Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 49

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 49

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On Aug. 7, 1858, the following gentlemen

met in the office of Thomas Burchinel, then foreman of carpenters in the Pennsylvania railroad shops, for the purpose of consider- ing the establishment of a library and place of lectures: Thomas Sergeant, David Gal- braith, G. W. Sparks, A. A. Smythe, B. F. Custer, L. C. Brastow, F. Rosenberg, C. P. Hostetter and Robert Pitcairn. They ef- fected a temporary organization by the elec- tion of Thomas Burchinel as president and Robert Pitcairn secretary. A committee on by-laws was appointed, consisting of Sar- gent, Brastow, Custer, Hostetter and Pit- cairn.

Another meeting was held on September 13 of the same year, when a permanent or- ganization was effected by the election of Thomas Burchinel president (Thomas A. Scott was also nominated but his name was withdrawn) ; Rev. A. B. Clark, vice presi- dent; B. F. Rose, secretary ; D. T. Caldwell, treasurer, and C. V. B. Kennedy, librarian. The following board of directors was also elected : Thomas B. Sargeant, C. P. Hos- tetter, Charles R. McCrea, Louis C. Bras- tow, Clement Jaggard and Dr. D. R. Good.

These pioneers of things social and intel- lectual in the community were men of ac- tion, and the new project grew apace in their hands. The minutes recorded by a hand long since moulded into dust does not make very clear how many books they had collected, but on Saturday evening, Nov. 13, 1858, the library was formally opened in the

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old Pennsylvania railroad buildings across the tracks from the present ticket office at Thirteenth street, that was used as offices for the master mechanic, shop clerk and oth- ers. Whether they had accumulated. any books or not, they had evidently made ar- rangements for lectures, as upon this occa- sion the Rev. A. B. Clark, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, the building which is now used as a home for the library, deliv- ered a lecture on "The Study of History." The Rev. Dr. Clark was a very gifted gen- tleman, and did much for the institutions of the village.

The new library became the intellectual center of the community, and a room over the old ticket office at Thirteenth street was secured and it was established there. By 1860 its officers thought it worth while to secure a charter of incorporation. The charter, signed by Thomas Baldrige, clerk of the Blair county courts, was granted May 3, 1860, with the following incorporators: Thomas Sargent, B. F. Custer, C. R. Mc- Rea, D. F. Caldwell, D. Galbraith, A. D. Cherry, C. B. Kennedy, Ambrose Ward, William C. McCormick, Charles J. Mann and Richard Gill.

Among those active in the formation of the library whose name does not appear in the roster of officers or incorporators, is James B. Bowman, who has been associated with it from the beginning to the present time. It is said that he first made the sug- gestion for the starting of the library. He found a box in the attic of the office in which he worked containing some books and he and Richard Gill, taking the matter in hand, found in the office of Ambrose Ward, general car inspector, an old book case, into which they placed the books, and from this the library had its beginning. He, however, took no active part in its organi- zation.

For twenty-five years the library had its home in the room above the ticket office, and there were to be found on its shelves all the English classics in literature and al-

most any work on practical mechanics or railroading then in existence. The library was established and sustained largely by the generosity of the railroad company and its officials, but was open and is to this day, to any one in the community who would pay the small annual fee and there are many men today who have attained considerable mental development, who owe it all to the books that were made accessible to them because of its existence. To the boy or girl in the community forty years ago, who had any desire to dip into the sea of knowledge as recorded in printed books, the library was a godsend. It opened to them the ave- nues of life and widened the vistas of imag- ination that made their narrow environment a different world, and numbers of them have always felt that they owed an everlast- ing debt of gratitude to the men who brought it into existence.

But forty years have wondrously devel- oped the library. In the making of books there is no end, and the library authorities have kept pace with the times. When Miss Elizabeth L. Snyder, the present efficient librarian, entered upon her duties, some twenty years ago, there were but 8,000 vo !- umes on its shelves. Now there are 50,000. Its quarters were moved to the Logan house in 1885, when the old ticket office was torn away, and on June 9, 1900, it was moved into the building abandoned by the First Presbyterian congregation, when the new edifice was erected. The building, a large, two-story structure, was remodeled to suit the purposes of the library.

In some respects it is a unique collection of books. The Pennsylvania railroad com- pany has always borne a large part of its maintenance and naturally it has been a center for the collection of publications hav- ing to do with railroad construction, main- tenance and history of all departments, and as a matter of fact, there is no other library in the country, if in the world that can compare with it in this respect. Railroad experts desiring special information, fre-

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quently come to Altoona to secure from the shelves of the Mechanics' library matter that can be obtained nowhere else. Be- sides the tremendous advantage given to local railroad men in having at hand any text book that they may need, as a general library embracing the best of the world's literature, this admirable institution has few superiors, and the young people of the com- munity are singularly fortunate in having it at hand. Special membership rates are given school children and apprentices, so that its treasures are accessible for a nomi- nal sum.

The present membership of the library, including honorary members, shareholders, Pennsylvania railroad pensioners and school children, is about 1,500. The re- ceipts during the past year amounted to $3,570.37, and over 2,000 new books were added to the shelves. The records show that each member on the average draws from the library thirty-eight volumes per year, and the librarians handle approxi- mately 350 volumes per day average. The periodical list, which numbers over 200 pub- lications, is well chosen and of a very high class, including the very best published, of both general and scientific literature.

The officers for 1909-10 are as follows : President, George W. Creighton, general superintendent Pennsylvania railroad; vice president, Dr. E. D. Nelson ; secretary, W. C. Leet; treasurer, Frank Hastings; audi- tors, G. M. Ellsworth, W. C. Stearns and W. O. Dunbar ; directors, Dr. C. B. Dudley, W. T. Miller, A. C. Davis, Dr. W. S. Ross, Rev. Morgan M. Sheedy, LL. D., J. S. Lei- senring, Esq., and H. H. Baish, superinten- dent of the Altoona schools. Mr. Leet has held the position of secretary for more than thirty years, and the institution owes much to his indefatigueable efforts in its beha'f.

PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

The first meeting having for its object the organization of the christian railroad men

of Altoona into an association was held in the basement of the First Lutheran church on the evening of Feb. 24, 1876, and was presided over by Mr. Lang Sheaff, who had visited Altoona in September, 1875, as rep- resentative of the international committee of the Young Men's Christian association for the purpose of holding a religious meet- ing in the interest of railroad employes. Leading to this meeting a series of Sunday afternoon meetings had been held, begin- ning with Oct. 10, 1875, in the Methodist chapel at Seventh avenue and Twenty- fourth street, concluding with one in the city opera house on- Feb. 20, 1875, when, after due consideration, the consensus of opinion was that it would be advisable to effect an organization, into which as many of the rail- road employes as had been reached through the Sunday meetings and otherwise might be banded together in Christian fellowship, believing that such an organization in addi- tion to the work of their own churches, would strengthen them spiritually and would open to them an avenue for useful- ness which they might not otherwise ob- tain. Engineer Simon Hawk of the middle division was the leader of the first meeting held in the Methodist chapel.

John L. Williams of the railroad company storehouse, was secretary of the organiza- tion meeting held on February 24. After discussing the advisability of forming an as- sociation and as to the best manner of or- ganizing the same, it was decided to post- pone action until later. The next meeting was held in the same place on February 27, and the vote relative to the form of organi- zation was as follows: For becoming a railroad branch of the Young Men's Chris- tian association of Altoona, 395; for uniting with the said association, 26; for a separate organization, 164; total number of votes, 583.

The next meeting was Feb. 28, 1876, and was held in the basement of the First Baptist church, and was for the purpose of adopting the constitution and by-laws and the election

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of officers. Edmund Murphy presided. It was decided that, inasmuch as it was necessary to have the approval of the Young Men's Christian association of Altoona to become a branch of their association, until such approval was granted, the association would be known as the Railroad Men's Christian association of Altoona. A constitution and by-laws were adopted. It might be added here that the idea of becoming a branch of the Young Men's Christian association was never carried out.

The following officers were chosen for the first year: President, George F. Jones; vice presidents, Flemon Trout, Simon Hawk, John H. Carr; treasurer, W. A. Adams; recording secretary, John L. Williams; corresponding secretary, T. B. Patton; chairman of committee on rooms, C. N. Pimlott; on entertainments, Thomas W. Cole; on library and lectures, J. A. Rakestraw; visitation of sick, E. J. Skelly; finance, W. A. Shuster; membership, H. J. Aukerman; reception, Joseph Carl; devotional, Edmund Murphy; churches, H. D. Whitmer.

The committee appointed to secure rooms re- ported that the room on the second story of Mr. Jaggard's building, at the corner of Eleventh avenue and Thirteenth street, had been secured. They were authorized to have the room properly furnished and ready for use as soon as possible. A meeting of the execu- tive committee was held in Jaggard's hall March 6, 1876, followed by another on March 9th, at which the lease for the renting of the room was read and approved. The secretary was instructed to communicate with the Young Men's Christian association of Altoona and advise them that the railroad men had per- fected their organization, and that they re- quested that they might be recognized as a branch of the said association. The committee on rooms were authorized to purchase certain furniture and fixtures, the property of the lodge of Red Men who had previously occu- pied the hall rented by the association.

At a meeting held March IIth, action was taken toward the dedication of the rooms, and the secretary instructed to extend an invitation to the ministers of the city to be present. It

was ordered that a janitor be employed for the rooms. The dedication of the rooms oc- curred on the evening of March 16, 1876, and was opened by a voluntary by the choir of the First Lutheran church under the direction of Mr. H. L. Delo. This was followed by the singing of the hymn, "What Shall the Harvest Be?" prayer by J. L. Williams, and the read- ing of the 84th Psalm by the Rev. Henry Baker, pastor of the First Lutheran church.

Letters were read by the corresponding sec- retary from A. J. Cassatt, vice president of the Pennsylvania railroad; James A. McCrea, su- perintendent Middle division; Robert Pitcairn, superintendent Pittsburg division; Lang Sheaff and Henry W. Stager, of Cleveland, Ohio; O. R. Stockwell, of Erie, and Rev. James Curns, of this city, expressing their regrets at not being able to be present. Mr. Delo then sang the "Ninety and Nine." Addresses were made by President Jones, Richard Woods, John L. Williams, Flemon Trout, Charles E. Hoover, D. G. Weidle, H. D. Whitmer, H. L. Delo and others, after which the exercises were closed with the benediction, pronounced by the Rev. Henry Baker.

On Jan. 15, 1881, a committee of three was appointed to confer with General Superin- tendent Charles E. Pugh of the Pennsylvania railroad, relative to securing an increase of ap- propriation with a view of employing a general secretary. A conference was held on Feb. 8, 1882, the association realizing that the work could not be successfully prosecuted for a longer period without having such an officer. Mr. Pugh gave assurance that the company would be willing to pay a reasonable amount towards such an object, and on Feb. 18, 1882, H. J. Aukerman, who had been identified with the association since its organization, an em- ploye of the passenger car shop, was unani- mously elected general secretary. He assumed the duties of the office on March 1, 1882, and has held that position continuously, up to the present time. To Mr. Aukerman's indefati- gable efforts is due much of the success that has crowned the efforts of the association among the railroad men of the city. In January.

UNIVERSITY CLUB, ALTOONA

FIRE STATION NO. 5. ALTOONA

MECHANICS' LIBRARY, ALTOONA

EITH

EAGLE HOME, ALTOONA

ORPHEUM THEATRE, ALTOONA

ELKS' BUILDING, ALTOONA

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1887, application was made by Messrs. Neff & Hicks, attorneys at law, on behalf of the association, to the court of Blair county, pray- ing for a charter of incorporation for the as- sociation, which was shortly afterwards granted by Hon. John Dean, president judge of Blair county.

In 1902 the owners of the Jaggard building, which has always been the home of the asso- ciation, remodeled the structure and much larger quarters were provided, it occupying the entire second floor. The larger quarters en- abled the association to establish a gymnasium which has been well equipped with the most modern apparatus. A. Russell Aukerman, son of the general secretary, has been physical di- rector of the gymnasium since its establish- ment in 1902.

The activities of the association cover a wide field. Meetings of a religious character are constantly held, while lectures and practical talks of instruction and interest to aid men in becoming better qualified to fill positions of trust in railroad service, and educational classes in mechanical drawing, telegraphy and other branches are conducted throughout the winter season. In the quarters is a large reading room supplied with daily papers, weekly and monthly, scientific, secular and religious peri- odicals. The library contains over 1,500 vol- umes. The aim of the association is to stimulate a taste for reading and lead the members to become connected with the great mechanics' library in the city. In the line of social work, receptions, entertainments and socials of a high order are held frequently during the winter months. The association maintains a branch at South Altoona where there is a well- equipped reading room, and the Juniata asso- ciation was established as a branch of the Al- toona association. The present membership is approximately 800. The receipts during the past year were $4,644.12, while the expenses were $3,947.45. In connection with the asso- ciation there is a ladies' auxiliary, the mem- bers of which assist in the religious and social work.

The present roster of officers is as follows:

President, E. M. Dougherty; vice president, George W. Lynn; recording secretary, C. O. Lundegren; assistant recording secretary, H. H. Brashears ; treasurer, J. R. Bingaman; gen- eral secretary H. J. Aukerman ; trustees, W. D. McKelvey, chairman; M. J. Davis, G. M. Steward, F. A. Bell, A. T. Heintzelman and J. R. Bingaman; directors, E. M. Dougherty, J. R. Bingaman, E. R. Hunter, John H. Gray, A. T. Leffard, S. W. Attig, W. J. Dunmire, C. O. Lundegren, G. W. Lynn, Calvin Stouch, A. H. Stackhouse, H. H. Brashears, J. B. Krider, H. E. Ressler and John W. Hess.

The following have served as presidents of the association since its organization: George F. Jones, W. T. Miller, William W. Burbank, George W. Arthur, G. N. Anderson, T. Blair Patton, W. P. Moore, A. C. Shand, M. G. Hammel, W. P. Moore, John S. Hoover, R. O. Baird, M. J. Davis, E. G. White, M. G. Fleck, A. C. Lucas, J. W. Walker and E. M. Dougherty.

YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF ALTOONA.

This association was organized April 5, 1906, and incorporated the following Septem- ber. The organization meeting was held in the Christ Reformed church and was presided over by Miss Batty, territorial secretary, through whose untiring efforts the association became possible. The first board of managers consisted of the following persons: Mrs. M. W. Thomson, Mrs. R. J. Hillis, Mrs. Heaton Baker, Mrs. D. K. Ramey, Mrs. S. M. Sellers, Mrs. Edwin M. Amies, Mrs. W. Brooke Moore, Mrs. S. P. Smith and Mrs. N. A. Stine, and Misses Anna McCauley, Henrietta Leisenring, Margaret Ross, Clair Shomberg, Cora Bowers and Elizabeth Bunker. From these the following officers were elected : President, Mrs. M. W. Thomson; first vice president, Mrs. Heaton Baker; second vice president, Miss Cora Bowers; third vice presi- dent, Miss Margaret Ross; fourth vice presi- dent, Miss Anna McCauley; recording secre- tary, Miss Henrietta Leisenring, treasurer, Miss Elizabeth Bunker.

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The association's first quarters were two rooms in the Christy block, at Eleventh avenue and Thirteenth street, and they were opened on May 10, 1906, with Miss Leona Mac- George, general secretary in charge. These rooms soon proved to be too small and in the following September were vacated and posses- sion taken of the large and well appointed fourth floor of the Mateer building. Here rooms were provided for office, gymnasium, kitchen, lunch room, library, reception room, in addition to class rooms for Bible study, English, French, German, Shakespeare, mil- linery, dressmaking, plain sewing and domestic science. The association from the start was welcomed by the community and made rapid advance along all lines, until Jan. 14, 1908, when by a disastrous fire, it lost everything in the way of furnishings and records, except a part of the membership enrollment. Appalled but not disheartened, temporary quarters were at once secured in the Central Trust company's building, which were occupied until the follow- ing September when the fourth floor of the Mateer building was again ready for occupancy. Owing to the fire and the business depression there was a considerable decrease in member- ship, but the association is now on a firm foot- ing, with a faithful and growing membership. It is the earnest desire of those who are closely connected with the work of the association, that before long they may have a home of their own. A very important part of the work done has been that conducted at the Altoona silk mill, which at the end of three years and a half practically amounts to a branch asso- ciation.

The officers for 1908-09 are as follows: President, Mrs. S. M. Sellers ; first vice presi- dent, Mrs. John Kemmerling; second vice president, Mrs. William Hahman; third vice president, Miss Margaret Ross; fourth vice president, Mrs. Charles H. Ewing; secretary, Miss Cora Bowers; treasurer, Miss Elizabeth Bunker; general secretary, Miss Pearl S.

Candell; physical director, Miss Dorris M. Thornley.

WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.

The Blair county union was organized at Tipton in September, 1884, with Miss Sallie Dysart of Tipton as the first president. The county organization is composed of delegates representing eight local unions existing in as many different towns of the county, including that of Altoona. The present officers are : President, Mrs. Harvey E. Ressler; vice presi- dent, Mrs. H. E. Betz; recording secretary, Mrs. M. J. Elder; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Charles Hartzell; treasurer, Mrs. Annie Flanagan.

The Altoona union was organized in the First Lutheran church in the fall of 1880 by Mrs. Annie Whittenmeyer of Philadelphia. The officers were as follows: Mrs. Martha A. Dysart; Mrs. N. J. Walker, now of Seattle, Wash .; secretary, Mrs. Mary Kitt, now de- ceased, and treasurer, Mrs. George W. Kessler, deceased. The present officers are as follows : President, Mrs. Sarah Bradley ; vice president, Mrs. Anna Kerr; recording secretary, Mrs. Blanche Sadler; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Annie Flanagan; treasurer, Mrs. H. E. Betz.

This earnest body of women has accom- plished many things in the way of the enforce- ment of laws having in view the betterment of the conditions of women and children. They have caused seats to be placed in stores for use of clerks when not engaged, as required by law; they have secured the teaching of scien- tific temperance in the public schools and the enforcement of the law's with reference to the use of endorsed textbooks on this subject ; they have secured public drinking fountains and have presented them to the city of Altoona; they were instrumental in securing the passing of a curfew ordinance, and they have at all times worked energetically for all needed re- forms in the city.

CHAPTER XXIV.

FRATERNAL ORDERS OF ALTOONA.

The Masons, Odd Fellows, Elks, Red Men, Maccabees and Other Secret Societies-The G. A. R. -Sons of Veterans-Labor Organizations-Gun Clubs-Musical Societies, Etc.

THE MASONS.

Altoona is pre-eminently a city of frater -- nal orders. Almost every organization of this kind has one or more lodges in the city and more are being added each year. With few exceptions the membership is large and all are in a flourishing financial condition. Many of them, including the Masons, Shrin- ers, Odd Fellows, Elks, Knights of Pythias, Improved Order of Red Men, Fraternal Or- der of Eagles, Patriotic Order Sons of America, Moose and Order of Owls, own their own homes, embracing some of the finest buildings in the city. Those which do not own homes have commodious quarters in the best buildings. In Altoona the lodge takes the place of the social club found in other cities and the spirit of fraternity, nur- tured by the various organizations, is strong among the people of the city.

Masonry is represented here by three blue lodges, a chapter, council and comman- dery. Mountain lodge No. 281 was consti- tuted Dec. 8, 1853, and has now a member- ship of 280, the present officers being as follows: W. M., Henry H. Baish; S. W., William J. Smith; J. W., Frank A. Hersh; treasurer, David S. Keith; secretary, Tim- othy Davis; representative, Boyd G. Steel; S. D., Charles W. Wood; J. D., Guy L. Freet ; chaplain, Herman L. Delo; S. M. C., William E. Corman; J. M. C., D. Lloyd Glaycomb; pursuivant, David G. Hurley ;

tyler, Harry W. Swoope; trustees, Moses H. Canan, William F. Eberle, George W. Kuebler; charity committee, David S. Keith, William E. McKee, George H. Wray; stewards, Homer M. - Singiser, Joseph M. Howe; furniture committee, John C. Peightal, Paul C. Moore, Harry M. Steckman.

Logan lodge was constituted May 1, 1871, and has now a membership of 298, the pres- ent officers being as follows: W. M., Stephen K. Harkness; S. W., Harry E. Gamble ; J. W., George B. Koch ; treasurer, Clarence J. Keifer; secretary, Samuel B. Trees; representative, Wilson Turner; trustees, James White, George A. Houser, William W. Blake ; S. D., Alonza D. Houck ; J. D., John J. McMurray ; chaplain, Thomas W. Hurd; S. M. C., Henry H. Detrick ; J. M. C., Henry H. Langdon; pursuivant, Harry R Cozzens; tyler, Harry W. Swoope.

Hiram lodge was constituted June 22, 1898, and now has a membership of 129. The officers are as follows: W. M., Harry A. Brenaman; S. W., Harry J. Markey; J. W., Harry M. Wharton; treasurer, John M. Skyles ; secretary, Raymond H. Hughes ; chaplain, Lester C. Smith ; S. D., Harry Os- man; J. D., Frank G. McKillip; S. M. C., Joseph Slutzker; J. M. C., Charles W. Gross; pursuivant, Harry L. Dyer; tyler, Harry W. Swoope; representative, Oscar G. Irvin; trustees, William D. Canan,

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Harry Slutzker, Harry E. Long; stewards, George Russell, L. Banks Selmer.

Mountain Royal Arch Chapter No. 189 was constituted Sept. 28, 1858, with a mem- bership of seventeen, and it now has a mem- bership of 352. Edmund H. Turner, a for- mer mayor of the city, was the first high priest. The roster of officers for 1910 is as follows: High priest, John B. Wilson; king, John C. Nugent; scribe, George J. Carnill; treasurer, Robert C. Wilson; sec- retary, Timothy Davis; chaplain, David S. Keith; C. of H., Samuel C. Walker; P. S., Joseph S. Wakefield; R. A. C., John C. Peightal; M. of 3V, Harry M. Steckman; M. of 2V, Andrew W. McNeal; M. of IV, Walter L. Oswald; S. M. C., Frank A. Hersh; J. M. C., John J. McMurray ; pur- suivant, Charles C. Bange ; tyler, Harry W. Swoope; organist, Herman L. Delo; guide, William J. Smith; trustees, M. H. Canan, Wilson A. Turner, John Dowling; stew- ards, John C. Peightal, D. Howard Craw- ford.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 49

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