OBIT: William H. WOLFERSBERGER, 1931, Rockwood, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2012.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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WILLIAM H. WOLFERSBERGER

Passing of a Sterling Citizen

  When death claimed William H. Wolfersberger on Wednesday of last week, 
Rockwood lost one of its most highly esteemed citizens.
  Rockwood was, during the boyhood days of Mr. Wolfersberger, still a mere 
hamlet.  His father, the late David H. Wolfersberger, was among the earliest 
settlers of - as Rockwood was then known - Schaff's Bridge.
  The Wolfersberger family came from Dauphin County, Pa.  That was several years 
before the completion, in 1871, of the Connellsville Division of the Baltimore & 
Ohio Railroad through Somerset County. 
  Some years later, when the finding of deposits of coal in the  Rockwood region 
rewarded the prospecting efforts of David H. Wolfersberger's father, the late 
Philip Wolfersberger, Sr., the village of Schaff's Bridge was renamed Mineral 
Point.  It subsequently was again rechristened, in keeping with its environed 
rock-strewn woodland, Rockwood.  This was deemed advisable, because a town by 
the name of Mineral Point, situated in Cambria County, caused confusion in 
postal and express shipping directions.
  During the building of the railroad, David H. Wolfersberger engaged in the 
restaurant business at a location opposite the Rockwood Baltimore & Ohio 
station. He served foremen and laborers with food and supplied them with other 
customary necessities.
  After train service on the new railroad was established, passengers began to 
purchase luncheons at the restaurant of David H. Wolfersberger when their trains 
stopped at the Rockwood station.
  Because of his cordial greeting of patrons, Mr. Wolfersberger was familiarly 
called "Uncle Davy."  He became known far and wide as a capable resturanteur and 
obliging host, and his sandwiches, pies and coffee, which were served day and 
night, became famed as "viands to allure the taste" of hurried, transient 
railway guests.
  Rockwood in the meantime expanded its incorporated boundaries and increased 
its number of residents.  Correspondingly, David H. Wolfersberger, to meet the 
demand for greater and more convenient service in terms of dining and lodging, 
decided to erect a modern hotel - the Rockwood House.  Two of his sons, William 
H. Wolfersberger and James O. Wolfersberger, for some years were associated with 
their father in business.  After the death of the father, those sons continued 
to conduct the restaurant and hotel until last spring, when places of business 
were closed on account of the diversion of passenger traffic from the railroads 
to the highways.
  The recent passing from mortal life of William H. Wolfersberger has removed a 
sterling citizen.  He manifested life-long constructive and devoted interest in 
business, civil, educational, social and religious affairs.  Surviving him are 
his son, Harry S. Wolfersberger, of Somerset, and a daughter, Mrs. W. T. 
Stewart, and two brothers, James O. Wolfersberger and Charles H. Wolfersberger, 
all of Rockwood.

Meyersdale Republican, September 17, 1931