OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

367

He married Annie Reichstadt, and to this marriage relation were born five children: Rose, the wife of Joseph Hegele, who resides in San Francisco, California; Mary and George, deceased; Anthony, and Annie, at home.     Anthony Kohler's education was such as was afforded by the common schools of his native county, and he began life on his own account as a farmer in Conemaugh township, this county, and being of industrious habits and enterprising spirit he added to his former business the related industry of dairying, which he has followed since 1891. He owns a well-improved farm of eighty-eight acres; in connection with his dairy has thirty-five cows, and ranks as one of the largest dairymen in the county.     He has always been identified with the Democratic party, and is a staunch supporter of the principles set forth by it. He does not permit his business to absorb all of his time, but has served his township in many ways. For several years he has been school director in his district, has held the office of township clerk, served on the election board and is at present one of the board of auditors. He is an active and consistent member of the Catholic church.     He married Miss Lena Wintmeyer, and to this marital union have been born seven children: Katie, Gusta, Mamie, Christ, Emma, George and Agnes. HIRAM SWANK, brick manufacturer of Johnstown, this county, is a son of Samuel and Katharine (Snyder) Swank, and was born on July 16, 1834, in Somerset county, Pennsylvania. The Swank family is of Swiss extraction. Jacob Swank (grandfather) was one of the pioneer settlers of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, where he owned and cultivated

a large farm until the time of his death. Josiah Snyder, grandfather on the maternal side of the family, was a native of Somerset county, and also followed the pursuits of a farmer. Samuel Swank, father of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, was a native of Somerset township, and was born in 1879. He, too, followed the pursuits of an agriculturist, owning and successfully cultivating a large farm in Somerset county, Pennsylvania. He married Katharine Snyder, and died in 1879, at the age of eighty-one years.     Hiram Swank received his early education in the common schools of his native county, and remained on the farm with his parents until, at the age of nineteen years, he accepted a position as clerk in a general store for one year, at which time he went to Davidsville, Somerset county, where he learned the trade of a potter. In 1854 he came to Johnstown and engaged in the pottery business, which he followed until 1887, when he changed the character of his business.     That year he began the manufacture of a special brand of bricks, used in the construction of steel works. This new plant, which cost about $50,000, is located in the Eleventh ward, Johnstown, and when running its full capacity, gives employment to one hundred men. This firm is well and favorably known, and their goods have been introduced into all parts of the United States. They also find a ready market in Nova Scotia.     In 1862 Mr. Swank married Miss Malinda E., daughter of Elias Mills, of Somerset township, and to this marital union have been born four sons and three daughters: Charles M., a machinist by trade, but now employed in the brick works with his father; Albert F., who is secretary to his father; Annie E., wife of F. B. Harmony, of Johnstown; Milton, a

Title Page

Contents

Image

Index