L. and Nancy M. (Royer) Shryock, was born at Mill Creek Furnace, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1852. He was the recipient of a good common school education, and was then apprenticed to the trade of tinsmithing. Upon the completion of his apprenticeship, he went west and traveled throughout that section of the United States for about eight years. He then returned to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and commenced business for himself, opening a tin and hardware store on Franklin street, which he conducted with success for twenty-four years. He then became the owner of some coal lands within the city limits, the mine being known as the Ferndale Coal Company, and this has engaged his business activities up to the present time. His strict attention to business and his methodical manner of conducting the same have made of him a prosperous man, whose opinion is highly regarded in the business circles of his town. He is greatly respected for his integrity and sterling worth. He is a Republican in politics, and has been president of the select council nine years and of the common council for one year. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
He married, August 21, 1878, Ella Arnold, daughter of George and Mary (McKeever) Arnold, and they had three children: 1. Louis, born May 31, 1879, deceased. 2. Robert, June 8, 1883. 3. Harry, January 19, 1890.
George Arnold, the father of Mrs. George K. Shryock, was born April 11, 1827, at Lower Providence, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and died March 6, 1891. He was the son of Thomas and Esther (Tippen) Arnold, the former born December 2, 1787, died October 16, 1858, the latter born April 20, 1784, died December 12, 1826; married, August 17, 1813.
Thomas was the grandson of John Arnold, who settled in Montgomery county, in the early part of the seventeenth century. He was born in 1715 and September 27, 1740, landed in America from England. His wife was Sarah Elizabeth Beker, from Holland. Their son Peter, born 1750, died 1828; married Anna Marie Gilbert, born March 9, 1750; their son Thomas was grandfather of Mrs. George K. Shryock. Thomas and Esther Arnold had children: 1. Mary, married William White. 2. John A., married Mary March. 3. Martha. 4. Elizabeth, married Jacob Allbright. 5. Thomas, married Sophia Lutz. 6. George, married Mary McKeever, as previously stated. 7. William, deceased. 8. Samuel G., married Annie Forman. 9. Harry G., deceased, married Annie Gotschalk. George Arnold served in the Civil war, first in the Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment, under General John F. Hartranft, as bandmaster; he re-enlisted in the Fifty-first Pennsylvania Regulars, again under General Hartranft, and was lieutenant colonel on General Reno's staff. He was by occupation a bricklayer. He married, in Norristown, December, 1852, Mary McKeever, born March 28, 1833, died July 29, 1893, daughter of Alexander and Jane (Foster) McKeever, of New
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