Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 57

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 57

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Celebration of Semi-Centennial, June II and 12. 1 896

The manner in which Adam Holliday was dispossessed of his land and afterward paid for it by the government is narrated as follows in U. J. Jones "History of the Juniata Valley":

"Thus matters progressed smoothly for a time until unfortunately, a Scotchman named Henry Gordon, in search of land, happened to see and admire his farm. Gordon was a keen shrewd fellow, and in looking over the records of the land office he discovered a flaw or informality in Adam's grant. He imme- diately took advantage of his discovery, and took out a patent for the land. Litigation fol- lowed as a matter of course. Gordon possessed considerable legal acumen, and had withal money and a determined spirit. The case was tried in the courts below and the courts above decided sometimes in favor of one party and sometimes in favor of the other, but eventually resulted in Gordon wresting from Adain Holli -. day and Lazarus Lowry all their land.

"This unfortunate circumstance deeply af- flicted Mr. "Holliday, for he was 'undoubtedly

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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

grossly wronged by the adroitness and cunning of Gordon. But relief came to him when he least expected it. When the Revolutionary war broke out, Gordon was among the very first to sail for Europe, and soon after the council proclaimed him an attainted traitor, and his property was confiscated and brought under the hammer. The circumstances under which he had wrested the property from Holliday were soon known, so that no person would bid, which enabled him to regain the land at a mere nominal price. He then went on and im- proved, and built a house on the bank of the river near where the bridge connects the bor- ough of Hollidaysburg and Gaysport.

"After the ratification of the treaty of peace, Gordon came back to Pennsylvania and claimed his land under its stipulations. He had no difficulty in proving that he had never taken up arms against the colonies and Congress agreed to purchase back his lands. Thereupon the commissioners to adjust claims, after examin- ing the lands reported them worth sixteen dol- lars an acre, and this amount was paid to Adam Holliday, who suddenly found himself the greatest moneyed man in this region, hav- ing in his possession sixteen or seventeen thousand dollars.

He died in 1801, leaving but two heirs, a son and daughter, John and Jane. When his son John received his inheritance he was con- sidered one of the richest men in Huntingdon county. He married a daughter of Lazarus Lowry in 1802 and in 1807 he purchased a farm and located on a farm, the present site of Johnstown. It seems that he laid out the town, and it was named in his honor, but hav- ing no faith in its growth after a few years he sold the land for eight dollars per acre and returned to Hollidaysburg where he engaged in a hotel and store. This was on the diamond where the American house now stands. This property he sold in 1827 to Peter Hewit who kept it up as a public house, store and post office till 1839 when it was removed and the present "American house" was erected.

He died December 20, 1843. To him were born ten children. The lands of both the old

pioneers passed out of the hands of their de- scendants many years ago, and but few of the name are found in the vicinity. The old pioneer Hollidays were public spirited men and took an active part in erecting and equipping the surrounding forts to protect the settlers in cases of Indian raids. They, however, escaped the dangers incident to frontier life, and the bullets from the rifles of their savage foes and lived to see the measure of their years filled up and laid their burdens down to sleep beside the children that they were called upon to part with under indescribably sad circumstances.

Up to this time the town which they founded is the only monument that perpetuates their memory.

The situation of the town on the line of the canal and pike attached to it much commercial and industrial importance; no town in the state seemed to have better and more permanent prospects. No one seemed to have a thought that their public works would ever be aban- doned or superseded by something that would or could divert its trade. This inspired con- fidence, values sprang upward, heavy invest- ments were made, and leading business men were accumulating fortunes. This confidence was encouraged and strengthened when the new county was formed and the town was honored by being made the county seat.

Buildings sprang up on every side. Stores, taverns, dwelling and workshops were encour- aging investments. Every one felt that it was a fortunate circumstance in their career to have some possession here. The population in 1835 was about 1,200. The proprietors at that time who were selling lots were Messrs Elihu Chauncey, Thomas Riddle and Silas Moore. John Walker being their agent. The price of the lots we have not been able to find.

Among the residents from 1835 to 1840, whose names appear as advertisers in business, we note the following :

McCormic Crane & Co., merchants ; S. Jones, superintendent of the Portage railroad; John Davis, hat, boot and shoe merchant; Jonathan Rhule, carpenter; McKee & Hewit, merchants; McFarland, cabinet maker; D. R. Allison,

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doctor; Baldwin, music teacher; A. Brown, tailor; J. Creswell, teacher; James Coffer, doctor ; James Crawfor, attorney at law; Cof- fey & Snyder, druggists; Gideon Mariett, hotel keeper; Thomas McFalls, shoe maker; Samuel Calvin, attorney at law; W. W. Ward, baker.

In accordance with an act of the legislature the court of quarter sessions of Huntingdon county granted letters of incorporation for Hol- lidaysburg, August, 1836, and at the same time ordered an election to be held on the 13th of September of the same year. James Coffey was elected burgess; Suttle F. Henry, David Mitchel, John Walker, William McFarland and Joseph Reed, town council; and Simon Brotherline, constable.

On September 20th, 1836, the new council met at the home of John Daugherty and ap- pointed the following officers: Alexander Mc- Cormick, clerk; James McCahan, treasurer ; Samuel Smith and John Daugherty, street com- missioners; Peter Hewit, assessor; John Mitchel, assistant assessor; John Bingham, Christian Garber and James Crawford, street regulators; Samuel Frampton, John Irwin, A. Brown and James Clossin, firemen; James Clossin, collector. James Coffey, David Mit- chell, S. F. Henry and Joseph Reed were ap- pointed to draft a system of by-laws.

In making necessary improvements the man- agement soon found a debt accumulating which gave them considerable work to reduce. In 1844, after all taxes were paid, there was a debt of $11,508. When it became the county seat in 1846 with Gaysport, it contained a population of about 3,000, with a total of about 560 taxable inhabitants.

On the 19th of June, 1838, and October 7, 1847, and again in June, 1897, the town was visited by destructive floods; the water reach- ing fourteen feet above low water-mark did an immense amount of damage.

The town has had a number of fires, but the most destructive was on the 14th of April, 1880. It originated in a vacated livery stable and was not subdued until it had destroyed about $20,000 worth of property. It was sup- posed to have been the work of an incendiary.

Various attempts were made to organize a fire department but with little success. In 1837 a small engine was purchased for two hundred dollars, which proved to be worthless when it was called out on a practical trial. However, in 1840 a company was organized and by a vote of the citizens the following year two en- gines were purchased. Again in 1871 another was added. These were followed by hook and ladder and hose, so taking all together at the present time the fire department is quite com- plete and efficient.

Water Supply .- An attempt was made as early as 1837 to organize a company to supply the town with water but it failed. It was again agitated in 1854 and failed again. Finally in 1866 it materialized and a spring was tapped on Brush mountain, which supplied the town up to about 1896, when a line of pipes was laid to the head waters of Blair's creek in the noted Blair's gap of the Allegheny. The town now boasts of an abundant supply of the best and purest water attainable.

CHURCHES.

The pioneer settlers were largely of the class that fled from the mother country on account of religious persecution. They sought a home where they could worship God in the way they conceived to be right, without molestation. Being intensely religious, they made provision in their activities for places of worship. As the Hollidays were of the Presbyterian faith and the first to set- tle here, and being men of affairs, they would naturally attract people of their own faith. So it seems that while there were representatives of different denominations, the Presbyterian denomination took the lead. A minister of that faith, Charles Beatty, accompanied John Armstrong in his march against the Indians at Kittanning in 1756. The company rested over Sunday at McCahan's a short distance from the fair ground, where Beatty preached for them, which was doubtless the first religious serv- ice to be held in the vicinity. Then about 1770 another minister of the same faith by

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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

the name of King, preached the first sermon to the residents at the house of William Holliday. Other ministers continued to minister to the spiritual wants of the people at irregular intervals from 1770 up to 1788. About this time the church was organized under the pastorate of Rev. David Baird. The first house was built in 1790, where the cemtery now is. It was destroyed by fire in 1818 and replaced by another which con- tinued in use up to 1836, when a brick edi- fice was erected in town on the corner of Walnut and Clark streets.

In this one the growing congregation con- tinued to worship up to 1868, when it was pronounced unsafe for an assembly of peo- ple. It was dismantled and a new one at a cost of $60,000 was erected on the same site, but it was not fully completed until 1871. The building is large and a fine specimen of architectural beauty. The congregation numbers about 450. The year book shows the following statistical report :

Statistical Report for Year 1908, as Reported to Presbytery.

Elders

Deacons

Added on examination

Added on certificate

Dismissed to other churches. II

Deceased .

Total communicants

330

Adult baptisms

5 6

Infant baptisms

Sabbath School membership.

136

Contributed for Home Missions from all

sources

557.00

$ Contributed for Foreign Missions from all

sources

411.00

Contributed for Education

37.00

Contributed for Sabbath School Work. 32.00

Contributed for Church Erection 30.00

Contributed for Ministerial Relief 91.00

Contributed for Freedmen 82.00

Contributed for Colleges 23.00 Contributed for Temperance

Contributed for General Assembly 32.00

33.00

Contributed for American Bible Society. 10.00

Contributed for Miscellaneous

35.00

Contributed for Congregational 8,156.00

Lutherans .- Members of the Lutheran church were mostly of German extraction, and as the settlers around Hollidaysburg were mostly Scotch-Irish, the German peo-

ple became the more numerous about Frankstown. Among this number were the followers of Martin Luther. They either kept no records or they have been lost so that data is uncertain. About 1824, or per- haps earlier, a minister by the name of Reichart organized a church and the Luth- erans, Tunkers and Minonites united. and built a union house on the hill near where the brick church now stands in Geeseytown. A number of changes took place in the pas- torate and the church prospered. And as many of the members had taken up their residence in Hollidaysburg, a movement was made to organize a church in that place. Accordingly Christian Garber donated a plot of ground, and in 1838 work com- menced on the first Lutheran church in this town. This was during the ministry of Peter Austadt. Henry L. Patterson, Jacob Brumbaugh and John R. Martin composed the building committee. The corner stone was laid May 14, 1838, by Benjamin Kurtz of Baltimore. For a number of years the basement was used as a public school-room. During these years the church prospered and numbered about 450. In 1849, during the ministry of Lloyd Night, the old house was taken down and the new one on the cor- ner of Allegheny and Union streets was built. About 1872 the house and parsonage were remodeled and present a handsome appearance. The church is holding its own among the churches of the town.

Baptists .- The First Baptist church was organized in November, 1833. David Will- iams as minister had charge of the work. Ten members had moved here from Will- iamsburg and these composed the new or- ganization. The work met with encourag- ing progress and in 1836 they erected a small brick house on the corner of Walnut and Union streets. A number of changes were made in the ministerial force and the congregation outgrew their house of wor- ship. Accordingly, in 1846 it was disman- tled and a larger one constructed on the same site. And in 1874 this one was re-

EAST MAIN STREET, LOOKING EAST, ROARING SPRING

PUBLIC SCHOOL AND I. O. O. F. BUILDING ROARING SPRING

ROARING SPRINGS, ROARING SPRING

D. M. BARE PAPER MILL, ROARING SPRING

EAST MAIN STREET, ROARING SPRING

ELDON INN. ROARING SPRING

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modeled and greatly improved. It has had a very healthy and substantial growth under the able and consistent ministers who have served it through these years.

Catholic .- There were few, if any, Catho- lics among the pioneer settlers of this com- munity. Dr. Gallitzin visited here as a missionary about 1796. The few scattered families were visited by priests from a dis- tance. At length it was transferred to the Newry charge which was under the pastoral care of James Bradley. In 1831 Bishop Kenrick consulted with Dr. Gallitzin about the propriety of building a house of wor- ship. Nothing, however, was done in that direction till 1841. During this year James Bradley commenced the building which was completed and dedicated March 17, 1844, Father Heyden performing the ceremony. It continued under the pastorate of James Bradley for one year after dedication. The first resident pastor was R. A. Wilson. He continued but one year and was succeeded bv John C. Brady, who remained till 1848.

The importance of Hollidaysburg as a town and the building of the Portage rail- road attracted a large number of people, among whom were many Catholic families, so that in the course of a few years the church increased to about 700 members. In 1851 a fine brick residence was built as a parsonage.

In 1854 a number of Sisters of Mercy took charge of the schools, for which suitable buildings were erected. In 1868 another brick building was erected, the upper story of which was used for a hall, and the lower for school purposes. A number of changes have taken place in the priesthood, and the church has not greatly prospered in the last forty years.

Among the Catholics of the town were a number of Germans. They were regular attendants at the church, where the English language was used, but not having the sat- isfaction they desired, they proceeded to es- tablish a church where their own language would be used. Joseph and John Barroner,

Meintels, Fuchs, Leib and Rauch and others established a church and built a house of their own. The corner stone was laid on the 27th of November, 1862, and in about one year was ready for dedication. The services were conducted by Rev. Michael Domenec, and George Krichner became the first pastor. In addition to the church, a parsonage and school building were also erected. In 1879 the old school building was superseded by a new and more spacious one made possible by a gift of $4,000, pre- sented by Mrs. Barbara Zanker. A number of changes have occurred in the ranks of the pastors, but the church and schools have prospered.

Methodists .- In 1831 or 32, the Method- ists held their first meeting in the public schoolhouse. Thomas Thornton seems to have been the first preacher. They built the first house of worship in the town, which was in 1833. It was on Walnut street near Front. The present house was built in 1851, and was remodeled in 1873. The first house cost $1,200; the second $4,000; remodeling, $1,500. In 1881 a lot was purchased on Allegheny and Wayne streets, on which a building is to be erected. The itinerary system has caused many changes in the pastorate and through all the church has prospered.

When the Hollidaysburg furnaces stopped operations in 1901 or 2, they were sold to Colonel McLanahan for $2,700. He in turn sold them to Mr. Rosenthal for $3, 100, who proceeded to dismantle them. The ma- chinery that could be utilized for other pur- poses was removed and all other appliances were sold as junk. The work was continued until the place was left as bare as it was before the foundation was laid for these in- dustries that in their day aided very materially to the prosperity of the town.

Although the two rolling-mills are still standing, they have not been in operation for years, and are not likely ever to be. The larger plants with better facilities have made them unprofitable.

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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

GREATER HOLLIDAYSBURG.

If Hollidaysburg did experience a time of decline after the abandonment of the canal, it was kept in a normal state by the con- struction of the iron works. And about the time of their decline the Pennsylvania rail- road commenced to reconstruct and very greatly improve the new Portage railroad, and expanded along the Williamsburg branch to Petersburg in Huntingdon county. This became necessary to relieve the congested freight-traffic across the Allegheny from Altoona. The road was double-tracked and was in every detail an up-to-date road, hav- ing all the devices known and used in mod- ern railroad construction. It was devoted entirely to freight traffic. A yard became a necessity, where loaded cars could be kept, or made up into trains to be shipped to their destinations. Hollidaysburg was selected as a suitable place for the classification yard, a large tract of land extending from Holli- daysburg on the west almost to Franks- town on the east-a distance of three miles. The contract was awarded to the firm of Reiley & Webber, who, with a large force of men, spent about two years in its con- struction. They commenced operations in December, 1903, and finished their contract in the fall of 1905. There is at present about seventy-five miles of track laid, but when fully completed the yard will contain 180 miles. The length is three miles and its width will admit of sixty tracks. It is what is known in railroad parlance as a gravity yard. The switchmen adjust the tracks, a few brakemen control the cars, and without use of shifting engines they find their place by the force of gravity. A large roundhouse was also erected for the shelter and temporary repair of engines. It has a capacity of twenty-four, and is found to be inadequate to the demand.

As much of the coal mined at Windburn, Somerset county, by the Berwind White coal company is shipped over this road, that company has also erected shops for the re-

pairing of their cars, and laid out a small town plot for the accommodation of their employes. The place gives employment to about 200 men, and the number is likely to be increased when the yard is fully de- veloped.

YOUNG LADIES' SEMINARY.

Hollidaysburg contains a young ladies' seminary which is at the present time con- ducted under the presidency of Mrs. Char- lotte Comstock Gray, who leased it for a period of five years. A description of the building and the purpose of the institution is well described in her catalogue, which she kindly furnished and to which we are in- debted for the following facts, largely quoted :

Hollidaysburg, the borough city of Blair county, Pennsylvania, was named for two brothers, Adam and William Holliday, who first settled here in 1768. They could not have chosen a more beautiful place anywhere, nor in a more healthful region.

The town lies on the Beaver Dam Branch of the historic Juniata river, where "roved the Indian girl" of long ago, and upon one of the foot-hills of the beautiful Allegheny mountains, about twelve hundred feet above sea level. One, therefore, walks through its streets with grand and inspiring mountain scenery in every direction. Near by, and facing the Seminary building, are the picturesque Chimney Rocks, towering skyward; Kittanning Point, the Al- legripus, the Wopsononock and other points of interest, familiar to artists and travelers, are not far distant. Surely in such a locality as this, mankind should have high aims and noble impulses.

The Rev. D. H. Barron, D. D., pastor of the Presbyterian church in Hollidaysburg, seems to have felt this, when, in 1866, he preached an earnest sermon, the result of which was the formation of a stock company and the pur- chase of a fine piece of ground, consisting of about five acres, upon which to erect a build- ing for eductional purposes. Huge blocks of brown stone were taken from the lot itself, and

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

were carefully and solidly piled up three and four stories high, in order to form an en- durable structure. When completed it was one hundred and fifty feet long and reached back many more feet, being shaped like a letter "T." The reception room, the office, the read- ing room, the library, the drawing room and numerous class rooms are on the first floor. The main entrance also leads directly into the fine assembly hall, which has always been so much appreciated. Beneath this, but entirely above ground, is the large dining room. The first floor ceilings are fourteen feet high, and the halls are wide, with four stairways leading to the upper rooms.

The building was completed in 1869, when the school, which had been started in 1866, was at once moved to its permanent home. Boys were admitted for only one year, after which time it became strictly a young ladies' semin- ary, the far-reaching influence of which can never be fully estimated.

So great has been the growth of the town, that this building, reported in the earlier cata- logues and encyclopedias as being "on the borders of the place, facing south," now seems to stand in the centre of Hollidaysburg, con- spicuously occupying almost an entire block, and is conveniently reached by the electric cars from Altoona, which pass by the grounds at short intervals. The trees planted so long ago have become large and stately, and the ivy vines have crept over almost the entire build- ing ; piazzas have also been added to the ex- terior. Inside, stoves gave place to registers for furnace heat, and these have in their turn yielded to steam radiators. Both gas and elec- tricity are used to light the building.

New and beautiful furniture has also been added during these last years, costly pictures, and a very valuable library.

The school stands for culture, on broad lines, the making of a grand and beautiful woman- hood, the basis of which is believed to be obedience to an educated conscience, devotion to truth, and earnest desires to walk in the best ways. Every endeavor is made to surround the young ladies with such influences as shall

fit them for future responsibilities and well- doing. Unless there are good reasons for being excused, each pupil is required to attend some church service every Sabbath day.

The Presbyterian church, on the east side of the grounds, which we may consider the birth place of the school, has recently been beautifully and artistically re-decorated, and is thought by many to be the handsomest Presby- terian church in this section of the country. It, indeed, rivals many large city churches.

The Baptist church, on the west side, is just as near, with an earnest pastor and a working membership.

One square away stands the Lutheran church, with open doors for all who prefer to worship there, and two squares distant is the Methodist Episcopal church, where both pastor and people will give everyone a hearty wel- come. The same is true of St. John's Re- formed church, with its new edifice and earnest membership. The United Brethren also have a society here, and the "Church of God." There are two Roman Catholic churches in town.

Every Sabbath for the past two and more years, there has been a Protestant Episcopal church service held in the seminary hall, with a fine choir. Students may attend, with a teacher, any church their parents desire.

Especial attention is given in the primary and intermediate departments in preparing the pupils for the more advanced courses, adapting the work in each case to the needs of the in- dividual.

The college preparatory course is such as is usual in schools, and is designed to fit young ladies for our best colleges. This school is especially adapted to such purpose, as it stands for an earnest Christian womanhood and for good work.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 57

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