PACAMBRI-L Archives

From: "David Monahan" <>
Subject: Re: Land records
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 1998 06:15:18 -0400

Hi,

Not sure it was a house of ill repute here's ome more info:

JOHN D. WENTROTH, one of the most successful hotel proprietors of Cambria
county, and the popular manager of the elegant and modern Vintondale Inn, is
a son of George and Elizabeth (Huether) Wentroth, and was born in Hesse
Cassel, Prussia, May 27, 1841 George Wentroth was of the farming class in
Hesse Cassel, where he was born November 14, 1809. He came to this country
in 1851, and settled at Suinmerhill, where be followed agricultural pursuits
during the remaining years of his active life. He was an exemplary member
of the Evangelical Luthemn church, a man of industrious habits, and his life
pilgrimage on earth closed January 14,1895. Mr. Wentroth married Elizabeth
Huether, of his native place. Mrs. Wentroth was born in the year 1799, and
passed away April 4, 1865, leaving three children George, a farmer and
merchant of Wilmore; John D., and Mary, widow of Victor VOEGLEY
John D. Wentroth received his education in the government schools of Hesse
Cassel and the common schools of Cambria county, and then learned the trade
of shoemaker, which he followed for eight years after leaving the farm.
Leaving the shoemaker's bench, he was in the saw-mill business for some
time, and then opened a store and a hotel at Summerhill, conducting the one
for twelve years and the other for fifteen years; also filled the office of
postmaster during the twelve years ho was engaged in the mercantile
business.
Successful as a merchant, yet his greatest popularity was as a landlord, and
in 1895 he was offered and accepted his present position as manager of the
Vintondale Inn, a large and elegant three-story structure, complete in all
its appointments with steam heating and electric light. Up to every
requirement of modern travel and well fitted for a fashionable summer
resort7 the hotel has grown rapidly in public favor under Mr. Wentroth's
administration.
On February 26, 1864, Mr. Wentroth wedded Mary Ann Patterson, a daughter of
James A. Patterson, of Summerhill, and grand-daughter of Thomas Croyle, one
of the first settlers on the Alleghenies. Their children are: Lorena H.,
wife of P.S. Fisher, of Johnstown; George J., engaged in the hotel business;
Clara M., married J. H. Luke, of South Fork, and Anna P., Robert P., Donald,
Clyde and Nellie, who are still at home.
In politics Mr. Wentroth has always been a staunch republican. He is a
member of Mountain Lodge, No. 281, Free and Accepted Masons, of Altoona,
this State. Mr. Wentroth is a courteous gentleman and very patriotic
citizen. He was one of the first to respond to President Lincoln's call for
troops in the dark April days of 1861. He enlisted on April 15, of that
year in a Company of the Third Pennsylvania three months' men, but was taken
sick in June and sent to the Hagerstown hospital, where later be was
discharged for disability and sent home. He afterwards sought to enlist, but
was rejected on the same grounds on which he had been discharged- that of
physical disability. He was one of the first sixty-five thousand men who
went forth to sustain the life of the nation and to preserve a divided
country.

This thread:

• Land records by Janet and Bill Wentroth <>

  • Re: Land records by "David Monahan" <>