Blair County PA Archives Biographies.....Dunmire, William Worth March 28, 1847 - ????
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Judy Banja http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00004.html#0000757 January 12, 2025, 1:17 pm

Source: Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Blair Co, PA: Philadelphia, 1892.
Author: Samuel T. Wiley

WILLIAM WORTH DUNMIRE,
now proprietor and editor of the 'Independent Loyal American' at Altoona, who
has acquired considerable reputation as a writer, and in former years was a
well known minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, is a son of Gabriel
and Ann (Aultz) Dunmire, and was born March 29, 1847, near McVeyton, Mifflin
county, Pennsylvania. The Dunmires are descended from an old German family,
this branch being planted in America by Henry Dunmire (grandfather), in 1784,
and soon afterward settled in Mifflin county, where he lived until the shadows
of death closed around him, in 1849, after an existence of four score years
less one. He was a farmer by occupation, and a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. His son, Gabriel Dunmire (father), was born in Mifflin
county in 1809, and now resides on the old homestead, being in the
eighty-fourth year of his age. He is still active and vigorous, and can yet
do a good day's work. He is a prosperous farmer, a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and a republican in politics. He had four sons in the Union
army during the civil war. His wife was Ann Aultz, a native of Mifflin county,
who is now dead, dying in her eighty-second year, and had nearly all her life
been a devoted member of the church to which her husband belongs. She was of
Scotch-Irish descent. 
      William Worth Dunmire grew to manhood on a farm owned by his father in
Mifflin county. He was familiar with farm work, and always ready to bear his
part in any necessary labor. His early education was obtained in the common
schools of his native county, and later he received a classical training at
Dickinson seminary, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. After leaving school he
studied at home for one year, and in 1871 entered the ministry of the
Methodist Episcopal church at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, becoming a member of
the Central Pennsylvania conference. He traveled as an itinerant minister for
a period of sixteen years, becoming acquainted with every phase of the work of
his church, and had signal success on all his charges. In 1882 he embarked in
journalism, establishing the Williamsburg 'Independent' while pastor of the
Methodist church at Bellwood, which he continued for over three years. On May
8, 1885, he issued the first number of the 'Evening Independent' at Altoona,
which, from the start, became a lively and strong paper, and is now engaged
in the publication of a daily and weekly paper in that city known as the
'Independent Loyal American'. As a writer he is terse and vigorous, and his
newspaper work has become known as among the best in this part of the State.
      On Sunday, July 30, 1870, Mr. Dunmire was united in marriage to Rosa C.
Vail, a daughter of Dr. Steven M. Vail, formerly a resident of one of the New
England States, the founder of the first theological seminary in the United
States, and during the presidency of General Grant was consul at Bavaria,
Germany. To this union has been born a family of eight children, five sons
and three daughters: Harvey, Benson, Mary, Emma, Ida, Willie and Charlie
(twins), and Roy. Mrs. Rosa C. Dunmire was educated at Dickinson seminary,
Williamsport, Pennsylvania, graduating from that institution in 1869. Her
mother was a student in several of the dead languages, but died of cancer a
few years since.
      In politics Mr. Dunmire is strictly independent, and conducts his paper
on independent lines. He is noted for his patriotism, and in his writings and
public addresses is a vigorous defender of all our cherished American
institutions-the free schools, free speech, free press. In argumentative
discourse, and in platform oratory, he is earnest, strong, clear, and
convincing. All his life he has been strictly temperate, never drank whiskey,
beear, or ale, does not drink tea or coffee, only as a medicine, but drinks
cold water the year through, has a wonderful amount of good health, and
weighs two hundred and forty-seven pounds, and has most excellent natural
eyesight.

Additional Comments:
Originally submitted 2001. Transcribed by Annie Whiteman  Annie2ws@aol.com

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