Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 87

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 87

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Jacob Black was born in Greenfield Town- ship, Blair County, and was a son of Adam Black, who came to Blair County from Mary- land. He settled in Greenfield Township, when the present green fields were yet covered with a native forest. He was a pioneer in the saw mill industry and built one of the first saw mills in the township and later erected a grist mill. He became the leading man of the settlement and later, when the township be- came the home of many law abiding people, he was appointed justice of the peace and served in that office for twenty years, and the records show that during that period he united 104 couples in marriage. He was identified also with the State militia and was evidently one of the most useful and reliable men of his day.

Jacob Black was reared in Greenfield Township but after his marriage, in the thirties, he moved to a farm in Allegheny Township and lived there until his death, in 1871. There his nine children were born and of these there are four survivors, as fol- lows : Adam S., who lives near Davenport, Ia .; John H .; Samuel G., who lives near Eldo-

rado, Pa .; and Jeremiah W., who lives in Allegheny Township.

John H. Black was reared on the home farm in Allegheny Township and attended the district schools, and Tuscarawas Acad- emy, in Juniata County, after which he taught school for some years before the out- break of the Rebellion. Seemingly this was but poor preparation for the hardships of a soldier's life, but it is doubtful if the young teacher ever thought of personal discom- fort when his loyalty to the Union impelled him to enlist as a defender of the same. On April 22, 1861, he entered Co. H, 14th Pa. Vol. Inf., and served out his first enlist- ment of three months, and on December 10, 1861, re-enlisted, becoming a member of Co. G, 12th Pa. Cav., in which he served faithfully for two years. He then re-en- listed in the same company and regiment as a veteran, with the rank of first sergeant and later was advanced to the rank of first lieutenant. Capt. Black by no means es- caped all the dangers of warfare. He took part in the second battle of Bull Run, where he was taken prisoner and was paroled on the field of battle. Later he was wounded in Loudon County, Va., when his command and the guerilla band under Col. John S. Moseby, had a sharp engagement. Capt. Black was so seriously injured that he was permanently disabled and he was honor- ably discharged on July 20, 1865. It is in- spiring to listen to this old veteran's stories of his life as a cavalryman under the late General Sheridan in the Shenandoah Val- ley and of their devotion to their leader even while most continuously under fire.

After his return to Blair County he re- sumed teaching after a necessary period of recuperation, and continued in the school room more or less until 1877. Late in the sixties he served as treasurer of Blair County and from 1892 until 1906 he served as a member of the board of Education of the borough of Duncansville, having pre- viously been a director in the independent school district in Blair Township. His in-

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terest in educational matters has been con- tinuous and at all times his services have been most valuable.

Capt. Black married Miss Jennie Leighty, who was born in Duncansville, Pa., and · died here in 1908. She was a daughter of George and Sophia (Walters) Leighty, both families being old settlers and sub- stantial people of Blair Township. To this marriage one daughter was born, Carrie M., who resides with her father. In poli- tics Capt. Black is identified with the Re- publican party. Since early manhood he has been a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church and is serving as a steward and as trustee of the church at Duncansville. Since October 24, 1860, he has been a member of Lodge No. 119, Odd Fellows, at Hollidays- burg. He is a member of James H. Gib- · boney Post, No. 465, G. A. R., at Duncans- ville, and has served in the office of quarter- master. He is known all over Blair County and at other points, having attended many reunions of the Grand Army.

ELLIOTT H. BRUA, proprietor of the Cedar Grove Grist Mill, and owner of a farm of 144 acres in Frankstown Township, Blair County, Pa., was born on a farm adjoining his present place, December 26, 1849, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Elliott) Brua. His parents were both natives of Blair County, and for many years carried on farm- ing in Frankstown Township, but he spent his declining years in retirement at Hollidays- burg. They were members of the Presby- terian church and were buried at the Presby- terian Cemetery at Hollidaysburg. Jacob and Elizabeth Brua were the parents of the following children : Elliott ; Blair A. ; Lynn A., president of the Citizens' National Bank of Hollidaysburg; Mary J., wife of Dr. Rob- ert Irwin of Hollidaysburg; and Elizabeth B., wife of T. Irwin Smith of Hollidaysburg. Mr. Brua was politically identified with the Republican party.

The paternal grandparents of our subject were Daniel and Mary Brua, who came from

Lancaster County, Pa., in 1818, and the ma- ternal grandparents were George and; Ruth Elliott, the former of Franklin County, and the latter of Blair County.

Elliott H. Brua was reared in his native township, where he attended the local schools, and after spending one term in the seminary at Hollidaysburg, engaged in farming for a short time. He later taught in the dis- trict schools of the county for six terins, was a clerk in a store one year, and con- ducted a grocery store for one year, and for the past eighteen years has farmed his pres- ent place, which he inherited from his father. He has operated his mill for twelve years and his father operated it from 1884 until about 1889. The mill is supposed to be over 100 years old, as Mr. Brua has papers showing it was here in 1813. Mr. Brua is one of the public spirited and progressive citizens of the township. He is politically identified with the Republican party but has never cared to hold office.

FERDINAND A. WINTER, senior mem- ber of the business firm of F. A. Winter & Son, extensive dealers in pianos, organs and other musical instruments, handling every- thing known in music, with quarters at No. 1317 Eleventh Avenue, Altoona, founded this business in this city in 1879, and for thirty years he has been closely identified with Al- toona and its varied interests. Mr. Winter was born at what was then known as Phillips- burg, but now is Monaca, Beaver County, Pa., May 23, 1844, and is a son of Rev. Ferdinand and Joanna (Swartz) Winter.

Rev. Ferdinand Winter was born in Ger- many and in 1839 he came to Beaver County, Pa., and for forty-seven years served as a pastor in the Reformed church. He was a man of scholarly attainments, a graduate of one of the great German universities, and had the lines of his life led him into either art or music, he would doubtless have become as emi- nent as he was useful in his spiritual work. Many residents of Beaver County recall his technical skill as a musician, a number having

ELLIOTT H BRUA

JACOB L. BRUA

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been his pupils in their youth, and they also remember his enthusiasm concerning his many beautiful flowers which he grew because he loved them. This kind, virtuous and beloved teacher and pastor lived to be seventy-five years of age. He married Joanna Swartz, who was born in Switzerland and survived him five years.

Ferdinand A. Winter inherited many of his father's natural gifts and after completing his academic course he engaged in teaching music and for some time was instructor in both vocal and instrumental music in the United Presby- terian Seminary in Beaver County. In 1871 he resigned his professorship in that institu- . tion and then passed eight years at Pittsburg, where he dealt in musical instruments. In 1879 he came to Altoona and the recognition of his talents and appreciation of his business methods here, caused him to decide on this city as a future home. Mr. Winter has done much to raise the standard of musical taste, and the patronage he has received has been a substantial proof of the public's recognition of his art and his untiring labors to advance it. He offers only the best to his patrons in musical instruments and appliances of all kinds, his own natural as well as acquired knowledge in this line making him a competent judge and the best of advisors. He has seen his business de- velop from a comparatively small beginning into one that has trade connections all through Central Pennsylvania. The present firm style was adopted when he admitted his son, Arthur E. Winter, to partnership. He has always been a loyal and active citizen. In 1861 he entered the Federal Army and his musical pro- ficiency secured him the position of bandmaster of the 63rd Pa. Vol. Inf., and later of the 5th Heavy Artillery, and he served until the close of the war.

Mr. Winter was married in 1875 to Miss Anna Buhl, a daughter of Henry Buhl, of Butler County, and they have had seven chil- dren: Walter F., Arthur E., Harry E., Edith E., Carl Lewis, Paul T. and Marie H. The family home is situated at No. 1914 Twelfth Avenue, Altoona. Mr. Winter and family are

members of the Presbyterian church. He is identified with the Grand Army of the Re- public.

LEVI HOOVER, a well known agriculturist of Allegheny Township, Blair County, Pa., where he owns seventy-six acres of land, sixty- one of which comprises his home farm, was born in this township, February 1, 1861, and is a son of Jacob W. and Susanna (Shadel) Hoover.

Jacob W. Hoover was born in Blair County and was about eighteen months old when his father died. His mother later married a Mr. Brown and when he was eleven years old he accompanied his mother and step-father to Indiana County, Pa., where he remained until he was seventeen years of age. He then re- turned to Blair County and engaged in farm work and finally settled on the place now owned by his son, Levi Hoover. He was a very worthy man and in his death Allegheny Town- ship lost a good citizen. He was married twice, his first wife being a Miss Rice and they had one daughter, Maria, now deceased. His second union was with Susanna Shadel and they had a large family, of which the fol- lowing children survive: Levi; Jemima, who is the wife of William G. Diehl, of Juniata County, Pa .; John W., who lives in Indiana County, Pa .; George W., who resides at Dun- cansville; Ellen; Mary E., who is the wife of Samuel R. Clapper, of Allegheny Township; Sarah A., who is the wife of Alexander Bru- baker, of Allegheny Township; Blair S. and Jacob W., both of whom live in Allegheny Township; and Nancy, who is the wife of Ed- ward Wyant, living near Duncansville. Jacob W. Hoover was a member of the German Baptist church.

Levi Hoover grew to man's estate in Alle- gheny Township and has always resided in this very desirable part of Blair County. His busi- ness has been farming and he has carried it on with the thoroughness which has brought him prosperity.

Mr. Hoover was married for the first time, May 5, 1897, to Mary J. Strayer, of near

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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

Roaring Springs, Pa., who died December 17, 1907. They had four children: Brice D., Jacob W., Grace L. and Sarah C. Mr. Hoover married for his second wife, Mrs. Alice Bru- baker, on April 13, 1910. Her father was Thomas Burkhart, of Allegheny Township and she was first married to Wesley Brubaker, who left four children: Homer, Ross, Eva and Nelson. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover are members of the Carson Valley German Baptist Church, in which he is serving as a deacon. He takes no very active part in politics but casts his vote with the Republican party.

JOHN A. BIDDLE, one of the successful farmers and highly esteemed citizens of Wood- bury Township, Blair County, Pa., resides on a tract of 235 acres, and was born on this farm, October 8, 1845, a son of John and Anna D. (Anderson) Biddle, who were early settlers of Blair County. The paternal grandparents of our subject, John and Elizabeth Biddle, were natives of Germany, and after coming to this country first located in Maryland. The ma- ternal grandparents, Julius and Harriet An- derson, came here from Holland. John Biddle, father of subject, followed farming in Wood- bury Township. In politics he was identified with the Republican party. Both parents were members of the Presbyterian church. They had two sons, Charles, who died in infancy ; and John A., the subject of this record.

John A. Biddle grew to man's estate on the home farm in Woodbury Township, and ob- tained his education in the common schools of the township and at Williamsburg Academy, where he spent six months. He then taught in the schools of Blair County twelve terms, and about 1870 came to his present farm, which was then known as the John Snively farm. He has resided here continuously since that time, following farming in a general way, and is also owner of 348 acres of land in North Dakota. Mr. Biddle is a Prohibitionist, politically, and is at present a justice of the peace in Wood- bury Township, and has also served on the school board of this township. He is a member of the Presbyterian church.

In 1875 Mr. Biddle was joined in marriage with Miss Anna C. Johnston, a daughter of James M. and Rachel B. Johnston, who were well known residents of Blair County. Her father, during his early life, was a merchant and the owner of boats on the canal, but later in life followed farming in this county. She was the youngest of six children, who lived to maturity, namely: Robert M., Calvin C., George Elliott, Joseph, Martha, and Anna C. Mr. and Mrs. Biddle reared three children: Ida F., widow of James Patterson; and Emma A. and Lloyd.

JEREMIAH LONG, a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Butlerville, Pa., is the owner of a fine farm of 125 acres in Juniata Township, and is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Blair County, Pa. He was born January 19, 1839, in Greenfield , Township, Blair County, Pa., a son of John H. and Elizabeth (Burke) Long, and a grand- son of George Long. The grandfather was a native and practically a life-long resident of Maryland, but died in Blair County, Pa., hav- ing come here but a short time previous to his demise.

John H. Long, father of our subject, was a native of Maryland, and the mother was born in Bedford County, Pa. Early in life he learned the blacksmith trade at St. Clairsville, Bedford County, Pa., and followed the same there for a number of years previous to coming to Blair County, afterward here in connection with farming, until the time of his death. He was prominent among the early settlers of Greenfield Township. Mr. Long was twice married, and of the children born of those unions the following survive: George, who is a resident of Bedford County, Pa .; Jeremiah ; Daniel J., who resides in Missouri; Elizabeth, who now is a resident of Portage, Pa., is the widow of James Eicher, late of Greenfield Township; and Lucinda, who is the wife of Albert Wyant, of Bedford County, Pa.

Jeremiah Long was reared in Greenfield Township, his father's farm being the scene of his boyhood's activities, and his education

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was obtained in the local schools of the town- ship. He was for twelve years a member and manager of the firm of Colbroth, Hasty & Company, manufacturers of shooks for hogs- heads, which were shipped to the West Indies, principally for the Cuban trade. These shooks were there sent to plantations, where they were made into hogsheads and filled with sugar and molasses and made ready for the market. Mr. Long has also been identified with agricultural pursuits much of his life and is the owner of a fine farm of 125 acres in Juniata Township. He has been a resident of Butlerville, now known as Blue Knob, Pa., since shortly after the beginning of the Civil War, and was one of the early settlers of this section of Blair County. He was for some years postmaster at Blue Knob, and was for some twenty years en- gaged in the mercantile business at Butler- ville, and carried on general farming in con- nection with same. Mr. Long is a Republican in politics, and has served as a member of the school board and as road supervisor of Juniata Township, and during 1890 and 1900 was census enumerator of this township.

Mr. Long was first united in marriage with Miss Maria Ritchey, a native of Greenfield Township, and a daughter of George Ritchey, of Greenfield Township, and of this union were born two children: C. Medora, who is the wife of Joseph Ritchey, a general merchant, residing near Ben's Creek, Cambria County, Pa .; and Sarah, who is the wife of John Ritchey of Butlerville, Pa. Mr. Long's second union was with Sarah Burger, a native of Juniata Township, and a daughter of David Burger, deceased, of Juniata Township. Of the children born of this union the following survive: Lewis N., who resides in Blair Township, Blair County, Pa .; Benjamin F., who is a resident of Juniata Township; Reuben B., who is engaged in the mercantile business at · Butlerville; Minnie, who is the wife of Albert Ritchey, of Duncansville, Pa .; Ida, who married George Corl, a resident of East Al- toona, and a locomotive engineer on the Penna. R. R .; James B., who lives in Butlerville; Ira

F., who resides in Altoona, Pa .; and Edna, who lives in Butlerville.

W. RAY METZ, junior member of the J. G. Metz Hardware Company, and a stock- holder of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Williamsburg, Pa., comes of one of the old established families of Blair County, and of one of the few old families, who have lived continuously in Williamsburg. He was born February 6, 1882, in Williamsburg, Pa., and is a son of J. Grove and Julia (Pat- terson) Metz. The paternal grandparents of our subject were John and Susan (Isen- berg) Metz, the former of whom was born in 1816, just on the outskirts of the borough of Williamsburg. The maternal grand- father of our subject, Thomas Patterson, was superintendent of the canal, and was one of the prominent men of this locality.

J. Grove Metz, senior member of the J. G. Metz Hardware Company, of Williamsburg, was also born in this borough, and is one of the leading and highly esteemed citizens of the town. In politics he leans toward the Democratic party. Religiously he is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church. His union with Julia Patterson resulted in the follow- ing issue: John Alfred, who is an attorney at Pittsburg, Pa., was married November 14, 1907, to Anna R. Murray, a daughter of A. B. and Elizabeth Murray, of Bridgeville, Allegheny County, Pa., and they have one son, John A. Jr .; W. Ray, the subject of this record; and Harry C., who is a student at the University of Pennsylvania.

W. Ray Metz was reared in Williams- burg and after a common school education, went to Pittsburg, where he was employed some time with the Westinghouse Electric Company. He then returned to Williams- burg, where he was a clerk in his father's store, and on January 1, 1909, became jun- ior member of the J. G. Metz Hardware Company.

On June 22, 1910, Mr. Metz was joined in marriage with Miss Maud Roller, who is a daughter of B. W. and Ella (Hunter) Rol-

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ler, well known residents of Williamsburg. She has one sister, Fannie, and one brother, George Roller. In politics Mr. Metz is in- dependent. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian church. He affiliates with the Heptasophs of Williamsburg.

N. AUGUSTINE STEVENS, funeral di- rector, with finely appointed quarters at No. 1619 Eighth Avenue, Altoona, was born in this city in 1872, and is a son of Joseph and Matilda (Flaugh) Stevens.

Joseph Stevens was born in Blair County, in 1844, and died in March, 1910. He was a son of Nicholas R. Stevens, who was also born in Blair County. The Stevens family is not only one of the very oldest in Blair County, but one of the few in the United States which can trace its founder to a member of that daring body of men who manned the flag-ship of no less a person than Christopher Columbus when the little caravel brought the great discoverer to American shores. For thirty years the late Joseph Stevens was engaged in the under- taking business at Altoona. He married Matilda Flaugh, who survives, and they had ten children, and of this family the follow- ing are living: N. Augustine; Agnes, who is the wife of L. A. Luther, of Altoona, whose ancestry can be traced back to the great Lutheran reformer, Martin Luther; Gertrude; J. Edward, who is in the furni- ture and undertaking business at Carroll- town, Pa .; Theresa; Charles C., who lives at Altoona; Frank B., who is a druggist at Altoona ; Clara E .; Vincent L., who is con- nected with his oldest brother in busi- ness; and Gerald H., who is a student of pharmacy.

N. Augustine Stevens was reared and educated at Altoona and as soon as he left school became associated with his father and was so connected for twenty-two years, under the firm style of Joseph Stevens & Son, and on the death of the older partner, succeeded to the business. The firm long since built up a business reputation for hon-

esty, integrity, promptness and courtesy. Mr. Stevens carries a large stock of the equipments necessary to his business, and can be relied on in every emergency.

In 1900, Mr. Stevens was married to Miss Regina Allen, a daughter of James Allen of Altoona, and they have four children : Maria M., Joseph J., Frances A. and Thomas M. Mr. Stevens and family belong to the Sacred Heart Catholic church. He is identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Elks, the Young Men's Institute, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Knights of St. George. He belongs also to the State Funeral Directors' Association.

NORMAN STULTZ, who is successfully operating his father's farm of eighty acres, situated in Woodberry Township, Blair County, Pa., was born in Frankstown Township, Blair County, February 5, 1874. His parents are Daniel and Susan (Mor- gan) Stultz.

Daniel Stultz carried on farming in Woodberry Township for a number of years and the family is a well known and highly respected one in this section. The follow- ing children were born to Daniel Stultz and wife: Anna, who is the wife of John A. Isenberg; Charles; Martha, who is de- ceased, was the wife of S. C. Royer; Eliza- beth, who is the widow of A. G. Wagner; Martin L .; Salome, who is the wife of Cal- vin Freese; Norman; Rhoda, who is the wife of R. C. Claybaugh; Catherine, who is the wife of Warren Lingenfelter; and G. E. The parents of the above family are mem- bers of the Lutheran church. In politics Daniel Stultz is a Republican.

Norman Stultz obtained his education in the township schools. His chosen life work has been farming, which he understands very thoroughly. For the past nine years he has rented the farm he is cultivating and the care and attention he has given it show in the abundant crops and the healthy in- crease in his herds and general stock. He is a quiet, practical, well informed man, one

REV. GEORGE J. BOCK

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who does his duty as a citizen and as a neighbor. Like his father he is a Republi- can in his political views.

Mr. Stultz was married in March, 1899, to Miss Clara Lower. Her parents are Will- iam and Anna (Snively) Lower, farming people in Blair County, who have had chil- dren as follows: Frank, Clara, Ira, Hattie, Barbara, William and Edith, Barbara being the wife of Archie Gunnett. Mr. and Mrs. Stultz have four children: Wilmer, Ell- wood, Frances and Mabel. This family is a representative one in the Lutheran church in Woodbury Township.

REV. GEORGE J. BOCK, who has been pastor of St. Michael's German Catholic Church of Hollidaysburg, Pa., since August 1901, was born June 13, 1872, at Pittsburg, Pa., and is a son of George and Mary Magdalene (Fleck- enstein) Bock. He spent his boyhood in Pittsburg, where he attended the schools of St. Martin's Church until thirteen years of age, and then entered St. Fidelis College, at Herman Station, Butler County, Pa., where he continued his studies for five years. He then became a student at St. Mary's Semi- nary at Baltimore, and five years later re- ceived all of the offices but that of Priest- hood. In 1896 he was ordained at St. Vin- cents, served as assistant at St. George's Church of Pittsburg until December, 1900, when he was appointed assistant of St. Mary's Church of Altoona, Pa. He acted as assistant there until August, 1901, when he was appointed pastor of St. Michael's German Catholic Church of Hollidaysburg, Pa., and has had charge of this parish contin- uously since that time. This church was built in 1862 and has a membership of one hundred families.

A. F. SHERMAN, a well known dairy- man of Allegheny Township, Blair County, Pa., has resided on his present place near Cross Keyes, since 1892, where he has 106 acres devoted to dairy purposes. He was born in Shendoah County, Va., August 23, 1843, and is a son of Levi and Elizabeth

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 87

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