USA > Pennsylvania > Blair County > Altoona > Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens > Part 97
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GEORGE A. ICKES, M. D., a physician of prominence, who has been engaged in the prac- tice of medicine at Altoona, Pa., since 1889, was born October 19, 1855, at Ickesburg, Perry County, Pa. His early education was obtained in the schools of Newport, and at the Juniata Normal School, and after teaching a short time, entered the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he graduated with the class of 1886. He first embarked in the practice of medicine at McAllistersville, Juniata County, Pa., then located at Millerstown, Perry County, and in 1889 came to Altoona where he has been continuously and success- fully engaged in general practice. Dr. Ickes is a member of the County, State, and American Medical Associations, has served for a time as coroner of Perry County, and was a member of the city councils of Altoona from 1896 until 1907. He affiliates with I. O. O. F., the For- resters, the Heptasophs, and the Royal Order of Moose.
In 1882 Dr. Ickes married Sidna E. Mac Clung, who was born and reared in Philadel- phia. They have five children: George L., a resident of Newport, Perry County, Pa .; L. A .; R. Nicholas; Marion E .; and Gertrude, an adopted daughter.
JOHN MILLER, a veteran of the Civil War, and a much esteemed citizen of Franks- town Township, Blair County, Pa., is now liv- ing in retirement and was for many years en- gaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm of 100
acres. He was born in Wertemberg, Ger- many, and was the only child of Uhlrick and Fredrica (Sheart) Miller, both of whom al- ways lived in their native country. His father was first married to Elizabeth Hild, and of that union were born the following children: Fred- erick; Gottlieb; David; Elizabeth, who mar- ried Christopher Grass; and Barbara, who married a Mr. Shook.
John Miller was reared in Wertemberg, Germany, where he attended the common schools until fourteen years of age, and in 1856, when about nineteen years old, ran away from home in order to avoid serving in the German army. He came to the United States and first settled in Huntingdon County, Pa., where he resided for sixteen years. In 1864 he enlisted for service in the Civil War and became a member of Co. D, 205th Pa. Vol. Inf. He participated in many important skir- mishes and battles, among these being the bat- tles of Fort Stephenson and Petersburg, at the latter of which his regiment took a very active part. He was discharged June 1, 1865, and then returned to Huntingdon County, where he worked for eight years for one man. After his marriage he rented land for a time and later followed general farming for many years on a farm of his own, 100 acres in Franks- town Township, but is now living in retire- ment, having sold the farm to his son, Charles John Miller.
Mr. Miller was married in March, 1866, to Martha Garner, who was reared in Sinking Valley, and died in July, 1885. Of their union were born the following children: Mary, who is the wife of Harry Mattern; and Lillian, Harriet, Elizabeth W., Harry, Charles John, and Joseph C. In politics Mr. Miller is a Re- publican, and has served three years as a school director. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
REV. ISAAC KRIDER, pastor of the Dun- cansville Lutheran Church, at Duncansville, Pa., to which charge he came on June 1, 1890, was born in Centre County, Pa., April 22,
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1846, and is a son of John and Elizabeth ( Rumbarger) Krider.
John Krider was born at Lebanon, Pa., a member of one of the old Swiss families that came early to Pennsylvania and left an im- press that has never been effaced, bringing with them their strong religious faith and their frugal and virtuous habits. The original an- cestor of this family was one Michael Krider who came from Switzerland in answer to the earnest solicitation of William Penn who was anxious to secure Swiss colonists. Michael Krider probably reached Pennsylvania in 1709. He was evidently a man of superior judgment or he would not have been entrusted with so momentous a mission as that of securing a fu- ture home for his fellow countrymen, in a land so far away. That his report was favorable was shown when a body of colonists came from Switzerland in 1710 and others followed in 1736. William Penn gave them 800 acres in Lancaster County, entrusting the deed for this land to Michael Krider, making him the dis- tributor of this bounty. Since those days the Kriders have scattered to all parts of the Union but many of the direct descendants of this an- cestor still remain near the place of original settlement in Pennsylvania.
After their marriage, the parents of Rev. Krider remained in Centre County and both were buried there. The mother was born in Huntingdon County. The father was a car- penter by trade. They reared a family that was creditable to them in every way.
Isaac Krider grew to manhood in the family home at Gatesburg, and attended school there and at Pine Grove Academy and later spent two years as a student in what was then called the Centre County Normal School, located at Rebersburg. He then became a teacher and for seven years continued in educational work, af- ter which he took a complete course at the Sus- quehannah University, a well known Lutheran institution at Selinsgrove, Pa., and was gradu- ated in theology there, being ordained a min- ister of the Gospel in 1879. Since the latter part of 1881 he has been engaged continuously in ministerial work and has had the inward
satisfaction of knowing that his efforts have been productive of great good in whatever field he has labored. For over nine years he was pastor of Grace Lutheran Church at Bellwood, Pa., and came from there to Duncansville, where, under his care, the church has increased spiritually and financially. To a less industri- ous man the charge of a large congregation would about fill up his measure of time, but Mr. Krider has found opportunity to do a large amount of surveying, for which he is well qualified. While a resident of Bellwood, he was one of the accredited borough sur- veyors.
On March 31, 1881, Mr. Krider was married to Miss Anna Geist, a native of Huntingdon County, Pa., and they have six children, namely: Justine, who is the wife of James Gable, train dispatcher for freight, from the Middle Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, residing at Juniata; Alleene; George E., who is foreman of the pattern department of the McLanahan-Stone Machine Company, at Hol- lidaysburg; and Adele, George H., and Julia, who reside at home.
In politics Mr. Krider is nominally a Repub- lican but his sympathies are largely with the Prohibition doctrine. He has accepted few public positions aside from his profession, but in 1906 was made treasurer of the Allegheny Township road fund and for twelve years has been a member of the Board of Education of the borough of Duncansville. For many years he has been an Odd Fellow and is a member of Wanita Lodge, No. 1142, at Hollidaysburg, and of the Progressive Encampment, No. 105, of the same city.
THOMAS G. HERBERT, health officer, and one of the highly esteemed citizens of Al- toona, Pa., where he has been a resident since 1886, was born in 1859, in Scotland, where he lived until the age of thirteen years, when he came to America.
After reaching the United States, Mr. Her- bert located first at Woodland, Clearfield County, Pa., where he found employment in the fire brick plant. He also spent seven years
JESSE L. HARTMAN
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in a similar plant at Clearfield and Sandy Ridge, Pa., after which he removed to Pitts- burg, Pa., where he was employed two years in a brick plant. In 1886, upon locating in Al- toona, he accepted a position as foreman of the fire brick plant here, and two years later en- tered the post-office at Altoona as a carrier, which position he filled two years. He was then employed as a mailing clerk for eight years and was appointed secretary of the first Civil Service Board in the Altoona post-office, in 1893. In 1898 he resigned from the service of the government and went to Philadelphia, where he transacted especial business for the New York Life Insurance Company, but still continued his residence in Altoona. In Octo- ber, 1902, Mr. Herbert returned to Altoona and became assistant health officer, and two years later became health officer of the City of Altoona, and completed a course in Sanitary Science, in May, 1905. Mr. Herbert was for- merly actively interested in politics, but now devotes his entire time to his scientific studies, keeping fully abreast with the advance of sani- tary science. His religious connection is with the St. John's Catholic Church. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Young Men's Institute, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
In 1887, Mr. Herbert was joined in mar- riage with Anna E. Shaffner of Clearfield County, Pa., and they have five children : Leo, who is employed as a clerk with the Penna. R. R .; and Agnes, Nellie, Raymond, and Gerald.
GEORGE HERSHBERGER, whose val- uable farm of 115 acres is situated near Mar- tinsburg, Pa., in a very desirable part of North Woodbury Township, came to this place in 1902 and devotes it to crop raising and dairy- ing. He was born January 3, 1851, in Snake Spring Valley, Bedford County, Pa., and is a son of Rev. Henry and Eliza (Steel) Hersh- berger.
Rev. Henry Hershberger was a son of George Hershberger, who was of German ex- traction. Rev. Henry was a well known and
approved minister in the Church of the Breth- ren and for a quarter of a century led his peo- ple in religious matters. He married Eliza Steel, who also was born and is living in Bed- ford County. Of their children the following survive: George, in North Woodbury Town- ship; Fannie, wife of Samuel C. Keim, of Kansas City, Mo .; John S., of Everett, Pa .; Mary, wife of Albert Stayer, of Bedford County; Lydia, wife of Gilbert L. Working, of New Enterprise, Pa .; James Q., of Everett, Pa .; Daniel F., of Everett; Sophia, wife of Jacob Baker, of Snake Spring Township, Bed- ford County; and Anson, residing at Saxton, Pa.
George Hershberger has been engaged in agricultural pursuits ever since his school days ended and owns what is probably one of the best farms in North Woodbury Township. He was married December 25, 1872, to Miss S. Alice Boor, who was also born in Bedford County, a daughter of Joseph W. Boor, and an interesting family of nine children was born to them, the greater number of them now hav- ing homes and families of their own. Fannie F. is the wife of Howard Over, of Bedford County. Harvey B. lives in Miami County, O. Blair C., lives in South Dakota. Louisa is the wife of Charles A. Studebaker, of Miami County. Eliza is the wife of J. K. Archey, of Pittsburg, Pa. A. Maud is the wife of Clar- ence B. Rhodes, of North Woodbury Township and Josephine also lives there. J. Warren is with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, be- ing assistant station agent at Martinsburg. Claudius A. remains at home assisting his father. Mr. Hershberger and family are mem- bers of the Church of the Brethren. He is identified with the Republican party. He is one of the representative and reliable men of this township and is held in very high esteem.
JESSE L. HARTMAN, president of the First National Bank of Hollidaysburg, and ex- prothonotary of Blair County, is one of the leading men of this section. He was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., June 18, 1853. His paternal great-grandfather, Jacob Hartman,
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came from Germany in 1775, and settled in Chester County, Pa., where he died.
Benjamin Hartman, the father of Jesse L. Hartman, was born in Perry County, in 1804. In 1852 he removed to Cottage Postoffice, in Huntingdon County, where he acted for sev- eral years as postmaster, and was engaged in farming and a general mercantile business. In 1869 he came to Hollidaysburg, but in the fol- lowing year removed to Royer, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits and there died in August, 1880, at the age of seventy-six years. He was energetic and active in what- ever he undertook, and by good judgment and careful management, always secured fair re- turns upon his investments. He married Penina M. Wilson, a native of Stone Valley, Huntingdon County, and of a family of nine children she was the first to die, when the youngest was fifty-five years of age. She passed away on New Year's day, 1888, aged seventy-one years. Her father, Thomas Wil- son, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and a native of Huntingdon County, where he died in 1862, when in the eighty-fifth year of his age. He was a prosperous farmer, and a descendant of one of the early settled and most substan- tial families of that county.
Jesse L. Hartman was reared on his father's farm until he was fifteen years of age, and re- ceived his education in the common and in the graded schools of Martinsburg and Bell's Mills. He then came to Blair County, and in the fall of 1872 became a clerk in the store of B. M. Johnston and Co., at their furnace at McKee's Gap. He was successively promoted until he became manager of the store, and in 1878 was appointed general manager of the furnace, and remained with this firm until 1891. For many years Mr. Hartman has been active in Repub- lican politics and at present is serving as chair- man of the Blair County Republican Commit- tee. At the solicitation of many of his friends, he permitted the use of his name for the office of prothonotary, to which he was elected by the largest majority given any candidate on the ticket. He served out his term in this of- fice, conducting it according to correct business
principles, and rendered satisfaction to the pub- lic in this connection.
On November 7, 1878, Mr. Hartman was married to Miss Ella Denniston, daughter of James Denniston, of Hollidaysburg. To them were born two children: a daughter, who died August 5, 1882, and James D., born May 15, 1880. Mr. Hartman resides on the corner of Juniata and Garber Street, Hollidaysburg.
JAMES GAILEY, an enterprising citizen and progressive farmer, residing on a fine farm of 129 acres in Woodbury Township, Blair County, Pa., was born in 1845, in Philadelphia, Pa., a son of William and Martha (Black) Gailey, both now deceased. The father was identified with the Democratic party in politics, and he and wife were both members of the Presbyterian church. They were parents of the following children: Eliza, William, John, James, Martha, and Samuel.
James Gailey obtained a common school edu- cation and has always followed farming, hav- ing purchased his present farm of 129 acres from the Ake heirs, fifteen years ago. At the time of his purchase, the farm was well im- proved, having a good house and barn, but Mr. Gailey has just completed a fine new residence. He was married in 1869 to Lydia Jackson, a daughter of John Jackson of Clearfield County. She is one of the following children born to her parents: Andrew, George, Louise, Melissa, Matilda, David, Lydia, Elizabeth, and Sophia. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gailey: Martha, who is the wife of Harry Reese; and Anna, William, Leonard, Melissa, Andrew, Samuel, and Essie, deceased. The religious connection of the fam- ily is with the Presbyterian church. Mr. Gailey is politically a Democrat and takes an active interest in all affairs which pertain to the wel- fare of the community in which he lives.
GUY R. LINGAFELT, prothonotary and clerk of the courts of Blair County, Pa., is one of Hollidaysburg's most respected citizens. He was born December 12, 1869, at Hollidays-
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burg, and is a son of James M. and Lucretia J. (Rhodes) Lingafelt.
James M. Lingafelt was long one of Blair County's prominent men. The family is of German extraction. He engaged in merchan- dising at Hollidaysburg for many years and also was postmaster. His death occurred Jan- uary 14, 1896. He was the father of five chil- dren.
Guy R. Lingafelt was educated in the schools of his native city and after leaving the High School accepted a clerkship in a mercantile house. He is an active and loyal Republican and on March 20, 1901, was appointed deputy prothonotary. Through obliging and courte- ous treatment of all who had business with the prothonotary's office, Mr. Lingafelt made many friends and that these were stanch ones was shown in the records of the recent election, on November 2, 1909, when he ran several thou- sand votes ahead of the other candidates, this vote standing: Guy R. Lingafelt, Republican, 5,761; W. C. Reem, Democrat, 2,842; Will- iam Dodson, Socialist, 787.
Mr. Lingafelt was married in January, 1901, to Miss Bess Geesey, a daughter of Charles Geesey, a well known attorney at Altoona, and they have four children. Mrs. Lingafelt is a member of the Lutheran church. The pleasant and attractive family residence stands at No. 919 Penn Street, Hollidaysburg.
EMANUEL WILT, owner of a farm of 125 acres in Juniata Township, Blair County, Pa., has been a life long resident of this county, and was born July 15, 1871, a son of Alfred and Mary (Stiffler) Wilt, and a grandson of David Wilt, who was one of the early settlers and prominent citizens of Juniata Township.
Alfred Wilt was a native of Blair County, Pa., and died here in June, 1907. He was one of the progressive and well known citizens of Juniata Township, and served in various town- ship offices. He was politically a Republican, and served as auditor, tax collector and treas- urer of the township. He was a member of the Lutheran Church of Newry, Pa. Of his union with Mary Stiffler, who was also a native of
Blair County, were born the following chil- dren: Amanda E., who is the wife of David Hanley, of Duncansville, Pa .; Emanuel; and Clara B., who married O. J. Leighty, of Poplar Run. Mr. Wilt was a member of the Grange of Poplar Run, Pa., and also the Patrons of Husbandry. The mother of our subject is still living and is a resident of Freedom Township.
Emanuel Wilt has always resided in Blair County, Pa., and was educated in the schools at Poplar Run, Pa. He has from youth up been engaged in agricultural pursuits and is the owner of a fine farm of 125 acres in Juniata Township. Mr. Wilt was married June 4, 1902, to Martha A. Feather, of Blair County, Pa., and their union has resulted in the following issue: Ethel M .; Alpherd L .; . Carl E .; and Frieda E. Mr. Wilt is a Repub- lican, and is now serving his second term as a member of the board of auditors, of which he is also secretary. He holds membership with the Lutheran Church of Newry.
DR. CLAIR E. ROBISON, one of the lead- ing medical practitioners of Altoona, Pa., has been a resident of this city for the past six years, and was born in Hollidaysburg, Pa., a son of Elmer H. Robison. His father, who died about 1894, was one of the prominent cit- izens of Hollidaysburg, and although engaged in agricultural pursuits, was also extensively interested in various business enterprises of Blair County.
Doctor Robison received his early education in the common schools of Blair County, and his academic course at Juniata College, after which he entered Jefferson Medical College, from which he graduated with the class of 1903, and has since been located at Altoona, in the general practice of medicine.
He is a member of the Blair County, the Pennsylvania State, and American Medical Societies, and is a member of the medical staff of Mercy Hospital of Altoona.
Doctor Robison is a valued member of the Altoona Board of Health, being president of that body during the year 1909, and is local medical examiner for the following insurance
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companies: the Pennsylvania Mutual Life, of Philadelphia; The Canadian Mutual; Frater- nal Mystic Circle; the Workman's Circle of New York; and the Union Central. He holds membership with the University Club of Al- toona, is a Knight Templar, Chapter and Mas- ter Mason, a Shriner, and a member of the Fraternal Mystic Circle.
Doctor Robison was married in 1905 to Miss Gladys B. McCauley of Salem, Virginia. Their children are Beverly and Jack Robison. In religious faith Doctor Robison is a Luth- eran, being an active member of Grace Church, Altoona.
JACOB ACKERS, proprietor of the Hotel Waldorf, a first class and finely appointed house of public entertainment, ranking in comfort, convenience and standing with any in the city of Altoona, was born May 7, 1850, in Bedford County, Pa., and is a son of Conrad and Re- becca (Leonard) Ackers.
Conrad Ackers was a well known and re- spected resident of Bedford County for many years, where he was engaged in the tanning and butchering business. He took an interest in public matters and voted with the Demo- cratic party. He married Rebecca Leonard and they had the following children: Samuel, Thomas, John, Elizabeth, Catherine, James, Jacob, Emanuel, Rebecca, Mary Jane, Mar- garet, and Anna. The eldest son, Samuel, is a veteran of the Civil War.
Jacob Ackers obtained his education in the schools of Bedford County, after which he was in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for twenty-five years. He then be- came connected with the wholesale department of the Pittsburg Brewing Company and con- tinued there for eight years and then took charge of the Hotel Waldorf, which he has made a very popular hostelry. He was mar- ried in 1871 to Miss Mary Carroll, a daughter of Edward Carroll, and they have three chil- dren: Edward, William and Paul. Mr. Ack- ers and family belong to St. John's Catholic Church. He is not identified with either great
political party at the present time but casts his vote according to his own judgment.
HARRY M. DETRICK, who occupies the responsible position of foreman of the stock de- partment of the D. M. Bare Paper Company, at Roaring Spring, Pa., is a leading citizen of this pleasant borough and is a prominent Re- publican politician. He was born at Loysburg, Bedford County, Pa., March 17, 1861, and is a son of James and Rachael (Johnson)
Detrick.
James Detrick was a foremost citizen for a number of years in the different places where he made his home in order to attend to various business interests. He was born in Franklin County, Pa., and from there moved to Loys- burg, in Bedford County, and for a number of years while living there was manager of the mercantile business of Bare & Spanogle, who also operated a large flour mill at this place. Early in the seventies he accepted the position of station agent at Roaring Spring for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and served in that office for some years. He also was fore- man for a long time in the finishing department of the well known paper manufacturing firm of Morrison, Bare & Cass, since merged into the D. M. Bare Paper Company. He served as burgess of Roaring Spring and also as a justice of the peace and was well qualified for every office and position that he either sought or to which he was elected. His death occurred in March, 1908. He was a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and was so liberal in his contributions to church support that the erec- tion of the first building for this religious body at Roaring Spring was made possible.
Harry M. Detrick was about six years old when his parents came to Roaring Spring and here he attended school until he was seventeen years of age and then entered the employ of the leading firm of the place, the D. M. Bare Paper Company, with which he has remained identi- fied ever since, gradually being advanced in position and responsibility and since 1896 hav- ing been foreman of the stock department. With commendable good sense, Mr. Detrick
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began at the bottom of the ladder and his train- ing in this house has been thorough.
Mr. Detrick married Miss Alice Imler, of Roaring Spring. From early manhood he has taken an interest in public affairs and soon identified himself with the Republican party, with the principles of whch he has remained in accord until the present. For seven consecu- tive years he served as a member of the Repub- lican County Committee from Roaring Spring borough and was a delegate to the state con- vention from Blair County that nominated Gov- ernor Pennypacker. For over a quarter of a century he has been an Odd Fellow and is a member of Model Lodge, No. 856, at Roaring Spring. For fifteen years he has served as a member of the borough school board and has been both president and treasurer of this body.
ARTHUR B. CLARK, city treasurer, and one of the leading business men of Altoona, Pa., has been identified with the business in- terests of the city since February 29, 1892, and was born June 16, 1872, at New Bloomfield, Perry County, Pa. Mr. Clark was reared in New Bloomfield, attended the public schools of that borough and the New Bloomfield Acad- emy, and at the age of 20 years became identi- fied with the Morning Tribune of Altoona, with which he was associated for six or seven years. Then owing to ill health he spent three years traveling over various sections of the United States, after which he returned to Al- toona, and became advertising manager of the Evening Gazette of this city. In February, 1905, Mr. Clark was elected treasurer. His services in this position were so acceptable to the people of the city that at the expiration of his term, he was re-elected to that office, in February, 1908, and is still serving in that capacity. He is still associated with the Eve- ning Gazette, being treasurer of the company, and also a director. He is also treasurer of the Wray-Moore Company, wholesale grocers of Altoona, and is vice president of the Penn- sylvania Pressed Brick Company, of Grazier- ville, and is connected with other business en- terprises in the city.
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