ment and sympathy he received from David Thomas and other friends in his struggles to realize his ambition to become a physician. Prominent among those early and dearly loved friends were the late James Williams, Isaac E. Chandler, and Captain William R. Jones, between whom the friendship of early manhood never failed.

Soon after his graduation Dr. Walters began the practice of his profession at Catasauqua, and there remained for two years. The successful operation of the Cambria Iron Works at Johnstown, commencing about 1854, induced him to remove thither in 1855, since which time, with the exception of two years, 1859-60, he has passed in Johnstown. He enjoyed a large practice, but found time to take an active interest in public affairs, and his early struggles for an education himself, gave him a peculiar interest in the public schools. He served as school director of Johnstown borough from 1866 to 1881, fifteen years, and for fourteen years acted as the secretary of the board. The establishment of the high school was one of the first results of his work in this connection. His interest in the school system never flagged, even after his retirement from active duty in their government. Among his younger friends he never ceased urging the attainment of a liberal education, and his encouragement and advice have been the means of many a poor boy rising from the difficulties in his way and entering the learned professions. In medical circles Dr. Walters was honored by the warm friendship of every practitioner with whom he came in contact. He took an active interest in medical societies and was prominent in the Cambria County Medical Society, organized in 1868. At the re-organization of this society in 1882, he presided, and became its president in 1886.

From his youth he was a member of the Welsh Calvanistic church and had, since his residence in Johnstown, been the leading member of the local church. His broad views, however, made him a sympathizer with all denominations of the Christian religion, and his aid and support were cheerfully given to the various churches. In politics he was an ardent Republican, having originally been an Abolitionist. He was present at the organization of the Republican party of Cambria county, and was nominated as coroner for the first ticket nominated. His political principles, well grounded as they were, were never obtruded upon his many friends in other parties, and he ever earnestly depreciated personalities in politics.

He assisted in the organization of the Johnstown Savings Bank, having been one of its trustees since its incorporation in 1870, and vicepresident since 1893. He took a great interest in this institution, and invariably found time to attend its meetings, where his advice and judgment were greatly respected. He assisted in the organization of the Citizens' Cemetery Association, being one of its incorporators. Thus prominent in public affairs, known and esteemed by the business community, yet it was the practice of his well loved profession in the homes and at the bedside of suffering humanity that Dr. Walters was best loved and respected. His kindly manner, genial presence, and warm-hearted sympathy will ever be remembered among the many families in Johnstown, where his duties called him. When in active practice, no day or night, neither weather nor his own failing health, found him unresponsive to the many calls for his services.

In the great flood of 1889, Dr. Walters' home was badly wrecked, and was entirely destroyed by fire the July following, together with his extensive library and mineralogical collections. The day after the awful

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foundations.

1909

flood, he attached himself to the temporary hospital, established in the old "Hansmann Hall," on Bedford street. He remained on duty continuously, giving his services to the detriment of his health. When urged by family and friends to take a vacation, his invariable reply was that his services were needed at home in the crisis. He took a great interest in the various hospitals, and was one of the first managers of the Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital. Dr. Walters was connected with the Masonic fraternity from 1868, being a member of Cambria Lodge, No. 278, F. and A. M. He died July 23, 1896. His wife still lives at the old Vine street home, which was rebuilt the year after its destruction by fire.

Their children were: 1. Margaret Winfred, mentioned hereafter. 2. Gomer John, born January 29, 1860, married Sarah Elizabeth Young; he is a partner in the firm of Ogle & Walters, real estate and insurance, at Johnstown. 3. Anderson Howel, whose sketch will be found elsewhere. 4. Mary Eva, born December 31, 1864, married William F. Saltmarsh, with the Dupont Powder Co., of Wilmington, Delaware. 5. Cromwell Philip, born March 8, 1868; unmarried, resides at home, is of the firm of Walters & Decker, plumbers. (See sketch.) 6. Carrie (Caroline), born November 16, 1871, married James G. Ellis. (See sketch.) 7. Ivy June, born June 6, 1874, married Fred W. Waterman, the chief engineer for the United States Steel Corporation works at Elyria, Ohio. 8. Myrtle May, born June 6, 1874-twin of Ivy June -residing at home.

Margaret Winfred Walters was born November 19, 1857, at Johnstown, Pennsylvania. After attending school at Johnstown and several terms at Indiana Normal School, she taught a number of terms as kindergarten and primary teacher in her home town. May 8, 1888, she married Fred Krebs, by whom the issue was: Frederick, born July 19, 1889, six weeks after the flood, now a student in the high school; Margaret Eliza, born January 30, 1892, attending public school; Walter Winston, born March 8, 1894, attending public school; Winfried Louise, born October 5, 1897, at home.

S. DEAN CANAN, one of the oldest residents of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, and at one time one of the best known business men of that city, is now (1906) living retired from active business cares and responsibilities. He is a descendant of one of the old pioneer families of the state, who came originally from Ireland.

son of

(I) John Canan, grandfather of S. Dean Canan and Moses and Hannah Canan, was born in Ireland in October, 1746. He emigrated to America prior to the Revolutionary war, and for many years held important offices in his adopted country. He was a member of the general assembly from Bedford county in 1786 and 1787. At the time of the organization of Huntingdon county in 1787 he resided in Oneida township, and was elected a member of the supreme executive council, in which office he served two years. Under the constitution of 1790 he was appointed an associate judge, but served only a short time, having been elected a member of the house of representatives, which position he filled from 1791 to 1794. He represented the districts of Huntingdon and Bedford in the state senate from 1795 He was a man of prominence and influence, and closely identified with the early history of Huntingdon county. During the war of the Revolution, in 1777, he was second lieutenant of the Second Pennsylvania Regiment. He also served as deputy surveyor of the

to 1799.

county for eighteen years. He died in October, 1831, in the eightysixth year of his age. He married, in 1775, Margery Dean, born 1760, died 1815, daughter of James and Catherine Dean, both natives of Ireland, and married after their arrival in America. The children of John and Margery (Dean) Canan were: 1. Hannah, born July 5, 1778, married James Gray. 2. Sarah, who died at the age of two years. 3. Catharine, both August 1, 1871; married (first) Rev. Alexander Mellwain; married (second) Thomas Jackson. 4. Moses, see forward. James, born July 25, 1786. 6. Henry, born May 1, 1790. 7. John, born August 25, 1792. 8. Robert, born February 25, 1795. 9. Samuel, born May 10, 1801.

5.

(II) Moses Canan, eldest son of John (1) and Margery (Dean) Canan, was born in a log cabin in Hartslog valley, in Bedford (now Huntingdon) county, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1784. In his early boyhood he attended school under different teachers and made good progress considering the paucity of school books at that period. Dilworth's Spelling Book and Arithmetic and the Bible were the only books then in use commonly in the schools. At the age of ten years he commenced the study of Latin and Greek under the tuition of Rev. John Johnston, who was the head of a Latin school in the town of Huntingdon. Rev. Johnston was an excellent linguist and young Canan made rapid progress under his instruction. He went to Carlisle, March, 1800, and became a student at Dickinson College, then under the presidency of Rev. Charles Nesbit, D. D. Rev. Robert Davidson was vice-president; William Thompson, professor of languages; and James McCormick, professor of mathematics. These were all able and competent teachers and their pupils profited greatly by their instruction. After studying at this institution for four years Mr. Canan commenced the study of law under the preceptorship of Jonathan Henderson, Esq., an eminent attorney of Huntingdon. He remained with him for some time and then went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and continued to study in the law office of Judge Rawle, of the firm of Sergeant & Rawle, and was admitted to the bar in December, 1807. He moved to Rockview Farm, on the Juniata, in the spring of 1811, and in September of the following year went to Buffalo, New York, in command of the Juniata Volunteers in the war of 1812, and was honorably discharged December 31 of the same year. The regiment was under Colonel Jeremiah Snider, and a part of the brigade under the command of Brigadier General Adamson Tannehill. While with this brigade Mr. Canan acted as brigade judge advocate. After the war he received in addition to his monthly pay two warrants under the laws of the United Statesone for forty acres of land, the other for one hundred and twenty acres. He sold his farm to John Neff in May, 1818, and removed to Ebensburg, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. He was among the earliest settlers and first lawyers in this county, and was subsequently elected major of a battalion of volunteers. He removed to Johnstown, in the same county, in 1837, and resided there until his death, which occurred September 30, 1863. The year following his location in Johnstown he united with the Presbyterian church, then under the care of Rev. S. H. Terry, and was soon after elected and ordained elder, in which capacity he served until his death. He had been a resident of Johnstown for thirty years when he received his commission from Governor Pollock as associate judge of the county. Much of his time during his entire life was devoted to the cause of education, and many of the improvements in the school system of the county are directly due to his