The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-10-23
JOHN REILLY.
BRIEF GEOGRAPHICAL. sKETCH OF THE
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR CON-
GEEss FROM THIS DISTRICT.

JouN REILLY was born in Wheatfield
tovuship, Indiana county, Pennsylvania,
in February, 1886, but as his life up to the
age of sixteen years, presents nothing of
interest we viii pass that portion Of it by.
4 { that age he entered 4 store in Centre
vile, Indiana county but having no taste
for mercantile life, he embraced the first
opportunity to change it for one having
moIs charms for him, and which subsequent
developments proved to be his lightfui call
ing. This opportunity presented itself in
April, 1884, when lie entered an engineer
corps employed in the construction of the
fennSy lyania railroad, and was shortly af-
terward placed in charge Of the work of
arcUing tie Allegheny tunnel, under Presi-
dent Engineer Thomas Seabrook. ESQ.,
lie occupied various positions III the con-
st!dc:i ioH department of the road until 1889,
when in January Of that year he was trans
lerrcd 10 the Maintenance of Way depart
ment as clerk under Chief Eugincer w.
II. Wilson, whose Office was at Altoona.
and soon after he was appointed Chief
Clerk of Maintenance of WAY. In this
position, which he held for period Of
five years, he displayed not only sterling
integrity, but ability and sound judgment
IL such degree as to call forth particular
notice from his superior officers. In 1864
the company found it necessary to estab-
tiI6N
could at al times tell the precise where
abou,s Of any particular car, and also TO
aid :hem in getting the greatest possible
service ont OF their rolling stock. This
new, but by no means small, undertaking
was entrusted to Mr. Reilly and was car
lied on with such success as to win for him
a new and wider reputation, as nearly all
the roads III the country pattern after the
system inaugurated by him. lie was in
1865 appointed Superintendent of franspoV-
tatiop. one of the most important positions
on the road, which position he has held
ever since, and i'll which he has not only
gained u wide reputation as q superior rail
road official and gentleman il the strict
est sense Of the word, but las earned and
enjoys the reputation Of bein. the poor
mans best friend, to which hundreds can
attest from personal experience.
Mr. Reilly came to Altoona in January,
1859, and since that time has ever taken Il
deep interest in the welfare Of this city.
He was one Of the Commissioners ap-
pointed by the Legislature to dcfiue the
streets Of Altoona and was President Of
tie Board when the map was confirmed
by the court. He was the prime mover in
the Bells Gap Railroad enterprise, which,
though quite young, has already done
much for the northern part Of Blair and
the northeastern part of Cambria county,
ana was elected PRESIDENT Ot the Company
after It's Incorporation, which position he
held until the entire completion OF the
road. His whole career has been q most
useful one and has marked him as q man
Of no ordinary ability, while his gentleman
ly bearing toward all and his puIe and
lofty character have mace him She srecial
fayorits Of the masses Of our citjzr-:s and
ali iiis acquaintances. Although :, ..itical
honors were frequently offered hia .e al
ways declined them, until a few dtys aro
lie was overpowcred by the earnest aud un-
firing solicitations of his friends. AID al
lowed his name to be used before the Con-
Eressionai Conference at Bedford. where
he received Il unanimous vote and was de
c.hred the nominee OF the Democratic par
ty of the Seventeenth District for Congress.
And now it -behouyes the citizens of Al
toona and of Slair county, without respect
to party, to do their utmost TO secure the
election of their common benefactor.
And now let us compliment the Demo
Gratis Uf his Congressional District on their
being the first tO return t. the principles OF
the good old times, when the Office used to
seek the man, Rot the man the Office
4 itg11El Mirror.