Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 89

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 89

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Since May 1, 1908, Prof. Wertz has been a member of the firm of Wertz and Hess,

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proprietors of the Duncansville Granite and Marble Works, successors to H. F. Peck, manu- facturers and dealers in all kinds of artistic monumental and cemetery work. He has long been deeply interested in the Blair County Agricultural Association and in all organiza- tions looking to the advantage of farmers. He has been secretary of this associtaion since the spring of 1907, having been one of its promoters and is a director and stockholder. He is county deputy of the Blair County Grange, and secretary of Blair Pomona Grange, and for four years was master of Allegheny Grange, No. 1154, at Duncansville. He is serving also as secretary of the Duncansville Building and Loan Association. For many years he has been a Mason and is a member of the Blue Lodge at Hollidaysburg, of Moun- tain Commandery at Altoona and the Chapter at Hollidaysburg, and is also an Odd Fellow, with connections at Claysburg, Pa. He is a member and a trustee of the Methodist Epis- copal church at Duncansville and superintend- ent of the Sabbath-school.

H. HALE BROTHERLINE, M. D., A. M., one of Hollidaysburg's leading professional men, where he has been engaged in the prac- tice of medicine and surgery for a quarter of a century, was born at Hollidaysburg, Pa., May 30, 1859. His parents were John and Martha Gregg (Kinne) Brotherline. The 'Brotherline family is of German and Welsh extraction but has been of American birth for many generations. Thomas Brotherline, the grandfather of Dr. Brotherline was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., where he became a successful business man, married and reared a family of nine children and one of his sons, John Brotherline, became the father of Dr. Brotherline of this record.

John Brotherline was born in 1812, at Frankstown, Pa., then in Huntingdon, now in Blair County. He became a lawyer and occu- pied a leading position on the Blair County bar and also entered journalism after becoming a resident of Hollidaysburg, ably editing and conducting the Blair County Whig, which he

made one of the leading newspapers of Western Pennsylvania. He was active in public and useful in private life. During the Civil War he was an upholder of the Government and served in an official position. His death oc- curred in 1879, when he was aged sixty-six years. He married Martha Gregg Kinne, who was born in Center County, Pa., and they became the parents of six sons, two of whom survive: Henry Hale and Eric Gregg, the latter of whom is a prominent attorney of Altoona. The venerable mother resides at No. 415 Allegheny Street, Hollidaysburg.

H. Hale Brotherline was educated in the excellent public schools of his native place and the academies at Bellefonte and Hollidaysburg and later took a commercial course in the Bryant and Stratton Business College, follow- ing which he entered Princeton College, where he was graduated in 1880. He immediately became a student in Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, and from that noted old in- stitution was graduated with credit, in 1883. Dr. Brotherline then returned to Hollidays- burg, believing a field was open here for a thoroughly qualified professional man, and in this belief he was not mistaken. He has long enjoyed the confidence of the majority of his fellow citizens and his professional skill is recognized over a wide territory. He is identi- fied with county, state and national medical organizations and has served as president of the county body and has held other official positions. For some years he was physician to the Blair County Poor Farm. Dr. Brother- line keeps fully abreast with the times and in his practice utilizes the methods which modern science has brought to the attention of the world, if in his judgment they are of real value. He was reared in the Presbyterian faith and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Hollidaysburg. He is a 32nd degree Mason and is a member of Juniata Lodge No. 282, F. & A. M., at Hollidaysburg, in which he is an official. Politically he is a Republican.

JOHN B. ROYER, one of the substantial and enterprising farmers of Woodbury Town-

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ship, and owner of the old Royer homestead of 200 acres, was born in 1856, on his present farm, and is a son of Samuel K. and Elizabeth (Bossler) Royer. Jacob and Mary (Keagy) Royer, paternal grandparents of our subject, came to Blair County in 1814, from Franklin County, Pa. The maternal grandparents were Jacob and Polly Daughenbaugh Bossler.

Samuel K. Royer, father of our subject, was also born on the old Royer homestead in Woodbury Township, and the mother was born also in this township. They were the parents of the following children: Catherine, who is the widow of John Smith; Mary, who is de- ceased; Martin; Jane, who first married J. D. Aurandt, now deceased, and later Edward Feight; Franklin; Anna, who is the wife of James Miller; Delilah, who married D. S. Hoover; John B .; Jacob; Melissa, who is the wife of E. E. Snively; and Samuel Calvin. The father was a Republican. Both parents were members of the Church of God.

John B. Royer was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools of the township. He early in life began working on the farm, then spent seven years engaged in threshing, after which he embarked in the mercantile business at Yellow Springs, where he continued for two years. For eight years he was proprietor of a hotel at Altoona, Pa., and since 1898 has been following farming on the Royer homestead, which he purchased after his father's death. In politics Mr. Royer is a Republican, and has served as supervisor, and was committeeman for eight years. His re- ligious connection is with the Church of God. Mr. Royer first married Clara Daniels, who died in 1891, and his second union was with Dora Bateman. No children were born of either union. Mrs. Royer is also a member of the Church of God.

GEORGE STOM, whose valuable farm of 128 acres is situated in Allegheny Township, Blair County, Pa., has been a lifelong resident of this township and was born here June II, 1843. His parents were George and Catherine Stom.

Both the father and mother of Mr. Stom were born in Baden, Germany, and they were about twenty-five years of age when they emi- grated to America and came directly to Blair County. They secured land that was then lieavily timbered. They were sturdy, indus- trious German people and soon accomplished the clearing of this land and here they lived until death. They were consistent members of the Lutheran church. Of their children the following still survive: Mary, widow of O. U. Selvitz, of Allegheny Township; George; Catherine, of Altoona; Margaret, wife of Joseph Wilt, of Duncansville; David, of Alle- gheny Township, while three are deceased; Sarah, John and Jacob. Jacob Stom was a soldier in the Civil War and was killed at the battle of the Wilderness.

George Stom had but few educational ad- vantages when he was a boy but his farm training began early and was very thorough and he is numbered with the successful agricul- turists of this section. He has lived on his present farm for forty years and in addition to raising grain, potatoes and hay, he devotes considerable attention to growing fruit, having orchards and also patches of small fruits. He follows very practical methods and has greatly prospered.

Mr. Stom married Miss Almina Clapper, a daughter of George Clapper, a former resident of Allegheny Township, and a family of eight children were born to them, namely: Mary, who is the wife of Austin Helsel, of Alle- gheny Township; Annie, who is the wife of William Sherman, also of Allegheny Town- ship; William and Noble H., both of whom reside at Altoona; Howard, who is a resident of Pitcairn, Pa .; Elsie, who is the wife of Charles Gearhart, of Duncansville, Pa .; Lloyd, who resides at Altoona; and Stella, who lives at home. Mr. Stom and family are members of the Lutheran church at Duncansville. He is not identified with either of the great political parties but casts his vote according to his own judgment.

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HON. ANDREW S. STAYER, M. D., who is engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Altoona, Pa., has long been eminent in his profession in Blair County, and for years has also been prominently identified with other interests vital to the progress and development of this section. He was born on his father's estate in South Woodbury Town- ship, Bedford County, Pa., May 21, 1848, and on the paternal side traces his ancestry to France and on the maternal to Switzerland. His paternal great-grandfather accompanied General Lafayette to America and served with him in the patriot army during the Revolu- tionary War, afterward settling permanently in Bedford County, Pa. The parents of Dr. Stayer are both deceased.

Andrew S. Stayer made such good use of his educational opportunities in his youth that by the time he was seventeen years of age, he had assimilated enough book knowledge to be an acceptable teacher; and from that time on until he began the serious study of medical sci- ence he alternated in teaching school and at- tending the normal institute as a student. In 1870, when he began attending medical lec- tures at the Michigan State University, he pos- sessed a well trained mind and one well stored with general knowledge.

After another period spent in the office of his preceptor, Dr. Charles Long, of South Woodbury, he entered Jefferson Medical Col- lege at Philadelphia, from which justly famed institution he was graduated on March 12, 1873. He immediately located for practice at Roaring Springs, Blair County, where, in the face of many discouragements, he finally won the confidence of the public and there built up a large and substantial practice. For many years he served as physician also for the out- door paupers of Taylor Township, and for ten years was a member of the school board. Realizing at last, however, that his field of opportunity was too circumscribed where he was situated, he surrendered the associations he had there formed, and coming to Altoona, be- gan anew the task of making himself a place and building up a worthy name in a strange community. How thoroughly he has done

this, his fellow citizens well know. Not only has he won distinction in the ranks of his chosen profession, but he has also achieved it in a wider field of action-the arena of public politics.

An active Republican, he was sent in 1880 as a senatorial delegate from Blair and Cam- bria Counties to the Pennsylvania State Con- vention of the Republican party that nominated James A. Garfield for the Presidency. In 1891 he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature and served until 1893. From April 5, 1879, until 1904, he was offi- cially connected with the Pennsylvania State Guards, being appointed by Governor Hoyt as- sistant surgeon of the 5th infantry, and serv- ing until February 12, 1880, when he was made surgeon and served as such until April 29, 1883. On April 18, 1884, he was ap- pointed assistant surgeon and in the same month became surgeon, and through subsequent appointments and promotions became major and surgeon of this regiment. In 1904 Dr. Stayer was promoted to lieutenant colonel and chief surgeon of the division and still holds that rank.

Dr. Stayer has been a force in furthering educational legislation and has long been a worker in church and Sunday school. His connection with Odd Fellowship has been of long duration and of much importance. He has filled the office of district deputy grand master in Blair County. In 1870 he joined Cove Lodge No. 368 in Bedford County, into which he was iniated by J. I. Noble. He also became a charter member of Archie Maxwell Lodge No. 145. He was a charter member of Model Lodge No. 856, at Roaring Springs, and was its first noble grand; and is also a charter member of Amicitia Lodge No. 775, of Pattonsville, with which he continued to be identified until he moved to Roaring Spring.

In Masonry he is a Knight Templar and 32d degree Mason, belonging to Portage Lodge, No. 220, F. & A. M., at Hollidays- burg; Woodbury Lodge, F. &. A. M .; Hiram Lodge, No. 616, of which he is first worship- ful master; of Mount Moriah Chapter, No. 166, R. A. M., Hollidaysburg; of Mountain

HON. ANDREW S. STAYER, M. D.

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Commandery, No. 10, K. T., Altoona; and Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of which he is a past officer. He has been a member of the school board at Altoona for ten years.

On July 30, 1870, Dr. Stayer was married to Miss Rosa M. Brumbaugh, and they have two sons and one daughter, the sons being named respectively, Edgar Simon and Morri- son Clay. Both have received the degree of A. B. and are officers in the U. S. army. Dr. Stayer himself served in the Spanish-American War, with the rank of major-surgeon of the 5th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Both his sons were in the same regiment-one as a commis- sioned officer and the other as a member of the hospital corps. Dr. Stayer's daughter, Clara Mabel, is a graduate of Wellesley College, be- ing especially well qualified in the modern lan- guages, botány, and landscape gardening.

WILLIAM HOWARD HARPSTER, president of the Board of County Commis- sioners of Blair County, Pa., is a leading citizen of Frankstown and for many years has successfully conducted agricultural operations on his farm of sixty-one acres, situated in Canoe Creek Township. He was born on this farm November 28, 1864, and is a son of William and Sarah C. (Brown) Harpster.

William Harpster was a prosperous farmer, and when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, he left behind a wife and children. He was a member of Co. M., 9th Pa. Vol. Cav., and in the sad fortunes of war he was captured by the enemy and was incarcerated in the terrible Confederate prison at Florence, N. C., in 1864, and died there.

William Howard Harpster thus grew up without having known a father's protecting care, but was fortunate in having a wise and sensible mother who sent him to school and in every possible way prepared him for the duties of life. That he has been a credit to her can not be denied, Mr. Harpster being one of the most highly respected citizens of

a section in which his entire life has been spent. He has been very active in politics for a number of years, and is one of the leading Republicans of this section of Blair County. In November, 1905, he was first elected county commissioner and assumed the duties of office in 1906, and in the fall of 1908 was re-elected and for two years has been president of the board. He is one of the most popular officials in the county.

Mr. Harpster was married to Miss Mar- garet Burger, a daughter of David and Catherine Burger, and they have one son, Fred B. Mr. and Mrs. Harpster are mem- bers of the United Brethren church and are active in the work of the Sunday-school, Mr. Harpster serving as its secretary for many years. He is a member of the Franks- town Band and he is identified fraternally with the Odd Fellows and the Sons of Vet- erans.

DANIEL AND SAMUEL SNIVELY, progressive farmers and enterprising citi- zens of Woodbury Township, Blair County, Pa., reside on a tract of ninety-one acres, and were born on this farm, which they own in partnership, and are sons of Christian and Barbara (Bayer) Snively.

Christian Snively was a farmer by occu- pation and was a native of Blair County, Pa., having been born on the farm above mentioned. His wife was a native of Wash- ington County, Md. After the Civil War he became identified with the Republican party. . The religious convictions of the family was with the River Brethren church. Seven children were born to Christian and Barbara Snively: Benjamin; Daniel; Sam- uel; Mary A., who is the wife of Samuel Sparr; George A., who lives at Denver, Col .; Elizabeth ; and Susan, who died, aged seventeen years.

Daniel Snively was born January 16, 1846, and Samuel Snively was born December 25, 1847. Both were educated in the district schools of Woodbury Township. In the fall of 1864, when eighteen years of age,

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Daniel enlisted in Co. B, 208th Pa. Inf., and served until the close of the war, and then returned to the farm and has followed farm- ing here ever since, he and Samuel having purchased the home farm from the other heirs of the estate. Both Samuel and Daniel Snively are Republicans in politics, the latter having served as supervisor of this township. Daniel is a member of the G. A. R., Post Robert M. Johnston No. 464, of Williamsburg, and is also a member of the Grange.

In 1870 Daniel Snively married Mary A. Sorrick, a daughter of George and Nancy (Cromer) Sorrick, who were among the early settlers of Blair County, the family having been established here more than 100 years ago, and is one of the following chil- dren born to her parents: J. C .; A. C .; Sarah J., who is the wife of William Rich- ardson; Alice, who married E. H. Rhule; and Mary (Mrs Snively). Mr. and Mrs. Snively reared the following children: Or- ville C., Austin C., Herman and Lula F., who married Elmer Treese, and has one son, Lester. . Mrs. Snively died September 20, 1899. The family attends the Lutheran church.

WILLIAM YECKLEY, proprietor of the Duncansville Feed Mill, at Duncansville, Pa., was engaged, prior to 1909, in agricul- tural pursuits in Juniata Township, Blair County, where he owns a fine farm of 160 acres. He was born at Julia Ann Furnace, Pa., February 21, 1866, and is a son of Christian and Catherine (Caltabaugh) Yeckley, both of whom were natives of Germany, who came at maturity to Amer- ica.

William Yeckley was about two years old when his parents moved to Osceola, Pa., and was in his seventh year when they moved to Juniata Township, in Blair County, where he grew to man's estate, and occasionally attended the public schools. Until he retired from the farm and opened up his business at Duncansville, he was one

of the leading agriculturists of his section, and one of the most prominent in all move- ments concerned in the advancement of agri- cultural conditions. He continues his mem- bership with Poplar Run Grange, No. 1137, Patrons of Husbandry, in Freedom Town- ship, and was master of the same for two years, and a son and two daughters are also members. He was one of the organizers of this body, and consistently showed his sin- cere interest in its progress for a number of years.

On September 29, 1887, Mr. Yeckley was married to Miss Sarah Leighty, a native of Juniata Township, and a daughter of David M. and Catherine (Stiffler) Leighty, and a granddaughter of Jacob Leighty, who was a native of Germany, and was one of the first settlers in Juniata Township. David M. Leighty and wife are among the best known residents of Newry, Pa. Of their children the following survive: Harvey B., residing at Newry; David A. and Lloyd, both also of Newry; Elizabeth, wife of Will- iam Buckle, of Newry; Ida M., wife of Ir- vin Oldham, of Portage, Pa .; Ella M., wife of Washington Weaver, of Newry; and Sarah, wife of William Yeckley.

Mr. and Mrs. Yeckley have the following children: Elmer R., Maud C., Edna G., Frank A., Roy I., David C., Mary E., Ruth G. and Wilmer D. Mrs. Yeckley is a mem- ber of the Lutheran church at Newry, hav- ing been reared in the same, and Mr. Yeck- ley is also a member and one of the deacons. In politics he is a Democrat and while liv- ing in the country served four years as tax collector of Juniata Township. Although his business at Duncansville is yet in its youth, he is so well and favorably known to his fellow citizens and particularly to those from whom his largest amount of pat- ronage would come, that there is no doubt of his prospering.

JOSEPH D. FINDLEY, M. D., physi- cian and surgeon in his native city of Al- toona, Pa., where he was born in 1877, bears

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a name that has been honored in the profes- sion for two generations before him. He is a son of Dr. William M. Findley, and a grandson of Dr. William R. Findley, the last named having been a noted practitioner in Blair County in early days. Dr. William M. Findley was born in Huntingdon County, graduated from the medical depart- ment of the University of Pennsylvania, and for thirty-nine years was one of the leading physicians of Altoona. He married Emma Dysart, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann (Wigton) Dysart, very old country people.

Joseph D. Findley, after leaving the pub- lic schools at Altoona, then entered Lafay- ette College, where he was graduated in the class of 1897. He entered the medical de- partment of the University of Pennsylvania and was there graduated in 1900, since which time he has been actively engaged in practice at Altoona. He is a member of the surgical staff of the Altoona Hospital and is surgeon for the Pennsylvania Railroad and for the Altoona and Logan Valley electric line. He is county medical inspector for the State Department of Health. Dr. Findley holds membership in the Blair County and the State Medical Societies, and also the American Medical Association.

In 1907, Dr. Findley was married to Miss Eliza Dean, daughter of Hon. John Dean, of Hollidaysburg, Pa., and they have two children: Joseph Dysart, Jr., and Margaret Dean. Dr. and Mrs. Findley are members of the Second Presbyterian church. In ad- dition to his professional interests he is con- cerned in several important business enter- prises of this section and is a director in the Union Bank and is president of the Altoona Iron Company.

T. DEAN ROSS, who has been post- master of Williamsburg, Pa., since August 4, 1909, is one of the enterprising business men of the borough and was born here May II, 1877, a son of Charles and Mary (Pat- terson) Ross. The family was established

in Blair County by Dr. John D. Ross, grand- father of our subject, who came here in 1832. Charles and Mary Ross were both born and reared in Williamsburg, and were members of the Presbyterian church. The father was a Republican in politics. Our subject is the only surviving child born of their union, one daughter having died in infancy, and one died when twenty-four years of age.

T. Dean Ross attended the common schools of Williamsburg and the Pa. State Normal School at Bock Haven, of which he is a graduate, then taught one year at Bel- ville, Mifflin County, O., and was principal of the public school of Williamsburg for one year. He then spent three years in the em- ploy of the Carnegie Steel Company, was engaged in the confectionery business three years, and since August 4, 1909, has had charge of the postoffice at Williamsburg. Mr. Ross is politically a Republican, and was for three years one of the committee- men from this district. He is affiliated with the Orphans' Home Lodge of the I. O. O. F., of Williamsburg, and the Masonic. Lodge of Hollidaysburg.

On June 30, 1907, Mr. Ross was united in marriage with Mildred M. Patterson, who is a daughter of George M. Patterson. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are members of the Presby- terian church.

SAMUEL ROBESON, a well known dairyman residing on his farm of twenty- two acres, situated in Allegheny Township, near Robeson's Corners, Blair County, Pa., was born at Altoona, Pa., December 28, 1840, and is a son of David and Susan (Moore) Robeson.

David Robeson was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., a son of Andrew Robeson, who was of Scotch extraction and an early settler in Huntingdon County. David Rob- eson lived in Blair County for many years and was a justice of the peace in Allegheny Township. He married Susan Moore, who was born in Blair County, and two of their children survive: Samuel and Juniata, the

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latter of whom is the wife of John Loudon, of Altoona.

In his boyhood Samuel Robeson accom- panied his parents to Woodbury Township, and from there, in 1852, to Allegheny Town- ship. Here he grew to manhood, attending the township schools and then devoting himself mainly to dairying, his land being particularly well adapted to this industry. For twelve years he was foreman for his brother John C. Robeson, who operated a saw mill.

Mr. Robeson married Miss Adeline Will- iams, who was born in Blair County and is a daughter of William Williams, a former well known resident of this section. They have had seven children: Jennie, who is the wife of John Vipond, and they have five children-Ada, Edgar, Paul, Edith and Elizabeth, of Blair Township; Catherine, who is the wife of A. Lingafelt, of Holli- daysburg; David, who has two children- Thomas and John; William W., who has one child, Fannie Pearl; and Fannie, all of whom live in Allegheny Township; and Mary and Sarah, both of whom are de- ceased. In his political views, Mr. Robeson is a Republican. He is well known all over Blair County and is equally familiar with its people and localities. Any one who spent as many years as he did hauling logs over the mountains in early days, is entitled to speak authoritatively of the wonderful changes which have taken place in Blair County in an ordinary life time. He was the first party to haul a monument into the cemetery at Altoona.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 89

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