taught one year in Wilmore, one year in Gallitzin, one in Johnstown, one in Portage Boro, three in Loretto, after which he returned to Gallitzin, where he has since been continuously engaged in school work. The present Gallitzin school was built in 1906 and has a corps of 19 teachers. In 1925 an addition was built to the school to accommodate the steady increase of students.
Rudolph H. Biter was married on Jan. 31, 1902, to Frances M. Criste, of Gallitzin, the daughter of Samuel A. and Sarah A. Criste, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Biter had four children: one child died in infancy; Mercedes, a graduate of Gallitzin High School and attended the Lock Haven Normal School, now making an excellent reputation as a teacher in Jamestown, Portage Township; Joseph J., a member of the class of 1926, Gallitzin High School; and Mary, attending St. Patrick's parochial school. The family are members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
Mr. Biter is a Democrat and a charter member of the Altoona Lodge, Knights of Columbus, for many years. He is a man of energy, vision and ambition, an invaluable asset to the community.
Thomas P. Burns, president of the Union Bank of Nanty Glo, is a prominent citizen of Cambria County. He was born in Pine Township, Indiana County, Pa., Feb 11, 1876, and is the son of John and Ann (Mulvehill) Burns.
John Burns, deceased, was a native of Pine Township, Indiana County, as was his wife. He was the son of Edward Burns, who came to this country from Ireland during the early days and settled near Gallitzin, where he opened one of the first mines on the old Portage Railroad. Later he removed to Indiana County, where he farmed and engaged in the lumber business. His son, John, engaged in farming during his entire life and died in 1900. His wife died in 1907 and they are buried at Nicktown. He was a Democrat and member of the Catholic Church. His wife was the daughter of Peter Mulvehill, a prominent pioneer of Indiana County, who engaged in farming for a number of years. He was also employed on the William Penn highway during the days of the stage coach. To John and Ann (Mulvehill) Burns seven children were born, as follows: Suey M., lives at Ebensburg; Peter, lives on the old homestead; Edward, live at Ebensburg; T. P., the subject of this sketch; John and Vincent, both deceased; and Frank, lives at Ebensburg.
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