many recruits to fit them for active service. In 1849, soon after leaving the army, and while residing in Wittenberg, Mr. Brixner married Anna Barbara Sammett, born November 2, 1824, daughter of Michael Sammett, of Wittenberg, and in 1854 came with his wife and three small children to the United States, landing at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where for the following year and a half he was employed in a sugar refinery. While a resident of Philadelphia he made the acquaintance of Daniel J. Morrell, who was looking for a man experienced in the handling and care of horses, that he might hire him to come to Johnstown and manage the stables of the firm of Wood, Morrell & Company. Mr. Brixner seemed to answer the requirements of the situation, and from that time until his death, December 6, 1871, he served in the capacity of foreman of the stables of Wood, Morrell & Company and of the Cambria Iron Company that succeeded to the business of that firm. Mr. Brixner proved a faithful employe and a conscientious man in the performance of every duty. He was an earnest member of the German Lutheran church, and for several years was one of the trustees of the society. In politics he favored Republican principles, and in 1869 held the office of school director.
Christian and Anna Barbara (Sammett) Brixner were the parents of ten children: 1. Catherine, born October 9, 1850, married Conrad Hoffman; both are now deceased; she and five children were drowned in the Johnstown flood, May 31, 1889. 2. Charles, see forward. 3. Christiana, born 1853, married Conrad Lotz, of Johnstown, an employe of the Cambria Steel Company. 4. Wilhelmina, born 1854, married William Stormer, a cabinetmaker, living in Johnstown. 5. Mary, born 1857, married Thomas P. Keedy, a superintendent in the employ of the Cambria Steel Company. 6. Sarah, born 1858, died March 17, 1890; married William H. Hahn, of Johnstown, who survives her. 7. Susan, born 1860, married William J. Patten, a stationary engineer, living in Johnstown. 8. Amanda, born 1862, married Professor Howard B. Johnston, of Brownsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. 9. Anne, born 1863, died unmarried, March 20, 1891. 10. Emma, born 1868, died in infancy. Mrs. Brixner survived her husband more than thirty years and died March 4, 1902.
Charles Brixner, second child and only son of Christian and Anna Barbara (Sammett) Brixner, was born in Wittenberg, Germany, September 4, 1851. He attended the public schools of Johnstown, whither his parents removed when he was five years of age, and when ten years old began work with his father in the stables in which the latter was foreman. In 1863, the last year in which the old Pennsylvania canal was operated, he drove a team on the towpath, hauling stone and wood from as far as Baker's furnace to the works of the Cambria Iron Company. He continued working for the company until October, 1871, then went to Youngstown, Ohio, but at the
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