You are here:   Cambria > Books > History of Cambria County, V.3

336	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
member of that party. In his religious belief he is a Roman Catholic, and together with his family is a regular attendant and consistent member of the Holy Cross congregation of Spangler.     He is related to some of the best families of the state and is a close relative of Ex-Governor Curtin. In his personality Mr. McClain is affable and agreeable, easy of approach and of a most friendly manner, and stands in high repute with his friends and neighbors. He is a man of remarkable energy and enterprise, quick to see favorable opportunities and the necessary ability to handle them well. He is deliberate in considering the merits of any undertaking, but when he once has his plan determined upon, he is tenacious of purpose and is sure to bring it to a successful ending.     In 1873 Mr. McClain was married to Mary A. Brown, daughter of Joseph and Nancy Brown, of Centre county, who died in 1902, and to them were born the following children: Thomas B., a graduate of the Bellefonte high school, now a coal operator; Richard, who died at the age of fourteen years; Mary B., who married Harvey S. Lingle, of Patton; Nancy C., a graduate of Bellefonte Academy, and resides at home; James, a resident of South Dakota; Ralph, died in childhood; Joseph Curtin, died December 14, 1904.     NICHOLAS HUEBNER. The late Nicholas Huebner, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was born March 10, 1828, in Birkett, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Huebner, the former of whom was a farmer and emigrated to this country with his wife and children after the coming hither of his son Nicholas. They settled in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The children of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Huebner were: John, died in 1864, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Jacob, died in the west. Nicholas, of whom later. Elizabeth, died single.     Nicholas Huebner, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Huebner, attended school until the age of fourteen, when he learned the trade of blacksmith. After working at his trade in Germany for a few years he left his native land in January, 1849, being one of that large band of patriots who served as soldiers in the war of 1848, who fought for a republican form of government, but, being overpowered by the Crown of Prussia, migrated to England, where he remained for one year, then migrated to America; after a very stormy voyage lasting sixty-three days he finally landed in the land of Liberty, the form of government he had so valiantly fought for while in his native land. His thoughts were always for a free loving government, and his expectations were realized when be arrived in America. He lost no time in becoming a citizen of America. He and one brother went to Lancaster, where he worked at his trade for a short time, and then went to Fort Dearborn (now Chicago, Illinois), remaining there about six months, and about the year 1853 he came to Johnstown, Pennsylvania. His first work in Johnstown was for the old Portage railroad; later he worked at his trade for Fronbeiser. He then opened a blacksmith shop where Turner Hall now stands, remaining there until about 1865. In the latter year he moved on some property he purchased in 1860, on Railroad street, and there he continued at his business until he retired in 1886. He was considered an expert at his trade. About the year 1870 he, in company with William Miller, erected the first foundry for the manufacture of cooking and heating stoves; many of these stoves are in use to this day, plain evidence of the quality and skilled workmanship in their manufacture. In the

Title Page

Contents

Image