Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 90

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 90

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).

LEVI LININGER, auditor of Huston Township, Blair County, Pa., and one of the prominent and public spirited citizens of this section, resides on his valuable farm of 138 acres, which is situated near the village of Drab. He was born January 30, 1856, in Huntingdon County, Pa., and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Speck) Lininger, both of whom were natives of Huntingdon County. The mother died October 23, 1889; the father December 21, 1889.

Levi Lininger was reared in Walker Township, Huntingdon County, where he attended the public schools. He remained with his parents until he was thirty-one years of age, being his father's mainstay on the home farm. About this time he mar- ried and for a short period afterward, en- gaged in farming in Lincoln Township, Huntingdon County. In 1890 he settled in Huston Township, Blair County, where, with the exception of two years when busi- ness required his residence in Huntingdon County, he has continued to reside near the postoffice of Drab. He is interested in farm- ing and stock raising, growing the usual grains of this section and profitably raising market stock.

In 1887 Mr. Lininger was married to Miss Mary A. Fouse, who was born in Hunting- don County, a daughter of Benjamin and Ann Fouse. Mrs. Lininger's father is de- ceased-he died in Louisville, Kentucky, on his way home from the Civil War, August 22, 1865-but her venerable mother sur- vives and is a cherished member of Mr. Lin- inger's household. There are three chil- dren in the family: Frederick F., Anna M. and Harriet C. Mr. Lininger is a member of the Reformed church, of which he was formerly a deacon and is now an elder. In politics he is a Democrat, and is now serv- ing in his fourth term as township auditor.

GEORGE C. IRWIN, a well known and popular citizen of Hollidaysburg, Pa., and a prominent factor in Republican politics in Blair County, was born at Hollidaysburg, March 1, 1871, and is a son of Robert A. Ir- win. The latter was born in Blair County in 1848, and is a retired resident of Hollidays- burg.

George C. Irwin was reared and educated in his native place and after leaving school he learned the tinner's trade. He worked at that trade for two years and then engaged in rail- roading and for seventeen years has filled dif- ferent railroad positions, and for ten of them has been in charge of an engine; he belongs

GEO. C. IRWIN

ـاع المبـ

687

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

to that influential body known as the Brother- hood of the Locomotive Engineers. He has taken a lively interest in politics since reaching inanhood and enjoys the confidence of the party leaders and at the present writing ( 1910) he is the party's candidate for the General As- sembly at the ensuing Republican election. During the Spanish-American War he was a member of Company C, 5th Pa. Vol. Inf., and served from April 27, 1898, until his company was mustered out, November 7, 1898, his rank being that of corporal. - He is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Elks. He is a man of reliability and resourcefulness in his busi- ness and his personal character is all that could be asked for in a representative of the people.

MILTON ALEXANDER, vice presi- dent of the Central Trust Company of Al- toona, Pa., and long a prominent member of the Blair County bar, has been promi- nently identified with public matters as well as with those pertaining to his profession, in this section of Pennsylvania. He was born in Williamsburg borough, Blair County, Pa., January 2, 1846, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Rodkey) Alexander.

The Alexander family is of Irish descent, the grandfather emigrating to America in early days, and at the time of his death, in 1813, lived in Hart's Log Valley, Hunting- don County, Pa. Of his children, Robert Alexander, father of Milton, was born in Huntingdon County in 1805. In 1827 he be- came a merchant at Williamsburg, Blair County, and resided there until 1874, when he retired to Altoona, where he died in 1879. His wife, Mary Rodkey, who had been born on the same day as himself, sur- vived him for three years. They lived to celebrate their Golden Wedding anniver- sary.

Milton Alexander was educated in the old Jefferson College at Canonsburg, Washing- ton County, and was a graduate of the class of 1866, from Washington and Jefferson College, following its amalgamation. He

prepared for the practice of law with Attor- ney David Lawson, at Clarion, Pa., after which he entered the Albany Law School, where he was graduated in 1869, and on June 26 of that year was admitted to the bar of Blair County. Mr. Alexander entered into practice at Altoona and by 1871 had advanced so far in the confidence of his fel- low citizens that they elected him district attorney, in which office he served with en- tire efficiency for three years. He then re- sumed his private practice, in 1875 entering into partnership with H. H. Herr, an asso- ciation terminated in 1889 by the death of Mr. Herr. Mr. Alexander continued in practice alone for a number of years and became one of the foremost members of his profession in this section. He has been prominent also in other than professional lines, having taken an active interest in pub- lic affairs. Although he never consented to fill other than civic offices, he has always given hearty and loyal support to the candi- dates of the Republican party in state and nation. His business qualifications have been shown in his wise investments in realty, and his public spirit in the encour- agement he has given many important movements tending to the material upbuild- ing of Altoona.

In Lancaster he owns a magnificent resi- dence, probably the finest one in all Lan- caster County. To a large degree Mr. Alex- ander has retired from active business, al- though he still takes much interest in look- ing after his vast amount of real estate in Altoona.

Mr. Alexander was married September 10, 1872, to Miss Kate F. Martin, whose father was a capitalist of Lancaster City. They have two children: Ralph V. and Lil- lian M. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander attend the Lutheran church. For a number of years he has been prominently connected with the order of the Sons of America and has served the organization in the offices of State president and treasurer.

688

HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

JOHN I. BROWN, proprietor of the Roaring Spring Foundry and Machine Shop and manufacturer of and dealer in all kinds of machinery, castings, etc., has been in business at Roaring Spring, Pa., since 1904. Mr. Brown was born in South Woodbury Township, Bedford County, Pa., August 18, 1849, and is a son of David F. Brown, who was formerly a well known and respected resident of Bedford County, where he died in 1861.

John I. Brown was ten years old when his father died and he was already motherless and the oldest of a family of five children. Orphanage is particularly sad when chil- dren are young and John I. Brown found the world a very different place than it would have been had conditions been other- wise. He was, however, a sensible, ambi- tious boy, with industrious habits and strong moral leanings, and when he left school at the age of fifteen years, it was to immediately enter upon an apprenticeship to a trade. Without interruption he served out his four years in Keagy's foundry, near Woodbury, and after that worked as a journeyman through Indiana, Ohio and Missouri. In 1873 he went into business for himself at the foundry where he had learned his trade and continued until 1903, when he sold out and spent about a year looking around for a satisfactory location, visiting points in Ohio and Indiana as well as Penn- sylvania. In 1904 he came to Roaring Spring, investing here and becoming one of the settled residents. Mr. Brown is a very capable man in his line of business and is a practical moulder, woodworker and black- smith, and his enterprise at Roaring Spring is very prosperous. He is a Republican in politics and during his period of residence at Woodbury, Pa., he served two terms as burgess and was also a valued member of the council.

Mr. Brown was married in 1878, to Miss Geneva Allen of Woodbury, who is a daugh- ter of the late Christian Allen, formerly one of the leading citizens of that borough.

ELMER L. BRUA, who is now living in retirement at Canoe Creek, Pa., is the owner of twenty acres of land in Franks- town Township, and was born in May, 1855, in Turkey Valley, Frankstown Township, Blair County, Pa., and is a son of John and Amanda (Young) Brua.

Daniel Brua, the paternal grandfather of our subject. at an early period came from Lancaster County, Pa., to Blair County by stage, and here purchased land from the Lowreys. He then returned to Lancaster County for his wife, who was Mary Buck- walter, and brought his family here in a wagon, driving . a team. The maternal grandparents of our subject were Curtis and Jennie (Milligan) Young, farmers of Scotch Valley, Blair County.

John Brua was born in Blair County, Pa., and always followed farming. He was a Republican, and held membership with the Lutheran church. His union with Amanda Young resulted in the following issue : Elmer L., our subject; Clara, who married Robert Elliott; Archibald; Mary ;. John; Robert; Nannie, who is the wife of John Clare; and Elizabeth, who is the wife of Russell Kendall.

Elmer L. Brua was reared on the farm, and after a common school education en- gaged in farming with his father until the time of his marriage. He then engaged in farming for himself in the Scotch Valley, Frankstown Township, but since selling his farm, has been living in retirement on a tract of twenty acres in Canoe Creek, Pa. Mr. Brua is politically a Republican, and has served one year as supervisor of the town- ship. He is a member of the Farmers' Grange, and his religious connection is with the Presbyterian church of Hollidays- burg, Pa.

In 1877 Mr. Brua was united in marriage with Viola Moore, who is a daughter of Elias and Amanda (Stewart) Moore. She is the eldest of three children born to her parents-Frank, deceased; and Lucretia, deceased wife of Thompson E. Clark. Elias

689

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Moore formed a second union with a daugh- ter of Joseph Robeson, who was at one time a member of the Pennsylvania State Legis- lature, and of this union were born: Joseph, Edith, who married Thompson E. Clark ; Claid, who is the wife of John Jacobs; and Ruth. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brua: Dean, who married Catherine Clapper ; Ruth, who is the wife of William Ayers; Grace, who married Chester Robinson; Alice, who married Jay Tussey, and has one daughter, Ethelyn ; and Lee.

FRANK M. RUSSELL, a prominent farmer and dairyman, whose eighty-two acres of valuable land are situated in North Woodbury Township, Blair County, Pa., near Martinsburg, was born in Bedford County, Pa., December 10, 1869, and is a son of Jacob and Rebecca (Miller) Russell, and a grandson of Andrew Miller, who was an old settler in Bedford County. The father of Mr. Russell is deceased, but his mother survives and resides with a married daughter, Mrs. Henry J. Myers, in North Woodbury Township.

The following children were born to Jacob and Rebecca Russell: Andrew, resid- ing near Hollidaysburg; Frank M .; Emma F., living in Blair County, wife of John K. Wisler ; Anna J., wife of Henry J. Myers, of North Woodbury Township; Jacob D., re- siding at Martinsburg; Mary, wife of Charles H. Detwiler, of Bedford County ; Sarah, wife of Howard Kagarise, of Bed- ford County; Clara, wife of John Nico- demus, of North Woodbury Township; and Jennie, wife of Jason Brumbaugh, of Taylor Township.

Frank M. Russell was about thirteen years old when his parents moved from Bedford to Blair County, settling in North Woodbury Township. Here he has lived ever since, making farming and dairying his business. Exercising good judgment and combining it with industry, Mr. Russell has made himself one of the township's success- ful business men.

On January II, 1894, Mr. Russell was married to Miss Amanda Brumbaugh, a native of Blair County and a daughter of George H. Brumbaugh, of Clover Creek, and they have three children: Elsie B., Mary B. and Elizabeth A. Mr. Russell and family are members of the Church of the Brethren at Clover Creek, and he is deacon in the same. In politics he is a Democrat.

C. BLAINE LOUDON of the firm of Markley & Loudon, dealing in real estate and fire insurance at Altoona, Pa., with bus- iness quarters at No. 1419 Eleventh Ave- nue, was born in 1880, in Logan Township, Blair County, Pa., and is a son of the late William Loudon, who was born in 1828, also in Blair County, being a representative of one of the old and leading families of this section.

C. Blaine Loudon was educated in the public schools and at Gettysburg College, and afterward spent two years traveling through the western part of the United States, during this time visiting Colorado, California and Washington. When pre- pared to enter into business he embarked in the real estate and insurance line at Al- toona, in partnership with Mr. Markley, and the firm has done well. They handle both city and farm property, and deal exten- sively in Florida lands, having charge of large tracts in the vicinity of St. Petersburg. Mr. Loudon has additional interests, being one of the directors of the People's Build- ing and Loan Association, and is also inter- ested in the development of coal property in Pennsylvania.

Fraternally Mr. Loudon is identified with the Elks and the Woodmen, belongs to the University Club and also retains his interest in his college Greek letter society. He was reared in the Reformed church. He be- longs to that desirable class of citizens that is made up of men of education, financial stability and social standing.

690

HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

JOSEPH VAN ALLMAN, ex-burgess and a retired carpenter and contractor of Hollidays- burg, Pa., has been a lifelong resident of Blair County, Pa., and is a veteran of the Civil War. He was born July 1, 1836, in Franks- town township, Blair County, Pa., which was then part of Huntingdon County, Pa., and is a son of Adam and Catherine (Mogul) Van Allman, both of whom died in Frankstown Township, the former at the age of 50 years and the latter at the age of 80 years. The following children were born to the parents of our subject : Christina, married John Wertz, and both are now deceased; Samuel, deceased; Elizabeth, widow of Samuel Beard; John, de- ceased; Sarah, deceased wife of Samuel Boyer ; Joseph; Henry, deceased; and William.

Joseph Van Allman was reared in Franks- town Township, his father's farm being the scene of his boyhood activities, and his educa- tion was obtained in the old log schoolhouse of the township. When about eighteen years of age he came to Hollidaysburg and learned the carpenter's trade, afterwards working five / years, from 1865 to 1870, in the Pennsylvania Railroad Passenger Coach Shops at Altoona, Pa., and with the exception of that period has been a resident of Hollidaysburg.

Mr. Van Allman was united in marriage with Sarah Elizabeth Sissler of Altoona, Pa., now deceased, on May 4, 1862. She died March 21, 1906. To their union were born the following children: Minnie, the widow of Shedrick Stephens of Indiana County, Pa .; Catherine, who married Winfield Robinson of Culver, Kansas; Ida Blanche, who is the wife of Boyde Hamilton of Indiana County, Pa .; William A., who operates a grist mill on Piney Creek, Blair County, Pa., for his father; Charles A., who married Elsie Gorsuch; Rose Anna; Lillian; Samuel Ross (intermarried with Mary Slick of Altoona) ; and three who died in infancy.

In 1865 Mr. Van Allman enlisted in Com- pany B., 192nd Penna. Vol. Inf. and served until the close of the war, and is now a member of Col. William G. Murray Post No. 39 G. A. R., of Hollidaysburg. He is politically

identified with the Republican party, and has served three years as burgess of Hollidaysburg, and was a member of the borough council for three years. His religious connection is with the Lutheran Church. Mr. Van Allman re- sides on the corner of Wayne and Spruce Streets, and is also the owner of real estate in Altoona, Pa.

CLARENCE C. CLEMSON, deceased, who for many years was identified with the Altoona Title and Trust Company, was one of the city's representative men. He was born in Center County, Pa., February 9, 1865, and died at Altoona, January 9, 1908. He was one of a family of five children born to his par- ents, who were Amos and Lydia (Rider) Clemson, both of whom are deceased. He is survived by a brother, D. M. Clemson, a mil- lionaire of Pittsburg.

Clarence C. Clemson attended school in Cen- ter County, and was commercially trained at a business college in Williamsport, Pa. He then became connected in business with J. C. Go- heen & Brothers, at Tyrone, Blair County, and remained with that firm for eight years, after which he accepted the position of manager for the McLanahan Supply Company, at Carlin, where he remained for four years. This posi- tion he resigned in order to accept a more lucrative one with the Altoona Title and Trust Company, with which financial institution he remained during the balance of his life.

On December 15, 1892, Mr. Clemson was married to Miss Ida C. Clark, a daughter of the late John Clark, who was a prominent banker of Williamsburg, Pa. Five children were born to this marriage, the three survivors being: Anna J., John C. and DelRoy. Mr. Clemson was a member and a trustee of the Broad Avenue Presbyterian Church. He was very prominent in Masonry, having reached the 32d degree, and was identified with Tyrone Lodge, F. & A. M .; Mountain Commandery, No. 189, Knights Templars; Jaffa Temple. Ancient Order of the Mystic Shrine, Hollidays- burg Consistory.

Mrs. Clemson resides in Altoona. She is a

JOHN CLARK

CLARENCE C. CLEMSON

693

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

prominent figure in the best Altoona society, and it would be hard to find a worthy local cause that has not benefited by her aid and in- fluence. She comes of Revolutionary ancestry, her paternal great-grandfather, James Clark, having fought for American independence in the Revolutionary War. He was wounded at the battle of the Brandywine, September II, 1777. John Clark, grandfather of Mrs. Clem- son, was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., in 1789. At one time he operated a tannery at Birmingham, Pa., but later retired and died on his farm in Morris Township, at the age of seventy-four years. He was twice married; first to Catherine Whitzel, who died early. His second union was with Eliza Thompson, a native of Spruce Creek Township, where her father had been an early settler. Her death occurred in 1866, when she had attained the age of sixty-six years.

John Clark, second of the name and Mrs. Clemson's father, was born in Canoe Valley, Catherine Township, Blair County, Pa., De- cember 13, 1833. He was educated at Will- iamsburg Academy, and until 1873 was en- gaged in stockraising and agriculture on the home farm. He then became cashier of the Williamsburg bank, which was organized at that time, and his subsequent career was one of importance to the community. He made a very popular official and for many years was a prominent factor in the de- - velopment of the financial interests of the county. He was a large land owner, having much valuable property at Williamsburg, be- sides ore and coal properties and limestone quarries elsewhere in the county, and a fine farm of 250 acres. Mr. Clark was married, May 27, 1858, to Miss Mary J. Sisler, who died May 6, 1873. Of this union there were six children born: Edgar Thompson, who married Lucretia Moore, of Scotch Valley ; and Anna J., Charles H., Dean, John Grier and Ada.

Mr. Clark was a Republican primarily and at various times was called upon to serve in offices of public trust, in which he invariably acquitted himself with credit, justifying the

confidence of his fellow citizens in his integrity and ability. Subsequent to 1880 he espoused the cause of Prohibition, to which he devoted his best efforts, and although he was not privi- leged to witness the general success of his party for which he hoped, he was able to note much progress to that end, to which he himself con- tributed not a little. Few citizens of Blair County were more conscientious in the perform- ance of public and private duties and few, if any, were more highly esteemed. The death of Mr. Clark took place on January 21, 1904, in Altoona, and struck a chord of sorrow in the hearts of all those in the community who knew him for what he was.

JOHN S. FORSHT, one of the well known citizens of Duncansville, Pa., which pleasant borough has been his place of residence since the spring of 1894, has led a busy business life and at present is interested to a consider- able degree in livestock, particularly in the purchase and sale of horses. He was born at Henrietta, Blair County, Pa., November 16, 1848, and is a son of Jacob and Jane (Souls- bey) Forsht.

Jacob Forsht was born on South Mountain, in Franklin County, Pa., and his wife was born in England. She was a daughter of James Soulsbey, who was a sailor who later sought a home in Blair County and years afterward moved into Cambria County, where he died in old age. Jacob Forsht left his na- tive county when sixteen years of age and lo- cated for a time at Henrietta, in Blair County, and then moved to Martinsburg and subse- quently became a partner in the firm of Hand and Snowden, builders of agricultural imple- ments and machinery. The plant was known as Keagy's foundry and was located near Woodbury, Pa., and the above firm leased the works and continued the business for some years. Jacob Forsht later withdrew and set- tled on a farm on Halter Creek, in Bedford County, and lived there during the sixties and then removed to Eldorado, Pa., and prior to his death, to Juniata. Of the children of Jacob Forsht and wife there are six survivors: John

694

HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

S., residing in Blair Township; Jennie, wife of Jacob Goodman, residing at Altoona; Albert, living at Juniata ; Margaret E., wife of John Robison, of Williamsburg; Samuel I., living at Juniata; and Isabella, wife of Elmer E. McGill, living in Blair Township.

John S. Forsht was reared in Blair County and attended the schools near the family home until old enough to begin his own individual career. He tried railroading for a short time and during this period lived at Sunbury, Pa., and then moved to Millville where he went into the butchering and stock buying business and remained there for five years. He then moved to the S. C. Baker farm in Logan Township, where he lived for several years and followed farming, and then went to Allegheny Furnace. There he found dealing in horses and mules a very profitable business and he became exten- sively engaged in the same and has more or less continued since moving on his farm in Blair Township, residing at Duncansville. He has been an active citizen ever since locating here, lending his influence to the promotion of important and public spirited enterprises. He was one of the founders of the local Grange and was largely instrumental in getting estab- lished the Blair County Grange Fair Associa- tion and has been one of its directors since its beginning. He is president of the Dun- cansville Building and Loan Association and one of its directors, this being a well estab- lished business enterprise of the place.

Mr. Forsht married Miss Sarah J. Leighty, who was born in Blair County, a daughter of William Leighty, formerly of Allegheny Town- ship, and four children were born to them: Maggie, who is the wife of Charles A. Mason, of South Altoona; W. Edward, who lives in Blair Township, near Duncansville; Flora, who is the wife of W. H. Stifler, of Duncansville; and Emma, who is the wife of Thomas Parker, of Aspinwall, Pa. In politics Mr. Forsht is a Republican and he has served as auditor of Blair Township. He is a member of the Luth- cran church at Duncansville.

JOHN JAMES IRVIN, who efficiently fills the important position of superintendent of the repair shops of H. S. Kerbaugh, incorporated, contractor, at Bellwood, Pa., is a skilled and experienced machinist, a trade he started to learn immediately after leaving school. He was born at Marion, O., December 21, 1869, and is a son of James and Mary (Wolf) Irvin.

James Irvin was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and became a deep sea sailor, for three years sailing the Atlantic Ocean between Liverpool and New York. For a time he lived on -Staten Island but later moved to Marion County, O., where he engaged in farm- ing and where his death occurred in 1886. He served three years as a soldier in the Civil War as a member of Co. D, 64th O. Vol. Inf. After coming to America he married Mary Wolf, who survives and is now a resident of Marion, O.

John James Irvin was seventeen years old when his father died. He obtained his educa- tion in the public schools and as soon as parental permission was secured, he entered upon an apprenticeship in the shops of the Huber Manu- facturing Company, and continued there until 1891. From there Mr. Irvin went to the Bucyrus Steam Shovel Company, at Bucyrus, O., continuing with the same concern at South Milwaukee, Wis. Mr. Irvin then had several years of experience in the Rocky Mountains as a constructing engineer. When he returned east he became a constructing engineer with the Vulcan Iron Works, at Toledo, O. Subse- quently he became identified more or less with the Kerbaugh people, doing many jobs of con- tracting and working as a master mechanic before becoming superintendent.

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 90

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