Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
Blair County
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Pen Pictures of Friends
and Reminiscent Sketches
by John N. Tillard
Published 1911 by
William F. Gable & Co.
Altoona, PA.
Edition Limited to 500 Copies
Mirror Press
A Project of Blair County PA USGenWeb Archives
Copyright 2003. Contributed by Judy Banja
Tombstone Photo, Oakridge Cemetery, Altoona
Author's Foreword
Upon dropping a policeman's baton to take up a reporter's pencil some three years ago, my editor, Mr. Harry L. Johnston of the Altoona Mirror, suggested that I might venture a little way out and make a few character sketches of the men in the community, in all walks of life, who had impressed their personality upon the time.
The following pen pictures were the result. In writing them, I drew the portraits as they appeared to me, without flattery, but with a sincere desire to be truthful and accurate. With an exception or two, they were all living men at the time of the writing, and I hope they have received some little enjoyment out of the nosegay handed them while they were yet on earth. Some of them have since been gathered to their fathers, but the articles now appear as they were originally written.
Some of my friends have been kind enough to suggest that they were worth preserving in more durable form; hence this little volume.
J. N. Tillard, December 1, 1911.
Pen Pictures of Friends
Time Has Dealt With Him Kindly
Durb. Hughes, Acute Discriminator
Has Taught Three Generations
Robert Steel, Railroad Builder
Eventful Life of Joseph Brown
Fifty Years a School Teacher
Life's Cares Lie To the Rearward
Varied Career of Blain McCormick
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THE POWER OF A SMILE
There's a wondrous lot of power In an honest, wholesome smile; It often starts a blessing That will travel for a mile. Why, when hearts are sad and heavy And the days are dark the while, You can notice that things brighten From the moment that you smile.
What the rose is to the bower, What the jewel to the ring, What the song is to the robin In the gladsome days of spring, What the gold is to the sunsets That oft our souls beguile, All this, and more, to people Is the blessing of a smile.
When you see a face that's saddened By the cruelty of strife, Into which have come the wrinkles From the toils and cares of life, Just send a ray of sunshine To smooth its brow awhile, And bestow a passing blessing By the giving of a smile.
By B. W. BURLEIGH - Advance |
Jacob White, Inland Sailor
Splendid Type of Self Made Man
P. B. Clifford, Preacher and Mechanic
Geneal "Father Tom" Kantner
Pen Picture of William F. Gable
He Worked His Way to the Top
Scions of the House of Hamilton
"Uncle Ben" Stein Plays Vesper Tunes
Creative Genius and Organizer
Frank McGuire, Molder and Merchant
Thinker, Teacher
An All-Around Man of Affairs
Soldier, Citizen and Friend
Wrought Righteously and Well
Billy Brennecke, Farmer's Lad
A Typical American Citizen
Fred Duany, Cuban Patriot
Great Enough to Grasp Content
Helped To Make Our City of Homes
One of County's Pioneer Railroaders
Famous Singer of the Olden Time
Druggist, Jeweler and Sportsman
Has Made Pain a Pleasure
A Railroader of Ye Olden Time
The March of a World's Citizen
From Canal Driver to Editor
He is Faithful in All Things
A Philosopher With a Level Head
Life of Thrilling Experiences
He Made the New Land His Own
Found Fame in Sporting World
The Bright Side of City Hall
Father of Local Militarism
He Has Moved the Town Along
A Representative Citizen
A Long Time Citizen of the Town
Pioneer of The Produce Business
Superintends Our Water Department
The Dean of Hotel Clerks
The Terror of the Valley
Sunny, Cheery Nature
Sketches of Early Local History
AUTHOR'S NOTE - The following articles were written for the Altoona Mirror at odd times, several years ago, the subject matter having been gleaned by the author partly from various publications; partly from the folk lore stories he heard told in the old Pottsgrove flour mill during his childhood, and partly from personal recollection.
J. N. Tillard
December 1, 1911
Timber Wasted That Would Be Valuable Now
Famous Mills That No Longer Exist
Clearing the Forests That Once Covered This Section
An Old Time Business That Is About Extinct
Making New Counties In The Olden Times
