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History of Cambria County, V.2

788 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY

(Bender) Wetzel. Mr. Wetzel died in October, 1904, and his widow lives at Carrolltown. To Mr. and Mrs. Owens a son has been born, Thomas A., Jr.
    Politically Mr. Owens is a Republican. He is a member of the Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus of Barnesboro, Pa., and the Kiwanis Club of Patton. He has a wide acquaintance in Cambria County and is well liked.




    Reuel Somerville, of Patton, stands as a splendid representative of the legal profession in Cambria County and is among the most prominent citizens of this section of Pennsylvania. He was born in Susquehanna Township, Cambria County, Jan. 11, 1872, and is the son of John H. and Mary (Helfrick) Somerville.
    John H. Somerville was born in Chest Township, Clearfield County Pa., the son of William H. Somerville, who was the son of David Soomerville, the original ancestor who came to this country from Scotland before the Revolution and settled in the forests of Cambria County, laer taking part as a soldier in the war for freedom against Great Britain. These ancestors were a strong, sturdy race of people, capable of battling with the elements and hewing out of the pine forest of northern Cambria and Clearfield counties homes within which to live. Game and fish were plentiful at all seasons and might be had with but little effort. The soil proved to be productive, and as soon as cleared of its dense growth of pine trees, produced corn and wheat. It was soon apparent that a mill was necessary to grind the corn and wheat of the early settlers, and a flouring mill was erected near the junction of Blubaker and Ashcraft runs. This mill was originally called Somerville's Mill, but later was sold, along with a large tract of land, to John Lantzy, and was then known as Latzy's Mill. After selling this mill, David Somerville retired to a tract of land near what is now known as Pleasant Hill Church, in Susquehanna Township, and William H. Somerville bought a tract of some 400 acres along the banks of Chest Creek, and erected a water power flouring mill and a saw mill. These mills were operated by William H. Somerville up until the time of his death in 1881, and were later operated by Samuel and Blair Somerville, sons of William H. Somerville, but have both since been allowed to decay and go to ruin.
    John H. Somerville, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1836, the second son of William H. and Jane (Laverty) Somerville. He


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