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 63
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-ELLENBERGER, J. WESLEY, M. D., was born in Harrisburg, February 3, 1858. He is a son of Samuel B. and Margaret (Sheridan) Ellenberger. Hc received his literary edu- cation in the public schools of Harrisburg, graduating from the high school in 1875. While a student in the high school he was a carrier of the Daily Telegraph. He read medicine under Dr. George R. Hursh, of Harrisburg, and entered Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in .1879. He at once began the practice of medicine in Harrisburg, and has been eminently successful. From the time of his graduation until the present, he has been connected with the Harrisburg Hos- pital, first as resident physician and subse- quently as visiting physician ; he is now the senior visiting physician of the medical staff. Ile served as county physician in 1886. The Doctor has been honored by his professional brethren, who have elected him president of the Dauphin County Medical Society and of the Harrisburg Pathological Society. He is now a trustce of the Harrisburg Academy of Medicine. Hle is a member of the State
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Medical Society and of the American Medi- cal Association.
Dr. Ellenberger served on the city school board for two terms, during a portion of which time he was chairman of the commit- tee on teachers, and did much to secure the observance of civil service rules in the selec- tion and promotion of teachers, the opera- tion of which has abated the evils of influ- ence and favoritism on the part of the board. The Doctor is not politically ambitious, and has not sought official preferment and promi- nence. His preferences are decidedly with the Republican party, but he has strong Prohibition proclivities. In the independ- ent citizens' movement for the reform of municipal government, he was universally recognized as the best exponent of the prin- ciples upheld by those who sustained that movement. Without his knowledge or con- sent, and contrary to his desire, he was nominated for mayor of Harrisburg. Con- strained and animated solely by convictions of duty, he accepted the nomination. His letter of acceptance is the best possible reve- lation of his character and conduct as a man and a citizen, and is here partially quoted for this purpose.
"When informed that I had been nom- inated for the important office of mayor of this city, I experienced a sensation such as is occasioned by the traditional clap of thunder from a clear sky. My first impulse was to decline the honor, gratefully acknowl- edging the distinction which had been con- ferred upon me. However, since hundreds of voters of all parties have urged me to ac- cept in the interest of good government, I have concluded that it is my duty to ac- quiesce in their desires.
"I, therefore, accept the nomination which has been tendered to me, and make the fol- lowing pledges :
"Should the people elect me mayor of this city, I agree that I will faithfully perform my duties, realizing my responsibility to God, as well as to my fellow-citizens for the manner in which I shall acquit myself.
"I will enforce the ordinances without fear or favor.
" ] will nominate as my subordinates the cleanest and most efficient men that I can secure, without regard to party affiliation.
" I will conduct the office as a non- partisan, acknowledging that my election must bo by the people.
"I will permit no black-mailing or bribery on the part of those under my authority."
The Doctor is also identified with a num- ber of the business interests of the city, and has always been ready to promote move- ments for the material welfare of the city. Ile is a stockholder, and has been one of the managers of the Harrisburg Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Company since its organiza- tion. He was one of the organizers of the Harris Building and Loan Association, in which he is deeply interested, and is one of the managers.
From boyhood the Doctor has been a mem- ber of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, and is actively identified with all its in- terests. He holds the office of steward in the church, and is the general superin- tendent of the large Sabbath-school con- nected with the church. He served for a number of years as one of the managers and for two years as the president of the Young Men's Christian Association. In all these positions of responsibility and trust the Doctor has proved himself faithful and efficient.
He was married, in 1891, to Miss Annie E. Baskin, daughter of Robert Baskin, of Harrisburg, by whom he has one child, Robert Baskin.
FRITCHEY, JOHN A., M. D., was born in Harrisburg, Pa., September 28, 1857. He is a son of John F. Fritchey, a native of Cham- bersburg, Franklin county, Pa., who came to Dauphin county when a young man. He married Miss Annie M. Hoon, of Coxestown, Dauphin county, Pa. He engaged in con- tracting, and afterwards was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He was the engineer of the first locomotive on the Northern Central railroad, and was then transferred to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, where he was employed for some years. He is now retired from business, and resides in Harrisburg.
John A. Fritchey is the eldest of six children. He was educated in the Harris- burg high school and Harrisburg Academy. He read medicine under Dr. C. B. Fager, graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1879, and bas since practiced in Harrisburg. He is a member of the Dauphin County Medical So- ciety, and has served as president of the same. Ile is also a member of the State
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Medical Society and of the National Medical Association.
Dr. Fritchey belongs to the Senior and Junior Orders of American Mechanics, K. of G. E., the Royal Arcanum, B. P. O. E., etc. Politically he is a Democrat, and one of the active leaders in the party. He has repre- sented the Second ward of Harrisburg in the common council for one term, and for two terms in the select council. In 1SS7 he was elected to the office of mayor, and re-elected in 1890. During his term of office as mayer, Dr. Fritchey established the police patrol system and the ambulance service, which had been attempted by his predecessor. He also kept alive the " Mayor's quick charity fund," which was established by Mayor Wil- son. He is assistant surgeon of the Gover- nor's Troop, and was formerly assistant sur- geon of the Pennsylvania and Northern Cen- tral Railroad companies, before his election to the office of mayor. He has real estate interests in Harrisburg.
Dr. Fritchey is a stockholder in the Hal- risburg Electric Light Company, the Harris- burg Casket Works, and the Monaghan & Bay Shoe Factory, a stockholder and director in the Harrisburg Implement Company, and a stockliolder in the Walnut Street Bridge Company. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and is unmarried.
-SWARTZ, J. Ross, M. D .- The best repre- sentatives of all the learned professions are naturally and strongly drawn toward the centers of dense population. This is not only because life in large cities is more attractive, but more for the reason that the intimate and intricate relationships and associations created by the elose assemblage of large numbers of human beings are the source and origin of those human wants and needs which the learned professions are designed to supply. Hence there is a continuous contribution of bright and aspiring young men from the country and smaller towns to the city, by which the professional ranks of the eity are kept full. In this way Harrisburg received a valuable addition to its corps of physicians and surgeons in the person of Dr. Swartz.
Hewas born in Mc Veytown, MitHin county, Pa., January 26, 1857. His father is Dr. J. S. Swartz, a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother is Matilda (Lewis) Swartz, a niece of the distinguished statesman and diplomat,
IIon. John M. Clayton, of Maryland. IIc pursued the usual course of studies in the public schools, and afterwards was for some time a pupil at the Airyville Academy in Central Pennsylvania. By an extended course of reading and study under his father he pre- pared himself for the course of lectures at the medical college. He entered the Hahnemann College of Medicine at Philadelphia, and was graduated front that institution in 1879. He began the practice of medicine in Washing- ton, D. C., as the assistant to Dr. T. D. Verdic. Here were many advantages for beginning his professional work in connection with an eminent and successful physician who had a large city practice. Dr. Swartz fully appre- ciated the opportunities thus offered him for perfecting his knowledge of medicine, and gaining an acquaintance with the chemical and ethical demands of his profession by actual experience and his close observation of a successful physician. But these oppor- tunities in their fullest privilege were speedily reaped by Dr. Swartz. The desire for a fool- ing of his own and a practice in which he would be sole and supreme was formed and strengthened and was finally gratified by his removal to Harrisburg in 1880. Here he has found an inviting field for the exercise of his professional skill and is in the enjoyment of a large and agreeable practice. Under the administration of President Cleveland he was appointed and commissioned a member of the county board of Pension Examiners, and in the organization of the board he was elected the secretary and held the position for three years. His appointment to this responsible office was due not only to the fact that he is identified with the political party in power at the time of his appointment, but was more owing to the recognition of his personal and professional fitness for the place. Dr. Swartz recognizes the benefit of close association with the members of his profession and the ad- herents of liis school of medicine, and has enrolled himself in the membership of the county, State and National Medical Associa- tions, and takes an interest in all the pro- ceedings of these societies. IIe is also a par- ticipant in social activities outside of his pro- fession, being a member of the Harrisburg Club and of the Masonic fraternity. Dr. Swartz was married, in 1883, to Miss Margarie inn, daughter of George and Annic Zinn, of IHarrisburg. To this marriage there is no issuc.
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WALTER, HARRY B., M. D., was born about four miles southeast of Greencastle, Franklin county, July 5, 1854, and is a son of William and Susan (Bushey) Walter.
The paternal ancestors were of Welsh and the maternal of German origin. William, the father of Harry B., was a son of Bernard and Catherine Walter, both natives of Franklin county. He was married to Miss Susan, daugliter of Henry and Margaret Bushey, by whom he had these children : Catherine Virginia, died in December, 1893, aged forty-two years, Edgar C., residing near Greencastle, where he is engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, Harry J., Ida B., who resides with her father, and William A., a drug manufacturer residing in Baltimore. Mrs. Walter is deceased and her husband sur- vives at an advanced age. In his earlier years he was a prominent farmer and an ac- tive worker in the ranks of the Republican party, an ardent and enthusiastic admirer of the Camerons.
Harry B. spent his boyhood days on the farm, where he was early taught the duties pertaining to this mode of livelihood. His primary education was acquired in the pub- lic schools, supplemented later in life by his own efforts on wet days spent in the hay loft of his father's barn, with an old arithmetic and grammar for companions. In 1874 he began teaching school at Pine Field, Antrim township, Franklin county, and continued there two years. During this period, by frugality he saved enough money from his salary to enter the Millersville State Normal School, and one term during 1876 was spent in that institution. This was followed by two successive winter terms of teaching in Lancaster county. In the spring of 1878 he entered Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, where he spent one year. In 1879 he com- menced the study of medicine, and in the fall of the same year entered Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, from which institu- tion he graduated in March, 1SS1. He at once took up his residence in Harrisburg and began the practice of his profession, which he has continued here ever since.
Dr. Walter is an ardent Republican and has always taken an active part in political matters and the legislation of municipal affairs. For three years he has served as a meniber of the school board, in which posi- tion he has given satisfaction to his con- stituents. In 1893 he was a candidate for
the office of mayor but was defeated by M. C. Eby.
He is prominent in fraternal circles, being a past master of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M., a member of Perseverance Chapter, No. 21, R. A. M., member of Pil- grim Commandery, No. 11, K. T., and Har- risburg Consistory, 32ยบ. He is also a past noble grand of Peace and Plenty Lodge, No. 69, I. O. O. F., and a past noble grand of Susannah Lodge, Daughters of Rebecca, a member and past councillor of American Council, No. 3, O. U. A. M., and has repre- sented this body in the State Council.
The Doctor is at present the president of the Dauphin County Medical Society, a member of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, a member of the American Medical Association, ex-president of Harrisburg Pathological Society, a member of the Acad- emy of Medicine, of Harrisburg, and a mem- ber of the surgical staff of the Harrisburg City Hospital. He is also vice-president of the Harris Building and Loan Association.
He was married, in Philadelphia, on the eve of December 24, 1884, to Miss Sarah Chamberlin, a daughter of William and Buelah Chamberlin, of Atlantic City, N. J., and to their union have been born three sons : Harry Morris, Alfred Roscoc, and Ralph Somers. The parents of Mrs. Walter are both deceased, and she is their only sur- viving child. He and his family attend the Lutheran church, of which body both Dr. and Mrs. Walter are consistent members.
BOWERS, MOSES K., M. D., of Harrisburg, was born at Oakland Mills, Juniata county, Pa., December 8, 1856. He is a son of Martin IT. and Christina (Kieffer) Bowers. Martin H. Bowers was born at or near Martinsburgh, Blair county, Pa., April 4, 1820. His life was spent partly in Blair and partly in Ju- niata county, but he passed his declining years in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county. His occupation was farming. Ile was a prominent citizen and a conscientious Chris- tian, a member of the German Baptist church. He died June 15, 1893, aged sev- enty-three. ITis memory will long be cher- ished by those who knew him best. He was married near Millersburg, Pa., to Christina Kieffer, of Millersburg, Dauphin county. They had four children : Joseph, deceased ; Susan, wife of Jacob Pyle, of Abilene, Kan .; Mary, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., and Moses K.
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Moses K. Bowers was a resident of Oakland Mills until he was fifteen. He enjoyed such educational advantages as were afforded by the public schools of his native town,, and also attended the Normal School of Patterson, Juniata county. About 1870 he removed to Cumberland county with his parents and located near New Kingston, where he worked upon his father's farm until 1877. At this date he went to Mechanicsburg and began the study of medicine with Dr. George Ful- mer. In the fall of 1878 he entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and attended a course of lectures for one year. Going back to Mechanicsburg he continued his medical studies there for two years. He re- turned to Jefferson College in 1881 and re- ceived his diploma from that institution in March, 1882. He immediately began the practice of medicine at Boiling Springs, Cum- berland county, Pa., and continued there for three years. In 1884 he removed to Harris- burg and has since that time practiced with success in that city.
He was married in Mechanicsburg, Pa., November 27, 1879, to Miss Emma M., daugh- ter of George and Susan (Long) Fulmer, a native of Mechanicsburg, of German-Amer- ican ancestry. They have had five children, two of whom died in infancy. The surviv- ing children are: Robert Ellerslie, born Au- gust 24, 1880; George Fulmer, born Decem- ber 25, 1881, and Susan C., born March 15, 1884. Dr. Bowers is a Democrat. He has filled the office of school director and been a member of the board of control for the city of Harrisburg. He has been an active mem- ber of the Cumberland County Hedical So- cicty. He belongs to Pilgrim Encampment, No. 13, Knights of St. John and Malta, and of Harrisburg Union, No. 683, E. A. U. of America. Dr. Bowers and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
-GRABER, LEON K., M. D., was born in Northumberland county, Pa., November 17, 1857, son of William K. and Pauline (Martz) Graber, both natives of that county. His father was a professor of music in Mora- via Seminary, Northumberland county, Pa. Leon K. received his academic education at Bethlehem Academy, and read medicine under Dr. D. D. Richardson, of Philadelphia, after which he took the regular course of study and lectures at the University of Penn- sylvania, and was graduated from the medi- cal department of that institution in 1882.
After serving as resident physician of the hospital for one year and a half, he spent the same length of time in the dispensary department of the Belleview Hospital at New York. He then went into a general practice at Bethlehem, Pa., in which he was very suc- cessful, continuing until 1888, when he came to Harrisburg, where he has since enjoyed a large practice. The Doctor is a member of both county and State medical societies. In politics he is a Democrat. He was married, in 1891, to Miss Frances C. Jauss, daughter of D. L. Jauss, of Harrisburg, to whom has been born one child, Mary. Dr. Graber is a member of the Catholic church and his wife of the Lutheran church.
SEITZ, J. LANDIS, M. D., was born in Safe Harbor, Lancaster county, Pa., August 11, 1856. IIc is a son of Noah H. and Elizabeth (daughter of John Landis) Seitz, natives of that county. His father was a practical iron man ; he learned the business when young, and was associated with C. L. Bailey & Co. in the iron business for many years, and came here with those men. He was also largely interested in farming, and died October 14, 1889. He was a Republican in politics, but held no office. He was a mem- ber of no church. His wife survives him. They reared three children, namely: J. Landis, David H., machinist, of Philadelphia, and Daniel S., attorney, of this city. J. Landis was reared in Cumberland county, and was educated at Millersburg Normal School, special coursc. He taught school in Lancaster and Cumberland counties, and in the city schools. In 1877 he began the study of medicine, and in 1882 ,was asso- ciated with Dr. George R. Hursh. He at- tended the Jefferson Medical College, and graduated in 1882, and has: since been practicing in this city. He conducts a gen- cral practice, and is a specialist in the treat- ment of catarrhal diseases of the throat, ear and chest. He is a member of the County Medical Society, and was vice-president of it. He is a member of the State Medical Associa- tion, and was a delegate to that body. He is a member of the Harrisburg Academy of Medicine. IIe was elected county physician in 1893, and was formerly resident physician of the City Hospital. He is a Republican in politics. Ile is a member, and one of the organizers, and present president of the Penn- sylvania Building and Loan Association. HIc was married, in 1885, to Miss Nettie L.
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Barnitz, daughter of George C. Barnitz, of Harrisburg. They have one child, George Howard. He is a member of the Messiah Lutheran church, and was formerly a Sab- bath-school teacher.
- RAMBLER, ROBERT A., M. D., was born in East Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., April 15, 1858. He is a son of the late Henry B. and Mary A. (Wallower) Rambler. Leonard Rambler, Dr. Rambler's grand- father, was a native of Dauphin county, and a farmer. He married Miss Priscilla Bacas- toe, of Dauphin county. They had these children, three of whom are living: Mary, wife of Moses Early; Elias; Priscilla, wife of Benjamin Gingerede. Their-deceased chil- dren were: John, Leonard, Michael B., and their sister Jane, first wife of Benjamin Gin- grich. The grandfather died August 17, 1870, aged seventy-six; the grandmother died March 4, 1885, aged eighty, just fifteen years later than her husband.
Henry B. Rambler was born in Dauphin county, and was for many years a farmer. His wife, Mary A. Wallower, daughter of John and Catherine Wallower, was born October 7, 1835, and was married in the year 1855 to Mr. Rambler. They had two sons, Dr. Robert A., of Harrisburg, Pa., and Galen M., of Middletown, Pa. Late in life Mr. Rambler engaged in the hotel business at Palmyra, Pa .; he died one year after, aged fifty-two. His wife still lives, and resides with her son, Dr. Rambler. He was a member of the Lutheran church, at Shells- ville, Dauphin county ; in his political views was a Democrat.
Robert A. Rambler attended the public schools of his native county. At the age of eighteen he went to Philadelphia, in 1SS0 le entered Jefferson Medical College, from which he received his degree of M. D. three years later. He at once opened an office in Harrisburg, on the same street where he now resides, and where he has ever since been engaged in the duties of his profession. By his genial and affable manner, his superior skill and devotion to his patients, he has built up a large practice. His professional services are much sought after. On May 4, 1889, he was appointed medical examiner for the Baltimore Mutual Aid Society; in 1895 he received a similar appointment from the Bay State Beneficiary Society, Boston, Mass. In the same year he was appointed
medical examiner for the Mutual Life Insur- ance Company of Philadelphia.
Dr. Rambler was married, in December, 1SS2, to Miss Lizzie, daughter of Iferman and Mary (Reiger) Turby. They have no children. Ile is a member of K. of P'., No. 59. The Doctor and Mrs. Rambler are members of Messiah Lutheran church, Har- risburg. His politics are Democratic.
The grandparents of Mrs. Rambler were farmers of Dauphin county. Six of their family of seven children are living: William ; Mary, Mrs. Herman Turby; Rebecca, wife of Aaron Shertzer; Eliza, wife of Jacob Rank; Philip, and Louisa, wife of John Miller, of Kansas. Samuel died, 1894, aged sixty-five years. Both grandparents were members of the Reformed church, at Palmyra. The grandfather was a Republican. He died, December 22, 1879, aged seventy-eight, and his widow died September 27, 1887, aged eighty-four years.
Herman Turby, Mrs. Rambler's father, was a native of Germany. He came to this country, May 29, 1868, at the age of twenty- eight years, and after working for some years among the farmers became a foreman in the lime business. His wife, Miss Mary Reiger, was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Reiger. They had seven children, four of whom are living: Lizzie A., Mrs. Dr. Ram- bler; Emma, wife of Abraham Demuth ; William, and Charles. Their deceased chi !- dren are Harry and Edy. The mother of Mrs. Rambler was born in Dauphin county, and now resides in Lebanon county.
COOVER, DR. H. Ross, was born in New Cumberland, Cumberland county, Pa., No- vember 30, 1860, son of Dr. E. H. and Anne (Hummel) Coover. He was reared in Harrisburg and received his education at Seiler's Academy and the Pennsylvania State College of Centre county, Pa. He read medicine with his father and took a two years course in the Jefferson Medieal Col- lege at Philadelphia. In September, 1SS1, he became a member of the firm of C. K. Essington, Jr., & Co., and engaged in the manufacture of axes and edge tools at Miles- burg, Centre county, Pa., at which he con- tinued about two years, when he abandoned the enterprise and resumed his studies at Jefferson Medical College, and after a two years additional course was graduated from that institution in 1885. Ile at once began the practice of medicine at Harrisburg,
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where he has been professionally engaged. McAlister is not married. He is a member since that time. He is a member of the of Market Square Presbyterian church and of the Young Men's Christian Association. Dauphin County Medical Society, and has served as the vice-president of the same. He is a member and past commander of the Knights of Malta. In his politics Dr. Coover is a Republican, and is active in party in- terests. He served as physician to the city poor from 1890 to 1893. Dr. Coover was married in 1881 to Miss Sarah R. Weekley, daughter of Thompson Weekley, of Carlisle, to whom has been born two children, E. H., Jr., and Sarah. Mrs. Coover is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church; the Doctor was reared in the Lutheran church.
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