History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 50

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 50
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 50
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 50

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).

Dr. D. F. Earnest occupies a creditable posi- tion among the medical profession. He is a son of Isaac D. Earnest, now a resident of Bed- ford, and was born in Bedford township. He read medicine with the late Dr. B. F. Harry, of Bedford, and attended the medical school at Albany, New York. In 1867 he began practic- ing in Wilmore, Cambria county, where he re-

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mained two years. He next practiced in Hope- well, Bedford county, two years, then in King William county, Virginia, four years. In 1877 he located at Everett.

HYNDMAN.

Dr. F. S. Weller is a native of Somerset county, and a descendant of one of the early families in that county. Dr. Weller practiced medicine in his native county a number of years with good success. In 1873 he moved from Northampton township, Somerset county, to Hyndman. Dr. Weller has held several offices in the town.

NEW PARIS.

The first settled physician in New Paris was Dr. A. S. Smith, who moved here from St. Clairsville, about 1870. He died here after about two years' practice.

The only physician now in the town is Dr. James B. Statler, who has practiced here suc- cessfully since 1874. Dr. Statler was born in this county.

OSTERBURG.

Dr. Henry W. Conrad, son of George Conrad, was born at Scalp Level, Cambria county. He clerked in his father's store until 1873, then at- tended school and engaged in teaching for several terms. He took a two years' course at the Indiana (Pennsylvania) State Normal School, then attended the Jefferson Medical College. In 1882 he graduated from the West- ern Reserve Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio, practiced a short time in Springfield, Fayette county, and the same year located at Osterburg, where he is now practicing. In 1883 Dr. Con- rad was married to Amanda, daughter . of William Oster, of Osterburg.

PATTONVILLE.

The first physician who located in Patton- ville was Dr. William Birch. He was succeeded by Dr. Sidney Smith, Dr. James D. Noble, Dr. M. L. Ritchey and Dr. Martin L. Stehley. Martin L. Stehley, a native of Mifflin county, died in Blair county in 1873. He was a mer- chant for thirty-five years in Mac Veighstown, Frankstown and Hollidaysburg. His son, Dr. Martin L. Stehley, graduated from the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1874. After practicing two years in Huntingdon county, he removed to Pattonville, where he has since resided, enjoying a good practice.

PLEASANTVILLE.

The first medical practitioner in Pleasant- ville was Dr. Miller. He was succeeded by Dr. Bendedict, Dr. MeGriff, Dr. Beighley, Dr. Speicher, Dr. William E. Hall, Dr. Joseph E. Keefe, Dr. D. H. Hetrick, Dr. S. G. Statler and others. The present practicing physicians are Drs. Hetrick and Statler.

Dr. Daniel H. Hetrick, son of John S. Hetrick, was born in Morrison's cove, where his father still lives. He attended school up to October, 1861, when he enlisted in Co. D, 101st regt. Penn. Vols., in which he served until the close of the war. He was captured April 20, 1864, and held a prisoner in Ander- sonville and Florence prisons for seven months and twenty days. He attended school in Rains- burg and studied medicine under Dr. Samuel H. Smith, of Woodberry. He received the de- gree of doctor of medicine in 1869, and has since been engaged in the practice of his profession in Pleasantville.

Dr. Samuel G. Statler was born in Stoystown, Pennsylvania ; attended Franklin and Marshall College in 1840-1-2. He studied medicine in Ligonier, Westmoreland county, under Dr. S. P. Cummings and graduated a doctor of medi- cine in 1851. He then located in St. Clairsville, where he remained until 1865. From 1865 to 1878 he practiced at Schellsburg. In 1878 he removed to Spring Meadow and thence, in 1883, to Pleasantville.

RAINSBURG.

Probably the first settled physician in Rains- burg was Dr. John Clow. He was in the place as early as 1830. His successor, Dr. Ferdinand LeFevre, practiced a short time, commencing about 1837. Dr. J. L. McCay came in 1839, and practiced five or six years. He was com- petent and successful. Dr. Nathaniel C. Wilson practiced here a few years, commencing in 1844. He was succeeded by Dr. J. W. Craw- ford, who remained until about 1854. Other physicians have practiced in Rainsburg for short periods.

Dr. John G. Hughes was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, in 1828. He studied medicine in Hancock, Maryland, attended the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and was graduated therefrom in 1853. The same year he came to Rainsburg, where he practiced fifteen months. He then returned to Hancock.

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DR. S. H. GUMP.

Dr. S. H. Gump, an able representative of the medical profession in Bedford, was born at Rainsburg, Bedford county, December 12, 1841. His parents, Hon. G. W. and Sophia (Stuckey) Gump, were both natives of this county. The grandfather of Dr. Gump was John Gump, who came to Rainsburg from Frederick county, Maryland. He was among the earliest settlers in the town of Rainsburg, where he died at the age of eighty-six years.

Dr. Gump passed his boyhood on a farm. When he was six years old his parents moved to Cumberland, Maryland, where they remained until 1854. The subject of this sketch received his common-school education in Cumberland. After the return of the family to Bedford county he qualified himself for teaching, and engaged in that employment in 1859, 1860 and 1861. Subsequently he attended school for two years at Williamsport, Pennsylvania. In 1865 he began the study of medicine at Bedford under

the tuition of Dr. William H. Watson. He at- tended the University of Pennsylvania at Phila- delphia during the sessions of 1868-9 and 1869-70, graduating therefrom March 12, 1870.

He at once began practice with Dr. William Watson, son of his preceptor, and continued in partnership with him until the death of Dr. Watson, March 10, 1879. The beginning of his practice was attended with success, and instead of having to wait for patients, as not infrequently falls to the lot of young physicians, Dr. Gump soon found a sufficiency and oftentimes a super- abundance of work awaiting him. Devoted to his profession, conscientious and faithful in the discharge of his duties, he has earned and gained a well-merited prominence among the physicians of Bedford county. Dr. Gump was chosen physician to the county almshouse in 1870, succeeding Dr. Reamer, and held the position several years. Since 1878 he has been surgeon for the Bedford division of the Penn- sylvania railroad.

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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

and engaged in practice with his preceptor, Dr. Wilson, continuing until 1857. He then re- turned to Rainsburg, where he has since enjoyed a good practice.

RAY'S HILL.

A large number of physicians have located at Ray's Hill, though none have remained long except Dr. E. J. Miller, a prominent and well- known representative of the medical profession.

Dr. Miller is a native of Cumberland county. He graduated at the Charleston University, and subsequently attended medical lectures at Jef- ferson Medical College. He was four years in the regular army, in the 3d U. S. Cav. After the war he located at Ray's Hill, in 1865, and his practice has since been quite extensive and very successful. Dr. Miller is a member of the National Guard, and has been regularly con- nected with that organization since 1872. He is now a member of Gen. Beaver's staff and one of the Pensioners' Examination Board.

Dr. W. H. Oyler settled at Ray's Hill in 1882. He is a native of Adams county, and a graduate of the University of New York city.

ROBINSONVILLE.

The first practicing physician in Robinsonville was Dr. George Ray, who remained but a short time. The present practitioner, Dr. D. T. Robin- son, is a native of Monroe township, and a graduate of the Baltimore College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Robinson is a son of Ephraim Robinson, who was born in this township, and resided here until 1883, when he removed near Everett. Ephraim Robinson held various township trusts, and was prominent in advanc- ing the best interests of the community.

SAXTON.

The practicing physicians of Saxton are Drs. Breneman and Evans.

Micheal Breneman, the grandfather of Dr. Breneman, was of German descent, though a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Isaac Breneman, the father of the doctor, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, where he married and reared his family. Dr. M. B. Breneman, the fourth child of Isaac Breneman, was born May 22, 1838. He passed his boyhood on a farm, attending the common schools. In his twentieth year he attended a select school at Marklesburg, Huntingdon county, and subsequently he was a student at the academy in Williamsburg, Blair county,

and at the Cassville Seminary, Huntingdon county. While obtaining his education he en- gaged in teaching during the winter months. In 1862 he left the Cassville Seminary, where he was then pursuing his studies, and enlisted in Co. C, 125th regt. Penn. Vols. At Antietam he received a severe wound and was discharged in consequence of it. The doctor's oldest brother, Isaac N. Breneman (since deceased), enlisted under the call for seventy-five thousand men in the first company of soldiers that left Blair county. The youngest brother, who went out in Co. C, 125th regt., died soon after the battle of Antietam from disease con- tracted in the service. M. B. Breneman, having returned home after receiving his wound, taught school in McConnellstown, Huntingdon county, the following winter, although he was obliged to go about on crutches to attend to his duties. He continued teaching until 1866, when he commenced the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Tobias Harnish, in Alex- andria, Huntingdon county. In the fall of 1868 he entered the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he graduated in 1870. Locating at Waterstreet, Huntingdon county, he began practicing his profession. In the spring of 1872 he removed to Dudley, Hunting- don county, where he practiced for seven years with excellent success. He then removed to the growing town of Saxton, his present home. Dr. Breneman is an able and skillful physician and ranks high in his profession. His social standing is above reproach. He has never sought official distinction and has held only local offices. He is a member of the Coalmont Lodge of Odd-Fellows and of the Grand Army Post of Saxton.

Dr. Breneman was married in 1869 to Miss Anna M. Shaffer, daughter of Peter Shaffer, of Waterstreet, Pennsylvania, and is the father of five children, four of whom are living : Paul B., William E., Mary O. (deceased), Myra B. and Albert B.

SCHELLSBURG.

The first physician who settled in Schellsburg was Dr. Rudhaesel, a German. He died here after a few years' practice. He had a brother who was also a physician. Both were associ- ated in practice for a time.

Afterward Dr. Ray, Dr. Brammel and Dr. Burnett each located here for a short period. In 1837 came Dr. John C. Ealy, whose many

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years of faithful labor have rendered his name familiar and his presence welcome in hundreds of homes. He read medicine under Dr. William Rankin, a prominent physician of Cumberland county. Dr. Ealy entered upon his professional career at Schellsburg, and has never changed his location. For forty years he traveled by no other mode than horseback. He has frequently attended patients in Somerset and Cambria counties, braving the severest weather and trav- ersing indescribably bad roads in the perform- ance of his duties. He is vigorous and active for a man of his years and his practice is still large. For a more extended notice of Dr. Ealy see history of Schellsburg.

Dr. Frank M. Marbourg is a native of Johns- town. He studied medicine in Bedford under Dr. William Watson and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. In 1868 he located in Schellsburg. His practice is both extensive and successful.

Dr. W. P. Whitmore, a graduate of a Balti- more medical college, located in Schellsburg in 1881 and is now practicing here.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE.

Dr. D. A. Plank was born in Cumberland county and attended Juniata College, Tuscarora, Pennsylvania. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Co. H, 7th Penn. reserves. He was wounded with the loss of a finger at the first battle of Bull Run, and was honorably discharged on account of his wound in August, 1861. He afterward spent six months with the army as a photographer. In 1864-5 he attended the Jefferson Medical College, graduating therefrom in 1865. He then located at St. Clairsville, where he has since practiced with good success. He is the only practicing physician in the town.

WOODBERRY.

Dr. Samuel H. Smith came to Woodberry in 1834, and for years was the only physician in the northern part of Bedford county. His early practice extended over a large portion of the present counties of Blair and Huntingdon. Everett, Bedford and Schellsburg on the south and Martinsburg and Newry on the north were the nearest points where other doctors were located. Dr. Smith was born in Juniata county, in 1811, and studied medicine in that county and at the Jefferson Medical College. Dr. Smith is an esteemed member of his profession. Though

now nominally retired from practice, he still attends patients occasionally.

Dr. Charles S. Oellig came to Woodberry, where he still practices, in 1841. Dr. Oellig is a native of Franklin county, and studied medicine in Waynesboro. After practicing there two years he removed to Bedford county.

Many other physicians have practiced in Woodberry for short periods. The present practitioners are Dr. Smith, Dr. Oellig, Dr. Ralph C. Klepser, Dr. C. W. Fox and Dr. Cornog.

CHAPTER XXIV. BOROUGH OF BEDFORD.

Indian Traders - Ray and Others at Raystown - Driven Away by Indians-Gen. Forbes at Raystown in 1758-A Fort Built -John Fraser and Family - Capt. Ourry Grants a Lot in the Original Town of Bedford - Bedford Manor Surveyed - Prominent Features and Residents in 1761 - Description of Fort Bedford - Four Eminent Pioneers- Town Laid Out According to Present Plan in 1766 - Made the Seat of Justice in 1771 of a Vast Territory- Its Residents at That Time - Mention of Many Other Early Settlers - The First Postmaster, Etc .- President Washington's Visit in 1794 - Incorporated as a Borough - A Letter from President John Adams-The Town in 1883 -Corporate History - An Early Celebration - Banking - Manufacturing -Secret Associations - Religious History.

W ITH the Indian traders of the colonial period, and indeed at a much later date, it was customary, after the site for the estab- lishment of a trading post had been settled, to erect at least two or three log buildings for the accommodations of themselves, their goods and their servants or retainers. One of these-the trading-house proper - was especially construct- ed (quite frequently of hewn timbers, and loop- holed) with the view of securing as safely as possible the stock in store, besides affording a place of refuge and defense in case of sudden attack. The traders, usually, were widely sep- arated one from another, and in course of time, their posts became known among themselves, the white hunters and trappers, and the Indians, as towns. Hence the names of Ray's Town, Frank's Town, John's Town, Hanna's Town, Beeson's Town, etc., terms which appear so fre- quently in colonial history.

It is traditionary, and quite evident, too, that about the year 1750, an Indian trader named Ray established himself on or near the site of the present town of Bedford, and erected three log buildings, but how long he remained, or what

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Americus Enfield

AMERICUS ENFIELD, M.D.

Dr. Enfield was born near the town of Salisbury, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1847, of poor, Christian parents. His great-grandfathers were revolutionary soldiers. On his paternal side he is descended from German parentage, as the name indicates, and on his maternal side is of Irish descent. His maternal grandfather was a descendant of the same family of which William Findley, once governor of this state and treas- urer of the United States mints, was a member.

The doctor is a self-made man. He did not receive any educa- tional advantages until after his twelfth year, owing to the fact that at that time no schools existed in the vicinity, and his parents were too humble in life to send him away to school, but he learned to read and write under his first tutor, his mother. About this time he went to live with his maternal uncle, the Hon. Hiram Findley, who for many years was a prominent poli- tician, and a member of the state senate. After he entered the free schools he made rapid progress, his uncle's library affording him means of reading many choice works of history and biog- raphy. Among his uncle's library was an old copy of Carpenter's Human Physiology, which he read and reread. Tothis book he is no doubt indebted for belonging to the profession in which he is now engaged. His uncle was anxious to have him prepare him- self for the legal profession, but his young mind was ever bent upon knowing more about the anatomy and physiology of man, and he determined within himself to make the science of medi- cine his profession. But while he was reading and teaching school, that he might acquire funds to complete his education, the war of the rebellion broke out, and, fired with patriotism, he joined the Ringgold battalion of cavalry, the first regiment of cavalry that left Western Pennsylvania. After several years of active service in the field, he was placed upon detached duty at Harewood United States Hospital, near Washington, D. C., in charge of the medical department, where he remained until the fall of 1865, when he was honorably discharged, and returned to his old home. Shortly afterward he entered Mercersburg Col-

lege, Pennsylvania, in order to acquire a more comprehensive knowledge of Greek and Latin, which he found the necessity of in prosecuting his medical studies. His teacher in languages, while there, was that noted linguist and theologian Dr. E. E. Higbee, the present efficient superintendent of the schools of the state. After spending several years at college he went to Cum- berland, Maryland, and entered the office of that eminent physi- cian and surgeon Dr. G. B. Fundenberg, now of Pittsburgh. He attended medical lectures at that celebrated school Bellevue Hospital Medical College. He first opened an office in Cumber- land, Maryland, where he soon took an advanced position among his professional brethren, but the profession being overcrowded by older physicians, he removed to Flintstone, in the same state, where he speedily acquired a large practice, by reason of his successful treatment of an epidemic of typho-malarial fever, which prevailed in a very malignant form there at that time, he having gained much knowledge of the pathology of the disease while in the army, and was thus enabled to treat it very intelli- gently. Of some two hundred cases which came into his hands, only a few proved fatal. In 1872 he moved to Clearville, Bedford county, where he had an extensive and lucrative practice up to 1882, when he was elected sheriff of this county by a large majority over a popular competitor, who was a member of the bar and ex-prothonotary of the county.

The doctor now resides in the county seat, Bedford. where he is quietly engaged in the practice of his profession, as well as attending to the duties of his office. In his profession he is pay- ing special attention to surgery. In politics he is a democrat, and is descended from a long line of democratic ancestors. He has been prominent and active in political matters in the county and state. In 1876 he was tendered the nomination for state senator, but declined the honor. In 1871 he was married to Miss Rebecca, daughter of Dr. I. G. Bruckman, of Salisbury, Pennsyl- vania. Five children have been born to them-three boys and two girls. In faith the Doctor is a member of the Reformed church. His wife is a Lutheran.

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became of him, tradition saith not. However, the locality was known for a number of years as Ray's Town, and the stream (Ray's Town branch of the Juniata), on which, it is pre- sumed, Ray's trading-post was built, still per- petuates his name.

After Ray, or perhaps with him, came one Garrett Pendergrass, Sr., who, by consent of the chiefs of the Six Nations (see general chapter entitled "The White Men as Settlers"), resided here, made some improvements, probably did a thriving trade with the Indians, and claimed about three hundred acres of land, which in- cluded the "Three Springs " as well as land on the left bank of the Raystown branch. But ac- cording to the statement set forth in the Indian document referred to, he, also, removed from this locality soon after the beginning of the French and Indian war, and sought personal safety at a point far to the eastward.

As shown by the following memorial, Will- iam Fredregill was another adventurous spirit, and one of the very first to locate on the site of Bedford:

To the Honourable the Commissioners of Property of the Province of Pennsylvania :

The Memorial of John Ormsby of the Town of Bedford in the County of Bedford in the Province of Pennsylvania Humbly Sheweth -

That a certain William Fredregill in the year of our Lord 1755 in Consequence of the Encourage- ment given to people to settle on the vacant Lands on the Western Frontiers of the said Province did settle on a certain Tract of Land near Raystown now called Bedford then vacant, which Tract of Land the said Fredregill occupied, built a dwelling House thereon, and made several other Improvements and continued in possession untill he was driven off by the Indians in 1757, and his House and other Buildings were by them burnt and destroyed. That some years after the said Tract of Land and Improvements were in- cluded in the Survey of a Manor laid out for the Honourable the Proprietaries.

That your memorialist having purchased the said Fredregill's Right and Title in and to the said Tract of Land for the Consideration of one hundred pounds current money of this province as may appear by a certain Instrument of writing of Bargain and Sale bearing date the twenty second Day of December 1764 and made several Considerable Improvements on the same at a very great Expence, did in the year 1766 apply to the Honourable proprietaries Land Office in Philadelphia to have the said Land con- firmed to him but at that Time could only obtain a Warrant to have the Land surveyed with a Clause 'On condition that he shall pay such purchase money

as the Commissioners of property shall agree upon with the Memorialist.'

That the memorialist humbly hopes the Honour- able Commissioners considering the true State of his case will not charge him with more purchase money than is usually paid by Settlers on vacant Land with the usual Quit Rent and Interest from the Date of the original Settlement in 1755, as the Land was actually settled and improved according to the Custom of Settlers, long before the laying out of the said Manor, and considering that it has been improved at great Hazard and Expence, the first Buildings and Im- provements having been Destroyed as before set forth, he therefore prays the said Land may be confirmed to him on making such payments.

Philade, Feb. 24, 1772."

JOHN ORMSBY .*

It is quite apparent, then, that although the provincial authorities attempted to open a wagon- road for military purposes, from Fort Loudon to Raystown, in 1755; that Col. John Armstrong was ordered by Gov. Denny, in the spring of 1757, to march from Carlisle with a provincial force of three hundred men and occupy Rays- town (a feat he was unable to accomplish by reason of lack of supplies) ; that during the same season Col. Armstrong suggested the building of a fort at Raystown, and that during the summer of that year, 1757, Capt. Hamilton led a scouting party from Carlisle to the site of the present town of Bedford, yet from the time of Braddock's defeat, in 1755, until the vanguard of Forbes' army occupied the last-mentioned point in the summer of 1758, it was hardly possible for an isolated white man to remain at Raystown ; nor is it probable, after its abandonment by Pendergrass and Fredregill, that any attempted it until the construction of a stockade in July and August of the latter year, and the establish- ment of a permanent garrison rendered it safe for them to do so.

The history of Bedford as a town, therefore, properly begins with the year 1758-a time when it was honored by the presence of such distinguished military celebrities as Forbes, Washington, Boquet, Armstrong, Burd, and an army of some six or seven thousand men ; when quarters for officers, barracks and numerous shanties for sutlers and other camp followers were built ; when a road was opened south- ward to Fort Cumberland, and when the great military route through the province via Carlisle,

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History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 50

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

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