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To Matthias Denny and wife were born 11 children: John Bert, the subject of this sketch; Michael R., deceased; William C., a carpenter of Altoona, Pa.; Rev. Joseph G., an ordained priest in Cincinnati, Ohio; Mollie, married William Post, a coal dealer, Altoona, Pa.,; Anna R., deceased; Edward R., a painter, in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Cresson, Pa.; Tillie M.; Frank, deceased; Stella, married Charles Stevens, an undertaker, of Altoona, Pa.; and Loretta, at home.
John B. Denny, eldest son of Matthias and Mary (Latterner) Denny, was educated in the public schools and, being a poor boy was forced, at the age of 14 years, to make his own way. He began in the produce business in a small way at Chestsprings, Pa. He was frugal, saved his profits and was a natural business manager. Later he engaged in the merchandising business, having stores in Chestsprings and St. Augustine, Cambria County. After his marriage he engaged in the hotel business, first renting a small hotel in the modest Borough of Loretto, paying $10 per month rental. Within 15 years he was the proprietor of the Merchants' Hotel of Johnstown, one of the largest hotels in the city or Western Pennsylvania at that time. Later he owned the West End Hotel in Altoona, which he sold, and he was owner of the Mountain House, and the Belmont House, both of Ebensburg, and the Grand Central of Johnstown. He was owner of the controlling stock of the Cambria Brewing company of Johnstown. He also was owner of the coal lands in the Black Lick region, and street railway interests in Johnstown and northern Cambria County. He was a stockholder in the U. S. National Bank of Johnstown, the Johnstown Trust Company, the First National Bank of Conemaugh, the First National Bank of Cresson, the First National Bank of Ebensburg, and the Farmers' National Bank of Patton. He was also a heavy stockholder in the Electric Light company, the Consumers' Ice Company, the Sanitary Dairy Company, the A. J. Haws & Sons Brick Company, the Johnstown Telephone Company, and Gas Company, all of Johnstown. In 1901 Mr. Denny was elected chairman of the Democratic County Committee, serving three years. He was the m\nominee for State Legislature in 1894.
Mr. Denny was married Oct. 19, 1884, to Caroline Christy, daughter of A. J. and Mary (Gwin) Christy, Loretto, Pa. She was the niece of Rev. R. C. Christy, who established and built St. Joseph's Convent. Rev. Christy was also a chaplain for the Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Regiment during the Civil war. He was a counselor, adviser and confidential
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