USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Centennial biography : Men of mark of Cumberland Valley, Pa., 1776-1876 > Part 40
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In 1855, Mr. Stewart settled in Altoona, Pa., and the next year in Pittsburgh, where he was Passenger and Ticket Agent of the Pennsyl- vania and the Western Railroads until 1864. Whilst active in this capacity, an incident occurred, illustrative of the truth that "A soft answer turneth away wrath." A traveler offered western money for a ticket, and when told by Mr. Stewart that he could not take anything but bankable money, the traveler became very angry, and said, "I .; think you are a mean fellow." Mr. Stewart quietly answered, " You don't think half as badly of me as I do of myself; we are only known by our own spirits and by our Maker." The incensed traveler, on a little reflection, came back, apologized, said he deserved the rebuke and would endeavour to profit by it.
In 1864, Mr. Stewart removed to Philadelphia, where he is engaged in the service of the United States. He is at present an acting eller in the Tenth Presbyterian Church, (Rev. Dr. H. A. Boardman's.) and is much esteemed by all who know him as an useful and exemplary member of the community. With but limited advantages of education and fortune to start with, he has, by his energy, wisdom and integrity. made for himself a highly creditable record.
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HON. DAVID SPANGLER KAUFMAN.
TAVID SPANGLER KAUFMAN was born at Boiling Springs, in Cumberland county, December 18th, 1813. As a boy he undertook to prepare himself for mercantile pursuits, but his employer* perceiving by his thoughtful expression, disposition to study, and indifference to the sale of goods, that he had talents that would qualify him for a higher sphere, advised him to fit himself for one of the learned professions.
At a very early age he entered Dickinson College as a student, and afterwards graduated at Nassau Hall, Princeton, N. J. Having studied law, he located at Natchitoches, Louisiana, and commenced the practice of his profession in 1835. In 18441, he was married to Miss Jane Richardson. After Gen. Houston had obtained possession and estab- lished his right to Texas, about 1842, Mr. Kaufman had a meeting called at Natchitoches, offered the first resolution in favour of annexa- tion, and delivered a strong speech in favour of that project. Houston, having been wounded at the battle of San Jacinto, came to New Orleans to recruit his health, and finding Kaufman's resolution and speech in the newspapers, he sent for him to come to that city, and on his arrival, made him his room-mate. Soon he prevailed on his young friend to return to Natchitoches, settle up his business, and go with him to Texas.
The government of Texas was soon established, and Kaufman was elected to the first Texas Legislature. Having served as Speaker of that body for three successive years, he was elected to the Senate of the state. During his career as Senator he was sent to New York to assist in arranging the code of laws for the state. About 1846 he was "appointed minister to Washington, but when he arrived there the action of Congress upon the annexation resolutions had progressed so far that he could not be received in this character or capacity. These resolutions having passed, he returned to Texas, became a candidate for the United States Congress, and although he had six competitors, received more votes than all of them together. He took his seat in the House of Representatives in 1848, was re-elected in 1850, and again in 1852.
Soon after Mr. Kaufman had located in Texas, he was made a
*Maj. David Nevin, of Shippensburg.
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Major in the army, and as the Indians were committing depredations along the border, it became necessary to drive them back. In an engagement of the forces which Major Kaufman commanded against nine hundred Indians, he received a wound which at first was sup- posed to be mortal. A ball entered his mouth and passed out near the left ear. About this time S. Rhodes Fisher, who was Secre- tary of the Navy, made a cruise at sea, and having committed some unlawful acts, was dismissed from office by the President. It required the concurrence of the Senate to effect his discharge. The Secretary employed Rusk, Lamar & Wharton, a legal firm of eminent ability, for his defence. The President (Houston) employed Major Kaufman on the part of the government, and in the earnest contest he was trium- phant. A copy of his argument, published in the Texas Chronicle from which some interesting extracts might have been made, was sent to A. D. Kaufman, Esq., of Chambersburg, but unfortunately, it, with other correspondence from which other valuable historical details might have been gleaned, was consumed when that town was burned.
Major Kaufman was above medium size, and of prepossessing ap- pearance and gentlemanly bearing. He was possessed of a very vigorous intellect and marked energy of character. His popularity in Texas was very great. As a token of respect a large and flourishing town in that state was named after him. The writer well remembers of being told by him in a confidential conversation in Washington, that he could easily have secured Gen. Houston's seat in the United States Senate, but could not think of doing so on account of his respect for the old General, and the friendly relations existing between them. A brilliant prospect seemed to open up before Major Kaufman, which was suddenly blasted by the dark shadow of death. Whilst occupying his seat in the National Hall of Representatives, in the full enjoyment of his usual health, he was taken suddenly ill, repaired at once to the . hotel at which his family were boarding and expired in less than an hour. At his decease he had four children, two of whom are still living-a son and a daughter.
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JOHN CUSTIS RICHARDS, M. D.
OHN CUSTIS RICHARDS was born in Baltimore, Mary- land, June ist, 1812. His ancestry were of Welsh origin. His grandfather was the Rev. Lewis Richards, of Glamorgan- shire, Wales, who was sent to this country about the latter part of the last century by Lady Huntington, as a missionary. He was married in Virginia to a Miss Custis ; and from his maternal grand- parent, the subject of this article derived his name. His father was John Custis Richards, an esteemed merchant of Baltimore, who died at an advanced age.
Dr. Richards was reared with all the advantages that superior social position could secure, and in the year 1825, when thirteen years old. was sent to the Academy at Belle Air, an institution of learning then with a reputation second to none, in charge of Rev. R. H. Davis, and was more extensively patronized and held a higher reputation than any other institution of its class in Maryland, the largest number of its students being from Baltimore. The discipline was rigidly strict ; the course of instruction systematic, thorough and exacting in details ; and it has been said "that the student who had passed with approval through his .Greek, Latin and Mathematical studies under Reuben H. Davis, need have feared no other ordeal in those particular branches." After remaining at this institution nearly five years, he next entered a preparatory school at Barlington, N. J., where he remained six months prior to entering Vale College, where he matriculated in 1830. entering the Sophomore class. During his junior year, about eighteen months after his entrance, he was called home by the. extreme illness of his mother and brother, who shortly after his return died. Being the only surviving member of a large family his father could not part with him again, and he entered at once upon the study of his chosen profession in the office of Dr. Samuel Baker, who was Professor of Anatomy in the Medical University of Maryland.
Hle graduated in medicine in the spring of 1834. receiving his degree from the Medical University of Maryland, one of the leading institu- tions in the country, the several chairs being filled by Professors Robley Dunglison, Elisha Geddings, Samuel Baker and other no less gifted and talented colleagues. Immediately after his graduation he opened an office in Baltimore for the practice of his profession and
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was successful to a marked degree, being connected with the hospitals there, and having served as Dispensary Physician for two years. But all his tastes and inclinations were opposed to the confining life of a city physician and he accepted the opening offered in Chambersburg, and he came there in June, 1837, much to the regret of all his friends in Maryland, but he never regretted his choice and the step he then took.
His personal accomplishments and professional skill soon won the regard of the community in which he settled, and he rapidly acquired an extensive and lucrative practice, which embraced a large portion of the affluent and influential families of the town and surrounding country. He was successful in an eminent degree and his reputation was most 'creditable and widespread, attracting to him from a distance the afflicted in great numbers. A gentleman of the old school, he was utterly incapable of a mean or dishonorable action. In every depart- ment of life he so comported himself as to win the esteem and confi- dence of all. Ever attentive, watchful and patient in his ministrations as a physician, he carried with him into the chamber of sickness an atmosphere of cheerfulness and sunshine that often robbed disease of half its terrors.
A self-reliant practitioner, deliberate, he was always careful in his diagnosis, and orthodox in his treatment, always prompt to the call of duty, a model of self-sacrificing devotion to his profession. In his consultations and intercourse with physicians, he was a careful observer of the ethics of the profession, conservative and scrupulous in the treatment of his medical friends, and never taking any advantage by word or act. . And if at any time any unpleasant remarks were made in his presence, against any professional brother, if he was unable to make a defence he was never the man to condemn. He was held in no less esteem as a citizen and neighbour; he was always ready to extend a helping hand to the needy.
Dr. Richards was twice married, and left a widow, three daughters. and a son, to deplore his loss and revere his memory. As a husband and father he was kind, indulgent and loving to a degree that made his home happy and cheerful to all its inmates. His large and varied experience in life, and retentive memory, enabled him to draw upon a fund of reminiscence and anecdote which his rare conversational powers fitted him to delineate in a manner that rendered his com- panionship agreeable to all.
Dr. S. G. Lane, writing of him, says: "Dr. Richards was a notable man in many respects. He was remarkably handsome, his fine physique
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was developed and invigorated by athletic training in his youth, and by field sports which he enjoyed throughout his life ; he was a splendid type of elastic strength. Added to his fine presence were rare graces of address and demcanour, courtesy, affability, refinement ; all the pleas- ing traits which constitute the gentleman. His disposition was kind and affectionate ; he was warmly attached to his friends : of a gentle. forbearing temperament, averse to contentions and controversies, yet compelling respect. Dr. Richards was a higher style of man still ; he was a faithful Christian, a full member of the Falling Spring Presby- terian Church. In the public progress, and in the limited movements of the community about him, he took an active interest. During the rebellion his heart was loyal to the goverment, and his sympathies and anxieties were keenly enlisted in the cause of the Union and freedom."
The burning of Chambersburg, by the rebels, July 30th, 1864, swept from him the accumulation of many years of severe toil, but what he most regretted was the loss of a large and valuable library. He, with a number of other prominent citizens, was seized by the rebel commander and held as a hostage for the production of the immense sum demanded as a ransomi, with threats to carry them to Richmond, and burn every house in the town if his demands were not acceded to ; the demand being indignantly refused, the hostages were not released until after the town had been set on fire. When he reached his house it was already in flames, and everything in it destroyed. He was not able to secure even a memento, and only escaped from the burning town at the greatest personal peril.
Frequently during the war he rendered efficient service to the sick and wounded. He was the surgeon in charge of a hospital at Chambers- burg for some time in the early part of the war, and received appoint- ment upon the staff of the Surgeon General in 1863, as one of the Volunteer Aid Corps of Surgeons of Pennsylvania.
He was one of the organizers of the first Medical Society formed in Franklin county, about the year 18544, and was one of its most active and zealous workers. He was also one of the organizers of the present Medical Society, in whose deliberations he always took an active part. rarely being absent from its meetings, having acted as presiding officer and was always ready to advocate any measure for the advance of the medical profession.
Toward the close of his life, failing health and frequent disappoint- ments, acting on a temperament extremely nervous, had rendered him somewhat reserved in general society. But those who knew him, knew that he had a warm heart, and that he loved to do good to all who
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came within the circle of his affections. He continued in active practice until the day he took his bed, but a few weeks before his death, which occurred June 11th, 1874.
At a meeting of the Medical Society of Franklin county, held July 7th, 1874, Dr. John Montgomery, who had long held most intimate personal and professional relations with Dr. Richards, was appointed to prepare a sketch of his life and character, to be read before the Society, and for publication in the transactions of the State Medical Society. This sketch we have great pleasure in transferring to our pages, presenting, as it does, a faithful record of the eminent and useful career of one whose memory will long be cherished with the warmest affection by those who had the privilege of enjoying his personal friendship, and with high esteem and great respect by all : those who love the noble profession to which he belonged.
" Many of us," says Dr. Montgomery, at the conclusion of his sketch, " have been his pupils, and we long to pay a tribute of love and homage to the memory of our beloved preceptor. . He was for many years one of us, and we take pride in transmitting to future members of the Society our keen appreciation of his manifold gifts and graces. His labours are closed, and his work among us is finished. How honoura- bly he sustained the cares of life! When the summons comes to us, may our eyes close in death like his, and our dying pillow be as easy."
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BREVET MAJOR GEN. WASHINGTON L. ELLIOTT, U. S. ...
THE subject of this sketch, son of Commodore Jesse D. Elliott, U. S. N., was born at Carlisle, Pa., March 31st, 1825. . 1Ic was a student at Dickinson College until June, 1841, when he was appointed a cadet to the United States Military Academy. Com- missioned Second Lieutenant of a mounted Rifle Regiment, May 27th. 1846, he served in Mexico during part of the war, and was promoted to a first Lietenancy, July 20th, 1847.
From May, 1849, until October, 1851, Lieutenant Elliott served at . Fort Laramie on the Oregon Route. From February, 1852, until January, 1856, he was on duty in Texas, having been promoted Captain. July 20th, 1854, and from October, 1856, until November. 1860, he was on duty in New Mexico. During the past eleven years he has been engaged in service among the Indians, having had several skirmishes and fights with the Camanches, Kiowas, several tribes of Apaches and Navajoes.
In April, 1861, Captain Elliott was engaged in the muster into service of volunteers of the state of New York, at Elmira. From June to September, in the same year, he was on duty with the command of General Nathaniel Lyon, in southwest Missouri. In September, 1861. lie was commissioned as Colonel of the Second Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, and in November of the same year, Major of the First United. States Cavalry.
Major Elliott participated in the operations of General Pope's Army at New Madrid and Island No. 10, in March and April, 1862. In the following month he participated in the siege of Corinth, Miss., in cominand of Second Brigade, Cavalry Division, Army of the Mississippi, composed of Second Iowa and Second Michigan Cavalry: he made the first cavalry raid of the Rebellion, on the communications of General Beauregard, south of Corinth, near Booneville, Miss., destroying a large amount of Rebel property, and cutting off, for the use of our own army, a large number of locomotives and cars. June 11th, 1862, he was promoted Brigadier General of volunteers, and participated in the second battle of Bull Run, as Chief of Cavalry, Army of Virginia, in which battle he was slightly wounded. In September and October, 1862, he was assigned to the duty of organizing cavalry for protection of the frontiers of Nebraska and Dakota.
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BREVET MAJ. GEN. WASHINGTON L. ELLIOTT. U. S. A. 409
In March, 1863, General Elliott was assigned to the command of a Brigade in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, and left at Maryland Ileights to evacuate that place and remove property to Washington, D. C. On the completion of this work, he was assigned to the command of Third Division, Third Corps, Army of the Potomac. October, 1863. he was transferred to the Army of the Cumberland, commanded by Major General George H. Thomas, and assigned to the command of the cavalry of that army, consisting of four divisions. He participated in the operations in east Tennessee, for the relief of General Burnside, at Knoxville, during the winter of 1863-4 ; also in the campaign from May to September, 1864, resulting in the capture of Atlanta, Decem- ber 2d, 1864. He was assigned to the command of Second Division, . Fourth. Army Corps, of the Army of the Cumberland, and partici- pated in the battles of Nashville, December 15th and 16th, 1864, under command of General George H. Thomas, for which he was brevetted Major General.
August 31st, 1866, he was promoted Lieutenant Colonel. First United States Cavalry, and served in Oregon, Washington and Idaho Territories. During the Rebellion he served under the following Generals, from cach of whom he received complimentary letters and recommendations to the War Department, viz: Majors General Pope. Rosecrans, Schenck, French, Thomas, together with endorsement of the latter by General W. T. Sherman. He is now in charge of Benicia Barracks, California.
Such is a succinct record of the public life of General Elliott. His steady advancement to higher positions is all the evidence that is needed that his career has been one eminently honourable to himself. gratifying to his friends, and creditable to his native valley.
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COLONEL ALEXANDER KELLY MCCLURE.
OLONEL A. K. MCCLURE was born in Perry county, Pa., January 9th, 1828, of Scotch-Irish descent.
Ile is emphatically self educated. When fifteen years of age, he was apprenticed to the tanning trade. In three years, his term of indenture having expired, he commenced life as a journeyman, and, in the pursuit of his calling, during the year 1846, he traveled through Pennsylvania, New York, and New England, adding to his store of ' learning. The world was his teacher, and so apt was he to receive its lessons, that in the fall of the same year he removed to his native county, and boldly embarked in the avocation of a newspaper pub- lisher. He established, at Mifflin, the funiata Sentinel, and while devoting his mental abilities to its editorial management, he also practised and mastered the mysteries of the printer's art, and in one year became so conversant with the practical working of the composing room as to be able to turn out a paper, the work of his own brains and hands. Thus, before reaching his twentieth year, he had learned two practical trades, and was an editor well versed in local politics.
Upon his twenty-first birthday, Mr. McClure received a commission as aid from the then Governor, William F. Johnston, with the rank and title of Colonel. He was appointed in 1850, Deputy United States Marshal for Juniata county. In 1852, he became the proprietor and publisher of the Chambersburg Repository, which he enlarged and improved, greatly increasing its circulation and making it one of the most influential journals in the state. In 1853, being then but twenty- five years of age, he was nominated by the Whig party for the office of Auditor.General, but was defeated. By Governor Pollock, in 1855, he was appointed Superintendent of Public Printing, but after holding the position for eight months, he resigned, and the same year was admitted to the bar, and commenced the practice of the law in Chambers- burg, entering into partnership with his former preceptor, William McClelland.
In 1856, Col. McClure received from Governor Pollock the appoint- ment of Superintendent of the Erie and Northeast Railroad, troubles in connection with this road having caused several riots and much mis- chief for a year previous, in the city of Erie. He directed his energies to the settlement of these difficulties, and finally succeeded in adjusting
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affairs to the satisfaction of all concerned. The same year he served as a delegate to the National Republican Convention, and canvassed the state in behalf of its nominees, Fremont and Dayton. He was one of the few Republicans elected to the Legislature in 1857; the district which he represented had previously invariably given a majority against his party. As a representative, he was prominent, and exerted his influence in favour of the sale of the public works, and in aiding the construction of the Erie Railroad. He was re-elected in 1858 : and in 1859, after a most exciting contest, he succeeded, as State Senator, an opponent who was deemed invulnerable. In 1860, he was appointed Chairman of the Republican State Central Committee, and arranged a complete organization in every county, township, and precinct in the state. At that time, he was prominently mentioned for United States Senator, but declined to be a candidate.
During the war, as Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs. while in the State Senate, Col. McClure was most earnest in his sup- port of the National and State Governments. From his place in the Senate house, he introduced war measures of substantial importance. In 1862, he was commissioned an Assistant Adjutant General of the United States Army, in order to qualify him for the military duty of enforcing the draft in Pennsylvania. After making the draft, thereby placing seventeen regiments in the field, he resigned his commission, This service he performed at the special request of President Lincoln and Secretary of War Stanton.
Col. McClure declined, in 1863, the Chairmanship of the Republican State Central Committee, but exerted his best efforts during the cam- paign to secure the re-election of Governor Curtin. A delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1864, he was formally tendered by three-fourths of the delegates the Chairmanship of the State Committee. but this he declined, in order to accept the nomination for the Legisla- ture from a new and strongly Democratic district. He was elected by four hundred majority. In October of the same year, at the request of President Lincoln, he actively engaged in perfecting the political organization of the state for the following November's Presidential election. The July previous, the southern army under Lee, in its invasion of Pennsylvania, had entirely destroyed all his property near Chambersburg, inflicting a loss of $75,000.
The summer of 1867, for the benefit of the health of his wife and son, he spent in the Rocky Mountains. Upon his return he published in book form his impressions of the new territories. He then decided to reside permanently in Philadelphia, and resumed the practice of law.
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He was Chairman of the Pennsylvania Delegation in the National Republican Convention that nominated General Grant for President, and strongly pressed the claims of Governor Curtin for the Vice Presidency. His labours in behalf of the Republican nominees were extensive and valuable during that campaign ; he thoroughly canvassed the states of Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massa- chusetts. After the Presidential contest of 1868, in order to recruit both his health and finances, which had suffered much during his ten years of incessant political labour, he decided to withdraw from active participation in party affairs, and to devote his attention to his profes- sion. In 1872, he was again called to the front as the candidate of the Independent Reform party, was elected to the State Senate from the Fourth District of Philadelphia. He was excluded from his seat by false returns, but he contested the matter with his usual energy and success, obtaining on March 27th a decision in his favour. He was Chairman of the Pennsylvania Delegation at the Cincinnati Convention which nominated Greeley and Brown, and was also Chairman of the Liberal Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania during the Presidential contest of 1872.
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