expiration of three months was called back home on account of his father's death. He then accepted the position left vacant by his father's death and was foreman of the company's stables until 1881, a period of ten years, when he went to Pueblo, Colorado, and became stable foreman for the Pueblo Steel Works. He accepted this place at the earnest solicitation of D. N. Jones, who previous to that time had been chief engineer of the Cambria Steel Company and had become identified with the new company at Pueblo. Mr. Brixner resided in the west a little more than two years, then returned to Johnstown and since that time has been employed in various capacities by the Cambria Steel Company, having been in his old position of foreman of the stable department since 1903.
Almost from the time he attained his majority Mr. Brixner has taken an active interest in Cambria county politics, and he is known as one of the leading Republicans of that part of the state. In 1874 he was elected justice of the peace of Millville borough for a term of five years; in 1876 was elected member of the borough council; in 1879 became burgess and held that office one year; in the spring of 1881 was elected treasurer of the borough and served in that capacity until he went to Colorado. When residing in Pueblo he was road overseer of the twentieth precinct, but returned to Johnstown before the expiration of his term of office. Later he was again chosen for the office of justice of the peace of Millville, but declined the honor. Among the other positions to which he was chosen by his fellow townsmen may be mentioned that of tax collector of the borough of Millville, 1885-86 and 1888-89; borough treasurer, 1889-90; after first administration of the city governor was elected to office of select councilman from the thirteenth ward, 1890-96; and city assessor from 1899-1905, two terms of three years each. Mr. Brixner is a member of the First English Lutheran church of Johnstown, and a member of the Royal Arcanum since 1891.
Mr. Brixner married, October 13, 1878, Elizabeth Magdalene Heider, a daughter of Professor Ferdinand Gottfreid and Fredericka (Schwaderer) Heider. Professor Heider was born May 5, 1828, a son of Casper and Barbara (Strauss) Heider. Casper Heider was a noted hunter and sportsman, and at one time was forest master in the king's forest in Bavaria. Ferdinand Gottfreid Heider was educated at Augsburg Seminary and later at Schwabbaugh University. His special studies were music and the classics, and he was an accomplished musician. His wife Fredericka (Schwaderer) Heider, was born May 28, 1831, and after the death of her first husband married Christian Glock, of whom mention is made at length in these annals. She is now a widow and lives in Johnstown with her daughter, Mrs. Charles Brixner. Professor and Mrs. Heider were the parents of four children, namely: Herman, born June 27, 1852, married Martha Schultz, and lives in Johnstown. Elizabeth Magdalene,
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