Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 78

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 78

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David T. Ketring attended the common schools of Bedford County, after which he took a commercial course with Professor Davis, of Altoona, Pa., and since April 1, 1883, has been proprietor of his present store, which he bought from J. Ross Matur. During the first year he employed a registered drug clerk, dur- ing which time he studied pharmacy, and has since had charge of the entire business. Mr. Ketring is a Republican in politics, and has served on the borough school board and was superintendent of the water department for three years. He is fraternally a member of Portage Lodge, F. & A. M., at Hollidaysburg, the Orphans' Home Lodge of I. O. O. F. at Williamsburg, and Camp No. 311, Patriotic Order of Sons of America.

On January 1, 1878, Mr. Ketring married Miss Celia Bachtell, a native of Smithsburg, Md., and a daughter of Daniel and Melinda

(Stover) Bachtell, both of whom were also natives of Smithsburg, Md. They also had one son, Isaiah Bachtell. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ketring: Alverna S., deceased wife of A. E. Eichelberger, and the mother of two children-Ellwood and Marion; and Martin Luther, who married Mary Mar- tin. Mr. and Mrs. Ketring hold membership with the Lutheran church.

SAMUEL I. STONER, United States Commissioner, to which office he was ap- pointed in 1908, has been a prominent fac- tor in public affairs in this section for a number of years and has occupied a promi- nent place on the Altoona bar. He was born July 16, 1868, in Juniata County, Pa., and is one of a family of seven children born to his parents, who were John and Rebecca (Rickenbaugh) Stoner, the former of whom died in November, 1904.

Samuel I. Stoner was reared on his father's farm in Juniata County. His pri- mary education was secured in the country schools and afterward he attended the Mif- flintown Academy and then entered Juniata College, where he was graduated in 1892. He then became a student of law in the of- fice of Hon. J. N. Keeler, of Mifflintown, Pa., and was admitted to the bar of Juniata County, in February, 1896, entering into practice at Mifflintown. Mr. Stoner came to Altoona in 1898 and soon took a fore- most place in his profession in Blair County, and in the near future was admitted to the District, Supreme and United States Courts. In 1901 he was first elected assist- ant district attorney of Blair County and served for three years. Mr. Stoner resides at No. 1117 Twelfth Avenue, Altoona.

JAMES WILLIAM GROMILLER, pro- prietor of the United States Hotel, which is located on the corner of Wayne and Juniata Streets, Hollidaysburg, Pa., is also identified with other industries of this borough, and was born here July 18, 1863, a son of Engelbert and Catherine (Sturm) Gromiller.

JAMES W. GROMILLER

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Engelbert Gromiller was born in Bavaria, Germany, where he was reared and learned brewing. In early manhood he came to Amer- ica and first located at Lancaster, Pa., but later came to Hollidaysburg, where he conducted a hotel for many years, dying here in 1873. He was married after coming to Hollidaysburg, to Catherine Sturm, who came from Wurtem- berg, Germany, at the age of seven years with her parents, who located at Hollidaysburg, Pa. Eight children were born to Engelbert and Catherine Gromiller, namely: Mary, James William, Engelbert, Jr., Edward, Anna, and three who are deceased. Mrs. Gromiller died in 1887.

James W. Gromiller spent his boyhood in Hollidaysburg and attended the public schools there. In early manhood he learned the printer's trade with the Hollidaysburg Reg- ister. being there employed for four years; and he later worked on the Times and Tribune of Altoona, and also for one year on the Free- man at Ebensburg, Pa. In 1886, Mr. Gro- miller returned to Hollidaysburg to look after his mother's business interests. She was at that time conducting the United States Hotel, which she rebuilt in 1886, and since her death, which occurred during the following year, the hotel has been under the management of our subject. It contains nineteen sleeping rooms, besides the parlor, lobby, office, etc., and is one of the leading $1.50 per day houses in the bor- ough. Mr. Gromiller is a stock holder and was one of the organizers of the Hollidaysburg Electric Light and Power Company, and dur- ing the year following its inception was presi- dent and a director of same. He is also a di- rector and one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Hollidaysburg. In politics an independent voter, he is now serving his third term as a member of the borough coun- cil. During his first term he served as presi- dent and was elected on the Democratic ticket, but at the time of his election the second time, was a candidate on the Republican ticket. Mr. Gromiller is a life member of the B. P. O. E. No. 102 of Altoona, Pa. In February, 1907,

Mr. Gromiller was joined in marriage with May Marks, and they have one son, James F.

ABRAHAM L. MENTZER, a represent- ative citizen and successful agriculturist of Huston Township, Blair County, Pa., has resided on his valuable farm of ninety-five acres since 1899, coming here from Middle Woodbury Township, Bedford County, Pa., where he was born July 25, 1863. His par- ents were Ephraim and Susan (Imler) Mentzer.

Ephraim Mentzer was born in Franklin County, Pa., in 1838, where he resided until he moved to Middle Woodbury Township, Bedford County. In 1875 he removed with his family to Martinsburg, Pa., and shortly afterward was killed, January I, 1876, while walking on the tracks of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Conemaugh. His father, David Mentzer, had been one of the very early settlers in Franklin County. Of the chil- dren born to Ephraim Mentzer and wife, the following survive: David I., residing at Altoona; Missouri, wife of James Croft, liv- ing. in Bedford County ; Lucy, wife of H. S. Brown, living at Martinsburg; Margaret, wife of Lyman Hay, living in Blair County ; Naomi, wife of B. D. Martin, of Baden, Pa .; Mary, wife of George Brown, living at Mar- tinsburg ; John P., living at Altoona ; Abra- ham L .; and Joseph W., living at Ambridge, Pa.

Abraham L. Mentzer accompanied his parents to Martinsburg in 1875 and after the tragic death of his father took business responsibilities upon himself. For three years he was engaged as a clerk in a mer- cantile house, for two years afterward was with other firms and then embarked in the meat business, and for thirteen years con- ducted a meat market at Martinsburg. He has been a very useful and prominent citi- zen of this place and has served as burgess of the borough. His farm in Huston Town- ship contains ninety-five acres of well de- · veloped land. In large measure, Mr. Ment- zer is a self made man.

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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

On October 27, 1892, Mr. Mentzer was married to Miss Minnie C. Straesser, a daughter of the late John Straesser, of Mar- tinsburg, and a sister of Charles A. Straes- ser, postmaster of the borough. Mr. and Mrs. Mentzer have six children: Margaret M., Clifford E., Robert L., Lelia C., Ada L. and George S. Mr. Mentzer and family be- long to the Lutheran church. In politics he is a Republican and fraternally he is a member of Roaring Spring Lodge, Odd Fellows, at Martinsburg, and of Woodbury Lodge, F. & A. M., at Roaring Spring, and he belongs also to the Grange.

MARTIN M. YINGLING, senior mem- ber of the firm of M. M. Yingling & Son, manufacturers of roller flour and dealers in feed of all kinds at Claysburg, Blair County, Pa., is an enterprising and prosperous busi- ness man and a highly regarded citizen. For over a quarter of a century he has been proprietor of the Sarah Mills, located in Greenfield Township, near Sarah Furance. Mr. Yingling was born September 25, 1840, in Huntingdon County, Pa., and is a son of Isaac and Eliza (Condron) Yingling.

Abram Yingling, the paternal grand- father, was born in Maryland and in boy- hood accompanied his parents to what is now Blair County, locating near Roaring Spring, where the great-grandfather ope- rated a mill for a man by the name of Neff. This mill was later burned by the Indians. Abram Yingling subsequently engaged in milling near McKee, in Blair County, and died there.

Isaac Yingling, father of Martin M., was born in a section of Huntingdon County that is now a part of Blair County, but later moved to Blair County and located near Williamsburg and there carried on a milling business for more than twenty-five years. He was a man of high standing in his com- munity and served four terms in the office of justice of the peace at Williamsburg. He identified himself with the Republican party and gave it his political support as long as

he participated in public affairs. In his re- ligious faith he was a Lutheran. Of his children there are six survivors, as follows: James A., residing at Martinsburg; Martin M .; Sarah, wife of Jacob Condron, resid- ing at Williamsburg; Benjamin F., living in Huntingdon . County; and Isaac, who is in business at Johnstown, Pa.

Martin M. Yingling was reared until seven years of age in Huntingdon County, near Vineyard Mills, and then accompanied his parents to Pennsylvania Furnace, and when fourteen, to Williamsburg, where he obtained the larger part of his schooling. He learned the milling business with his father and remained with him until he was twenty-three years of age when he took charge of a grist mill at Spring Meadow, in Bedford County, where he continued in that capacity for eleven years. From there he went to Shellsburg, in Bedford County, and was manager of a mill there for several years, moving then to Sherbourn in Fayette County, where he again managed a mill for some years. Mr. Yingling by this time had become well known as a reliable and ex- perienced miller and subsequently entered the employ of the B. M. Johnson Company, a Hollidaysburg concern, which was en- gaged in the flour business at Alexandria, Huntingdon County, and for two years at- tended to the shipping of flour cars from that point. Prior to becoming proprietor of the Sarah Mills, over a quarter of a century ago, he also was manager for several years of the Mowery Mills in Bedford County. Mr. Yingling's mills are equipped with the latest improved machinery, the roller sys- tem being installed, and he uses both water and steam power.

In February, 1863, Mr. Yingling was married to Miss Susan Moore who was born in Blair County, Pa., a daughter of John W. and Mary Moore, former residents of Will- iamsburg. Mr. Moore was a native of Mas- sachusetts and was a cooper by trade. A family of ten children was born to Mr. and Mrs. Yingling. of whom the following sur-

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vive: Alonzo, who resides at Altoona; William W., who lives in Greenfield Town- ship and is the junior member of the firm of M. M. Yingling & Son; Myrtle, who is the wife of Allen Feather, of Duncansville; May, who is the wife of Edward Sheafer, of Bed- ford County ; Ross, who lives in Greenfield Township; Angus, who is a resident of Al- toona, Pa .; and Wallace B. The latter served with the U. S. Army in the Philip- pine Islands and is still in the regular army, at present being stationed at Fort Ben Har- rison, in Indiana. Mr. Yingling has reared a ereditable family. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Republican and he has served Green- field Township in the offices of auditor and school director.

GEORGE WISHART CREIGHTON, a very prominent Pennsylvania Railroad official, general superintendent of the Eastern Division, maintains his home and office at Altoona, Pa. His whole course of business training has been in the railroad service, which he entered in October, 1879. He was born at Philadel- phia, Pa., June 22, 1856, and is one of a fam- ily of ten children born to his parents, who were John and Susan Creighton, the former of whom died in 1878. He was a builder by trade.

It is interesting to trace the successful career of any man, each step up indicating, as in Mr. Creighton's case, added knowledge and well applied skill. To railroad men especially his record tells of unusual aptness in mechanics as well as close attention to duty, and fidelity to the interests of the great systems of transpor- tation which have shown such confidence in him during more than thirty years. In Jan- uary, 1878, he entered the service of the engi- neer corps of the Madeira & Mamore Railroad, in Brazil, leaving the same to enter the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad, in October, 1879, and from then until May, 1880, he was rodman in the surveys; from May, 1880, to January, 1881, was assistant supervisor of the Baltimore Division of the Northern Central

Railroad; from January, 1881, to May, 1883, supervisor of the same division; from May, 1883, to November, 1885, assistant engineer Shamokin Division Northern Central Railway and Sunbury Division Philadelphia & Erie; from November, 1885, to May, 1889, assist- ant engineer West Jersey & Camden & Atlan- tic Roads; from May, 1889, to January, 1891, assistant engineer Philadelphia Division Penn- sylvania Road; from January to February, 1891, superintendent Bedford Division same road; from February, 1891, to October I, 1895, superintendent Shamokin Division Northern Central Railway, and Sunbury Di- vision, Philadelphia & Erie; from October I, 1895, to January 1, 1899, superintendent Mid- dle Division Pennsylvania Road; from Janu- ary I, 1899, to August 1, 1900, general super- intendent Northern Central Railway and Philadelphia & Erie Division Pennsylvania Road at Williamsport, Pa .; from August I, 1900, to January 1, 1903, general superintend- ent Buffalo & Allegheny Division Pennsyl- vania Road; and from that date until the pres- ent has served as general superintendent of the Eastern Pennsylvania Division of the same road.

Mr. Creighton was united in marriage in 1882, to Miss Emma Watson, a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Watson, and they have the following children : Joseph Hasson, George Watson and Mary. Mr. Creighton's resi- dence is at No. 1210 Eleventh Avenue, Al- toona.

HARRY R. ALLENDER, a well known general merchant and highly respected busi- ness man of Williamsburg, Pa., was born May 12, 1873, in this borough, a son of James D. and Anna Mary (Ramey) Allender. His father, who died in 1902, was a Republican in politics, and religiously a member of the Pres- byterian church. His mother is still living and is a resident of Williamsburg. They had the following children: Clara, William, Charles, John and Harry R., our subject. John is de- ceased.

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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

Harry R. Allender was reared in his native town, where he attended the common schools and at the age of fourteen became a clerk, and continued as such for twenty years. On August 10, 1907, he established his present business and carries a full line of general mer- chandise. Politically he is a Republican, is treasurer of the borough school board, and has served three years on the town council. He is fraternally a member of the Juniata Lodge of Masons, No. 282, at Hollidaysburg, and of the Heptasophs of Williamsburg.

In April, 1902, Mr. Allender married Miss Grace Spencer, who is a daughter of Robert and Nannie (Garvin) Spencer, well known residents of Williamsburg. She is one of the following children born to her parents : Robert L .; Ethel, who is the wife of J. E. Ake; Alice, who is the wife of Rev. W. S. Rose, a Meth- odist minister of Huntingdon County, Pa .; Madge; Jessie; and Grace, wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Allender have one daughter, Helen. Mr. Allender is a member of the Pres- byterian church and Mrs. Allender of the Methodist church.

ADAM HOOVER, one of the best known and most highly- respected citizens of Newry, Pa., who was engaged in a general mercantile business here for over fifty years, was born at Sarah Furnace, Blair County, Pa., March 24, 1833, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Gartland) Hoover.

Thomas Hoover was born in Bedford County, Pa., and in 1832 he founded the gen- eral mercantile business at Newry, which is now carried on by his grandsons, being in partnership with William Anderson. Thomas Hoover died in 1837 and his widow kept his interest and the firm style of Hoover & Ander- son was retained until Mr. Anderson retired in 1845. Mrs. Hoover and her son, Adam Hoover, continued until 1859, when the son assumed proprietorship under the name of A. Hoover.

'Adam Hoover had only district school ad- vantages, the death of his father in his child- hood making him a care, for years, on his

mother. By the time he was about twelve years old, however, he was successfully mak- ing his own way in the world. His first work was done as a clerk in a store at Woodbury, in Bedford County, later at Martinsburg and at other points until he came to Newry at the age of sixteen years, where he was first associ- ated with his mother and later became a lead- ing business man of the place. Honest, straight-forward in all his dealings with his fellow men, ever taking a timely and judicious interest in public matters, he secured and re- tained the esteem and confidence which his fellow citizens still give him. On July 1, 1910, he retired from the business field which he had so honorably occupied for so long and was succeeded by his two sons, Thomas and Adam Hoover, Jr., who continue the business under the firm name of Hoover Brothers.

Mr. Hoover married Miss Mary McGraw, who was born in Freedom Township, Blair County, a daughter of Edward McGraw, a former well known resident. Ten children were born to them, seven of whom survive, namely: Thomas, Edward M., Arthur, Ger- trude Elizabeth, Adam, Jr., Leo and Regis. The mother of these children died in 1907. Mr. Hoover and family are members of the Roman Catholic church.

H. A. HEVERLY, one of the representa- tive business men of Altoona, Pa., who is suc- cessfully engaged in the real estate and gen- eral insurance business, was born January 5, 1864, at Coal Port, Clearfield County, Pa., and has been a resident of Altoona for twenty- three years. He was reared in his native county, where he attended the public schools, and subsequently attended the Northern Uni- versity of Indiana, after which he was an in- structor in the public schools of Clearfield and Blair Counties for twenty-eight years. He taught in the schools of Altoona for twenty years, but since about 1895 has been success- fully engaged in the real estate business, han- dling principally city and suburban property. Five years ago he added insurance to his real estate interests, and represents five fire insur-

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

ance companies and two health and accident companies. Mr. Heverly was the organizer of the Home Purchasing Company, of which he has been secretary and manager since its or- ganization, which was in August, 1903.

Mr. Heverly is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of Foresters, is past grand of the I. O. O. F., past commander of the J. O. U. A. M., and also is a member of the Buckhorn Rod and Gun Club of Altoona. In 1885 Mr. Heverly was united in marriage with Kitty I. Lee, of Clearfield County, Pa., and to them have been born the following children: Irene May, who is the wife of N. I. Winskey, of East Altoona; Pearl E., who is the wife of Elmer C. Ake; Lee A .; Zanasa S .; Bertha E., and Samuel H. Mr. Heverly is a member of the Simpson M. E. church, of which he has been secretary of the board of trustees for thirteen years.

MAYBURY G. TROUT, who is now living retired in Juniata, Pa., is a veteran of the Civil War, and was for many years in the service of the Pennsylvania and other rail- roads. He was born January 11, 1844, in Bedford County, Pa., a son of Thomas G. and Mary Ann (Smith) Trout, and a grand- son of John Trout.

John Trout, who was of English parent- age, was born on the Atlantic Ocean and was reared near Port Royal, Va., where his people settled after landing in the United States. In early manhood he located in Antis Township, Blair County, Pa., on a tract of land which he afterwards bought from Edward Bell, who was agent for the Philadelphia owner. John Trout married a Miss Ake, whose mother was a Harrison, and was a sister of William Henry Harri- son, once president of the United States.

Thomas G. Trout, father of subject, was born on the old place in Antis Township, and with the exception of three or four years spent in Bedford County, lived there all his life. He married Mary Ann Smith, who was a native of Bedford County, Pa., and to them were born eight children :

William and Compton, both of whom died in infancy; Maybury Goheen; Martin C., who lives in Toledo; Sophia, who is de- ceased, was the wife of Prof. J. Souder ; Margaret, who lives with our subject ; Mary, who is the wife of H. O. Kline, of Pitts- burg, and Thomas, who is engaged in the insurance business in Altoona. Thomas G. Trout served as constable, when Antis Township was a part of Huntingdon County.

Maybury G. Trout was reared on the home place in Antis Township and attended school at Elizabeth Furnace and at the Iron City Business College at Pittsburg. He then spent two years in farming the home place with his father, and after his marriage worked three months in the flange shop of the Pennsylvania Railroad, at Altoona. After this he worked on the Middle Divis- ion of the Pennsylvania Railroad firing for three years, and then ran an engine for two years. He moved then to Tyrone, where he worked as an engineer for three years, then went to Hagerstown, Md., where for four years he ran a pasenger train. After running one year on the Toledo & Ohio Central R. R., and three months on the New York & New England R. R., from Hartford to Boston, he returned to the old home farm, which he cultivated for six years. At the end of that time he moved to Juniata and built the Savoy Hotel, which he conducted successfully eight years under the name of the Washington Hotel. Mr. Trout still owns the hotel property, and built a fine home on the adjoining lot. He also erected a number of residences, build- ing three dwellings adjoining his own home property, six on Ninth Avenue, four on Third Avenue and Ninth Street, two on Third Avenue between Seventh and Eighth Streets, and also one on Second Avenue be- tween Fourth and Fifth Streets. He has sold five of these dwellings, but continues to hold the remainder.

On January 7, 1862, Mr. Trout enlisted for service in the Union army, in Co. G.,

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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

12th Pa. Cav., of which he was corporal, and served in the Shenandoah Valley under Gen. Sheridan and Gen. Stephens, in the Middle Department of the Army of the Po- tomac. He was never injured or taken prisoner during his three years and seven months of service, and was transferred to Co. I as quarter-master sergeant. He was mustered out at Winchester, Va., and was paid off at Philadelphia. Mr. Trout is a member of the Veteran Union Legion at Altoona, and in politics is identified with the Republican party.

In 1866 Mr. Trout married Miss Maggie A. Beeler, a native of Bedford Springs, Pa., and a daughter of John and Mary (Mann) Beeler, the former of whom was reared in Sharpsburg, Md., but later became a resi- dent of Bedford County. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Trout.

J. B. SMALL, who, with Frank Meintel, is the owner of the Hotel Antler, at Gaysport, Pa., was born October 15, 1865, at Mont Alta, Franklin County, Pa., and is a son of H. Mat- thew and Annie E. Small, the latter of whom died May 21, 1909.

H. Matthew Small is a native of Franklin County, Pa., and is now a resident of Mont Alta, Pa., where for the past thirty years he has been serving as a justice of the peace. He also deals extensively in flour, feed, imple- ments, etc. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party. Mr. Small is the father of the following children: John Benton, who is the subject of this record; A. Dickson, who is employed by the Western Paper Box Manufac- turing Company; Agnes, who is the wife of J. B. Smith, who is a merchant; Romane, who is a resident of Mont Alta, Pa .; Laura M .; Charles W., who is engaged in the livery busi- ness at Mont Alta; and Robert, who is a black- smith.

John Benton Small was reared in Mont Alta and obtained his education in the schools of that borough, and the Chambersburg Acad- emy, and the Cumberland Valley Normal, and is also a graduate of the Central State Normal,

at Lock Haven, Pa. He was president of his class during the term 1888-1889, and after completing his education taught seven years in Franklin County. He was then employed for a short time as a bookkeeper for C. A. Mitchell, a produce dealer at Johnston, Pa., and for years afterward was proprietor of the Mansion House, at Johnstown. Later he re- moved to Altoona, Pa., where he was employed by Andrew Engle for two years. In 1902 he came to Hollidaysburg and leased the old Kellerman House for five years, and in 1906, in partnership with Mr. Meintel, built the Hotel Antler, which is a brick structure con- taining twenty bed rooms, and has operated same since its completion as a $1.25-day, house.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 78

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