USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Vol. VII > Part 49
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As an author and writer, Dr. Leuf has a fertile mind and prolific pen. He is the author of "Hygiene for Base Ball Players," being a brief consideration of the body as a mechanism, the art and science of curve pitching, a discussion of the causes of the special diseases and treatment of players, with a few prac- tical hints to club managers ; published in book form by A. J. Reach & Company, Philadelphia, 1888. This work has been nationally endorsed as probably the most valuable contribution to the literature of the national game yet published. Dr. Leuf is also the author of the following : "The Spinal Nerves," with a large diagram and six charts, published by F. B. O'Connor, Brooklyn, New York, 1881 ; "Practical First Principles," published by the Medical Council, Philadelphia ; "Gynecology, Obstetrics and the Meno- pause," ibid ; also more than two hundred articles, scientific and economic, among them "Accessory Foranima," 1881 ; "The Treatment of Scarlatina," "Elbow Joint Fractures," "A Peculiar Form of Pul- monary Congestion and a Plea for Aspir- ation of the Heart," "Surgical Eradication of Syphilis," "On the Pathology of Sur- gical Infection and the Value of Anti- sepsis," "Immunity in Disease," "The Stomach," "Base Ball Pitcher's Arm," "Exercise in the Treatment and Cure of Deformities," "Remvoal of the Spinal Cord," "Domestic Medicine Series," "Some Obstetric Cases," "Physical Edu- cation of Children," "Letters of Philos," "Proven Methods of Anatomy," read by request before anatomy section, Inter- national Medical Congress, Washington, D. C., 1888, "Trusts and Combines," "Open Letter to United States Strike
Commission," September, 1894, "Facts Concerning Insurance," "Rheumatism," "Injuries to Bone and Tendon attach- ments without Local Tenderness," "An- atomical Anamolies," numerous novels and photoplays under a pseudonym, and "A Scientific System of Music."
At the present writing Dr. Leuf is the author of "Letters of Doctor Leonidas Playfair," appearing monthly in the "American Journal of Clinical Medicine," subsequently to appear in book form. Dr. Leuf is an Independent in politics. He was the organizer of the People's party in Philadelphia, and was nominated for sheriff. He was president of the People's Party Club of Philadelphia, and county chairman of the party. He was also national delegate to the convention of the People's party at Cincinnati that nominated Wharton Barber for the presi- dency. He also fought against the "Hog Combine" in Philadelphia, was president of the Twenty-eighth Ward Municipal League Association, and an active mem- ber of the later City party.
Dr. Leuf married Jennie W. Hall, of Cape May, New Jersey, descended from the Hughes and Edmonds, with a remote ancestry entitling her to membership in the Colonial Dames and the Daughters of the Revolution. On his father's side Dr. Leuf is descended directly from the French Marshall Le Boeuf, of which name Leuf is a contraction. His father's mother was a Marmont, and directly de- scended from the Napoleonic marshal of that name. Children of Dr. and Mrs. Leuf: Edith Gray, born in Brooklyn, August 8, 1881, now Mrs. C. V. Everett ; Grace Hall, born July 1, 1889, educated in the public schools and Temple Col- lege, now the wife of Dr. Arthur F. Wil- helm, of Raubsville, Pennsylvania, and they have one child, Dorothy Jane, born July 21, 1913; Ralph Rea, born July 27,
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1892, was graduated from. the public schools and Central Manual Training High School of Philadelphia, and in two winter courses on scientific farming at State College of Pennsylvania, and a sum- mer course of the same at Cornell Uni- versity.
BEEBER, Dimner, Lawyer, Financier.
Whether considered as a lawyer, jurist, business man, or scholar, Mr. Beeber must be known as a man of high attain- ment and honorable achievement. A Philadelphian by adoption, he has for many years been a prominent member of the city bar, returning to private practice after a short term on the Superior Court bench. As president of the Common- wealth Title, Insurance and Trust Com- pany, and a director of other financial institutions, he has gained in the busi- ness world a standing coinciding with his legal reputation. His learning and at- tainment have brought him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, conferred by the Pennsylvania College, Princeton University conferring that of Master of Arts.
Judge Dimner Beeber is a descendant of Valentin Bieber, who came from Ger- many on the ship "Betsy," landing in Philadelphia, October 16, 1768, with his three sons, all settling in Maxatawney, Bucks county, Pennsylvania.
John (Johannes), youngest son of Valentin Bieber, was a Revolutionary soldier, and with war pay warrants pur- chased lands on Muncy creek, in Lycom- ing county. He married Mary J. Dimner.
Colonel Jacob Beeber, eldest son of John and Mary J. (Dimner) Beeber, changed the spelling of the name to Beeber, which form continues in this branch. He settled on a farm near Muncy and there resided until his death
in 1863. His rank of colonel was derived in militia service, his having been a con- spicuous figure at the annual "muster days." He was a strong Democrat, and like his father and grandfather was a Lutheran in religious faith. He married (first) Mary Dimm, (second) Elizabeth, sister of his first wife.
Teter Dimm, eldest son of Colonel Jacob Beeber and his first wife, Mary Dimm, was born on the Lycoming county farm near Muncy in 1815, died in 1876. He followed farming in early life, learned the blacksmith's trade, and in later life was a retail coal merchant of Muncy, his home. He and his brother John aided in establishing the Lutheran church in Muncy, and were the first in the town to ardently declare for temperance. He affiliated with the Republican party dur- ing his last twenty years, was a loyal supporter of the Union cause, and served Lycoming county as commissioner. He married, in 1841, Mary Jane Artley, born in 1818, died in 1869, daughter of John and Christiana Artley, of Muncy town- ship. Children : John Artley, an honored member of the Lycoming county bar ; Thomas Rissell, a leading divine of the Presbyterian church; Dimner, of further mention.
Dimner, youngest son of Teter D. and Mary Jane (Artley) Beeber, was born in Muncy, Lycoming county, Pennsyl- vania, March 8, 1854. After preparation in the public schools and at Selinsgrove Academy, he entered Pennsylvania Col- lege, Gettysburg, whence he was gradu- ated Bachelor of Arts, class of 1874. Fol- lowing in the footsteps of his honored elder brother in choosing a profession, after thorough study he was admitted to the Philadelphia bar in September, 1876. His career as a lawyer has been marked by many important events and he has appeared in numerous of the celebrated cases tried in Pennsylvania State and
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Federal courts. After locating in Phil- adelphia he became a member of the law firm of Jones, Carson & Beeber, his part- ners being J. Levering Jones and Hamp- ton L. Carson, acknowledged leaders of the Pennsylvania bar. Mr. Beeber was commissioned judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, January 2, 1899, filling that high position until the first Monday of January, 1900. In 1910 Judge Beeber was appointed a member of the Philadelphia Board of Education, but with the exception of that appoint- ment and his service on the Superior Court bench, his time has been wholly devoted to his private business and his profession. His business interests are with financial institutions of the city and are important. He is president of the Commonwealth Title, Insurance and Trust Company ; and a director of the Fire Association of Philadelphia, and of the Tradesmen's National Bank. He is a member of the American and Pennsyl- vania State Bar associations, his clubs being the Union League, the Philadel- phia Country, the Rittenhouse, the Penn Club and the City Club.
Republican in politics, Judge A Beeber has in the past freely given his full platform ability to the service of the party, and is a well known, able and popular campaign orator. During the years 1906-1908 he was president of the Union League of Philadelphia, and has rendered his party valuable service in council and convention. In 1902 Prince- ton University honored him with the de- gree of Master of Arts, his alma mater, Pennsylvania College, conferring that of Doctor of Laws in 1911.
GAWTHROP, Robert Smith, Lawyer, Jurist.
When in May, 1915, Governor Brum- baugh appointed Robert S. Gawthrop to the high office of judge of the Chester
county courts, he paid a graceful com- pliment to the legal ability and standing of one of Chester county's able lawyers and to the twentieth century fame of an old Pennsylvania family.
The Gawthrops of Chester and Dela- ware counties trace their lineage to Lord Gawthrop, a peer of England, some of whose descendants came to Philadelphia in the eighteenth century, later locating in Chester county. Two of these de- scendants, James and George Gawthrop, were sons of Thomas and Isabella (Crossfield) Gawthrop, both of whom lived and died in Westmoreland county, England. Both James and George Gaw- throp married in England, soon after- ward coming to the United States, finally settling in Chester county, where many descendants are yet found.
Robert Smith Gawthrop was born in Newlin township, Chester county, Penn- sylvania, October 26, 1878, son of Thomas C. and Emma R. (Pratt) Gawthrop. Emma R. Pratt is a daughter of Joseph R. Pratt, and a descendant of Abraham dePratt, a Frenchman who settled in Dublin township, now Delaware county, in 1709. Robert S. Gawthrop, after acquiring an elementary education in Newlin township schools, entered West Chester High School, there completing his preparatory education. He then entered the classical department of the University of Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated Bachelor of Arts, class of 1901. At the university he ranked high in scholarship and in the esteem of his fellow students, his attainments and his popularity gaining him the high and coveted honor of being chosen president of his class. He was also an athlete of prominence, gaining his letter through membership of the university base bal" team. He was a member of various soci- eties, and of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
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After graduation, Mr. Gawthrop began the study of law under the preceptorship of Congressman Thomas S. Butler, and on October II, 1904, was admitted to practice at the Chester county bar. He at once began practice in West Chester, quickly establishing in public favor and popularity. In November, 1908, he was elected district attorney of Chester county, his term of service as public prosecutor covering the years 1909, 1910 and 1911. At the expiration of his term of office, during which he added greatly to his prestige as one of the strong men of the Chester county bar, he returned to private practice, which, general in its character, extended to all State and Fed- eral courts of the district. In 1915 the retirement of Judge Hemphill creating a vacancy, Mr. Gawthrop was appointed by Governor Brumbaugh to fill out his un- expired term as judge of the Court of Common Pleas.
Judge Gawthrop has been for many years prominent in the Republican party, potent in party councils, and an active worker, with influence and voice con- tributing largely to party success. He has been a member of the executive committee of the Republican County Committee several years, also serving as chairman of that committee. His ap- pointment to the judgeship was most acceptable to the Chester county bar, and at the fall primaries he was chosen as the regular candidate of his party for the office he was filling by appointment from the Governor. He possesses a deep knowledge of the law, reinforced by his years of practical experience, a wise well balanced judicial mind, and an intense love of justice-qualities that as prac- titioner, public prosecutor and judge have won him confidence of clients, the favor of the public, and high reputation as a fair minded, impartial jurist. As counsel he has appeared in many of the notable
cases brought before Chester county courts, and as judge has presided at the trial of some very important suits. While he was district attorney, the lynching of a negro occurred in Coatesville, his official action in connection with that unhappy event going far to remove that blot upon the fair fame of Chester county.
Judge Gawthrop is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Lodge No. 322, Free and Accepted Masons ; Chapter No. 202, Royal Arch Masons, and Cen- tennial Commandery, No. 255, Knights Templar, of Coatesville. He is fond of out-of-door sports, particularly base ball, and is a member of the Chester County Golf and Country Club. In religious faith he is an Episcopalian. He was appointed on the Anthracite Coal Com- mission by Governor Brumbaugh, and is chairman of that body.
WOODBURY, Frank,
Practitioner, State Official.
Dr. Frank Woodbury, engaged in the private practice of medicine, and also secretary to the committee on lunacy of the State Board of Public Charities of Pennsylvania since November, 1907, was born in Philadelphia, December 9, 1848, a son of Thomas Sewall and Sarah Jane (Grey) Woodbury. He is descended on the paternal side from one of the old New England families. His grandfather, Thomas Woodbury, was born in Boston, and became a vessel owner and captain in the mercantile service. He married Eliza Buck, whose ancestors settled at what is now known as Bucksport, Maine, being so named in honor of the family. He was her second husband, Captain Thomas Bigelow, her first husband, hav- ing been lost in a storm at sea.
Thomas Sewall Woodbury was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and when about fifteen years of age came to Phil-
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adelphia, where he resided until his death, which occurred January 7, 1909, when he was in his eighty-sixth year. He was married, January 22, 1845, to Miss Sarah Jane Grey, who was born in Pennsylvania of English parentage and still survives him. Her parents were likewise natives of England, but died in Philadelphia, leaving their daughter an orphan at an early age. By her marriage she became the mother of three children, all of whom survive.
Dr. Frank Woodbury, the second child and only son, completed his literary edu- cation in the Philadelphia High School, and then prepared for a professional career in the Jefferson Medical College, from which he was graduated with the Doctor of Medicine degree in March, 1873. The honorary degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by Lafay- ette College in 1887. The experiences of his youth and the work which he did in his college days aside from the mastery of the regular college course have con- stituted elements in his later success. While in Jefferson Medical College he had engaged in medical quizzing and tutoring, was also clinical assistant for several years to Professor J. M. Da Costa, and chief of his medical clinic at Jeffer- son Medical College. He likewise was stenographic reporter for surgical clinics held by Professors Joseph Pancoast and Samuel D. Gross, and with Dr. R. J. Dunglison he originated and edited the "College and Clinical Record."
Immediately after his graduation, Dr. Woodbury was appointed resident phy- sician to the Pennsylvania Hospital of Philadelphia, and his activity in connec- tion with medical journalism also con- tinued. He became assistant editor and subsequently editor-in-chief of the "Phil- adelphia Medical Times," and he was likewise a member of the editorial staff of the "Journal of the American Medical
Association," the "Boston Medical and Surgical Journal" and the "New York Medical Journal" at various times. He was elected Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics and also Professor of Clinical Medicine in the faculty of the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadel- phia, with which he was thus associated until ill health, from repeated attacks of la grippe, forced him to resign. He sub- sequently became Associate Professor of Laryngology in the Philadelphia Poly- clinic and the School for Graduates in Medicine. His hospital service has been of an important character. He was for ten years attending physician to the Ger- man Hospital of Philadelphia, and was also one of the attending physicians to the Medico-Chirurgical Hospital.
Dr. Woodbury is well known to the profession as a frequent contributor to medical journals. In association with Dr. Morton he compiled "The History of the Pennsylvania Hospital," and also "Surgery in Pennsylvania Hospital." He was editor of the American edition of Farquharson's "Therapeutics and Materia Medica" and other publications, in which connection he was but carrying out a work of his early professional life, during which period he was engaged in making French and German translations and in writing editorials for medical journals, at the same time reporting medical meet- ings and doing stenographic reporting.
Since severing his connection with the Pennsylvania Hospital, Dr. Woodbury has engaged in general practice in Phil- adelphia, and served as medical examiner for the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company and other companies. In No- vember, 1907, he was elected secretary to the committee on lunacy of the State Board of Public Charities, and still fills that position, which involves special at- tention to the care and treatment of the insane, under treatment in public and
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private institutions in Pennsylvania. The profession honored him with election to the secretaryship of the section on thera- peutics of the Ninth International Med- ical Congress held in Washington in 1887. He was also made vice-president of the American Medical Association at the meeting held in Newport, Rhode Island, and was president of the Amer- ican Medical Editors' Association at its New York meeting. He is identified with many of the leading societies of the pro- fession, belongs to the Philadelphia Medical Club, is a fellow of the Philadel- phia College of Physicians, and a member of the County Medical Society, the State Medical Society of Pennsylvania, the American Medical Association and the Philadelphia Psychiatric Society. He is a member of the City Club. On Novem- ber 25, 1902, he was made a Master Mason in Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 155, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is still a member.
On July 29, 1874, in Philadelphia, Dr. Woodbury was married to Miss Louisi- ana R. Brydges, the only daughter of the late C. B. Brydges, a Louisiana planter. They have three children : Major Frank Thomas Woodbury, who is a member of the medical corps of the United States army; Anne Clair; and Stephen Green, the latter living at home. Dr. Woodbury is an Episcopalian in religious faith, and is a communicant at the Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany of Philadelphia. In politics a Republican, lie is an advocate of protection for Amer- ican labor, and the upbuilding of domestic industry.
DISSTON, Samuel, Manufacturer.
Without special advantages at the out- set of his career, Samuel Disston rose to prominence in the industrial world and
his abilities made him a member of the famous firm of Henry Disston & Sons Iron & Steel Works Company. His success in that connection enabled him to extend his effort into other fields where important industrial interests were man- aged. His life work was eminently suc- cessful and he did much to shape the busi- ness history of Philadelphia.
Mr. Disston was a native of Notting- ham, England, born in 1839. His father, William Disston, also of Nottingham, came to the United States with his family when his son Samuel was a small boy. The latter acquired his education in the city schools, but the necessity of provid- ing for his own support prompted him to start out in life when comparatively a young lad. He sought and obtained the situation of office boy with the Henry Disston Company, and at the outset of his career seemed fully cognizant of the fact that industry, energy and integrity are the salient features in the attainment of advancement and success. Gradually he worked his way upward, his identifi- cation with that business covering a period of fifty-eight years. Long before the close of that period he was active in administrative direction and executive control of the business, and his judgment and energies constituted important fac- tors in the growing success of the con- cern.
He also became a factor in other busi- ness lines. He was secretary, general manager and one of the directors of the firm of Henry Disston & Sons, saw manu- facturers ; secretary, general manager and director of Henry Disston & Sons File Company ; secretary, general manager and director of the Henry Disston & Sons Iron & Steel Works Company; a director of the Eighth National Bank; a director of the Northern Trust Company ; and a member of the board of wardens for
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the port of Philadelphia. The firm with which Mr. Disston was so long connected is one of the most important industrial concerns of Philadelphia, and the Disston saws and files constitute an important element in the export trade of the coun- try, while the sales in America are very extensive.
On April 29, 1874, Mr. Disston was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Cherry, of Philadelphia, a daughter of James Cherry, an early resident of this city. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Disston, of whom four are yet living.
In the membership of the Presbyterian church Mr. Disston was well known, and he also held membership relations with the Union League and the Country clubs. Throughout his life he was a student of men, of events and of literature. He thus became an unusually well informed man. His reading was particularly broad, and he had in notable measure the power of assimilating and making his own that which he read. Life for him had a pur- pose. He felt that each man had a work and recognized his obligation to his fel- lowmen. In every relation of life he measured up to the highest standard and was regarded by all who knew him as a dependable man upon all occasions and under all circumstances. The word failure had no part in his vocabulary, not so much because he wished the result but because he felt that certain things were to be done and he was the man upon whom devolved the responsibility of their accomplishment. Success always crowns the efforts of such an individual and Mr. Disston's record is no exception to the rule. He has one son, S. Horace, who is married and has two children.
STADTFELD, Joseph, Lawyer.
The bar of Pittsburgh had its begin- ning before the American Revolution, and,
distinguished from the earliest period of its existence, has grown in lustre with the passing years. In the front rank of its leaders of the present day stands Jo- seph Stadtfeld, who has been prominent in legal circles for over thirty years.
Joseph Stadtfeld was born August 12, 1861, in New York City, New York, son of the late Moritz and Sophia (Spier) Stadtfeld. He received his education in the schools of New York and Pittsburgh, and was graduated from the Pittsburgh Central High School with the class of 1878. Deciding upon a legal career, he registered as a law student with Winfield S. Purviance and Walter Lyon, July 10, 1880, and was admitted to the bar of Allegheny county on September 18, 1886, on motion of Thomas Herriott. Since that time Mr. Stadtfeld has practiced un- interruptedly in Pittsburgh, and has built up a large clientele. In the presentation of a case Mr. Stadtfeld's manner and language-quiet, simple and forceful- are singularly effective. He has a broad, comprehensive grasp of all questions that come before him, and is particularly fitted for affairs requiring executive and ad- ministrative ability. In politics Mr. Stadtfeld is affiliated with the Republican party, but has never held office. Of social nature, he is a member of various social organizations.
Mr. Stadtfeld married, January 31, 1895, Miss Carrie, daughter of John F. and Phoebe (Randolph) Edmundson, of Pittsburgh, and they have had children : Rodgers M., born 1896; Joseph, Jr., born 1898; and Harold, born 1902.
Joseph Stadtfeld's countenance and bearing are an index to his character- firm, dignified and keenly observant, but at the same time indicative of the genial nature and courteous disposition which have drawn around him a host of stead- fast friends.
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SMITH, Edgar Fahs,
Scientist, Professional Instructor.
Edgar Fahs Smith was born May 23, 1856, at York, Pennsylvania, a son of Gibson Smith.
He prepared for college at the York County Academy, where he subsequently engaged in teaching, and in 1872 he be- came a junior in Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, being there graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1874. He went abroad for further study, matriculating in the University of Goet- tingen, in Germany, where he devoted two years to the study of chemistry under Woehler and Huebner, and of mineralogy under von Waltershausen. He received his doctor's degree from Goettingen in 1876, and at once returned to the United States. In the fall of the same year he was made assistant in analytical chem- istry to Professor F. A. Genth, of the Towne Scientific School of the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, which position he held until 1881, when he was called to Muhlenberg College at Allentown, Penn- sylvania, as the Asa Packer Professor of Chemistry. The position of Professor of Chemistry in Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio, was offered him in 1883, and, accepting the proffered position, he was connected with that institution until 1888, when he returned to the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, being appointed to the chair of analytical chemistry vacated by Dr. Genth. In 1892, upon the resignation of Dr. S. P. Sadtler, who was then Professor of Organic and Industrial Chemistry at the uni- versity, the department was reorgan- ized with Dr. Smith at its head. He be- came vice-provost of the university upon the resignation of Dr. George S. Fuller- ton in 1898, and in the following year the University of Pennsylvania conferred
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