BIOGRAPHY: Fred. BLAND, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 264-5
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FRED. BLAND, a general merchant and mine operator of Blandburg, this county, is 
a son of B. Bland and Mary (Yeckley) Bland, and was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, 
December 17, 1847. He was reared and educated in his native country, and, like 
his father, was employed for a number of years as a shepherd. In 1867 he 
emigrated to America, and located in Gallitzin. He learned the trade of a 
cooper, which occupation he followed successfully until 1877. During this time 
he acted as foreman for Nutter, Cunningham & Co., coopers, of Johnstown, Pa., 
for several years, and from 1873 until 1877 was employed by the above firm as a 
contractor. In the latter year he engaged in the lumber enterprise on his own 
account, and for five years carried on quite an extensive and remunerative 
business. During the following five or six years he was engaged in the 
butchering business at Blandburg. In 1889 he opened the Bland mine, near the 
above place. This mine has an average annual output of 30,000 tons of bituminous 
coal of a good quality, and is still in operation. In the same year Mr. Bland 
opened a large general store in Blandburg, where he carries a complete and well-
selected line of general merchandise, and in 1895 he purchased the old McCammant 
farm near Tifton Station, Blair county, containing two hundred and twenty-six 
acres of well-improved farm-land.
     Fraternally he is a member of Allemansville Lodge, No. 900, I.0.0.F., of 
which he is past grand master. In political opinions he supports the principles 
of the Republican party, and, while not a politician, he takes an active 
interest in both local and national issues. For twelve years he has served as 
school director in his district.
     September 5, 1871, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Annie Newhouse, a 
daughter of Ludwig Newhouse, of Cambria county. To this marriage ten children 
have been born: George, who is a clerk in his father's store; Amanda, the wife 
of William Clawson, of Bellwood, Pa.; Ludwig, at home; Fred., Jr., a farmer; 
James and Mary, both deceased; Wellington, at home; John, Bessie and Adam. In 
1873 Mr. Bland built the first house where the village of Blandburg is now 
located.