History of Hollidaysburg, (Blair County) Pennsylvania United States of America

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Local History Notes:

HOLLIDAYSBURG, a flourishing post-borough, capital of Blair county, Pennsylvania, is situated on the Juniata river, at the E. terminus of the Allegheny Portage railroad, where it connects with the Juniata division of the canal, and near the E. base of the Allegheny mountain. Distance from Harrisburg by turnpike, 120 miles W., and by railroad, 137 miles. Since the construction of the canal and railroad, this town has improved rapidly, and has become the centre of trade for an extensive country, which is rich in agricultural and mineral resources. The business of the town is estimated to be more extensive than that of any place between Pittsburg and Harrisburg. Through Hollidaysburg, the iron of the celebrated Juniata a region seeks a market. Stone coal and grain are also exported in large quantities. The cars on the Portage railroad are drawn up to the summit by 5 inclined planes, which have a vertical ascent of 1500 feet in a distance of 10 miles. The western declivity is much more gradual, having an inclination of about 1100 feet in a distance of 26 miles. A small branch of the Juniata separates the town from the borough of Gaysport. Hollidaysburg was incorporated in 1836, and became the county seat in 1846. It contains about 6 churches, 2 iron foundries, 1 manufactory of ironstone ware, and 4 newspaper offices. Population, 2480, or, including Gaysport, 3020.

Biographies:

James Somerville Frazer, jurist, was born in Hollidaysburg, Pa., July 17, 1824. In 1837 he removed to Wayne county, Ind., where he was admitted to the bar in 1845, and whence he removed to Warsaw, Ind., to practise his profession. He was a member of the state legislature in 1847, 1848 and 1854; was elected prosecuting attorney for Kosciusko county in 1851; assessor of internal revenue in 1862, and was a judge of the supreme court of Indiana, 1865-71. He was appointed by President Grant one of the U.S. commissioners to adjust the claims for and against the British government for damages during the civil war, and was employed by the treasury department, 1873-75, in the adjustment of claims for cotton captured by the U.S. troops during the war. He was one of three commissioners appointed by the supreme court of Indiana in revising and codifying the laws of the state, 1879-81. He died in Warsaw, Ind., Feb. 20, 1893.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor