This site’s design is only visible in a graphical browser that supports web standards, but its content is accessible to any browser or Internet device.
This site’s design is only visible in a graphical browser that supports web standards, but its content is accessible to any browser or Internet device.
John Michael Topper was known throughout his life as a merchant. His father, Peter Andrew Topper, one of the earliest settlers of New Baltimore, Somerset County, died when John was a young man of just 21, in the year 1865. Initially, John Michael had started out as a merchant in a dry goods store in Roxbury, Stoneycreek Township, Somerset County. Later the operation was run from the town of New Baltimore. After that John Michael built and operated a distillery. Then he acquired, in addition, the well-known Suhre distillery in Stoneycreek which (I had been advised) had been involved in some sort of tax litigation.
For a period of time John Michael was also a Justice of the Peace.
John Michael also owned land and sold off lots. This was about the time when there were plans for a South Penn Railroad. And New Baltimore like many small villages along the route saw a boom in housing and industries.
Topper Gristmill
He also had a gristmill operation. The Topper gristmill was built by John Topper at a location just west of New Baltimore along the road leading in the Breastwork Road. Farmers from the surrounding community brought their grain on horses and wagons to the mill to be ground into meal. Part of his rationale in building the mill was the assurance that he would have a necessary supply of rye grist for his distilleries.
The Topper distilleries were noted for a high quality rye whiskey and operated till the onset of Prohibition. After acquiring the Suhre operation, he also operated a distillery in concert with his brother, Sylvester. Thereafter, Sylvester operated a distillery on his own.
A promotional shot-glass advertising John M. Topper’s “pure-rye-whiskey.”
This glass was mostly likely produced by George Truog, judging by the elaborate script.
John Michael had begun his working life at St. John the Baptist RC School at New Baltimore as a teacher at a very young man (while still in his teens).
John Michael met his wife in the Roxbury neighborhood near his first dry goods store. Inasmuch as his future wife was from a Mennonite family and he was of the Roman Catholic faith, it may have been a cause of some consternation. Their first child Francis Vincent (later known as Frank V.) was born in 1868. His baptism in 1869, at St. John the Baptist RC Church [See Albert H. Ledoux, Catholic Vital Records of Central Pennsylvania, Volume 5] is silent with regard to the name of the mother. The child is baptized with no mention of the mother. This may have been pro forma when dealing with so-called non-Catholics. Similarly, the US Census of 1870 lists John Michael as living at home at the age of 25 with his brothers and sister and mother in the 1870 Census. Their son, Francis Vincent, and his mother, Hattie J. Miller were not living at home with her parents, Tobias and Margaret Miller (I still have not located them in the 1870 Census). This is of interest since a pre-John Michael, well-known Topper predecessor, Andrew Topper, who had been a Captain in the Revolutionary War, virtually disinherited his son, Mathias, for marrying outside the Roman faith. (His Last Will & Testament left Mathias 50 cents.) [This information is from Mathias’ descendant and genealogist, Stuart Henri Yost.]
Interestingly enough Hattie Jane Miller Topper, converted to Catholicism during the course of her married life. Her baptismal name was Mary Jane.
JOHN M. TOPPER
“John M. Topper, aged 80, a leading citizen of New Baltimore, and widely known throughout Somerset and Bedford Counties, died early Sunday afternoon at his residence. His wife preceded him in death six years ago. Mr. Topper operated a distillery at New Baltimore for many years, but since prohibition became effective he lived a retired life. He was a man of far more than ordinary intelligence, enterprising and upright in all of his business transactions. Funeral services were held at 10 o’clock Wednesday morning at St. John’s Catholic Church, New Baltimore, of which he was a member since early childhood.
“Mr. Topper is survived by the following children: Mrs. Mary Gardill and Mrs. Frank Gardill, both of Duquesne, PA; Dr. John Topper, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; M. A. Topper of Detroit, Mich.; Mrs. John Werner and Mrs. Henry Weber, both of New Baltimore; Mr. Norbert Topper, New Baltimore. He also leaves one brother, Frank Topper, of New Baltimore, and one sister, Mrs. Mattingly of Cumberland, MD.”