USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of the Nineteenth Congressional District, Pennsylvania > Part 25
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of the Nineteenth Congressional District, Pennsylvania > Part 25
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Philip Albright Small and Samuel Small were descendants from the prolific stock of Lorenz Schmall, a German emigrant to America from the Middle Palatinate in the year 1743. Lorenz Schmall upon his ar- rival settled in what is now Hellam town- ship, about six miles east of York. His family consisted of four sons and two daughters, the eldest of whom, Killian, set- tled in the town of York, where he begat seven sons: Jacob, John, George Joseph. Peter, Michael and Henry. George Small. the third son married Anna Maria Albright, a daughter of Philip Albright, an officer in
the Revolutionary army, whose sword re- mains in the possession of the family. He had four children: Cassandra, Philip Al- bright, Samuel and Alexander. George Small became a carpenter and assisted his brother Peter in building the Lutheran church and spire, still standing on South George street. In 1809, he purchased for thirteen hundred dollars the property at the corner of East Main street and Centre Square, in the borough of York, where subsequently he went into business with his sons, and where that business has been con- tinued to the present day.
Philip Albright Small, eldest son of George, commenced his business life in the employ of Shulz, Koenig & Company, of Baltimore, who had extensive hardware and grocery trade throughout the South. For this firm he made collections, travel- ing on horse back through Virginia, the Carolinas, Northern Georgia and Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky, returning from Cincinnati by boat and stage. In 1821 he entered into the hardware business with his father on the corner of East Market street and Centre Square, under the firm name of George Small & Son, which was afterward changed to George Small & Sons, upon the second, Samuel, becoming a partner. In 1833, George Small, desiring to retire from business, sold out his interest to his sons and then, on July 1, 1833, the firm of P. A. & S. Small began and has ever since continued its honorable career without blot or stain, without protest or extension, without interruption of its prosperity, or any shadow on its credit. In 1838 the completion of the Baltimore and Susque- hanna railroad, from Baltimore to York, enabled the firm to commence a grain busi- ness, buying and shipping to Baltimore large quantities, which has since enlarged into an extensive flour manufacture and shipping business with Rio Janeiro and
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other South American ports. In the same year the manufacture of iron, then grow- ing in importance, was begun by the firm, first at Manor, York county, then at Saralı Furnace, Harford county, Maryland, and afterward at Ashland, Baltimore county, Maryland, in which latter place, in con- junction with Messrs. E. & J. Patterson, they erected large furnaces. The high credit always enjoyed by P. A. & S. Small. made the firm for many years the depositor of many large sums of money on call, left with them especially by the farmers from whom they made their purchases of grain; the amount of cash thus deposited with them ran up as high as 200,000 dollars, and this continued until the firm, owing to the decreasing value of money and rates of in - terest, declined any longer to receive de- posits.
The senior member, Philip A. Small, de- voted his attention principally to the man- agement of the out door business of the firm. The mills, farms, ore banks and fur- naces were under his supervision. He was always a firm believer in the value of real estate, and much of the large amount of land owned by the firm was bought at his instance. In all matters connected with agriculture he was an expert and recog- nized as an authority. One of the origina- tors of the York County Agricultural So- ciety and one of its board of managers for a number of years, he was deeply interested in the promotion of scientific husbandry.
He was a man of singularly genial dispo- sition, of most pleasing and agreeable man- ners and yet withal of great personal dig- nity. He was peculiarly charitable in his judgment of the conduct of others and of the most absolute integrity and truthful- ness himself, he could tolerate no false- hood or fraud in any one, yet his kindly disposition made him slow to condemn. On all public questions his views were broad
and catholic and on matters of public or economic policy his counsels were wise and judicious. Politically he was first a Whig and afterward upon the organization of the Republican party became an ardent sup- supporter of that body.
On account of his business sagacity Philip A. Small occupied many positions of trust in various corporations external to the direct interests of the firm of P. A. & S. Small. For many years he was presi- dent of the York County National Bank, was a director and active promoter of the Hanover and York railroad company ; was a director of the York Water company and president of Ashland Iron company. His counsel and assistance were always sought and never vainly in every enterprise and undertaking for the advancement of the public good.
He died on April 3, 1875, leaving to sur- vive him five daughters and three sons, who now compose the firm of P. A. & S. Small; George, William Latimer and Samuel, the first being one of the leading business men of Baltimore.
Samuel Small, second son of George Small and Anna Maria, his wife, was born in York on July 25, 1799. Like his brother Philip, he commenced his business career in the employ of Shulz, Koenig & Com- pany, of Baltimore, who, recognizing his ability, sent him to Pittsburg to open a branch store. Here he made a new depar- ture by removing his stock of goods to a flat boat, which he floated down the Ohio river stopping at various points on its banks to make sales. He landed at Cin- cinnati, rented a store and put in it his stock of goods. While engaged in busi- ness in Cincinnati he received letters from: his father urging him to return to York, and in the year 1826, having sold out his store in Cincinnati, returned to his native city and engaged with the late George S.
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Morris in the dry goods business, where the building occupied by the York County National Bank now stands. This he con- tinued until his admittance into the firm of George Small & Sons, the predecessors, as already stated of P. A. & S. Small. His time and attention henceforth were mainly devoted to the financial departments of the firm's business, to the management of which he was exceedingly well adapted. As a financier, he was shrewd, cautious and far sighted, never led into foolish speculations by specious appearances, but instinctively distinguished the substantial and solid from the merely meretricious. He was acknowl- edged to be the highest authority in his community on all matters of a financial nature.
On the death of the late William Cole- man, Mr. Small became guardian of his two minor children. The estate, though im- mensely valuable had been grossly mis- managed when Mr. Small assumed controi. But so skillful did he (with the aid of Arte- mus Wilhelm, Esq.,) manage the estate that on the arrival of the heirs at their respec- tive majorities he turned over to each up- ward of a million and a third of dollars, be- sides their valuable ore land. For these years of efficient service he made no charge.
Mr. Small was preeminently a philan - thropist, and it is in connection with his noble charities that he will be longest re- membered in the community where he spent his life. His hand was ever open to the appeal of the poor and friendless. No worthy applicant was ever turned away un- aided. In person and by trusted assistants he constantly sought out the necessitous in order to minister to their necessities. A horse and conveyance was kept for the use of one of his assistants in this work, in order that he might more readily reach the poor and money was ever furnished to meet all worthy demands.
In connection with the late Charles A. Morris and others, he founded the Chil- dren's Home of York, where fatherless and motherless, deserted and friendless children have been cared for and educated and after- ward followed into the active duties of life with his paternal benediction. The York Collegiate Institute was exclusively founded and endowed by him. Here he endeavored to found an institution where the forma- tion of individual Christian character would be the first aim. He endowed it liberally and provided a fund called the "Coleman Scholarship Fund," to assist young men in preparation for the Christian ministry. He also with others established the York Hospital and Dispensary, donated the build- ing and ground and subscribed liberally to its support. These acts of public char- ity and philanthropy were supplemented by many others lesser in extent but just as important in their moral results. His life seemed a perfect continuum of business suc- cess, charitable giving and devotion to the common interests of humanity.
Early in life he united himself with the German Reformed Church, but later be- came a member and ruling elder in the First Presbyterian church. In church, Sun- day school and prayer meeting, while in health, his seat was never vacant.
He died July 14, 1885, and the day of his sepulture was observed by a general sus- pension of business and a universal exhibi- tion of grief. He occupied a larger place in the public estimation, was more loved and respected throughout the community, has left in his death a greater vacancy, and been more missed than any other individual in his city or county ever has been or possibly could be.
S 'PENCER FULLERTON BAIRD. The peculiar share of Cumberland county in the life of this eminent man
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of science calls for, at least, a brief state- ment of the leading facts in his life.
He was born in Reading, Pa., February 3rd, 1823. His father, Samuel Baird, a lawyer in that city, died when he was ten years old. He spent several years at a Quaker boarding school, at Port Deposit, Md .; entered Dickinson College in 1837, and was graduated in 1840, at the age of seventeen. He continued to reside with his mother in Carlisle for the next few years prosecuting studies in Natural History, and attended a course of lectures in Medicine in New York. In 1845 he was made pro- fessor of Natural History in his alma mater and in 1848 professor of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy. This position he held until called to the Smithsonian Institution at Washington, July 5th, 1850, as assist- ant secretary, at the suggestion of professor Henry, who had been greatly impressed, upon his acquaintance with him. His father had been a lover of nature and out- door pursuits, as well as a cultured gentle- man. His two sons seem to have inherited his tastes. The elder, William, became in- terested in making a collection of the game-birds of Cumberland county in 1836, and found in the younger brother an in- telligent, as well as enthusiastic collabo- rator. In 1842 they jointly published a de- scription of two new species. In 1838 Spencer made the acquaintance of Audu- bon, with whom he corresponded for many years, and from whom he received many specimens for his collection. During that period he made many scientific excursions on foot throughout Pennsylvania, walking in one of them, at the age of 18, 400 miles through the mountains in 21 days, and in 1842 traversing on foot over 2,200 miles. As a result his collection of birds, deposited in the Smithsonian Institution, when he be- came assistant secretary, numbered 3,696, and contained specimens of almost every
species of bird occurring regularly or oth- erwise in eastern and central Pennsylvania. It is still in a complete state of preserva- tion, entirely free from insects; the labels, with their precise data firmly attached, al- though it has been much handled; "every standard work on North American birds published since 1850, having been based essentially upon it, so far as eastern species are concerned." But his attention even then was by no means exclusively confined to ornithology. The flora was almost as familiar as its birds. New species of fos- sils were described. The cave on the Con- edoguinet, near Carlisle, always of great local interest, was thoroughly and scienti- fically explored, and wagon loads of bones of animals, mostly extinct in this region, removed. They are deposited in the Smithsonian Institution, and are exceed- ingly interesting as among the earliest re- sults of cave explorations. As a professor in the college he was an inspiration to those who were brought into contact with hini. After his removal to Washington he was a frequent visitor to Carlisle, where his sis- ter continued to reside, and he seemed to have quite an interest in the old borough and its vicinity. Many of the older inhabi- tants of the rural districts still recall inci- dents connected with some of his tramps afield. Upon his entrance into the Smith- sonian, he at once proved a valuable coad- jutor of Professor Henry in carrying out the plans that have made that institution unique in its influence upon scientific in- vestigation and the distribution of scientific information. In 1878, upon the death of Professor Henry, he was appointed secre- tary. It is difficult to estimate the field of his greatest usefulness. As an investiga- tor and author he had already become the authority in ornithology. The publication of his great work "The Birds of North America" (first published by the Goveril-
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ment as Vol. IX of the "Report of Explora- tions and Surveys to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a Railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean"), is regarded "as the begin- ning of the so called "Bairdian Period of American Ornithology," and excited an in- fluence more widely felt, even, than Audu- bon's and Wilson's, and together with his subsequent publications, made a profound impression on European ornithologists. In other departments of zoology he was al- most equally influential. In his official po- sition he was ever alert in promoting scien- tific investigation. Experts were attached to government exploring, surveying and railroad expeditions, and naval cruises, and thoughtfully equipped for the acquisition of information and material. With the vast accumulations resulting from these, he pro- jected a National Museum building, and got for it the favorable consideration of Congress. The attention of Congress having been called to the decline in the production of the fisheries, it authorized the appointment of a Commissioner of Fish- eries of approved scientific and practical acquaintance with the fishes of the coast to prosecute investigations into the causes and to report measures for adoption. He was at once appointed by President Grant and confirmed by the Senate, in 1871. Labor- atories were established and vessels fitted up for investigation, and in a few years he brought together the largest body of facts relating to fish and fisheries ever prepared or digested for such purposes by any in- dividual or organization, and was “recog- nized by experts of foreign countries with one accord, as the most eminent living au- thority on economic ichthyology." The biological laboratory at Wood's Holl, under
him became the greatest in the world. He edited for seven years the "Annual Record of Science and Industry," and the scien-
tific columns of many leading periodicals. He was always on call of the government. He was advisory counsel at the Halifax Fishery Commission in 1877. His multi- farious occupations gave him but little time for rest. As director of the United States National Museum, secretary of the Smith- sonian Institute, and United States Com- missioner of Fish and Fisheries he per- formed the labors of three more than ordi- nary men. He worked easily and system- atically, and enjoyed his work, but even his strong physique, developed by early out-door pursuits combined with great capacity for work, at last gave away under the demands made upon him, and especially under the great responsibility attached to his several official positions. At the urgent advice of his physician he agreed to take needed rest. He spent his last ten months at Wood's Holl, where he died August 19th, 1887. A few days before his death he was wheeled through the laboratories he had built up, interested in everything around him. Per- sonally, Professor Baird was physically above the usual stature. He was of a mod- est, retiring, almost difficult disposition. He seldom, if ever, made a formal address or set speech. But when occasion arose, clear in presentation of a case, fortified with a complete knowledge of his subject, with consummate tact, in a conversational way, he generally carried conviction, without the graces of oratory. His success in carrying through his great plans was due in great degree to his remarkable ability in that re- spect. In his relations with others he was eminently fair and honorable. No one as- sociated with him, ever felt that he did not receive his full share of credit. He was unselfish in the highest degree, often per- forming work of the highest character without remuneration. His name attached to any enterprise was sufficient guarantee of its honorable character. He could not be
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drawn into personal controversy. As his own knowledge in many fields, vast as it was, was in so great a measure the result of his own investigations, he sympathized with the spirit of investigation in others, and was always accessible to any one, how- ever humble, who could be aided by advice or information. As recreation this busy man enjoyed lighter fiction and juvenile stories. He is survived by a wife and daughter.
For further details reference is made to the Biography, one of the United States Museum publications, in which may be found a complete bibliography of his writ- ings comprising more than 1000 titles, the names of societies, American and foreign, of which he was an active or honorary member, of honorary degrees conferred and of the decorations bestowed upon him by foreign governments.
M OLLY PITCHER. The simple ac- count of a picturesque historic incident, especially if invested with the romantic interest a woman's participa- tion imparts, often becomes rapidly en- crusted with so many traditional varia- tions in details, which obscure the basis of historic truth, that the in- credulous are inclined to regard the whole story as one of those pleasing myths that often embellish sober history. Such is the story of Molly Pitcher, the heroine of the battle of Monmouth. But in Carlisle, from which place she went, to which she returned after the war, where she died among her descendants and where she is buried, there is no doubt about the leading facts of her life. The Molly Pitcher, of Lossing, the heroine of Ft. Washington, buried along the Hudson, is a different in- dividual though frequently confounded with the heroine of Monmouth. The substan- tial facts seem to be: that during the battle
of Monmouth, June 28th, 1778, lasting through "one of the hottest days ever known," when soldiers were dying of heat and thirst, the wife of John Hays, a ser- geant of artillery, was carrying water in a pitcher to the thirsty soldiers, who called her familiarly, by reason of this grateful ser- vice, Molly Pitcher. Her husband during the battle was struck down insensible, but not killed as is frequently stated, and the piece was ordered to be withdrawn. She at once stepped to the front, seized the rammer and continued to assist in serving the piece effectively till the close of the bat- tle. Tradition, among other things, says that the attention of General Washington was attracted by her and he complimented her and made her a sergeant on the spot and that the soldiers thereafter called her ser- geant or Major Molly. At all events her husband recovered and she continued with him in the army, nursing the sick and wounded and making herself generally use- ful. At the close of the war she returned with him to Carlisle, where he shortly after- ward died. She was then married to John McCauly, a friend and fellow soldier of her husband. He did not live very long and their marriage was not a very happy one. She survived her husband many years, known of course as Molly McCauly, and the statements so frequently made that Molly Pitcher was a young Irish woman, originated doubtless, from this name derived from her second marriage. The fact is she was of good Pennsylvania-German stock. Her maiden name, Mary Ludwig, would almost justify this statement; but, in addi- tion, her grand-daughter, Polly McClces- ter, who knew her well, when it was sug- gested, that she was Irish, replied indig- nantly: "No, she was Dutch as sauer krout; her maiden name was Mary Lud- wig!" Her first husband, John Hays, was a barber in Carlisle at the outbreak of the
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war, and enlisted there in the artillery. She soon joined him in the field at his re- quest, and with the permission of Colonel Proctor, commanding the regiment. They had been married several years before. As a girl of about 20, she had been "hired" in the family of Gen. William Irwin, of Car- lisle, and her grand-daughter recollected an account given her of the short and amusing courtship, commenced whilst she was sweeping in front of the Irwin home, in her short gown and petticoat. She was still with the Irwin family at the outbreak of the war. After the war she lived in the family of Dr. George D. Foulke, and served other families in Carlisle. The notice of her death in the "Volunteer" states: "For up- wards of forty years she resided in this bor- ough, and was during that time recognized as an honest, obliging and industrious woman." In person, it is said, by those who remembered her, she was not very at- tractive. She was rather short and mascu- line in appearance and manner, but kind- hearted and helpful to the sick and needy. Her descendants, all by her first husband, have been highly respectable citizens. Her son, John L. Hays, the middle initial being that of his mother's maiden name, was ser- geant in the old infantry company of Car- lisle, and was in the war of 1812. He died in Carlisle about 1853 and was buried with the honors of war, the band of music and a large escort of U. S. troops having been furnished by Capt. May, then commanding at the U. S. Barracks. His sons, John and Frederick, lived in Carlisle, the former be- ing street commissioner in 1883. His daugh- ter, Polly McCleester, lived at Papertown, Mt. Holly Springs. She remembered her grandmother very well, and in her 8Ist year unveiled the monument to her erected in the old cemetery at Carlisle. It bears the following inscription:
MOLLY McCAULY, Renowned in History as MOLLY PITCHER, The Heroine of Monmouth, Died Jan. 1833, Aged 79 years. Erected by the Citizens of Cumberland County, July 4, 1876.
She died in Carlisle, Jan. 22, 1832, nearly ninety years old. The date of her death on the monument is unaccountably incorrect. Various statements are made in regard to the recognition accorded her by the Gov- ernment. The following extract from the American Volunteer, Feb. 21, 1822, under head of "Legislature of Pennsylvania" not only shows what was done by the State, but, also incidentally, shows that by common consent, at a time when many were living who could have disputed the facts, the gen- eral statements in regard to her history were accepted: It is credited to the Harrisburg Chronicle as follows: "A bill has passed both Houses of the Assem- bly granting an annuity to Molly Mc- Cauly (of Carlisle) for services she rendered during the Revolutionary war. It appeared satisfactorily that this heroine had braved the hardships of the camp and dangers of the field with her husband, who was a sold- ier of the revolution, and the bill in her favor passed without a dissenting voice .- Chronicle." According to the records at Harrisburg, no application was made for this pension after Jan. Ist, 1832, a fact, if any were needed, corroborative of 1832 as the year of her death. The foregoing state- ments are believed to be reliable. They are based mainly upon exhaustive investiga- tions of that painstaking and authoritative local historian, Rev. J. A. Murray, D. D., and include the results of personal inter- views with many who were acquainted with the heroine.
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T HEODORE G. WORMLEY, M. D., PH. D., LL. D. This eminent professor and scientist was born at Worm- leysburg, Cumberland county, in 1826. His ancestors came from Germany about 1753. His youth was spent in Carlisle. He entered Dickinson College, but left it after a few years, before graduation, to enter upon his medical studies in Philadelphia Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1849. At Carlisle he was brought into as- sociation with Spencer F. Baird, resident in Carlisle, and part of the time professor in Dickinson College, then in the early flush of his scientific activity and already well known. Young Wormley accompanied him on many of his scientific excursions, and the intimate friendship then formed survived into the whole after life of these eminent men. In August, 1850, after a year spent in Carlisle, Dr. Wormley began the practice of medicine in Columbus, Ohio. In 1852 he became Professor of Chemistry and Natural Science in Capitol University, Col- umbus, and continued in that position until 1865. In 1854 he was also appointed to the chair of Chemistry and Toxicology in Starl- ing Medical College, in the same place, which he filled until his election, June 5th, 1877, to the chair of Chemistry and Toxico- logy in the Medical Department of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, which he occupied at the time of his death, January 6th, 1897. During his residence in Columbus he had also filled the responsible position of State Gas Commissioner of Ohio for eight years, from 1867, and State Chemist of the Ohio Geological Survey from 1869 until the com- pletion of the survey in 1874. He was a member of many scientific bodies including the American Philosophical Society of Phil- adelphia, American Chemical Society, of which he was one of the vice presidents in 1879, American Meteorological Society, corresponding member of the New York
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