USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Centennial biography : Men of mark of Cumberland Valley, Pa., 1776-1876 > Part 38
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" Here, too, he published his popular exposition of . The Last Words . of Jesus,'-a work for which he possessed rare qualifications. Also, the little tract entitled . The Culdee Church,' which has afforded so much delight and such confirmation of faith to so many readers.
"Also, his two lectures on the 'Evidences of Christianity,' before the University of Virginia, in addition to various excellent articles for several religious and theological Reviews and Magazines, with a num- ber of occasional sermons. Here, too, in connection with his lifelong colleague, the Rev. Dr. Moses D. Hoge, he engaged in the difficult task of editing, for several years, the Central Presbyterian. Also, in association with Dr. Iloge, he bore his part in projecting and con- ducting the Richmond Eclectic Magasine, which promised excellent fruits for the literature of the South, and whose merging into another periodical was greatly regretted by the friends of elegant literature and graceful culture."
During his residence in Richmond, Dr. Moore married Matilda. daughter of Mr. Henry Gwathmey, an elder of his church. When he left that city, it was to become Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, in Nashville, Tenn., where, a few years previously, he had pre- sided over the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (South.) His term of service in this field of labour was short, being scarcely three years in duration, part of which he was absent, by the earnest
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THOMAS VERNER MOORE, D. D.
and affectionate desire of his people, seeking the recovery of health and strength in more genial climes and under brighter winter skies. He died, August 5th, 1871, leaving six children. Yet, though his pastorate was brief, it was effective. "If disabled, in the providence of God, from working himself," says one of his co-Presbyters; "he did better, he succeeded in causing his congregation to work. He was enabled to infuse into the loved and loving people of his charge some- thing of his own earnest spirit, and to impart something of the wisely regulated method with which he did his own work. If the impulse which he gave to the Christian activity of his people, and of his brethren of this Presbytery, can only be carried onward, no man can estimate the value of his short and painful sojourn among us."
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DAVID N. RANKIN, M. D:
UMBERLAND VALLEY is well represented in all the pro- fessions, and by no means least notably in the medical.
Dr. David Nevin Rankin, was born in Shippensburg, Pa .. October 27th, 1834. He was the second son of William Rankin. M. D., and Caroline (Nevin) Rankin, eldest daughter of Major David Nevin, of that place.
His academical education was received at Newville. At the age of seventeen he commenced the study of medicine with his father, and graduated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1854. After graduation, he practised his profession in partnership with his father in Shippensburg, until the breaking out of the Rebellion. Whilst engaged in a very extensive and laborious practice, he contracted a cold, which produced several attacks of hemorrhage of the lungs, and threatened serious results. This impaired physical condition pre- vented his entering the regular army, as Assistant Surgeon. He received, however, an appointment under Surgeon General Finley, United States Army, as acting Assistant Surgeon, United States Army. Whilst occupying this position, he aided in opening some of the largest United States Army hospitals during the war. among which were the " Mansion House Hospital," at Alexandria, Va., and " Douglass Hos- pital," Washington, D. C. He was afterwards placed in charge of Epiphany and Thirteenth Street Hospitals, in the same city, and later was stationed at Pittsburgh United States Army Hospital.
In 1863, during the height of the Rebellion, Dr. Rankin was selected by Surgeon General James King, of Pennsylvania, as one of thirty surgeons appointed from various parts of the State, to render aid to the wounded immediately after battle. This corps of surgeons was called the "Volunteer Aid Corps of Surgeons of Pennsylvania," and. as may be seen by reference to Surgeon General. King's printed official reports to Governor Curtin, the members of this corps rendered very efficient and valuable services.
After the war Dr. Rankin located in Allegheny City, where a few years before, he had married Kate, daughter of Henry Irwin, Esq .. and he has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice. During his residence there, he has filled some very prominent positions, such as Medical Examiner for United States Pensions, Physician to the
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DAVID N. RANKIN. M. D.
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Western Penitentiary of Pennsylvania, Medical Referee for the Etna Life Insurance Company, and Vice-President of the Society of Natural Sciences of Western Pennsylvania. He is also a permanent member of the Medical Society of Pennsylvania, and a member of. the Alle- gheny County Medical Society, as well as the author of the reports of numerous interesting medical and surgical cases.
Dr. Rankin is yet in the prime of life. His standing as a physician is excellent. His career thus far has been successful in every respect, and his prosperous past betokens for him a promising and useful future.
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HON. EDWARD McPHERSON.
DWARD McPHERSON is a descendant, in the fourth genera- tion, of Robert and Janet McPherson, who settled on Marsh creek, Adams county, (then York,) about the year 1735.
His great grandfather, Col. Robert McPherson, was an active and influential citizen, and filled many important positions, among which may be mentioned, Treasurer of York county, in 1755, and again in 1767 ; Commissioner, in 1756: Sheriff, in 1762; and Assemblyman, in 1765-67, and 1781-84. Ile was also a member, from York county, of the Provincial Conference of Committees, which met in Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia, June 18th, 1776: and was also a member of the Constitutional Convention which met July 15th. 1776, and formed the first Constitution of the State of Pennsylvania. He was also a Captain in General Forbes' expedition to reduce Fort Du Quesne, in 1758. He died in 1789. His grandfather, Captain William McPherson, served honourably in the Revolutionary War, having been attached in 1776 to Miles' Rifle Regiment, and was captured by the enemy at the battle of Long Island. On his return, he discharged many public trusts. He died in 1832.
He is the youngest son of John B. and Catharine McPherson, the former of whom was, for forty-five years. Cashier of the Bank of Gettysburg, and who died in January, 1858. He was born in Gettys- burg, July 31st, 1830, and was educated in the Public Schools of that town, and at Pennsylvania College, located in Gettysburg, graduating in 1848, at the youthful age of eighteen, with the Valedictory of his class. He early developed a taste for politics and journalism, but at the request of his father began the study of the law with Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, in Lancaster. But his health failing. he abandoned it ; and for several winters was employed in Harrisburg as a reporter of Legislative proceedings, and a correspondent for the Philadelphia North American, and other newspapers. In the campaign of 1851, he edited, in the interest of the Whig party, the Harrisburg Daily American, and in the fall of that year he took charge of the Lancaster Independent Whig, which he edited till January, 1854. In the spring of 1853, he started the Inland Daily, the first daily paper published in Lancaster. Ilis health proved unequal to these labours, and he relin-
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quished them, as stated. Except for brief periods, he has not had since, active connection with the press.
His first important public service was the preparation of a series of letters, ten in number, which were printed in the Philadelphia Bulletin, in 1857, and afterwards in pamphlet form, to prove the soundness of the financial policy which demanded the sale, by the State, of its Main Line of Public Improvements. These letters analyzed the reports of the Canal Commissioners for a series of years, proved the falsity of the conclusions drawn from them, and demonstrated the folly of continued state ownership and management. These letters were never answered, and they formed the text from which were drawn the arguments in favour of the sale, which was accomplished in 1858. The next year he prepared a like series on the sale of the branches of the canals, which had a like reception. Both these were published anonymously, but were signed " Adams," after his native county. In 1856, he published an address on the "Growth of Individualism," delivered before the Alumni of his Alma Mater, in 1858, one on " The Christian Principle ; Its Influence upon Government ;" and in 1859, one on "The Family in its Relations to the State," both of which were delivered before the Young Men's Christian Association of Gettysburg. In 1863, he de- livered an address before the Literary Societies of Dickinson College, on the subject. " Know Thyself; Personally and Nationally Considered."
In 1858, Mr. McPherson was elected to the Thirty-Sixth Congress from the Sixteenth District of Pennsylvania, embracing the counties of Adams, Franklin, Fulton, Bedford, and Juniata. In 1860, he was re-elected. In 1862, he was defeated, in the political re-action of that date, the district having been meanwhile changed by the substitution of Somerset county for Juniata.
Upon the completion of his Congressional term of service, President Lincoln, upon Secretary Chase's recommendation, appointed Mr. McPherson Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue. April. 1863, in which position he served till December, 1863, when he was chosen Clerk of the House of Representatives, Thirty-Eighth Congress, which office he has continued to hold, during the Thirty-Ninth, Fortieth, Forty- First, Forty-Second, and Forty-Third Congresses, being the longest con- tinuous service in that post, from the beginning of the Government.
During his service in Congress, his principal speeches were as follows : " Disorganization and Disunion," February 24, 1860, in review of the two months' contest over the election of a Speaker in the Thirty- Sixth Congress; "The Disunion Conspiracy." January 23, 1861, in examination of the secession movement and the arguments made in
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justification of it; " The Rebellion; our Relations and Duties," Feb- ruary 14, 1862, in general discussion of the war ; "The Administration of Abraham Lincoln, and its Assailants," June 5, 1862.
During his incumbency of the clerkship. he has published " A Political History of the United States during the Rebellion," extending from the Presidential election of 1860, to April 12, 1865, the date of Lincoln's death ; "A Political History of the United States during the Period of Reconstruction," extending from 1865 to 1870 ; a "Hand Book of Politics for 1872 ;" and a " Hand Book of Politics for 1874." These volumes are a compilation of the political record of men and parties during this eventful period, and have received a high place in the confidence of all parties, for completeness, fairness, and accuracy.
During the summer and fall of 1861, he served as a volunteer aid on the staff of General McCall, commanding the Pennsylvania Reserves, with a view to study the organization and wants of the army, and to fit himself for intelligent legislative action on those subjects. In the Thirty-Seventh Congress, he was a member of the Military Committee of the House, and took an active part in legislation respecting the army. He also served as chairman of the Committee on the Library, and as a Regent of the Smithsonian Institute. In 1867, the degree of LL. D., was conferred upon him by Pennsylvania College.
Mr. McPherson was married November 12, 1862, to Miss Annie D. Crawford, daughter of John S. Crawford, Esq .. of Gettysburg, and granddaughter, on her father's side, of Dr. William Crawford, a native of Scotland, who settled near Gettysburg about the year ISoo, and who for eight years represented that district in Congress, and on her mother's side, of Rev. Dr. William Paxton, who for nearly fifty years served with distinguished ability the Marsh Creek Presbyterian Church. They have five children, four sons and one daughter.
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AHarbaugh
HENRY HARBAUGH, D. D.
EAR the base of the South Mountain, which bounds Cumber- land valley on the southeast, in the southern extremity of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, within a few hundred yards of " Mason and Dixon's line," and in sight of one of the crown capped milestones which mark that line, is located a large stone farm house, and in its immediate vicinity a large bank barn, such as are usually found on the farms of the thrifty Germans of Pennsylvania. In this farm house the subject of this brief sketch was born, on the 28th of October, A. D., 1817. His parents were George Harbaugh, and Anna, his wife.
His paternal and maternal ancestors were among the early German emigrants, who settled in castern Pennsylvania. He accordingly was a direct descendant from original Pennsylvania Gormans, of which fact he made great account, and which also did much to give cast to his character and habits of life, and mould his thoughts and predilections.
In his carly infancy Henry was baptized by the Rev. Frederick A. Scholl, then pastor of the Reformed Church, at Waynesboro, Pa., at which place his father's family worshiped. He was trained up under religious influences, after the manner for which many of the Pennsyl- vania German forefathers were distinguished. His earliest years were spent with his father on the farm, amidst its beautiful surrounding scenery, which, as all scenery is educational, left its impress on his young mind, as was abundantly evinced in his subsequent life. He also worked some time at the carpenter and millwright trade. His early education was only such as could be acquired at the country schools, as they existed at that time.
When he reached the years of maturity, he felt it to be his duty to devote himself to the work of the Christian ministry. With this view he repaired to Mercersburg, in 1840, and entered Marshall College, and subsequently the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church in the United States, which were then located at that place.
In the fall of 1843, he was licensed by the Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States, which convened in Winchester, Virginia, and was soon thereafter ordained to the work of the ministry, and installed as pastor of the Lewisburg charge, in Union county, Penn- sylvania, by the Susquehanna Classis. In this field he laboured until
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1850, when he accepted a call from the First Reformed Church. Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His pastorate in Lancaster continued during a period of ten years. In 1860, he was called to the pastorate of the St. John's Reformed Church, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, which had been recently organized in that place. In October, 1863, he was chosen Professor of Didactic and Practical Theology in the Theological Semi- nary, at Mercersburg, by the Synod which met in Carlisle, Pennsyl- vania, and soon thereafter entered upon the duties of the professorship, in which he continued until his death.
Dr. Harbaugh was no ordinary man, whether viewed socially or intellectually. He was a most genial companion. He enjoyed society and generally formed the centre of attraction in it. He possessed a rare fund of pleasing, original anecdotes, which he related with a peculiar zest, and infused life and cheer into all around him. He was ardent in his feelings and warm in his attachments. His friends also were bound to him by the strongest ties.
As a theologian, Dr. Harbaugh was strikingly prominent. He had made himself fully acquainted with the most difficult theological problems of the day. The person and work of Christ especially engaged his most earnest attention, and the results of his investiga- tions are everywhere apparent in the more profound productions of his pen. His inaugural address on "Christological Theology" is a masterly production of its kind. It evinces how deeply and earnestly his heart was enlisted in the vital points of the Christian system. As a teacher of theology, he always maintained a living sympathy with his students. His peculiar talent for popularizing even the most abstruse subjects made his lectures specially acceptable to them. They seemed eagerly to imbibe the very feelings, as well as thoughts of their professor.
Among other productions of his pen were, " The Sainted Dead." "Ileavenly Recognition," " Heavenly Home." " The Life of Michael Schladter." "The Lives of the Fathers of the Reformed Church in America," " The Lord's Portion," "The Harbaugh Annals." " The Birds of the Bible," "Union with the Church," " Harbaugh's Poems." &c. He edited for many years the Guardian, and the Child's Treasury.
Dr. Harbaugh was twice married. His first wife was Miss Louisa Goodrich, of the vicinity of New Hagerstown, Ohio, and a sister of the Rev. William Goodrich, of Clearspring, Md. His second wife was Miss Mary Louisa Linn, daughter of James F. Linn, Esq .. of Lewis- burg, Pa., who survives him. He had two children by his first
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marriage, one of whom, a daughter, survives him, and ten by his last marriage, six of whom, four sons and two daughters, also survive him.
His constitution was vigorous and his general health good, until near the close of his life. The illness which ended in his death, was protracted and severe. He died in Mercersburg, Pa., on the 28th of December, 1867, at the age of fifty years and two months. His death was deeply lamented by thousands, and especially by the church. in whose Seminary he was Professor. His remains were interred, attended with appropriate solemnities, in the yard in front of the Reformed Church, in Mercersburg, on the last day of December. A fitting monument, erected to his memory a few years afterwards, by the Synod of the Reformed Church of the United States, marks their resting place.
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HON. JAMES X. McLANAHAN.
HE HON. JAMES XAVIER McLANAHAN was a descendant of the Scotch-Irish stock which figured so prominently in the early history of the Cumberland valley, and contributed so many strong men to the Commonwealth.
The Mclanahans of Franklin county, for several generations, have been a large, wealthy and influential connection.
James McLanahan, grandfather of James X., settled when young in the country near Green Castle, at a section called "the Marsh," from its topographical peculiarities. His son William inherited the "paternal acres," and lived and died there respected by his neighbours. William married a daughter of Andrew Gregg, a statesman of distinction in the annals of Pennsylvania, who represented the state in the United States Senate, 1807-1813, and was the Federal candidate for Governor in 1823. Andrew Gregg was the grandfather of ex-Governor Andrew Gregg Curtin.
James X. McLanahan was a son of William, and was born on the ancestral estate in the year 1809.
At a proper age, young McLanahan entered the Hagerstown school, and afterwards Dickinson College, where he graduated with honor in 1826. Resolving from his carly youth to make the law his profession, immediately after graduating he commenced his legal education in the office of Andrew Carothers, an eminent member of the Pennsylvania bar, residing at Carlisle. Removing shortly afterwards to Chambers- burg, Mr. McLanahan completed his studies in the office of the Hon. George Chambers, afterwards Judge of the Supreme Court of Penn- sylvania.
Mr. McLanahan's well known intellectual powers, and his warm and generous nature, at once drew around him troops of friends, and he was soon offered a position in the political party to which he avowed his attachment. This, however, he declined, determining to devote his exclusive attention to the practice of his profession. It may be well to pause here in our brief narrative, to admire the wise and prudent course pursued by the young lawyer in this particular. Too many of our young professional men have ruined their prospects in life by: entering too early into the battle and the strife of politics. Flattered by the attentions of men of high position, their company courted by the
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throng, the duties of their profession become irksome to them. They rebel against its stern demands. Mistaking the deceit of the politician for the truth of friendship, they offer themselves perhaps as candidates for the legislature, and are elected. Their minds not yet matured. lacking discretion, they serve their term with no credit to themselves nor benefit to their constituents, and are trampled upon by the next new comer. Then awakening from their stupor, they behold others, their inferiors in intellect, far on the road to wealth and distinction ; and thus drooping with disappointment, they die in dissipation, or live pensioners on their respective parties.
Mr. McLanahan, by strict attention to his business, was soon in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice. Scarcely a case of any importance occurred in his county, after he came to the bar, in which he was not engaged.
In 1841, in Pennsylvania, the waves of political excitement ran mountain high. Both parties strained every nerve to secure the State.
At the preceding session of the Legislature, the Senatorial District in which McLanahan lived, had been formed with the avowed intention of preventing the election of any one of the political party to which he was attached. In opposition to his personal feelings, he was nominated for the State Senate, and in despite of every effort to the contrary, was elected by a large majority, running far ahead of his ticket. From the time he entered the Senate he became a prominent member and the leader of his party in that body. His profound research, depth of thought, and elegance of diction, soon placed him amid the foremost men of Pennsylvania. He served his Senatorial term of three years, and declined a re-election. In 1843, Mr. McLanahan was married to an accomplished daughter of Mr. James McBride, a wealthy merchant and estimable gentleman, of New York city.
Hle continued at the bar until 1848, when he was elected to Con- gress. Shortly after taking his seat as a Representative, he was unexpectedly and involuntarily drawn into a discussion, and delivered himself of a speech that riveted the attention of the House, and won the applause of the country. His closing appeal in behalf of the Union was most eloquent, and deservedly found a place in several of our American class-books.
Mr. McLanahan was re-elected to Congress in the fall of 1850, not- withstanding a most bitter opposition. At the commencement of the session his name was favourably mentioned as a candidate for the Speakership. This he very becomingly declined. He was, however, placed at the head of the Judiciary Committee. The duties of this
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responsible position he filled with marked ability. He projected several important reforms in that department of the Government. which met with the concurrence of the House and the nation.
Mr. McLanahan's fine personal figure, joined to a voice of great compass and power, and a countenance strongly marked with feeling as well as thought, gave him advantages as an orator which not many public men in this country possess. To say that he cultivated the rare intellectual gifts which nature endowed him with up to the fullest extent of their capacity, would be to make an assertion which nothing but the blindest friendship could excuse. A scholar he was, and a ripe one, too, but he was not a learned man in the common acceptation of the phrase. He early dropped the speculative sciences, and gave his mind only to those practical pursuits which in a country like ours are so much more useful. His quick perceptions made him a man of true sagacity ; his ardent temperament, (we might say his strong passions.) gave uncommon energy to his character, and his clear reason purified his tastes, and made his judgment, though certainly not infallible, yet in the main altogether reliable.
But the strong hold he had on the affections of his constituents and his friends, is better accounted for by his attractive, social and moral qualities. The unselfish and generous impulses of his nature did not permit him to serve any one by halves, and yet his opponents never had cause to complain that his demeanor towards them was wanting either in justice or in courtesy. Sincerity, that first of virtues, was the characteristic trait of his mind. His whole conduct was, full of trans- parent truthfulness. His speeches were marked with a sort of daring plainness. Concealment of his opinions, whatever might be the effect of their utterances upon himself or others, seemed with him to be out of the question. It could be said of him :
His heart's his mouth. What his breast forges, that his tongue must vent. He would not flatter Neptune for his trident, .
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