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 60
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95
RUTHERFORD, WILLIAM WILSON, M. D., son of William Rutherford and his wife Sarah Swan, was born November 23, 1805, in Paxtang, now Swatara township, Dau- phin county, Pa .; died March 13, 1873, at Harrisburg, Pa. He commeneed the study of medicine with Dr. Whiteside, of Harris- burg, then a prominent physician, in 1830; and after the removal of Dr. Whiteside, con- tinued under the instruction of Dr. Dean. He attended the lectures of Jefferson Medical College, 1830-32, graduating from that insti- tution on March 7 the latter year. He located first at Mechanicsburg where he remained nearly a year, when, entering into partner- ship with his preceptor, Dr. Dean, he removed to Harrisburg, where for forty years he prac- ticed his profession, winning for himself an
honorable name not only at home but abroad. Dr. Rutherford had what few physicians pos- sessed-a most perfect knowledge of diseases in general; and it mattered little what case, his diagnosis, when called in consultation, was final as it was accurate. An extensive practice of over forty years in every depart- ment of medicine and surgery gave him such a perfect knowledge of his profession that the loss of his advice and assistance in difficult cases was severely felt by his surviving brethren. For eight years prior to his death he had been the regular appointed surgeon to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, al- though he served it some ten years previous when called upon. From the organization of the old Harrisburg Gas Company he was one of its direetors, and, at his death, presi- dent of the company. In numerous other enterprises he took an active part, and was always one of Harrisburg's public-spirited citizens. His life was an eventful one, and one fraught with many incidents of interest. In season and out of season, in life and in death, his good-natured face appeared upon the stage, gladly, even tearfully, welcome. Dr. Rutherford married Eleaner Crain, daughter of Col. Richard M. Crain.
-ORTH, EDWARD LAWRENCE, M. D., son of Henry Orth and his wife Rebecca Rohm, was born January 4, 1814, in the city of Baltimore, Md., and died April 15, 1861, in Harrisburg, Pa. His father dying while the son was in early life, the mother removed to her former home, Harrisburg, where the boy was carefully brought up. He received the education of the borough schools and entered the Harrisburg Academy where he pursued the higher branches. He subsequently be- gan the study of medicine with his brother- in-law, Dr. Luther Reily, afterwards attend- ing the lectures of Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, from which institution he graduated March 12, 1834. Locating at Harrisburg, he began the practice of his profession in partnership with Dr. Reily, which continued until the death of the latter. Few practitioners became as suc- cessful as these noted physicians were, and none at the capital were ever so deservedly popular. For seven years after the death of his life-long friend, Dr. Orth continued his professional life, enjoying not only a large practice, but the confidence and love of his numerous patients. As a physician he was learned, skillful, self-sacrificing, sympathetic
364
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
and faithful. In the community he was greatly beloved for his unassuming, gentle, and gentlemanly demeanor. In the lan- guage of a contemporary, "he was a man of fine culture, an attentive and conscientious physician, quiet and unobtrusive in man- ner." For many years he was one of the trustees of the Presbyterian church, was a director of the Harrisburg Bank, and served in the borough council. Dr. Orth married Martha Cummins Kerr, daughter of Rev. William Kerr, of Donegal, and Mary Wilson, his wife.
-SEILER, JEREMIAH, M. D., son of Jacob Seiler and Christiana Fireabend, was born June 27, 1818, in Middlesex township, Cum- berland county, Pa. His early education was that received in the public schools of the country, but he applied himself closely to study and soon fitted himself for entering upon his life work. He entered the office of Dr. Van Huff, of Mechanicsburg, and sub- sequently that of Dr. W. W. Dale, under whose instructions he pursued the course of study outlined as preparatory to his attend- ing medical Jeetures, which he did at the University of Maryland, from which institu- tion he graduated in March, 1843. He im- mediately began the practice of his profes- sion, locating in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, where he continued until the year 1866, when he removed to Harris- burg. He was the first in his profession to administer chloroform in the practice of sur- gery west of Philadelphia. He was also one of the first of the interior physicians who in 1850, when typhoid fever made its appear- ance in the rural sections, to comprehend its nature and successfully control its fatal ef- feets. He was elected to the Legislature as a member of the House from Dauphin county in 1866, serving for two years. The eharac- teristics which were peculiar to the man as a physician marked his action as a legislator. He was studious and deliberate in all that he did and said, with a natural frankness and unaffected modesty which never fail as manifestations in the character of a truly honest man. While a member he served on the committees of divorce, accounts, pas- senger railways and chairman of that of the State Library. With the close of the last session of his official position he resumed his professional duties, and was actively engaged therein at Ilarrisburg, where he died after a brief illness on November 16, 1878, at the
age of sixty years. Dr. Seiler married, March 19, 1842, Anna Elizabeth Stigleman. daughter of John and Rachel Stigleman, of Cumberland county, and their children were Rev. Galen W., at one time missionary in India; Dr. John P., a bright young physi- cian, now deceased, and Clara A.
DOCK, GEORGE, second child of William Doek and Margaret Gilliard, was born 23d of May, 1823, at Harrisburg, Pa. Though of very delicate constitution, he was sent to school at an early age, and received a liberal education. In September, 1840. he entered the office of Prof. William E. Horner, of the University of Pennsylvania, as a private student. He matriculated at the medical department of the university in the summer of 1841, attended the course of lecturesat the medieal institute, and having pursued the full course at the university, session of 18.12, he was elected resident student in Blockley Hospital, entering upon his duties the 1st of May, where he faithfully served one year, gaining no little reputation as a thorough anatomist. In the spring of 1844 he gradu- ated from the University of Pennsylvania. Returning to his home at Harrisburg, he assumed the duties of his profession. In the autumn of 1845, at the solicitation of Prof. Horner, he removed to Philadelphia, and the winter following was engaged by the former as his private dissector at the uni- versity. During the war with Mexico he was tendered the position of assistant surgeon, Second regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, but his health prevented its acceptance. In January, 1847, he was elected physician to the Dauphin county almshouse, where he served one year. Advised to take a sea voyage for the benefit of his health, in Oeto- ber, 1849, he sailed for Europe, and while there visited the different hospitals of Paris and London. On hisreturn he resumed the practice of his profession. For a period of thirteen years he was a member of the board of trustees of the State Lunatie Hospital at Harrisburg, in 1854 elected a member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, while in July following Pennsylvania Col- lege conferred on him the honorary degree of Master of Arts. On the 17th of March, 1856, he was appointed professor of surgery in Philadelphia College of Medicine, which he at first deelined, but subsequently, by great persuasion, he accepted the position. During the winter following, his health be-
365
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
coming seriously impaired, he was compelled to withdraw from all professional duties. In 1860 he made a second visit to Europe, and upon his return quietly settled down in his office, regaining a handsome practice in his specialty-diseases of the eye. In 1861 he was commissioned surgeon of the Six- teenth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, subsequently placed on the board of medical examiners to pass on the qualifications of candidates for appointment on the medical staff of the Pennsylvania forces in the army. From this time forward until 1868 his health was fair, but subsequently became seriously impaired, until at last he was obliged to relinquish entirely the duties of his profession. On the 10th of August, 1874, he was suddenly taken with a hemorrhage of the lungs, but not until the 17th of Au- gust, 1875, did the Messenger come, and the spirit of George Dock pass from his frail tenement. Had he possessed the physical strength, most of the brilliant suggestions of his gifted and active mind would have been carried out to a successful result. He had by nature a strongly marked, bold, original, positive and ineisive mind. As it was, he was never idle. He made his mark in the profession he so dearly loved and highly honored. Few men were more greatly esteemed, for he was to all genial and kind and courteous. Dr. Dock married, July 30, 1844, Clara S. Rehrer, daughter of Col. Thomas J. Rehrer, of Harrisburg, who, with one daughter, survived him.
RUTHERFORD, LEVI, M. D., eldest son of John and Jane (Meader) Rutherford, was born in Paxtang in the year 1826. After the death of his father, in 1832, he was taken by his uncle, William Rutherford, in whose family he remained until he attained his majority. He received his education and read medicine under Dr. W. W. Rutherford, of Harrisburg, graduating at the University of Pennsylvania in March, 1849. He at once began the practice of medicine at New Cumberland, which promised bright, but his health failing he was compelled to relinquish the duties of his profession. He returned home and undertook the superintendence of the farm, hoping thereby to re-establish his health. This proved futile, for he gradually failed and died at Harrisburg on the Sth of February, 1851. Intelligent, amiable and upright, Dr. Levi Rutherford's young life left a rose-tinted memory in many households.
COOVER, ELI H., M. D., was born in Lower Allen township, Cumberland county, Pa., October 21, 1827. He is a son of Jacob and Anna (Houser) Coover, natives of Cumber- land county. The father was a farmer by occupation, and prominent in his region. He was an active member of the United Brethren church, and prominently identified with every branch of church work. The parents reared a family of twelve children. Eli H. was the seventh son and the ninth child of the family. He was reared in Cum . berland county, and received his education in Mechanicsburg high school. He took up the study of medicine under Dr. Augustus Vanhoff and later under Dr. Andrew Miller, of Harrisburg. He attended the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, and was graduated therefrom in 1850. He first be- gan practice in New Cumberland, Cumber- land county, and continued it there from 1850 to 1869. He then removed to Harris- burg and continued the practice. In earlier days he combined the practice of dentistry with that of his profession, and is now one of the oldest physicians in practice in the city. He was one of the founders of the Cumberland County Medical Society. He is a member of the Dauphin County Medical Society, the State Medical Society and the National Medical Association. He was one of the organizers of the Har- risburg Academy of Medicine, being one of a committee of five chosen from the county medical society to select a suitable place to hold its meetings. He was instru- mental in sceuring the present building and was chosen the first president of the academy, which position he still retains. He was rail- road surgeon of the Northern Central rail- way for seventeen years, from Bridgeport to Goldsboro. He served as United States pen- sion examiner for twelve years, from 1872 to 1883, inclusive. He is a stockholder in the Harrisburg Bank, Harrisburg Trust Com- pany, Central Guarantee Trust and Safe De- posit Company, Chestnut street and Broad street market houses. He has large real estate interests in Harrisburg. In politics he is a Republican and was formerly an active partisan. He was married, first, in 1851, to Miss Annie Ilummell, daughter of David Hunnell, Esq., of Harrisburg, who died in 1889. She had two children, namely : David H., of Denver, Col., occulist, and Harry R., M. D., of this city. He was again mar- ried, October 1, 1890, to Miss Elsie Coover,
6
366
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
of Johnstown, Pa. He is not a member of any fraternal society or club. He is a mem- ber of the First Lutheran church of Harris- burg. He is a liberal contributor to chari- table institutions.
- PORTER, GEORGE W., M. D., was born in Huntingdon, Pa., March 9, 1825, son of David K. and Josephine (MeDermott) Por- ter. He was reared and educated in his na- tive place up to his fourteenth year, and subsequently took a regular college course, graduating from Lafayette College in the class of 1846. His preceptor in the study of medicine was Dr. Robb, then resident phy- sician of the Eastern Penitentiary, and sub- sequently he attended lectures of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, from which insti- tution he was graduated in 1850. He at once began the practice of medicine at Har- risburg, in which he continued over twenty years and then retired. James Buchanan appointed him postmaster in 1857, and Governor Pollock made him trustee of the Hospital for the Insane, in which office he served thirteen years. lle was designated as prison inspector in 1883, and in January, 1893, was made secretary of the board. Dr. Porter is a Republican in politics, but up to the time of the war had been a Democrat. He was a warm personal friend of General Grant, and was active in promoting his elec- tion to the Presidency. Dr. Porter was drafted for service in the army, but was re- jected on account of impaired health. He took an active part in the freeing of the slaves. Since 1877 he has been identified with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, being a prominent and active representative of the Pennsylvania branch of that society. The Doctor is largley interested in farming. Before the incorpora- tion of this city he served as school dircetor. He has been in the city since 1839 but has held no city office. The Grant and Har- tranft Club made him president of the organ- ization and in this and other ways he was active in the work of the Republican party.
Dr. Porter was married in 1854 to Miss Emily Reily, daughter of Dr. Luther Reily, of Harrisburg. She died September 1, 1889. They reared six children : George W., pay- master of New York Central railroad, re- sides at New York; Rebecca R., wife of Dr. W. Trout, of Spring Lake Beach, N. J .; Car- oline Reily, wife of Melanethon S. Hlohwell, Harrisburg ; Josephine, wife of William B.
Hammond, of Harrisburg; Emma, wife of Lieut. John M. Payer, of Navy Yard, Wash- ington, D. C., and Elizabeth Reily, unmar- ried. Dr. Porter attends the Presbyterian church and was formerly a trustee, and has has retired from active church work.
- O'CONNER, MORTIMER, M. D., is a native of connty Kerry, Ireland. He received a classi- cal education. He commenced the study of medieine at Dublin, in October, 1846, and graduated there May 6, 1851. For a period of ten years he was connected with the Eng- lish service as medical officer. He came to America permanently in 1863, and on Feb- ruary 13, 1864, married Susan Frances, daugh- ter of Jacob M. and Elizabeth E. (Jacobs) Haldeman, of Harrisburg. He resides in this city partially in the practice of his pro- fession.
HAYES, JOSHUA ROBERTS, M. D., son of Nathaniel and Matilda (Barwick) Haves, was born in 1832, in New Castle county, Del. He received his primary and aca- demie education at New Castle Academy, and entered the full course at the University of Pennsylvania in October, 1852, graduat- ing from the medical department of that in- stitution in 1855, having pursued previously the study of medicine under the late Dr. John B. Brinton, of West Chester, and the late Dr. George W. Norris, of Philadelphia. After graduating, in 1855, he settled in the practice of his profession at Rock Island, Ill., and while there for a period of five years, at- tended professionally Abraham Lincoln, Ste- phen A. Douglas, and other celebrities in the State when they attended the courts of that county and district. When the war of the Rebellion broke out Dr. Hayes returned to Pennsylvania, and in 1861 was commissioned surgeon ofthe Seventy-second regiment, Penn- sylvania volunteers, and in this and other commands served during four years. For a period of nine months he was in medical charge of Camp Cmitin, at Harrisburg, and while there examined over ten thousand re- cruits. He was in seventeen battles of the late war, and performed or assisted in nearly eight thousand capital operations. In 1879 he established at Harrisburg a weekly news- paper, The Saturday Night, of which he was editor and proprietor. Ile was the patentec for several inventions for paving and devoted much time to the production of artificial stone, etc., and also for the utilizing of coal,
367
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
and machinery to compress the dust of coal. In addition to all these enterprises the Doctor found time to practice his profession. He married, in 1858, Elizabeth, daughter of Jolin and Maria Rutter, of West Chester, and their children are: Areta V. and John Lawrence.
HENDERSON, JAMES, M. D., son of Dr. Will- iam Henderson, was born in the year 1827, in Dauphin county, Pa. He received a good academical education, studied medicine with his father at Hummelstown and graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1856. He began the practice of medicine at Phila- delphia, subsequently went to Plymouth, Ohio, but his father dying in 1859 hie re- turned to Hummelstown. During the war for the Union he was captain of company C, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh regi- inent, Pennsylvania volunteers, and was at the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancel- lorsville, being wounded at the latter. He was a brave officer and held in high estecm by his fellow-officers and the men of his company. He afterwards went into service as assistant surgeon of the Two Hundred and First regiment, Pennsylvania volun- teers, and after the war resumed his profes- sion at Hummelstown. His practice became quite extensive, but his health subsequently failed him and he died of consumption on Thursday, April 12, 1880, at Hummelstown.
REILY, GEORGE WOLF, M. D., the second son of Dr. Luther Reily, and his wife Re- becca Orth, was born in 1834, in Harrisburg. His grandfather, John Reily, was a captain in the Pennsylvania Line of the Revolution, in which service he was severely wounded, and afterwards a lawyer of considerable prominence at the Dauphin county bar. His father, Dr. Luther Reily, was one of the most prominent physicians in Central Pennsyl- vania and was a member of the Twenty-fifth Congress. The son, George Wolf, was edu- cated at the Harrisburg Academy and. at Yale College, from which latter place he graduated in 1$54. He studied medieine under his maternal uncle, Dr. Edward L. Orth, and in 1857 graduated from the medi- cal department of the University of Penn- sylvania. He was in the active practice of medicine for a number of years, but in 1870 upon being elected president of the Harris- burg National Bank he relinquished his pro- fession, holding this position until his death, which occurred on the Sth of February, 1892.
He was a director in many of the leading corporations of Harrisburg and of the Union Trust Company of Philadelphia. He was decidedly philanthropie in charitable work. In politics Dr. Reily was a Democrat, and in religious belief a Presbyterian, being for many years a member of the Market Square Presbyterian church. Dr. Reily married, in February, 1861, Miss Elizabeth H. Kerr, daughter of William M. Kerr, who with three daughters and one son survived the honored husband and father.
HURSH, GEORGE R., M. D., third son of Christian and Eliza Hursh, was born Febru- ary 6, 1835, in Fairview township, York county, Pa. He was brought up on his father's farm. At the age of sixteen he was sent to the Cumberland Valley Institute, where he remained about eighteen months. He then entered the office of Dr. A. J. Her- man, of Carlisle, and began the study of medicine and in due time attended lectures in Jefferson Medical College, where he grad- uated in Marelı, 1857. He first located in New Cumberland, where he practiced two years, then removed to New Market, York county. In September, 1864, he was ap- pointed assistant surgeon in the army, and was stationed in the United States hospital. at York, Pa. Toward the close of the Re- bellion he resigned his position, and resumed the practice of medicine at New Market. In 1868 he was elected a member of the Penn- sylvania House of Representatives, and the following year re-elected. In 1871 he re- moved to Harrisburg, and in 1876 he was appointed on the medical staff of the City Hospital, Harrisburg. Dr. Hursh married, in 1859, Sarah A. Reiff.
- MARKLEY, GEORGE H., M. D., pharmacist Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Lancaster, Pa., March 28, 1833. He is a son of George B. and Elizabeth (Hufnagle) Markley. George B. Markley was born in Strasburg, Lancas- ter county, and was of Hollandish extrae- tion. He spent his life in that county. For many years he carried on an extensive busi- ness in merchandise. He was a prominent man in his community. He died August 10, 1859. His wife, Elizabeth Hufnagle, was a native of Lancaster, whose ancestors also came from Holland. She was the last sur- viving member of her family, and died Jan- uary 27, 1864. They had six children : Amos II., died in childhood, Elizabeth M.,
~
368
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
wife of J. M. W. Geist. died November S, 1893, HIenry H., died September 21, 1868, John B., living in Lancaster, Dr. George II. and Samuel B., died September 17, 1868.
George HI. Markley passed his youth in his native city and received his elementary education in her public schools. He took a classical course at Franklin College, Lancas- ter. In 1851, at the close of his collegiate course, he went Philadelphia and became a student in pharmacy. He was graduated from the College of Pharmacy with the class of 1854. While acquiring a theoretical knowledge of his profession, from 1851 to 1855, he was applying his knowledge and attaining to skill through practice by on- gagement in the drug store of Peter Will- iamson & Son. In 1855 he began the study of medicine and graduated from the Penn- sylvania Medical College in 1858. He prac ticed medicine in Lancaster for a few years. He was engaged in the drug business for himself in that city until 1866, when he ro- moved to Harrisburg and has since been in business herc.
In 1864 Dr. Markley enlisted as a private in the Tenth Pennsylvania volunteers. After a short term of service he was honor- ably discharged. Since the erection of the opera house in 1873 he has been connected in various ways with that enterprise. He is now senior partner in the firm of Markley & Co., managers of the opera house. George HI. Markley was married in Harris- burg, December 2, 1862, to Emma, daughter of Charles A. and Barbara (Keller) Snyder, early settlers of Harrisburg. They have three daughters living: Helen L., wife of Simon B. Cameron, residing in Lancaster county ; Elva G., wife of Ralph Shaw, Esq., residing at Little Falls, N. J .; Katherine E., residing with her parents.
Dr. Markley is a staunch Republican, of the old Whig stock. He has represented the Third ward of Harrisburg as school di- rector for one term, and the Fourth ward as councilman one term. He is a member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M., and of Post No. 58, G. A. R.
DUFF, WILLIAM L., M. D., was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., October 10, 1844. He is a son of John and Barbara (Randolph) Duff, of that county. They were farmers by occupation, and of Scotch-Irish descent. William J. was the youngest of their seven children. Jonathan, the eldest, was an at-
torney-at-law, located in Illinois, and was judge of the Livingston county court for eight years ; died in 1881, a prominent man. Edmund, another brother, graduated from the Jefferson Medical College in 1861, lo- cated in Huntingdon county, and died in the fall of the same year. There were three sisters : Mary A., who married Armstrong Campbell, both died in Illinois, where they resided for more than thirty years; Mrs. Dr. Stewart, of Iowa, and Mrs. Black, of Hunting- don county ; and Mordecai, farmer, of Stone Valley, Huntingdon county, Pa. The father died in 1894, at the age of eighty-six years, and the mother died in 1884, aged seventy- eight years .. William L. was reared in his native county. IIe received his education in the Pine Grove Seminary, Centre county, Pa., and the Stone Valley Academy. He clerked in a store for one year. He road medicine under Dr. Matthew Miller, and was graduated from the University of Pennsyl- vania in 1868. He began the practice of medicine at Stone Valley. In 1874 he graduated from the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1880 he came to Harrisburg, where he has since practiced. He conducts a general practice, and is a member of the Dauphin County Medical Society. He has served as examining physician for insurance companies. He is Democratic in his political views and is a inember of the Masonic order. The doctor was married in February, 186S, to Miss Tillie Miller, daughter of Dr. Matthew Miller, of his native county. They have three chil- dren, namely: Mabel E., wife of Jolm P. McPherran, son of Dr. MePherran, of Spruce Creek, Huntingdon county, Pa .; Edmund L., graduate from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore; and Grace B., who lives with her father. Dr. Duff is a member of the M. E. church. He is district steward in this church, and also financial steward.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.