Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 70

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 70

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Dr. Garver married Miss Ella Bare, a daughter of D. M. Bare, a very prominent resident of Roaring Spring, and they have three children: Ivan E, Russell B. and Vera E. Dr. and Mrs. Garver are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. For twenty-four consecutive years he has been a member of the school board, and has served as president, secretary and treasurer. Fra- ternally he is an Odd Fellow and a very active member of the order. He is identified with Model Lodge No. 856, of Roaring Spring, and for twenty-one years has been its treasurer and has filled other official po- sitions.

WILLIAM McKILLIP, a representative business man of Hollidaysburg, Pa., con- ducting a large general store at No. 324 Al- legheny Street, came here and embarked in his present successful enterprise in May, 1891. He was born February 27, 1850, in the same log house on the old homestead farm situated in Frankstown Township, Blair County, Pa., in which his father came

into the world and which was built by his grandfather, William McKillip.

David McKillip, father of the present bearer of the name of William McKillip, was born in February, 1812, and died in Sep- tember, 1884. His father was William Mc- Killip, who came to Pennsylvania from Ire- land and entered the first of his land in Frankstown Township, Blair County, in 1792. To the original tract he kept adding until he had acquired considerable property, divided into two farms. He built first a cabin on the lower place and later, after the building of the first turnpike in the town- ship, a substantial log house took the place of the cabin, and still later a better house after the completion of the Philadelphia and Pittsburg turnpike road, and this, in turn, was supplanted by a commodious brick resi- dence put up by his grandson and namesake. Through inheritance and purchase, David McKillip came into possession of the home farm and passed his life there. He married Jane Elliott, who died in 1872, at the age of fifty-seven years. She was a daughter of George Elliott, one of the old residents of Frankstown Township. Seven children were born to this marriage, three of whom survived into mature years, and of these William is the only survivor. Ruth and Samuel Davis were the others and the for- mer was the wife of J. L. Moore of Altoona.

William McKillip spent a busy and use- ful boyhood on the home farm and attended the district schools. He remained with his father until he was twenty-two years of age and then entered the employ of Wood, Mor- rell & Co., at Frankstown, Pa., as a clerk, and remained with that firm for six years, later being transferred to Henrietta, where they had a store. In the spring of 1891 he same to Hollidaysburg and embarked in a general mercantile business, putting in a fine stock of first class goods and establish- ing a high standard of excellence in the same, to which he has adhered ever since. Mr. McKillip still owns the old homestead of 144 acres, situated in Frankstown Town-

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ship, and another farm of 145 acres. He is a Republican and has been more or less active in politics ever since locating at Hollidays- burg, and at one time was elected burgess but subsequently resigned the office.

On April 2, 1878, Mr. McKillip was mar- ried to Miss Mary E. Cunningham, a daugh- ter of the late George W. and Rebecca (Jones) Cunningham, and they have three children: Homer C., Rebecca M. and Blair L. Homer C. McKillip was educated at Juniata College and in a business school at Altoona, after which he learned the machin- ist trade with the McLanahan-Stone Ma- chine Company and is now employed in the air-brake department of the machine shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Altoona. He is now serving in his second year as tax collector, having been elected on the Republican ticket. Rebecca M. is a highly cultured and thoroughly educated and accomplished lady. She graduated from the High School and later from the Williamsport Seminary, where she won a scholarship in the Woman's College at Bal- timore, where she was subsequently gradu- ated. Miss McKillip is now serving as sec- retary of the Y. W. C. A. at Pittsburg. Blair L. McKillip graduated from the Holly High School and spent one year at the Will- iamsburg Seminary and four years at Syra- cuse University, at Syracuse, N. Y., where he was graduated in mechanical engineer- ing, and is now with the Westinghouse Company at Pittsburg.

Mr. McKillip has been identified with the Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 119, since 1873; belongs to the K. G. E., at Martinsburg ; to Juniata Lodge No. 282, F. & A. M., at Hol- lidaysburg; the Artisans and the Hepta- sophs, both at Hollidaysburg. With his family he belongs to the Presbyterian church.

SAMUEL C. TUSSEY, a prominent and substantial citizen of Gaysport, Pa., where he has resided since 1884, has been resident of this county since 1867. He has been identified

since coming here with the best interests of the borough, and still retains the ownership of his two valuable farms, aggregating 370 acres .. He comes of an old Huntingdon County family, and was born in that county January 31, 1844, a son of Robert and Dorothy (Harnish) Tus- sey.

Robert Tussey was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., a son of David Tussey, who, with brother, John Tussey, and a sister, came from Scotland and settled in Pennsylvania, dying at Sinking Valley. The family has been an agri- cultural one. Robert Tussey married Dorothy Harnish, of German extraction and born in Huntingdon County. Of their children two sons and four daughters survive, namely: Rob- ert J., residing at Alexander, Pa .; Lillian, a public school teacher at Altoona; Caroline, wife of George W. Moore, of Altoona; Susan, wife of William Irwin, of Philipsburg, Pa .; Laura, wife of William Isett, of Philadelphia, and Samuel C.

Samuel C. Tussey attended the district schools in Huntingdon county and grew to manhood there. He was twenty years of age when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, at Hollidaysburg, entering the 9th Pa. Cav., which became a part of the gallant Gen. Kil- patrick's command, which was incorporated with Gen. Sherman's army. Mr. Tussey par- ticipated in the march from Atlanta to the sea and took part in much of the military activity that marked the closing months of that great civil struggle. He was one of four troopers in Kilpatrick's cavalry, who were designated to act as an escort to the officers who took part in the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston, at Durham, N. C., on April 26. He was thus a witness at this historic event. He was hon- orably discharged at Lexington, North Caro- lina, and from there returned to Huntingdon County, where he resided until 1867, when he moved to the Loop, in Frankstown Township, Blair County. For seventeen years the family resided there and during that period, at various times Mr. Tussey served as a member of the school board and as assessor. Since coming to Gaysport, in 1884, he has been an equally use-

SAMUEL C. TUSSEY

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ful citizen and has served several terms as a member of the borough council. Politically he is a Republican.

In Huntingdon County, January 18, 1866, Mr. Tussey was married to Miss Annie Hile- man, a native of that county, and a daughter of William and Barbara (Good) Hileman, the former of whom was born in Huntingdon County and the latter in what is now Blair County. The maternal grandfather, Peter Good, came here from Hagerstown, Md., and was of German descent. Mrs. Tussey has one surviving brother and one surviving sister: Harry Hileman, who resides at Roaring Springs, Pa., and Amanda, who is the wife of James Riddle of the same place.

Mr. and Mrs. Tussey have had eleven chil- dren, eight of whom survive: Harry H., re- siding at Wayne, Pa .; Susan, living at Holli- daysburg; Robert Irvin, residing in Franks- town Township; Dorothea G., wife of Joseph J. Moore, of Blair Township; Bertha, wife of William Rob of Altoona; Jay C., a resident of Hollidaysburg; Samuel S. and Clara A., living at home at Gaysport. Mr. and Mrs. Tussey attend the Lutheran church at Hollidaysburg. They usually spend the winter seasons at Alva, Fla., where they have a southern home which has many pleasant features.

AMOS O. TAYLOR, M. D., who has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine at Altoona, Pa., since 1895, is one of the leading physicians and prominent citizens of this borough. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., in 1852, and was there reared and obtained his early edu- cational training. His knowledge of the medical profession was obtained at the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadel- phia, from which institution he graduated with the class of 1883. He immediately thereafter embarked in the practice of medi- cine at Bedford, Pa., where he carried on an extensive practice until 1895, at which time he removed to Altoona, Pa., where he commands a large and lucrative patronage and enjoys the esteem and confidence of his

fellow citizens. He is a member of the County, State and American Medical Socie- ties, is a liberal contributor to the Medical Journal, and is a member of the medical staff of the Mercy Hospital. Dr. Taylor is a Knight Templar Mason and Shriner, and also holds membership with the Logan Lodge, Knights of Pythias, for which he is examining physician.

In 1882 Dr. Taylor was united in marriage with Margaret Paul of Westmoreland County, Pa., and of their union have been born the following children: Susan O .; Agnes; James S., of Princeton University, who is now attending medical lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia ; and S. Paul, who attends the Altoona High School. The family holds membership with the First Presbyterian Church.

LEVI H. BRUMBAUGH, whose well improved farm of II0 acres lies in North Woodbury Township, Blair County, Pa., is a prominent resident of this section and is a member of one of the old township families. He was born in this township, in November, 1858, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Hoover) Brumbaugh, and a grandson of Rev. George Brumbaugh, at one time a prominent minister in the Dunkard Church. Both parents of Mr. Brumbaugh are de- ceased, his father passing away when he was a boy.

Levi H. Brumbaugh has practically spent all his life in his native township. Farming and its kindred industries have interested him, and his own property he has improved with attractive buildings and has placed it under so high a state of cultivation that it is probably valued as high as any land in the township.

Mr. Brumbaugh was married in August, 1881, to Miss Fannie Rhodes, a daughter of the late Daniel G. Rhodes, and a sister of S. S. Rhodes, a prominent resident of Curry- ville. Mr. and Mrs. Brumbaugh have two daughters, A. Grace and Ada C., both of whom are highly educated young ladies and

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successful teachers. Mr. Brumbaugh and family are members of the Church of the Brethren, Clover Creek congregation, of which he is treasurer.

The Hoover family, to which the mother of Mr. Brumbaugh belonged, is a numerous one in Pennsylvania, and it is also a repre- sentative one in regard to thrift and general worth. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Brumbaugh was Jacob P. Hoover, who was once a prominent man in North Woodbury Township, a deacon in the Dunkard church and one whose judgment was frequently consulted as he was considered a very able business man. The grandfathers on both sides have long since passed from earth, but their influence is still felt in the results that followed their worthy and virtuous lives.

JOHN J. CANAN, deceased, for many years was a leading business man at Altoona and had additional interests at other points. He was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., in 1813, where his grandfather had first settled in 1760, and was a son of Major Moses and Mary (Henderson) Canan, and a grandson of Col. John Canan, the founder of the family in America.

Col. John Canan was born in North Ireland and in his vigorous young manhood came to America, where, a few years later he joined the colonists in their struggle for independence. His valor won him the rank of colonel and his memory is preserved in the annals of the State of Pennsylvania because he also became a man of distinction aside from his military prowess. He was early interested in iron and coal lands and is credited with building the first furnace ever erected in Blair County. From 1787 until 1788, he served as a member of the Supreme Executive Council of Penn- sylvania, from Huntingdon County; in 1791 served as associate judge; in 1791 and 1792 represented his county in the General Assembly, and in 1794 was elected state senator as a representative of Huntingdon and Bedford Counties. Despite his many public responsi-

bilities and business cares, he survived into his ninetieth year.

Major Moses Canan, father of the late John J. Canan, was also a distinguished man in his native state. He served as an officer in the War of 1812 and later became one of the leading lawyers of Cambria County and served one term as associate judge. He married Mary Henderson and they both died about 1863. She was a daughter of Major William Hen- derson, who was an officer in the Revolutionary War and was taken prisoner by the British in the Battle of Long Island.

John J. Canan accompanied his parents to Ebensburg, Cambria County, in 1831. He had literary tastes and talents and started a news- paper which he conducted at Ebensburg and later at Johnstown. In 1846 he removed to Hollidaysburg, Blair County, where he was in- terested in the business of freight handling until 1858, when he started the lime business, one that proved very profitable and through his energy and enterprise was extensively de- veloped. In this business he was associated for a number of years with his son, John A .- Canan, who is now manager of the Canan- Knox Supply Company of Altoona, successors to John A. Canan & Co. This company are dealers in terra cotta drain pipe, flue pipe, chim- ney tops, American and foreign cements, lime, sand, brick, paving brick, plaster, mortar colors, hair, lath, fire brick, and fire clay, etc., doing a business at Altoona that reaches yearly into thousands of dollars. John J. Canan mar- ried Margaret Davis, who was born in Wales, and they reared what is one of the representa- tive families of Blair County. They were members of the First Presbyterian Church at Altoona.

HENRY D. KENSINGER, president of the Farmers' Reunion Association, a strong and influential agricultural body made up of the leading men of Blair County, Pa., is one of the prominent and substantial men of North Woodbury Township and resides there on his well improved farm of 100 acres. Mr. Ken- singer was born in North Woodbury Town-

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ship, November 17, 1846, and is a son of John B. and Hannah (Dougherty) Kensinger.

John B. Kensinger and wife were both born in North Woodbury Township where their fathers, John Kensinger and James Dougherty, had settled in early times. John B. Kensinger was a successful farmer and a representative citizen and served many years as a member of the township school board. His death oc- curred in May, 1896. - Two of his children survive: Henry D. and Elizabeth, both of whom are residents of their native township.

Henry D. Kensinger attended the public schools in the neighborhood of his father's farm as he was growing to manhood and has always been a warm friend of these. He has served many years as a school director and has favored many improvements in North Woodbury Township. His business has been farming and stock raising and both of these industries have been carried on with good re- sults. In addition to serving fourteen years on the school board, Mr. Kensinger has served as district superintendent of schools, as judge of elections and as clerk of the board. Some years ago his Democratic friends brought him forward for the office of county commissioner, his natural qualifications for offices of respon- sibility being unquestioned.

Mr. Kensinger married Miss Caroline B. Hoover, who was born in Blair County, a daughter of David Hoover, who then resided near Henrietta, Pa. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kensinger, namely: Mahlon H., of North Woodbury Township; John H., of Martinsburg; and Mary E. and Hannah J., both residing at home.

JOHN G. SELLERS, proprietor of one of the leading meat markets in Hollidaysburg, Pa., is also the owner of two other markets, one at Gaysport, Pa., and the other at Altoona, Pa., and he is also the owner of seven resi- dences in this borough. He was born January 10, 1865, at Hollidaysburg, Pa., and is a son of David M. and Rebecca R. (Martin) Sellers, both deceased.

John G. Sellers was reared and educated in Hollidaysburg, and during his early manhood worked on the railroad about four years, and subsequently spent four years in the employ of H. L. Bunker, who operated a meat market at Hollidaysburg. In 1889 he opened his market which is located on the diamond, in Hollidaysburg, of which his son, Edgar Sellers, has practically entire charge, and in 1898 he established a market in the Shoemaker building at Gaysport, Pa. The latter market is man- aged by his brother, William Sellers. His shop on Sixteenth Street, Altoona, was pur- chased in September, 1910, from J. A. Jones, and is under the management of his son, Harry B. Sellers. Mr. Sellers devotes the greater part of his time to buying and dresses all of his own meat, and the slaughter house, which is located on Juniata Street, is said by the state inspector, to be the finest in Pennsylvania, the interior being of concrete, with cement blocks, slate roof, and is fire proof.

Mr. Sellers is politically a Republican, and is now serving his second term as a member of the borough council. He is fraternally a member of the Masonic order, the I. O. O. F., the Artisans, and the Woodmen, all of Holli- daysburg. He is a member and trustee of the M. E. Church, and has been superintendent of the Sunday School for fourteen years. He is a stockholder in both banks of this borough, and is auditor of the County Capital Building Association. He resides with his family at No. 804 Juniata Street. On February 18, 1885, Mr. Sellers was united in marriage with Miss Virginia Hughes, a daughter of Stephen Hughes, deceased, and of their union were born the following children: Harvey B., Edgar, Earl, and Helen.

W. B. MANLEY, a well known and able practitioner of law, has been a resident of Altoona, Pa., since 1892, and was born in Antis Township, Blair County, Pa., in 1872, a son of David and Mary A. Manley, both liv- ing, and a grandson of George Manley, who was among the pioneers of this county.

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David Manley is one of the prominent farmers and leading citizens of Antis Town- ship, Blair County, Pa., where he was born in 1828, and he has resided on his present farm for the past eighty years. He served with credit in the Civil War, first in the heavy artillery and later in Co. D. 188th Pa. Vol. Inf., and is one of the party of three or four men who organized the Republican party in Antis Township. He has always taken an active interest in affairs which pertain to the welfare of the township, and served for twenty- one years as a member of the school board.

W. B. Manley was reared in Antis Town- ship, where he attended the local schools, and after teaching for some years took up the study of law in the office of William S. Ham- mond, Esq., of Altoona. He was admitted to the bar May 8, 1895, since which time he has carried on a general practice in the various courts of the state, and in the Federal courts. Mr. Manley is a member of the Blair County Bar Association, and holds membership with several fraternal orders. He takes an active interest in local politics, and has served as a member of the city council; having been presi- dent of common council for a term. His re- ligious connection is with the Walnut Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1895 Mr. Manley was united in marriage with Miss Velma Gwin, a daughter of J. A. Gwin, of Antis Township, and of their union have been born two children: Vivian. B. and John Harold, both now in the Central Grammar School of Altoona.

M. ARISTIDE RODRIGUE M. D., de- ceased. When one of the old landmark home- steads of Hollidaysburg, Pa., shall have been transformed in the near future, and converted into a center of scientific medical research, with every modern equipment, including a complete medical reference library for physicians, a dis- pensary, a lecture room for charitable purposes and first aid to the wounded with a ladies' auxiliary to the Red Cross in America, there will have been founded an enduring monument to one of Blair County's most notable men,

which will be also a testimonial of his children's love and devotion. In the Town where a dec- ade of his professional life was passed there still remain those who recall the rare qualities of Dr. Rodrigue both as man and physician, and those also who are familiar with many de- tails of his career as physician and friend of Prince and Priest Demetrius Gallitzen, he sus- taining these relations until the death of the latter in 1841. These also remember his career still later as peacemaker and co-worker with the chief executives of Kansas, in its stormy ante-bellum days, when as the Government ap- pointed president of the town of Lecompton, he ably fulfilled the arduous task, being prevented from the carrying out of admirable policies only by the cruel exigences of a great political upheaval. In Kansas he was a family friend and visitor of Mr. Alfred Boone, of Westport, Mo., direct descendant (grandson, or, I think, grandnephew) of Daniel Boone, the famous Kentucky pioneer, often driving from Lecomp- ton to Westport-a distance of fifty-three miles.

Dr. Rodrigue was born August 24, 1810, at Philadelphia, Pa., and died in Kansas, in the midst of his usefulness, 1857. His parents were Jaques Andre and Jeanne Francoise (D'Orlie) Rodrigue, who fled from France during the great French revolution, taking refuge in San Domingo. From this place an- other flight was necessary, owing to an insur- rection of the slaves, they escaping with their lives only through the faithfulness and devo- tion of five family servants. They finally reached Philadelphia, Pa., and there in peaceful days, their two sons and two daughters were born,-William, Aristide, Aline and Eveline.

The subject of this sketch was educated in his native city of Philadelphia, and at an un- usually early age was graduated from the Phil- adelphia University, entering into the practice of medicine with an enthusiasm that never fal- tered and with the approbation of his instruct- ors, who were proud of his brilliant talents. In his search for a congenial field for profes- sional labor he found and selected Sunbury, Pa. and there on February 14th, 1835, he was mar- ried to Miss Anne Caroline Bellas, who was the

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cherished daughter of Hugh Bellas, of Sunbury and his wife, Esther Van Buskirk Anthony, her father at that time being a prominent at- torney-at-law at that place. This lady survived many sad experiences, including the death of husband, two sons and two daughters. She herself passed away at Woodbridge, N. J., in April, 1888. Her remains with those of her loved ones, rest in the family vault in Hazle- wood Cemetery, near Rahway, N. J.

Dr. Rodrigue and wife were the parents of nine children,-namely : Andrew, Esther Aline, Hugh Bellas, Ann Caroline, Aristide, Adala Henrietta, Clara Virginia, Charles William, and Florence Victoire. The record of this family is, in brief, as follows: Andrew born December 22d, 1835, was graduated at Ford- ham College, N. Y. and was later admitted to the bar and appointed postmaster at Lecomp- ton, Kansas. While acting in that capacity he was assassinated, at the age of twenty-three years, within a few months after his father's death. Esther Aline, born August 8th, 1837, was educated at Philadelphia and died in 1891, married Charles Mygatt-after his death of many years later married John K. Gilbert, Esq. · who survives.

Hugh Bellas was born September 17th, 1839. He served in the Civil War as a member of Company C (Flag or Color Co.) 47th Regi- ment, P. V. I. He is now a member of Post 3, G. A. R. of Pittsburg, Pa. married Eliza- beth Dougherty of that city, whose father was also a Veteran of the Civil War.

Caroline, born July 19th, 1841, with rare genius and energy assisted her father from early girlhood in Hollidaysburg and Lecomp- ton; also her mother and sisters at the outbreak of the Civil War, dying as a Sister of Mercy in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1882.

Aristide, born January 18th, 1843, was a physician, a graduate of Georgetown Medical College. He died leaving (by wife Jennie) a daughter, Clara Florence, and a son, Aristide (third), who made his home with his paternal grandmother at her residence, "Bellasylva," in Woodbridge, N. J. Familiarly known as "Harry" he was educated at Burlington, Ches-

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 70

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