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History of Cambria County, V.3

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 339
    JOHN J. TREFTS, deceased, of Johnstown, was born in 1819, in Salla Noble, near Pittsburg, son of Adam Trefts, who is supposed to have been born in Germany, and on emigrating to this country settled in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he followed the occupation of a butcher. His wife was Sophia Raab. Adam Treats died in Johnstown, and the death of his wife occurred in Iowa, whither she had gone, as a widow, to live with one of her sons.
    John J. Trefts, son of Adam and Sophia (Raab) Trefts, was a child when brought by his parents to Johnstown. He received a good education, and as a young man took for his occupation that of a butcher. In after years, in consequence of failing health, he was obliged to abandoned this occupation, and for some time was variously employed. In 1864 he was appointed justice of the peace, an office which he filled for ten years. He was a stanch Republican and a member of the First Lutheran church. He married, January 29, 1854, Elizabeth Hoffman, and they went to housekeeping on the von Lunen place, in Moxham, later removing to the city. Their family consisted of the following children: Emma, wife of John Brady, of near Berlin, Pennsylvania; Albert, of Johnstown, married Mary Hoffman. Jacob M., of Johnstown; William H. of Johnstown, married Martha Horner; Amanda, died in Johnstown, 1903, wife of Enoch Baker; and George, of Johnstown, married Lizzie Webb. Mr. Trefts died March 16, 1874, leaving to his family, his friends, and his fellow-citizens, the memory of a useful, well-spent life. He is buried in Grand View cemetery, and his widow still survives at the advanced age of eighty-two.
    Mrs. Trefts is a daughter of Jacob Hoffman, son of Jacob and Sophia (Rope) Hoffman, the former of whom died in Somerset county, Pennsylvania. Jacob Hoffman, Junior, was born in that county and there began his career as farmer. Shortly after his marriage he sold his property and moved to Cambria county, where he purchased a farm near Geistown and there passed the remainder of his life. He and his wife were devout members of the Lutheran church. Jacob Hoffman, Junior, married Eva Good, and they were the parents of the following children: Rebecca, deceased, wife of John Paul; David, now ninety years old, living in Richland township; Joseph, deceased; Christina, deceased, wife of Jacob Noon; Elizabeth, widow of John J. Trefts; Samuel, deceased, Susanna, wife of Daniel Noon, of Richland township; and Jacob, who resides in the neighborhood of Pittsburg.

    MICHAEL P. BOYLE, of Johnstown, was born March 1, 1862, in county Donegal, Ireland, son of Patrick and Margaret (O'Hara) Boyle. The latter died in her native land while her son Michael P. was still a child, and the former came to the United States, where he was employed in various places as a puddler. He died in Cumberland, Maryland.
    Michael P. Boyle, after the death of his mother, was received into the family of his Grandparents and received his education at the national schools. At the age of fourteen he came to the United States, landing in New York, whence he proceeded to Johnstown, and there for a time made his home with an uncle, adding to his educational acquirements by attending school. His first employment was in the ore mines, in which he worked for a few years in different places. In 1889, after the flood, he returned to Johnstown and opened a hotel in a small frame building that stood on the site of his present establishment. The hotel of which he is now proprietor was erected in 1896 by the heirs of Charles


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