Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 85

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 85

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James R. Humes was educated in the common schools near his father's farm and in Tarentum Academy, later attending Curry Institute, Pittsburg. Four years of school teaching followed and he then entered upon the study of medicine with a well known practitioner at Tarentum and from there matriculated at Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, and was graduated with his degree in the class of 1874. With the exception of a few months of practice at Etna, in Allegheny County, Dr. Humes' whole period of professional effort has been spent at Hollidaysburg. In the early days his school of medicine met with much opposition from the older system and the education of the people along more progressive lines required time, persever- ance and professional skill. Dr. Humes has long been recognized as an able practitioner and has gained not only the full confidence of the public, but for many years has main- tained very cordial relations with other medical men, the scientific studies of each making the division between the two great schools much less than formerly. Dr. Humes is located at No. 212 Allegheny Street, Hollidaysburg. He is a member of all the leading medical organizations of the country and at times contributes to their literature.

Dr. Humes was first married on June 6, 1876, to Miss Martha M. Huey, of Taren- tum, who died August 4, 1901, survived by two children: Inez A. and John H. Dr. Humes was married a second time, on Feb- ruary 4, 1904, to Miss Margaret Stewart, a daughter of James Stewart, of Altoona, Pa. Dr. Humes is identified with the Republican party and has always taken an interest in

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its success as well as in the welfare of the city in which his chosen home has been made. He has served several times as a member of the city council and has advo- cated many improvements of a public char- acter, particularly along educational and sanitary lines. He is a Knight Templar Mason, a member of Mountain Command- ery, and is also a prominent Odd Fellow.

CALVIN GRANT SAUER, general man- ager, secretary, and treasurer of a large de- partment store at Williamsburg, Pa., was born August 31, 1869, in Bedford County, Pa., and is a son of George and Mandilla Sauer.

George Sauer was a native of Germany and in 1855 came to the United States and located in Bedford County, Pa. In 1872 he came to Roaring Spring, Blair County, Pa., and for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits, but spent the last twenty years of his life in retirement. He was politically identified with the Republican party, and was religiously a member of the Reformed church. The parents of our subject reared the following children : Calvin Grant; Anna, who is the wife of John B. Miller; Raymond G .; and Norman F.

Calvin Grant Sauer is one of the leading business men of Williamsburg, and was one of the organizers of the store of which he is now manager and is also secretary and treasurer of same. Charles M. Schwab, the steel magnate of South Bethlehem, is the largest stockholder of the company. For twenty years before coming to Williamsburg, Mr. Sauer was en- gaged in a general mercantile business at Al- toona, under the firm name of Sauer Bros. and at present is senior member of that firm, doing business at No. 1314 Eighth Avenue. In 1908 the firm erected a building at the cost of $25,000, and they handle everything found in a modern mercantile establishment. The junior member of that firm is Raymond G. Sauer, who has charge of the Altoona busi- ness. The store is located in a building, which was built in 1895 and 1896, and occupies three rooms on the first and second floors each, the third floor of the building being devoted to the

opera house of the borough, and it has a seat- ing capacity of 1, 100 people.

Mr. Sauer was married in 1896 to Mary A. Nease, of Washington, who is a daughter of Jacob and Abigail Nease, who came here from Washington County, Pa. Mr. Sauer is polit- ically a Republican, and his religious connec- tion is with the Reformed Church.

WALTER J. HAMOR, city clerk of Al- toona, Pa., and a very popular official, has his office in the City Hall and has been a resident of Altoona since 1882. He was born at Alle- gheny, Allegheny County, Pa., April 4, 1865, and is a son of John W. and Mary (Campbell) Hamor. The great-grandfather of Mr. Hamor emigrated from Germany to America and settled in Northumberland County, Pa. From there moved his son, George Hamor, to Blair County, where he married and comfort- ably reared his family.

John W. Hamor, son of George and father of Walter J., was born and educated in Blair County. He learned the trade of nailer in Duncansville and followed it there and at Pittsburg until 1868, when he returned to Dun- cansville, where he worked until 1876, remov- ing then to Northumberland County. Later, however, he came back to Duncansville, where he died in 1883. He was an intelligent and progressive man, took a hearty interest in pol- itics, was identified with both the Masons and the Odd Fellows wherever he lived, and was a useful and representative citizen. He married Mary Campbell, who was born in 1844 and survived him. They had three children, Wal- ter J. being the one son of the family. John W. Hamor and wife were members of the Evangelical Lutheran church.

Walter J. Hamor learned the printing trade after graduating from the Northumberland High School, and worked in a Northumber- land newspaper office until 1882, when he ac- cepted the clerkship in the Altoona offices of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He continued his duties there until 1889, in the meanwhile fos- tering the hope of becoming the owner and proprietor of a journal of his own. In Sep-

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tember, 1889, his opportunity came and he purchased the Sunday Graphic News, of which he was editor and proprietor. He enlarged other features and added a first class job office to his plant. As a journalist, Mr. Hamor be- came well and favorably known and he con- tinued in active newspaper work until 1893. Always an active Republican, on that ticket Mr. Hamor was elected city clerk of Altoona in 1894 and has been reelected ever since, his efficiency being so generally recognized that no change is desired by his fellow citizens. · In November, 1890, Mr. Hamor was married to Miss Addie Watson, of Tyrone, Pa., and they have one son, Charles McOmber, born in 1891. They reside at No. 1114 Sixteenth Avenue, Altoona. Mr. Hamor is a charter member of the Altoona lodge of Elks.

JOSEPH L. ISENBERG, M. D., who has been engaged in the practice of medi- cine at Williamsburg, Pa., for the past ten years, was born March 2, 1868, at Franks- town, Blair County, Pa., and is a son of S. H. and Adeline R. (Stewart) Isenberg, and a grandson of Abraham Isenberg. S. H. Isenberg was a miller by trade, a Republi- can in politics, and his religious connections was with the Presbyterian church. He was the father of the following children : Charles; Harry; Joseph; Jennie; Elsie; Mattie, who is the wife of Morris Tresse; and Gretta.

Joseph L. Isenberg was reared at Franks- town, and after a common school education, spent three years at Airy View Academy, at Port Royal, Juniata County, Pa., and then entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, graduating with the class of 1893. Dr. Isenberg first located in Cambria County, Pa., where he practiced medicine for three years, then spent four years at the Mines, Blair County, Pa., for the past ten years has been continuously and success- fully engaged in folowing his profession at Williamsburg.

Dr. Isenberg was married in March, 1894, to Miss Ella M. Honner, who is a daughter

of John and Sarah (Wilson) Honner, of Cambria County. Mrs. Isenberg is one of the following children born to her parents : Harry; J. C .; Anna, who is the wife of Thomas D. King; Mattie, deceased, who was the wife of Willard Irvin; and Ella M. Two sons have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Isenberg: Howard C. and Charles Meade. Dr. Isenberg is a member of Portage Lodge, F. & A. M., of Hollidaysburg, and of the I. O. O. F. of Williamsburg. In politics he is a Republican. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian church.

JOSEPH STREHLE,* whose accidental death occurred on November 8, 1909, was one of Hollidaysburg's respected and valued citizens and was widely known. He was born April 24, 1868, at Augsburg, Bayern, Germany, where his parents lived and died. Two sisters and three brothers still reside there : Theresa, Elizabeth, Timothy, August and John Strehle.

Joseph Strehle attended school in his native place and then learned the trade of a baker at which he became an expert. In 1894 he came to America with confidence in himself as he knew that his skill would secure him a good living and he was not dis- appointed. He worked in several of the larger cities of the country and in 1904 reached Altoona, where he became fore- man for the National Biscuit Company and remained several years. He then entered the employ of John Haller, a well established business man. From there he came to Hollidaysburg and purchased a bakery on Allegheny Street, which was then conducted by William Berckheimer, and when he took charge, he gave it the name of the Rising Sun Bakery. He possessed the practical knowledge and also the busi- ness faculty that made his venture a success and the demand for his goods increased until his trade extended all over the city. His finances increased and he reached the comfortable state so that a voyage back and forth betwen America and Germany did

HARRY F. PECK

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not unduly tax his resources. He made three trips to his native land, and it was on the third visit that he was married, in Ger- many, December 7, 1902, to Miss Balbina Scheringer, who survives him, together with a little son and daughter, Joseph and Matilda.

Mr. Strehle was an excellent citizen, one who attended closely to his business and by his genial and frank manner made many friends. The distressing accident that resulted in his death was one of those sad but all too frequent misfortunes attendant upon rapid. transportation. It occurred as he stepped off the rear platform of a car. He was a very heavy man, weighing some 240 pounds, and the jar, coming unexpectedly, threw him off his balance and he fell with such force that fatal results followed. The accident shocked the whole community. Mr. Strehle was affiliated with the Altoona Turngemeinde and the Frohsinn Singing Society. For years he was a consistent member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, in which a high requiem mass was cele- brated on the day of the funeral, interment being made in Greenlawn Cemetery.

JEREMIAH W. BLACK, justice of the peace and a leading citizen of Canan Station, Blair County, Pa., was born here, June 20, 1846, and is a son of Jacob and Mary M. (Swoveland) Black.

Jacob Black and wife were both born in what was then Bedford County, but is now Blair County. He was a son of Adam Black, who was a pioneer in what is now Greenfield Tornship, Blair County, where he was a jus- tice of the peace for many years and was iden- tified also with the state militia. He died in 1851. His people were of German extraction. Jacob Black was born February 14, 1804, and died July 6, 1872. In 1831, with his wife, he removed to Allegheny Township and settled at the point now known as Canan Station, where he spent the remainder of his life. He engaged in farming and also conducted an inn, but gave up the hotel business in the year in

which the railroad was put through. He was one of the reliable and representative men of the place and had done much toward its up- building. Of his children there are four sur- vivors, namely: Adam S., who lives near Dav- enport, Ia .; John H., who resides at Duncans- ville; G. Samuel, who lives in Allegheny Township, and Jeremiah W., of Canan Station.

Jeremiah W. Black has passed his life among the old and familiar surroundings of childhood. After completing his period of school attendance, he engaged to some extent in farming and owns twelve acres of highly cultivated land. For a quarter of a century he has served in the office of justice of the peace and his public duties have served to make him acquainted with a large number of his fellow citizens. His decisions during this long period have very generally been upheld, while in- numerable times he has succeeded in adjusting differences without further bitterness of feel- ing or recourse to a higher court. For six years he served as a member of the school board of Allegheny Township and for a por- tion of this period was president of the board. In his political views he is a Republican.

Mr. Black married Miss Catherine Shaffer, who was born in Somerset County, Pa., a daughter of Michael Shaffer, late of Pittsburg. Mrs. Black died June 20, 1904, leaving one son, Harry S. The latter married Esther Clapper, a daughter of Daniel Clapper, of Al- legheny Township. Mrs. Catherine Black was a member of the First Lutheran Church at Altoona, to which Judge Black also belongs. He is a member of the Order of the Moose, at Altoona, and of Eldorado Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, at Eldorado, and formerly was connected with the Odd Fellows, at Altoona.

HARRY F. PECK, deceased, for many years was one of the public spirited and suc- cessful business men of Duncansville, Pa., and was closely identified with the best interests of this section. He was born at Broad Top, Huntingdon County, Pa., June 19, 1866, and died February 10, 1908, at Nevada, Mo., four

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weeks after he reached there in search of health. His parents were Joseph and Sarah (Carpenter) Peck, who still survive and re- side at Duncansville, the former in his sev- enty-sixth and the latter in her seventy-first year.

Harry F. Peck was young when his parents moved to Hollidaysburg from Huntingdon County and there he attended school until he was sixteen years of age, when the family came to Duncansville, where he completed his educa- tion. He soon afterward embarked in business and in several different lines was equally suc- cessful, accumulating an ample fortune al- though he died a comparatively young man. He was interested to a considerable degree in the oil industry in Clarion County. At Dun- cansville he was engaged as a merchant for twenty years and for a short time served as postmaster. For a number of years and until his death, he was also interested in the marble and granite monument business, in partnership with the late John M. Keller, under the firm name of Peck & Keller. On the death of Mr. Keller he became sole proprietor and continued the business. His many interests led to an in- timate acquaintance with a large number of his fellow citizens and the universal testimony of those who had known him either in business, official or social life was that his community, in his death, had lost a most worthy man.

On September 10, 1889, Mr. Peck was mar- ried to Miss Martha M. Diehl, who was born in Juniata Township, Blair County, Pa., a daugh- ter of Isaac and Rosanna ( Mock) Diehl. Her father, who is now deceased, was born in Blair County. Her mother, who resides at Duncans- ville, is a native of Indiana County, Pa. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peck, both of whom are enjoying excellent educational ad- vantages, the son, Frank J., being a student at Gettysburg College, and the daughter, Sarah R., attending Perkiomen Seminary at Penns- burg, Pa. Mr. Peck was an official in the Lutheran church at Duncansville. In politics he was a Republican and at times consented to serve on the borough school board, filling the

positions of both president and treasurer of that body. His fraternal connections were with the Odd Fellows at Hollidaysburg and the Golden Eagles at Duncansville. The fam- ily now live at No. 611 Mulberry Street, Hol- lidaysburg, Pa.

H. C. MADDEN, one of the oldest and most prominent members of the Blair County Bar, has been identified with the legal profes- sion of Altoona, Pa., since 1895. He was born in 1845, in the southern part of Hunting- don County, Pa., where he was reared and at- tended the common schools. After a prepar- atory course at the Academy of Tuscaroras, Mifflin County, Pa., he entered the University of Iowa, at Iowa City, and there received a diploma for the practice of law, in 1869. He then spent one year in the practice of his pro- fession in Jackson County, Ia., when, on ac- count of ill health, he returned to Huntingdon County, Pa. In the fall of 1870 he located at Huntingdon, where he engaged in the practice of law until 1895, since which time he has been continuously and successfully engaged in fol- lowing his profession at Altoona. He was a member of the well known law firm of Henis- ling, McNeal & Madden for two years, when Mr. McNeal retired and the firm of Henisling & Madden continued for two years, since which time Mr. Madden has conducted an office of his own. He was for several years district attorney of Huntingdon County, Pa.

In 1874 Mr. Madden was united in mar- riage with Martha Oswalt, to whom were born four children: Newton Byron Madden, en- gaged in the practice of law at Pittsburg, Pa .; Henry Eldon., employed with the Penn. R. R. Company; Robert Emmett, engaged in the plumbing business at Altoona, Pa., and Zoe, deceased.

WILLIAM M. PIPER, justice of the peace and one of the leading citizens of Duncansville, Pa., which has been his place of residence since 1892, was born in Hunt- ingdon County, Pa., November 17, 1840, and

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is a son of James and Sarah (Stains) Piper, both of whom were natives of the same county, in which the grandfathers had been among the early settlers.

William M. Piper grew to manhood in the vicinity of Yellow Springs, Blair County, Pa., and he obtained his education in the public schools of Catherine Town- ship. He then learned the blacksmith trade at Morrison's Cove, near Williamsburg, and later conducted his own shop at Yellow Springs, in Blair County, both before and after his service in the Civil War. In Feb- ruary, 1864, he enlisted in Co. E, 104th Pa. Vol. Inf., which became a part of the Army of the Potomac. He was assigned to guard duty at Butler's Fort, between the Appo- mattox and James Rivers, for four months, and was later transferred to the outskirts of Petersburg, Va., and after the surrender of General Lee, was given police duty in the city of Norfolk. He was honorably dis- charged September 1, 1865. Mr. Piper re- turned then to Blair County and for some time continued his blacksmith business and then turned his attention to farming and for twenty-two years engaged in agricultural pursuits near Yellow Springs.

On February 2, 1862, Mr. Piper was mar- ried to Miss Eva J. Sorick, born near Will- iamsburg, Pa., a daughter of Valentine Sorick, and they have four children: John C., who lives in Frankstown Township; Valentine, who lives at Blairsville, Pa .; William R., who lives in Preston County, West Va .; and Eva J., who is the wife of Robert Knee, of Duncansville. Mr. and Mrs. Piper are members of the English Lutheran church. In politics he is a Re- publican, although somewhat independent. As a justice of the peace he has been accept- able to his fellow citizens by whom he is regarded with sentiments of esteem. He is a member of James H. Gibney Post, G. A. R., No. 465, at Duncansville, of which he has been commander and is now serving as chaplain.

OSWALD A. AMIES,* deceased, whose name is enshrined as one of the heroes of the great Civil War, laid down his life on the field of Gettysburg, on that memorable July 3, 1863. Then only thirty years of age, pros- perous in business, with a loving wife and de- voted children to make life worth the living, nothing but pure patriotism could have influ- enced him and caused him to turn his back on the promises of a happy future and take up a burden by which his very life was almost hourly to be in jeopardy. He was born in the city of Philadelphia in 1833. His ancestors beyond his parents had been natives of France, but his father was born in Delaware. For many years the latter was engaged in the manufacture of paper at Brandywine, a sub- urb of Wilmington, but he later retired to Philadelphia and resided there until his death at the age of eighty-eight years.

Oswald A. was the eldest son. After leav- ing school he became the owner of the paper manufacturing business in which his father had been interested at Brandywine and he continued in that industry until 1861, when he offered his services as a soldier in answer to President Lincoln's first call for troops. He served for three months as a member of Co. D, 68th Pa. Reserves. By that time the sad fact was generally recognized that the war would be of long continuance and among those who reenlisted for the preservation of the Union, for three years, was Oswald A. Amies. His gallant career was cut short as noted above. Pilgrims will long visit the old battle field of Gettysburg. On Cemetery Ridge stand many monuments and the names inscribed on their shafts are truly honored ones, but the real cost of patriotism is known only to those in whose hearts are enshrined the memories of the loved ones who were its victims.

Oswald A. Amies was married in early manhood to Miss Elizabeth C. Mather, who survived him many years, dying at Philadel- phia, her native city, in 1882. One son, Ed- win M. Amies, has long been a very prominent citizen of Altoona, Pa., where he is engaged in the practice of law.

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FREDERICK GLEICHERT, proprietor of the Hotel Schilling, a comfortable, well ap- pointed hostelry located on the corner of Seventh Avenue and Tenth Street, Altoona, was born in Baden, Germany, January 6, 1860, and is a son of John J. and Mary (Stultz) Gleichert. The father of Mr. Gleichert is de- ceased, but the mother survives. He is the eldest of the family and has four brothers and two sisters: Christian; J. J., who is in the grocery business at Altoona; William; Har- mon; Christianna, who is assistant superin- tendent of Tabitha Hospital, at Lincoln, Nebr; and Lena, who is at home.

Frederick Gleichert was fourteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to Amer- ica and had no school advantages afterward. He worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company from 1878 until 1897, when he em- barked in the hotel business. For six years he ran the Germania Hotel and then rested for one year, in 1905 coming to the Hotel Schill- ing, of which he is a very popular host.

Mr. Gleichert was married in 1883, to Miss Elizabeth Bernd, a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Sheets) Bernd, residents of Al- toona, and they have the following children : Henry J., William F., Mrs. Catherine Conrad, Carl H., Lina, Frederick J., and Martha M. Mr. and Mrs. Gleichert are members of the German Lutheran church. He is a Democrat in politics and gives hearty support to the can- didates of his party but desires no offices for himself. He is a member of the fraternal orders of Eagles and the Moose and belongs also to the Concordia Singing Society and the Altoona Turngemeinde Society.

JACOB S. WAREHAM, whose ninety- acre well improved farm is situated in Taylor Township, Blair County, Pa., was born in Snake Spring Township, Bedford County, Pa., March 18, 1863, and is a son of Michael S. and Catherine ( Snyder) Wareham.

Michael S. Wareham was born in Bedford County and was a son of Joseph Wareham, who was of English extraction and was a resi- dent of Bedford County for a long time.

Michael S. Wareham was a well known and substantial citizen of Bedford County, a good financier and a practical farmer. He was a Republican in his political sentiments and was a worthy member of the Brethren church. He married Catherine Snyder, who was born in Bedford County and came of German ances- try, and six of their children survive, namely : Elizabeth S., of Monroe Township, Bedford County; Margaret S., of Everett, Pa .; Jacob S .; Joseph S., of Martinsburg; Andrew S., of Snake Spring Township; and Mary S., of Everett, Pa. The father of the above family died March 10, 1894, and the death of the mother followed on April 18, of the same year.

Jacob S. Wareham attended the public schools in Bedford County in his youth and also very early began to learn the business of farming, to which he has devoted a large part of his attention ever since. He raises the usual grains of this section and also grows excellent stock. He came to his present farm in the spring of 1894 and all his surroundings indicate thrift and comfort.

Mr. Wareham was married February 27, 1890, to Miss Annie K. Mock, a daughter of David B. Mock, of Taylor Township, and eight children have been born to them, seven of whom survive: Susie M., John A., Mary K., Irvin A., David M., J. Paul and Jesse M. Mr. Wareham does not call himself a poli- tician but he takes a good citizen's interest in the election of capable men to office and in the making of good laws for every class. He has served as school director in Taylor Township, and is one of the representative men of this section.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 85

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