BIOS: Wilson CHRISTNER, Garrett, Somerset County, PA

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History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania; Bedford County by E. 
Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis 
Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, ppg. 278-280

Wilson CHRISTNER.

Wilson Christner, the popular and efficient conductor on the "Berlin Branch," 
was born near Garrett, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, September 29, 1873.  His 
parents were Zachariah and Magdalene (Hoover) Christner.  His grandfather 
Christopher Christner, was a native of Germany, who on emigrating to the United 
States settled in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, where both he and his wife died 
at advanced ages.  He was a farmer by occupation.  He was a consistent member of 
the Lutheran church, and in politics was a Democrat.  His children were: 
Zachariah, John, Caroline (Mrs. Christner), and Susan (Mrs. Hoover).
Zachariah Christner, eldest child of Christopher Christner, was for many years a 
farmer in Summit township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and is now living a 
retired life in Canton, Ohio.  He and his wife are both members of the Lutheran 
church.  He was a Democrat in politics, and earnest in the maintenance of his 
views.  He married Magdelena Hoover, and to them were born the following 
children: Austin, resides on the homestead farm; Washington, a conductor on the 
Baltimore & Ohio railway, resides in Garrett; Theodore, a conductor on the same 
road, and lives in Cumberland, Maryland; Carrie, lives with her parents in 
Canton, Ohio; Missouri (Mrs. George Judy), of Pennsylvania Furnace, Cambria 
county; Jennie (Mrs. Nathan Burkett), of Cumberland, Maryland; Wilson.
Wilson Christner, of the family last named, was five years old when his parents 
removed to Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, and he received his education in the 
common schools of that town.  He gave himself to a life of industry from his 
very youth, and worked in and about the mines and factories until he was 
eighteen years old, when he entered the employ of the Baltimore and Ohio 
Railroad Company in the capacity of brakeman.  He so proved his efficiency and 
fidelity that after four years' service he was advanced to the position of 
freight train conductor.  He rendered efficient service as such for a period of 
eight years, when he was promoted to the place which he has uninterruptedly held 
to the present time, that of passenger conductor on the Buffalo Valley Railroad, 
a part of the Balitmore & Ohio system, enjoying the entire confidence of his 
superiors, and the esteem of the traveling public.  He adheres to the religious 
faith of his ancestors, and is a member of the Berlin Lutheran church.  In 
politics he is a Democrat of the most stalwart type.  He is affiliated with 
various fraternal and beneficail orders: Connellsville Lodge, No. 503, 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Berlin Lodge, No. 503, Knights of 
Pythias; Connellsville Lodge, Order of Railway Conductors; and Berlin Lodge, 
Modern Woodmen.  He is a great admirer of athletics, and his tastes cover the 
entire range of athletic sports.  He is manager of the Berlin Base Ball team who 
were the champions of the Somerset County League in 1905.  He is a lover of a 
good horse, and delights in speed contests between well trained and high bred 
animals.  He is ardently fond of travel, and has visited every part of the 
United States, and journeyed into Mexico.  In the autumn of 1905 he made a tour 
of Europe, spending some time in France and Germany, als also visiting England, 
Scotland and Ireland.  While greatly enjoying the scenery of these distant 
lands, and deeply interested in the manners and customs of their peoples, he 
returned with a higher respect and love for his own country.
Mr. Christner married Elizabeth Walter, a daughter of Samuel and Rosanna (Judy) 
Walter, of Garrett, Pennsylvania.  Of this marriage were born four children: 
Clinton, Blanche, Lelon and Leona.  The family residence is in Berlin.