History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 44

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 967

USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 44
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 44
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 44

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Until 1861 Mr. Jordan resided at Bedford. Since 1866 Harrisburg has been his home, where, besides practicing his profession, he now serves as President of the Pennsylvania Telephone Company, a corporation with a paid-up capital of $500,000. We add, also, that in 1861 he was appointed by Gov. Curtin one of three commis- sioners (with G. J. Ball, Esq., of Erie, and Hon. Charles Gilphin, of Philadelphia) to revise the statute laws of the state; but the inauguration

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of the great civil war prevented the execution of the work. As a citizen of Bedford he always took an active and intelligent part in public affairs. He was largely instrumental in having the borough supplied with water through iron pipes ; and about 1858, when there was much excitement on the common school ques- tion, he was elected a director upon a ticket which favored union graded schools ; and as president of the board of directors he contribu- ted largely to the selection and ornamentation of the property at the southern edge of the borough, and the erection of the large school building thereon, he and his colleagues pledg- ing their individual means and property to raise the required funds.

Hon. William P. Schell was born in Schells- burg, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, February 18, 1822. He is a graduate of Marshall College, Mercersburg, Franklin county, Pennsylvania.

Edward F. Kerr was born in West Providence township, February 15, 1841, a son of Edward Kerr and Nancy (Williams) Kerr. He lived at the family homestead until sixteen years of age, attending the common school in the neighbor- hood, and helping on his father's farm. He was educated at Allegheny Seminary and Franklin High School. He taught school several sessions while at academy, and afterward while reading law. He read law with Hon. John Cessna and O. E. Shannon, then the law firm of Cessna & Shannon ; was admitted to the bar February 15, 1865 ; was appointed county attorney soon after admission to the bar, and in February, 1867, was appointed district attorney of the county of Bedford to fill a vacancy. He was elected district attorney in 1867, and again in 1870, serving nearly seven years in that office. In 1872 he became part owner and editor of the Bedford Gazette, one of the leading demo- cratic journals of the state, and still retains his connection with this paper. In 1876 he was a delegate to the democratic national convention that nominated Samuel J. Tilden for president, at St. Louis, and he was secretary of the Penn- sylvania delegation.

In May, 1878, he was appointed corporation clerk by Auditor-Gen. William P. Schell, and served in that office until May, 1881. His duties in this office were to adjust and settle the taxes due from corporations to the state, a posi- tion requiring the highest degree of integrity and of great responsibility. His trust was so

faithfully performed that he became well and favorably known throughout the state. He has been frequently named by his friends as a candi- date for congress in his district, and for the offices of state treasurer and auditor-general. He is now engaged in the practice of law.

J. Boon Cessna was born on March 24, 1840, in Colerain township, Bedford county, Pennsyl- vania. He was the eleventh child of William and Rachel Cessna. His mother's maiden name was Rachael Margart. She was born on the banks of the Juniata, in West Providence township, Bedford county, Pennsylvania. His parents on both sides were prominent citizens in the early history of the county. They were of the old school Baptist denomination. His mother, a most devout Christian, was an ardent worker for the interests of the church, and frequently wrote for the church papers. She died in 1860 and the father in 1864. Mr. Cessna remained at home until 1861. Ilis early education was ob- tained in a log schoolhouse near by. Subse- quently he went to the Allegheny Seminary at Rainsburg, a village one and a half miles from his early home. Here he was prepared for college. He entered Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster in September, 1861, as a member of the sophomore class, and graduated from that institution in July, 1864. During the time he attended college he had his name registered as a law student in the office of his brother, Hon. John Cessna, at Bedford. He spent part of his vacations in reading law, and on February 15, 1865, after a very creditable examination, he was admitted to practice in the several courts of Bedford county. In 1868 he moved to McCon- nellsburg, Fulton county, Pennsylvania, and there remained engaged in the practice of the law for a period of nearly three years. In 1871 he returned to Bedford, where he has remained actively engaged in the practice of his profes- sion ever since. In June, 1872, he was married to Miss Kate Brown, daughter of Conrad Brown, Esq., of Erie, Pennsylvania. Mr. Cessna's prac- tice has not been confined to Bedford county alone. He is a member of the bars of the adjoining counties, and has been engaged in the trial of various important causes in some of the northern counties of the state. He is also a member of the bar of the supreme court of Pennsylvania, and, on January 26, 1876, on motion of Hon. Jeremiah S. Black, was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United

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States. In professional life Mr. Cessna's success is largely due to his untiring industry. He is never satisfied with a mere surface examination, but gues to the bottom of every case, test- ing it by the light of approved authorities and a careful analysis of all the facts. His famil- iarity with statutes and decisions is remarkable. Where intricate questions are involved and the reputed authorities of his own state do not come up fully to the requirements of the case, he frequently has resort to those of other states, and under the lights of all subjects, the matter to be examined receives most careful scrutiny. In this way he has justly earned for himself a place among the foremost in the ranks of his professional brethren at home and elsewhere. Of him it may be said correctly that he is a safe counselor, a close reasoner, and an earnest and persuasive advocate. These qualifications, com- bined with popular manners, will always insure for him a large and lucrative clientage and numerous friends.

David H. Hofius, a son of Dr. John H. Hofius, was born in the town of Bedford, Pennsylvania. He was endowed with great natural ability, a liberal education, and on the 29th day of No- vember, 1842, was admitted to the bar of Bedford county. During the Mexican war he served as second lieutenant in the Bedford county company - Co. L, 2d regt. Penn. Vols .- from May 6 to November 1, 1847. Subse- quently he became one of the most prominent members of the Blair county (Pennsylvania) bar. He died at Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, a number of years ago, while still a young man.

Oliver C. Hartley was a brother of the well known residents of Bedford, Pennsylvania, Judge John G. and William Hartley. He was admitted to the bar April 23, 1844. On the 8th day of October, 1845, he was admitted to the bar of Bedford county. Subsequently he became a resident of McConnellsburg, Fulton county, Pennsylvania. In 1850 he was elected as the first district attorney of the latter county. He represented this district in the Pennsylvania house of representatives in 1852-3, and again in 1877-8. He served as speaker of the house in 1853. In 1857 he was elected state senator from the district composed of Bedford, Somerset and Huntingdon counties and served three years. Elected as state auditor- general in 1877, he served as such during the years 1878, 1879 and 1880. Since his admission

to the bar he has resided at Bedford, McCon- nellsburg, Harrisburg and West Chester, Penn- sylvania. He now has an office in Philadelphia.

Rufus K. Hartley, Joseph Mann, Joseph F. Loy, Josiah E. Barclay, William M. Hall, Oliver E. Shannon, William M. Hall., Jr., John J. Bonnett, John P. Osterhout, John P. O'Neill and Col. John H. Filler are mentioned as Bed- ford county attorneys, who were admitted to the bar prior to 1852.

John P. Reed was born in the town of Schellsburg, Bedford county, Pennsylvania. He is a grandson of John Schell, the founder of Schellsburg, and a son of Hon. Michael Reed. The latter was a native of Washington township, Franklin county, Pennsylvania. He settled at Schellsburg about the year 1810, and soon after married Elizabeth, a daughter of John Schell. He was a gentleman whose early education had, from force of circumstances, been neglected, but he possessed great natural ability. He was a self-taught surveyor. About the years 1815-16, when the turnpike from Bedford westward was being constructed, he was urged by the managers of the turnpike company to survey and lay out the route over the Allegheny mountain -the road in use to- day. He finally complied with their request, made his own instruments and completed the work to the entire satisfaction of the managers. Afterward he performed a vast amount of civil engineering and surveying. He also served as justice of the peace, county surveyor, and repre- sented Bedford county two terms in the state legislature. His children were Elizabeth, John P., Maria, Jacob, Margaret, Joseph, Charlotte and Peter, all of whom survive. He died at Schellsburg in 1872 at the age of eighty-four years. John P. Reed was educated at Schells- burg. He has resided in Bedford, Pennsyl- vania, since the fall of 1848, at which time he was elected prothonotary, register and recorder and clerk of courts. He was re-elected to the same offices in 1869. On the 9th of Februar , 1852, he was admitted to the bar, and has sin e practiced his profession in the town of Bedford.

Samuel Ake was born in Union township, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, August 14, 1826. He read law in the offices of Hon. Thad- deus Banks, of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, and Oliver E. Shannon, Esq., of Bedford, Pennsylvania, and was admitted to the bar of this county, February 13, 1852. During the

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HON. J. H. LONGENECKER.

The subject of this notice has proved himself to be a brave de- fender of his country amidst the trying scenes of war; and, in civil capacities, a lawyer of recognized merit and superior talents, as well as an able and popular legislator. Such a career is full of interest and worthy of detailed mention.

Hon. J. H. Longenecker was born near Martinsburg, Blair county, Pennsylvania, September 17, 1839. When he was four years of age, his parents, John and Elizabeth (Holsinger) Longenecker, removed to a farm near Woodberry, Bedford county, where he lived until he reached the age of sixteen. He then entered the Allegheny Semi- nary at Rainsburg, where he pursued an academic course. While acquiring his education, young Longenecker engaged in teaching in the winter for several years, during which time he was principal of the Woodberry school for two sessions, and taught other schools in the neighborhood. His apt scholarship attracted the attention of his instructors, and during the latter part of his course at the semi- nary he held the position of assistant teacher, thereby defraying a portion of his expenses and those of his sister, who attended the school at the same time. Until the breaking out of the civil war, Mr. Longenecker led a pleasant and profitable though busy life, combining the occupations of student and teacher.

In September, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Co. D, 101st regt. Penn. Vols., and on the 20th of the following January he was pro- moted to sergeant-major of the regiment. May 1, 1863, he was com- missioned second lieutenant of Co. D. On the 26th of the following July he was promoted to the rank of adjutant of the 101st regiment. While the army was lying on the Chickahominy, he contracted a fever and was sent to Bellevue Hospital, New York. A month sufficed for his recovery, and he then rejoined the regiment. He served with the regiment until it was captured at Plymouth, North Carolina, on April 20, 1864. Adjt. Longenecker and the other officers of the regiment were then re noved to the military prison at Macon, Georgia, and thence, in July, to Savannah. About a month later they were removed to Charleston, South Carolina, where for nearly a month they were imprisoned in the jail-yard. Next, the prisoners were taken to "Camp Sorghum," south of the city of Columbia, South Carolina. During the winter months they were incarcerated in the asylum prison at Columbia. Early in February. 1865, when Sherman was approaching the city, they were removed to Charlotte, North Carolina, and on the evening of their arrival Adjt. Longenecker made his escape. Two weeks later he was recaptured near the mountains of Western North Carolina, and carried back to Charlotte, and thence to Salisbury, North Carolina. March 2, 18th, he received his liberty in an exchange of prisoners which took place at Wilmington, North Carolina. On March 14 he was discharged from the service by reason of the great numerical reduction of the com- mand.

In April, 1865, Mr. Longenecker became a law student in the office

of Hon. S. 8. Blair, of Hollidaysburg, and in September of the same year entered the law department of Albany (New York) University. He graduated from this institution May 25, 1866, receiving the degree of bachelor of laws. On May 5, 1866, lie was admitted to practice in the supreme court of the State of New York. The following month he entered the office of Hon. S. L. Russell, of Bedford, to prepare further for entering upon the profession by the study of Pennsyl- vania statutes and practice. September 3, 1866, he was admitted to practice in the several courts of Bedford county. April 1, 1867, Mr. Longenecker was taken into partnership with Hon. S. L. Russell; thenceforth, sharing the large practice of the latter, he quickly arose to prominence in his profession.

At the annual election of October, 1868, he was chosen a member of the Pennsylvania house of representatives. The following year he was re-elected, and served during a second term. Thenceforth he confined his attention almost wholly to the extensive law busi- ness of the firm of Russell & Longenecker, until 1882, when, at the earnest request of his party, he accepted the republican nomination for the office of state senator. The selection of Mr. Longenecker for this important position was a high tribute to his popularity and po- litical standing. Though nominated by the regular or " stalwart" republicans, and himself supporting the Beaver ticket in the memorable campaign of the year 1882, at the polls he received nearly the unanimous support of the independents, in his own county and Fulton, and was elected, though leading politicians agree that no other republican in the district could have achieved this result. During the legislative session that succeeded he had positions on several important committees, and throughout this and the stormy extra session following, his conduct was characterized by such prudence and sagacity as won for him well-deserved prominence in the senate and the hearty approbation of the republican party. During the regular session Mr. Longenecker was a member of the judiciary, general, constitutional reform, and congressional and legislative apportionment committees, and chairman of the com- mittee on banks. He also served on the conference committee of the two houses, on senatorial and representative apportionment. In the extra session he was made chairman of the committee on sena- torial apportionment, and prepared the bill supported by the repuis lican senators.

Mr. Longenecker has always been a firm supporter of the princi- ples of the republican party. He cast his first vote for Lincoln, in 1860, and made his first stump speech during the exciting campaign of that year. In 1866 he took an netive part in the county canvass, and in every important campaign since that time he has made pub- lic speeches in support of the party nominations. In his political and forensic career he has sustained the reputation of an earnest, able and forcible speaker.

Mr. Longenecker was married December 21, 1869, to Miss Rebecca V. Russell, eldest daughter of Hon. S. L. Russell, of Bedford, and is the father of three children: Samuel Russell, Ralph and Charles.

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war of the rebellion he served in Co. H, Ist regt. Iowa Inf. (three-months volunteers), from May 14 to August 20, 1861, and in Co. H, 22d regt. Penn. Cav., from February 23, 1864, to August 14, 1865. Although mustered as a private in both organizations, he performed duty as color- sergeant in the Iowa regiment, and as quarter- master-sergeant in the Pennsylvania command. He participated, with the Iowa regiment, in the fiercely fought engagement, and in which Gen. Lyon lost his life-the battle of Wilson's Creek, Missouri. Also in the many encounters of the 22d Cav. with the enemy in Vir- ginia. Since the war, besides practicing his profession, he has served as clerk in the state surveyor-general's office (from May 2, 1866, May 2, 1872) as surveyor and civil engineer, and is likewise a well known pension-claim agent.

Thomas A. Boyd, Lewis M. Hall, William H. Leas, T. W. B. McFadden, J. Buchanan Boggs, John L. Fyan, Charles A. Bannan, John J. Bar- clay, John W. Lingenfelter, Jonathan C. Dicken, Charles M. Barton, Robert C. Fyan, Richard De C. Barclay, Emanuel J. Bonebrake, Samuel Lyon, Samuel Woodcock, O. H. Gaither and J. Selby Mower, also known as Bedford county attorneys, were admitted during the years from 1852 to 1860.

Joseph W. Tate was born at Bloody Run (now known as Everett), Bedford county, Penn- sylvania, February 8, 1819. He obtained his education at the village school and studied surveying. He read law in the office of Samuel H. Tate, and was admitted to the bar November 21, 1853.

Hon. George H. Spang was born at Roaring Springs, February 16, 1830. At the age of about fifteen years he entered the preparatory de- partment of Marshall College. After pursuing his studies there for some time he went to the Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, from which institution he graduated in September, 1852. On the 30th day of September, 1853, he entered the law office of Hon. Job Mann, at Bedford. The following year, or May 3, 1854, he was admitted to practice law in the several courts of Bedford county. On the 9th day of May, 1856, he was appointed district attorney of the county. In October, of the same year, he was elected district attorney, and at the expiration of that term, October 11, 1859, was re-elected to the same office. On November 3,

1874, he was elected to represent this district in the state legislature, and in November, 1876, was re-elected.

Moses A. Points was born in Bedford town- ship, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, May 7, 1839. He finished his literary studies at Dick- inson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where the degree of A.B. was conferred upon him in 1864, and of A.M. in 1867. When he delivered the master's oration at the junior prize contest, in 1863, he was the recipient of the silver medal for oratory. His law studies were pursued in the office of Hon. John Cessna, and on the 23d of November, 1864, he was admitted to the bar of Bedford county. He has always resided in this county. He has served as a member of the town council, president of the Bedford school board, and for three years was secretary of the Bedford & Bridgeport Railroad Company.

J. C. Tate was born at Columbus, Mississippi, September 18, 1840. Ilis education was ac- quired in institutions of learning located at Orange, N. J., Bedford, Pa., Newburg, N. Y., and Cannonsburg, Pa. He read law in the office of Joseph W. Tate, Esq., afterward attended the law university at Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was admitted to practice in the several courts of the county of Bedford, April 26, 1867. Since attaining years of manhood he has resided in San Francisco and San Jose, Cal., Boston, Mass., Morganton, N. C., Cumberland, Md., and Philadelphia.

Gen. David Stewart Elliott was born at Bed- ford, Pennsylvania, December 23, 1843. He was educated in the public schools of his native county. On the 25th of April, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Co. G, 13th regt. Penn. (three months) Vols., and served until July 31 follow- ing. Six weeks later, or September 10, 1861, he was mustered into service as a private in Co. E, 76th regt. Penn. Vols., and served with that organization until honorably discharged No- vember 28, 1864. Subsequently he studied law in the office of Durborrow & Lutz, Bedford, Pennsylvania, and was admitted to the bar Feb- ruary 10, 1869 ; commissioned captain of Rus- sell Zouaves, 16th division Penn. Militia, Febru- ary 16, 1870 ; commissioned major-general 16th division Nat. Guard of Pennsylvania, January 16, 1873 ; commissioned lieutenant-colonel and division inspector, staff of Maj .- Gen. James A. Beaver, September 9, 1875, and was elected and commissioned justice of the peace of Everett

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borough in 1869. He has always resided in Bedford county, either at Bedford or Everett. He published and edited the Everett Press from September 1, 1868, to February 1, 1873, and re- sumed the editorship of the same paper in Feb- ruary, 1881. He has served as chairman of the republican county committee for several years, as delegate to the state conventions on several important occasions, and was one of the alter- nate delegates-at-large to the national republi- can convention of 1880. Gen. Elliott is also prominently identified with the secret associa- tions known as Masons, Odd-Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and Grand Army of the Republic.

Alexander King, Jr., a son of Judge Alexan- der King, was born in Bedford, Pennsylvania, May 19, 1847. Educated at Bedford and the Albany (New York) Law School, profiting also by the instructions received from his father, he was admitted to the bar July 20, 1869.

Hon. John M. Reynolds was born in Lancas- ter county, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1848. He graduated from the Millersville State Normal School in 1867. Subsequently he studied law in the office of John W. Dickerson, of Bedford, Pennsylvania, and on the 15th day of February, 1870, was admitted to the bar. In 1872, and again in 1873, he was elected to represent Bed- ford county in the state legislature, and served through the legislative sessions of 1873 and 1874. In 1875, he was elected district attorney and served in that capacity for a term of three years. Besides practicing his profession, he was one of the editors and proprietors of the Bed- ford Gazette from 1872 until August 1, 1880.

Humphrey D. Tate, was born in Bedford, December 7, 1848. After his graduation, at La Fayette College, he studied law with John Mower, and was admitted to practice December 14, 1870. In 1873, he was elected district at- torney, which position he filled until his election as prothonotary and clerk of courts in 1875, he was re-elected in 1878, and again, 1881, for the term of three years. He also occupies the posi- tion of chief clerk in the office of the secretary of the commonwealth.

William C. Smith was born in the town of Bedford, Pennsylvania, June 2, 1845. His educa- tion was acquired in the public schools of Bed- ford and the state normal school at Millersville, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He became a law student in the office of John W. Lingenfelter, Esq., and December 14, 1870, was admitted to

the bar. He was elected a justice of the peace in the borough of Bedford in March, 1874, and re-elected to the same office in February, 1879. He has been one of the publishers and editors of the Bedford Republican since the establish- ment of that paper, April 14, 1881.

John H. Jordan, a son of John R. Jordan, Esq., was born in Bedford, Pennsylvania, July 13, 1848. His literary studies were completed at Mount Union College, Ohio. Subsequently he studied law in the office of Messrs. Russell (Samuel L.) & Longenecker (Jacob H.), and on September 7, 1871, was admitted to practice. He has officiated as the editor of the Bedford Inquirer since January 1, 1883.

James C. Russell, a son of Hon. Samuel L. Russell, was born in the borough of Bedford, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1850. After attend- ing the Bedford Classical Institute, in charge of Rev. John Lyon, Elder's Ridge Academy, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, Rev. Dr. Donaldson, principal, and La Fayette College, he graduated from the latter institution in 1869. Soon after he entered the law office of Messrs. Russell & Longenecker as a student at law, and March 31, 1873, was admitted to the bar. From April to October, 1873, be resided in Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania (while engaged as clerk for Messrs. Moorehead, McClean & Co.). Since the latter date he has practiced his profession in his native town.

Frank Fletcher was born in Monroe township, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, April 23, 1852. He read law with Hon. George M. Spang for one year, also under Hon. John M. Reynolds, and on December 3, 1877, was admitted to the bar. He was elected district attorney of Bed- ford county in November, 1878, for three years, and re-elected to the same position in November, 1881. He has also served as attorney for the county commissioners.

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History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 44

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Number of Pages: 967

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 967