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 71
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-JORDAN, FRANCIS, son of John and Jane Jordan, was born in Bedford county, Pa., February 5, 1820. His father was of Eng- lish and his mother of Irish parentage, both highly esteemed for their intelligence and Christian virtues. He was edueated by the maternal uncle, a Mississippi planter, at Augusta College, Kentucky, and at Franklin and Marshall College, Pennsylvania. He studied law, was admitted to practice, and soon after was appointed district attorney of Bedford county, and subsequently cleeted to the same position. At the outset his official conduct was able, his indictments being so accurately drawn that not one of them was quashed for informality. In 1850 he became the law partner of Alexander King, of Bed- ford, subsequently president judge, which re- lations continued until 1861. In 1855 Mr. Jordan commeneed his public career, and was elected to the State Senate for a term of three years. There he was made chairman of the committee charged with drawing a bill for the re-adjustment of legislative dis- tricts under new apportionment, chairman of the judiciary committee, composed of some of the best legal talent of the State, and a. prominent advocate of the bill authorizing the sale of the public works. He deelined re-
elcetion, and was soon after appointed one of a commission of three to revise the civil code, which duty was postponed on account of hostilities and finally passed into other hands. He was also tendered the appoint- ment of attorney general of the State, by the governor, which he reluctantly declined by reason of the complications attending it. A pressing exigency called for a sudden con- centration of troops upon the central border and at Cumberland, Md., in the fall of 1861. Upon the request of Governor Curtin, Mr. Jordan accompanied the noted Reserve corps as assistant quartermaster, and while thus employed, without solieitation or even knowl- edge, he was appointed by President Lincoln paymaster in the army, and promptly con- firmed, and served for two and a-half years in Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana, during the last four months of which time being chief pay- master of the army of the Mississippi, and disbursing during his entire term four mil- lion dollars under a bond of only twenty thousand dollars, rendering a satisfactory ac- count. Urged by Governor Curtin he re- signed his position, and wasappointed by him military agent of the State at Washington, where the manifold interests of the State-of Pennsylvania were ably represented, and under his management the claims of our soldiers were promptly examined and paid. The Legislature, recognizing his efficient services, passed an act conferring upon him the rank of colonel of infantry. In 1886 Colonel Jordan was chosen chairman of the Republican State Central Committee, and conducted the canvass with great ability and discretion, resulting in the election of General Geary, who appointed Colonel Jordan secre- tary of the Commonwealth, in which capacity he served with ability for six years. In 1871. pending the agitation for the revision of the State Constitution, he wrote and published a paper advoeating a revision and detailing his reasons, which was well received, and on the 19th of February, 1872, upon invitation, he delivered an address before the Social Science Association, of Philadelphia, and afterwards in Pittsburgh, advoeating thirteen amend- ments, covering the most vital defeets of the old instrument, twelve of which were adopted by the State Convention. These papers served to establish the reputation of Colonel Jordan as a sound lawyer, and elicited strong commendation from intelligent men both within and without the Commonwealth.
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Colonel Jordan was prominently presented in the nominating convention as the suc- cessor of Governor Geary, but withdrawn to harmonize conflieting interests, and in the same convention his vote was next to the successful candidate for judge of the Supreme Court, although he was not before the con- vention for the office. Colonel Jordan took up his residence in Harrisburg upon his ap- pointment as secretary of the Common wealth, and in 1872 resumed the practice of law in partnership with Hon. Louis W. Hall, since which time he has acted as counsel for the Pennsylvania railroad and various other corporations. On November 4, 1882, follow- ing the resignation of Secretary Quay, he was appointed by Governor Hoyt secretary of the Commonwealth. Colonel Jordan is an esteemed citizen, recognized as an able ad- vocate and judieious and safe counselor, and possessed of sterling integrity in all business relations. He was appointed by Governor Beaver as member of the State board of charities, but after serving thercon, and ac- complishing certain distinct results, he re- signed. He has been prevailed upon to ac- cept the presidency of the Pennsylvania Telephone Company. This is a new corpor- ation, having half a million dollars paid up capital, and its operations extending from Easton, on the Delaware, to Chambersburg, including Harrisburg, York, Columbia, Reading, Pottsville, Mauch Chunk, and other important points. His first wife, Louisa Farquhar, was the adopted daughter of Hon. Job Mann, ex-State treasurer and ex-member of Congress, and their children are William F. Jordan, publisher of the Era, a daily newspaper of Bradford, Pa., and Aliee, who married Walter F. Moore, of Bed- ford. His present wife, Mary, is a daughter of Rev. William M. Hall, a Presbyterian clergyman, and sister of Judge Hall, of Bed- ford, and of Hon. Louis W. Ilall, his law partner.
MILLER, WILLIAM HENRY, lawyer, was born in Landisburg, Perry county, Pa., Feb- ruary 28, 1829, and died in Harrisburg Sep- tember 12, 1870. His father, llon. Jesse Miller, was one of the purestand wisest publie men who has ever helped to make for Penn- sylvania an honest history. He held many stations of trust, filled them with diligence and ability, and came out of them all with
spotless hands. He was a member of Con- gress during General Jackson's administra- tion, first auditor of the United States treas- ury under President Van Buren, and he was appointed secretary of the Common- wealth of Pennsylvania under Governor Francis R. Shunk, at which time he removed from Washington, D. C., to Harrisburg, where he died in August, 1850. William Henry was graduated from Franklin and Marshall College, and read law with Her- manus Alricks, an eminent member of the profession in Harrisburg, and was admitted to practice November 18, 1846. Upon his appointment as prothonotary of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, in 1854, he took up his residenec in Harrisburg and served with ability in that capacity until 1863. He was for one term clerk of the State Senate, and for a number of years connected with the Harrisburg Patriot. In 1862 he was elected to the Thirty-eighth Congress of the United States by the people of his district, in the face of a heavy party majority, where he served with high reputation. He died in his forty-second year, in the prime of a busy and useful life. He married Ellen, the eldest daughter of the late Christopher L. Ward, of Towanda, Pa., who, with one son, Jesse, sur- vives him. His father was born in Susque- hanna county, Pa., in 1807. He resided most of his life at Towanda. Ile possessed the largest and most valuable private library in the State, comprising some fifteen thousand volumes, which has been, since his death, donated by Mrs. Miller to Lafayette College.
. CAMERON, WILLIAM BRUA, son of Simon Cameron and Margaret Brua, was born August 1, 1826, at Harrisburg, Pa. He re- ecived a classical education, and graduated at Princeton College in 1847, studied law with James McCormick, and was admitted to the Dauphin county bar January 23, 1849. He located at Middletown, managing cer- tain business enterprises of his father. Ife was appointed major and paymaster in the United States army May 1, 1861; retired the 4th of November, 1863, on aceount of im- paired health. Major Cameron died at Middletown, January 13, 1861, and is buried in the cemetery at that place. He married, October 18, 1852, Elizabeth Bastedo, daugh- ter of Gilbert and Marian Bastedo, of Nel- son, Province of Ontario, Canada. Mrs. Cameron, while on a visit to her old home
gm. Simonton.
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in Canada, took ill, and died there in 1870. They had issue: Marian Bastedo, married David Watts, Simon Brua, and Janet, mar- ried Tryon Hughes Edwards, a lawyer.
-SIMONTON, HON. JOHN WIGGINS, was born in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, in 1830 (the exact register of his birth is missing from the record), son of Hon. Will- iam Simonton, son of William and Eliza- beth W., daughter of Rev. James Snodgrass. His preparatory education was received at the country school near Hanover Church, continued at the Strasburg Academy, Lan- caster county, and then at Lafayette Col- lege, Easton, graduating at the College of New Jersey in 1850. His choice of profes- sion was the law, and he was entered as a stu- dent with Hon. Hamilton Alricks, at Har- risburg, admitted to practice at the April term, 1853. With a very brief interval his residence has since been at Harrisburg. When the war broke out he was one of the first to respond and served as a private in company K, First regiment, Pennsylvania militia, until discharged after the battle of Antietam. HIe married, July S, 1856, Sarah H., daughter of George Kunkel, merchant, and Catharine Ziegler. It may be safely said of Judge Simonton that he never sought an office, his ambition was to be a thorough lawyer, and as such win success, and before office sought him he was con- sidered a safe counselor as well as a capable one. He was chosen district attorney in 1866. As soon as another opportunity pre- sented itself to honor him with a higher sta- tion, his fellow-citizens chose him without serious opposition, in 1881, president judge of the Twelfth Judicial District of Pennsyl- vania, to succeed Judge Pearson, and again re-elected in 1891 for the term of ten years. Every opinion handed down since he has held this important position has shown an intimate knowledge of the laws of his native State, of his literary ability, acute percep- tion of such facts as are necessary in consid- ering cases, and in nearly every instance have been sustained by the higher court.
- . MUMMA, HON. DAVID, son of David and Esther Mumma, was born on the old Mumma homestead in Susquehanna township, Dau- phin county, July 28, 1816. He was brought up as other farmers' sons, knowing hard work, long hours and the drudgery that every farmer boy experiences. Adjoin-
ing the Mumma farm was the home of the famous Revolutionary soldier, Col. Edward Crouch, now owned by Col. John Motter, and known as "Walnut Hill." Across the hills toward Middletown, one mile south, was another historie land mark, "Tinian," the home of Col. James Burd, one of the most dis- tinguished soldiers and pioneers of Central Pennsylvania. Young Mumma carly em- bibed the love for the memory for those brave men, and being surrounded by evi- dences of what they had accomplished un- der most trying difficulties, he resolved to make his mark in the future. Ile attended the private schools until the adoption of the free school system, when he studied under such teachers as the conditions of the neigh- borhood could afford. Compared with the advantages now enjoyed, the boy or girl of that day desirous of getting an education encountered difficulties that few of the pres- ent age would dare contend with. His father opposed his desire for learning, deny- ing him means of study, but young Mumma was not to be denied his thirst for knowl- edge. He hoarded every penny with which he purchased his much cherished treasures, the contents of which he devoured most eagerly, and the influence of which largely determined his after life. He engaged in business pursuits which he followed for a livelihood, ever keeping in view the star of his young heart's ambition. Having re- solved to study law, he entered himself as a student with the elder James McCormick, at that time one of the leaders of the bar of Dauphin county. He was admitted to prac- tice April 26, 1853. He soon acquired a standing among the many able attorneys, whose ability, eloquence and personal mag- netism have made the bar of Dauphin world famous. Mr. Mumma at once took more than ordinary interest in the building up of Harrisburg. He had confidence in its future and willingly and readily embarked in every enterprise that was legitimate or worthy the interest required to make it a success. In 1870 when Dauphin and Leba- non counties composed one Senatorial dis- triet, Mr. Mumma was elected senator on the Republican ticket by an overwhelming ma- jority, serving his full time with distin- guished honor and for the welfare of his constituents. He was a delegate to the National Convention that nominated Abra- ham Lincoln, and was national delegate on several other occasions. Major Mumma's
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influenee with a jury was something re- markable, being plain in speech and man- ner, and possessing a fund of humor that was always applied at the right time and place, he was enabled to sway, move and mold a verdict almost ad libitum. Ilis knowledge of both client and opponents, their standing socially, morally and finan- cially, made him a power when arrayed for or against. No man knew his fellow-citizens better nor understood their weakness for flattery. He could judge in a moment the tenderest spot in the heart of each man; could place his finger on the juror who may have suffered the same imposition which his client was then undergoing, and gathering and concentrating these mighty influenees together would make one grand charge, down upon the consciences of the men in the box, and carry off the wreath of victory. The effect of Major Mumma's speeches upon the minds and feelings was always eom- mensurate with the object to be obtained; when desiring to convinee, he talked plain words that any ordinary man could easily understand, was calm and logieal, no man more so; but when he set his head to enlist the sympathy of the jury he gave vent to his imagination and was wonderfully elo- quent. He seemed to comprehend the character of every man and was an adept at selecting a jury.
The mind is said to be composed of three great attributes : imagination, memory and judgment. This combination is rarely found in any man, but when it is that man is great intellectually. In his long legal career Major Mumma was full of courtesy toward his opponent or rival at the bar. He was also brave, kind and generous, affable and affectionate, devoted to his family and his friends. Easy of approach, every boy and girl of Dauphin county knew him and honored him. He had a smile and cheery greeting that was never mistaken for other than what it was meant, viz: a plain, manly and honorable cordiality that indicated the man. In his later life he relapsed his grip on the plodding labor of a lawyer's life, dropped many or all of the cares that weighed upon him in his younger days, and in the companionship of his beloved wife, determined to go quietly down the twilight pathway to the gates of the unknown be- yond. When speaking of his physical de- cline, and the discouraging prospects for the future, he said to his family: "I am satisfied
with what is being done. I.am not afraid to face death, but hope I shall retain my faculties and know you all until it is over." Few men looked upon the transition from this life into that unknown borne with the same logical reasoning and fixed assurance and belief. Brought up under the influence of Christian parents, his early life was im- pressed with the beauties, the goodness and moral advantages of Protestant teachings. He died June 20, 1893, and his widow sur- vives. He married Lydia Detwiler, daugh- ter of David and Susan Detwiler, of Mid- dletown, Pa., February 22, 18-13. His family consists of three children : Susan, wife of J. M. Major, of Harrisburg; Ellis L., pro- prietor of the Morning Call, Harrisburg, and David D.
LAWRENCE, WILLIAM CALDWELL ANDER- SON, lawyer, son of Joseph and Maria (Bueher) Lawrenee, was born May 18, 1832, in Washington county, Pa. His grand- father, John Lawrence, of English birth, emigrated to America at an early day, and settled near Hunterstown, Adams county, P.a. There he married Sarah Moffet, by whom he had ten children. John Lawrenee died about 1786, and three years afterwards his widow removed with her family to Washington county, and settled on a farm lying on the headwaters of Pigeon creek. One of the sons of John Lawrence, John, settled at Beaver, l'a .; twice represented the county in the Legislature, subsequently re- moving to Delaware county, where he died. Samuel followed his brother to Beaver county, and located upon a farm. He was nine years prothonotary of the county, and twice elected to the State Assembly. Hle died about 182S. Joseph Lawrenec, the youngest of the family, remained in Wash- ington county. In 1818 he was chosen to the Legislature, and served continuous !; until 1826, being speaker of the House dur- ing the sessions of 1820 and 1822. In 1826 he was elceted to Congress; in 1834 and 1835 returned to the Legislature, and in 1836 elected State treasurer. In 1838 he was a candidate for Congress, defeated by seventeen votes, but elected in 1840. He died in Washington, D. C., April 7, 1842. lle was twiec married. By his first wife, Rebecca Van Eman, he had four children : Joseph, George V., Sarah and Samuel. By his second wife, Sarah Bucher, who died in 1861, he had five children : Jolm J., James
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K., William C. A., Samuel and Susan. William Caldwell Anderson Lawrence was edneated at Washington College, where he graduated in 1850. He came to Harrisburg and began the study of law with John C. Kunkel. He was admitted to the Dauphin county bar August 31, 1853, and entered upon the practice of his profession at Har- risburg as law partner with Mr. Kunkel. He was elected to the Legislature in 1857, 1858 and 1859, and was speaker of the House of Representatives, sessions of 1859 and 1860. He died at Harrisburg, April 21, 1860.
HALL, LOUIS WILLIAMS, son of William Maclay Hall, whose mother was a daughter of Hon. William Maclay, first United States senator from Pennsylvania, was born July 4, 1833, at Allegheny, Pa. He received a good education ; studied law, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1854. Ile was soon after appointed solicitor for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Altoona. That road was just opened over the Allegheny moun- tains, and Altoona was the location of the chief offices of the transportation of the com- pany. Herman J. Lombaert was general superintendent with all the powers of the now general manager. The office of the chief engineer was also at that point, and the location was being made there for the principal shops of the company. It being the headquarters of these offices, the position of solicitor there was an important and deli- eate one, and the attorney had many ques- tions before him of immense importance to the company and its interests. Mr. Hall's practice soon became large and lucrative, not only in Blair, but the eontiguous coun- ties. In 1859, when little more than eligible, he was elected to the State Senate as the Republican candidate from the strong Democratie distriet of Cambria, Blair and Clearfield counties. Hle was appointed chairman of the judiciary committee on his first advent in the Senate, of a body eom- posed of such legal minds as Penny, of Alle- gheny ; Clymer, of Berks; Ketehum, of Lu- zerne ; Welsh, of York ; Palmer, of Sehuyl- kill; Finney, of Crawford ; McClure, of Franklin, and others prominent in the pro- fession of the State. The war of the Rebel- lion breaking out, Governor Curtin called an extra session of the Assembly, in April, 1861, when Mr. Hall was chosen speaker of the Senate. It was at that extra session that
the famous three-million-dollar-loan bill to arm the State, and other important war measures were passed. Mr. Hall was again chosen speaker at the beginning of the regu- lar session in January, 1862. He was elected for a new term, and for another district, in which Blair county was placed in October, 1864, running largely ahead of his tieket. Hle was again chosen speaker of the Senate at the end of the session of 1866, and also at the commencement of the regular session of 1867, having been chosen three times pre- siding officer of that body, an honor never before accorded to any one. At the elose of his term he deelined a re-nomination, and since then has devoted himself exclusively to the practice of his profession. Having been appointed solieitor and counsel of the Pennsylvania railroad, at Harrisburg, on the 1st of October, 1868, he took up his resi- dence in that eity. To-day he occupies the same position, being connected with them for over thirty years. He is yet in the mental vigor and prime of life, although sixty years of age, and has probably been connected with as many matters of impor- tanee in his profession as any man of his age. Among the numerous leading cases in the courts he has argued within the last few years may be mentioned those of the "Com- monwealth vs. Credit Mobilier of America," twice tried before Judge Pearson, and twice in the Supreme Court; "Commonwealth rs. George O. Evans," the elaim of the State for a very large amount; Mr. Evans being de- fended by Mr. Hall and the late Judge Black ; "The Commonwealth vs. Pennsyl- vania Canal Company," being an attempt of the State by statute to eompel the eanal company to alter their dams, feeders and works, without compensation, so as to allow the passage of fish, the case involved prob- ably half a million of dollars, and was de- eided by the Supreme Court in favor of the eanal company ; " James Freeland re. Penn- sylvania Railroad Company," an attempt to hold the company responsible for consequen- tial damages caused by raising the great Clark's Ferry dam ; decided by the Supreme Court in favor of the railroad company. Mr. Hall married, November 26, 1867, Eliza War- ford. They have two sons and two daughters.
MUENCH, ROBERT L., was a son of the late Charles F. Muench. He was born in Har- risburg, February 9, 1831. His education was begun in the schools of Harrisburg,
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which he left to enter the printing office and bindery of his father, where he remained for a short time and then went to Tennant School, Hartsville, Bucks county, to prepare for Yale College, which he entered in 1852 in the class of 1856. He was a thorough Ger- man, Latin and French scholar, having a taste for the latter language, in which he be- came proficient in reading and graceful in speech.
He began the study of law with R. A. Lamberton and was on his motion admitted to the bar of Dauphin county January 22, 1856. His progress at the bar illustrated the energy of the man. Ardent and zealous in his profession and honestly devoted to his clients he rose gradually but surely until he secured a large practice and attained position ranking him among the ablest of the at- torneys with whom he practiced.
He was a prominent Mason of high stand- ing, past master of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, and many years district deputy grand master for this district.
He was the first president of select council when the old council was divided into two branches-select and common. His ability as a presiding officer was displayed to great advantage, and to his sagacity may be attri- buted legislation which proved highly bene- ficial to the city, with the defeat, too, of measures full of mischief. But he was not an office seeker, though an ardent politician of the Jacksonian school of Democrats. Forced into the field as a Democratic candi- date for district attorney against J. M: Wiest- ling, one of the strongest men in the Repub- lican party, Mr. Muench ran ahead of his ticket and reduced the Republican majority lower than it had been since the organization of the party up to that time.
Robert Leyburn Muench was from early boyhood, in his youth, his young manhood and the prime of life one of the best known citizens of Harrisburg and Dauphin county. By organization fitted for active pursuits, whatever he did in the printing office, the bookbindery, at school, as a teacher, a colle- giate, a student of law and a practitioner, was with a spirit of resistless force. His men- tal endowments were of a high order, and personally he had qualities which com- manded both admiration and respect. Where he placed his friendship, it was held with hooks of steel, and where his enmity was provoked it remained until satisfied. Open- hearted and frank of speech, courageons,
generous and faithful. the man had no con- cealments to make in any direction and was of the nature that delights in the daylight of life, wherein what he said and did he could be seen and heard of all men. Such a man never lost a friend once made, and had the faculty of unmaking enemies who were cap- able of listening to reason. He was of use in his day and generation, a good citizen. a faithful husband, affectionate father, gener- ous brother and a dutiful son. He leaves a widow and three daughters, the eldest of whom is the wife of Martin E. Hershey. Hc was the last male descendant of Capt. Charles F. Muench, a sister, Mrs. W. H. Snyder, be- ing the only survivor.
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