Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 75

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 75

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H. W. GOOD, M. D., D. O.

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ister and recorder, and in November, 1889, he was elected register and recorder and served continuously until 1896. In that year he was admitted to the bar of Blair County and has a large practice.

Mr. Plummer has been a very important factor in county politics for many years and is a Republican leader. From 1884 until 1886, he served as secretary of the Repub- lican County Committee, and as chairman of this important body during 1887 and 1888. In 1902 he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and was re- elected to the same body in 1904. In the session of 1905 he was chairman of the Ap- propriation Committee, the leading com- mittee of the House. In 1905 he was nomi- nated on the Republican ticket for state treasurer, but that was a disastrous year for the Republicans all over the country, and Mr. Plummer was defeated.

Mr. Plummer was married in April, 1882, to Miss Mary A. Silknitter, daughter of John Wesley Silknitter, of Huntingdon County, Pa., and they have one son and one daughter: J. Lee, Jr., and Ethel. J. Lee Plummer, Jr., was born December 27, 1889, and is a student in the University of Penn- sylvania. Ethel Plummer was born July 27, 1888, and resides with her parents. The pleasant family home is situated at No. 605 Allegheny Street. Mr. Plummer has many fraternal associations. He is a member of Juniata Lodge, No. 282, F. & A. M .; of Mt. Moriah Chapter, No. 166, Royal Arch Masons, and of Mountain Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar, and to other organi- zations of a beneficiary nature. With his wife he attends the Methodist Episcopal church. His busy office is situated at No. 509 Allegheny Street, Hollidaysburg.

H. W. GOOD, M. D., D. O., the leading ex- ponent of the science of Osteopathy at Altoona and a very successful practitioner, was born in the city of Philadelphia, where he was reared and mainly educated.

Dr. Good attended the schools of his native city and prepared under a local practitioner for entrance into Jefferson Medical College and was graduated from there in the class of 1887. He still further increased his scientific knowl- edge by taking a post-graduate course in the Maryland Medical College and later was gradu- ated from the Union College of Osteopathy. For a number of years he was in active practice in Philadelphia but since coming to Altoona, in 1906, he has devoted himself entirely to non- pharmaceutical therapeutics, which is the heal- ing art without drugs, and numbers among his patients many who have tried other systems for the cure of their ailments without success. He is one of the valued members of the Blair County Osteopathic Society.

Dr. Good was married at Philadelphia, to Miss Ida Flexer, of that city. They are mem- bers of the Reformed church. He is affiliated with the Masons and belongs to other organi- zations.

ABRAHAM L. STIFFLER, postmaster at Canoe Creek, Pa., and proprietor of a general store in the village, is the owner of a comfortable residence and two acres of land surrounding it. He was born in Frankstown Township, Blair County, Pa., in September, 1860, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Leighty) Stiffler.

Joseph Stiffler was a son of Henry Stiffler, a very early settler in Frankstown Town- ship. ' The former was a farmer all through his active life and was one of the leading members of the Dunkard church here. He married Mary Leighty and both are now de- ceased. To them were born the following children. Nancy, who is the widow of Rob- ert Curry ; Mary Jane, who is the wife of J. J. Noffsker; Harrison ; William, who is de- ceased; Sylvanus; Esther, who is the wife of James Sell; Sarah, who is the wife of Isaac Metzgar; Jacob H .; George; Abra- ham L., and Susan, who died when aged nine years.

Abraham L. Stiffler attended the public schools and then spent three terms in the

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Huntingdon Normal School, after which he returned to the home farm and there en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until 1900, when he became manager of a store at Point View for three years. From there he came to Canoe Creek and entered into the mer- cantile business here and in 1905 he was appointed postmaster. He does a large and safe business and also attends to his offi- cial duties in a manner entirely satisfactory to the public.

In March, 1888, Mr. Stiffler was married to Miss Emma Berger, a daughter of Davis and Catherine (Winkler) Berger, who were farmers in Frankstown Township and the parents of the following children; Eliz- abeth, who is the wife of J. N. Koofer; Eph- raim; Frank; Della, who is the wife of J. H. Robison; Emma, who is the wife of Mr. Stiffler ; Margaret, who is the wife of W. H. Harpster, one of the county commissioners of Blair County; Linda; Lewis and May. Mr. and Mrs. Stiffler have had three chil- dren born to them, namely: Ira, Mary, who married Grant Smith and they have one son, Alfred; and Lewis. Mr. Stiffler and family are members of the Brethren church. In politics he is a Republican. He has always been interested in the educational advance- ment of the community and has served on the school board.

WILLIAM H. GOOD, an enterprising farmer and highly respected citizen of Blair County, Pa., resides on a farm of 140 acres in Logan Township, and was born on his present place, August 18, 1856, a son of Peter and Rebecca (Hileman) Good.

The Good family was established in Blair County, Pa., by Peter Good, grandfather of our subject, who came here at an early period from Maryland and located in Frankstown Township. He always fol- lowed farming and spent the remainder of his life in this locality. Peter Good, father of our subject, was born in 1817, in Franks- town Township, and in 1856 located in Lo- gan Township, where he purchased a tract

of 140 acres, which is now owned by Will- iam H. Good. For a short time he operated a grist mill in Eldorado, and in 1880 moved to Hollidaysburg, where he lived retired until 1895, when his death occurred. He married Rebecca Hileman, who was born n 1824 in Frankstown Township, and was a daughter of Frederick Hileman, and of their union were born seven children, two of whom are still living: Anna M., who is the wife of M. A. Young of Hollidaysburg, and William H., our subject. Mr. Good was poor director for a time and frequently served in the various township offices. Mrs. Good survived her husband until 1902, and both are buried at Hollidaysburg. They attended the Lutheran church of Hollidays- burg.

William H. Good has always lived on his present farm and obtained his education in the local schools and the Southwestern Nor- mal School at California, Pa., but left the latter institution before graduating on ac- count of ill health. Mr. Good carries on farming in a general way, and has 140 acres of improved farm land, all improvements having been made by Squire Cowen pre- vious to 1856, when the property was pur- chased by the father of William H. Good.

In 1880 Mr. Good married Lavinia W. Stiffler, who was born in Freedom Town- ship, and is a daughter of James M. and Elizabeth (Weaver) Stiffler. Eleven chil- dren were born to them, namely: William Oliver, who is deceased; Samuel Peter, who lives on a farm adjoining that of his father, married Verda Irvin; James M .; Frank Hyer; Mary Olive, who is the wife of C. E. Gaines, of Altoona, and they have one daughter, Mary Lavinia; and Florence Grace, Frederick Alvin, Rebecca, Pearl Elizabeth, Adelaide, and George Russell. Mr. Good is politically a Republican, al- though inclined to be independent, and has served nine years as a school director, and is now serving his third year as supervisor of the township. The family are members of the Lutheran church.

DANIEL J. NEFF

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DANIEL J. NEFF, one of the founders of the Blair County Bar Association, and a man of great professional prominence in Central Pennsylvania, is the Nestor of the Altoona bar, having come to this city in 1860 and been in continuous practice here ever since. During this long period he has witnessed great local changes-all for the better-and can take reasonable pride in the fact that his own profession has had a not unimportant part in bringing about the improved conditions of life which obtain to- day. Mr. Neff has entered into his seventy- eighth year, having been born January 3, 1831, in Porter Township, Huntingdon County, Pa. His parents were Daniel and Mary (Huyette) Neff.

Daniel Neff, father of Daniel J., was a son of John and Fannie (Kauffman) Neff, and was born in Huntingdon County, January 19, 1793, and was there reared. His wife Mary was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Grove) Huyette, and a granddaughter of Louis Huyette, who was a native of France.

The Neffs came from Switzerland and it is recorded in the annals of the family that two brothers-John Henry and Francis Neff-settled in Lancaster County, Pa., prior to 1715, and for many years thereafter the names of members of the family ap- peared in the public records as owners of lands, incumbents of public offices, or in other ways exercising the duties of an ac- tive and useful citizenship. John Henry Neff, above mentioned, was the first edu- cated physician in Lancaster County, Pa.

Daniel J. Neff, the subject of this present record, prepared for college in the schools of Alexandria and at Huntingdon Academy, and was graduated from Marshall College, at Mercersburg, in the class of 1851. He then entered, upon the study of law, doing his preparatory reading in the office of Hon. S. S. Blair, at Hollidaysburg, and later at- tending the law college at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. In 1856 he was admitted to the Blair County bar and practiced for a while both at Hollidaysburg and Tyrone. In 1860 he

took up his residence in Altoona, finding here at that time but two competitors, both of whom are but indifferently remembered by him. At different times Mr. Neff was associated with partners, and for a number of years was at the head of the law firm of Neff, Hicks & Ambrose. This partnership was subsequently dissolved and Mr. Neff has since continued in practice with Mr. J. D. Hicks as a junior partner. He practices in all the courts and has won victories in many noted cases of litigation. He main- tains offices at Nos. 22-24 Hutchinson Block, Altoona. Though the extent of his profes- sional interests have not allowed him to devote much time to politics, he has always taken a warm interest in the public affairs of his city and county. In business affairs aside from those of his profession he is iden- tified with the Second National Bank of Altoona and other important concerns.

Mr. Neff was married September 24, 1873, to Miss Susanna B. Gray, of Altoona, and they have one daughter, Pauline Louise. The family residence-a handsome and taste- ful structure-is at No. 1512 Twelfth Ave- nue, Altoona.

MAJOR JOSEPH A. COLVIN, foreman of the plant of McLanahan-Stone Machine Company, at Hollidaysburg, Pa., and a thoroughly experienced man in everything pertaining to machinery, is prominently identified with the Grand Army of the Re- public and holds three commissions from aide-de-camp to commander-in-chief in that organization. He was born September 6, 1843; at West Salem, Beaver County, Pa., and is a son of Robert and Julia Colvin, both of whom are deceased.

Joseph A. Colvin was rendered fatherless by death when he was an infant and thus his advantages in early life were more or less limited in many ways. He was sixteen years old when he went to Allegheny City and entered machine shops there but before he completed his apprenticeship he enlisted for service in the Civil War. On August 22,

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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

1862, he became a member of Co. E. 136th Pa. Vol. Inf., and took part in many battles before he was seriously wounded in the knee, at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. This brought about his honorable discharge on May 29, 1863. He then re- turned to Allegheny City and completed his interrupted apprenticeship, after which he was employed by the Fort Pitt Foundry Company at Pittsburg and while there as- sisted in completing many large contracts, including heavy ordnance for the use of the Government, and also for the material for the construction of the St. Louis and Chi- cago Water Works. He left there in 1872 and came to the Bloomfield mines where he erected the machinery for the washing of ore; later built the machinery for the Rod- man furnaces near Roaring Spring, and in February, 1878, became foreman for the McLanahan-Stone Machine Company, which position he has retained ever since. Over fifty young men have served their term of apprenticeship as machinists under his direction, and many of them hold not- able positions.

Major Colvin was married October 4, 1864, to Miss Elizabeth Gregg, of Alle- gheny, and they have had five children, namely: Charles, who married Sarah Reiley; Adda, who married Edward Plum- ber; Walter, who is foreman of the Stand- ard Steel Works at Lewistown, Pa .; Bessie, who is the wife of James B. McClure, and Beresford, who is general foreman of the Westinghouse Electric Works. He married Isabella Bunker. All the children are hap- pily settled in life and Major Colvin is proud of the fact that they are all doing well. In politics he and his sons are Republicans. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and the G. A. R., and has taken a very active part in Grand Army affairs in this section, and in 1893 served as Junior Vice Department Commander of the Department of Pennsyl- vania. The comfortable family residence is at No. 120 Newry Street, Gaysport, Pa.

M. M. MORROW, one of the prominent attorneys and leading citizens of Altoona, Pa., has been a lifelong resident of Blair County, where he was born in 1868, and comes of one of the oldest established families of the county. He is a son of Samuel Morrow, who was born in Blair County, Pa., in 1819, a farmer by occupation, and is a grandson of Robert Mor- row, whose father settled in this county pre- vious to the Revolutionary War.

M. M. Morrow grew to maturity in Sinking Valley, and after attending the public schools, the State Normal School and Grove City Col- lege, graduated from the last mentioned in 1892, having taken a scientific course. After- ward Mr. Morrow taugh school for four terms in Blair County. His knowledge of the legal profession was obtained in the offices of the late Judge Martin Bell, and he was admitted to the Blair County Bar, March II, 1895. He has since been continuously and successfully engaged in practice at Altoona, and in the various courts of the state. He is a member of the Blair County Bar Association, served one term in the state legislature, and was solicitor of the school board several years. He is fraternally a member of the Masons, and the Junior order of Mechanics, and his re- ligious connection is with the Broad Avenue Presbyterian Church of Altoona. On Septem- ber 21, 1898, Mr. Morrow was joined in mar- riage with Mary M. Tussey of Blair County, and of their union have been born two chil- dren: Elizabeth J. and Anna Margaret.

REV. JOSEPH FOGEL, deceased. The sudden death on September 26, 1909, at Johns- town, Pa., of Rev. Father Joseph Fogel, brought heavy bereavement to his surviving parents, brothers and sisters, and occasioned deep grief also to other members of the Cath- olic clergy, who knew and loved him well, and to the congregation of St. John's Catholic Church at Johnstown, to which he had ad- ministered as assistant priest for more than one year.

Father Fogel, or to give his full name, Joseph Roy Fogel, was born at Hollidaysburg,

JOHN J. IRWIN

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Pa., November 15, 1879. He was one of five children and was the oldest son of Augustus and Margaret (McCue) Fogel, -of Young's Crossing, on the Logan Valley Railway. Augustus Fogel was born in Pleasant Valley, Pa., March 26, 1855. His father was born in Prussia.

Augustus Fogel remained with his father until he was twenty-two years of age, helping him in his contracting business, and then started for himself. He is now counted one of the · leading contractors of Blair County. He mar- ried Margaret McCue, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Sullivan) McCue, who came to America from Ireland in 1854. Thomas Mc- Cue was a miner by trade and lived at Holli- daysburg where he died April 9, 1901. His widow and five children survived him. Mr. and Mrs. Fogel reside in a fine residence near Hollidaysburg, which is constructed of con- crete.

The boyhood, youth and early manhood of the late Father Fogel were all passed at Holli- daysburg and there still live many of his old friends who tenderly cherish his memory. He was of natural brilliancy of intellect. He at- tended St. Mary's parochial schools and later the Hollidaysburg public schools, graduating there in the class of 1897. It was his own choice to become a priest and he pursued his studies at St. Vincent's at Latrobe; St. Mary's at Baltimore, and finished his course at St. Bernard's, at Rochester, N. Y. He was or- dained at St. John's pro-cathedral, Altoona, on June 9, 1906. He was given charge in turn of the Parishes at Frugality and Blandsburg, Cambria County, and subsequently officiated as the chaplain at St. Aloysius Academy, at Cres- son Springs. From there he went to St. John's, at Johnstown.

Father Fogel celebrated his first mass at St. Mary's, Hollidaysburg. He seemed so well equipped for the self sacrificing and useful call- ing he had chosen, and was so enthusiastic in . its work, that kindred, neighbors and friends could not fail to deeply lament the crushing of their hopes. He possessed talents which gave great promise of a useful life in the church

and he was fitted with those personal attributes which give influence to a spiritual leader. At- tending his obsequies and mingling their tears with those of his nearest relatives, were some of the highest dignitaries of the Catholic church in Pennsylvania and as they surrounded his bier and celebrated high mass, they extolled his virtues. His remains rest in St. Mary's Cemetery, but the lesson of his beneficent life will be as an ever widening stream.

MOSES LINGENFELTER, a prosperous agriculturist and lumberman of Blair County, Pa., and a well known citizen of Greenfield Township, was born in this township, January 4, 1864, and is a son of George and Barbara (Claar) Lingenfelter, long people of promi- nence in this section, parents of a large family and worthy examples of right living in every relation of life.

Moses Lingenfelter is the youngest born in a family of eleven children, all of whom sur- vive with one exception. He obtained his edu- cation in the schools of Greenfield Township and ever since has been interested in lumbering and farming. He owns a one-half interest in the old homestead farm of 400 acres and is also a member of the well known lumber firm of Walter & Lingenfelter, with which his older brother, Z. T. Lingenfelter, is also con- nected.

Mr. Lingenfelter married Miss Lucinda Musselman, a daughter of David Musselman, of Greenfield Township, and they have had three children, the two survivors being: Fan- nie, who is the wife of C. Hileman, of Green- field Township; and Katie, who lives at home. Mr. Lingenfelter is a Republican in his political preference and has served his township very acceptably in the office of road supervisor. He is interested in everything looking to the im- provement of agricultural conditions and is identified with the Claysville Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and is serving his lodge in the office of door-keeper.

JOHN J. IRWIN, who has been a resident of Altoona, Pa., since 1884, has served in his

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present position as city alderman since 1902, and was born in Center County, Pa., in 1848. He was reared in Center County, Pa., and be- came a member of the legal profession in that county in 1871, and after practicing law there for some years, came to Altoona where he en- tered the employ of the Pa. R. R. Company. In 1892 he suffered a stroke of paralysis and was never able to resume his work with the Railroad Company. In 1902 he was appointed alderman by Governor Stone, to succeed Joseph McCleary. In the spring of 1903 he was elec- ted to that office and at each following election has been reelected, his present term expiring in April, 1813.

Mr. Irwin was united in marriage with Sarah D. Harkness of Cumberland, Pa., and they have two children : Samuel M., who is a clerk in the general superintendent's office of the Pa. R. R. Company; and Harry H., a ma- chinist, who is also employed by the Pa. R. R. Company. Mr. Irwin is a member of the Sec- ond Presbyterian Church of Altoona.

DANIEL B. TEETER, a highly respected citizen of North Woodbury Township, Blair County, Pa., who came to his present place of residence in the spring of 1902, is known through both Blair and Bedford Counties as a skillful carpenter and painter. He was born June 26, 1858, in South Woodbury Township, Bedford County, and is a son of John N. and Annie (Bulger) Teeter.

John N. Teeter was born in Blair County, a son of Daniel Teeter, who was an early settler near what is now Roaring Spring. For many years John N. Teeter engaged in farming in Bedford County and there his death occurred April 25, 1905. He was a very worthy man and was a member of the Church of the Brethren. Of his children the following sur- vive: Samuel B., who lives in Bedford County; Joseph B., who lives at Loysburg, Pa .; Mary B., who is the wife of John Z. Kochendarfer, of Bedford County; Lucy B., who is the widow of David R. Snyder, lives in South Woodbury Township, Bedford County; Carrie B., who is the wife of Jacob

W. Snyder, of Bedford County; Sarah B., who lives also in Bedford County, is the widow of Joseph S. Guyer; Daniel B .; Hannah B., who is the wife of Rev. Herman S. Guyer, of Bedford County; and Andrew B., who also lives in Bedford County.

Daniel B. Teeter went to school in boyhood and grew into sturdy youth on his father's farm and then learned the carpenter trade, one that he has followed with more or less regular- ity ever since as many substantial structures all through Blair County stand to prove his skill and dexterity. In addition he has done a large amount of painting and also understands put- ting up spouting and attaching iron and steel roofing. All of his work demands great skill and accuracy and he has built up a very sub- stantial reputation.

Mr. Teeter was married first to Barbara D. Hoover, a daughter of the late Frederick P. Hoover, once a man of large means in South Woodbury Township. Five children were born to this marriage, the two survivors being : Frank and Annie M., the former of whom is a popular teacher. Mr. Teeter's second mar- riage was to Miss Sadie G. Myers, a daughter of the late John Myers, of North Woodbury Township, and two daughters have been born to them: Cora Z, and Catherine P. Mr. Teeter and family are members of the Church of the Brethren. In politics he votes with the Republican party but has never consented to hold office.

CHRISTIAN HILEMAN, who is presi- dent of the school board of Frankstown Township, Blair County, Pa., is a represent- ative citizen of this section and owns a one- half interest in a farm of 128 acres. He was born in Turkey Valley, or Canoe Creek, Blair County, January 19, 1861, and is a son of Christian and Catherine (Todd) Hileman, both of whom are deceased. They were members of the Presbyterian church and their remains rest in the Presbyterian Cem- etery at Hollidaysburg.

The father of Mr. Hileman was born on the farm on which his son resides but the

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mother was a native of Juniata County. The father was both a farmer and surveyor and he laid out some of the townships in this section when the surveys were made. He was an active member of the Democratic party in Frankstown Township. His chil- dren all survive except the eldest. They were: Clarissa, deceased, who was the wife of Blair A. Brua; T. T .; Gertrude H., who is the wife of Reynolds Allen; Winfield S., and Christian.

Christian Hileman attended the township schools until he was eighteen years of age, since which time he has given his attention exclusively to farming along general lines and to attending to the public duties which good citizenship imposes. He has proved his value as a member of the township school board and is serving in his second term as president of this important body. He is an earnest Democrat but has accepted no office other than the one indicated.

In August, 1893, Mr. Hileman was mar- ried to Miss Fannie S. Shubert, a daughter of John and Margaret (Turk) Shubert, who were prominent farming people of Franks- town Township during life. Mrs. Hileman has the following brothers and sisters: V. F .; Mary, wife of Gus Coofer; Margaret, wife of James Lee; John; Andrew, and Catherine, who is the wife of Aden Kerns. Mr. and Mrs. Hileman have six children: Ruth, Dean, Frederick, Shubert, Allen and James. The family belongs to the Presby- terian church of Hollidaysburg.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 75

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