This article was written by Suzanne Sickler Ohl, an early member of the Tyrone Area Historical Society.  It was originally published in June 1993.

            Much is being told about the different buildings and businesses that belonged to the Tyrone of the 1850s to 1900s.  Seldom is much attention given to the people that came to Tyrone during that period of time and helped in its development.

            What inspired the Burleys to come to Tyrone . . . or even the Schells, the Lanners, or the McNelises?  What has inspired their descendants to continue to live in Tyrone and be some of its loyal workers and supporters?

            Buildings without people mean nothing.  It is the people who built and lived or gathered in them that makes them important in our memories and in our planning for the future.  Thus it is appropriate to focus on some of the people, then and now, who helped to make Tyrone the place we are glad to call “Our Hometown.”

            Now, too, is a good time to give back to people the credit that is theirs for giving us much of what we have today.  A good place to start might be with “Reservoir Park.”  When we go there to enjoy leisure activities we should remember that it was pioneer Adie Stevens who gave us that Park.  Why not call it by its original name, “Stevens Park?”  How sad it is to have the younger generations not be able to identify Tom and Fred Waring!  Those Warings did much for Tyrone and helped to put Tyrone on the map as the home of “The Pennsylvanians,” known around the world.  These people and many more are part of our rich heritage.

Burleys

            Back in 1635 the first Burleys came to America from England.  In 1766 Isaac Burley came to Standing Stone (now Huntingdon) and then in 1768 to Sinking Valley.  Of Isaac’s eleven children, John lived to be 93 years old.  John’s son, Joshua, built the Central Hotel in 1853 (later known as the Arlington Hotel).  Joshua’s son, Caleb, carried on as a carpenter, one of the family’s professions.

            Caleb’s son, Reuben went to Mahoney City to live.  One of his eight daughters, Matilda, married Charles Zerbe (another Tyrone pioneer family) and they came back to Tyrone to live and to raise two sons.  Present Tyroners recognize son Charles Burley Zerbe as one of Tyrone’s most willing workers.  He is a charter member and on the Board of Directors of the Tyrone-Snyder Public Library, and a deacon of the Presbyterian Church.

            The members of the Burley Clan have served Tyrone as builders, business people, government officials, undertaker, plumbers, and educators.

Schells

            John Schell and family came from Germany in 1847 and shortly thereafter, several of the sons settled in the Tyrone area.  One son, Constantine, became a successful farmer and helped to develop the German Settlement (Stevens Park area) where he raised ten children.

            Constantine’s daughter, Helena, married John Ambrose Hagg.  They had five children all of whom, except for one daughter (she became a Sister of Mercy), settled near each other in Tyrone.  From their large dairy farms they provided milk for the Tyrone area plus sharing their lands for recreational purposes.

            One of the sons, Joseph, went into the construction business.  Later his son, Edward, joined him in the business and his daughter, Philopena, did the business bookkeeping.

            Philopena married Primo Lusardi and they had six children.  Presently Phil is the Chamber of Commerce secretary and continues to be involved in opportunities that benefit Tyrone.

Lanners

            Wilheim Lanners arrived from Luxemburg, Germany in 1857 as a young man.  He came to Tyrone in 1866 just when Logan School was being built.  He saw great possibilities for the future in Tyrone so he became involved.  By coincidence Lanners Street, named for him, was to be located next to Logan School.  In 1955 Lanners Street, from Logan Avenue to the alley, was closed so that the land could be used for the enlargement of Logan School.  Wilheim married Katherine Bickle, also a German native living in Hollidaysburg, and they had ten children.

            Wilheim was remembered as a pioneer contractor and builder, outstanding citizen, civic leader, and businessman.  By trade he was a stone mason, contracting to build the arches for the Pennsylvania Railroad bridges, as well as the foundation for St. Matthew Church.  He made the concrete blocks used in most of the houses he built, many of which he then rented.  His sons worked with him in his business while his daughter, Mary, served as his business manager.

            Mary married James P. Walsh, son of another pioneer Tyrone family. She is remembered as a lovely lady, devoted to her family and her church.  She shared her talents as a pianist with many groups.  Her greatest contribution to Tyrone was her son, Monsignor Richard J. Walsh.

            Monsignor Walsh graduated from the Tyrone schools and Villanova College.  After his ordination he was assistant pastor at St. Mary’s Church in Altoona and then chaplain at Rockview Penitentiary.  Following his retirement he has resided with his dogs at his family home on Lincoln Avenue, living a life of love and concern for his church and his Tyrone friends.  Daily he can be seen at the Tyrone Hospital making the rounds and sharing a prayer and a story or joke.

McNelis

            Patrick McNelis and his bride came from Ireland in 1851.  He saw a future for the railroad so he bought properties near it in Thomaston and Grazierville paying for them in gold.  With his sons he worked for the railroad and also helped to install the first telegraph lines going through Tyrone.

            His son, William, married Mary Anne Schell, daughter of Max Schell, a farmer in the Bald Eagle-Dix area.  William worked at the paper mill.  They had four children.  Daughter Jane was the first woman to be employed in the Tyrone Post Office.  Their other daughter, Margaret Isabel, worked in the Farmers and Merchants Bank.  She is remembered for having written to all Tyrone servicemen in World War I.  Belle married Harry K. Sickler and they were among the early settlers in the Hillcrest area.

            Harry K. Sickler, Jr., one of six children, came back to Tyrone to live after time in the Marines.  Beside having his own CPA business he is owner of the Bull Pen Restaurant.  Harry’s efforts in the community are numerous and varied.  He has been a Borough Councilman, member of the Board of Education, and helped to organize the Tyrone Improvement Corporation, the Sinking Valley Country Club, and the Monogram Club.  Perhaps he is best known for his strong ties to his alma mater, Notre Dame.

Grahams

            Samuel Graham Senior came from Camden, Delaware in 1889 to be Jonathan Burley’s assistant Funeral Director.  In 1893 they formed a partnership – Burley and Graham – which lasted until Mr. Burley’s death in 1902.  Then Mr. Graham took in Harry Getz as his partner until World War I when Mr. Getz went into the service.

            Samuel Graham Junior joined his father in the funeral business in 1918 as “Graham and Son.”  The funeral home, originally at 1204 Logan Avenue, was moved to its present location at 115 W. 10^th Street where it continued until Mr. Graham Senior’s death in 1933.

            Samuel Graham Junior married Gertrude Sullivan, daughter of another pioneer Tyrone family.  Many people remember Gert because of her dedication to the Red Cross and for the aid given to Tyrone Service people and their families during World War II.

            Their only child, Elizabeth Ann, married Richard Searer.  They have ___ children.  The Searers live in the home of Ann’s grandparents.  Following her father’s retirement in 1967 his interest in the firm was acquired by her husband.  This was the beginning of the Getz and Searer partnership.  In 1987 the business became the Richard H. Searer Funeral Home.  Ann shares in many of the business responsibilities.

            Both Ann and Rich are active in the Tyrone community.  Both are charter members of the Historical Society.  Ann has been involved in the Tyrone Recyclers Program and the Women’s Club.  Rich, a member of the Board of Directors of the Historical Society, recently retired as the President of the Chamber of Commerce.