USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Volume I > Part 27
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Mr. Amspoker married, March 31, 1886, Mina S., daughter of Andrew and Clarissa (Wright) Halstead, of Brooke county, West Virginia. Of their four children, Clarissa and Ruth are living at home; Mason, the oldest, and Elizabeth, the third child, are deceased.
The family are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and have always been active in church and Sunday school work, earnest supporters of religion, fi- nancially and otherwise. Mr. Amspoker has found no study more interesting nor more useful than that of the Bible, of which he is an earnest student. He fre- quently gives talks to different societies on religious beliefs and topics of religious interest.
Although his ancestry is mainly Ger-
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man, Mr. Amspoker has some of the blood of the Scotch. His paternal grand- mother was a Leeper, of the same Scotch family as Captain John Leeper, of the American Revolution. A coat-of-arms which has descended through this grand- mother is in Mr. Amspoker's possession.
PURVIS, William B.,
Lawyer.
The Purvis family have been identi- fied with the business interests of Butler, Pennsylvania, for many years. Joseph L. Purvis and others of this family repre- sented particularly the lumber and plan- ing mill industry. William B., son of Joseph Purvis, however, is prominently connected with the Butler county bar, to which he was admitted in 1901. He was born in Butler, Butler county, Pennsyl- vania, November 28, 1876. His father, also born in Butler county, died in 1907, after a lifetime of great usefulness. His mother, Mary E. (Bailey) Purvis, yet survives, a resident of Butler.
William B. Purvis obtained his early and preparatory education in the public schools, being graduated from the high school in 1895. He then entered West- minster College, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated A. B., class of 1898. Having chosen the profession of a lawyer, he entered the Law School of the University of Penn- sylvania, whence he was graduated LL.B., class of 1901. He was admitted to the Butler county bar, July 15, 1901. He then became associated with James M. Galbraith, in Butler, continuing until Mr. Galbraith was elected judge in 1902. Mr. Purvis since then has continued in legal practice alone. He rose rapidly in his profession and in public favor, and is well established in a practice. In 1911 he was elected District Attorney of But- ler county, assuming the duties of that office January 1, 1912. He is a member
of the Butler County Bar Association ; has been admitted to practice in all State and Federal courts of his district. He is a learned lawyer and an able prosecutor. He is a Republican in politics, and active in party affairs. He is a member and deacon of the First Presbyterian Church ; and a member of the Masonic order and of the Butler County Club.
Outside his legal business, Mr. Purvis has important interests. He is a member of the firm of S. G. Purvis & Company, lumber dealers; secretary of the Butler Driving Park and Fair Association; and otherwise interested in the growth, pros- perity and wellbeing of his city.
WHITLA, James P.,
Lawyer.
James P. Whitla, son of William and Margaret J. (Mills) Whitla, was born October 4, 1865, in New Wilmington, where he received his preparatory educa- tion in the public schools, later entering Westminster College, whence he gradu- ated in 1883 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He was then for seven years an instructor in the high school and academy, and at the end of that time be- gan the study of law, being admitted in 1891 to the Lawrence county bar. After practicing for a short time in Newcastle, Mr. Whitla came in 1892 to Sharon, where he has ever since remained. He belongs to the State and County Bar As- sociations, and he and his family are members of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Whitla married, May 17, 1893, Isa- bella, daughter of Henry and Selina (Porter) Forker, of Sharon, and they are the parents of two children: a daughter Selina, and a son William.
MCCULLOUGH, William J. L., Physician, Surgeon.
Among the several instances in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, where
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father and son have both practiced the "divine art of healing," is to be found the Mcculloughs. Both are native born sons of Washington, although the prac- tice of Dr. Samuel L. Mccullough, the father, carried him for several years to Beaver county. He spent a long lifetime in medical practice in the counties of Washington, Beaver, and Allegheny. His wife Margaret Proudfit, also born in Washington county, is deceased.
Dr. William J. L. Mccullough was born in Cross Creek, Washington county, Pennsylvania, February 10, 1880. He passed his early life in Washington and Beaver counties, and was educated in various schools including those of Frank- fort Springs, Beaver county, where his father practiced medicine ten years. He was a graduate from the academy at the latter place, class of 1896, then entered Western University (now Pittsburgh University) remaining two years. He then decided to follow the profession of his honored father, and entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, whence he was graduated M.D., class of 1905. He then spent a year at West Penn Hos- pital, in Pittsburgh, and another year at the Municipal Hospital in the same city, gaining a valuable experience in different and unusual cases, both medical and surgical. In 1907 he established in prac- tice at Washington, Pennsylvania, where he has gained a secure place in public esteem as a skilful exponent of the heal- ing art. His practice is general in char- acter, including both surgical and medical cases. He is identified with the Wash- ington Hospital, at which institution he is a member of the surgical staff. Dr. McCullongh is a member of the Ameri- can, Pennsylvania State and Washington County medical societies, and in all keeps fully abreast of the best medical thought. He is a Republican in politics and while interested and well informed, is not active in party affairs. He serves on the city
Board of Health, and shares with his townsmen his full responsibility of citi- zenship. He is a member of the Wash- ington County Golf and Country clubs, the Bassett Young Men's Club, and the First Presbyterian Church, both he and his wife being active in church and Sab- bath school work.
Dr. Mccullough married, September 25, 1907, Bertha, daughter of Dr. George S. and Sarah (Tucker) Graham, of Flor- ence, Pennsylvania. Dr. Graham, who died in 1903, was an eminent physician of Florence, and a man prominent in the public service of his county and State, serving in the State Legislature and in other prominent and responsible offices. His widow still survives. Dr. and Mrs. Mccullough are both prominent in the social life of Washington.
This record would be incomplete with- out mention of four of the brothers of Dr. Samuel L. Mccullough, who gave their lives for the supremacy of the Union in the great struggle between the States- two were killed in battle, and two died from wounds received in battle. All four sleep in one grave in beautiful Arlington, where an imposing monument marks the spot.
Happily gifted in manner, disposition and taste, enterprising and original in ideas, personally liked most by those who know him best, and as frank in declaring his principles as he is sincere in main- taining them, Dr. Mccullough's career has been rounded with success and marked by the appreciation of men whose good opinion is best worth having.
HEILMAN, Dr. Arthur M.,
Physician and Surgeon.
Although of Armstrong county lineage, Dr. Heilman has been for several years a citizen of Butler, and is thoroughly de- voted in his allegiance to his adopted city.
He was born in Kittanning, Pennsyl-
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vania, January 12, 1879, son of James M. Butler family. Children: John Patter- and Esther E. (Quigley) Heilman. His son and James Madison, both born in parents are both native born residents of Butler. Armstrong county, James M. Heilman being a prominent building contractor KELL, John F., and mill operator. He has been active and prominent in business all his life, Lawyer. successful, and retired from all business enterprises January 1, 1913.
Arthur M. Heilman spent his early life in Kittanning, where he attended the public schools. He prepared at Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, then entered Washington and Jefferson Col- lege. After two years in that institution he began professional study in the Medi- cal Department of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1902 he was graduated M.D., then for eighteen months was in- terne at St. Joseph's Hospital, Philadel- phia, securing a diploma from that insti- tution, setting forth the practical experi- ence he had obtained as interne. He chose Butler as a location, and in the fall of 1903 made permanent settlement there. He conducts a general practice, and is well established in public favor with a large and growing practice, both medical and surgical. He is a member of the staff of the Butler County General Hos- pital, and holds membership in the Amer- ican, Pennsylvania State and Butler County medical societies. He holds high position in his profession, and is one of Butler's most esteemed citizens. He is a Republican in politics, and deeply inter- ested in public and political affairs. He is a lover of healthy athletic sports, and usually spends a few days each year with his gun in some distant woods where game is found.
In religious faith both Dr. Heilman and his wife are Presbyterians, belonging to the First Church of Butler. His club is the Butler Country Club.
Dr. Heilman married, June 18, 1907, Alice Collier, daughter of John N. and Emily (Stein) Patterson, of a prominent
The bar of York county, Pennsylvania, has ever been renowned for the high standing and deep learning of its mem- bers, and has ever been distinguished for its probity and the lofty professional standard it has maintained, and the pres- ent sketch refers to one of its members of whom it is proud, John F. Kell.
The Kells came to York county from Franklin county, Pennsylvania, James Kell, son of Samuel and Margaret (Mears) Kell, being the first of the family to settle in York county. He was of Eng- lish, Scotch-Irish descent, and for several years after coming to York county taught school. He then studied law, was admitted to the bar, and practiced his profession in York successfully until his death, June 4, 1899. For forty years he was a commanding figure in the public affairs of York. He was a leader and held many important positions, including that of register of wills, 1877, and post- master of York, 1884-88. He married, March 19, 1862, Jane Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. John Frey Fischer, of York, who survives him, residing in the same house in which she was born, until 1910.
Jolın F. Kell was born in York, Penn- sylvania, January 30, 1863, son of James and Jane Elizabeth (Fischer) Kell. He received his education in the public and private schools of York and at York Col- legiate Institute. Upon the completion of his education, he entered the law office of his father, James Kell, read law, and was admitted to the York county bar July 14, 1889, and has since practiced in York. As a lawyer, Mr. Kell is noted for his quick appreciation of the points counsel are endeavoring to establish, and for his
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invariable success in getting at the root of the matter by questions during argu- ment, and when he asks one of his search- ing, illuminating questions he will either develop the strength of the argument or demonstrate its weakness. He has a broad, comprehensive grasp of all ques- tions that come before him, and an un- usual facility for getting to the bottom of every contention submitted. He is strong in reasoning, forceful in argument, and his deductions follow in logical sequence. Mr. Kell was for a number of years United States Commissioner. He has never exhibited any political aspirations, but has confined his attention strictly to business matters, contenting himself with the privilege of voting in common with his fellow-citizens.
Mr. Kell married, in 1888, in York, Pennsylvania, Miss Ella Louise, daughter of John M. Brown, of York, and they have a child : John F. Kell, Jr. By this marriage Mr. Kell gained the life com- panionship of a charming and congenial woman. His wife is fitted by native re- finement, a bright mind and thorough education, for the social position she oc- cupies, and she enters graciously and with enjoyment into the duties her posi- tion calls for.
PATTERSON, Dr. John A., Physician and Surgeon.
Since early days, the Pattersons have been prominent in Washington county, Pennsylvania. Dr. John A. Patterson is a son of Captain Harrison and Gazilda (Ross) Patterson, both of whom were born in Washington county. Captain Patterson was captain of a local company of the State militia for fourteen years. He was an active Democrat, and held many local offices ; he died in 1907, aged ninety years, his wife preceding him to the grave many years. He was a Baptist,
she a Presbyterian, both devout chris- tians.
Dr. John A. Patterson was born in East Finley township, Washington county, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1844. He was educated in the public schools, Free- man Academy and the Pennsylvania State Normal School at California, whence he was graduated, class of 1864. During the years spent at normal school he taught at intervals in the public schools. After completing his years of preparation he was at last in a position to realize his life's ambition, the study of medicine. He began reading under Dr. John W. Kelly, at Claysville, Washington county, continuing for two years, teach- ing school during the entire time. In 1870 and 1871 he attended Jefferson Med- ical College, whence he was granted a certificate entitling him to practice. He at once located at Zollarsville, Washing- ton county, where for four years he prac- ticed his profession. He then entered Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, whence he was graduated M.D., class of 1875. He then returned to Zollarsville, resuming practice and continuing in suc- cessful practice until 1887. He then lo- cated in Washington, where he has now been in continuons practice for twenty- five years. In these years Dr. Patterson has built up a large clientele among the best class, and has a well earned reputa- tion as a skilful and honorable practi- tioner. He is a member of the American Medical, the State Medical and Wash- ington County medical societies; is a member of staff of the City Hospital, and was for several years connected with the staff of Washington County Hospital. His practice is general in character, and is both medical and surgical. He is a Democrat in politics, has served two terms in the City Council, and was chosen president of that body. For twenty-four years he has served on the Board of Ed- ucation, and has been an carnest, devoted
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friend of the cause of public education. in Washington. He entered Washing- He has been for many years connected with several building and loan associa- tions, and has always been identified with all progressive movements tending to pro- mote the public good. During his many years of membership in the Washington Medical Society he served for one term as president, and is now the oldest living ex- president of that society. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He also belongs to the Heptasophs.
Dr. Patterson married, October 18, 1875, Isabella, daughter of Isaac and Amanda (Cox) Leonard, of Zollarsville. Their only son, Dr. Gray E. Patterson, is a graduate of Washingon and Jefferson College and Western Pennsylvania Med- ical College, and is now associated in practice with his father in Washington ; he married, November, 1903, Ella W. practice of the Drs. Wilson has now ex- Watson, and has a daughter, Dorothy E.
WILSON, Dr. T. D. M., Physician and Surgeon.
A well known name in the medical an- nals of Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, is that of Wilson. It was first borne in the county by Dr. John R. Wil- son (son of John), a student under Dr. Robert Lane and a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, class of 1849, who prac- ticed one year at Claysville and about 1850 located in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he practiced con- tinuously until his death, March 15, 1873. He gained wide distinction as a physician, having a large practice in which he was succeeded by his son, Dr. T. D. M. Wil- son, who has also inherited his father's many sterling qualities.
Dr. T. D. M. Wilson, son of Dr. John R. and Charlotte (Walker) Wilson, was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, De- cember 14, 1852. He was educated in the public schools and grew to manhood
ton and Jefferson College, class of 1873. On account of his father's death in his senior year and his necessary absence to settle the estate, he failed to finish his course and did not receive his degree. In the fall of 1873 he decided to regular- ly qualify for the practice of medicine, having previously read under the able preceptorship of his father. He entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, whence he was graduated M.D., class of 1875. After six months further experi- ence and training in the hospitals of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh he located in Washington, and began a practice that, beginning with many of his father's old patients, has grown to very large pro- portions. He is a skilful surgeon as well as a medical practitioner of acknowl- edged ability and high standing. The tended over a period of sixty years, and, eminent as was the father, the merits of the son do not suffer in comparison. Dr. Wilson is a member of the American Medical, the State Medical and Wash- ington County medical societies, taking active interest in all and keeping touch with his brethren in all surgical or med- ical advancement in the treatment of the sick or injured. He is a Republican in politics, active in his earlier years, has filled many borough offices, and is high- ly regarded by party leaders as a safe counselor. He is a regular attendant and a liberal supporter of the First Presby- terian Church of which his family are members.
Dr. Wilson married Gennie E. Schenck, daughter of Dr. Charles F. Schenck, born in Germany, educated at Heidelberg, came to the United States, and became an eminent physician of Cin- cinnati, Ohio. Children of Dr. and Mrs. Wilson : A son and two daughters.
The son, John Russell Wilson, was ed- ucated in the public schools, prepared at
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Kiskiminetas Academy, at Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, entered Washington and Jefferson College, whence he was grad- nated, class of 1900, having taken the scientific course. After three and a half years as draughtsman for the Pressed Steel Car Company, he became road en- gineer for Washington county, hokling that position two years. He then, No- vember 1. 1905, became one of the corps of engineers in the employ of the Penn- sylvania State Road Commission, and as such made a survey of the Old National Pike from the Maryland to the West Virginia line through the State of Penn- sylvania. In June, 1911, he resigned and opened an office in Washington as gen- eral civil engineer. He married, Sep- tember 19, 1906, Joana Grace, daughter of John P. and Alice (Penn) Clutter, of Charleroi, Pennsylvania ; children: Alice Elizabeth and John Russell Wilson.
The eldest daughter of Dr. T. D. M. Wilson, Elizabeth, was educated in the public schools. llis youngest daughter, Charlotte Walker, is a graduate of East Washington Grammar School, Washing- ton Seminary, Vassar College, 1912, earn- ing as a competitive prize a scholarship in biology at the Wood-IIole Maine Biological Laboratory, where she en- tered for the summer course in July, 1912.
HOLMES, Joseph Lincoln, Lawyer, Financier.
Among the men of this State who have risen to prominence by reason of their own steady industry and endeavor, stands conspicuously Joseph Lincoln Holmes, one of the influential lawyers and public spirited men of Beaver. Mr. Holmes is a native of Independence township, Beaver county, where he was born on February 22, 1861, an anniver- sary famous indeed, and one that appeals to the patriotism of every true American
citizen. It is not unlikely that it may have had its molding effect upon the character of the growing boy. He was the son of a farmer, Leander Holmes, his mother having been a Miss Mary Mc- Callister, indicating the strain of old world blood that flows in the family veins. The father was a sturdy Repub- lican in politics and a man of strong character and worth, though not given to public display or to figuring much in po- litical matters. He was a hard worker, contenting himself with his farm and the duties which it engendered, and the prop- er care of his family ; he and his wife died in Beaver county, where they were born and had passed their lives.
Joseph Lincoln Holmes was reared on the old farm, assisting in the work of the place during his early years. His pri- mary education was acquired in the dis- trict schools of the county, and after learning all that could be taught him there he was sent to New Sheffield and Peirsol Academies. After his graduation he became a teacher, for four years teach- ing in the district schools, and an in- structor in the graded schools for a sub- sequent year. He then turned his atten- tion to the study of law, and. cutting short his career as a teacher, he attended the Michigan University Law School, at Ann Arbor, from which he was grad- uated in 1888. After taking his degree at the University, he placed himself un- der the instruction of W. H. S. Thomp- son and J. R. Martin, both prominent at- torneys of Beaver ; and finally opened for himself an office in Beaver, which he has occupied ever since, having always continued alone in his practice.
Mr. Holmes has been remarkably suc- cessful in his profession, and has been admitted to practice in all of the State and Federal courts. For three years be- ginning January I, I(*), he acted as county solicitor, acquitting himself with distinction and securing his position i
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the public esteem. He is connected in va- rious capacities with leading institutions and corporations of Beaver, and his opinions and advice have been of great benefit to the concerns with which he has been associated. Ile is a trustee of Beaver College, and a director of the First National Bank of Beaver, being chairman of the discount committee; for a number of years also he was a member of the city school board, and has served as chairman of the Public Library As- sociation.
.Politically, Mr. Holmes is a Republi- can, being very active in his party and frequently serving as a member of the Republican county committee ; upon va- rious occasions he has been chosen as chairman of the committee, in which ca- pacity he is at present acting. He has also frequently been a delegate to coun- ty, district, and State conventions, and was a member of the Borough Council for twelve years. Socially Mr. Holmes is a man very high in the public esteem, and is popular and influential among his friends and associates, As a mark of this esteem he has been made president of the Ramsey Men's Club, a social organ- ization of this place, beside being the recipient of other tokens of popular re- gard.
On September 21, 1887, he was mar- ried to Miss Alice Jane Ewing, daughter of James P. and Mariah ( Littell) Ewing, of Beaver county, and one of the descen- dants of a very old and prominent family of this county. John Ewing, one of the Pennsylvania ancestors, was a member of the commission which in 1779 was ap- pointed to meet Virginia commissioners in order to settle the boundary of West- ern and Southern Pennsylvania, which was in dispute between the two States. This commission met in Baltimore and agreed "to extend Mason and Dixon's line due west five degrees of longitude, to be computed from the River Dela-
ware, for the southern boundary of Pennsylvania; and that a meridian drawn from the western extremity thereof to the northern limit of said state, be the western boundary of said State forever." This agreement was confirmed by the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1779, and by Virginia in the following year.
Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have two charming daughters, the Misses Hazel and Alice Holmes, both of whom are liv- ing at the family residence. The entire family are members of the United Pres- byterian church of which Mr. Holmes has been an elder for the past fifteen years, and of which for the past twelve years he has also been a trustee. He is one of the most active members of the congregation in church and Sunday school work of all kinds, and has done much to advance the interests of this denomination in his community. As a man of affairs in business, political and religious walks, his influence in public life has been of the highest and best : and in professional matters he stands in the first rank while in social life the family is one of the leading ones in the county.
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