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OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 131

transactions has manifested a soundness of judgment which has made his opinions respected. 'Squire West is a member of Post No. 3, G. A. R., of Pittsburg, and as a citizen and man possesses many traits of character which are the exponents of success in life.


WILLIAM C. LEWIS, treasurer of the Johnstown Savings bank, is a son of William and Mary Ann Lewis, and was born August 23, 1820, in Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire, England.
    His father, William Lewis, having been born and raised in the same town, engaged in the mercantile business, in the drug and grocery line. He married about 1817 Mary Ann Lake, whose native place was Boston, Massachusetts, United States, having gone to England in her youth. In May, 1834, he emigrated with his family to the United States, landing in Philadelphia July 4, of that year. Later he located in Hollidaysburg, then in Huntingdon county, now the county seat of Blair county, where he died in 1854, survived by his wife, who died in Altoona in 1876, and the following children: Mary Ann, deceased; William C., Thomas B., of Hollidaysburg, now deceased; Sara Jane, of Altoona, widow of Christian Kuhn, now deceased; Alfred J., of Altoona, this State; George H., of Philadelphia, deceased; Eliza B., now of Pittsburg, widow of Thomas Clark; Emma Penelope and Amelia L., of Altoona.
    Mr. Lewis had very poor advantages for scholastic training, as his school privileges were broken off when he emigrated to this country. The common-school system had not yet been established, and he was put to the necessity very early of leaving school to enter upon duties in a store, combining the business of a grocery and bakery. To say, however,

that he is uneducated would be misleading. His education has been by association with men in the business relations of life -- of that practical character so essential to every man's success in life. He learned the trade of a baker in Hollidaysburg, and on August 20, 1839, came to Johnstown, where he has lived ever since. He worked as a journeyman, at his trade for D. B. Wakefield until April, 1847, when he embarked in a grocery, confectionery and bakery business. He successfully pursued the mercantile business along these lines until 1864. Among the incidents of his first years of business was the introduction of the first stock of toys, and the first invoice of bananas and strawberries shipped to Johnstown. In 1864 he withdrew from mercantile pursuits and took up insurance in its various departments of fire, life and accident.
    In about 1857 he was elected borough treasurer, and with the exception of one year served continuously by re-election for a period of fifteen years. While acting in these capacities he was at the same time holding other positions of honor and trust; among them were the following: For several years the position of Secretary of the Johnstown Building and Loan association, and treasurer of the Johnstown Water and Gas company a number of years, and treasurer of the Johnstown Flood Finance committee; also treasurer of the Union Benevolent association of the Conemaugh valley, and treasurer of the trustees of the Young Men's Christian association. On September 12, 1870, the Johnstown Savings bank was chartered, and in March, 1878, Mr. Lewis was chosen treasurer of this bank by the board of trustees to succeed Frank Dibert, resigned, and has remained continually in that position to the present time.
    The other present officers of the bank are:


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