Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 96

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 96

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).

At one time, Mr. Woodcock had a large and lucrative practice at the bar, but of recent years he has had so many other matters to en- gage his time and attention that he is grad- ually retiring from the active practice of the law. He resides in Hollidaysburg but retains his business offices in the Central Trust Build- ing, Altoona, devoting his time mainly to the management of his large real estate interests, his charities and his church and literary work. Although identified with the Republican party he has never taken an active part in politics, finding other matters more to his liking, and

JOHN PIERCE BELL

741

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

moreover, he has been too busy a man to be a politician. He has, however, been honored by being twice elected to the General Conference, which is the law-making body of the Method- ist Episcopal church. Its meetings assemble every four years and the sessions continue one full month. Mr. Woodcock is a trustee of the American University at Washington, D. C., to which he has contributed largely of his means, and he is also a trustee of Dickinson Col- lege, Pa.

Mr. Woodcock has also been an extensive traveler, having journeyed through every state in the Union, the Islands of the Caribbean Sea and many countries in Europe. He has been abroad twice and during this last visit wit- nessed the "Passion Play" at Oberammergau. Since his return he has given several lectures on this marvelous production.

GEORGE WASHINGTON WILEY, a well known general merchant of Bellwood, Pa., who is also extensively engaged in the coal business, has been a resident of Blair County, Pa., since February, 1878. He was born May 16, 1851, in Chester County, Pa., a son of James and Angeline ( Pluck) Wiley, who during their advanced years came to live with our subject and wife, with whom they remained until their respective deaths.

George W. Wiley was about two years old when his parents moved to Mifflin County and located at Lewiston, where he resided until about eighteen years of age. He then went to Huntingdon County, Pa., where he lived some seven or eight years, and in February, 1878, came to Blair County, and located at the old Mary Ann Forge. Here he started the first bread wagon ever run in this town and after running it for four years came to Bellwood, and established a general store at his present location. Four years later he embarked in the coal business at his present location, and since that time Mrs. Wiley has had charge of the store, which is conducted under the name of M. J. Wiley, and they carry a complete stock · of general merchandise.

Mr. Wiley was married October 20, 1872,

in Huntingdon, to Mary Jane Snack, who was born about six miles from Huntingdon, Pa., a daughter of William and Elizabeth ( Parker) Snack. Her father was a native of Maryland and the mother of Huntingdon County, and both spent their later days at the home of our subjest and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley are the parents of seven children as follows: William J., who is an engineer on the B. & O. railroad, a resident of Newark, Ohio, married Mamie Hook and has one son and one daughter- George Worth and Ormandella; Mary Eliza- beth, who died aged sixteen months; Edwin Miles, who is a resident of Bellwood, married Leah Hay and- has two children, Frances Elizabeth and Edwin Foin; George Guyer, a resident of Independence, Wis., who has two daughters-Mary Clair and Anna Steward; Charles Clyde, who died at nineteen years of age; Emma Pearl, who died aged four months; and Harry Ray, who is engaged in business with our subject, married Clara Peters and has two children, Ray and Pauline.

Mr. Wiley is politically a Republican, and is fraternally a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Royal Arcanum. He holds membership with the M. E. Church, of which he has been a trustee for thirty years.

JOHN PIERCE BELL, one of the repre- sentative citizens of Antis Township, Blair County, Pa., residing on his excellent farm of 187 acres, was born September 6, 1835, in a log house which stood on a farm in Antis Township, which is now owned by Edward Bell. His parents were David and Margaret Pierce (McKnight) Bell. The Bell family was one of the earliest to settle in Blair County.

John Pierce Bell attended school at Eliz- abeth Furnace and later at Lewisburg, residing at the latter place from 1854 until 1857. From then until 1860 he was connected with a bank- ing house at Huntingdon, Pa., and subse- quently spent a year near Denver, Colo., at what was then called California Gulch. After his return to Blair County he was married and he and his wife lived in the brick house on the old home place until 1866, when they came

742

HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

to his present farm, which is a part of the old McKnight place. The farmhouse and barn now standing were built by John Crissman. Mr. Bell has engaged in general farming and stock raising, threshing and sawing and has made many improvements, these adding to the value of his own property very materially.

Mr. Bell was married May 16, 1861, to Miss Agnes Greenland, who was born in Hunting- don County, Pa., and died September 25, 1887. Her burial was in the Logan Valley Cemetery. She was a daughter of Joshua and Betsey (Wright) Greenland, old settlers in the lower part of Huntingdon County. To the above marriage the following children were born: David Vinton, who was born June 15, 1863, resides at Rock Springs, Colo., being superin- tendent there of the water department for the Union Pacific Railroad, is married and has seven children-Agnes, Dorothy, Elizabeth, Edna, Orrin, David, Vinton and Carl; James Martin, who was born October II, 1865, re- sides on the home farm, married Blanche Burns and they have three daughters-Agnes, Beatrice and Ida; Walter Greenland, who was born February 17, 1868, lives at Jerome, Idaho, married Ella Kanan, of Indiana County, Pa., and has three children-Joseph P., Marion and Agnes; Edward Pierce, who was born May II, 1870, died May 25, 1870; Lillian, who was born May 21, 1871, is the wife of Dr. E. J. Marfing, a dentist located at Jenkinstown, Montgomery County, and they have three chil- dren-Dorothy, Raymond and Austin; Annie, who was born March 13, 1874, is a school teacher in Rawlins, Wyoming; J. Wilson, who was born March 7, 1877, resides at Snake River, Idaho, and by his first marriage had a son, Milton, and by a second marriage, a daughter, Mabel; Allison Dean, who was born

December 14, 1879, resides on the homestead, married Mary Shawley, of Spruce Creek and has three children-Arthur Floyd, born May 21, 1903; Murray Weldon, born February 15, 1906, and Lewis Edwin, born December 5, 1908; Simpson Africa, who was born May 15, 1882, resides in Idaho: and Edgar Pierce, who was born August 5, 1884, lives at home.

Mr. Bell cast his first presidential vote for General John C. Fremont and ever since has been identified politically with the Republican party. He is a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge, F. & A. M., at Huntingdon, Pa.

ALEXANDER W. WILT, a leading cit- izen of Allegheny Township, Blair County, Pa., and a successful business man, owns a farm of seventy-four acres in the Carson Val- ley, which he devotes largely to fruit growing. He was born in this township, August 17, 1861, and is a son of Alexander and Ellen (Yingling) Wilt.

Alexander Wilt was born in Juniata Town- ship, Blair County, and was a son of Philip Wilt, who was an early settler there. Alex- ander Wilt died February 22, 1896. He was a useful man in his community and was held in respect by his fellow citizens and possessed their confidence to such a degree that they fre- quently elected him to office. He served as school director, as road supervisor and as constable. He was a member of the Lutheran church. He was twice married, first to Ellen Yingling, and second to Annie Brubaker. The surviving children of the first union are: Alexander W .; William P., who is in business in North Carolina; Joseph M., who lives at Duncansville, Pa .; and Isaac C., who resides at Gallitzin, Pa. Of the second marriage the survivors are : Emanuel G., residing in Juniata Township; Silas D., in Allegheny Township; Peter H., in Juniata Township; Elsie, wife of George Lingenfelter, of Altoona; and Lottie, wife of Harvey Burkhart, living in Allegheny Township.

Alexander W. Wilt obtained his education in the public schools of Allegheny Township and has always been a strong supporter of both schools and churches, rightly believing these are great agencies for good in any neigh- borhood. His land is particularly adapted to the growing of fruit and he has devoted much study and attention to horticulture and with the result that this branch of industry has been a very profitable one. Mr. Wilt is a Repub- lican in politics but holds no office with the ex-

743

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

ception of being a director of the Carson Val- ley Cemetery Association.

On November 3, 1881, Mr. Wilt was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth C. Davis, a daughter of William R. Davis, now deceased, who was once a well known resident of Juniata Town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Wilt have had nine chil- dren born to them, eight of whom survive, namely : Annie E., who is the wife of Jacob Mock, of Hollidaysburg ; Herbert L., who re- sides at Altoona; Clarissa, who is the wife of Grover Selwitz, of Allegheny Township; and Herman J., Edith P., Sadie M., Gertrude M. and Dollie L. Roy F. is deceased. Mr. Wilt is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church at Altoona, Pa.

M. W. CRAINE, building inspector and one of the representative business men of Al- toona, Pa., has been identified with the bus- iness interests of this borough for the past thirteen years. He was born in 1863 in Center County, Pa., where he was reared and ob- tained his educational training, and at the age of twenty-two years, removed to Tyrone, Pa., where he was for seven years employed with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He then came to Altoona and worked at carpen- tering for some years, and for the past ten years has been associated with the Altoona Construction Company in architectural work for Blair County. About eight years ago, Mr. Craine graduated from the Scranton School of Architecture, and on April 5, 1910, was ap- pointed by the Mayor, and approved by the Select Council, as Building Inspector of Altoona.

Mr. Craine is affiliated with the I. O. O. F., the Fraternal Mystical Circle, and the Hepta- sophs, and the religious connection of the family is with the Broad Avenue Presbyterian Church. In 1899 Mr. Craine was united in marriage with Catherine Cherry, and of their union has been born one son, Ralph B. Craine.

FRED S. SNOBERGER, one of the best known citizens of Blair Township, Blair County, Pa., who has served in the office of

tax collector for twenty years, settled on his present farm of forty acres in 1890 and de- votes it to general farming. He was born in Taylor Township, Blair County, September 20, 1855, and is a son of John M. and Rebecca (Shiffler ) Snoberger.

John M. Snoberger was born in Taylor Township and spent practically all his life in Blair County, where his father, Frederick Snoberger, was a very early settler. John M. Snoberger died March 1, 1905. He was a Republican in politics and was held in general esteem by his fellow citizens, who elected him road supervisor for a number of years. He married Rebecca Shiffler, who was also born in Blair County, and of their family of chil- dren, the following survive: Fred S .; Abra- ham L., who lives near Williamsburg, Pa .; William, who lives at Lakemont, Pa .; Andrew, who lives at Altoona; Davalt; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Thomas Whalen, of Blair Township; Susan, who is the wife of Joseph Green, of Mckees, Pa .; Barbara, who is the wife of Charles Baker, of Taylor Township; Rachel, who is the wife of David Eversole, of Taylor Township.

Fred S. Snoberger grew to manhood in Taylor Township and obtained his education there. He was married on February 19, 1880, to Miss Maria L. Weaver, who was born in Blair Township, a daughter of George and Grace (Ingram) Weaver, the former of whom is deceased. The mother of Mrs. Snoberger was born in Chester County, Pa., but has spent the larger part of her life in Blair County. Mr. and Mrs. Snoberger have had three chil- dren : Mary G., Olive R. and Angus, the last named being now deceased. They are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church at Hollidays- burg. In politics he is a Republican. He served three years as supervisor of Blair Township and frequently as school director beside his long period of continuous service as tax collector.

BLAIR A. BRUA, supervisor of Franks- town Township, Blair County, Pa., is a lead- ing citizen of this section and owns a valuable

744

HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

farm of seventy acres. He was born in Frankstown Township, about one mile dis- tant from his present home, October II, 1851, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Elliott) Brua.

Jacob Brua was one of Frankstown Town- ship's most respected retired residents for twenty-five years prior to his death. Both he and his wife were born in Blair County and both were buried at Hollidaysburg. The par- ents of Jacob Brua were Daniel and Mary Brua and they came from Pennsylvania Dutch . stock which belonged to Lancaster County. The parents of Elizabeth ( Elliott) Brua were of Scotch-Irish stock. Her father, George Elliott, came to Blair County about one hun- dred years ago. Jacob Brua and wife were Presbyterians. They had the following chil- dren : Elliott H., Blair A., Lynn A., Mary J., wife of Dr. Robert Irvin, of Hollidaysburg ; and Blanche E., wife of Irvin Smith.

Blair A. Brua attended the public schools in Frankstown Township and spent one term in the High School at Frankstown, since which time he has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. At one time he owned three farms in Frankstown Township, aggregating 280 acres, but he has sold two of these to his sons and now operates but seventy acres. He has always been an active and earnest citizen of his township, ready to do his part in public move- ments. In politics he is a Republican and has served frequently in public office, being school director for three years, township assessor for three years, and now serving as township supervisor.

In 1873 Mr. Brua was married to Miss Clarissa Hileman, a daughter of Christian Hileman, and they have the following chil- dren : Catherine, Baron, Blanche, Hileman, Charles, Nelson, Pearl, Irvin and Ruth. Mr. Brua and family belong to the Lutheran church.

CHARLES W. ECKENLAUB, who deals extensively in real estate, general in- surance, surety bonds, loans, mortgages, etc., is one of the rising young business men of

Altoona, Pa., and was born here in 1884, a son of M. A. Eckenlaub, a well known busi- ness man of this city.

Charles W. Eckenlaub has always lived in Altoona, and after attending the public schools until 14 years of age, entered the Second National Bank of this city as messenger boy. He continued in the services of this concern for II years and was acting as teller, when he decided to engage in business for himself and on March 1, 1910, established his present business. Mr. Eckenlaub holds membership with the St. John's Catholic Church of Al- toona.

JOSEPH J. MOORE, who is serving in his second term as auditor of Blair Township, Blair County, Pa., and is one of the substan- tial and representative citizens of this section, owns a valuable farm of 153 acres. He was born in Frankstown Township, Blair County, March 31, 1875, and is a son of Elias R. and Margaret J. (Robinson) Moore.

Elias R. Moore was also born in Franks- town Township as was his father, Jesse Moore, whose father, William Moore, the great- grandfather of Joseph J. Moore, was one of the earliest pioneers here. All the Moores have been men of high standing and useful in their day and generation. Elias R. Moore died in 1891. He was a Republican in politics and had served in numerous township offices. For many years he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Hollidaysburg. He married Margaret J. Robinson, who was also born in Frankstown Township and was a daughter of Joseph Robinson, who was promi- nent in Blair County, and both he and Jesse Moore served in the state legislature. To Elias R. and Margaret Moore a family of chil- dren was born and the following five survive : Edith E., who is the wife of E. T. Clark, of Williamsburg, Pa .; Ruth R., who resides at Hollidaysburg; Clyde C., who is the wife of John P. Jacobs, of Hollidaysburg; Viola Z., who is the wife of E. L. Brua, of Frankstown Township; and Joseph J.

Joseph J. Moore attended the public schools

V. HERBY HANCUFF

747

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

in Frankstown Township, and the Pennsyl- vania State Normal School at Indiana, Pa., af- ter which he taught school for two years and since then has been engaged in agricultural pur- suits. He came to his present farm in 1893 and devotes it to general farming and dairy- ing.

On October 1, 1891, Mr. Moore was mar- ried to-Miss Dorothy G. Tussey, a daughter of Samuel C. Tussey, a well known resident of Gaysport, Pa., and they have had five children : Josephine T., Hugh R., John C., Frank R., and Dorothy A. John C. is deceased. Mr. Moore and wife are members of the First Pres- byterian Church at Hollidaysburg: In politics he is a Republican. During some years of his residence in Frankstown Township, Mr. Moore served as inspector of elections and, as noted above, is an official of Blair Township. He is also interested in everything concerning the public schools.

ISAAC SLIPPEY, the owner of 116 acres of valuable farm land situated in Frankstown Township, Blair County, Pa., was born in this township, February 19, 1854, and is a son of Joseph and Nancy (Shade) Slippey. The father was a millwright. Both he and wife are now. deceased. They were worthy people in every way, good neighbors and good examples and were members of the Lutheran church. Their burial was in the Geeseytown Cemetery. Their children were: William A., Clarence, Isaac, Catherine and Blair. Catherine, who is deceased, was the wife of William Ritz.

Isaac Slippey attended the country schools with his sister and brothers and afterward worked for a time on a farm but subsequently learned the carpenter trade which he continued to follow for some thirty years. For twenty- six years of this time he was employed in the car shops in Altoona. In 1902 he purchased his farm from the other Slippey heirs and has carried on a general farming line ever since and has had no reason to regret his change of occupation and environment.

In 1889, Mr. Slippey was married to Miss Mary Blanche Crawford, a daughter of Henry

and Mary Crawford, both of whom are de- ceased. Mr. Crawford was a carpenter. The parents of Mrs. Slippey had the following chil- dren: Jane, who married Michael Geesey ; Sarah, who married John Robinson; Mary Blanche, who is Mrs. Slippey; George; Ellen, who is deceased; Addie, who married Harry Harpster; and Lilly. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Slippey-Edward, Wal- ter and Mary, and all remained at home until April, 1910, when Edward joined the U. S. Navy and will probably see many parts of the world before he returns again to the home roof. Mr. Slippey is a Republican in his political views. With his wife he belongs to the Luth- eran church.

V. HERBY HANCUFF, president and manager of the Juniata Manufacturing Com- pany, whose plant is located at Williamsburg, is also one of the stock holders and a director of the First National Bank of Williamsburg, and is recognized as one of the leading citizens of the borough. He was born April 14, 1861, in Woodbury Township, Blair County, Pa., and is a son of Alfred and Mary (Sorrick) Hancuff, and a grandson of John and Eliz- abeth (Whittaker) Hancuff. His maternal grandparents were Valentine and Ava (Henry) Sorrick.

Alfred Hancuff was engaged in canal car- pentering during his early life, but later fol- lowed farming in Catherine Township, Blair County. He was politically a Democrat, and affiliated with the Portage Lodge of Masons at Hollidaysburg. He married Mary Sorrick and of their union were born the following chil- dren: Anna, Elizabeth, who married David Crane; and V. Herby, the eldest and subject of this record. Mr. and Mrs. Hancuff were both members of the Lutheran Church and were buried at Yellow Springs.

V. Herby Hancuff obtained his education in the schools of the county and at Woodberry Normal, Bedford County, where he spent one term, and then taught seven terms in the schools of Blair County. He subsequently en- gaged as a traveling salesman for Curry Canan

748

HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

of Altoona for 15 years, and in 1904, with other citizens of this community, organized the Juniata Manufacturing Company, whose plant is located at Williamsburg. One year after the organization of this company he was elected president and manager of same, and has since served most efficiently in that capac- ity. In politics Mr. Hancuff is independent, and is fraternally a member of the Masons, be- ing affiliated with the Portage Lodge No. 220, and the Chapter at Hollidaysburg, No. 166. He is also a member of the M. W. of A. of Williamsburg, and the Commercial Travelers.

October 18, 1887, Mr. Hancuff was joined in marriage with Emma Deihl of E. Freedom, and of their union were born: Iris; Karl; and Guido. Mrs. Hancuff is a daughter of Jonas and Mary (Hintz) Deihl, and a grand daugh- ter of Daniel and Margaret ( Whitstone ) Deihl. Her maternal grandparents were Michael and Elizabeth (Mott) Hintz. Mr. and Mrs. Deihl were parents of the following children: Caro- line, who is the wife of William W. Trout, now deceased; Catherine, widow of Joseph Adams; Lucinda, married Benjamin Burnett ; Elizabeth, married James Laughlin; Alice; Henrietta, is the wife of Frank Fenton; R. McClelland; William, deceased; and Emma, wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Hancuff are members of the Lutheran church.

ROBERT ALEXANDER, deceased, who is well remembered by many citizens of Al- toona, where his death occurred a few days after the happy celebration of his Golden Wed- ding, August 13, 1884, was born June 5, 1805, near Alexandria, in Hart's Log Valley, Hunt- ingdon County, Pa. His father had emigrated from Ireland and served his adopted country in the Revolutionary War. His life was more or less a military one as later he took part in the troubles with the Indians before they were finally driven from the Pennsylvania moun- tains. He died in 1813.

Robert Alexander (2), son of Robert, was probably one of a large family and perhaps it was through hardship and struggle in his early years, that he developed the sturdy traits which

later made him so strong in upholding his con- victions of right, and so intolerant of pretense or hypocrisy. In 1827 he went into the mer- cantile business at Williamsburg, which he con- tinued until 1874, when he retired to Altoona. He is remembered by those who were early agitators in this section concerning temperance legislation, and was a member of that strong organization known as the Sons of Temperance, and was the founder of the temperance society known as the Silver Grays, one that accom- plished a large amount of good, being entirely made up of earnest, thoughtful men, like Rob- ert Alexander. In his political views he was a Republican and had he so desired, might fre- quently have held almost any office in the gift of his party. He was married on August 4, 1829, to Miss Mary Rodkey, and with her was permitted to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of this union. They both were consistent members of the Presbyterian church.

GEORGE W. STIFFLER, a well known citizen of Allegheny Township, and a repre- sentative of one of the solid old families of Blair County, Pa., has been a resident of Canan Station since 1880. He was born in Allegheny Township, December 10, 1869, and is a son of James M. and Elizabeth (Weaver) Stiffler.

James M. Stiffler was born in what was then Bedford but later Blair County, and was a son of Frederick Stiffler, a native of Bedford County and of German ancestry. James M. Stiffler was a leading citizen of Blair County and served in the office of sheriff for three years and held numerous township positions of responsibility. He settled at Canan Station in 1880 and resided here until his death which occurred January 29, 1908, when he was about seventy-five years of age. In politics he was a Republican and in religious faith was a Luth- eran. He married Elizabeth Weaver, who died in 1887. Of their children the following survive: Frederick, of Allegheny Township; Levinia, wife of Howard W. Good, of Logan Township; Martha, wife of Frederick Max- field, of Omaha, Neb .; and George W. and Mary F., both of Allegheny Township.

749

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

George W. Stiffler grew to manhood in Al- legheny Township and was educated in the public schools. In 1904 he was married to Miss Erna Reiswick, who was born in Bed- ford County and is a daughter of George W. Reiswick, and they have three children: Lewis E., Frances M., and James M. Mr. Stiffler is a Republican in his political views and at times has held public office, serving for several years as auditor of Allegheny Township. He is identified with the Grange, Patrons of Hus- bandry, at Eldorado, Pa., and is a member of the Royal Order of the Moose at Altoona.

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 96

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