MEYERSDALE AREA OBITUARIES AND BIOGRAPHIES
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Meyersdale Library Special Collections Project--Approximately 28,000 obituaries from the Meyersdale Public Library Special Collections, dating from local newspapers from 1970 to 2004, are being uploaded to the PA GenWeb/US GenWeb Archives.
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Name Birth Date Death Date Age
Newspaper & publication date
Obituary
ROBBINS, AARON 1827 Aug. 18, 1902 Age 74
Reich Funeral Home Scrapbook, Meyersdale Public Library, Transcribed by Beverly Domer

This aged gentleman passed all of his life except the past eleven years in Fayette Co., died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. P. R. STAHL, South Side at 3:15 p.m. Monday, aged 74 years, 9 months and 12 days. He had been infirm for several years but a stroke of apoplexy Thursday last, from which he never rallied, caused his death. His wife died about fourteen years ago and the past eleven years he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. STAHL. Three children are dead-a son and two daughters. The living children are Mrs. KELLEY of LEISENREING, Mrs. WILKINS and Mrs. FUHER of Connellsville, Mrs. WILSON of McKees rocks, Mrs. SNYDER of Cleveland O., Mrs. P. R. STAHL of town and David ROBBINS of Glen McLaren. Mr. ROBBINS was a Republican, but during his later years had little interest in politics, owing, probably, to his delicate health. His interment took place in Connellsville yesterday in the family plot of the cemetery there. Rev. J. H. Knepper of the Brethren church ministered to the family of the deceased during the sad hours of their affliction. Casket was selected by P. R. Stahl and B. Thomas. Late residence Thomas St. Meyersdale.
(Note: Interment was listed as Connellsville Oak Hill Cemetery, possibly Hill Grove Cemetery.)
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SAYLER, PETER MILLER Born Nov. 16, 1838 Died Unknown Age Unknown
"History of Bedford & Somerset Counties, PA" v.3; Bedford County by E.
Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; Lewis Pub. Co., NY/Chicago 1906; ppg. 271-2. Transcribed by Candace Roth.

Peter MILLER SAYLER, a retired farmer of Summit Township, is a descendant of early Somerset County pioneers, his grandfather, John SEILER (the early spelling of the name), having been born in Summit Township near the present farm of Peter M. He was a member of the Mennonite Church and lived to an advanced age. Among his children was a son, John, born in Summit Township, a farmer and a Mennonite. His wife, Sarah (MILLER) SAYLER, a daughter of Peter MILLER, of Summit, was also a Mennonite. John and Sarah (MILLER) SAYLER were the parents of five children, all sons: Jacob, deceased; Peter M.; Samuel M., who lives near Somerset; Edward, now of Missouri; and Christian, now of Iowa. John SAYLER died in 1844. His widow, Sarah, became the wife of Joseph SAYLER, and died in 1888.
Peter M. SAYLER was born in Middle Creek Township, November 16, 1838. He was the second son of John and Sarah (MILLER) SAYLER. He received his early education in the township school. At the age of six years his father died, and a guardian was appointed. At the age of 14, he entered the school in Summit Township and continued therein for a few terms. His guardian did not see the necessity of education, so Peter's school days were numbered. He began working for the farmers of the neighborhood, and was thus employed until 1861, when he began farming on his own account in Greenville Township, where he remained until 1870, when he removed to Summit township and rented a farm, which he cultivated until 1885.
Industry and economy had brought Peter deserved success, and he was now in a position to become a landowner as well as a land worker. In 1885 he purchased the farm on which he has ever since resided. It contains 190 acres of cultivated and timberland, including a sugar camp of 700 vessels, situated about one and one-half miles from Meyersdale. The buildings are good and of ample dimensions. Mr. SAYLER has now practically given over active labor and has rented the farm to his son John. On one corner of the estate he is erecting a neat country home with barn, to which he will retire permanently when completed. Peter M. SAYLER is a man of strong religious conviction. He is a member of the Summit Mills congregation of the Brethren Church, which he serves as deacon. His political sympathies are with the Republican party, but he never craved or sought political office. He has held some of the township offices, but not from choice.
Mr. SAYLER married Barbara, daughter of Samuel HOCHSTETLER, of Greenville Township. They were married March 7, 1857, and are now nearing the golden anniversary of their wedding day. Eight children have been born to Peter M. and Barbara SAYLER as follows: Amanda; Lydia, deceased; Anna (Mrs. Alvin HANDWERK); Sarah, deceased; Ida; Harvey, married Nettie SHELBEAR; he is a teacher in the schools of Washington Co., Pa.; John, married Alice PECK; he works the home farm; Eliza (Mrs. Jeremiah YOST).

SAYLOR, CATHERINE (ZUFALL) Dec. 16, 1834 Aug. 10, 1912 Age 77
Source: Welfley Obituary Scrapbooks v. 10, p. 19, 1912; Meyersdale Public Library, Meyersdale, Somerset Co., PA; Transcribed by Beverly Domer
Mrs. George M. (Catherine Zufall) Saylor died at the family residence on Main Street at an early hour Saturday morning, August 10th, aged 77 years, following a sickness of several years. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Sufall and was born in Jenner township. She was married to George M. Saylor, the well-known veteran painter, 56 years ago, and all of her married life was spent in this place. In addition to her aged husband she is survived by these children: Frank, Harry, Irvin W. Saylor, and Florence, wife of M. E. Craver, all of Somerset. The funeral at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon was conducted by her pastor, the Rev. I. Hess Wagner, of Trinity Lutheran church. Interment in the Union cemetery. Deceased is survived by three brothers: John Zufall, of Somerset; Aaron Zufall, of Somerset Township, and David Zufall, of Ligonier, Pa.
Death certificate dates: Born Dec. 16, 1834 died Aug 10, 1912 aged 77 yrs 7 mos. 24 days; Parents John Sufall & Anni Tom, both born PA informant, Florence Craver, Somerset, PA.

SAYLOR, JOHN L. Aug. 10, 1841 Death Date Unknown Age Unknown
Source: Source: Biographical Review: Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, Boston, Biographical Review Pub. Co., 1899, pps. 215, 216, 217; Transcribed by Carol C. Eddleman, Bedford PAGenWeb, http://www.pa-roots.com/~bedford/
John L. Saylor, a successful farmer and general storekeeper of Somerset, was born in Summit, Pa., August 10, 1841, son of John J. and Elizabeth (Lichty) Saylor. His father and mother, and his paternal grandfather, whose name was John, were all natives of Summit. The elder John Saylor there spent the active period of his life in tilling the soil, and he died in that town at the age of eighty-six years, six months, and six days. He married a Miss Forney, who bore him four children, and John J. was the youngest son. The grandparents were members of the Mennonite church.
John J. Saylor, the father, was born in 1810. He followed general farming with energy in his native town for many years, and died in 1883. Elizabeth, his wife, who was the daughter of Joseph Lichty, became the mother of eight children, seven of whom are living, namely: Sarah, widow of Jonas Miller, late of Iowa; Martin; Rachel, who married John Schrock, of Summit, and has two children - Elias and Elizabeth; Joseph, who married for his first wife Mary Buechly and for his second her sister Barbara, and who has seven children - John, Harvey, Missouri, and Eliza, by his first union, and Frank, Mary, and Elizabeth by his second marriage; Fannie, who married Elias Fike, and has four children - William, Annie, Lizzie, and Missouri; William, who married Catherine Phillipi, and has eight children - Susan, Oliver, Milton, William, Newton, Edward, Simon, and Homer; and John L., the subject of this sketch. The mother died in 1876. She was a member of the German Baptist church.
John L. Saylor was educated in the schools of Somerset, Berlin and Meyersdale, Pa. He was engaged in farming in Summit until 1879, when he removed to Somerset, where he now owns a desirably located farm of two hundred and fifty acres, most of which is under cultivation. In 1895 he and his son, David L. Saylor, opened a general store at Friedens Station, this township, under the name of D. L. Saylor & Co. The son manages the mercantile business while the father carries on the farm.
On December 16, 1869, Mr. Saylor was united in marriage with Annie M. Livengood, who was born in Salisbury, January 11, 1844, daughter of David and Annie (Meyers) Livengood. Her father was in his younger days a farmer and later a preacher of the German Baptist denomination in Salisbury. Mrs. Saylor is the fifth born of the six children, of whom four are now living -- That is, three besides herself; namely, Samuel D., Jacob D., and Susan. Two sisters, Mrs. Daniel Barchus and Mrs. M. F. Smith, are deceased. Mrs. Barchus left one child, John Barchus, a banker living at Salisbury. Mrs. Smith had no children.
Samuel D. Livengood, who is a banker, married Harriet Livengood, a distant relative, and his only daughter, Grace, is the wife of Hugh Lorentz, of Meyersdale, and mother of two sons - Charles and Albert Lorentz. Jacob D. Livengood, also a banker, married Lizzie Beachy, now deceased. She was the mother of three children, two of whom are living, namely: Olive, wife of M. C. Berkey, of Kansas; and Albert E. Livengood. Susan Livengood married Jacob M. Lichty, of Summit, and has seven children: namely: Adam, Annie, Emma, Charles, Sarah, Elizabeth, and John Lichty. Emma Lichty married Daniel Lepley, of Connorsville, Pa., and has two children - Paul and Anna Bertha.
Ada married Frank Manst, of Salisbury, and has one child now living, a daughter, Olive. David Livengood, Mrs. Saylor's father, died at the age of sixty-two years, and her mother died at thirty- four. Mr. and Mrs. Saylor have had eight children, namely: David L., born September 21, 1870; Addie, born May 13, 1872; William H., born April 14, 1873; Emma G., born September 10, 1875; Charles H., born March 15, 1877; Lucy C., born July 22, 1879; Olive E., born February 1, 1884; and Robert G., born October 22, 1885, who died November 1, 1886. The first five are natives of Meyersdale, and the last three were born in Somerset.
Mr. Saylor served with ability as Postmaster at Friedens in 1896. He is highly respected both as a business man and a citizen. His son, David L., is station agent for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company and agent of the United States Express Company in Friedens. He is an active and popular young man.

SHOBER, JAMES M. Born Sept. 6, 1855 Death Date Unknown Age Unknown
"History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania" Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, ppg. 446-7. Transcribed by Candace Roth.

James M. SHOBER, a representative citizen of Garrett, Pennsylvania, was born in Brothers Valley Township, Somerset County, Pa. in the house he now owns and resides in, September 6, 1855. His early ancestors were natives of Switzerland, but his parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents were natives of this country.
His father, George W. SHOBER, born September 15, 1826, son of Jacob SHOBER, was a man of deep religious conviction. He was a member and later a minister of the Church of God. Although owning and conducting a farm of four hundred acres, he traveled over the country and preached in the churches of all denominations as well as his own. Creed sat lightly on his shoulders, and all Christians were his brethren. He was first a Whig and later a Prohibitionist, but with the exception of a few minor offices would not accept the public positions offered him. On January 25, 1852, he married Leah B. Berkley, daughter of Solomon and Catherine (BOGER) BERKLEY, and they were the parents of two sons and two daughters: Samuel U., married Sarah KIMMEL; James M., of whom later; Laura V., who became the wife of Alexander COLEMAN; Eximena, who became the wife of Wesley LANDIS. George W. SHOBER (father) died June 15, 1897. His wife, Leah B. (Berkley) SHOBER, who is a member of the Brethren church, is living at the present time (1906) on the old homestead.
James M. SHOBER was educated in the common and normal schools of the county. His intention was to make teaching his vocation in life, but upon making a trip to Richardson County, Nebraska, in 1880, he changed his mind and determined to become a western farmer. On returning east to make his arrangements he found his parents so opposed to this plan that he abandoned it, and instead took the home farm and has remained on it ever since. The farm is substantially the same in size as when he purchased it--400 acres--but he has remodeled and enlarged the house and built the most commodious barn in the county. The farm is well stocked with good horses and blooded Short-Horn cattle. It is also underlaid with four veins of coal varying from four to seven feet in thickness, and the plant of the Somerset Coal Company is located on the farm. W. D. ALTHOUSE leased the coal right of two of the veins and opened the first mine, but subsequently sold to the above named company. These two veins return to Mr. SHOBER a royalty, while he retains all his rights in the other veins. There are also large, fine orchards on the property, and a sugar camp of fifteen hundred vessels producing from four to five thousand pounds annually. This farm has been in the possession of three generations of SHOBERS. In politics Mr. SHOBER is strictly independent. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, of Berlin. He is a member of the Maccabees, and is commander of the lodge located at Garrett, Pennsylvania. He has passed all the chairs of the Protective Home Circle of Garrett, is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Berlin, and member of Beachdale Lodge, Patrons of Husbandry, in which he has passed all the chairs. Mr. SHOBER is an independent, original thinker and possesses a strong, manly character. He is now (1906) in his fifty-first year, alert and active, and Brothers Valley is rich in having such men as he within her borders.
Mr. SHOBER married, December 22, 1882, Ada E. COLEMAN, born April 4, 1864, educated in the common schools, and died May 28, 1902, daughter of Jacob J. and Mary (MUSSER) COLEMAN. Fifteen children were the issue of this union, five of whom--four sons and one daughter--died in infancy and early childhood. The names of the surviving children are as follows: Lucy C., born in 1883, received her education in the common and normal schools and is now a teacher; Clayton P., born July 8, 1884, has chosen farming as his occupation and will succeed his father, making the fourth generation on the home farm; Melda V., born May 14, 1891; Ivy L., born August 1, 1892; Etta L., born January 22, 1894; Etha Linda, born August 27, 1895; Galen M., born October 10, 1896; Helen M., born November 2, 1897; James J., born April 29, 1899; Ada M., born May 2, 1902.

SIEHL, JOHANN DANIEL April 2, 1844 November, 1908 Age 64
Submitted by Dorothy Wiland from the Meyersdale, Pa. newspaper dated Thursday, November 5, 1908.
J. Daniel SiehlAGED MAN KILLED BY B. & O. FREIGHT TRAIN
Daniel Siehl, a Highly Respected Citizen of this Place Meets Horrible Death at B & O Crossing
At the railway crossing on Broadway street Saturday last Daniel Siehl of Beachley street, aged about 65 years received injuries that resulted in his death between seven and eight o'clock Sunday morning. Mr. Siehl had been delivering coal to one of his customers on East Broadway and intended to go to the planing mill and get a lot of shavings as bedding for his horse. A freight train was passing by and as soon as the street was open he drove on the track. He didn't notice that the fast freight, N. 97 was bearing down on him at a lively clip; it caught his wagon amidship and tossed him fully thirty feet along the track but did not injure the horse. When taken up by the horrified spectators they found one ear hanging by the skin, and the base of his skull fractured, beside wounds and contusions over his body. Dr. Rowe was summoned and the injured man taken to his home where everything possible was done to lessen his sufferings. He being in a comatose condition 'till death's kindly touch banished all pain. He never regained consciousness, but kept on talking to his horse and urging him on.
Arminta Hare Siehl Mr. Siehl came to this country while a young man and resided near Grantsville, Md. until after the coal mining industry began at Keystone in the early seventies. Since then he was a permanent resident either of the mining village or in town. Since he quit mining he was engaged in delivering coal and the like. He was well known to all of our people and was respected and highly esteemed. He reared a large family and for many years was a member of the M.E. or the Evangelical church. His widow, several children who are yet at home and a number of married sons and daughters survive him.
The entire life of Mr. Siehl was one of honest toil. Every dollar he earned was spent upon his family. He knew nothing better than work. He did not murmur at this, but was glad he had it to do. Such men are invaluable and form the solid foundation upon which this country stands. In the death of every such man the country suffers a distinct loss--a loss that is hard to replace. The death of a gilded idler is a break in his family connection and is of no particular moment to any one else, or to the country, but that of a workingman (whether by hand or brain) makes the entire world that much the poorer. His place must be filled by another worker to equalize the space filled by the dead man. In this respect the death of Daniel Siehl is felt, as he, to the full extent of his labor, helped to add to the wealth, the betterment and the prosperity of the world.
Funeral services were held in the South Side Evangelical church Tuesday afternoon by Reverends Wright and Mankamyer, with interment in the Union cemetery. The church was filled to its utmost capacity by an attentive, though sorrowful, audience. His labors are ended, his life's work is in the hands of his God, who will judge him far better than man can."
Editor's Note: Johann Daniel Siehl was born 2 Apr 1844 in Baden, DEU. His father was Daniel Siehl III born 1 Jan 1812 in Baden, DEU and he drowned in the Rhine River 24 Nov 1855. His mother was Margarete Hummel born 23 Sept 1815.
SHOWMAN, DAVID 1816 March 8, 1895 Age 79
Source: Springfield Mountaineer, Normalville, Fayette County, Pa.; Transcribed by Beverly Domer
Mr. David SHOWMAN, a highly respected citizen of Springfield township, died at his home on Laurel Hill, on Friday morning, March 8th, 1895, of old age and dropsy, aged 79 years. Deceased had been in poor health for some time. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Springfield township, having been a resident of it for 60 years. Nine children, all grown up; survive him as follows: William H., Alexander, George W., Albert, Jeremiah, Mrs. Charles JOHNSON and Mrs. Fred GRIM, all living in Springfield township, Mrs. William STROTTERMAN of Bullskin township, and Mrs. Nancy J. HART of Casselman, Somerset County. His remains will be buried at Imel burial grounds Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
SMITH, CATHARINE (DIVELY) 1823 Sept. 10, 1889 Age 66
Source: Obituary and notes from U.S. Census Records provided by Beverly Domer
Mrs. Catharine SMITH, wife of John Smith, aged 66 y, 3 or 5m and 2dys. Few persons will be more sincerely mourned than the pious, Christian wife and mother who passed, after months of intense suffering, over to the great majority. She was of a large family; the married sisters who survive her being Mrs. S. LIVENGOOD, Mrs. P. S. HAY, Mrs. C. R. HASSELBERTH, Mrs. John GLOTFELTY, Mrs. William SMITH all of Salisbury and Mrs. G. MILLER of Franklin Grove, Ill. She leaves a large family all married but one, Mrs. S. MIER, Mrs. Levi LICHLITER, Mrs. Rhoda BOWLIN, Mrs. Edith DEHAVEN being the daughters, and M. F. and Harvey SMITH, the sons, the latter unmarried. One daughter, Missouri, died in 1864 or 1865, and her husband survives her. She was a loving wife, a perfect mother, a warm constant friend--virtues that crown her long, useful life when the grave opens to close her earthly record. No woman could ask a higher, holier purer judgment when her work here is finished and she passes to that thither shore whither we all hasten. Blessings follow such and the glory of the departed one pours its own sympathy into the aching hearts of the bereft. Suffering and sorrow with her have ceased. She rests secure in the love of the Father.
Charts on rootsweb show these are the children of Michael and Julia DIVELY.
Note: From the 1880 Census, following are some of the spouses of her siblings: John GLOTFELTY married to Mary A., age 58; Mrs. Gabriel MILLER, married to Harriet, age 56; William SMITH married to Caroline E., age 53; Mrs. S. LIVENGOOD, may be Samuel LIVENGOOD married to Nancy, age 49 only one with a wife; Mrs. P. S. Hay -Peter S. HAY married to Elizabeth, age 46; Mrs. C. R. Hasselberth-Charles R. HASELBARTH married to Lydia, age 43.
Children of John and Catherine Smith: Mrs. S. Mier-Samuel MIER married to Harriet, age 38; Levi LICHLITER married to Sarah A., age 37; Marshal BOWLIN married to Rhoda, age 27; Harvey, age 24, and Edith V., age 22, were still at home; M. F. SMITH could be Michael.
STACER, JOHN 1845 June ?, 1928 Age 83
Meyersdale Republican, June 28, 1928; Submitted by Betty Smith
John TACER, aged 83, Civil War veteran, died at his home on High Street, Wednesday morning, after an illness of 16 weeks. Mr. STACER was born in Cumberland, in 1845. At the age of seven years his parents moved to Meyersdale where he had since resided. At the age of 16 years he enlisted in the Northern Army, being one of the youngest soldiers to enlist from this community. He served in Company K, Second Regiment, Maryland Volunteer Infantry, until the close of the war. After his discharge he returned home where he spent a short time with his parents, then he again enlisted, serving three years in the Regular Army. After his honorable discharge, he came home and married Miss Mary BREIG, by whom he is survived.
Mr. STACER is also a veteran of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, serving 40 continuous years in the Maintenance of Way Department. He is survived by the following sons and daughters: Mrs. Joseph GRABENSTEIN, Cumberland, MD; Francis J. STACER, Homestead, PA; and Anna, Esther, Clara, Lucy, George and Ambrose STACER at home.
Mr. STACER was one of the last few survivors of the M.C. Lowry Post, No. 214, Grand Army of the Republic. His death leaves only two surviving comrades of the G.A.R. in Meyersdale - Dr. H.C. MCKINLEY and Peter ALBRIGHT. The funeral will take place Saturday morning at 9 o'clock in SS Philip and James Church, the Very Rev. J.J. BRADY, pastor, officiating. The members of McKinley Camp, No. 214, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, will attend in a body, and the pallbearers will be members of that organization. Interment in the Catholic Cemetery under the direction of R. REICH & Son, undertakers.
STACER, MARY ANN (BREIG) Aug. 22, 1847 1939 Age 92
Source: Betty Smith
Mrs. Mary Ann STACER who celebrated her ninety-second birthday anniversary last Tuesday, August 22, died at her home on High Street last Saturday afternoon. Mrs. STACER was the oldest woman in Meyersdale and also was the oldest member of SS Philip and James Catholic Church. She lost her eyesight twenty-four years ago and for the past six years had been confined to her room and the greater part of the time to her bed.
Mrs. STACER was born in Salisbury, August 22, 1847, a daughter of the late Ambrose and Margaret (PATTON) BREIG. She was the widow of the late John STACER, a veteran of the Civil War, who passed away eleven years ago.
She was the mother of twelve children, eight of whom are living: George, Ambrose, and the Misses Annie, Lucy, and Esther, all at home; Mrs. Margaret GRABENSTEIN of Cumberland, Md.; Francis STACER, Homestead; and Miss Clara STACER, a nurse in Pittsburgh. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Martha HARLEY of Pittsburgh, and one brother, George BREIG of Vandergrift.
Funeral services were conducted at 9 o'clock on Tuesday morning in SS Philip and James Catholic Church by Rev. Father Howard T. Miller, rector. Interment was made in the church cemetery under the direction of R. Reich and Son, local morticians.
SWEITZER, SIMON P. 1846 July19, 1913 Age 67
Source: Meyersdale Republican Thursday, July 24, 1913, Transcribed by Beverly Domer
Simon P. SWEITZER, formerly a well known distiller, died Saturday morning at his home in Somerset, aged 67 years. Mr. SWEITZER disposed of his distillery several years ago to Emil LIPSHER of Windber and T. J.CROWLEY of Johnstown. The deceased was a veteran of the Civil War. He was married twice, both wives preceding him to the grave. He is survived by four sisters: Mrs. Albert JOHNSTON and Mrs. Belle FAITH of Somerset, Mrs. William H. WALTER of Latrobe and Mrs. John HOOVER of Somerset Township. The funeral was held Monday morning at 10 o'clock with services at the residence in charge of Rev. Dr. Hiram King. Services at the cemetery were in charge of the G. A. R.
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This page last updated December 5, 2006.