Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 72

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 72

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Mr. Kurtz's professional ability was very quickly recognized and when he was elected district attorney in November, 1904, on the Republican ticket, he had practically no oppo- sition and his administration of this important office was so satisfactory that he was reelected in 1907. He is recognized as one of the coun- ty's most earnest and efficient officials. Mr. Kurtz is a director in the Mountain City Trust Company, of Altoona, the First National Bank, of Juniata, an incorporator of the Dickinson School of Law, and a trustee of the Altoona Hospital.

On September 4, 1895, Mr. Kurtz was married to Miss Jennie Stockton, daughter of Dr. Thomas C. M. Stockton, and Annie (Kerr) Stockton of Cross Creek, Washington County, Pa. They have one daughter, Dorothy Stockton Kurtz. The family residence is at

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No. 2528 Broad Avenue, Altoona, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz are members of the First Presbyterian church. He is a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner, and a Knight of Pythias. He also belongs to Phi Delta Theta Greek let- ter fraternity, and Delta Chi legal fraternity.

DAVID L. WINELAND, proprietor of McKee's Gap Feed Mills, and manufacturer of feed, meal and buckwheat flour, is one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of Freedom Township, Blair County, Pa., and has been a resident of this township since 1902. He was born August 30, 1850, in North Woodbury Township, Blair County, Pa., a son of David B. and Sophia (Loose) Wineland, and comes of one of the early pioneer families of Morrison's Cove. His paternal grandfather, John Wineland, came to Blair County from Virginia, when seven- teen years of age, and settled at Morrison's Cove, and his wife was a native of Mary- land.

David B. Wineland, who resides with our subject, is now in his ninety-fourth year, and was born in North Woodbury Town- ship, Blair County, Pa. He served for many years as a school director of North Wood- bury Township. He married Sophia Loose, who was a native of North Woodbury Township, and they had the following chil- dren: Jacob L., who resides in Dallas Cen- tre, Ia .; John L., who lives in Martinsburg, Pa .; William L., who also resides in Mar- tinsburg; David L., who is the subject of this record; Hannah L., who is the widow of Levi Smouse and resides in North Woodbury Township; and Catherine, who is the widow of Peter Burkett, resides at Roaring Spring, Pa. The mother of our subject died in 1900.

David L. Wineland passed his boyhood days in North Woodbury Township. and there obtained his education in the local schools. He has always followed milling in Bedford and Blair Counties, Pa., and in 1902 came to Freedom Township, where he has been continuously and successfully engaged in operating the feed mills at Mc-

Kee's Gap. He manufactures feed, corn meal, and buckwheat flour and also deals extensively in flour and grain. Mr. Wine- land takes an active interest in the affairs of the Democratic party, and during the nineties was a candidate on that ticket for county auditor, but was defeated by a Mr. Patterson of Williamsburg, Pa, He served six years as a school director of North Woodbury Township, during part of which time he was secretary of the board. He is now serving his second term as a di- rector of the school board of Freedom Township, and is also secretary of the same.

Mr. Wineland was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Miss Elizabeth Seedenberg, who is a native of North Woodbury Town- ship, and a daughter of the late Henry Seed- enberg of North Woodbury Township. Nine children were born of their union: Harry S., who resides in Allegheny Town- ship, Blair County, Pa .; William, manager Brook Mill; David, who is a resident of Cambria County ; Allen, who lives in Holli- daysburg, Pa .; Annie J., who is the wife of Frank Curfman of Roaring Spring; Ida, who is the wife of H. Delozier of Blair Township; Mary, who married Edward Wertman of McKee, Pa .; Sophia, who lives at home, and Elizabeth, who is deceased.

JOHN BROTHERLINE, deceased. In recalling the men who have been prominent factors in the building up of Hollidaysburg and have left an impress upon the history of Blair County, the name of the late John Brotherline commands attention. As law- yer, journalist and private citizen, he was one of the prominent and useful men of his day. He was born in 1812, at Frankstown, Pa., then in Huntingdon but now in Blair County, and died in 1879, at Hollidaysburg where the greater part of his life was passed, in the sixty-sixth year of his age.

John Brotherline came of German and Welsh ancestry, but his parents, Thomas and Sarah (Davis) Brotherline, were born in Huntingdon County, Pa. He was one of

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their nine children and had just reached manhood when his father died. This placed unaccustomed responsibilities on his shoul- ders and he faced many discouragements before he accomplished his ambition and was admitted a practitioner of law. He had no educational advantages beyond those af- forded by the district schools, but a native intelligence and an unquenchable love of learning produced in him one of the leading lawyers of the county. In addition to at- tending to a large law practice for many years, he entered into the journalistic field and for a long period was the able editor and proprietor of the Blair County Whig, which was not only a strong political organ but was so widely circulated that it had much to do with presenting the claims of this section as a favorable place for business in- vestments, to the outside world. Mr. Brotherline was notably public spirited and to his encouragement a number of enter- prises now flourishing at Hollidaysburg, owe much. During the Civil war he was a loyal supporter of the Union cause and for some time served officially as a paymaster in the army, with the rank of major. Many local offices were tendered him and honors offered him. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and was fore- most in assisting in its various charitable and benevolent enterprises.

In early manhood, John Brotherline was married to Miss Martha Gregg Kinne, who is a daughter of Henry Hale and Sarah (Gregg) Kinne, and a granddaughter of Andrew Gregg, who once was a United States senator. Mrs. Brotherline survives and resides in lier handsome home at No. 415 Allegheny Street, Hollidaysburg. Six sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brother- line : James Irvin, John, Henry Hale, Davis Willard, Eric Gregg and Ner, two of whom survive: Henry Hale and Eric Gregg.

Henry Hale Brotherline is a prominent physician and surgeon at Hollidaysburg, residing at No. 719 Allegheny Street, and

maintaining his office at No. 417 on the same street. Eric Gregg Brotherline is a prominent attorney of Altoona.

JACOB BRUBAKER, who is engaged in general farming and stock raising, on a farm of 208 acres in Frankstown Township, was born June 2, 1860, in Allegheny Town- ship, Blair County, Pa., and is a son of Ephraim and Lydia (Hart) Brubaker. They were both born in Blair County, Pa., and spent their lives here, their fathers be- ing Jacob Brubaker and Israel Hart. Dur- ing his early life Ephraim Brubaker fol- lowed carpentering for a time, but later be- came a farmer. He was a Democrat. Both parents are deceased and were buried at Carson Valley, Allegheny Township. They belonged to the Lutheran church. The fol- lowing children were born to Ephraim and Lydia Brubaker: Emanuel; Samuel; Ber- tha, who is the wife of A. W. Wilt; Mar- jory, who is the wife of Patrick Risbane; Ellis; John; Catherine, who is the wife of Harry Stafford; Jane, who is the wife of Silas Closson; Lucinda, who is the wife of John Plowman ; Jacob, David and Emma, who is the wife of Chris Selwitz.

Jacob Brubaker attended the common schools of the township until fifteen years of age, and since that time has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In April, 1906, he purchased his present farm from the widows of Peter and Calvin Smith, but the land was originally the property of the Stiffler family. Mr. Brubaker is one of the enterprising and public spirited farmers of the township, and carries on farming in a general way, and raises just sufficient stock for his own use.

On December, 1878, Mr. Brubaker mar- ried Miss Catherine Plowman, who is a daughter of William and Francana (Wilt) Plowman, who were prominent farmers of Blair County, and the parents of the follow- ing children: Mary, who married David Clawson; David; Jane, who married John Clawson; Anna, who is the wife of Ellis Brubaker; Marshall; John; Amanda, who

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married John Brubaker; Susan, who mar- ried Jacob Stoner ; and Clara, who married William Wombaugher.

The following children were born to our subject and his wife: Charles, who is a farmer of Allegheny Township, married Martha Sell; Laura, who is deceased, was the wife of James Hover, also deceased, and they had one daughter, Effie, whom our sub- ject is rearing ; Ellis, deceased; Frank, who is an employe of the P. R. R. Co., married Pearl Benner; George, who is also an em- ploye of the P. R. R. Co., married Hattie Hoover, and they have one son, Earnest; Mary, deceased; Rosa, who is the wife of Christ Haller, and they have one son, Ir- win; Gertrude; Myrtle, who is the wife of Warren Wertz, and they have one daugh- ter, Lilly; and Harry, Blair, Brook, Ord, Ida, and Ella. Mr. Brubaker is politically a Republican, and has served as a school di- rector for seven years. The religious con- nection of the family is with the Brethren church.

DAVID G. SNYDER, a highly respected citizen of Taylor Township, Blair County, Pa., who has resided on his valuable farm of seventy-two acres since the spring of 1909, was born in South Woodbury Town- ship, Bedford County, Pa., April 29, 1860, and is a son of Jacob U., and a grandson of John Snyder, the latter of whom settled in Snake Spring Township, Bedford County, at an early date. The parents of Mr. Sny- der died in Bedford County.

David G. Snyder grew to the age of four- teen years in South Woodbury Township and had school privileges there, and then made his way to Yakima Valley, in the State of Washington. Finding no favor- able opening there for a youth without capi- tal, he returned to the East and after reach- ing Altoona, Pa., learned the baking trade and followed the business for two years and then came to Taylor Township and em- barked in farming and stock raising. He is a broad-minded, intelligent, thinking man

and has always taken an interest in educa- tional matters and served for eight years as a school director in South Woodbury Township and during a portion of the time was treasurer of the school fund. Other local offices that he held there were inspector and judge of elections. In all public po- sitions he has given satisfaction because he has performed his duties carefully and hon- estly. He casts his vote with the Demo- cratic party.

Mr. Snyder was married to Miss Ella Kajarise, who was born in Bedford County, and is a daughter of Samuel Kajarise, who now resides at Altoona. Mr. and Mrs. Sny- der have had six children: Claude, Charles R., Corinne F., Ruth H., Hervey and Char- ity, the two last named being deceased. Mr. Snyder and wife are members of the Breth- ren church at Altoona. Mr. Snyder made his own way in the world, in youth having no influential friends to give him assistance and inheriting neither money nor land. nevertheless the record of his life shows that industry and honesty, fidelity and per- severance are pretty sure to bring their re- - ward.

B. F. WARFEL, attorney at law, practic- ing in all the courts of the State of Pennsyl- vania, has been a resident of Hollidaysburg for fourteen years. He was born in Tyrone Township, Blair County, Pa., in 1871, and is a son of the late John Warfel.

John Warfel was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., and came to Blair County early in the sixties. He served for three years and nine months as a soldier in the great Civil war, a member of the IIoth Pa. Vol. Inf., and was twice wounded, one injury re- sulting in the loss of his left eye.

B. F. Warfel attended the Blair County schools and the Indiana State Normal School and afterward taught school for five years. He studied law in the office of At- torney W. I. Woodcock, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1900. Mr. War- fel is a stockholder in two of the National

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banks of Blair County and has other inter- ests additional to his professional ones. Mr. Warfel was married November 6,- 1901, to Miss Maud E. Hunter, of Harrisburg. They are members of the Lutheran church. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masons and the Sons of Veterans. He is numbered with the substantial and representative citizens of Hollidaysburg.

LYNN A. BRUA, president of the Citi- zens' National Bank of Hollidaysburg, Pa., is a citizen of prominence and affluence, and is the owner of a fine fruit farm of 150 acres in Frankstown Township, Blair County, Pa., besides being one of the largest real estate holders in this borough. He was born in Frankstown Township, Blair County, Pa., and is a son of Jacob and Eliza- beth (Elliott) Brua, and comes of one of the pioneer families of the county. Daniel and Mary Jane Brua, grandparents of our sub- ject, were married in 1818, in Lancaster County, Pa., and immediately afterwards came on horseback over the mountains to Blair County and settled at what was then known as Lowery's Mill. The land on which they settled is now owned by a grandson, John Brua, of Frankstown Township.

Jacob Brua, father of Lynn A. Brua, was born June 26, 1819, on the farm in Franks- town Township, and in 1853, bought a farm of 150 acres adjoining his father's place. This he cultivated until 1873 when he re- moved to Hollidaysburg, where he lived until the time of his death in 1901. He mar- tied Elizabeth Elliott, who died in 1862.

Lynn A. Brua grew to maturity on the farm in Frankstown Township, and in 1873 came with the family to Hollidaysburg, Pa., where he entered the employ of John H. Law, a merchant, with whom he continued for four years. In, 1881, he opened a gen- eral store, which he operated with much success until 1908, when he disposed of the business, and during that period built some twenty houses, erecting his own residence in 1884 on Wayne Street. He was one of

the organizers of the Citizens' National Bank, and has served continuously as presi- dent of same since its organization in 1903. Mr. Brua is the owner of the old home farm in Frankstown Township, and takes great pride and interest in the cultivation of same. The farm is well stocked and equipped with modern machinery, and is one of the largest fruit farms in the county, having about 3,000 fruit trees. Mr. Brua was married in Sep- tember, 1883, to Lizzie I. Hite of Hite Sta- tion, Allegheny County, Pa. In politics Mr. Brua is identified with the Republican party, and been a member of the Masonic fraternity since. 1880.

BENJAMIN F. MATHES, who has been a resident of Blair County, Pa., for some forty years, is a freight locomotive engineer and resides on a tract of fifty-two acres in Logan Township. He was born June 22, 1864, at Stonington, Conn., and is a son of John V. and Catherine (Miller) Mathes, the former of whom spent his life engaged in agricultural pursuits at Bell's Gap. John V. and Catherine Miller were the parents of sixteen children, all living but three, and at death they were both buried at Asbury Cemetery.

Benjamin F. Mathes came to Blair County, Pa., when a child, and with the ex- ception of three years spent in the West, has resided here since. For seven years he was engaged in farming a tract of ten acres, to which he later added forty-two acres, and about 1907 built a fine two and one-half- story brick residence. He formerly resided in Altoona, Pa. Mr. Mathes is a man of great energy and enterprise, and in addition to his work as a freight engineer, which he has followed for twenty-six years, manages and assists with the work on the farm.

Mr. Mathes was married May 20, 1886, to Miss Annie Kane, a daughter of Thomas Kane of Antis Township and they have three children: Harry, Russell and Nellie. Mr. Mathes is nominally a Republican, but votes independently, and is fraternally a

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Free Mason, and a member of the Brother- hood of Locomotive Engineers.

EDWARD H. FLICK, a leading member of the Blair County Bar and formerly city solicitor of the city of Altoona, has been a valued resident of this place since the spring of 1884. He was born in Cambria County, Pa., August 16, 1860, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Sharbaugh) Flick.

John Flick and wife were both born in Al- sace-Lorraine, now of Germany but then of France. In 1830 John Flick came to America, an ambitious and adventurous youth of nine- teen years, and located in Cambria County, Pa., where he engaged in agricultural pursuits dur- ing the whole of his active life. He married Elizabeth Sharbaugh, who died at Carroll- town, in Cambria County, in 1869, whom he survived, reaching the age of eighty-four years. Both he and wife were consistent Catholics.

Edward H. Flick was given excellent educa- tional opportunities and took advantage of them. He completed his classical course at St. Vincent College, in Westmoreland County, an institute of age and reputation, and then turned his attention to the study of law. He was prepared for the bar under the supervision of Judge A. V. Barker, of Ebensburg, Pa., and was admitted to practice in the spring of 1883. His first year of professional work was spent at Carrolltown and from there, in the spring of 1884, he came to Altoona where he has gained a substantial following and has made a name for himself in the courts of Blair County. He has always been more or less ac- tive in public matters and is identified with the Democratic party. In 1892 he was elected city solicitor and served in that office with the ut- most efficiency until 1894.

On June 30, 1891, Mr. Flick married Miss Annie O'Connor, a daughter of John O'Con- nor, a resident of Pittsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Flick have a beautiful home at Lakemont, Pa., and he maintains his office at No. 10, Nichol- son Building, Altoona. Mr. and Mrs. Flick are members of the Roman Catholic church.

JOHN CLARK, deceased, was one of Blair County's substantial citizens and a leading financier for many years, but he was also much more. Primarily a business man with large interests making heavy demands on his attention, he found time to give of his best efforts to the advancement of civic welfare, and to lend himself heart and soul to the great fight for prohibition. He did not live to see the time when "a schoolhouse shall be on every hill top, with no saloon in the valley," but long enough to be cheered by the evident approach to this happy state. He was born in Canoe Valley, Catharine Township, Blair County, Pa., December 13, 1833, and was a son of John and Eliza (Thompson) Clark, and a grandson of James Clark, who was wounded at the Bat- tle of the Brandywine, during the Revolu- tionary War.

The father of Mr. Clark was born in Franklin Township, Huntingdon County, Pa., December 15, 1789. For some years he owned and operated a tannery at Birming- ham, Pa., but later retired to his farm in Morris Township, where he died in his seventy-fifth year. He married Catherine Whitzel, who died early. His second union was with Eliza Thompson, who died in 1866, at the age of sixty-six years. She was born and reared in Spruce Creek Township, where her father had been an early settler.

The late John Clark of Williamsburg, completed his school attendance in the Will- iamsburg Academy, and then took up the duties of farming and stock raising on the home farm. He continued thus occupied

until 1873, when he accepted the position of cashier of the Williamsburg bank, which was organized at that time. He proved an acceptable and efficient officer and gained wide popularity in that business connection. He had large business interests of his own, which he successfully managed, and in the financial relations he had with others in this public capacity he used the same judicious and conservative methods. From time to time he invested in desirable property and

EDWARD H. FLICK

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owned realty of considerable value at Will- iamsburg, together with ore and coal prop- erties in the county, large limestone quar- ries, and a valuable farm of 250 acres.

Mr. Clark was married May 27, 1858, to Miss Mary J. Sisler, who died May 6, 1873. Of this union four sons and two daughters were born, as follows: Edgar Thompson, who married Lucretia Moore of Scotch Val- ley; Anna J., who is the widow of C. T. Witherow and resides in Altoona; John Grier ; Charles H .; Dean, and Ida. The last mentioned is the widow of Clarence C. Clemson and resides in Pittsburg, where her husband was a prominent business man.

Mr. Clark was an active member and an elder of the Presbyterian church at Will- iamsburg. Prior to 1880 he was a Repub- lican and at different times was called upon to serve in offices of public trust and respon- sibility. For a quarter of a century he de- voted his best efforts to the cause of prohibi- tion, setting an example that was a stimu- lant to many others. True to every trust, he inspired confidence in all who made his acquaintance, and his name was almost a synonym for honor and rectitude. His death on January 21, 1904, deprived the community of one of its most valued citi- zens.

JOHN W. JOHNSTON, M. D., physician and surgeon, who has been in continuous practice at Claysburg, Pa., for forty-three years and is known all over Blair County both personally and professionally, was born January 17, 1841, at Woodbury, Bed- ford County, Pa., and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Cantner) Johnston.

Thomas Johnston was born in Hopewell Township, Bedford County, a son of James Johnston, who had come to that section at a very early day. The family is of Scotch- Irish extraction. The mother of Dr. Johns- ton belonged to one of the old pioneer families that settled Morrison's Cove.

John W. Johnston was given early cduca- tional advantages which included attend-

ance at Rainsburg Seminary, in Bedford County. He taught school for one winter but then decided to enter the army for serv- ice in the war then in progress, and in Au- gust, 1862, he enlisted in Co. C, 133rd Pa. Vol. Inf., which became a part of the Army of the Potomac. His commanding officer was the late Alexander Bobb, a prominent soldier-citizen of Blair County and once sheriff. Dr. Johnston took part in the bat- tle of Antietam, which was followed by that of Fredericksburg, and in the latter he was wounded, December 13, 1862. His injury caused him to pass several weeks in a hos- pital but he was released in time to partici- pate in the battle of Chancellorsville. At the end of his nine months' term of enlist- ment he was honorably discharged and after he returned to Bedford County set about completing his education. In the fall of 1863 he entered Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport, Pa., where he remained two years, in the meanwhile having made up his mind as to his future career. He returned to Woodbury and entered upon the study of medicine with Dr. Samuel H. Smith, and during the winters of 1865 and 1866, at- tended lectures at Jefferson Medical Col- lege, Philadelphia, and in December of the latter year was graduated from the Albany Medical College. In February, 1867, Dr. Johnston established himself at Claysburg and has been identified with the growth and development of this place ever since. To his professional interest the Blair County Medical Society is much indebted for its advancement in early years. He is still a member of this organization, of which he has been president, and belongs also to the Pennsylvania State Medical Association.

On November 3, 1870, Dr. Johnston was married to Miss Ella Mauk, a daughter of the late Paul Mauk, who, at one time was proprietor of the Eagle Hotel, a popular hostelry at Claysburg. Dr. and Mrs. John- ston have had five children, namely : Charles O., who is a physician at Clays- burg; Jennie D., who is the wife of Kirk

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Walter, a leading merchant at Claysburg; and William C., Annie B. and Maggie E., all three of whom are now deceased. Dr. Johnston and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Republican and fraternally is identified with Juniata Lodge, No. 282, F. & A. M., at Hollidaysburg.

HARRY S. BROWN, one of Martin- burg's best known citizens, who, for a quar- ter of a century was engaged in the furni- ture and undertaking business in this bor- ough, was born August 16, 1844, in South Woodbury Township, Bedford County, Pa., and is a son of Jacob S. and Barbara (Shriner) Brown.

Jacob S. Brown was born in Bedford County and his wife in Lancaster County, Pa. Grandfather Brown secured land in Bedford County early in its settlement and there established the Brown homestead. Jacob S. Brown followed agricultural pur- suits in South Woodbury Township where he lived out a long and worthy life, his death occurring in 1886. Of his family of nine children, the following survive: Eliza- beth, who resides at Duncansville, Pa., is the widow of Jacob Dell; and Harry S. of Martinsburg. The venerable widow of Jacob S. Brown survived him eighteen years, living to the unusual age of ninety years and retaining her faculties to a large degree until the end.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 72

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