out with his regiment July 13, 1865, after seeing much active service and acquitting himself hon- orably as a soldier.

On his return from the war our subject re- sumed his trade as a printer in December, 1865. He became interested in the Tyrone Herald, then newly established, in 1868, and he was

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part owner or owner of this newspaper from that time up to his death-a period of 37 years. In the latter years of his life he devoted his time and ability mainly to the editorial depart- ment. In 1887 he founded the Daily Herald, which was at once favorably received and has since enjoyed a prosperous growth.

On July 1, 1869, Captain Jones was united in marriage to Anna N. Harper, who died April 14, 1883. Of this union three children were born: one daughter, Amber, and an in- fant son are deceased; the other daughter, Ange, survives.

On June 30, 1892 Captain Jones married Mary A. Minary. Their one child, an infant daughter, was born August 4, and died twenty- four days later. Mrs. Jones survives her hus- band, and is a lady highly esteemed in her com- munity.

Major Jones organized Sheridan Troop Na- tional Guard of Pennsylvania, thirty-four years prior to his death, and was its commander dur- ing that entire period. At the organization of the troop, July 15, 1871, he was elected its cap- tain, and was reelected every five years subse- quently. At the outbreak of the Spanish-Amer- ican war, with the troop he was mustered into the U. S. service May 11, 1898. On July I, 1898, he was promoted to be major of the Pennsylvania Cavalry Squadron, U. S. Vols., and was in command during the service of the three troops of this state in Porto Rico. Re- turning from that island in September, he was mustered out of the national army with his or- ganization Nov. 16, 1898. Th troop at once resumed its place in the state guard and he re- sumed his captaincy. Major Jones gave much of his time and effort to the advancement of the Sheridan troop and was ardently devoted to it, and the members of the troop had a keen appreciation of their commander.

Major Jones early embraced the Christian religion, uniting with the First Presbyterian church. He was active in allied work and was the first librarian in the Sunday school con- nected with that church, being elected at its organization in 1865. He served several years as librarian also during the decade preceding

1890. He was captain of the Boy's Brigade which has attained to a high degree of efficiency in the years that have elapsed since its organi- zation. Maj. Jones believed in and advocated the principles of the Republican party. He served as burgess of Tyrone for five successive terms-from 1878 to 1882 inclusive. He repre- sented Blair County in the Pennsylvania legis- lature in the session of 1888-89. In 1890 he was appointed postmaster of Tyrone by Presi- dent Harrison and he held that office for four years or until 1894. He had been a member of Col. D. M. Jones Post No. 172, G. A. R., since its establishment and was one of its earliest commanders. He was also a member of the Union Veteran Legion. Upon the organization of the Sheridan Band he contributed his coun- sel and interest to the movement, and was elected its president. He was also president of the Central Building & Loan Association and belonged to the Royal Arcanum. Few men stood higher in Blair County, and his death caused universal regret throughout this entire section.

JAMES T. WILSON, M. D., a veteran practitioner of Tyrone, Pa., having been en- gaged in successful practice here for the past forty-six years, was born in Alexandria, Hun- tingdon County, Pa., February 29, 1840, son of George and Agnes (Cunningham) Wilson.

The father, George Wilson, was born in Mifflin County, this state, in 1799, but removed in early life to Huntingdon County, settling at Alexandria. There he resided until his death in 1850. A carpenter and cabinet maker by trade, he also owned a machine shop, where he demonstrated his possession of great mechan- ical ability, if not genius, by turning out some- of the most difficult machine work for a wide section of country. He was a staunch Demo- crat in politics and an active and influential member of the Presbyterian church. His wife Agnes was a daughter of Jeremy Cunningham, and they had a family of nine children- Jeremy, Mary, David, Anna, Martha, Pru- dence, Harriet N., James T., and George C .- of whom the following is a brief record :

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Jeremy served during the Civil War as a ist and was thus engaged at the time of his volunteer surgeon in the hospitals at and near death. Washington City. He married Frances Becker. He became a prominent artist, winning fame by the excellence of his art work. He was a student of P. F. Rothermel, the distinguished painter of "The Battle of Gettysburg," for which the city of Philadelphia paid the sum of $20,000, and traveled abroad with Mr. Roth- ermel for three years, studying and copying the works of the old masters in the capitals of Europe. He resided at his decease in Alexan- dria, Huntingdon County, Pa.

Mary, the second child, became the wife of Livingston Robb (now deceased) and resides in Woodcock Valley, Huntingdon County.

David Wilson served three terms as sheriff of Huntingdon County, and died in January, 1903, while serving in his third term. He en- listed in the 14th Pennsylvania Inf. in 1861 and served three months. He married Mary Hoffman. Anna Wilson married Carroll. C. Dewey, a merchant and banker (both now de- ceased) of Canton, Ill.

Martha Wilson (now deceased) studied art and became a teacher of drawing and painting at Birmingham and Glenns Falls, N. Y., Lewis- burg, Pa., and other places. Prudence (now deceased) became the wife of John G. Cress- well (now deceased), a baggage master on the Pennsylvania Railroad between Harrisburg and Philadelphia. Harriet N. (now deceased) was an artist engaged in giving lessons in drawing and painting.

George C. Wilson, the youngest of the fam- ily, who died May 13, 1879, was a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted when less than eighteen years of age in Co. I, 5th Pa. Re- serves. After the battle of Antietam he was promoted by Gov. Curtin, for bravery, to lieu- tenant in the 2d Pa. artillery. He was wounded in the Peninsula campaign, and taken prisoner at the battle of Chapen's Farm, spending six months in the military prison at Danville and Salisbury before being exchanged. On his ex- change he was promoted to the rank of captain and was mustered out of service June 8, 1865. After the war he became an editor and journal-

The maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Jeremy Cunningham, was a native of Ireland, who emigrated to this country at an early day, settling in Huntingdon, Pa., where he died at an advanced age. He was a farmer by occupation, a member of the Presbyterian church and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. He married a daughter of Col. John Spencer, an officer in the Revolutionary War, who served on General Washington's staff. The colonel was from the state of Massachu- setts. Of this marriage were born a son and daughter, the latter, Agnes N., being the mother of Dr. Wilson. Mrs. Cunningham died when her daughter was very young. Mr. Cun- ningham subsequently married again and had three sons and three daughters by this second marriage. After her mother's death Agnes N. Cunningham went to live with her maternal grandfather. She early became a member of the Presbyterian church at Alexandria, of which George Wilson was an elder, and the ac- quaintance there formed resulted in their mar- riage. She died at Alexandria, July 24, 1891, aged nearly 89 years, having passed her entire life in that picturesque village. George Wil- son, the father of our subject, held a commis- sion, dated August 3d, 1828, under Governor Shulze for a period of seven years of captain of Pennsylvania infantry.

Dr. James T. Wilson was reared at Alexan- dria, Huntingdon County, receiving a good common school education and later taking a course of training in the commercial college at York, this state, from which institution he was graduated in 1856, when sixteen years of age. He then taught for two winters, while studying in the summer months, after which he became clerk in a store at Pottsville, Pa., where he re- mained one year. Then he secured a position as store keeepr at Pennsylvania Furnace. Here he remained two years when, having attained his majority, he began reading medicine with Dr. Daniel Houtz of Alexandria. Two years later he matriculated at the University of Penn- sylvania and was graduated from that institu-

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 128

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