Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, Part 6

Author: Genealogical Publishing Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Genealogical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 994

USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families > Part 6

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MAJOR ROBERT LAMBERTON, whose active career in the formative period of the great commonwealth of Pennsylva- nia, as a brave soldier, as a successful mer- chant, as a public official, or as an honorable gentleman of true worth, is a part of the history of Cumberland county, comes from a long line of useful men, who have braved dangers, endured hardships, and. in the end, accomplished much for the good of their country.

The name of Lamberton is of Scotch origin, found in the Lowlands in ancient clays. The estates of the De Lambertons lay in Berwickshire and Ayrshire, and there the name is found frequently on the records. In the reign of Edgar ( 1097-1107), in a charter granted by him to the monks at St. Cuthbert, and in other grants at that early day, the name also appears. William de Lamberton, Bishop of St. Andrews, was the friend of both Sir William Wallace and Robert Bruce. The history of the family from that time until the latter part of the seventeenth century is purely traditional; but with the anti-prelacy agitation it again becomes distinct. Religious persecution

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drove some members of the family to the North of Ireland.

Robert Lamberton lived at Oughill, four miles from Londonderry, Province of Ul- ster. Ireland, where he was a prosperous cloth merchant. He was about eighty years of age when he died. His wife's name was l'inley. It is known that Robert Lamberton had two brothers, James and another, whose name is not known. Of Robert Lamberton's children. James is mentioned below: Chris- topher. who was educated for the ministry in Scotland. emigrated to America, read law, and then moved to Ohio; John settled in Venango county, Pa., and died there; Hus- ton and William remained in the old coun- try.

Gen. James Lamberton, son of Robert, was born near Londonderry in either 1751 or 1755. At this time the persecution which drove the Scots from their own land to the North of Ireland followed them to their sup- posed haven of refuge, and they were obliged to look to the New World for the freedom their independent spirits craved. Toward the close of the war of the Revo- lution, and before the final treaty of peace was signed, Gen. James Lamberton came to Pennsylvania, and settled among so many of his countrymen in the Cumberland Val- ley. Tradition says he crossed in the same vessel with the father of the late President Buchanan. At any rate he arrived at Car- lisle in 1783, after a short stay in Phila- delphia. For two years he was in business with Major William Alexander, and then began business on his own account, being one of the most extensive, as well as suc- cessful, merchants in the Valley. His large packers' trains crossed the Alleghenies car- rying merchandise to the South and South- west.

Gen. Lamberton was by nature a leader

of men. His character was too strong to rest in minor affairs, and he became a prom- inent worker in public affairs. He became an advocate of the Democratic-Republican party led by Mr. Jefferson, which sympa- thized with the French in their war with England. With the reorganization of the State militia, in 1793. James Lamberton was elected major of the Ist Battalion of Cum- berland County militia, to rank as such from July 28. 1792. In 1795 he was elected to the VIth House of Representatives, and was re-elected the following year. In all the legislation of that time, so important in es- tablishing the government upon a substan- tial basis, Gen. Lamberton took a conspic- uous part-a part that showed the lofty principles of the man, and his unswerving advocacy of all measures for the progress of the republic regardless of party politics. In January, 1804, he was commissioned brigade inspector, and was mustered into United States service, accompanying the soldiers to the northern frontier. On July 4, 1814, he was commissioned brigade in- spector of the Ist Brigade. 11th Division, for seven years; in July, 1821, he was elected major-general of the division, for a term of seven years. For many years be- fore his death he lived retired. Well-edu- cated and intelligent, brave and determined, he inherited the dauntless upright spirit of his ancestors, the Covenanters of Scotland. He died at his home. No. 117 High street, Carlisle, July 28, 1846. at the patriarchal age of more than ninety years.

On Jan. 4, 1785, Gen. James Lamberton was married by John George Butler, of Car- lisle, to Jane McKeehen, daughter of Alex- ander McKeehen, also a North of Ireland emigrant. She died Sept. 1, 1812, aged fifty-six years. Their children were: Rob- ert, mentioned below ; Alexander; James and

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Esther, who all died at Carlisle unmarried : Christopher, who died near Baltimore; and Jane, who married John Noble, and died at Carlisle.

Major Robert Lamberton, son of Gen. James, was born at Carlisle, March 17. 1787. He was educated at Dickinson College. at that time under the charge of Rev. Dr. Da- vidson, where he formed a friendship with a fellow student, James Buchanan. which proved strong and true during the remainder of their lives. Upon leaving college he be- gan reading law, when war was declared between Great Britain and the United States. He was appointed paymaster in the service of the United States for the Penn- sylvania forces, and accompanied them on their march to the frontier and into Canada. The exposure he endured on this service re- sulted in chronic rheumatism, which afflicted him all his life. When the war was over he returned to Carlisle, and engaged in mer- cantile pursuits. He held the office of post- master for many years.

On April 20, 1815, Major Robert Lam- berton was married, by Rev. H. R. Wilson, to Miss Mary Harkness, who was born in April, 1791, daughter of William and Pris- cilla ( Lytle) Harkness, worthy pioneers of Scotch-Irish stock, the former of whom, born Oct. 1, 1739. died May 4, 1822. and the latter, born in 1751. died Oct. 31. 1831. Of the children born to Major and Mrs. Lamberton four sons and two daughters sur- vived their parents: Robert Alexander, a member of the Dauphin county Bar, and later president of Lehigh University; Al- fred John, a prominent merchant in Western Minnesota; Charles Lytle, a member of the Clarion county Bar, whose political career brought him to high official position and made him a leader of Pennsylvania Demo- crats; Henry Wilson, a prominent merchant

banker and former mayor at Winona, Minn .; and Mrs. Mary L. Paulding and Miss Annie Graham Lamberton, who both reside at the old home in Carlisle. Those dying before the parents were James Finley, former prothonotary of Cumberland county and fa- ther of Rear Admiral B. P. Lamberton, of the United States navy, who occupied the bridge with Admiral Dewey on the battle- ship "Olympia" at the battle of Manila, and after the death of Capt. Gridley became cap- tain of the vessel ; Col. Willian Harkness, of the Venango County Bar, who died leaving a son, W. R., also deceased, a member of the New York City Bar; and Priscilla, Jane and Robert C., who all three died young. Major Lamberton died at Carlisle August 9, 1852, aged sixty-five years. His widow sur- vived many years, and died at Carlisle Dec. 28, 18So, in the ninetieth year of her age. For sixty-three years she had been a consist- ent member of the First Presbyterian Church. Her devotion to her home, her family, and her church, made her life an ex- ample of Christian duty.

SOLOMON PERRY GORGAS, de- ceased. Among the well-known and honor- able citizens of Mechanicsburg who have joined the congregation in the Great Beyond was Solomon Perry Gorgas, whose death took place at his home in the city Oct. 20, 1887. He was born Aug. 3, 1815, in Lower Allen township, Cumberland county. a son of Solomon and Catherine ( Fanestock ) Gorgas. Both the Gorgas and Fanestock families are of German extraction, and well known in Cumberland county.

The father of Solomon P. Gorgas was born and married in Lancaster county and came to Cumberland county in 1803. settling on the farm in Lower Allen township, which is still in the possession of the family. He

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was an excellent business man, and showed enterprise in operating a store and hotel on his farm, one of the first in that section of the county. He was a man of more than usual intelligence also, and was twice chosen a member of the State Legislature. His death occurred Sept. 21, 1838, and that of his widow Aug. 9, 1853. his age being sev- enty-four years and hers seventy-nine years, They were both worthy members of the Seventh-Day Baptist Church. They had a family of four sons and three daughters, the youngest being Solomon P., whose name opens this sketch.

Solomon Perry Gorgas was married May 8, 1845. to Elizabeth Eberly, who was born March 3, 1822, in Hampden township, Cumberland county, daughter of Benjamin and Barbara ( Kauffman) Eberly, who were of German ancestry, but born in Lan- caster county. A family of nine children was born to this union, four of whom grew to maturity : Kate E., who married Dr. J. Nelson Clark, of Harrisburg: William F., at one time connected with the First Na- tional Bank of Mechanicsburg, but now de- ceased: Anna B., who married Jacob H. Kahler, a prominent business man of Me- chanicsburg ; and Mary E. who married William C. Hicks, a business man of Harris- burg.

Mr. Gorgas followed farming in Fair- view township. York county, until 1850, when he came to Mechanicsburg. In 1855 he purchased fifty-six acres of land, now in- cluded in the eastern part of the borough of Mechanicsburg, a very valuable investment. He was a man with very clear ideas on busi- ness matters, and in 1859, in association with Levi Merkel, Jacob Mumma, Jacob Levi, Frank and Samuel Eberly, Will- iamı R. Gorgas, John Nissley and John Brandt, formed a banking com- 3

pany under the firm style of Merkel, Mumma & Co., with John Brandt as presi- dent and Levi Kauffman as cashier. This was a strong combination of capital, and the high standing of the incorporators imme- diately invited confidence. In 1861 the great volume of business made it desirable to effect a reorganization and the bank became the Mechanicsburg Bank, chartered under the State law, with Levi Merkel as president. In February, 1864, the bank was rechartered as the First National Bank of Mechanics- burg, with Solomon P. Gorgas as president. In February, 1883, it was rechartered, and Mr. Gorgas was again made president, which honorable position he held until his death.

Mr. Gorgas was identified with the in- terests of Cumberland county for over seventy years and there were few successful enterprises in his locality in which he had not shown an interest. He was one of the founders and one of the most liberal dona- tors to Irving College, giving the ground for its site, and through life was very liberal in his gifts. In politics Mr. Gorgas was a stanch Democrat ; he never sought political prominence. For many years he was a lead- ing member of the Methodist Church at Me- chanicsburg. His memory will long be cherished in this city as one of its most use- ful and upright business men and as a most highly esteemed citizen.

WILLIAM BOYD MURRAY was born in Carlisle, Cumberland county, Penn- sylvania, on the 4th of September, 1808. He was the eldest son of George and Mary (Denny) Murray.

George Murray, his father, was the only child of William and Susanna ( Sly) Mur- ray, and was born March 17, 1762, near Fort Pitt, now Pittsburgh, Pa. ; he was said to be the first white child born west of the

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Allegheny mountains. William Murray, father of George. was a Scotchman, and came to this country in one of the vessels bearing soldiers for Braddock's army. He was a surveyor and surveyed a large part of the land along the Ohio river, and through the States of Ohio and Kentucky. He ap- plied to the authorities for a grant or title to the land in Kentucky which he had sur- veved. This was refused him on the ground that it was too large a territory for any one man to claim. Mr. Murray then returned to the old country for a time, and while there sickened and died. His wife and child re- mained in the home and in the care of her father, George Sly.

Susanna Sly, wife of William Murray, was a daughter of George and Marget Sly. who came to this country from Hol -. land. An early record of Pittsburgh fur- nishes a list of persons at Fort Pitt, not be- longing to the army, in July, 1760. In the list is the name of Susanna Sly, also the names of her two sisters, Elizabeth and Rachel, and the names of their parents, George and Marget Sly. Susanna (Sly) Murray, mother of George, died leaving the boy an orphan. At the age of twelve years George came to Carlisle, Pa., with Joseph Spear, trader and commissary. He was placed in the care of James Pollock, Thomas Alexander and George Stevenson, all prom- inent and leading men of the county, by whom he was apprenticed to Simon Boyd, blacksmith, of Carlisle. In the Revolution Simon Boyd was an officer in the Second Battalion of Associators of Cumberland county. George Murray afterward became the partner of Mr. Boyd, and was consid- ered "a model artisan of the kind." For years an extensive and a successful business was carried on by these two men in the art of Vulcan. Upon the death of Mr. Boyd,

Oct. 6, 1816. Mr. Murray succeeded him in the business. prospering in it, and acquiring considerable property. In those early days blacksmithing was a lucra- tive business. There were no railroads then between the Eastern cities and the West. The snort of the iron horse had not yet wakened the echoes of the Alleghenies. Pittsburgh at that time was the "far West." Traveling was done on horseback-later by stage coach-while trading was carried on by pack horse, and by the Conestoga wagon-the latter a huge wagon covered with white canvas and drawn by six or eight horses, bearing merchandise to and from the West. At different points on the journey these teams were halted for rest, and to be fed. and to be shod. Carlisle was one of their stopping places. The blacksmith shop of Boyd & Murray was located on West High street, near West street. Opposite the shop was the tavern, the headquarters of the teamsters. As many as thirty teams at one time might have been seen drawn up on both sides of the street, near the blacksmith shop, waiting their turn to be shod-the teamsters seated along the sidewalk eating their lunch of bread, pork and molasses.

On June 27. 1804, George Murray was married, by Rev. Robert Davidson, D. D., pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, to Mary Denny, daughter of Wil- liam and Agnes (Parker) Denny. Mary Denny was born in Carlisle, Pa., March 5, 1778. She was a sister of Priscilla Denny, wife of Simon Boyd, also a sister of Major Ebenezer Denny, and a niece of Major Alexander Parker, both of Revolutionary fame,

William Denny, father of Mrs. Murray, with his brother Walter, came to Cumber- land county from Chester county in' 1745.

WB Murray

1169830

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Walter settled two or three miles south of Carlisle, where he owned a large tract of iund. afterward divided into several farms. Hle raised a company for the Revolutionary struggle and was killed at the battle of Crooked Billet. William Denny lived in Carlisle. He was the first coroner west of the Susquehanna river, and during the Revolution was commissary of issues. He was the contractor for the erection of the court house in Carlisle, in 1765, which was destroyed by fire in 1845. In 1760 William Denny was married to Agnes Parker. They had nine chil- dren, three sons and six daughters. Agnes Parker was the daughter of John and Margaret (McClure) Parker, who had seven children, three sons and four daugh- ters, Major Alexander Parker, a distin- guished officer of the Revolution, being one of their sons. John Parker. father of Agnes (Parker) Denny, born in 1716, was the eldest son of Richard Parker and Janet, his wife, who emigrated to this country from the Province of Ulster. Ireland, in 1725, and settled three niiles west of Carlisle, acquiring land by patent on the Conedoguinet creek in 1734. His application at that date was for the land on which he had resided "ye ten years past." These lands continued for two or three gen- erations in possession of their descendants. Richard and Janet Parker, "among other children"-as history tells us-had seven children, five sons and two daughters.

The Parker farm-so-called in former days-west of Carlisle is "beautiful for situ- ation." The old farmhouse has passed away, and another structure has taken its place. Located on the top of the hill overlooking the valley, a magnificent stretch of country is spread out before the eye. The prospect is a charming one. At the rear of the house,

and at the foot of the hill, flows the Cone- doguinet creek. From the base of the hill issues a spring of clear, cold water, which, purling and rippling over the stones, finds its way into the Conedoguinet creek. Many times in those early days, when, in the dusk of the evening, the daughters of the house came down to the spring for water, did they tremble for their lives, imagining and fear- ing that Indians were lurking behind the trees.

William Denny died in Carlisle about the year 1800. His wife survived him a number of years. George Murray died in Carlisle May 6, 1855. in his ninety-fourth year; his wife died April To, 1845, in the sixty-eighth year of her age. They are buried side by side in the family lot in the old graveyard at Carlisle, where William and Agnes ( Parker) Denny, father and mother of Mary (Denny) Murray, are sleeping in one grave. George and Mary (Denny) Murray had seven children : ( Sur- name Murray), Priscilla Boyd, William (who died in infancy). William Boyd, Charles Gregg. George, Joseph Alexander and Nancy Denny (the last named died in infancy).

William Boyd Murray, the subject of this sketch, as a lad was quiet, unobtrusive and self-contained. He received his educa- tion in the schools of his native borough. He was fond of study, was quick and apt to learn, and possessed a fine memory, which even down to old age remained true and vig- orous, in a remarkable degree. It was a rule with his father, George Murray, that each one of his boys should be taught some branch of manual art, and that of carpenter was chosen for his son William. The re- quirements and the labor belonging to that particular branch of industry were too heavy for one of his slender frame and delicate

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constitution. and. at the end of the first year, he was released from his apprenticeship. He did not follow this trade to any extent, but turned his attention to the grocery busi- ness, which he carried on successfully for several years. It was about this time- 1837-that the Cumberland Valley Rail- road was opened, the tracks having been laid through the main street of Carlisle. Ambitious and enterprising, and quick to see the advantage of a move in this direction, Mr. Murray conceived the idea of embark- ing in the grain and forwarding business. With this object in view he and his brother- in-law. John Fleming, in December, 1838, purchased a property on the south side of West High street. west of and adjoining property of Dickinson College. On this lot they erected a two-story frame warehouse, entered into partnership, and in February, 1839. began business under the name of Murray & Fleming. On Aug. 12th of the same year a sad accident occurred on the Cumberland Valley railroad, which resulted in the death of Mr. Fleming. While detach- ing one of his freight cars from the rapidly moving train, in order that the car would run on the siding, Mr. Fleming, in reaching forward to replace the bolt in the car just ahead, lost his balance, fell, and was crushed by the wheels of his own car. He lived seven hours after the occurrence.

After the death of Mr. Fleming, Mr. Murray continued the business in his own name. He was a prominent business man itt the community. Active and energetic, he built up and carried on successfully for years an extensive trade in grain, flour and other merchandise. In those days shippers owned and used their own freight cars. They found the market for their produce, etc., in the eastern cities. Pig iron brought from furnaces adjacent to Carlisle was one

of the articles shipped to the East. In busy seasons, when the rush of business was great, quantities of this metal might be seen stacked in huge piles on the street, awaiting shipment. Some years later, lumber was added to the stock in trade, and also anthra- cite coal. This was the first introduction of coal, for family use, in the borough of Carlisle.

In 1859 Mr. Murray retired from the active responsibilities of the grain and for- warding business. Later in life, he was engaged for a short time in importing a choice variety of seed wheat from Florence. Italy, for distribution among the farmers of Cumberland county. Mr. Murray was a man of strict integrity, was faithful, honest and upright in all his business connections. Never to violate a moral obligation was a principle of his life.

The warehouse built in 1839, by Mur- ray & Fleming, is still standing on the cor- ner of High and College streets. It bears its age well, and in all these years has been a good business stand. At the present time it is occupied and used for the grain and forwarding business.

Mr. Murray possessed strong military tastes, and in his younger years was actively interested in the old militia service of the State. For nine years he served as a com- missioned officer in the militia of the Com- monwealth of Pennsylvania. On April 27. 1832, he entered the service, receiving his commission from Gov. Wolf as second lieu- tenant of the Second Company, Second Bat- talion. On May 14, 1833, he was appointed by the same governor second lieutenant, and the next year first lieutenant, of the Carlisle Marion Rifle Company, attached to the First Battalion, Cumberland Volunteers. On May 1, 1837, he was appointed by Gov- ernor Ritner adjutant of the First Battalion,

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with the rank of major. He continued in the service, faithfully performing the duties of his position, until May 8, 1841, when he was "honorably discharged." He was also a member of the Union Fire Company of Carlisle, of which the Rev. Robert David- son, D. D., was the first president. This company numbered among its members some of the prominent citizens of the town, and the names of John Montgomery, James Blaine, David Watts, James Hamilton and others are mentioned in the records. The company is still in existence. On Sept. 17, 1889. Mr. Murray, at the advanced age of eighty-one years, took part in the celebra- tion of the centennial of this company.

Mr. Murray was an intelligent and a progressive man and kept abreast of the times. He was a thorough patriot, a dear lover of his country. In June, 1863, during the Civil war, although beyond the years for active service in the field, yet at a hasty call for a home guard to protect Carlisle from a threatened invasion, by night, of Confederate troops, Mr. Murray was one of those who responded to the call, shoul- dered his musket and marched out with the company. In religious belief, Mr. Murray was a stanch Presbyterian, as were his fore- fathers, strong in the faith, clear and abid- ing in his convictions. Eary in life he united with the First Presbyterian Church of Car- lisle, the church of which his parents were members, then under the pastorate of the Rev. George Duffield, D. D. In 1832, as the result of disputes on doctrinal points which created a division throughout the en- tire church, a portion of the congregation withdrew, and organized the Second Pres- byterian Church of Carlisle. This new church was established Jan. 12, 1833, with a membership of sixty-five persons, Rev. Daniel Mckinley being installed pastor

Aug. 7, 1833. Mr. Murray was one of the charter members, as was also his father, and he was one of the active spirits of the new organization. For a number of years he served on the board of trustees. He was always in his place in the sanctuary, unless prevented by illness, which was of rare oc- currence. Throughout his entire life he was actively and thoroughly interested in every- thing pertaining to the welfare of his be- loved Zion. At the time of his death. which occurred Feb. 7, 1890, he was the last sur- vivor of the charter members.

In stature Mr. Murray was five feet eleven inches in height. broad-shouldered, erect in carriage, with a well-knit frame, slen- der in figure and person and with dark hair and blue eyes. He was a high-toned Christian man, of rare simplicity and purity of char- acter. In disposition, reserved and reticent, dignified and courteous in manner, with a kindly, charitable spirit toward all-a gen- tleman of the old school. Domestic in his tastes and habits, he found his chier happi- ness with his family and at his own fireside. Strongly attached to those of his own blood -his kinsfolk, loyal and generous, he was always to the front when they needed aid or counsel.

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Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, Part 6

Author: Genealogical Publishing Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Genealogical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 994

Author: Genealogical Publishing Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Genealogical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 994