BIOGRAPHY: John CONRAD, 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. 191-2
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JOHN CONRAD, a merchant of Lilly, this county, is a son of James and Susan 
(Coons) Conrad, and was born in Allegheny township, Cambria county, July 16, 
1836. His early ancestors came from Germany and located in Adams county, 
Pennsylvania, about the latter part of the eighteenth century. Here James 
Conrad, father of our subject, was born March 11, 1811. His education was 
limited to the subscription schools of his youth, but he profited by the broader 
and deeper education gained in the schools of experience. When but a boy he was 
employed in a grist mill, where he learned thoroughly the milling business which 
he afterward followed all his life. About 1830 he removed to Cambria county, 
locating near Loretto, where he resided until 1849, when he removed to what was 
formerly called Hemlock, now known as Lilly. He located on a farm containing 
sixty acres, which he cultivated in addition to which he conducted a saw-mill 
and a grist mill, and the success he attained is evidence of his activity and 
business enterprise.
     In religious faith he was a devout member of the Roman Catholic church. 
Politically he endorsed the principles of the Republican party and took an 
intelligent interest in local affairs and at various times filled the township 
offices.
     In 1834 he married Miss Susan Coons, and to them were born eleven children, 
six are now living, five boys and one girl.
     He led a very industrious and useful life, and was actively engaged in 
business at the time of his death, which occurred May 8, 1879. His wife who 
survived him died January 22, 1895.
     John Conrad's early education was very limited, being obtained in the 
formation days of our present public-school system when the facilities were 
extremely limited. But he has been a close observer and a careful reader, and by 
contact with business men and business methods has acquired a practical business 
education. At an early age he assisted his father on the farm and in the mill; 
he remained with him until he attained to his majority. In 1859 he went to Chest 
Springs this county, where he was employed in a saw-mill until the death of his 
father in 1879. He then removed to Lilly, where he opened a general store, which 
he conducts at the present time.
     He is a prominent member of the Roman Catholic church, and takes an active 
interest in all matters pertaining to it. Politically he is identified with the 
Republican party, and has served as burgess of Chest Springs, besides having 
held several minor offices. Since removing to Lilly he has served several terms 
as councilman and in other offices, and takes active part in all local affairs.
     In 1862 he married Miss Annie McDermott, of Chest Springs, this county, and 
their marriage has resulted in the birth of the following children: Charles, who 
is in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad company at Altoona; Mary and 
Carrie, at home.