USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Centennial biography : Men of mark of Cumberland Valley, Pa., 1776-1876 > Part 44
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officially and unofficially, he received most flattering notice for his " efficiency, gallantry and fearlessness in battle," as well as for his " distinguished integrity of purpose."
Robert P. Mckibbin, eighth child, born in 1834, was a lawyer by profession. At the first call of the President for 75,000 three months' volunteers in 1861, he enlisted in a volunteer company in Philadelphia as private. He was elected Second Lieutenant. served until their dis- charge, when he was given a Second Lieutenant's commission in the Fourth United States Infantry for meritorious service. He served with his regiment in the Army of the Potomac throughout the war, and was repeatedly complimented in despatches for gallant conduct. He was twice very severely wounded, and brevetted three times, as Captain, Major and Lieutenant Colonel. He came out of the war as full Captain. During part of 1864, he served on the Staff of Major General Crittenden, who spoke of him as one of the most brilliant and daring officers he had met during the war.
Chambers Mckibbin, thirteenth and youngest child, born in IS40, accompanied as a citizen his brother's regiment to the field. At the battle of Gaines' Mill, having volunteered his services to the Fourteenth Infantry, which were refused, he dressed himself in the uniform of a private soldier, and performed such acts of gallantry, that he was recommended by every officer present in the regiment for promotion to a commission, except by his brother, who disapproved of it, as the vacancies were left open for men who enlisted and distinguished them- selves. At this battle Chambers was shot in the face, and before his wound had properly healed, he enlisted in the regiment, and was pro- moted to a Lieutenantcy for gallant conduct the following September. He continued with his regiment until the close of the war, having been severely wounded on three occasions. He was complimented for bravery in every battle in which he took part, was brevetted Cap- tain, and afterwards, for gallant and meritorious services, was promoted to Captain in the Thirty-fifth Infantry. He is now Captain of the Fifteenth Infantry.
THOMAS B. KENNEDY, ESQ.
HOMAS B. KENNEDY was born in August, 1827, in Warren county, New Jersey.
His father, Hon. James J. Kennedy, removed, in 1839, to Chambersburg, Pa., in the academy of which town the son was fitted for college. He entered the Sophomore Class of Marshall College, at fourteen, and graduated with honours in 1844. He read law with the Hon. Alexander Thomson, of Chambersburg, and was admitted to the Franklin county bar in 1848. The next year he crossed the plains as the leader of a company bound for California. There he entered upon the practice of law, in Downieville. In 1851, he returned to Chambers- burg, opened an office, and speedily grew into practice. He served one term as District Attorney with general approbation. He married Miss Arianna Riddle, granddaughter of the Hon. James Riddle, and spent a year in traveling in Europe.
On his return, Mr. Kennedy became the partner of the Hon. James Nill, one of the leading practitioners of that day. The business of the firm rapidly increased, so that upon the election of Judge Nill to the bench of the district, in 1862, his partner found himself in control of the largest and most lucrative practice at that bar, which he has steadily maintained ever since. Notwithstanding the incessant labours of his professional life, and the demands upon his time, arising from the care of his large private estate, he has been prominently identified with every movement tending to the advancement of the section of the country in which he resides. While aiding liberally in all local measures, as a Trustee of the Academy, one of the originators and founders of Wilson College, and one of the Board of Management, he has effectively aided the cause of education. The two railroads recently completed in Franklin county, owe their success in a great measure to his influence and public spirit. He has lately been elected President of the Cumberland Valley Railroad, and of the Southern Pennsylvania Road.
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GENERAL CLEMENT A. FINLEY.
AMUEL FINLEY, father of the subject of this sketch, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was educated in the family of his uncle, the Rev. Dr. Samuel Finley, President of Princeton College. He was a Major in the Virginia line during the Revolu- tionary War, was taken prisoner at the battle of Long Island, and was confined in the Jersey Prison Ship. In the war of 1812, he commanded a regiment of Mounted Riflemen ordered to the frontier to protect the peaceable Indians, after Hull's surrender. He was also a receiver of public moneys, from the sale of public lands, during the administration of President Washington.
General Clement A. Finley was born in Newville, Cumberland county, Pa., in 1797, graduated at Washington College, in the same state, studied medicine in Chillicothe, Ohio, and received his diploma in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Finley entered the army August 10th, 1818, as Surgeon's Mate of the First Regiment of Infantry, commanded by Colonel Daniel Bissell, then stationed at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He subsequently filled the posi- tions of Assistant Surgeon, and Surgeon, and was Medical Director in the field, with Generals Jessup, Scott, and Taylor, in the Black Hawk, Seminole, and Mexican Wars. He spent nearly eight years on the frontier of Arkansas, Louisiana and Florida, accompanied the commands that established Forts Leavenworth, Jefferson Barracks, and Gibson, and went with General Dodge on one of the earliest expeditions to the Rocky Mountains, in 1834. At these points, away from all the enjoy- ments of civilized society, the monotony of camp life found relief in the excitement of the chase, in company with such men as Colonel Bonneville, (whose " Expedition to the Rocky Mountains " was written from his notes by Washington Irving.) General Harney, and Captain Martin Scott, all famous hunters and gallant officers. It is a treat which General Finley's friends sometimes enjoy, to hear him relate his adventures among the Indians, and in the pursuit of the deer and buffalo.
In 1861, at the commencement of the Rebellion, he succeeded General Lawson, as Surgeon General of the United States Army. Having served his country honourably and acceptably forty-four years, he retired from active service upon his own application. The com-
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mission of Brevet Brigadier General was given him by the President, on his retirement, for long and faithful service.
Dr. Finley is a fine specimen of a Christian gentleman. His appear- ance is commanding and impressive. Though now advanced in years he retains the vigour of manhood, and the graceful bearing of the sol- dier. Modest and retiring, he yet is the centre of many strong friend- ships and attachments. He is by religious profession a Presbyterian and his long and useful life has ever been adorned by Christian fidelity. His two brothers, James and John K., both entered the medical pro- fession, and attained eminence. The former is now deceased, and the latter, who was once Professor of Chemistry in Dickinson College, now resides in Niles, Michigan. His sister, Martha, is the widow of the late distinguished Rev. William L. McCalla, of Philadelphia.
Dr. Finley married, in carly life, Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. Samuel Moore, at that time Director of the United States Mint, and formerly a member of Congress from Bucks county, Pa.
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COL. WILLIAM McFUNN PENROSE,
LDEST son of the Hon. Charles B. Penrose, was born in Carlisle, Pa., March 29th, 1825. He graduated at Dickinson College in July, 1844, at once devoted himself to the study of . law, and two years after he had received his degree of A. B., entered upon his chosen profession in his native place. He rapidly secured reputation and practice, and soon became a leader at a Bar celebrated for its learning and ability. In 1858, he was married to Valeria, daughter of General Charles Merchant of the United States Army.
At the breaking out of the Rebellion, Mr. Penrose joined the Penn- sylvania Reserves, and was elected Colonel of the Sixth Regiment. His constitution, however, was entirely unfitted for the exposure of the camp, and he laid here the foundation of the indisposition which eventually cut short his life at an early age. Aiter participating in the active campaign, and distinguishing himself at the battle of Drainsville, one of the first successes on our side in the War, he was obliged to resign on account of severe ill health from which he never entirely recovered.
In the community in which he lived, Colonel Penrose was universally beloved for his many noble qualities. Generous to a fault, and with a heart full of sympathy for the weaknesses and sufferings of others, his aid and counsel were sought by great numbers of people totally unable ever to remunerate him for his professional services. As a lawyer he was learned, quick in his perceptions, cogent in argument. highly gifted as a speaker, and very successful.
Col. Penrose died on Sept. 2d, 1872, after a short illness, but really from the effects of his military service during the War. His demise was greatly deplored. The entire bar assembled in the court room to pay a tribute to his memory. The Hon. James H. Graham, Judge Junkin, A. B. Sharpe, Esq., R. M. Henderson, M. C. Herman, Lemuel Todd, W. 11. Miller, and C. E. Maglaughlin, Esq., eulogised in strongest terms the personal qualities, social virtues and professional ability of the lamented dead. Judge Graham referred to the deceased. as " the kind and amiable Penrose, removed in the prime of his life, in the midst of his usefulness, and in the enjoyment of a large and lucra tive practice, well merited by a life of untiring labour and research in
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acquiring a knowledge of legal science surpassed by few of his age." And Judge Junkin said, " his astuteness, vigour of thought, and keen- ness of perception in grasping the result of a principle, and then wielding it with a steady hand, I have never seen surpassed."
The meeting, which subsequently, as a body, attended the funeral of their brother, unanimously expressed their opinion and feeling of his character and worth as follows :
" Resolved, That by indefatigable industry, unremitting devotion to the study of the law, united with a calm temper, aud uniform courtesy of manner, this able lawyer has left behind him a reputation which will long live in the recollections of the Bar and the community.
"Resolved, That we feel with deep sensibility the loss we have sustained by the death of Mr. Penrose, who has for a quarter of a century been actively engaged in his profes- sion in our midst, for whose professional attainments we entertain the highest respect, and for whose estimable qualities as a man we have the most profound regard."
RIGHT REV. SAMUEL A. McCOSKRY.
THE REV. SAMUEL A. McCOSKRY, was born in Carlisle. November 4th, 1804, his father being an eminent physician of that place, and his mother a daughter of the Rev. Dr. Charles Nisbet, President of Dickinson College.
At the age of fifteen he was appointed a Cadet. As a student he had a good standing, ranking fourth in his class. He remained at the institution nearly two years.
The loss of Mr. McCoskry's brothers changed the direction of his life. He resigned, and became a student at Dickinson College. He entered the college near the close of the Freshman year, and graduated fourth in his- class. He then studied law with Andrew Carothers, of Carlisle, and was admitted to the bar. After practising his profession one year. he was appointed Deputy Attorney General for Cumberland county, and held this office two years.
After practising law six years, Mr. McCoskry relinquished the Bar. and entered upon a course of Theological study under Bishop Onder- donk, of Pennsylvania. In one year he was called to be Rector of Christ (Protestant Episcopal) Church, Reading, Pa. After labouring a year in that charge, he was called to St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia. Here he remained two years, being consecrated, July 9th, 1836, Pro- testant Episcopal Bishop of Michigan.
Bishop McCoskry has presided over that diocese nearly forty years, and is now, by consecration, the oldest Bishop in the Anglican com- munion in the world, with one exception. His diocese grew to such an extent, that it was found necessary to divide it, and now there are two Protestant Episcopal Bishops in the State of Michigan. In Detroit there are ten parishes, and five missionary stations.
Bishop MeCoskry is of tall, commanding figure, genial manners, cultivated tastes and decided character; he has ever enjoyed a large degree of popular favour. He is generally regarded as in sympathy with the " lligh Church" section of his denomination. He has done his work as Bishop well, and placed on the Church's register an excel lent record.
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WILLIAM T. SNODGRASS.
ILLIAM T. SNODGRASS, merchant, was born in Shippens- burg, on September 17th, 1813. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. His father, William Snodgrass, was an extensive merchant in Cumberland county, and was a man of precision and sterling integrity.
At the age of thirteen he entered his father's store to be initiated into the routine of business, where he learned that systematic and prompt management of business matters which characterized him through life. At fifteen, he was left alone in Philadelphia, but, shun- ning evil associations, he spent his leisure time in study, and for five years it was his custom to devote three hours daily to mental culture. Starting with a capital of a few dollars, and refusing all aid from rich or poor relatives, by the power of his own industry, energy and merit, he rose to the highly creditable position which he occupied in the mercantile world. The fine building at the northwest corner of Ninth and Market Streets, Philadelphia, is a worthy monument to the ability of a man who carved out his own fortune, and educated to his business forty-nine young men. He never joined a club nor endorsed any paper outside of his business, which he made a life-time work, seeming fully determined to wear out rather than rust out.
Mr. Snodgrass was a member of the Board of Trade in the city in which he so long resided, and was a prominent and useful member of the West Arch Street Presbyterian Church.
Whilst Mr. Snodgrass was by birth, training and conviction, a Pres- byterian, his religious sentiments were liberal, and he was strongly disposed to fraternize with and aid all evangelical Christians. Exact- ing as an employer, he placed every young man upon his own merit. but his active sympathy with all that concerned them drew them near to him and made them feel that in him they had more than a friend. To the world generally he was a pleasant, courteous and benevolent gentleman. He departed this life in the autumn of 1874, and his inortal remains now slumber in the beautiful cemetery of Laurel Hill.
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