USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > Commemorative biographical encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania : containing sketches of prominent and representative citizens and many of the early Scotch-Irish and German settlers. Pt. 1 > Part 55
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bia county Register, and conducted that paper until 1843. He was justice of the peace in Bloomsburg for about forty years. His death occurred in February, 1862. } 1812 Mr. Thomas Painter married Susan, daughter of Gen. Joseph Israel, of Newcastle, Del., a veteran of the Revolution. The mother died in Bloomsburg, Columbia county, in July, 1845; her husband survived until February, 1862, and died in Muncy, Lycoming county, whither he had removed. They had sixteen children, eight of whom grew to maturity. They are Joseph Israel, born in September, 1813, and died February 8, 1830; John, born in 1814, and died in 1890; William P. I., born in 1818, and died in 1895; Mary Elizabeth, born in 1820; George Latimer Israel, born September 11, 1822, and died in June, 1893; Abigail Green- ough, born in 1825, and died August 10, 1869; Ebenezer Grcenough, born September 26, 1826; and Susan Catharine, born Octo- ber 26, 1831, wife of Rev. William Weaver, No. 1605 South Broad street, Philadelphia.
Ebenczer G. Painter was educated in the private schools of Bloomsburg. After leav- ing school he learned chairmaking and paint- ing, subsequently he worked for some time as a carpenter. He left Bloomsburg, and lived eleven years at Mauch Chunk; in No- vember, 1862, he removed to Harrisburg, where he has resided for thirty-four years. He was for several years a photographer. In 1870 he was appointed to the Harrisburg police force, and served two years as patrol- man, and two years as lieutenant. At this writing he is not in any active business. He was married in Muncy, Lycoming county, Pa., September 28, 1847, to Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. James and Justina (Grove) Ewing. They had five children, three of whom died in infancy : a son George, born July, 1848, died in Boston, Mass., Sep- tember 30, 1889, at the age of forty-one, and their only living child is William H., a prominent dentist, a sketch of whom follows.
Mr. Painter is a past noble grand of Har- risburg Lodge, No. 68, Harrisburg Encamp- ment, and of Daughters of Rebecca, I. O. O. F .; P. C. of K. of P .; Ex-C. of O. U. A. M .; past officer of Good Templars, Sons of F. T. of II., and Druids. IIc has always shown the deepest interest in the welfare and ad- vancement of his adopted city. On the police force he was a model officer, and was popular, because he was faithful and impar-
tial, performing his duties without fear or favor.
Dr. William HI. Painter, only surviving son of Ebenezer G. Painter, was born in Mauch Chunk, Pa., July 4, 1853. When seven years old, he came with his parents to Harrisburg, and received his primary educa- tion in the city schools. He took up the study of dentistry, and attended the Penn- sylvania Dental College in Philadelphia, 1e- ceiving his degree of D. D. S. in the class of 1SS1. Including five years of practice pre- vious to his college course, he has success- fully practiced his profession for twenty-one years. He has practiced at Steelton and at New Cumberland, and since 1881 continu- ously at Harrisburg. He was married in Reading, December 23, 1882, to Miss Hattie B., daughter of Conrad and Sarah (Copp) Anthony, of Easton Pa. They have three children : Marion E., Sarah Anthony, and Eben G., who died December 22, 1894.
Dr. Painter is past noble grand of Peace and Plenty Lodge, No. 69, I. O. O. F .; past commander of Cincinnatus Commandery, No. 96, K. of M .; past national representative and past national conductor of Junior O. U. A. M. Heis an active member and a trustee of Lady Alpha Lodge, No. 15, Daughters of America ; and State representative of Junior O. U. A. M., Capital City Council, No. 327, since the council was organized, with the exception of two years, when he was not a candidate. He was elected State inside sen- tinel at the Wilkes-Barre session, nineteen candidates being in the field. He made the final argument in behalf of the Garb Bill be- fore the governor and his cabinet. In poli- tics he is a Republican. The family attend the Lutheran church.
Mrs. E. G. Painter's father, Rev. James Ewing, was born in York county, Pa., De- cember 15, 1786. He was married three times and was the father of fifteen children. For fifty years he was in the ministry in the Methodist Church, and died in Juniata county, September 22, 1861. His father, Alexander Ewing, was also a Methodist min, ister and died in York county, December 21- 1831. James married, first, Miss Prudence Manifold, March 9, 1812, and they had these children : Lydia, born December 11, and died in January, 1813; Jane Willson, born December 11, 1814, and died January, 1888, was married to Anthony Witman ; Alice, born November 26, 1816, and died January, 1817; Esther, born January 6, 1818, and
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married in 1848. He married, secondly, Miss Justina Grove, daughter of Jacob Grove, of York county, Pa., in April, 1819, who died October 12, 1850. Their children were: John Wesley, a Methodist minister, born March 25, 1820, and died August 26, 1886, leaving two children: F. Byron and Elizabeth ; Prudence, wife of A. C. Smith, born August 16, 1821, and died August 26, 1886, leaving two children: Nerrey and Alice, both mar- ried; Elizabeth Redman, born November 5, 1822, and died November 2, 1877, wife of E. G. Painter, whose children were: George Wil- ber, born in July, 1848, and died September 30, 1889 ; Mary A., born in September, 1849, and died in July, 1850; W. N., born in July, 1853; John B., born in September, 1854, and died in September, 1858; James Ewing, born in June, 1856, and died in August, 1857; Agnes A., born August 22, 1824, and died September 14, 1851; Alexander Tidings, minister in Methodist church, born April 25, 1826, and died October S, 1850; James N., Methodist minister, born August 19, 1828, and died in 1895, leaving three children : Charles, Edward and Emily, all married; Henry Whitfield, a Methodist minister, born October 26, 1831, and died June 24, 1854; Joseph Benson, lawyer, born August, 1834, and died in February, 1891, married Mary J. K. Speese and had three children: Helen M., Joseph G., and one who died in infancy ; Mary A. Holmes, Port Royal, Juniata county, Pa., born April 3, 1836, wife of George E. Hench, deceased ; William McKindra, born March 14, 1838, and died Deeember 14, 1838 ; and Wilber Fisk, born October 22, 1840, and served in the Rebellion. Rev. Ewing mar- ried, thirdly, in 1851, Miss Elizabeth Jen- nings, who died May 20, 1873.
-WILSON, THOMAS, of Scotch-Irish parent- age, was born in Philadelphia about 1768. Hle learned the trade of a printer, was a gentleman of considerable literary attain- nients, and wrote freely on the subjects of his time for the leading newspapers of his native city. In 1811 he removed to Balti- more, where he conducted a newspaper. In defense of that city, when attacked by the British in 1814, he enlisted as a private in Capt. James McConkey's company of the Twenty-seventh regiment of Maryland vol- unteers, commanded by Lieut. Col. Ken- nedy Long. In 1816 Mr. Wilson returned to Philadelphia, where he became foreman on Mr. Duane's newspaper, The Aurora, con-
tributing also to its columns. Ile died at Philadelphia about 1828. He married Lydia Oakford, of English parentage, who survived her husband several years. Mr. Wilsou was the author of a number of works, the names of only two, however, coming to our knowledge, "The Biography of the Principal Military and Naval Heroes, comprehending details of their achieve- ments during the Revolutionary and late wars," two volumes, published by John Low, 130 Cherry street, New York, 1821, and "The Picture of Philadelphia for 182-4," published by Thomas Town, 38 Chestnut street, Philadelphia.
. WYETH, JOHN, son of Ebenezer Wyeth, was born March 31, 1770, at Cambridge, Mass., and died January 23, 1858, at Phila- delphia, Pa. Ile was, at an early age, ap- prentieed to the printing business, and, on reaeliing his majority, was induced to go to San Domingo, to superintend a large print- ing establishment. While there the insur- rection of the blacks oeeurred, and all that lie had acquired was lost. It was with great difficulty that he even succeeded in escaping from the island, and then only by the con- nivance of a friend, one of the officers who assisted in searching the vessels about leav- ing the port. Dressed as a common sailor and working among them, he cluded their vigilance, and subsequently reached Phila- delphia. Arriving at Philadelphia, he worked some time in the different printing establishments there, and, in 1792, went to Harrisburg, Pa., where, in connection with Jolm Allen, he purchased the paper started the previous year by Maj. Eli Lewis, and commenced the publication of the Oracle of Dauphin, a newspaper he successfully car- ried on until November, 1827. Mr. Wyeth's paper supported the Federal views of that great party during the whole course of its existence. Its columns were open, never- theless, to the communications of all. In those days, before the principles of Republi- can rule were fully digested, many a ner- vous essay was put forth on either side of the question by able men of both parties. He was appointed postmaster of Harrisburg in October, 1793, under the administration of President Washington, of which he was a strenuous advocate and admirer. Ile was removed in July, 1798, by Mr. Adams' Post- master General, on account of "the incom- patability of the office of postmaster and the
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editor of a newspaper." In connection with his newspaper, Mr. Wyeth established a bookstore and a publishing house, from which he issued a large number of books, the most notable of which were: Judge Henry's "Narrative of the Quebec Expedi- tion," Graydon's "Memoirs," and a musie book compiled by himself. The eirculation of the latter, for that early day, was wonder- ful, its several editions aggregating one hun- dred and twenty thousand copies. To this he supplemented a second part, intended especially for the Methodist Church, of which there were published about twenty- five thousand. He was one of Harrisburg's most energetie eitizens, and was deeply in- terested in its prosperity and welfare. He caused the construction of several valuable improvements, which remain as evidence of his enterprising spirit and good judgment. He was one of the earliest friends of the Harrisburg Academy, and served as a trustee, of which body he was also president. Upon his retirement from publisher, he re- moved to Philadelphia, where he died at the advaneed age of eighty-eight years. His life, thus prolonged, was marked by affa- bility and cheerfulness, and his philosophy was of practical character. He was exceed- ingly industrious, and, whilst in business, could always find something for his hands to do, and in later life, when the concerns of his printing office were transferred to younger hands, he knew how to divide his time between his reading and his social pleasures. Mr. Wyeth was twice married ; married, first, June 6, 1793, Louisa Weiss, born April 29, 1775; died June 1, 1822, at Harrisburg, Pa .; daughter of Lewis and Mary Weiss, of Philadelphia.
-MOWRY, CHARLES, was born in Litchfield, Providenee county, R. I., in 1777. He re- eeived a classical education, and came to Pennsylvania about 1800, and engaged in teaching. In ISOS he began the publication of the Temperate Zone, at Downingtown, Chester county. This was subsequently changed to the American Republican, and Mr. Mowry continued its publication until 1821, when he came to Harrisburg in the in- terest of William Findlay, who was a candi- date for governor of Pennsylvania for a second term, and became editor of the Penn- sylvania Intelligencer, previously the Harris- burg Republican. This paper he eventually disposed of to Gen. Simon Cameron, wlio
had been associated with him as co-partner in its management, in order that he might assume the duties of canal commissioner, to which he had been appointed by Governor Shulze. During his career as editor he ac- quired considerable celebrity as a political writer, and exercised a marked influence upon the policy of his party. He died at Harrisburg, July 29, 1838. He married, March 31, 1812, Mary Richmond, daughter of George Richmond, of Sadsbury township, Chester county. She died March 28, 1862, aged seventy-six years.
-PEACOCK, JAMES, the eldest son of Will- iam Peacock and Mary MeArthur, of Scotch- Irish ancestry, was born in Paxtang town- ship, Dauphin eounty, Pa., April 8, 17SS. His edueation was in a great measure due to his mother's care and tuition, with self-ap- plication in after years. At the age of fifteen he began to learn the printing busi- ness with Mr. Edward Cole, of Lewistown, where he remained until 1807, when he went to Lancaster to work on the Intelli- gencer. In 1809 he was employed by the celebrated John Binns, of Philadelphia, on book work, and subsequently by Mr. Dinnie on the Port Folio. While in the latter es- tablishment he became intimate with quite a number of the literati of that period, and concerning whom he has left some interest- ing " Reminiscenees." In 1811 Mr. Peacock returned to Lancaster, and from thence came to Harrisburg, where, in December of that year, he started the Pennsylvania Repub- lican, which he continued to publish for about eight or nine years, in the meantime being one of the printers to the Senate and House. In December, 1821, he was em- ployed as an assistant clerk of the Senate, and in March, 1822, received the appoint- ment of postmaster at Harrisburg in place of Mrs. Wright, who had recently deceased, an office he held under different national administrations until the 15th of Novem- ber, 1846. In December, 1847, he removed to Philadelphia, where he became identified with the publication of the Evening Bulle- tin, The Sun and Neal's Saturday Gazette, which he managed with all the tact and skill of his early years, relinquishing his labors only a brief time prior to his death. Ile died in the city of Philadelphia on the 23d of August, 1863, and is interred in the Harrisburg cemetery. Mr. Peacock was twice married-first to Frances C., daughter
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of Matthias Slough and Mary Gibson, of Lancaster, who died October 27, 1837; and, secondly, to Mrs. Louisa V. Sims, of Mount Holly, N. J., who died in 1869. Mr. Pea- cock was ever held in high esteem by the citizens of Ilarrisburg, whether as journalist, .or his occupancy of the postoffice for a quarter of a century. He always took an active part in public affairs, and was largely instrumental in organizing St. Stephen's Episcopal church, in which there has been erected a tablet to his memory. He was a gentleman of dignified manners, of refined culture, and a sineere Christian.
WILSON, THOMAS Low, the son of Thomas Wilson and Lydia Oakford, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., March 26, 1800. He learned the art of printing with his father, who was a prominent craftsman in his day. In 1811 his parents removed to Baltimore, where in the defense of that city both father and son enlisted as privates in Capt. James MeConkey's company, Twenty-seventh Mary- land regiment. In 1816 the family returned to Philadelphia, where both Wilsons worked on Mr. Duane's Aurora. Subsequently the son went to Washington City to work on the National Intelligencer. In 1828 he published the Intelligencer, Petersburg, Va., where in connection he printed the Lynehburg Demo- crot in 1837. In 1838, on the recommenda- tion of the veteran editor, Ritchie, he came to Harrisburg as editor of the Reporter, to combat the errors of the Anti-Masonic party. Upon the return of the Democraey to power Mr. Wilson was chosen secretary to the board of canal commissioners, a position he occupied almost uninterruptedly until the abolisliment of the eanal department in 1859. He served during this period one year as collector of tolls at Middletown and one year as deputy secretary of the Common- wealth at the close of Governor Porter's ad- ministration. He died at Harrisburg, Feb- ruary 28, 1861. Mr. Wilson married, May 6, 1824, Juliana Margaretta Bender, of Washington City. A gentleman prominent in public affairs thus summarizes the char- aeter of Mr. Wilson : " He was an honest man, one of that stern, inflexible, and un- bending old school integrity, which made him die a poor man rather than become a party to unholy plunder from the coffers of the Commonwealth."
KRAUSE, DAVID, son of David Krause and Regina Orth, was born November 2, 1800, in Lebanon, Pa .; died June 13, 1871, in Norris- town, Pa. Ile was educated under Rev. Mr. Ernst, of the Lutheran church of Lebanon, and subsequently studied law with Hon. Jonathan Walker, of Pittsburgh, and there admitted to the bar. IIe returned to Leb- anon and began practice. He went to Har- risburg as the private secretary of Governor Shulze, and was admitted to the Dauphin courts, August 15, 1825. He was appointed deputy attorney general in August, 1826, and re-appointed in 1829. Froni 1S25 to 1826, with Gen. Simon Cameron, he pub- lished and edited the Pennsylvania Intelli- gencer. He was elected a member of the House of Representatives in 1835 and 1836. On the election of Governor Porter, in 1839, he took editorial charge of the State Journal, which he conducted with much ability. In January, 1845, a vaeaney oceurring in the Montgomery and Bucks county judicial dis- triet, Mr. Krause was appointed to the bench. He filled the position acceptably and honor- ably, but in 1851, when the judiciary became elective, he positively declined the office. He then retired to private life. In 1862, and again in 1863, upon the invasion of Pennsyl- vania by the Confederates, he volunteered as a private soldier in the Pennsylvania militia, although then in the sixty-third year of his age. Judge Krause married, in September, 1826, Catharine Orr, of Philadelphia, born September, 1800; died Deeember, 1875, at Norristown, Pa.
HAMILTON, ADAM BOYD, was born in Har- risburg, September 18, 1808, son of Hugh Hamilton, who was a son of Capt. John Hamilton and of Rosanna Boyd, only child of Adam Boyd. Both these ancestors were purchasers of property in 1785, both erected substantial brick mansions, and both died and are buried at Harrisburg. The subject of this notice received his first sehool train- ing under Misses Graham and Smith, at Second and Mulberry streets, Charles Still, Maginnes, Birkman, Hamilton, Tod, Davies. Most of his time was devoted to picking up the trade of printer in his father's establish- ment, the Harrisburg Chronicle. At this early period two late chief justices of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Messrs. Lewis and Thompson, were employed there, as well as many other gentlemen who rose
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to social and political positions. Having been carefully trained as a printer, after leaving the Harrisburg Academy he was ap- pointed to a position in the engineer corps of the Juniata division of the State works, under De Witt Clinton, Jr., as chief. The partner of his father having died, he re- turned to Harrisburg and became partner in the Chronicle, where he continued until that paper was disposed of to other parties. He was chosen, when scarcely of voting age, one of the printers to the Legislature. After spending a couple of years in an unsuccess- ful business venture in the South, he re- turned to Harrisburg, and shortly after ap- pointed to a position at Washington City ; resigned, taking control of the Pennsylvania Reporter, at Harrisburg; after a year or two was unanimously chosen assistant clerk of the Senate, resigning that, and becoming joint partner in the Pennsylvanian at Phila- delphia with Mifflin, Parry, Joseph Neal, J. W. Forney and S. D. Patterson. When that venture closed, became, under the contract law, printer to both houses of Congress, and at the repeal of that law, which carried his contract with it, came to Pennsylvania. Again became printer to the State until 1861, when he retired from that business and became an agriculturist. He has held many municipal offices-a school director for twelve years ; president of the select council, and one of the commissioners of 1860, and of a subsequent one in 1870, to make a plot of the city of Harrisburg ; president of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society, the Dauphin County Society ; at present a trustee of the Harrisburg Academy, secretary of the board of managers of the Harrisburg Hospital from the first meeting on the sub- ject in 1872, president of the board of trustees of Derry Presbyterian church, and the only president the Dauphin County Historical Society has had since its formation.
- WEIR, JAMES WALLACE, son of Samuel Weir, who served as an officer. in the war of the Revolution, was born August 9, 1805, at Harrisburg, Pa .; died March 14, 1878. He received a good education, excelled as a scholar, and his taste for study and reading drew him toward the printing office. He learned the art with John S. Wiestling, and, after his apprenticeship, spent some time in the printing house of the Messrs. Johnson, of Philadelphia. On November 26, 1833, having been chosen teller of the Harrisburg
Bank, he accepted the position, holding it until October 30, 1844, when he was chosen cashier of the bank. When the institution became a national bank in 1874, he was unanimously elected its cashier, which office he held until his death, a period of over forty- four years. As a bank officer and a financier he gained an enviable distinction for his uniform courtesy, for unimpeachable integ- rity, and for ability of the highest order. Few bankers in the Commonwealth can pre- sent a record equal to his in years of service, in successful administration of affairs through financial trouble, and for such rigid honesty. But not alone as a banker was he distin- guished. He was gifted with rare social qualities and a graceful wit, which made him one of the most companionable of men. In movements for the reformation of society he was always foremost, not only giving his time and labor, but contributing freely of his means to the accomplishment of what he thought a philanthropic purpose. To the poor and lowly he was always a kind and true friend, and his charities, though not os- tentatious, were made with a free and open hand. His literary taste and ability were of high order, and he frequently wrote for the press; was the author of several religious tracts published by the American Sunday- school Union. In 1838 appeared a small volume, "Manual of Prayer," which was pub- lished with an introduction by Rev. Albert Barnes, of Philadelphia. In 1854 "The Closet Companion " appeared and passed through several editions. After his death " Home Worship," a book of prayer for the family circle, was published. In the Presby- terian church, of which he was nearly forty- four years an elder, as superintendent of the Sabbath-school for a similar period, and in every walk and pursuit in life he was active, energetic, consistent,' pure in character and lofty in purpose. Mr. Weir married Mrs. Hanna A. (Fahnestock) Mahany, who died February, 1872.
- WYETH, FRANCIS, was born April 5, 1806, at Harrisburg, Pa., and died there July 2, 1893. He was educated at the Harrisburg Academy, and learned the art of printing in his father's office, subsequently entering Jefferson College, Canonsburg, from which institution he graduated in November, 1827. On his return home his father, who had con- ducted the Oracle of Dauphin thirty-five years, transferred that paper to his son, which
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he edited and published several years. He also entered into the business of bookseller and publisher. At the time Mr. Wyeth took charge of the Oracle the Whig party had just come into existence, of whose principles and policy he was an enthusiastie supporter. Becoming, however, tired of an editor's life, he sold out the newspaper establishment about 1831, continuing his other business until 1859, when he disposed of that. In April, 1861, at the outbreak of the Rebellion, he was placed in charge of the quarter- master's department at Camp Curtin, where he continued until the General Government assumed control over all the military organ- izations of the State. On the 20th of July, 1862, Governor Curtin appointed him one of the commissioners from Pennsylvania to visit all the hospitals in the Army of the Potomac, in the interest of the volunteer soldiers of the State, who were siek or wounded, and, as the commission reads, " to supply the wants of the suffering and needy as far as lies in your power, without infring- ing on any of the regulations or rights of the army, and assure each and all that their condition awakens the liveliest interest and sympathy of the people and Governor of Pennsylvania." Returning home, he re- ported the condition of the wounded soldiers with this recommendation, that where it is possible " those from Pennsylvania be trans- ferred to hospitals in their own State, that they might be near to their friends and ac- quaintances." This was, subsequently, car- ried out during the continuanee of the war. On November 28, 1863, he was again directed to visit the various hospitals. For a long term of years he was one of the trustees of the Harrisburg Academy, and president of the same. Mr. Wyeth was twice married ; married, first, May 29, 1829, Susan Huston Maxwell, died December 24, 1841, daughter of William and Ann Maxwell, of Franklin county, Pa., and left three sons. Mr. Wyeth married, secondly, Sarah C. Carson, who sur- vives, daughter of Charles Carson, of Harris- burg, Pa .; and left one son.
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