USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of the Nineteenth Congressional District, Pennsylvania > Part 46
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of the Nineteenth Congressional District, Pennsylvania > Part 46
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When the question of providing a pub- lishing house for the purpose of dissemina- ting church literature was first mentioned, he was one of the first movers in the enter- prise and was largely instrumental in bring- ing about its ultimate success. Ill health and other reasons, however, compelled his retirement from the active ministry while serving on the York circuit, in 1846, and he afterward devoted his entire attention to the practice of Allopathic medicine, the
study of which he had begun ten years before under the supervision of Drs. Tay- lor and Powers, of Williamsport, Pa.
In 1839, through the instrumentality of Dr. Ignatius Brugger, a graduate of one of the German Universities, he was led to in- vestigate the merits of the new school of medicine-Homeopathy-which, being an Allopath of a most pronounced type, he did with much incredulity and prejudice. After a careful investigation covering a period of seven years, he emerged from his laborious conflict with his old views, a fine and faithful disciple of Hahnemann, nor was he ever afterward known to revert in any way to his former methods of practice. In those days it required courage of the highest order to be a Homeopatlı, when Homeopathic practitioners were reviled by their Allopathic brethren even as they walked the streets, were looked upon as fa- natics, and those of the laity who permitted themselves to be treated by the new system were regarded as little less than voluntary suicides. Possessed of keen powers of observation, Dr. Brickley became eminent in the field of diagnostics and was almost equally successful in his prognosis of dis- ease. He began the active practice of medicine in York in 1846 and received the honorary of Doctor of Medicine from the Hahnemann Medical Institute of Philadel- phia, in the year 1855, as a recognition of his qualifications and success as the pioneer of Homeopathic medicine in the county and city of York. He continued in active practice until 1887, when he was stricken with paralysis, a second attack causing his death in March 17, 1889.
In May, 1827, Dr. Brickley was united in marriage with Mary A. Wingert, a daughter of Dr. Henry Wingert, of Lan- disburg, Perry county, Pennsylvania. This union resulted in the birth of six children, three sons and three daughters.
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND PORTRAIT CYCLOPEDIA.
Dr. O. C. Brickley was educated in the public schools and at York County Acad- emy. Upon the completion of his educa- tion he read medicine with his father and in the Spring of 1855 was graduated from Hahnemann Medical College, Philadel- phia. Immediately after receiving his de- gree he began the practice of his profes- sion in York, where in future years he reached a most commendable degree of success. He was physician to the York County Prison for two years, physician to the York County Hospital and to the Alms- house and served three terms as coroner of York county.
In political affiliation Dr. Brickley is a Jacksonian Democrat, has always manifes- ted an intelligent interest in political meas- ures and policies, and is also a member of the Masonic Fraternity in high standing.
On September 30, 1860, Dr. Brickley was joined in marriage with Charlotte A. Willey, a daughter of Lewis Willey, a na- tive of the State of Delaware, but late of the city of York. By this marriage one son was born, Dr. Edward Willey. The latter was graduated from Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, in 1883, is now a rising young physician of his native city and present coroner of York county. Mrs. Brickley died in 1897 and is interred in Prospect Hill cemetery. She was a wo- man possessing many Christian virtues, a charitable disposition and was interested in many forms of humanitarian and phil- anthropic work.
In his school of medicine, Dr. Brickley stands with the best in his profession. He is amply read, has had a wide and varied professional experience and is a skillful and intelligent practitioner. Personally he is notable for his public spirit, civic pride and patronage of all movements having for their end the betterment of his com- munity.
R EV. MORGAN A. PETERS, pastor of Zion Reformed church, of York, Pennsylvania, was born in Stettlersville, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, on March 4th, 1864. He is a son of Morgan and Maria E. (Kemerer) Peters, both natives of Lehigh county. Mr. Peters is a descend- ant of German ancestors who came from Germany about the middle of the 18th century and settled in the county of his birth. His father, Morgan Peters, who was a merchant by occupation, and after whom he is named, died at the early age of 29 years, leaving a widow and three sons, to mourn his early departure. At the time of his death the subject of this sketch was a babe of but 8 months old.
At a very early age in life Mr. Peters learned to help and depend upon himself. At the age of 12 years he worked for thir- ty-five cents per day, and walked over two miles to the place of his toil. At the age of 16 he was unable to procure work in the country village where he was reared, Fog- elsville, Lehigh county, and consequently he set out to learn the trade of cigar mak- ing in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He pur- sued his trade assiduously for the period of four years, and then decided to enter the Holy ministry. He accordingly entered Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pennsylvania on January II, 1885, fully determined to enter the ministry of the Reformed church. From this institution he was graduated in the classical course. Subsequently he en- tered the Theological Department of Heid- elberg University, Tiffin, Ohio, whose course of study he completed in the year 1891. He usually spent his vacations in the hay and harvest fields, in selling books, teaching school and various other avoca- tions, in fact, strictly speaking, they were not vacations but merely periods of change from the routine of arduous study. On May 22, 1891, he was licensed to preach by
C
morgan a. Orters
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NINETEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
Tiffin Classis, Synod of Ohio, of the Re- formed church in the United States and at the time of his examination he had calls to two pastorates, one from Ada, Ohio, and another from Carroll, in the same State. Being undecided which one to accept, he declined both, and accepted an invitation from the Weissport charge, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, to preach trial sermons. This done, he received a unanimous call and accepted the same, beginning his la- bors July Ist, 1891. This charge had two congregations, Weissport and Mauch Chunk. The latter congregation soon felt dissatisfied with services every alternate Sunday and this dissatisfaction soon neces- sitated a change in the pastoral relations. The East Pennsylvania Classis consequent- ly separated the charge on November Ist, 1891, and Mr. Peters received a call from both congregations. He accepted, however, the call from the weaker charge, Mauch Chunk, and labored faithfully with this body until March 31, 1894, when he resigned to accept a call to Zion Reformed church, York, Pennsylvania.
During his pastorate at Mauch Chunk, the membership of that church more than doubled itself, and the Sunday school treb- led itself. Rev. Mr. Peters was also instru- mental in building for the people at Mauch Chunk, a very handsome two story brick edifice, the first the congregation ever owned, for their individual use. At a special meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church, Mauch Chunk, held March 24, 1894, a set of resolutions were adopted and afterward presented to Mr. Peters, expressing deep regret in part- ing with his services and extoling the re- sults of his effective preaching. The Daily News and Daily Times of the same place also joined in expressions of general regret and commendation.
Since accepting the pastorate of Zion Re-
formed church in York its membership has been largely increased and its Sunday school has fully doubled in attendance and a new Sunday school room has been erected to accommodate the increase. This notable increase has been largely due to the aggressive and energetic efforts of the pastor in his new re- lation. Through his coming a new impulse has been imparted to the cause of the church with which he is iden- tified and a new future with ever widen- ing prospects, is in constant and steady view. The crowds that regularly gather in his church speak well of his power in the pulpit. Mr. Peters is a young man of ample scholarship, filled with religious zeal, a pulpit orator of no mean excellence, and these, coupled with a tireless energy, prom- ise bright results for the church which has honored him in calling him to be its spir- itual leader and adviser.
Mr. Peters is a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, Junior Order of American Mechanics and the Knights of Malta, of which latter organization he is the Supreme Representative to the Su- preme Lodge of the United States. He is also Grand Prelate of the Grand Com- mandery of the State organization of the Knights of Malta. He firmly believes that ministers should belong to secret orders.
On March 27, 1894, Rev. Peters mar- ried Emma J., the only daughter of ex- Burgess Charles Graver, of Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Peters is a woman of unusual refinement and grace and was for- merly an active worker in the First Re- formed church of Mauch Chunk, Pa.
A LEXANDER DALLAS BACHE SMEAD is the seventh and young- est child of the late Captain Raphael C. Smead, of the United States Army, and his wife Sarah, who was a daughter of John
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND PORTRAIT CYCLOPEDIA.
Radcliffe, Esq., of Rhinebeck, New York. He was born in Carlisle in 1848 and edit- cated in the public schols and at Dickinson College. On graduating from the latter, in 1868, he entered the regular army, in which he rose to be First Lieutenant and Regimental Adjutant of the Third U. S. Cavalry. After some years of active ser- vice among the Indians of our Western Territories he studied law, resigned in 1879 his military commission and has been en- gaged in legal practice since then except during time spent in foreign travel and study. On February Ist, 1888, he was married to Miss Jennie Stuart, daughter of the late James T. Stuart, of Cumberland county. They have one child, Jane Van Ness Smead.
The Smead family came from Wales more than two centuries and a half ago but intermarried for generations with fam- ilies of English Puritan stock in Great Bri- tain, in Massachusetts and in New Hamp- shire. None of these came to America la- ter than the year 1640.
One of the most prominent of the early colonists of New England was Colonel Is- rael Stoughton, of Dorchester, Massachu- setts. Arriving from England on May 30th, 1630, he played an active part in Colonial affairs for the next fourteen years. He was chosen, in 1634, Selectman of Dorchester, represented his town for several terms in the Legislature of the Colony, was sent, in 1641, as Commissary to govern the Terri- tory of New Hampshire, and for several years was assistant Governor of Massachu- setts. In the military service of his colony, he was successively Ensign, Captain, and Colonel commanding the Massachusetts troops in war against the Indians. When the Civil War between the English King and Parliament broke out he headed a group of New Englanders who returned to the mother country to aid the cause
of liberty, and he served as a Lieu- tenant Colonel of the Parliamentary Army until his premature death. While residing in Massachusetts he was joined in 1835, by his widowed sister, Mrs. Judith Smead, who brought with her her young son William Smead and other children. When this boy grew up he inarried, December 31st, 1658, Eliz- abeth Lawrence, daughter of Thomas Law- rence, of Hingham, and granddaughter of another early settler and legislator, James Bates, of Dorchester. From them have descended all the New England Smeads of whom we have any knowledge. Wm. Smead and his sons took part in the Indian wars of his time, and after his death his widow was killed by Indians on February 29th, 1704. In the fifth generation from Judith was Selah Smead, who married Eliz- abeth Cummings, of New Hampshire, a de- scendant in the fifth generation from Isaac Cummings, of Topsfield, Massachusetts, a colonist from Yorkshire, England. One of their sons was Raphael Cummings Smead, born November 22nd, 1801, who went to the Military Academy from Genesee County, New York, graduated there in 1825 and married in 1829.
The first American Radcliffe came to Albany, New York, from England and there married a New York Holland Dutch wife. All the other ancestors of Mr. Smead's mother were New Yorkers of Hol- land descent, of families settled in the Col- ony from 1630 to 1642.
Mr. Smead's wife is of unmixed Scotch- Irish descent. Her forefathers came to Pennsylvania from 1720 to 1784. The Stuart family removed from Argyleshire, Scotland, to County Antrim in Ulster, and from there Hugh Stuart emigrated to Cum- berland county, where he married Ruth, a grand-daughter of William Patterson, of Bonny Brook. They were the parents of
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NINETEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
Judge John Stuart, of South Middleton township, and the latter's son, James, mar- ried Miss M. J. Woods, of West Pennsboro township, great-great-granddaughter of Nathan Woods, of Donegal, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, whose sons William and Samuel removed to the Cumberland Valley before the organization of Cumber- land county. Mrs. Smead belongs to Wil- liam's branch of the Woods family.
S AMUEL C. FREY, ESQ., joint editor of the York Daily, and the efficient Secretary and Treasurer of the York Daily Publishing Company, is a son of Samuel A. and Delia (Gallatin) Frey, and was born in Spring Garden township, York county, September 9, 1857. Samuel A. Frey was born 1821, died 1886 and was a life long resident of York county. He was a farmer of well known integrity and ranked among the prominent business men of his com- munity. Politically he was a nominal Re- publican and held himself aloof from active participation in political affairs, though he always exercised an intelligent and dis- criminating ballot. He was devoted to his vocation, was industrious and frugal and a strong churchman, having throughout life been connected with the Lutheran de- nomination. His marital union with Delia Gallatin resulted in the birth of 15 children of whom 6 died in infancy. Among those who grew to maturity were: Alexander, killed at the battle of Antietam; Albert, also a veteran of the late Civil war, and a mer- chant in Baltimore, who died in December, 1896; Samuel C., subject; Mrs. Lewis Small, of the City of Baltimore; Mrs. D. D. Ehrhart and Mrs E. D. Michael, of Han- over; and Mrs. H. S. Spangler, of York.
Samuel C. Frey was brought up on a farm during his early years, received his education in the common schools of the county and at 14 years of age became an
apprentice in the office of the York Daily to learn the "Art preservative of all arts." At the end of his apprenticeship, he turned his attention to the study of law, and in 1879 was admitted to the Bar of York County. After his admission he practiced for two years, and then in conjunction with E. W. Spangler, Esq., and J. B. Moore, Esq., purchased the York Daily, which had been established in 1871. He was elected secretary and treasurer of the newly form- cd company, and being a practical printer, was enabled from the start to exercise in- telligent supervision over the printing in all its details. The new company at once, after taking possession, began to modify and im- prove their newspaper and printing plant so as to make it compare favorably with any similar plant in the State outside of the large cities. They are now thoroughly equipped to do all kinds of first class book and job printing. Aside from the mechan- ical features of the establishment, the Daily itself has undergone improved alterations and has reached the largest circulation in its history.
On December 25, 1880, Mr. Frey was united in marriage with Lillie I. Shaeffer, a daughter of George H. Shaeffer, of York county. To this union three children have been born, two sons and a daughter: Ed- ward S., Robert S., and Hazel V.
In politics Mr. Frey is a Republican and has always given his party an intelligent and sympathetic support. He is a good citizen, alive to the public issues touching his municipality, county or State, and has always placed himself upon the side of the moral progress and common welfare of his community. He is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran church, and also connected with York Conclave, No. 124, Improved Order of Heptasophs.
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND PORTRAIT CYCLOPEDIA.
P ROFESSOR W. H. PATRICK, prin- cipal of Patrick's Business and Short- hand college, of York, was born at Bow- mansville, Erie county, New York, 1857, and is one of the leading business educators of Southern Pennsylvania. Concerning Pro- fessor Patrick's business career before com- ing to York in 1893, we quote from the Western Pennman, of June, 1890, the fol- lowing:
"His early education was secured in the district school of his native town, and was supplemented by a college preparatory course in the high school, at Clarence, New York. During 1875-'76 he attended the Genessee Wesleyan Seminary located at Lima, New York, where he studied book- keeping and took lessons in penmanship, making unusual progress in the latter branch, and acquiring taste for the com- mercial branches and a desire to become a commercial teacher that directed his sub- sequent action and gave the trend to his life which resulted in his present high standing as a teacher.
He began his teaching of Penmanship, as hundreds of the best teachers of the country did before him, by traveling about and or- ganizing classes for short courses. This experience seemed to stimulate his ambi- tion, and in the Spring of 1877, he applied for and secured an appointment as special teacher of penmanship in the public schools of Lyons, New York. This soon appeared to him too small a field. His ambition pic- tured to him a wider field of usefulness, and encouraged him, that with greater oppor- tunities would comc added capabilities ; hence in the spring of 1878, he resigned, after a most successful engagement of one year, and left Lyons to complete his com- mercial training in the Rochester Business University. After pursuing a course in this institution he was retained as a teacher of penmanship and the theory of bookkeeping
in which position he gave great satisfac- tion and made a host of friends. He re- mained in Rochester about two years, when he was tendered the superintendency of the penmanship department of Bryant and Stratton's Business College, Baltimore, Maryland. Before entering upon his duties in Baltimore he spent a short time with Professor P. R. Spencer, in Cleveland, O., perfecting himself in some features in pen- manship. Mr. Patrick remained in Balti- more as teacher of a large school for four- teen years. His retention these many years in so important a position affords abundant proof that he has become, as a teacher, just what his ambition encouraged him to hope, and just what his friends saw every reason to expect. His fidelity to the pupil's wel- fare, abiding faith in the value of training for commercial life, and his efficiency as instructor constitute a rare combination of qualities which go far to commend Mr. Patrick in any community."
Professor Patrick resigned at Baltimore in July, 1893, and in that year came to York, where he established Patrick's Busi- ness and Shorthand College, in Small's building, opposite the court house.
His success here was pronounced from the beginning, and at the end of the first year he had enrolled 109 students which increased to 135 the second year, and reached an aggregate of more than 140 the third year. His school already stands uni- que among commercial institutions in point of management and method. His course of instruction includes single and double entry bookkeeping, business law, grammar, arithmetic, letter writing and penmanship, orthography, and a number of special subjects to meet the requirements and special needs of individual pupils. In his shorthand and typewriting department he aims to send out efficient and competent graduates to fill important posts in profes-
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NINETEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
sional and business life. He has adopted what is popularly known as the actual busi- ness method which precludes to a large ex- tent the use of text books and other artifi- cial aids which usually result in a perfunc- tory and impractical training.
On October 3, 1897, Professor Patrick married Rose Agnes Niblack, a daughter of Alonzo Niblack, of Rochester, New York. To their union have been born seven children, of whom five are living: Florence N., Maud A., Pauline E., Ralph Edward, and Walter Douglass.
Professor Patrick is a member of the West Street Methodist Episcopal church, of whose Sunday school he is superinten- dent. He is also a member of the frater- nal organizations, Knights of Malta and Junior Order United American Mechanics. He has passed beyond the realm of experi- ment as a teacher and director of business education and presents to his patrons well tested and practical courses. His ideas of the new business education are best pre- sented in his own language in what he calls "Our Creed:"
"We believe fathers should spend as much money in training their sons and daughters for practical business life as they spend in training their colts for a contest of speed at the county fair.
We believe mothers should make as great sacrifices for the proper education of their boys and girls in the activities of life as they make in contributions of time and money for the heathen.
We believe every man and woman, re- gardless of present financial circumstances, whether rich or poor, should secure a first- class business education.
We believe in the New Education, with its motto of Learning by Doing, and that its two-fold method of combining practice with precept, and leading the student in-
stead of pushing him, is the only correct plan of teaching.
We believe in the Patented System of actual Business Practice, and have adopted it as the best practical system of teaching bookkeeping and the art of accounts.
We believe, as business educators, that it is our duty to prepare our pupils for the practical affairs of business life.
We believe in performing more than we promise, and in building a reputation on acts rather than words.
We believe this institution offers to the young men and women of this community unequaled advantages for obtaining a first class business education."
H ENRY C. NILES, ESQ., one of the most prominent common pleas and corporation lawyers of the York county bar, is a son of Rev. Dr. Henry E. and Jennie (Marsh) Niles. He was born at Angelica, Allegany county, New York, on June 17th, 1856. In 1864, Rev. Henry E. Niles, D. D., was called to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian church in the city of York, with which church he has been since conspicuously identified, and hence the major portion of the boyhood of Henry C. Niles was spent in that city. 3 He received his education in the York High School, the York County Academy and the York Col- legiate Institute. In 1875, and immedi- ately subsequent, he spent three years as a clerk in the First National Bank, of York, and then in 1878, having determined upon a professional career, entered Columbia Law School, New York city, from which institution of note he was graduated in 1880 with the degree, Bachelor of Laws. During the last year of his law course lie was a student and clerk in the celebrated firm of Miller & Peckham, of New York city, the latter of whom, is now Justice of the Court of Appeals, of New York, Im-
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND PORTRAIT CYCLOPEDIA.
mediately after graduation, Mr. Niles re- in 1882, and since that time has frequently turned to York, Pennsylvania, and began appeared before those tribunals. the active practice of his profession. He In politics Mr. Niles is a pronounced Republican, and has always been one of its ablest and most active leaders in York county, and formerly served as chairman of the Republican county committee. On different occasions he was delegated to rep- resent his party in the State conventions and has done effective work in all the im- portant campaigns since his entrance into public life. He is a Master Mason and in in his religious affiliations is a communi- cant of the First Presbyterian church. rose rapidly to a commanding position in the legal fraternity of York county, and in 1884 formed a law partnership with Hon. W. F. Bay Stewart and George E. Neff, Esq., under the firm name of Stewart, Niles & Neff. This firm soon came into promi- nence as the leading law firm in York county, and continued in force for eleven years, or until the year 1896, when Mr. Stewart was elected to the bench. Upon the election of the latter, a re-organization of the firm took place through the elimina- On February 17th, 1886, Mr. Niles was united in marriage with Lilian Schall, a daughter of Michael Schall, of York. They have one child, a son, named Michael Schall. ton of Judge Stewart, and a new partner- ship was formed by Messrs. Niles & Neff. This partnership has been maintained down to the present time. The high standard of the original firm has been amply sus- tained, as well as its large and lucrative practice, which is mainly confined to com mon pleas and corporation business.
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