USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Volume I > Part 44
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understanding of the concern's affairs, he began at the bottom and gradually worked himself up, step by step, and in the year 1896 became secretary of Logan- Gregg Hardware Company. He married, November 20, 1907, Elizabeth F. Friend, daughter of the late James W. Friend, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Parke is a member of the Pittsburgh, Duquesne, Pittsburgh Golf and Oakmont Country clubs, and the Pittsburgh Athletic Association. He and his wife are members of the First Pres- byterian Church of Pittsburgh.
The death of this gifted and lovable man, which occurred December 5, 1895, at the comparatively early age of forty- six, was mourned as sincerely by both high and humble as ever falls to the lot of any. Not his works only will perpetu- ate his name, but the far sweeter monu- ment of grateful memories. Passing away ere he had reached his prime, he accomplished more than do most of those who attain to "three score and ten." Honorable and generous in business, sin- cere and true in his friendships, devoted in his family relations, his public and private life was one rounded whole-two perfect parts of a symmetrical sphere. With an optimistic outlook upon life, with faith in humanity, with a helping hand and word of cheer for all who needed to have their pathways made smoother, Thomas A. Parke won a place that was all his own in the hearts of those privileged to know him.
PARRY, Roger S., Physician, Surgeon.
county from 1868 until 1908. His mother, Mary Sammons, was a daughter of Rev. Lewis Sammons, a pioneer minister of the Baptist church in Fayette and Greene counties, where seven different churches now rear their spires heavenward in mute testimony to his untiring energy in the cause for which he labored. Through these two men, one striving for the bet- terment of man's physical, the other for the uplift of his spiritual body, Dr. Parry received an inspiration and a call that he accepted, and right worthily he fol- lows the profession which his father honored.
Dr. Parry, the elder, born in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, was a student in a West Virginia academy when the great struggle between the North and South broke into full fury in 1862, and, leaving books and ambition behind, he rushed to the fray, serving until peace was declared. After three years of scenes where men strove for the lives of each other, he became a medical student, was graduated M. D. from Mi- ami Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1868, and for half a century rode, drove, and walked among the people of Greene county, ministering to their ail- ments, bringing hope to the afflicted and comfort to the stricken. He was a verit- able country doctor, and the good he did only the Creator could reveal. He now lives in peaceful retirement in Waynes- burg, after a life given to the service of his fellowmen. His wife, Mary (Sam- mons) Parry, is still an active worker in the Baptist church, secretary of the Greene County Sunday School Associa- tion, and president of the County Wom- en's Christian Temperance Union. Such is the heritage with which Dr. Parry the younger is endowed, and such is his in- spiration to labor for the good of his fel- low man.
Dr. Parry springs both paternally and maternally from forbears whose profes- sional instinct was to heal and to save. His honored father, Dr. William Mel- ville Parry, now living in well-earned re- tirement in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, Dr. Roger S. Parry was born at Hig- was an active practitioner in Greene bee, Greene county, Pennsylvania, Janu-
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ary 1, 1884. He attended the public school, and spent his early life at the family home in Higbee. He continued his studies at Waynesburg High School and at Waynesburg College for three years, then entered Bucknell College. He had decided to follow the profession of medicine and completed his years of preparation at the University of Pitts- burgh, Medical Department, whence he was graduated M. D., class of 1909. He then spent a year in practical work in the hospitals of Pittsburgh and Fort Wayne, Indiana, finally, on April 1, 1910, locat- ing in Washington, Pennsylvania, where he is securing a firm position in public favor as a skilful physician, altogether trustworthy. He is a member of the American Medical, the State Medical, and the Washington County Medical socie- ties; member of the medical staff of the City Hospital; of Sigma Phi Epsilon lit- erary fraternity, Alpha Kappa Kappa (medical fraternity) ; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and, with his wife, is affiliated with the First Lutheran Church, of which the latter is organist. In politics the Doctor is Republican, well informed, and active. He has farm and coal interests in Greene county, and may justly be numbered among the rising, in- fluential younger professional men of his adopted city.
He married, October 5, 1908, Ellen Fanny Drew Logan, of Sunbury, Penn- sylvania, graduate of the musical depart- ment of Bucknell College, 1906, a pianist of rare ability and a thorough musician, also excelling on the pipe organ. The family home is at 154 West Bean street. The doctor's office is at 75 South Main street, Washington, Pennsylvania.
HAPPER, Andrew G., Soldier, Financier.
Prominent among the survivors of the Civil War, who make Washington, Penn-
sylvania, their home, is Major Andrew G. Happer. He was born in Union town- ship, Washington county, Pennsylvania, August 15, 1839. His father was a farmer of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and both parents were members of the Presbyterian church.
Andrew G. Happer received his pre- paratory education in the district school and Washington High School. In 1859 he entered Washington and Jefferson Col- lege, but abandoned his academic duties at Lincoln's first call for volunteers, and enlisted in Company K, Ist Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, was mustered in September 6, 1861, and in March of the following year was trans- ferred to Company G, 11th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, with the rank of first lieutenant. He was pro- moted captain of company 1, 11th Regi- ment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and November 7, 1865, was honorably dis- charged with the rank of major. So much for his army career in outline, although there is much that is stirring and inter- esting which must be omitted for lack of space. The most important of the bat- tles in which he participated were Thor- oughfare Gap, Second Bull Run, Chan- tilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Freder- icksburg, and the Wilderness. At Antie- tam he was wounded, but would not re- linquish his command. In the Wilder- ness he was more severely wounded by a bullet (which he still carries) and was taken prisoner. After his discharge from the service of his country he made his home in Monongahela City, Pennsyl- vania, for five years, during which time he was Assessor of Internal Revenue for the eastern part of Washington county. At the end of that time he moved to Washington, Pennsylvania, where he has since been engaged in the real estate and insurance business, with an office in the Real Estate Trust Company building. He has many other business interests, and
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besides being prominent in the oil indus- try of that section is a member of the board of directors of the Citizens' Na- tional Bank, the Washington Trust Com- pany, and secretary and treasurer of the Washington Hospital. For twenty-four years he was a member of the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Reform School at Morganza, Pennsylvania, and for eight years of that time was president of the board. He is a member of W. F. Templeton Post, Grand Army of the Re- public, and the Philadelphia Comman- dery of the Loyal Legion. With his wife, he belongs to the First Presby- terian Church of Washington, and is a member of the board of trustees. In poli- tics he is a Republican.
Major Happer married, November 7, 1877, Matilda M. Watson, daughter of James and Maria (Morgan) Watson. He has a beautiful home in Washington, with handsome, spacious grounds, and here the Major, after having been a wit- ness of and participant in four years of the bloodiest kind of warfare, takes great delight in its peaceful beauty. Although having passed the allotted three score and ten years, his brain is clear, his hand steady and his business ability as keen as that of those many years his junior --- a typical soldier, gentleman, and a man revered by the community.
BURLEIGH, Clarence, Lawyer, Public Official.
Clarence Burleigh, of Pittsburgh, for- mer District Attorney of Allegheny county, and for a number of years city solicitor, is a man whose record has proved him to be one of that highest and least numerous class of public officials who place duty before every other con- sideration. Mr. Burleigh is now head of the law firm of Burleigh & Challener, one of the prominent legal organizations of the Iron City.
Thomas D. Burleigh, father of Clar- ence Burleigh, was a son of Jonathan Burleigh, Jr., and a grandson of Jonathan Burleigh, Sr., a pioneer farmer of Wake- field, New Hampshire. Thus it is seen that Clarence Burleigh comes of a long line of New England ancestry, and in his career he has abundantly illustrated the sturdy virtues of the race from which he sprang.
Jonathan Burleigh, Jr., son of Jonathan Burleigh, Sr., and grandfather of Clar- ence Burleigh, was born in 1790, in Wakefield, and for some years in his early life followed the sea. Thereafter he successfully engaged during his remain- ing years in general farming in his native town. During the war of 1812 he served as a soldier. Mr. Burleigh married (first) Charlotte Wyatt, and (second) Lydia, born December 16, 1798, daughter of William Copp, a leading farmer of Tuf- tonboro, New Hampshire, and a man of considerable wealth for those days. Mr. and Mrs. Burleigh were the parents of the following children: Elizabeth, born January 11, 1822; William C., born July 28, 1823; Thomas D., mentioned below ; Belinda E., born July 25, 1827; Charlotte A., born January 17, 1829; Mary A., born October 6, 1832; and Ellen R., born June 13, 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Burleigh were both members of the Baptist Church. The former died in 1862, and the latter passed away March 2, 1881.
Thomas D., son of Jonathan and Lydia (Copp) Burleigh, was born January 10, 1825, in Wakefield, and received his edu- cation in the district schools of his na- tive place. He remained on the home- stead until the age of twenty-five, when he went to Boston and there learned the trade of spike-making, which he followed during the remainder of his life. After serving five years as foreman of the shop in which he learned his trade he went to Richmond, Virginia, where he success- fully engaged in the same employment
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unti the early part of iSot. At the out break of the Civil War Mr. Burleigh was visiting old friends in New Hampshire, and instead of returning to Richmond he spent the following year in his native town. In 1862 he became superintendent of the factory of Dilworth, Porter & Company, of Pittsburgh, retaining the position-a most responsible one, involv- ing the direction of a large number of men-until January 1, 1889. He then went to East St. Louis, Illinois, where he was employed in the same business and in the same capacity by T. A. Meis- enberg & Company until two or three years after the great flood of 1892, return- ing on January 1, 1895, to Pittsburgh, where he resided during the remainder of his life. In politics he affiliated with the Republicans, but neither sought nor de- sired office.
Mr Burleigh married, February 27, 1853, Mary L. Cook, who was born Janu- ary 4, 1828, in Friendship, Maine, and their children were: Clarence, mentioned below; William T., born September 22, 1862, a well-known physician of Pitts- burgh; and Minnie M. Mrs. Burleigh died January 19, 1893. She was a woman of most estimable character, beloved by all, and a devoted member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Bur- leigh was a regular attendant and a lib- eral supporter. The death of Mr. Bur- leigh, which occurred January 30, 1909, deprived Pittsburgh of one of her most respected citizens.
Clarence Burleigh, son of Thomas D. and Mary L. (Cook) Burleigh, was born December 20, 1853, in Boston, Massachu- setts, and received his preparatory edu- cation in the public and high schools of Pittsburgh. At an early age he began to work as a pattern-maker, and showed even then his native force of character by devoting his evenings to study and saving out of his small earnings. As a result he entered Washington and Jeffer-
and graduated with honors. Ou Septem ber 27, 1875, he registered as a student of law, his preceptors being David D). Bruce and William B. Negley. On October 13, 1877, he was admitted to the bar on mo- tion of Jacob H. Miller. Possessing all the attributes essential to success in his profession-integrity of character, moral uprightness and a rare appreciation of the two sides of every question-Mr. Bur- leigh soon came into prominence, and when the new charter went into effect was appointed one of the assistant city solicitors, being assigned to the Depart- ment of Public Safety. This position he held from 1881 to 1891, distinguishing himself by the vigor and ability with which he dealt with corruption in city officials, and upon the death of District Attorney Richard II. Johnson was ap- pointed to fill his unexpired term. At the end of that time Mr. Burleigh was elected for a full term, serving from 1891 to 1895. He discharged the duties of the office with the same uncompromising fidelity to principle which had marked his course as city solicitor. During his one term he convicted thirteen men of murder in the first degree-something well-nigh unpre- cedented in the history of the county, where conviction for murder in the first degree had become almost a novelty.
It was, however, in his prosecution of the Homestead strikers that Mr. Burleigh manifested most conspicuously his su- preme devotion to duty. In his conduct of these celebrated cases he showed in- vincible determination to punish law- breakers, notwithstanding the unpopu- larity to which such a course subjected him. In face of the fact, plainly stated, that his action entailed political deatlı, he fearlessly followed the dictates of his con- science. Later, his prosecution of the manufacturers furnished convincing proof of his impartiality, and restored in large measure the public favor. Knowing no
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respect of persons, he dealt with laborer and capitalist alike, recognizing no claim but that of justice and hearing no voice but that of duty. At the expiration of his term he was solicited to accept a re- nomination, but declined. Mentioned for a judgeship, he discouraged the move- ment in his favor, but consented to serve as city solicitor from October, 1895, to January, 1902. In each of his offices he represented the Republican party, hav- ing invariably given his allegiance to the principles advocated by that political or- ganization.
In all matters pertaining to the welfare of his home city, Mr. Burleigh's interest is deep and sincere, and wherever sub- stantial aid will further public progress it is freely given. He served one term as a member of the city council from the thirtieth ward, and was an influential fac- tor in the Greater Pittsburgh Sesqui-Cen- tennial Committee. Personally, Mr. Bur- leigh looks the man he is, the energy and intensity of his nature being strongly de- picted in his countenance, as are his dominant traits of executiveness and will- power, concentration, fidelity and tena- city. He possesses much of the magnetic force of the orator, and has won a high degree of distinction as a public speaker. Ile has been general counsel of the Pitts- burgh Railways Company since their or- ganization in 1902. Brilliant, stalwart, and of wide and ripe experience, he is one of the men who are consulted on all matters and questions of public mo- ment, and his liberal views and genial personality have drawn around him a cir- cle of warmly attached friends. He is a member of the Allegheny Bar Associa- tion, State Bar Association, Duquesne and Pittsburgh Athletic clubs.
Mr. Burleigh married, April 7, 1878, Ida May, daughter of William and Nancy (Cunningham) Weir, a woman of rare wifely qualities and accomplishments, admirably fitted by her excellent practi-
cal mind to be a helpmate to her gifted husband in his noble aspirations and am- bitions, and presiding with gracious tact- fulness over one of the most beautiful homes in the city. This happy union was dissolved by the death of Mrs. Burleigh, who passed away October 5, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Burleigh were the parents of one son, Clarence Burleigh Jr., who was educated in public and private schools of Pittsburgh and at the University of Pitts- burgh and the Pittsburgh Law School. Upon completion of his education he en- tered active law practice with his father. Clarence Burleigh Jr. married Miss Mar- guerite Brown, daughter of Captain Mac- pherson Brown, of Pittsburgh, and they are the parents of two children: Ida J. and Florence M.
Mr. Burleigh has a brilliant profes- sional record. With distinguished ability and stainless integrity he has vindicated the majesty of the law. Had he con- sented to be elevated to the bench, it might have been said of him as it was said half a century ago of an eminent judge of the Empire State: "When the ermine rested on his shoulders it touched nothing less spotless than itself."
HUNSICKER, James Franklin,
Merchant.
James Franklin Hunsicker, one of the foremost business men of Allentown, Pennsylvania, is a representative of an old and honored family of the State. He is the fifth in descent from Johannes Hunsicker, one of the earlier members of the family. The line from Johannes is through his son, Joseph ; through his son, Daniel; through his son, Owen, who mar- ried Sarah Bittner, and was the father of James F. Hunsicker.
The first American Hunsicker was Valentine, who came here with others from Holland and Switzerland to escape religious persecution, and induced by the
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promises of William Penn. He first set- tled with a number of his compatriots at Germantown, Pennsylvania, his descend- ants later scattering in the counties of Bucks and Montgomery, where there are to this day numerous representatives of the name. They had been substantial farmers in the older countries and some of the family had held official positions of dignity in the Dutch Netherlands, at the time of William, the renowned Prince of Orange.
James Franklin Hunsicker, whose par- ents were, as already mentioned, Owen and Saralı ( Bittner) Hunsicker, was born November 7, 1852, in what is known as Switzer, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. He attended the public schools of the lo- cality until he was thirteen years old, when he obtained a position in a hotel at Catasauqua, in Lehigh county. He later sought and found a position in a hotel in Philadelphia. He was only fifteen years old when he returned to his native re- gion and obtained the work that is al- ways delightful to a boy, with a corps of surveyors under Colonel C. T. Lehr, and did his part in the laying out of the route of the Ironton & Steinsville railroad which, however, was abandoned before the road was completed. He then en- tered the employ of his uncle, Joseph Kressley, who conducted a general mer- chandise store at the corner of Seventh and Chew streets, Allentown. Subse- quently he entered the employ of the Allentown Iron Company, in their store in the Sixth Ward, leaving them a little later to take a position in the A. A. Hau- ber dry goods store on Hamilton street. In 1870 Mr. Hunsicker formed a partner- ship with his brother, Henry W. Hun- sicker, the firm being known as Hun- sicker Brothers, and conducting a large general store at Seventh and Chew streets. In April, 1872, Elias Bittner, the uncle of the two young men, was admit-
ted into the partnership, the business continuing in same lines and in the same place, but the style of the firm being changed to Bittner & Hunsicker Broth- ers. In 1880 another change of name was inaugurated when Frank D. Bittner, son of Elias Bittner, joined the partnership and the firm name was altered to Bitt- ner, Hunsicker & Company. This asso- ciation continued till 1886 when the part- nership was dissolved, Henry W. Hun- sicker retaining the retail department, and the other members of the firm tak- ing the exclusive control of the whole- sale side of the business, the headquar- ters of the latter being on Hamilton street, now 23 and 25 North Seventh street.
Mr. Hunsicker is a Republican in poli- tics. He is a member of the Salem Re- formed Church, of Allentown, and is a director of the Bethany Orphans' Home, of Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania, an institu- tion under the control of the Reformed church. He also serves as trustee of the Reformed Theological Seminary, at Lan- caster, Pennsylvania, of the Allentown Hospital, and of the Salem Reformed Church, and has been for many years the active and efficient superintendent of the Sunday school of that church. Mr. Hun- sicker has so generously shown his in- terest in everything that pertains to the welfare of Allentown that he is uni- versally regarded as one of the chief citi- zens of the town.
He married, December 26, 1872, Mary Hannah, daughter of Charles and Judith (Futch) Schrader, and three children have been born to them: George W., born September 27, 1873, married Eleanor Patterson and has two children; Charles O., born August 18, 1878, married Lillian L. Henninger and has one child; Her- bert, who was born in February, 1880, married Ruth Robbins, and has two children.
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ARBOGAST, Wilson,
Packer, Man of Affairs.
Mr. Arbogast, founder and president of the Arbogast & Bastian Company, of Allentown, one of the most important business firms of the Lehigh Valley, is a native of the State of Pennsylvania, born in Freeburg, Snyder county. His parents were Jonathan and Catherine (Bussler) Arbogast, both descended from old and honored families.
Wilson Arbogast received his prelimi- nary educational training in the public schools of his native town. He later pur- sued advanced branches in a preparatory academy, and then entered the Kutztown Normal School, from which institution he was graduated in due time. For some years he served as a school teacher, and so successfully and creditably as to give abundant promise of advancement in the profession. The business world, how- ever, appealed to him strongly, and he left the school room to carve out for himself honor and fortune in another field.
In 1876 he located in Martin's Creek, where he established a general merchan- dizing business, and which he conducted with marked suceess for six years, end- ing in 1882, when he removed to Philips- burg, where he took employment in a re- sponsible position in a provision estab- lishment, remaining for several years. Desirous of further advancement in the world of large affairs, he finally located in Allentown, where, in company with Morris C. Bastian, he established the packing firm of Arbogast & Bastian. The development of this large business enter- prise, now grown into one of the leading industries of the Lehigh Valley, is at once a matter of pride with the citizens of Allentown, and a crown of honor to Mr. Arbogast. The progressive business methods formulated by him, and carried into effect with mathematical exactness,
have had as their necessary result an establishment involving millions of dol- lars in valuation, and the weekly pay- roll affords to a multitude of families their sustenance and an adequate share of the luxuries of life.
While Mr. Arbogast has been pri- marily engaged in the development and management of the great establishment with which his name is inseparably con- nected, he has at the same time entered actively into the civic, social and educa- tional life of the community, and has ren- dered such service as to command the confidence and esteem of all. He has borne a full share in the advancement of all public interests, and were he so dis- posed could command almost any offi- cial position in city or county. With- out political ambition, he has only con- sented to serve in positions where he could be of real service to his fellow citi- zens, and where the only reward lay in their betterment and their appreciation of his purposes and labors. Municipal and educational affairs appealed to him most particularly, and he was for years a useful and honored member of the city council and the board of education. His political relations have ever been with the Republican party. A Lutheran in re- ligion, he has always been staunch in support of his church, but has in no way ^verlooked the claims of others, and has been a liberal contributor to their special needs, as well as to all humanitarian and benevolent institutions coming within his knowledge. His fraternal relations are with the Masonic brotherhood. He is held in honor by all classes of the com- munity, and his name is a synonym for integrity, genial good feeling for his fel- lows, and honest unselfish citizenship.
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