USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Centennial biography : Men of mark of Cumberland Valley, Pa., 1776-1876 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
Gc 974.801 C911n 1897066
M. G.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
J
L
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02235 2055
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/centennialbiogra00innevi
--
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHY.
MEN OF MARK
CUMBERLAND VALLEY. PA.
1776-1876.
ALFRED NEVIN, D. D., LL. D. 4
PHILADELPHIA: FULTON PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1876.
1897066
ofhy Fordiallen)
COPYRIGHT SECURED, 1875.
Paper made at Inquirer Paper Mills. Printed at Inquirer Book and for Printing Office. Bound at Inqueres Bindery, Office. 304 Chestod Street, Philadelphia.
iv
INDEX.
PAGE
KENNEDY, REV. JOHN H
KENNEDY, THOMAS B
KING, JOIN 146
KNOX, REV. DR. JOHN
KREBS, REV. DR. JOHN MICHAEL
LAIRD, REV. DR. FRANCIS 355
LANE, N. B., M. P.
LINN, REV. JOHN
McCARRELL, REV. DR JOSEPH
MCCLELLAND, HON. R. M
MCCLURE, COLONEL ALEXANDER KELLY
MCCONAUGHEY, D., D. D. LL. L
120
MCOOSERY, RT. REV. SAMI EL .\
1.7.
MCCULLOH, HON. THOMAS GREBB
MCCULLOUGH, REV. DR. JOHN W
MCELROY, REV. DR. JOSEPH
McGILL, ALEXANDER TAGGART. D. D., LL. D
MCGINLEY, REV. DR. AMOS A
MCKIBBIN, GENFRAL D. B
MCKINLEY, REV. DR. DANIEL
MCKNIGHT, RUV. DR. JOIN
NOLANAHAN, DON. JAMES X.
MCPHERSON. HON. EDWARD.
MOODEY, REV. JOHN
MOORE, REV. DR. THOMAS VERNER
NEVIN, MAJOR DAANTD
NEVIN, JOHN WILLIAMSON. D. D .. LL .. D .. ·N:
NISBET, REV. DR. CHARLES
PENROSE. HON. COACHES BINGHAM
PENROSE, RICHARD ALEXANDER: F. M. D., LI. D
PENROSE, COL. WILLIAM SHECAN
POMEROY, JOSEPH ...
POMEROY. MAJOR JJOUN M!
RANKIN, WILLIAM, M. D ...
RANKIN, DAVID NEVIN, M. D) ...
RAUCH. REV. DR. FREDERICK AUGESTUS
REED, HON. JOHN, LI. D.
RICHARDS, JOHN OUSTIS. M. D
401
BITNER, HON. JOSEPH
SANDERSON. HON. GEORGE
SCHNECK, REV. DR. BENJAMIN SURODER.
SCOTT. COLONEL THOMAS 1
SENSENY, A. IL., M. D
STEWART. JOHN
SHARP, REV. DR. ALEXANDER
SMITH, FREDERICK
SNODGRASS. WILLIAM T.
SNOWDEN, ISAAC WAYNE, M. D
441
SNOWDEN, JAMES ROSS, LL. D
SPEER, REV. WILLIAM
STEEL, REV. JOHN
STEVENS, HON. THADDEUS
THOMPSON. REV. SAMUEL
THOMSON, HON. ALEXANDER, L.L. D.
THOMSON, WILLIAM, M. D.
THOMSON, FRANK
:. 1
WATTS. DAVID
WATTS. HON. FREDERICK
WATTS, HON. HENRY M
WEIR, JAMES WALLACE
WILKINS, HON. WILLIAM ..
10G
WILLIAMS, REV. DR JOSHUA
WILSON, REV. DR. HENRY R
let
WING, REV. DR. CONWAY PHELPS
WHITEHILL, ROBERT ..
WOODS, REY. DR. JAMES S
WOODS, RICHARD
WOODS, DAVID FLAVEL. M. D
YOUNG, REV. DR. JOHN CLARKE 210
2:17
32%
20.
:314
WILLIAMSON, HUGH. M. D. F. R. S.
.
PREFACE.
N placing this work before the public, the author needs not to be told of its imperfections. Any one, however, attempting the same task, would in all probability find equal reason for confession of defectiveness. Much of the volume consists of material drawn from the distant and unwritten past, and there are few things of more difficult and delicate execution, than to get access to such material in its floating shape, and present it in an accurate and attractive form. All that can reasonably be expected is, that he who enters upon such an undertaking, will do the best he can in the circumstances, and this the author is quite sure can be affirmed of his effort.
His inability to embrace in the book a much larger number of biographical sketches has occasioned him sincere regret. No district of our broad, beautiful, and blessed country has furnished more rep- resentative men -- men distinguished for their ability, integrity and influence-than Cumberland Valley. Such, and such only. has he aimed, or been willing, to put on record, and it would have been a real gratification to include many more of them than are embraced in this work, had not the limited space precluded such possibility, and made a necessity even for laying aside some sketches that had been prepared. and were justly entitled to publication. And the disappointment grow- ing out of this desired gratification is intensified by the fact that some, eminently worthy of notice, and whom he would gladly have welcomed to these pages, would not consent to occupy a place in them either for themselves or friends, from motives of indifference or delicacy, which. though of course entitled to respect, are none the less to be deplored in the result to which they have led.
-
vi
PREFACE.
It was the author's design to have the sketches inserted, if possible, in chronological order, but this could not be done on account of the irre- gularity with which they came into his possession. Their length was not in every case under his control, and where brevity was observed, a compensation in directness and comprehensiveness was aimed at. In view of the ancient boundaries of the region, and its connection with contiguous districts by ecclesiastical and political arrangements, several persons are sketched who were not, or are not, citizens of the valley. Special acknowledgment of aid in preparing the book, is gratefully made to S. G. Lane, M. D., A. Brady Sharp, Esq., S. R. Fisher, D. D .. C. P. Wing, D. D., J. R. Snowden, LL. D., and Hon. Edward McPherson. The "Historical Sketch" was written with much care. and will, it is hoped, in correctness and completeness, be found con- venient for reference. Should the present edition of fifteen hundred copies of the work prove insufficient for the demand, a second may possibly be issued.
The author has felt compelled to decline the complimentary request of several distinguished, but too partial friends, that a sketch of himself, which they would prepare, should have a place in his book. As, however, most persons wish to know something of one who stands thus related to the volume which they read, the following brief statement may be admissible: He was born in Shippensburg, of a parentage elsewhere noticed in this work. At a very early age he graduated at Jefferson College. In 1837, he received the degree of L. B. from the Law School of Dickinson College, and was admitted to the bar of Carlisle. After three years' study at the Western Theological Seminary. he was licensed by the Presbytery of Carlisle, in 1840. to preach the Gospel. His first charge was "The Grove Church," Lancaster county. During this pastorate, (in 1841,) he married Sarah, youngest daughter of the Hon. Robert Jenkins, of Windsor Place, in the county just named, eminent as an iron master, and for a term or two Representa- tive of his district in Congress. Subsequently he preached in Chambers- burg for seven years, in Lancaster city for five years, and then re- moved to Philadelphia, where he established the Alexander Presby- terian Church, which he served for several years. Retiring from this pulpit, he entered upon the career of editing and authorship. He
vii
PREFACE.
originated, and, until impaired health demanded temporary respite from labour, edited the "Presbyterian Standard." and, afterward, the "Presbyterian Weekly." The principal books from his pen are, "The Christian's Rest." "Spiritual Progression." "Churches of the Valley," "Guide to the Oracles," "Words of Comfort," "Notes on Exodus." "The Age Question ; or, a Plea for Christian Union," "The Voice of God." and "Popular Commentary on the Gospels and Acts."
In the preparation of the work now sent forth at the close of an eventful century, the author has found great delight, as historiographer, in dealing with the honored living and the lamented dead of his native valley, to which he is attached by so many strong and tender ties. And he now yields the book to the friends of those whose names it has drawn from the past, or shall transmit to the future, with an earnest desire that it may impart corresponding interest to them, as well as stimulate the coming generations of Old Cumberland to an emulation of the sterling virtues of those who have so worthily preceded them in the grand and solemn march of life.
PHILADELPHIA, January ist, 1876.
:
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
THE Province of Pennsylvania owes its name to an honourable recognition of official merit. It was so called by Charles II, in honour of Sir William Penn, an eminent Admiral of the English Navy, who, at his death, left claims of considerable amount against the Crown for his services. The following letter, in reference to this event, from William Penn, son of the distinguished naval officer to whom this high compliment was paid, and founder of the Province, is not without historic interest. We give it in its original form, with the exception of a few orthographical corrections.
5th of ist Mo., 1681.
To Robert Turner.
DEAR FRIEND :
My true love in the Lord salutes thee, and dear friends that love the Lord's precious truth in those parts. Thine I have, and for my business here, know that after many waitings, watchings, solicitings and disputes in council, this day my country has con- formed to me under the great seal of England, with large powers and privileges, by the name of PENNSYLVANIA, a name the king would give it in honour of my father. I chose NEW WALES, being, as this, a pretty hilly country, but PENN being Weish for a HEAD, as PENMANMOIRE in Wales, and PENRITH in Cumberland, and PENN in BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, the highest land in England, called this PENNSYLVANIA, which is the high or head wood- lands, for I proposed when the Secretary-a Welshman-refused to have it called New Wales, Sylvania, and they added PENN to it, and though I much ofposed it, and went to the king to have it struck out and altered, he said' twas past, and would take it upon him, nor could twenty guineas move the under secretaries to vary the name, for I feared lest it should be looked on as a vanity in me, and not as a respect in the king, as it truly was to my father, whom he often mentioned with fraise. Thou marest communicate my grant to friends, and expect shortly my proposals : 'tis a clear and just thing, and my God that has given it me through many difficulties will, I believe, bless and make it the seed of a nation. I shall have a tender care to the government, that it will be well laid at first : no more now, but dear love in truth.
Thy true friend. W. PENN.
CHARTER CONFIRMED.
The charter of the grant here mentioned, was in due time confirmed by the royal proclamation. The assent of the Duke of York, then the proprietor of all " New Netherlands," (as the lower part of the Province had been called, ) and that of Lord Baltimore, whose possessions joined on the south, had been obtained to the provisions of the charter, and Lord North, then Lord Chief Justice, was careful to add several clauses in favor of the king's prerogative, and the parliament's right of taxation. The extent of the Province was three degrees of latitude in breadth, by five degrees of longitude in length,
(5)
6
MEN OF MARK.
the eastern boundary being the Delaware river, the northern "the beginning of the three and fortieth degree of northern latitude, and on the south a circle drawn at twelve miles distance from New Castle, northward and westward unto the beginning of the fortieth degree of northern latitude, and then by a straight line, westward to the limits of longitude above mentioned." Emanuel Bowman, who was Geographer to his Majesty, King of England, says in his " Geography," which was printed at London, 1747,-" The Province contained all that tract of land in America, with all the islands belonging to it, from the beginning of the fortieth to the forty-third degree of north latitude, whose eastern bounds, from twelve iniles above New Castle, otherwise Delaware town, run all along upon the side of the Delaware river-these bounds and extent were set down in the original grant, but Mr. Penn having afterwards obtained part of Nova Belgia from the Duke of York, it was added to the country given in the first grant, so that it extends now to the thirty-eighth degree and fifty-five minutes north latitude." Penn at once saw the importance of having the title and jurisdiction of the three lower counties (Delaware), which constituted, as it were, a vestibule to his Province, and hence the wisdom of his policy in obtaining a grant of them from the Duke, " together with all the royalties and jurisdictions thereunto belonging."
Soon after the charter was obtained for the tract of land in the new world, the pro- prietor published "certain conditions or concessions " to adventurers, drew up a form of government, and a code of laws, all bearing the stamp of his benevolent mind, and sent forward his kinsman, William Markham, with three ships and a number of planters, to take possession of the country, and prepare for the reception of a larger number of colonists. Many persons, principally Quakers, were induced to emigrate. An associa- tion was formed at London and Bristol, the " Free Society of Traders," who purchased lands, with a view both to agricultural settlement and for the establishment of manufac- teries, and for carrying on the lumber trade and whale fisheries.
ARRIVAL OF PENN.
Having carefully adjusted his preliminary plans, Penn took an affectionate leave of his family and friends, and sailed for Pennsylvania, in the ship Welcome, on the 30th August, 1682. Near a hundred colonists accompanied him, many of whom died of small-pox during the voyage. At length, after a long passage, the gallant ship anchored at New Castle, and the cager colonists, of every nation, tongue and people-English, Dutch, Swedes-hastened to welcome the beloved proprietor. He addressed the magis- trates and people, setting forth his designs, and assured them of his intentions to main- tain their spiritual and temporal rights, liberty of conscience, and civil freedom. At Upland, (now Chester, ) he convened the Assembly, and made known his plans and benevolent designs. The Assembly tendered their grateful acknowledgments. The Swedes deputed Lacy Cock to inform him that " they would love, serve and obey him. with all they had," declaring " it was the best day they ever saw." At this Assembly, which continued only three days, an Act of Union was passed, annexing the three lower counties to the Province. The frame of government, with some alterations, was accepted and confirmed, the laws agreed upon in England, with some changes, were passed in form, and the Dutch, Swedes and other foreigners, were received to the privi- leges of citizenship. Penn had been careful, on sending out his deputy, Markham, to enjoin upon him and his colonists to deal amicably with the Indians, and soon after his own arrival he held the memorable interview with the native chiefs under the great elni at Shackamaxon, now Kensington. No authentic record has been preserved of this treaty, yet there is every reason to believe that its object was not the purchase of lands,
r
7
HISTORICAL. SKETCH.
but the establishment of a lasting covenant of love and friendship between the aborigines and Penn. " Under the shelter of the forest " says Bancroft; " now Icafless by the frosts of Autumn, Penn proclaimed to the men of the Algonquin race, from both banks of the Delaware, from the borders of the Schuylkill, and, it may have been, even from the Susquehanna, the same simple message of peace and love which George Fox had professed before Cromwell, and Mary Fisher had borne to the Grand Turk. The Eng- lish and the Indian should respect the same moral law, should be alike secure in their pursuits and possessions, and adjust every difference by a peaceful tribunal, composed of an equal number of men from each race." The intercourse of Penn with the Indians was ever, indeed, marked by the strictest justice. and by a most commendable generosity. He might, on the world's maxim that " might makes right," have asserted a claim to the soil granted him by the charter he had received. Nor would it then have much damaged his character if he had done so, for a principle had obtained in Europe, that a newly discovered country belonged to the nation whose people first discovered it. Eugene IV, and Alexander VI, successively granted to Portugal and Spain all the countries possessed by infidels, which should be occupied by the industry of their subjects, and subdued by the force of their arms. But the noble Quaker was influenced by " the higher law." As has been remarked, with an eloquence equal to that of the author just quoted, " he was influenced by a purer morality, and sounder policy, than that prevailing principle which actuated the more sordid. His religious principle did not permit him to wrest the soil of Pennsylvania by force from the people to whom God and nature gave it, nor to establish his title in blood, but under the shade of the lofty trees of the forest, his right was fixed by treaties with the natives, and sanctified, as it were, by smoking from the calumet of peace."*
IMMIGRATION INCREASING.
As the advantages offered to settlers by the Province of Pennsylvania became more and more known, emigrants from other countries in ever growing numbers were attracted. "It was recommended by its free and constitutional government-by the character of its fundamental laws, adopted and established by the first emigrants to its territory -- its fertile soil, salubrious and temperate climate-its adaptation to a large and rural popula- tion, with advantages for trade. commerce and manufactures. The dissatisfaction pre- vailing with large classes of intelligent, industrious and enterprising men, under several of the European governments, directed their attention to the American colonies, and by men of this character Pennsylvania was more generally preferred for their abode, after the organization of its government."!
It does not admit of question, however, that the speedy and large increase of popul ... tion within the limits of the Province, is mainly to be attributed to the religious tolera. tion which was secured to the colony, by its charter and fundamental enactments.
" What sought they thus afar ! bright jewels of the n ... .! The wealth cfsc.s, t'es; ly of war! They s ught a fait''s pire shrine Ay, call ith 'y gran !, The s il where first they trad ! They have left unstaine I what there they found- Freedom to worship God "
" Smith's Law, of Pennsylvania, ii, 1 5.
i "A Tribute to the Pur ples, Virtues. Itatits and Public Usefulness of the Irish ar I Scotch Early Sett lers of Pennsylvania. by the Ion. George Chatlers," from which we have derived important and in writing this article.
.
i
8
MEN OF MARK.
The persecution of the Quakers and other religious denominations, during the reign of Charles Ii, and especially during that of his successor, the intolerance exercised by the Papists over the Protestants of Europe, and the overbearing or persecuting spirit, on religious accounts, in many of the other colonies, as contrasted with the liberality of the Quakers of Pennsylvania, who were disposed to open their arms to all denominations of professing Christians who might be inclined to settle among them, induced the flocking of men by tens, by hundreds, and by thousands, to a place where man pretended not to assume the prerogatives of Deity, nor judge, condemn, and punish in His stead.
SCOTCH IRISH.
Of those who migrated hither from the north of Ireland, the greater number, or their ancestors, had formerly removed from Scotland. But they were treated, after a short residence in Ireland, with much ingratitude and neglect, and hence they sought refuge in America, The Earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnel, in the Province of Ubter, having conspired against the government in the reign of James the First, fled from the kingdom to escape punishment. Some of their accomplices were arrested, condemned and cxecuted. but the two Earls were attainted by a process of outlawry, upon which their vast estates, about five hundred thousand acres of land, escheated to the crown. King James resolved, if possible, to improve a country that was covered by woods, desolated by war, infested by robbers, or inhabited by ignorant adherents to the Romish Church. For this purpose he divided the escheated lands into smo !! tracts, and those he gave to adventurers, who were to settle them within four years, with a certain nun.ber of sub- tenants. According to his advice, the preference was given, in distributing the lands, to adventurers from the west of Scotland. They were Protestants from his own country. They were industrious people, and the passage being very short, they might, with the greater ease, settle the lands according to their contracts. The establishment of prelucy in Scotland, in the year 1637, and afterwards in the year 1661, among people who had adopted the more simple form of Presbyterian worship, became the additional cause of numerous emigrations from that kingdom to the North of Ireland.
The superior knowledge, industry, and temperance of the Scotch farmers, in a short time enabled them to supplant the natives among whom they lived, and six of the northern counties, by the end of the seventeenth century, were chiefly inhabited by the descendants of Scottish emigrants, or the remains of Cromwell's army. That Protestant colony has been the chief support of government against all attempts to establish a Catholic prince, by treason, insurrection, or murder. Those men have been the steady and active supporters of the Hanover succession. Their faithful services, and uniform attachment to government, had placed them in the rank of good and faithful subjects, and their unshaken loyalty had entitled them to confidence and public favour. But they were treated like aliens and strangers, with marks of distrust in their civil capacity, and they were depressed in their religious capacity, by the spirit of intolerance, because they were not of the established church of Ireland. Men who were thus degraded and vexed by incapacities and burdens, migrated in thousands to Pennsylvania, in which they knew the principles of civil and religious liberty had their full operation. Their first settlements were in Bucks county, but chiefly in the territory which, in 1729, was organized into the county of Lancaster. Settlements were made in it about 1;17, on Octorara creek, and about the same time, or earlier, in Pequei, and in 1;22 in Donegal and Paxton. About 1737, quite a number of these emigrants located themselves in the northwestern part of York county, on the water of Tom's and Marsh creek, (now Adams county.)
9
HISTORICAL. SEF.TCII
ENGLISH.
" In England. ever since the mer able St Bartholomew's day, all eyes had been anxiously directed to the Trans-Atlantic ngthey vare as yet a wilderness, and while some Red to Hollard, a gre : numle er with many of the ejected ministers, betonk themselves : N. v E- a- 1. Pencalvinla, and other America plantations. In Solind. fines, imprisonment . col w ppings, were abundant from 1662, when the Act of Conformity was pissed, pat roin. when the A : : Toler .: :: gave relief under the Presbyter in Prine of Orange. The Western an. 1 Southern counties, which, according :. Hume. were the most populous and thriving, woro the most obnoxious, and the severity of the persecutions surpassed. In the judgment of Bishop Burnet. the merciless risbors of the Dike of Al-a. Many sold Their estares amid crossed over to the Shots of Uiter, where, fre a time, unten ricted I bert was alamred. But the arm of intolerance soca full fred them ! als retreat, and the hunted-doma non- conformists felt that they had ro resource short of ab - te expetr.at.ch. In order tila: the fury of the prelares might have FUN sweep, the Presbyterians and their exerted ministers were forbidden to By ingy Westland to avoid it. Of these ejected ministers. both in Scotland and Ireland, Wodrow siv-s a catalog": amounting :. for hands.i."*
CLASSES - IMM. - ANTS.
In consequence of the persecut: iS-a an 1 1638, crow is of voluntary exiles sought an asylum in East New Jersey. Panes Bran a, Carolina and More and.
Prominent among those vir fel to tils lind for consciente's sake. were the Huguenots, of French Prorestants. The perse ations to which they were exposed during the reign of Louis XIV. consanimatedi h che revocation of the edlot of Nantes, in 1685, drove hundreds of thousands of close :
Though the frontiers ere " ...
is of Ere hamired thousand of them
made their escare. They f.i to S ... Hotand ind Enghani, and
large numbers of them came to !!! of whom settled la Penasylvania, chiefly on Pequea Treuk. nea- Paradise, Lans :y.
The Welsh. also, from there numbers. desure milas notice. The procpal settlement of them at an early period. was upc ark of the Schuylkill. there occupied three townships, and in a few years their numbers so increased times they obtained three additional townsilly -. Subsequently any of them settled in various parts of the Province. They were character sal Vy che
No: must the German settlers in Pennsylvania, by any means be Overlokod in this enumeration. Their immigratiny commencel .s emily as 16save: 1663. and very rf idly increased. The Mennoni-es c: German Portists, a sec: which adhered to the principle of non-res stance, persecuted in Europe, and driven from one country :o another, sought the toleration of Penn's colony, and inim grated between the years 10 -3 and I71;, settling in Lancaster. F.Eks, and the more: parts of Chester county. The Dunkards, also a pas-resistant seet, began & tran grate S'est the year reps, and sub- sequently estil lich. i i sort of riaastory an I co vent a: Ep In Lancaster Mountv.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.