Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 98

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 98

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Mr. Clark is fraternally a 32d degree Mason, a member of the Harrisburg Consistory, of Jaffa Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Altoona Lodge No. 102, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, is Past President of Altoona Aerie, No. 286, Frater- nal Order of Eagles, the Royal Order of Moose and Lodge No. 149, Order of Owls.

In 1902, Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Helen M. Greevy, who is a daughter of Thomas H. Greevy. Mr. Clark is a charter member of the Grace Lutheran Church.

JAMES RALPH DETWILER, dealer in hardware and farming implements, is a lead- ing business citizen of Williamsburg, Pa., and is also a stockholder, secretary and treasurer of the Juniata Manufacturing Company of this city. He was born January 12, 1876, in Huston Township, Blair County, Pa., and is a son of George and Mary A. (Eastep) Det- wiler, and a grandson of Anthony Detwiler.

George Detwiler died in April, 1898. His widow survives and makes her home with her children. He was politically a Democrat. George and Mary Detwiler were parents of the following children: Mary J., who is the wife of B. F. Fonner; Franklin P .; Ellen, who is the wife of Henry Showalter; U. G .; Alonzo C .; William C .; Ida; Anna M., who married John Hill; James R .; Cora A., who is the wife of Walter Medaugh: Martha V., who is deceased, was the wife of Cletus Nico- demus; and Bertha, who is the wife of Blaine Palm.

James R. Detwiler attended the common schools of the county and after obtaining his education, engaged in farming until 1901, when he embarked in the implement and ve- hicle business. He also carries a line of hard- ware and is known through the country as an authority on cream separators.

In politics Mr. Detwiler is independent. He served as burgess of Williamsburg from 1906 to 1909. Fraternally he is a member of the Portage Lodge, No. 220, F. & A. M .; the Orphans' Home Lodge of I. O. O. F., No. 315, of Williamsburg; the M. W. of A., No.

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8298, and the P. O. S. of A., both of Will- iamsburg. His religious connection is with the Lutheran church.

On August 9, 1900, Mr. Detwiler married Miss Mary Thompson, who is a daughter of David and Anna M. Thompson, well known residents of Williamsburg, and they have two sons, David Luther, and Ralph Elwood.

FREDERICK M. I KLEPSER, a well known resident of Martinsburg, Pa., and the owner and operator of Klepser's mill, situated in North Woodbury Township, Blair County, Pa., was born in Bedford County, March 15, 1852, and is a son of Frederick and Christine ( Metzker) Klepser.

Frederick Klepser was born in Germany and was brought to the United States when he was quite young, his parents settling in what is now Blair County, Pa. Later Frederick Klep- ser settled at Puttstown, Pa., where he oper- ated a tannery and store for many years, at the time when the Broad Top Railway was built in that section. Some years before his death he purchased the property known as Klepser's mill, in North Woodbury Township, Blair County, and this mill has been operated in the family continuously ever since. He was a man of sterling character and was widely known. He lived to be seventy-five years of age. In his religious connection he was a Luth- eran and politically he was a Republican after the organization of that party.

Frederick M. Klepser was reared in North Woodbury Township and attended the public schools as opportunity was afforded him in his youth, and then learned the milling business in which he has continued ever since, engaging also in farming, and owning a well developed farm of 120 acres.

Mr. Klepser married Miss Mary Stoner, who was born near Martinsburg, a daughter of David B. Stoner, and they have four children, namely: Eva, who is the wife of J. E. Dilling, of Martinsburg; Elvin, who is a resident of Altoona; and Sannie and Harvey, who reside at Martinsburg. Mr. Klepser is a member of the Brethren Church at Martinsburg, being a

deacon in the same. He is one of upright, hon- orable men of the borough and a most worthy and useful citizen.

P. L. MORRISON, the originator and pro- prietor of the Colonial Hotel, the only hostelry in Altoona conducted exclusively on the Euro- pean plan, and the best equipped and most cen- trally located hotel in the city, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1871. His parents were George and Catharine (Cassiday) Morrison, both of whom, though born in Scot- land, were descendants of Irish stock. To this union were born seven children: P. L., George, William, John, Michael, Mary, and Margaret. P. L. Morrison received his educa- tion in the public schools. Five years previous to October 6, 1906, when he came to Altoona, he resided at Aldine. He was married Febru- ary 5, 1893, to Miss Catharine, a daughter of Michael Murphy, of Beaver Falls, Pa., and to this union are four children: William, Mada- line, Paul and Patrick. Mr. and Mrs. Morri- son are communicants of St. John's Catholic Pro-Cathedral. Fraternally, Mr. Morrison is an active member of the Benevolent Protective Order Elks, and politically is an adherent of the Republican party. The Colonial Hotel is an imposing affair, attractive in construction and erected of steel, concrete, brick and marble. The home-like atmosphere of the hotel, with . its owner's genial hospitality, gives it extensive patronage. The Café Colonial, an adjunct of the hotel, is the recognized rendezvous of Al- toona's smart set.

JOHN E. HAGEY, postmaster at Henri- etta, Blair County, Pa., and general merchant of the place, has been a resident since 1898, and is identified with the leading interests of this section. He was born at Martinsburg, Pa., March 8, 1853, and is a son of David and Mar- garet (Kissinger) Hagey.

David Hagey was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., and his wife at Martinsburg, in Blair County, and both are deceased. The ma- ternal grandfather of Mr. Hagey was David Kissinger, whose father had been so prominent

A. S. FISHER

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a man at Reading, Pa., that he was honored by having Kissinger Street in that city named for him. David Kissinger is remembered by the older residents of Martinsburg as a busi- ness man of that place, where he conducted a tailoring establishment for many years.

When John E. Hagey was five years old his parents moved from Martinsburg to Cove Sta- tion, Huntingdon County, and several years later to Fredericksburg, Blair County, where he grew to manhood, obtaining his education in the public schools and at Juniata College, Martinsburg. He began work as a clerk in a mercantile establishment at Fredericksburg and after a short experience became a clerk in a business house at Sarah Furnace, in Blair County. He was eighteen years of age when he came first to Henrietta as head clerk for the firm of Wood, Morrell & Co., of this place, and after eight months was transferred by the com- pany to what were then known as the Spring- field Mines, in Huston Township, where he re- mained for ten years as manager. From there he was transferred to Vulcan, Mich., as gen- eral manager of three large stores operated by the Penn Iron Mining Company, a branch of the Cambria Iron Company, and he remained there for nine years, for four years being gen- eral manager of the stores and for five years general manager of the works and mines. In 1891 he returned to Pennsylvania and for sev- eral years was general manager, at Johnstown, for the Penn Traffic Company, and in 1898 re- turned to Henrietta, in the same year being made postmaster and establishing his mercan- tile enterprise. He has additional interests. He is agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad sys- tem at Henrietta and agent at this point for the Adams Express Company, while looking after his agricultural interests alone would pro- vide employment for any ordinary man, as he owns 1,500 acres of fine land situated in Blair and Bedford Counties. His is a telling ex- ample of what may be accomplished by an American youth whose education incites him to industry and who builds upon the foundation stone of business integrity.

Mr. Hagey married Miss Mary N. Brum-

baugh, a native of Blair County, and a daugh- ter of Rev. George W. Brumbaugh, formerly a resident of Clover Creek, now of Taylor Township. Of their three children but one survives, Carrie E., who is the wife of W. K. Endsly, a resident of New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Hagey are members of the Presbyte- rian church. In politics he is a Republican and in early manhood served as auditor of Blair County. The name of Hagey is remembered among the pioneers of Huntingdon County.

ANDREW S. FISHER, a well known and able attorney of Altoona, Blair County, Pa., has been a resident there since 1893. He was born April 28, 1865, in Bedford, Bedford County, Pa., which was the scene of his boy- hood activities, where he took a preparatory course in the common schools and a State Nor- mal School, and then read law in the office of Hon. John M. Reynolds, the present congress- man of this district and lieutenant governor elect. During his boyhood days he manifested considerable ingenuity and mechanical skill and obtained patents upon several useful inventions.

After a very creditable examination he was admitted to the Bar of Bedford County in 1890, and there engaged in practice until 1893, when he removed to Altoona, where he was first associated in practice with J. Banks Kurtz, Esq. After six months this partnership was dis- solved and he established an office of his own and has since been actively engaged in practice in the courts of Blair and the adjoining coun- ties and of the state. He is a member of the Blair County Bar Association. In politics Mr. Fisher is a Democrat and has twice been hon- ored by his party with important nominations for office. In 1895 he was the democratic nominee for district attorney but was defeated by William S. Hammond, Esq. In 1898 he re- ceived the democratic nomination for assembly and withdrew to make way for the selection of Hon. Harry G. Stahl, a fusion candidate, who was elected. He has always been actively in- terested in secret and fraternal society work. He helped to organize the high court of Penn- sylvania of the Independent Order of Foresters,

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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

of which he was the first state counsellor for two terms; he is a past dictator and trustee of Lodge No. 74, of the Loyal Order of Moose and rendered valuable services in the building of the new Moose Home; and has held posi- tions of trust in other fraternal societies. In 1895 he promoted the Mountain City Trust Company, a prosperous financial institution of this city and served as a director and counsel for two years.

In October, 1892, Mr. Fisher was joined in marriage with Lillie L. Tayman, of Somerset County, Pa., and they have two sons: Frank G., and John Victor Fisher.

DR. JOHN LAMBERT BRUBAKER, who has been engaged in the practice of medi- cine at Juniata, Pa., since May, 1891, was born in Juniata County, Pa., in 1854, and is a son of William and Sarah (Kepner) Brubaker. His parents, who were natives of Juniata County, Pa., followed farming and stock raising and were living in Maryland at the time of their. respective deaths.

Dr. J. L. Brubaker was a babe when his par- ents removed to Taneytown, Maryland, and his educational training was obtained at the Eagle- ton Institute, and the Washington University, from which he graduated with the class of 1874. He then practiced medicine in Perry County, Pa., for ten years with the excep- tion of two years spent in the west. He was subsequently located for a time at Bunkerhill, Kans., where he opened a drug store. In 1884 he went to Isabella County, Mich., where he was located for six years previous to coming to Juniata, Pa. Four months after locating in Juniata, Dr. Brubaker removed to his pres- ent location, Fourth Avenue and Fifth Street, and has since been actively engaged in follow- ing his profession. Dr. Brubaker built his residence immediately after locating in Juniata, has been treasurer of the borough ever since its incorporation. In politics he is independent, has served several years as school treasurer, and for eighteen years has been surgeon for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Dr. Brubaker has been a member of the Sheridan

Troop N. G. Pa., since 1892, and also saw service in Porto Rico, with the Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry during the Spanish-Amer- ican War. He affiliates with the I. O. R. M., the Knights of Pythias, and the B. P. O. E.

Dr. Brubaker was first married to Ella J. Jones, of Lockhaven, Pa. Mrs. Brubaker died in July, 1903, and of their union was born one son, Dr. Augustus J. Brubaker, who was edu- cated in the schools of Juniata, the Pennsyl- vania State College, and the Philadelphia Den- tal College. He was first engaged in practice in Juniata, then located in Lancaster about three years, and returned to Juniata. He has since been engaged in practice in Juniata with the exception of the winter of 1908-1909, when he followed his profession in Porto Rico. In 1905, Dr. Brubaker formed a second union with Edith B. Coblan, of Gettysburg, Pa., and they have one son, Donald Lambert Brubaker.

DANIEL HOOVER, whose fine farm of over 200 acres, lies in Huston Township, Blair County, Pa., was not only a successful agricul- turist but was known far and wide in his pro- fessional capacity, that of surveyor. He was born July 28, 1836, in Huston Township, and died November 23, 1910. He was a son of Jacob C. and Margaret (Garner) Hoover.

Jacob C. Hoover was born in Huston Town- ship, February 26, 1809, and was a son of Samuel Hoover, who was born in Franklin County, Pa. When the latter was a boy he accompanied his father, Adam Hoover, to what is now Blair County, settlement being made on Clover Creek. The Hoovers came originally from Germany and in this widely distributed family may be found some of Penn- sylvania's best citizens. Jacob C. Hoover passed his entire life in Huston Township, where he died September 12, 1885. He was identified with the Republican party after its formation. He never accepted any office ex- cept that of school director. He married Mar- garet Garner, who was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., August 17, 1815, and died March 14, 1885.

Daniel Hoover was reared in Huston Town-

CALVIN R. FLUKE

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ship. He attended the district schools and later the Oak Hill Collegiate Institute, then lo- cated at Williamsburg, after which he taught school for a number of winter sessions. It was in 1855, while a student at Oak Hill, that he studied surveying and at the time of his death he was probably one of the oldest sur- veyors in all this section. This profession has led him all over Blair and Huntingdon Coun- ties and almost to his last days he still re- sponded when a difficult or doubtful piece of land was to be surveyed, and where the most perfect accuracy was demanded. During all these years he also attended to the management of his farm, on which he lived since 1843, and on which he carried on farming and stock- raising.

On December 26, 1867, Mr. Hoover was married to Miss Eliza J. Rhodes, who was born April 18, 1851, in North Woodbury Township, Blair County, a daughter of the late Abraham D. Rhodes (born Sept. 28, 1800; died Jan. 7, 1881). There are eight surviving children of this union, namely: Essington R., who re- sides at Martinsburg; J. Newton, who lives in Huston Township; John E., who lives at Roar- ing Spring; Homer G., whose home it at Phil- adelphia ; Daniel R., and Paul, both of whom live in Huston Township; Edith, who is the wife of George Mock, of Roaring Spring; and Josephine, who lives at home. Mr. Hoover was a life long member of the Reformed" Church at Drab. In politics he was a Repub- lican and in 1878 his party brought him out as a candidate for county surveyor. He was one of Huston Township's representative men and his death was widely regretted.

THOMAS C. HARE, a prominent member of the Altoona bar and city solicitor, belongs to one of the old and leading families of Blair County. He was born at Yellow Springs, Pa., January 14, 1872, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Donnely) Hare.

Samuel Hare was active in business as a merchant for many years and was prominent in politics in Blair County and served for three years as deputy sheriff and held other offices.

He married Mary Donnely and six children were born to them. Mr. Hare now lives re- tired at Altoona.

Thomas C. Hare was educated in the public schools and Susquehannah University, and was graduated from that institution in 1890. He entered upon the study of law with N. P. Mer- vine, Esq., a well known local attorney, and entered the law department of the University of Michigan in 1890, from which he graduated in 1892. Mr. Hare immediately opened a law office at Altoona and has been a resident of this city ever since, and has taken an active interest in public affairs in addition to building up a large and substantial practice. In April, 1905, he was first elected city solicitor, on the Republican ticket, and without question was re-elected to the same office in 1908. He oc- cupies four rooms in the Central Trust Build- ing.

Mr. Hare was married to Miss Louise Kurtz, a daughter of Louis D. Kurtz, a well known citizen of Mifflinburg, Pa., and they have two children: Eleanor and Robert. The pleasant family home is the residence standing at No. 2012 Broad Avenue, Altoona.

CALVIN R. FLUKE, cashier of the Farm- ers' and Merchants' National Bank, and one of the representative business men of Williams- burg, Pa., was born October 2, 1856, in this borough, and is a son of William and Mary Ann (Dean) Fluke. His parents were old set- tlers of Blair County, Pa. They had the fol- lowing children: Anna, who is the wife of Frank R. Schumacker; R. S., who is a hard- ware merchant; Calvin R., our subject; and William D.

Calvin R.' Fluke obtained his education in the common schools and the academy at Wil- liamsburg, Pa., and with the exception of nine years spent with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Altoona, has always been a resi- dent of this borough. He was for four years secretary and treasurer of the Williamsburg Paper Manufacturing Company, of which he was one of the organizers, and which is now known as the West Virginia Pulp and Paper

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Company, and on January 1, 1910, assumed his present duties as cashier of the Farmers' and Merchants' National Bank of Williams- burg. Mr. Fluke is also a stock holder in the Williamsburg Department Store. In politics he is independent and has served in most all of the town offices, being now a member of the town council. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian church, in which he is secretary of the board of deacons. He is a member of the Improved Order of Heptasophs.

In May, 1886, Mr. Fluke was united in marriage with Miss Genevieve Roller, a daugh- ter of John M. and Elizabeth Roller, who were old residents of Blair County, and both of whom are deceased and buried in the Presby- terian Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Fluke are the parents of three children: Charles S., Fred and John.

DAVID KUHN, who devotes his valuable tract of 100 acres to farming and gardening, has one of the best cultivated farms in Alle- gheny Township, Blair County, Pa .. He was born in Allegheny Township October 28, 1845, and is a son of David and Margaret (Wise) Kuhn and a grandson of John Kuhn, who was an early settler in what was known as Dutch Bottom, Blair County. The parents of Mr. Kuhn died in 1887.

David Kuhn grew to manhood in his na- tive township and obtained a district school education. His business has always been farming and he makes a specialty of garden- ing. On September 30, 1875,- Mr. Kuhn was married to Miss Mary C. Baird, a daughter of the late Simon Baird who re- sided near Sinking Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Kuhn have four children, namely: Myrtle L., who is the wife of D. W. Feather, of Al- toona; and Alpha N., Milton S., and Velvie M., all of Allegheny Township. Mr. Kuhn and family are members of the Lutheran church at Duncansville. In politics he is a Republican but has never been active in political life. He is widely known and is held in high regard by his fellow citizens.

MILTON B. SHADE, a well known citizen and representative business man of Freedom Township, Blair County, Pa., a member of the firm of Shade Bros., general blacksmiths and repairers, at Leamersville, was born in this village, December 9, 1866, and is a son of John and Mary ( Rhodes) Shade.

John Shade and wife were born in Blair County, where the former died in May, 1907. His widow, who is now in her eightieth year, is one of the respected and beloved residents of Freedom Township. For fully a half cen- tury, the late John Shade was in the wagon- making business and had a shop at Leamers- ville, and at one time had a large trade.

Milton B. Shade attended the public schools and when old enough to make a choice of trades, decided to be a blacksmith. He served an apprenticeship at Waterstreet, in Hunting- don County, and afterward carried on a black- smith business for himself on the corner of Eighth Avenue and Fifteenth Street, Altoona, for a number of years, under the present firm name of Shade Bros. In 1901 he transferred his business to Leamersville, where he has a host of friends and enjoys liberal patronage. He is serving in his second term as a member of the school board of Freedom Township, and takes an active part in public matters affecting his section.

Mr. Shade was married to Miss Sarah Young, of Waterstreet, Pa., who died in 1900, leaving three children: Willmina M., Mabel M., and Irma. Mr. Shade is a member of the Lutheran church. He is very active in the fraternal order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge at East Freedom, of which he was the first noble grand and which he is now serv- ing as chaplain. He is identified also with the Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, at Claysburg, and is a member of the National Horseshoers' Association, Local No. 494, at Altoona. Mr. Shade has a good business and a comfortable home, all of which he has secured through his own efforts and he stands well in every way with his fellow citizens.

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AUSTIN B. DELOZIER, president of the Board of Education at Duncansville, Pa., and a well known builder and contractor, is one of the borough's representative citizens. He was born at Claysburg, Blair County, Pa., Septem- ber 17, 1866, and is a son of Joseph S. and Catherine (Roudebush) Delozier.

Joseph S. Delozier has been a lifelong resi- dent of Blair County. His father, Daniel De- lozier, came to Blair County from Hagerstown, Md., in boyhood. When he reached man's es- tate and married, he located in Blair Town- ship, where he lived until his death. There Joseph S. Delozier was reared and engaged in farming until within a few years, when he em- barked in a mercantile business at Duncans- ville, which he continues. He married Cather- ine Roudebush, who was born in Armstrong County, Pa.

Austin B. Delozier is, in the main, a self made man, having learned his trade as soon as released from school and for twenty years has been a large contractor and builder, doing work all over the country. He is a Republican in politics and has been an active citizen both in local and county affairs. Educational in- terests have particularly interested him and since 1900, he has been a member of the school board, serving either as secretary, treasurer or president. He is also concerned in the Dun- cansville Building and Loan Association, and for eighteen consecutive years has been one of its directors.

Mr. Delozier was married September 19, 1889, to Miss Etta M. States, who was born in Blair County, a daughter of James and Elizabeth States, who reside at McKee's Gap, Blair County. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Delozier, the eight survivors being: Arthur L., Harry R., Gertrude E., Mary C., Edith, James G., Elmer and Almeda G. Mr. Delozier and family are members of the Breth- ren church. He is identified with several fra- ternal organizations, belonging to the Golden Eagles, at Newry, Pa .; the Order of Junior Mechanics, at East Freedom; the Improved Order of Red Men, at Duncansville; and to

Allegheny Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, also at Duncansville.

THOMAS WEIR, proprietor of the Hotel Altamount, one of the largest, best equipped and most modern hostelries in Blair County, which attracts the best class of travelers who visit Altoona and provides a comfortable home, with its eighty rooms, for many exclusive city people, was born in Scotland, May 9, 1865, and is a son of Robert and Jane Weir and a grandson of Thomas Weir.

In the management of all his business af- fairs Mr. Weir has proven himself a careful, far-seeing business man. Prior to taking charge of the Hotel Altamount, in 1880, he served three years as chief of the police de- partment of Altoona and is well and favorably known to the public at large. Mr. Weir was married first in 1885, to Miss Dorothy Cow- ley, who died in 1899, and second to Miss Frances Stewart. They have three children: Jennie, Robert and James. In his political views he is a Republican and fraternally a Mason.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 98

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