Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 81

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 81

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

FRANK J. OVER, postmaster at Holli- daysburg and editor of the Hollidaysburg Reg- ister, was born at Bedford Pa., February 15, 1857, and is a son of David and Elmira ( Far- quhar) Over. He belongs to a family that can be traced as far back as 1718, when two broth- ers of the name of Over left their home near the Rhine, in Germany, and came to America. They settled in Lancaster County, Pa., and ever since their descendants have been num- bered among the stable, reliable and represent- ative citizens of the state.

David Over, father of Frank J., was long a prominent and influential citizen of Blair County. He was born in Bedford County, April 5, 1825, and was a son of John and Catherine (Zollinger) Over. His father was a native of Franklin County, removing from there to Bedford in 1820, where he continued to reside until his death in 1857. The mother of David Over belonged also to an old Ger- man family that was founded in America about 1720. On both sides the family had distin- guished themselves in the Revolutionary War, and on the paternal side also in the War of 1812 and the War with Mexico, while it re- mained for the still later Overs to make the name notable in the Civil War. David was reared at Bedford and after his period of school attendance was over, served as appren- tice to the printing business, completing it about the time when the call came for troops for the Mexican War. He enlisted in Co. L.,

2nd Pa. Inf., and served until the close of that struggle, and then returned to Bedford ready to resume peaceful pursuits. In 1850 he pur- chased and assumed editorial charge of the Bedford Inquirer, which he conducted until 1864 when he disposed of it. In the mean- while he had satisfactorily served as treasurer of Bedford County, to which office he was elected in 1856. In 1865 he became the editor and publisher of the Lewistown Gazette and continued in this relation for one year. In 1868 he removed to Hollidaysburg where he became editor and senior proprietor of the Hol- lidaysburg Register, continuing the same until his death in December, 1900. He was an act- ive Republican, and in political circles from an early age took a leading part, and in the edi- torial management of his paper helped to strengthen his party in this section of the state. In 1880 he was a delegate to the National Re- publican Convention at Chicago, and was one of the immortal 306 who stood by General Grant in that convention. In 1886 Mr. Over was elected treasurer of Blair County and served out his term with characteristic effi- ciency.

In 1853 David Over was united in marriage with Elmira Farquhar, a daughter of William N. Farquhar, of Bedford. Six children were born to them, namely: Virginia, who is the wife of S. C. McLanahan; Frank J., who is postmaster at Hollidaysburg; Julia, who mar- ried Harry H. Gardner, of Webb City, Mo .. Nellie, who resides with her mother at No. 412 Penn Street, Hollidaysburg; and William Henry and Mary Elizabeth, both of whom are deceased.

Frank J. Over was educated in the public and private schools of Hollidaysburg and in boyhood entered his father's printing office to learn the business. He completed his appren- ticeship and on March 16, 1884, was admitted to a full partnership by his father, the firm style adopted being D. & F. J. Over. On the death of his father Mr. Over became sole proprietor. Reared as he was he could scarcely fail to give support to the doctrines of the Republican party, of which he is a very influential mem-

604

HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

ber. In 1892 he was appointed postmaster at Hollidaysburg, and served one term when he was succeeded by the late S. Gibson Barr. In 1905 he was again appointed to this important office by ex-President Roosevelt, and was re- appointed in 1909. He is a member of the bor- ough school board and, like his late father, is interested in everything that tends to advance the interests of Hollidaysburg or Blair County.

Mr. Over was married June 14, 1883, to Miss Anna C. Bailey, of Sinking Valley, and they have four children : Stuart B., Elizabeth, Frances Ruth and Frank J., Jr. Elizabeth married H. H. Garrigues and they live at Kit- tanning, Pa. The family home is at No. 801 Walnut Street, Hollidaysburg.

LEVI B. BURGET, one of North Wood- bury Township's best known citizens, his fam- ily being several generations old in this section of Blair County, Pa., was born in this town- ship, July 13, 1841, and is a son of Adam and Catherine (Bolger ) Burget.

Adam Burget was a lifelong resident of North Woodbury Township, engaging there in agricultural pursuits. His father, David Burget, had settled in this township in its early days. Adam Burget was a man of local prominence and held many township offices. He was twice married and the children who survive are the following: Jacob B., of North Woodbury Township; Isaac B., of Fredericks- burg, Pa .; Levi B .; Andrew B., a minister, re- siding at Fredericksburg; and Adam K., of North Woodbury Township.

Levi B. Burget grew to manhood on the home estate, attended the public schools in youth and since then has been continuously en- gaged in farming and stock raising. He is numbered with the representative men and suc- cessful farmers of North Woodbury. Mr. Burget was married to Miss Mary A. Smith, a daughter of the late George C. Smith, a former leading citizen of North Woodbury Township. Mr. and Mrs. Burget have had six children, as follows: Margaret, who is the wife of L. S. Haffley, of North Woodbury Township: Cath- erine J., who is the wife of N. M. Briden-

baugh, of Altoona, Pa .; Nancy, Mary and Franklin S., all of whom reside in North Woodbury Township; and Elvin I., who is making a name for himself in a business house at Newark, N. J. Mr. and Mrs. Burget are members of the Mount Pleasant .Reformed Church, in which he is a deacon. Mr. Burget takes part in public matters in his township, and has served three years as a school director and one year as road supervisor.

W. ALBERT NASON, M. D., superinten- dent of the Nason Hospital, situated at Roar- ing Spring, Pa., an institution in which the people of this borough take just pride, was born in Crawford County, Pa., June 23, 1862, and is a son of Dr. William Nason, once a prominent physician and surgeon at Townville, in Crawford County.

W. Albert Nason was educated in the public schools of Crawford County and Allegheny College, at Meadville, Pa. After proper prep- aration he graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, in 1887, in 1892, from Rush Medical College, Chicago. Previous to coming to Roaring Spring in 1896, he prac- ticed at Pleasantville and at Titusville, Pa., spending nine years at these places, gaining valuable experience and securing the confidence of the people as to his thorough medical knowl- edge. He is identified with the Blair County Medical Society and for one year was presi- dent of the same. He fills many professional positions and at present is serving as a trustee and counsellor for the Fifth District of the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania. He belongs also to the American Medical Asso- ciation; is surgeon for the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company at Roaring Spring, and is chief surgeon of Mercy Hospital at Altoona.

The Nason Hospital, of which Dr. Nason is superintendent, was established by him at Roaring Spring, as a private sanitarium, and was so conducted until 1900, when it was in- corporated and since then has been practically a charitable institution, one that reflects great credit upon its philanthropic founder and its supporters. Since its incorporation its officers

FRANK McCLAIN

607

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

are : J. L. Hartman, president; John H. Stephens, secretary; and J. P. Martin, treas- urer, while Dr. Nason has always retained the superintendency. The trustees of the Nason Hospital are the following leading citizens: D. M. Bare, Dr. A. L. Garver, E. G. Bobb, J. S. Bobb, J. H. Stephens and D. S. Brumbaugh, all of Roaring Spring; Hon. J. C. Steinman, of South Fork, Pa .; Hon. George M. Patterson, of Williamsburg; D. P. Reighard, of Pitts- burg; Claude Jones, of Tyrone; and James Foust and Hon. Jesse L. Hartman, of Altoona. The hospital is beautifully situated and has ac- commodations for forty patients, the average number being twenty-five.

Dr. Nason is held in very high regard by his fellow citizens, not only for his professional skill, which is recognized all over the state, but for his manly personal qualities. He was married first to Miss Elizabeth Pennell, of Pleasantville, who left two daughters; Mar- jorie and Alice. His second marriage was to Miss Sara Baughman, of Blairsville, Indiana County, Pa. He is not an aggressive politi- cian, being too busy a man for that, but he casts his vote regularly and is identified witlı the Republican party. He is a 32nd degree Mason.

FRANK. McCLAIN, deceased, whose suc- cessful conduct of large enterprises for many years at Altoona and in other sections of Penn- sylvania, established his standing in the busi- ness and financial world, commanded also the respect which is accorded one whose personal life was exemplary and whose gifts to charity denoted a kind and sympathic heart. He was born at Sinking Valley, in Tyrone Township, Blair County, Pa., June 15, 1833, and died January 25, 1900. His parents were Stephen and Mary ( Phlesman) McClain.

Stephen McClain, father of the late Frank McClain, was a native of County Derry, Ire- land, and there he learned the trade of linen weaver, one for which he had little use after coming to the mountains of Pennsylvania. His occupations in Huntingdon, later Blair County, were teaming and farming. He gave

to his son a vigorous constitution and active mind, but was able to help him very little on the road to fortune. The excellent mother, Mary Phlesman, was born in Cambria County, Pa., and came also of an old Catholic family that had originated in Ireland. She died when her son, Frank McClain, was thirteen years of age.

Prior to his eighteenth birthday, Frank Mc- Clain attended school as frequently / as his father could spare him, and was one of the most apt pupils in the old log schoolhouse in Sinking Valley, and when he started out for himself, he was probably better prepared men- tally to grapple with the problems of life than many of his companions. The first opportun- ity that presented itself was work on a farm, but he had a taste for tools and sensibly learned the carpenter trade. This he followed until 1854, when he came first to the village of Altoona, but the little mountain hamlet did not impress him at that time as a favorable field for business and he pushed to the West, settling at Davenport, Ia. He re- mained in that town, which had gained a little notoriety already as a railroad center, for about eighteen months and then returned to Pennsylvania and shortly afterward was made foreman of the workmen engaged in the erection of what is now the Pennsylvania Agricultural College, in Center County. While he remained there he engaged in a mercantile business and also served three years as postmaster. In 1866, he went to Bellefonte, where he had learned his trade, and there was taken into partnership by the firm of Valentine, Blanchard & Company, and they erected and operated the first planing mill in that place. Two years later Mr. McClain withdrew from the firm and soon afterward formed a partnership with D. G. Bush, and the new firm of Bush & McClain continued in business until 1871, during this time erecting a number of the most pretentious buildings in Bellefonte, some of the business structures still bearing their names.

In 1871, Mr. McClain sold out his interests in the firm to his partner and came a second

608

HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

time to Altoona, recognizing the growing im- portance of this place. For six years after- ward he was engaged in the mercantile busi- ness and also invested in property and erected handsome buildings, notably the McClain Block, a handsome brick structure which is lo- cated on the corner of Fourteenth Street and Eleventh Avenue. During the remaining years of his life his attention was mainly given to contracting and building, and the Altoona Hospital, together with many of the most beau- tiful residences and substantial business build- ings, were put up by him. He was also part owner of the beautiful summer resort, Wop- sononock, situated six miles north of Altoona, and was a director in several banks, and fre- quently was appointed on boards and commis- sions made up of leading citizens to give advice on public measures. He was one of Altoona's best balanced business men and most useful citizens, and probably had more than the ordi- nary number of warm, personal friends.

Mr. McClain was married June 15, 1870, to Miss Margaret Caldwell, who survives and re- sides in her beautiful residence at No. 1503 Twelfth Street, Altoona. She is a daughter of the late Thomas Caldwell, of Bellefonte, Pa. They had but two children, both of whom died young. While never an agressive politician, Mr. McClain was a stanch Democrat. He was noted for his many charities, giving liberally wherever he found help needed, and this beau- tiful trait is also possessed by his wife, whose benefactions are equally liberal.

C. W. DELANEY, M. D., physician and surgeon at Altoona Pa., with library and office at .No. 1320 Ninth Street, is one of the young- est members of an unusually well qualified body of medical men, of which the profession is made up in Blair County. Dr. Delaney was born at Eagle Pass, Texas, in 1883.

From the public schools of his native place, C. W. Delaney entered the Southwestern Uni- versity of Texas and then spent two years in the medical department of the University of Texas, and in the meanwhile took a course in surgery at Jefferson Medical College, Phila-

delphia, and was graduated from the Texas in- stitution and then entered the medical depart- ment of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in 1905. In the same year he came to Altoona, and for eighteen months served as resident physician in the Altoona Hospital, since which time he has been in gen- eral practice, but specializes in surgery and diseases of women. He is operating surgeon in obstetrics and gynechology at the Altoona Hospital. Dr. Delaney keeps continually con- nected by membership with the Blair County and the State Medical Societies and the Amer- ican Medical Association, keeping thus in close touch with medical matters and both receiving and imparting scientific informaton. Dr. De- laney was married in 1908 to Miss Elda O. Teeter, of Waterside, Bedford County, Pa., and they have one son, Charles W., Jr. Dr. Delaney and wife are members of St. Luke's Episcopal church.

CHARLES J. McCULLAUGH, a promi- nent member of the Blair County bar, and a representative citizen of Altoona, Pa., was born in this city, October 18, 1873, and is one of a family of four children born to his parents, who were James and Margaret McCullaugh. James McCullaugh for a number of years was a valued employe of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company at this point.

Charles J. McCullaugh was educated in St. John's Parochial School, after which he entered upon the study of law, and was admitted to the bar of Blair County, September 22, 1898. He immediately entered into practice in his native city and on October 15, 1907, was ad- initted to practice in the United States Su- preme Court. He is also a member of Appel- lant Courts of Pennsylvania. Since attaining manhood he has been interested and active in politics and as early as 1902 received the Dem- ocratic nomination for the state legislature. In 1907 he was again shown party confidence and was the Democratic nominee for district attorney. Blair County, however, is a strong Republican section and Mr. McCullaugh, in spite of his excellent qualifications for office,

609

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

was defeated at the polls by J. Banks Kurtz, the present district attorney. Mr. McCullaugh is a member of the Catholic church. He is identified with the Knights of Columbus.

BENJAMIN F. CRISSMAN, whose im- proved farm contains 167 acres of valuable land, situated in Frankstown Township, Blair County, Pa., was born in Sinking Valley, December 16, 1842, and is a son of O. E. and Margaret (Fleck) Crissman. Both parents were born in the same township and both are now deceased, their burial being at Hollidays- burg. Their family consists of the following children : Harry, Benjamin F., Mary, Cather- ine, Mark, Annie and Adie.

Benjamin F. Crissman went to school in boyhood but as soon as old enough began to perform duties on the home farm which in- creased according to his strength until he was recognized as capable and reliable both in till- ing the land and in raising stock. He has been settled on his own farm for the past thirty-five years. He bought the property from the Rob- inson & Smith Saw Mill Company. At that time it presented a very different appearance from what it does now. . There was practically nothing on the place but an old log house and barn. Mr. Crissman very soon had improving under way and although he had some struggle before he had his land fertilized to meet his re- quirements, each year saw a far advance made. He has handsome and substantial buildings now, including an attractive brick residence and a commodious bank barn.

Mr Crissman was married the first time to Mis Lizzie Robison, who died three years later, leaving one son, Eugene. He was then married to Miss Ella Stewart, and they have five children: Pearl, who is the wife of Roy Harpster; and Homer, Roy, Ada and Mary. He votes the Republican ticket.

CT ^LES W. ZOOK, postmaster at Roar- ing Su .... s, and one of Blair County's most respected citizens, is a survivor of the great Civil War, in which he bore an honorable part and made sacrifices which should entitle

him to the respectful consideration of his fel- low citizens as long as he lives. Mr. Zook was born in Bedford County, Pa., June 3, 1844, and is a son of Elias and Mary A. (Pote) Zook, and a grandson of Samuel Zook, who moved from Franklin County to Bedford County at an early date.

Charles W. Zook had few advantages in his youth and from an early age had his own way to make in the world. In boyhood he applied himself to his books whenever opportunity pre- sented and thus acquired enough knowledge to teach school. When the Civil War was pre- cipitated he immediately decided to enter the army as a soldier, and in August, 1861, was enrolled as a member of Co. E., 8th Pa. Res., which became a part of the Army of the Poto- mac, 5th Army Corps, which was commanded by General Meade and later, General Reynolds. He soon saw hard service, being on the field of battle in the seven days' siege before Rich- mond, under General McClelland; in the sec- ond battle of Bull Run; and at South Moun- tain, Antietam and Fredericksburg, and it was at the latter place that he was seriously wounded, December 13, 1862. This resulted in the necessary amputation of his right foot. After his honorable discharge, and as soon as he was able to travel, he returned home. His first position afterward was that of a clerk in the Altoona post office, under Postmaster George W. Patton, and after retiring from that position he was in business for a number of years at Baker's Summit, in Bedford County, where he was also postmaster until 1881. From there he moved to Woodbury, but shortly afterward, in the spring of 1882, came to Roaring Spring. For five years he was em- ployed as a bookkeeper in the Roaring Spring Blank Book Company. In 1899 he was ap- pointed postmaster at Roaring Spring and is a very popular official. He carries on a jewelry and watch repairing business as an occupation, and has always stood high in the regard of his fellow citizens as to business integrity.

Mr. Zook married Miss Sarah J. Harker, of Bedford County, and they have five chil- dren : Warren E., Annie L., Mary M., John

610

HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

H. and Martha. Mary M. is the wife of Franklin K. Lorenz, of Roaring Spring. Mar- tha is the wife of Leo Garber, who is agent for the Pa. Railroad Company at Roaring Spring. Mr. Zook and wife are members of the Method- ist Episcopal church. Wherever he has lived he has been an active and useful citizen, and served as a justice of the peace in Middle Woodbury and Bloomfield Townships, Bed- ford County, and also was on the school board there, and for a number of years since coming to Roaring Spring has been a member of the borough school board, and has acted as board secretary. He is a valued member of Lieut. H. N. Lower Post, No. 82, G. A. R., at Roar- ing Spring, of which he has been commander a number of times.

JOHN A. CANAN, manager of the Canan- Knox Supply Company, extensive dealers in builders' supplies, with business location at Nos. 1712-1720 Margaret Avenue, Altoona, Pa., has long been a leading factor in the successful business life of this city. He was born Feb- ruary II, 1850, at Hollidaysburg, Blair County, Pa., and is a son of John J. and Mar- garet (Davis) Canan.

The great-grandfather, John Canan, who later served with rank of colonel in the Patriot army, came to the American colonies from the north of Ireland between 1760 and 1777, lived in Huntingdon County, Pa., and died in his ninetieth year. He was a man of evident supe- riority, and distinguished himself in military, business, judicial and public life. Of his family of sons the one who inherited most notably his remarkable talents was Moses Canan, the grandfather of John A. Canan, of Altoona.

Major Moses Canan acquired his title through gallant service in the War of 1812. He subsequently located at Ebensburg, in Cambria County, Pa., and later became a lead- ing member of the bar and served one term as associate judge. He died at Johnstown, Pa., in 1863. He married Mary Henderson, who was also of distinguished military ancestry ; her father being Major William Henderson.

John J. Canan, son of Major Moses Canan and father of John A., was born in Hunting- don County, Pa., in 1813, and accompanied his parents to Ebensburg in 1831. He was also a man of brilliant parts in many ways. In early manhood he was concerned in newspaper work both at Ebensburg and at Johnstown, and after leaving the latter city and locating at Hollidaysburg, in 1846, became identified with large business enterprises. From that `year until 1858 his main business was freight for- warding by way of the Pennsylvania Canal, and this led later to his embarking in the lime business at Canan's Station. He took his sons into partnership under the name of Canan Brothers, which style continued until 1876, when it became John A. Canan & Co. For a number of years this firm continued, the busi- ness being the handling of builders' supplies and coal, and the manufacturing of lime.

John A. Canan spent a large part of his early school period at Hollidaysburg, and from 1869 until 1871 was a student at Lafayette Col- lege, at Easton, Pa. After his return home he soon became associated with his father in the lime and building supply business, from which has developed the important enterprise of which he is the capable manager, the Canan- Knox Supply Company, the officers of which are: John A. and L. M. Canan, both residing at No. 2701 Broad Avenue, and Samuel T. Knox, residing at No. 2626 Broad Avenue. In his political views Mr. Canan is a Repub- lican, and at times he has served in civic offices with the greatest efficiency.

Mr. Canan was married May 29, 1888, to Miss Lizzie M. Morrow, a daughter of the late Rev. R. H. Morrow, once of McVeytown, but later pastor of the Presbyterian church at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They have two daugh- ters, Margaret M. and Mary H. Mr. Canan and family belong to the Broad Avenue Pres- byterian church at Altoona, in which he is an elder.

HARRY G. KING, a well known general merchant and postmaster at East Freedom, Pa., has been identified with the business in-

611

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

terests of this town since March, 1901, and was born June 25, 1871, in Greenfield Town- ship, Blair County, Pa., a son of Thomas and Susan (Claar) King, the latter of whom is a native of Bedford County, Pa. The father of our subject passed out of this life some years ago. For many years he was identified with the furnaces in Bedford and Blair Counties, and for some time was clerk for the Sarah Furnace Company, which was then operated by Essington Hammond.

Harry G. King was reared in Greenfield Township, Blair County, Pa., and was edu- cated in the township schools and at Juniata College at Huntingdon, Pa. He also attended a select summer school at Schellsburg, and one at New Enterprise, Bedford County, Pa., and subsequently taught twelve consecutive years, beginning at the age of seventeen years. He then engaged in the mercantile business in Greenfield Township, and in March, 1901, came to East Freedom, where he continued in the mercantile business, with Austin Walter, operating under the firm name of King and Walter until March, 1906. He has since that time been sole proprietor of the business and has served satisfactorily as postmaster at East Freedom, Pa., since March, 1901. Mr. King takes an active interest in the affairs of the Re- publican party, and in 1907 served as a dele- gate from the Second District of Blair County to the Republican State Convention, then held at Harrisburg, Pa. During his residence in Greenfield Township he served five years as a justice of the peace, three years as auditor, and is now serving his second term as a member of the school board of Freedom Township, of which he has been president. He is fraternally a member of the East Freedom Lodge No. II31, I. O. O. F., the Maccabees of East Freedom, and the Grange of Claysburg, Pa. He is also a member of the National League of Fourth Class Postmasters, and at present is State President of Pennsylvania Branch of the League.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 81

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