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| History of Cambria County, V.3 |
| 584 | HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. | |
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WILLIAM SLICK, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, who has now retired from active business life and lives in retirement in his commodious home at No. 412 Napoleon street, is a representative of a family whose pioneer ancestor in this country emigrated to America many years ago from Holland. (1.) Dr. ------ Slick, great-grandfather of William Slick, was born in Holland, and upon arriving in this country selected Hagerstown, Maryland, as his future home. He married and among his children were: John of whom see forward; William and Jacob. (II) John Slick, son of Dr. Slick (1), was born in Hagerstown, Maryland. He migrated to Bedford county, Pennsylvania, where he made his home. He married Elizabeth Winsom, and they had children: 1. William, see forward. 2. Jesse, a tailor in Somerset county, Pennsylvania. 3. John, who married (first) ------ Vickroy, (second) Susan Frame. He was a fuller by trade and a local preacher of renown. 4. Caleb, married (first) Catherine Slick, and (second) ------ Hare. 5. Joseph, married Isabella Frame. 6. Jacob W. (III) William Slick, eldest child of John (2) and Elizabeth (Winsome) Slick, was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, April 7, 1786. He came to Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, in 1808, and operated a tannery on Main street. After some years he removed to Geistown in the same county, where he received a grant of land of one hundred and thirty-three acres, which he cleared of timber and cultivated. He erected a fine dwelling house and other buildings, and besides farming it very profitably, he operated a tannery. On this farm the greater part of his life was spent, and he attained a prominent and influential position in the community, as is evidenced by the many township offices he was called upon to fill, and in which his wise judgment was of great benefit to the community. He was justice of the peace for very many years, and at various times, held the offices of school director, supervisor and constable. A short time before his death he disposed by sale of this property, and returned to Johnstown, taking up his residence with his son Joseph, in whose home he died in 1876, at the advanced age of ninety years. He took an active part in the political councils of the Whig, and later in those of the Republican party, and was a stanch supporter of any measure which tended to the public welfare. He married, 1807, Rebecca Hemphill, born in Bedford county, daughter of Robert and Nancy (Carney) Hemphill, and they had children: 1. Robert H., who was a teacher in the public schools and died at the age of twenty-four years. 2. Eliza, married William Maitland, and had children: Robert and Asbury. 3. Nancy, married John Emsbaugh, and had a large family. 4. Julia Ann, married Robert E. Rogers, and had children. 5. John, married (first) Barbara Hay, (second) Margaret Border, and by the second marriage had a numerous family. 6. Benjamin F., married (first) Annie Gordon, (second) Annie Cushom. 7. William, see forward. 8. Joseph. 9. George R. (IV) William Slick, fourth son and seventh child of William and Rebecca (Hemphill) Slick, was born in Geistown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1823. His early years were spent on the farm of his father, and his education was acquired in the public schools of his native township. While still young, he was obliged to assist his father in the cultivation of the home farm and in the work connected with the tannery, and he thus obtained practical experience in both these useful branches of industry. He was thus occupied until he had attained his majority, |
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