Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 94

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 94

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H. T. HEINSLING, a leading member of the Altoona bar and belonging to one of Pennsylvania's old and prominent families, has been a resident of this city for more than thirty-four years and has been identi- fied with much that has contributed to the advancement of this section along the lines

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of education and culture. He was born at St. Clairsville, Bedford County, Pa., Janu- ary 30, 1851, and is a son of Tobias and Ann (Park-Hammond ) Heinsling.

Tobias Heinsling was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and remained in his native land until he was thirty-five years of age. In 1846 he came to America, settling in Pennsylvania, and immediately embark- ing in the shoe business at St. Clairsville, followed that occupation as long as he con- tinued in active life, his death occurring in 1854. He married Ann Park-Hammond who belonged to the old Park family of Philadelphia and who survived to the age of eighty-four years, dying at Altoona in 1889. Although reared a Presbyterian af- ter her marriage she adopted the religious faith of her husband and both were worthy members of the Evangelical Lutheran church for many years.

Henry T. Heinsling was educated in the public schools of St. Clairsville and at the Susquehanna College at Selinsgrove, Sny- der County, Pa. In 1875 he entered upon the study of law in the office of Neff & Riley, at Altoona, and was admitted to the bar of Blair County in August, 1877. When he first entered into practice here the bar was not crowded and he has witnessed many additions to its personnel and many changes in legal procedure. In his long period of practice he has been connected with much important litigation and has gained many legal triumphs. His clients are scattered over several counties and his reputation as a sound advisor, a faithful at- torney and able pleader is well established. In his professional life he has been so con- tinuously busy that public office has not ap- pealed to him, although he performs every duty demanded by good citizenship and takes pride and interest in every advance made by his city. He votes with the Dem- ocratic party.

Mr. Heinsling was married February 20, 1885, to Miss Sarah C. Loudon, a daughter of the late John Loudon. Mr. and Mrs.

Heinsling have four daughters: Juniata, Ruth, Elizabeth and Henrietta. The com- fortable family residence is at No. 2100 W. Chestnut Street, Altoona, and Mr. Heins- ling's law office is at Rooms No. 1I & 12 in the Nicholson Block.

PETER S. CLAPPER, a well known gen- eral farmer of Taylor Township, Blair County, Fa., who owns an excellent farm of ninety-six acres situated near Roaring Spring, is a prom- inent citizen and is serving in the office of township collector. He was born in N. Wood- bury Township, Blair County, Pa., April 6, 1855, and is a son of Joseph N. and Barbara (Strayer) Clapper.

Joseph N. Clapper was born in Bedford County, Pa., and he lived there until after his marriage when he moved to N. Woodbury Township, Blair County, where he resided un- tii his death in 1879. He married Barbara Strayer, who was born in Blair County, and three of their children survive: John S., of Taylor Township; Henry S., of N. Woodbury Township; and Peter S.

Peter S. Clapper had but meager educa- tional opportunities when he was young but he went to school long enough to gain a solid foundation, and practical experience and the associations of life have made him a well in- formed man. Farming has been his life work and he has made it profitable. In 1893 he re- moved from N. Woodbury Township to Taylor Township and then settled on his present farm near Roaring Spring. As a cit- izen he has always enjoyed the confidence of his neighbors to a large degree. For three years he has been a member of the school board of Taylor Township, having previously served for the same length of time in N. Woodbury Township. He has also served for four years as road supervisor in Taylor Town- ship and in 1909 was elected township col- lector. The duties of these offices have been taken seriously and have been faithfully per- formed.

Mr. Clapper married Miss Barbara Miller, who was born in Bedford County, Pa., and

THOMAS MOORE

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they have had eight children, the survivors be- is politically a Republican, and has served ing: Henry M., Lizzie, Iva, Ella and Bertha. three terms as road supervisor of this town- ship. He is identified with the P. O. S. of A., at Roaring Spring, and the Knights of the Golden Eagle, at Martinsburg, Pa.

ROBERT W. DOWNING, an enterprising farmer of Blair County, Pa., resides on a fine farm of 168 acres in Frankstown Township, and was born in June, 1850, in Clarion County, Pa., a son of John and Hannah P. ( Wilson) Downing. His father was employed in various lines of business, having engaged in farming and in dealing extensively in stock, and also conducted a hotel and lumber yard. Both parents died and were buried in Half Moon Township, Center County, Pa. They were members of the Society of Friends. The father was politically a Republican. The fol- lowing children were born to the parents of our subject: Julia, Griffith, Rebecca, Robert W., Emanuel and Hulda.

Robert W. Downing obtained his educa- tional training in the local schools of his home district and at the age of fifteen began his career in the business world. He has always followed farming and for some years also en- gaged in lumbering during the winter months. Mr. Downing is one of the progressive and public spirited citizens of the township, and has been residing on his present farm since 1907.

In 1870 Mr. Downing was joined in mar- riage with Lavina McMunigal, who is a daugh- ter of Henry and Rachel ( Melcher) McMuni- gal, and the following children were born to them : Delbert O., who is engaged in farming in Center County, Pa., married Lena Hoover and has six children: Eva, who is the wife of Joshua Nearhoof, of Altoona, Pa .; Belinda; Sankey, who resides in Missouri, is a station- ary engineer, but was formerly a fireman on the railroad; and Henry Norton. Henry McMunigal, the father of Mrs. Downing, is now in his eighty-seventh year, and resides with our subject. He was twice married, his second wife, who was Margaret Cevenia, of Kansas, also being deceased. No children were born of the second union. Mr. Downing

THOMAS MOORE,* a well known busi- ness man of Altoona, proprietor of a large and well kept hotel located at No. 1310 Tenth Avenue, was born in Ireland, June 29, 1859. His parents were Thomas and Marcella Moore and his father was a farmer.

Thomas Moore, the subject of this sketch, attended school in his native land but from boyhood cherished the hope of becoming a resident of America. This ambition he realized when he was twenty years of age and in 1879, after reaching the United States, he came di- rectly to Altoona, where he obtained employ- ment in the railroad shops and continued to work there until 1895. In that year Mr. Moore first went into the hotel business, opening a hostelry on Tenth Avenue, near Fourteenth Street, and conducting it until 1902, when he came to his present location. Here he has a public house fitted with modern conveniences and conducts it mainly as a workingman's hotel, supplying substantial meals at a moderate price and all the comforts that could be reasonably expected. His popularity as a host and the excellence of the accommodations offered, keep his hotel usually filled to its capacity.

Mr. Moore married Miss Mary Christ and they have five children: Marcella, Thomas, Noretta, James and Paul. Mr. Moore and family are members of St. John's Catholic Church. He is identified with the fraternal or- der of Eagles.

ISAAC M. IRWIN, one of the leading at- torneys of Hollidaysburg, Pa., has been a member of the Blair County bar since 1893, and was born in Hollidaysburg, Pa., in 1867, a son of Dr. Crawford Irwin, now deceased. The Irwin family has been established in Blair County since 1787, and the father of our subject was one of the prominent physicians of . the county, and was born in 1824 in Franks- town Township, this county.

Isaac M. Irwin attended the common

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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

schools and the Washington-Jefferson College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1889. He was prepared for the legal profes- sion in the office of S. S. Blair, of Hollidays- burg, and was admitted to the bar in 1893. He has since been engaged in active practice at Hollidaysburg, where he has attained con- siderable prominence as a lawyer of ability, and has met with well merited success.

In 1897 Mr. Irwin was united in marriage with Eliza Graham, of Washington, Pa., and they have two children: Martha, and Robert Crawford Irwin. Mr. Irwin is a member and deacon of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollidaysburg, and is fraternally affiliated with the I. O. O. F. and the Masons.

REV. AARON H. STERN, who has been an acceptable minister in the Brethren of Christ church, since 1906, is well known through Taylor Township, Blair County, in that relation and also as a successful farmer, cultivating his 150 acres of valuable land. He is a native of Taylor Township, born August 14, 1873, and is a son of Jacob B. and Sarah (Hoffman) Stern.

Jacob B. Stern and wife were both born in Bedford County. His father and also his grandfather, were named Peter Stern, and the latter was probably born in Germany and was one of the early settlers in Bedford County, Pa. From there Jacob B. Stern moved to Taylor Township, Blair County, about fifty years ago and died here in 1908, surviving his wife for about fifteen years. They were members of the Brethren of Christ church. Of their five children the following survive: Isaac H., a minister and farmer, who lives in Taylor Township; Ellen J., who is the wife of William H. Feather, of Taylor Town- ship; Rebecca M., who is the wife of S. B. Stoner, of Brown County, Kas .; Aaron H .; and Mary A., who is deceased.

Aaron H. Stern has practically spent his life in Taylor Township, gaining his education here and since old enough, has been actively engaged in farming. He married Catherine Kensinger, who was born in Blair County and

they have six children: Earl K., S. Ruth, Ira K., Jacob K., Minnie E and Samuel K. The Sterns have long been numbered with the reli- able, representative and substantial citizens of Taylor Township.

STEPHEN KIRSCH, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm of 53 acres in Logan Township, Blair County, Pa., is also the owner of a meat market in Altoona, Pa., which is being operated for him by C. Black, who was its former owner. He was born October 15, 1864, in Barr Township, Cambria County, Pa. and is a son of Simon and Annie (Bromensperger) Kirsch, who are still residents of Barr Township.

From the time he was two and a half years of age, Mr. Kirsch was reared by an uncle, John Duler, who was a resident of Blair County, and his education was ob- tained in the common schools of the county. He then engaged in farming for a short time, after which he located in Altoona, where for 15 years he operated a dairy with much success. In 1900 he purchased his present farm of 53 acres in Logan Township, and in the following year located on it. In March, 1910, he purchased a meat market in Altoona, succeeding C. Black, who runs the shop for him, but still continues with his farming interests, to which he devotes his entire time.

Mr. Kirsch was married June 19, 1894, to Margaret McDermott, who is a native of Blair County and a daughter of Charles and Anna (O'Mara) McDermott, the former deceased, and the latter, a resident of Al- toona. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kirsch: Eleanor Kathleen, Stephen John, Anna Elizabeth, Howard Edward, Mary Grace, and Simon Charles. Mr. Kirsch is politically a Repub- lican, although inclined to be independent, and his religious connection is with the St. John's Catholic Church.

MARY ELIZABETH NOWELL, M. D., physician and surgeon at Altoona, Pa., who,

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among other just claims to distinction, has that of being the pioneer of her sex in the profession in this city, has been in active and successful practice here since 1884. She was born in Anne Arundel County, Md., and comes of scholarly parentage. Her father was Rev. William Nowell, a son of Gilbert Nowell, and for fifty years he was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church. His long and useful life closed in 1884. The mother of Dr. Nowell was Ra- chel A. (Sheckell) Nowell, a daughter of Enoch and Sarah (Smith) Sheckell, all old Maryland names of high standing. Dr. Nowell has three sisters: Mrs. J. Wesley Lane, of Dunkirk, Md .; Mrs. J. C. Craw- ford, of Milwaukee, Wis .; and Mrs. (Rev.) George W. Stallings, of Virginia.

Mary E. Nowell enjoyed superior educa- tional advantages. She was graduated in 1867 from Fort Edward Institute, New York, and later attended Claverack College, in the same state, an educational institution of note, on the Hudson River. She then turned her attention to educational work and for about eight years taught school in the city of Wilkesbarre, Pa. In the mean- while, a brother, J. Fletcher Nowell, be- came a graduated physician, located in Greencastle in the Cumberland Valley, and there built up a large and successful prac- tice. His faith in her certainty of success was to his sister an inspiration. Dr. Nowell became a student in the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania, where she was graduated in 1884, having, in the mean- while taken special courses and attended clinics at different hospitals, in spite of the opposition frequently met with on account of her sex. In her pursuit of professional excellence she had to overcome many ob- stacles but succeeded through persistency in gaining the specific knowledge she de- sired, especially concerning diseases of the eye, ear, nose, throat and lungs and made many scientific experiments in her own lab- oratory. She soon recognized the existing need of more thorough medical knowledge

concerning the peculiar troubles of women and made this branch a special study, also taking a course in the great Maternity Hos- pital on Staten Island. There, with other ordinary and extraordinary cases, 500 chil- dren came under her professional eye and she had an opportunity to study their ail- ments and store up knowledge for future use

Thus qualified for practice after this long and exhaustive course of study, Dr. Nowell came to Altoona and during the twenty-six years of her residence and practice here, she has, through ability, won a foremost place in the ranks of her profession, and through her personality, the esteem and affection of her patients. She keeps fully abreast with the times, belonging to the County, State and American Medical Associations, and her enthusiasm has never been quenched nor her interest waned. Surrounded by the comforts won through her own efforts, and in the enjoyment of the respect of all with whom either personal or professional rela- tions bring her into contact, she is able to look back along the path of a quarter of a century with justifiable contentment. Her home as well as her office, is located at No. 1315 Sixth Avenue, Altoona.

EDWARD H. COWEN, a representa- tive agriculturist of Taylor Township, Blair County, Pa., and one of its most respected citizens, was born in this township, on the farm on which he resides, October 25, 1859. His parents were John and Barbara (Hoover) Cowen.

John Cowen was born in Taylor Town- ship and was a son of Jacob Cowen and a grandson of Edward Cowen, one of the early settlers in this section. John Cowen was a farmer and was a leading member of the Dunkard church. He married Bar- bara Hoover, of German ancestry, and of their children, the following are still living and useful members of society : Cather- ine, who is the wife of George Shifler, of Huston Township ; Mary, who is the

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widow of Samuel Bottomfield, of Williams- burg, Pa .; Henry, who lives in Shelby County, Ia .; Nancy, who is the wife of Henry Smith, of Martinsburg, Pa., and Ed- ivard H.

Edward H. Cowen grew to manhood on the home farm and obtained his education in the country schools and took part in the pleasant family and social life of the neigh- borhood. He was trained by a careful and experienced father to be a farmer and the fields that he ploughed and from which he later gathered the rich harvests are now his own. His farm contains 105 acres of valuable land and they show that they have been carefully cultivated. The name of Sunnyside Farm very aptly describes its favorable location.

On October 16, 1894, Mr. Cowen was married to Miss Dillie Stephens, a daughter of Prof. J. H. Stephens, a prominent citizen of Roaring Spring and a former superin- tendent of public instruction in Blair County. Mr. and Mrs. Cowen have four children: Oren S., Marie S., Grace S., and Nannie S. Mr. Cowen and family are mem- bers of the Lutheran church at Roaring Spring. For nine consecutive years he has been a member of the school board of Tay- lor Township and for three of these was secretary of this educational body. He also served three years as supervisor of Taylor Township and was both president and sec- retary of that board. He is a Republican in his political sentiments.

JOSEPH H. RODKEY, owner and pro- prietor of a general store at Frankstown, Pa., where he has been established since 1906, was born at Millerstown, Bedford County, Pa., May 27, 1861, and is a son of John H. and Ann (Mundorff) Rodkey.

John H. Rodkey was a general merchant at Frankstown for twenty-eight years and for a long period was postmaster. He now lives retired. In politics he is a Republican. Both he and wife are members of the Meth-

odist Episcopal church. They had eleven children born to them and of these the fol- lowing survive: W. E .; John T .; Mary, who is the wife of J. F. Walls; Joseph H .; Juniata, who is the wife of George M. Smith; Anna, who is deceased; Blair S .; Rosamond, wife of William Clapper; Minnie, who is the wife of Ezra Martin; and George M.

Joseph H. Rodkey was educated in the pub- lic schools. His first employer was Andrew Hileman, a merchant of Frankstown, and he worked seven months for him, and later four months for Christ Hileman and nine months for John Hileman. At the end of this time he was made manager of a store for Slippy & Harpster and after that was with Rodkey & Harper for one year. He then went to Holli- daysburg and was employed in a store there for eight months, after which he learned the miller's trade in the flour mill of Wood, Mor- rell & Co., where he remained for eleven years, during the last five years of this time being head miller. On account of failing health he then changed his occupation, going out on the road and selling bed springs, of which he was the manufacturer. Then he turned his atten- tion to truck farming, purchasing eleven acres of land near Frankstown and continued in that business until he embarked in his present enterprise at Frankstown.

In March, 1880, Mr. Rodkey was married to Miss Mary E. Carls, a daughter of William and Susan ( Bickle) Carls, old settlers of this section. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Carls were: Mary E .; Jennie, wife of David Cart- wright; and Ida, who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Rodkey have had three children: W. Homer; Ethel Belle, who died at the age of four years ; and J. Herbert. Mr. Rodkey and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church .. Politically he is a Republican and he has served both as township clerk and town- ship auditor. For twenty-seven years he has been an Odd Fellow and belongs to Waneta Lodge, No. 1142, at Hollidaysburg, and Pro- gressive Encampment, No. 105. He is one of the representative men of this section.

A. B. SMITH, D. O.

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E. E. NEFF, M. D., a successful medical practitioner and a much respected citizen of Altoona, Pa., is a native of Huntingdon County, Pa., where he was born in 1861. He was reared and educated in that county, at- tending Ursinus College, and before taking up the study of medicine traveled several years throughout the west. He graduated from the medical department of the University of Penn- sylvania with the class of 1897 and that same year located in Altoona, where he has since been successfully engaged in general practice. He is a member of the staff of Mercy Hospital and is a valued member of the County, State and American Societies. In 1902 Dr. Neff was united in marriage with Dora Belle Mc- Carthy, of Altoona. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church and of the Univer- sity Club of Altoona.

A. B. SMITH, D. O., who has been success- fully engaged in the practice of osteopathy and neurology at Altoona, Pa., for the past three years, is a native of New York State, where he was reared to maturity. He obtained his elementary schooling at Ithaca, N. Y., and in 1904 was graduated from the McCormack Neurological College at Chicago, being sub- sequently engaged in neurological practice in New York state for about a year. He then took a course in the Union College of Osteo- pathy at Wheeling, W. Va., and after his grad- uation therefrom practiced osteopathy for one year in Wheeling, subsequently or about 1906 -coming to Altoona, Pa., where he has since been successfully engaged in the practice of osteopathy and neurology.

The science of osteopathy was founded on the philosophy that disease was caused by the incoordination of the system in some or all of its parts, wherein the muscles, tendons, liga- ments or bones were out of alignment, exert- ing undue pressure upon the nervous system and the fluid-carrying vessels, thus causing in- harmony in the body. The treatment by oste- opathy consists of a series of physical manipula- tions designed to restore harmony throughout the body without the use of drugs; and this

system of treatment has been found adequate in the cure of disease.

Dr. Smith is also a member of the Asso- ciation of Independent Doctors of Chicago, and in addition to his practice is interested in sundry flourishing business enterprises. He is a member of the Masonic order, and his religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church. He has proved himself an active and useful member of the community with which he has cast his lot and has won the regard of his fellow citizens with whom he has come into contact.

WILLIAM JOHNSTON MOORE, one of the large land owners of Frankstown Town- ship, Blair County, Pa., who has 160 acres of cultivated land and 150 acres of timbered mountain land, was born on his present farm, July 7, 1825, and is a son of Jesse and Eliza- beth Moore.

Jesse Moore and wife both came from Scot- land. The grandfather, Daniel Moore, who was born in Scotland, August 30, 1750, was the pioneer of the family in this section of Blair County and secured land here while about the only inhabitants were Indians, and at one time he owned 1,300 acres of land in what is still called Scotch Valley. Jesse Moore was born May 10, 1790. His wife's name was Elizabeth Moore, a cousin, who came from Washington County. They had the following children born to them: Perry, born September 13, 1816; Samuel T., September I, 1818; Silas, November 20, 1820; Maria, No- vember 6, 1823: William Johnston, July 7, 1825; Pleasant Elizabeth, October 28, 1827; D. F., September II, 1829; E. R., May I, 1832 ; L.J., July 7, 1835; M. M., January 22, 1838, and Theodore and Thaddeus, twins, born March 20, 1840.

Mr. Moore's business has been farming and lumbering. He owns the old deed that his father received from Edward Duffield and wife for this land, bearing the date of 1777, and also the patent secured by Duffield, dated October 20, 1766, with the signatures of Thomas and Richard Penn attached.

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Mr. Moore was married January 1, 1856, to Miss Margaret J. Mckenzie, a daughter of Hamilton and Angeline (Johnston) Mckenzie. They came originally from Scotland but had lived in Beaver County prior to moving to Blair County. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Mckenzie were: Cornelia Ann, widow of Thomas Jackson; Margaret Jane, wife of Mr. Moore; Anna Maria, wife of William Wilson; Alvin; Thomas; Emeline, wife of M. M. Moore; Angeline, wife of W. C. Smith; and James H.

To Mr. and Mrs. Moore two children were born: Jessie H., who is the wife of William H. Ellis, and has two children-Edgar Y. and Margaret Moore; and Roy S., who married Ethlyn Barclay. Mr. Moore and family are members of the Presbyterian church. He casts his vote with the Republican party but the only public office he ever accepted was that of tax collector. He formerly was a member of the Grange. His father served in the War of 1812, being sergeant of his company. Mr. Moore is well known and he and family are among the most respected residents of this section and are prominent among the old set- tlers.

HARRY E. BOWSER, postmaster of the borough of Blue Knob, Pa., is also engaged in the mercantile business at Butlerville, Pa., in partnership with J. C. Bowser, and for many years was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Greenfield Township. He was born September 22, 1871, in Juniata Township, Blair County, Pa., and is a son of Moses and Mary ( Ritchey ) Bowser, and a grandson of Jacob Bowser, who was one of the early settlers of Greenfield Township. The Bowser family is of German extraction.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 94

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