Brief Bio of Jake Sommer - Part 2

The second article follows:

Down Memory Lane
Became Skilled Bowler, Singer
By Os Figard

Continuing and completing the brief biography of Jacob [Jake] Sommer of 1922 1st Ave.

Arriving in Altoona from France on Aug. 8, 1892, he became properly settled and was hired by the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. in Altoona on April 3, 1993, and served continuously with the company until he was retired June 1, 1932. Mr. Sommer was married in Altoona on April 25, 1895, and for some unknown reason his wife’s maiden name was omitted in the story written in 1930. However, the following children were born to that union: George Sommer, better known as ‘Doc’ when he served as a mailman and who was exceptionally good as a baseball pitcher in the old Civic Mechantile League; Henry, Carroll, and Emil.

[The picture was not a part of the interview]. Grandma Anna Sommer [Jake's wife] with daughters-in-law, Aunt Dot, Mother Blanche with little George, and Gladys with baby Linky. Taken in back of the home at 1922 1st Avenue.

One thing that Jake Sommer did learn before leaving his home in France was the art of handling a musical instrument. Memories of this man will linger long with the oldtimers who followed the Altoona Logan Band with Jules Neff as its leader, and he was just as popular a musician with the old Frohsinn Singing Society.

Jacob was one man who, regardless of crowded conditions at the old Academy and Metro bowling alleys, could always find a place to bowl, because at one period in his life he was a member of five different teams that bowled there.

This man bowled his first game with a team in the old Ford Cigar alley located in the basement of the building later tenanted by the Goodfellow Hardware Store, which was located midway between the Capitol Theater and Winter’s Music Store. His wife once told us that Jake bowled six nights a week, and she wasn’t just overjoyed about the statement when she mentioned it.

Jake, in closing the interview, said, “Os, just about everything is so different here from what we knew in France. In France anyone could buy a good-sized glass of wine for 5 cents and a quart could be bought for 14 cents, while whiskey was cheap with a big glass coming up for 13 cents. In France you seldom saw four or five men standing on a corner talking at anytime, and if an officer came upon people talking, he would send them on their way and fast, too.

“Well, certainly America has many wonderful freedoms for everybody, but we are inclined to believe that it has not been only the U.S. government that made possible this friendly freedom here, but the Godfearing people of the nation.”

I have noticed some problems with dates referred to in the articles. The first was evidently written in 1930—no problem. I could check the Altoona Mirror archives to make sure this is the proper date. The second article says it was a continuation of the first, implying it was written shortly after the first. However, the reference to his retirement from the railroad didn’t occur until 1932—two years after the article was supposedly written. In the second article, the writer does refer to the first as being written in 1930. It appears the second article was written two years later.