History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 88

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 88
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 88
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 88

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).

Although at first opposed to the impeachment proceedings, Mr. Koontz finally favored them, and, in a speech made March 2, 1868, " he argued that the violation of the tenure of office act was sufficient ground for summoning Mr. John- son to the bar of the senate, closing with the remark : ' If the highest officer of the govern- ment has violated the laws and subjected him- self to removal from office, a law-abiding and intelligent people will acquiesce in the ver- dict.'"

Among other able speeches made by Mr. Koontz while in congress, was an impressive and appropriate eulogy on Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, whom he described as "ripe in years and wisdom, and honored with the confidence and love of his fellow-countrymen."

Since leaving congress Mr. Koontz has de- voted himself closely to his large law practice. Throughout southern and western Pennsyl- vania he is known as one of the foremost law- yers. Able and sound in judgment, logical and earnest in pleading, he has few superiors as an advocate. As an orator, his gifts have won the

applause of the people and the encomiums of the press wherever he has appeared as a public speaker. Perhaps one of the best of his many brilliant efforts was an address on " American Politics," delivered before the literary societies of Franklin and Marshall Colleges, at Lancas- ter, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1880. He began his career as a stump-speaker at the age of eighteen, and has since taken an active part in nine presidential campaigns. In 1875 he added to his reputation by participating in the Ohio canvass, and in 1876 he took part in the presi- dential campaign in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland. In the Garfield campaign he per- formed earnest and efficient service, speaking in Pennsylvania and Maryland. In the cam- paign of 1882 Mr. Koontz was one of the lead- ers of the independent movement in Pennsyl- vania politics. He was among the very first to revolt against that form of political manage- ment technically known as " bossism," and his influence was felt throughout this section of the state. He has been prominently identified with the railroads of the county, and was largely in- strumental in the location and building of the Somerset & Cambria railroad, or rather that portion of it extending from Somerset to Rock- wood. He has been one of its directors since its completion, and also a director in the Pitts- burgh & Connellsville and Berlin railroads. Mr. Koontz is a man of the most agreeable social qualities. His popularity at home is sufficiently attested by the fact that he has six times been the choice of the republicans of Somerset county for congressional honors, and once for the responsible office of president judge. His integrity of purpose and firmness in adhering to his convictions of right have never been questioned, and in all the acts of his public and private life there has been nothing to throw reproach upon his name.

HON. BENJAMIN F. MEYERS.

Hon. Benjamin F. Meyers, the present pub- lisher and editor of the Harrisburg Daily and Weekly Patriot, was born near New Centerville, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, July 6, 1833. His parents were of Pennsylvania-German stock, with a mixture of Scotch-Irish on the paternal side. He received his education in the public schools, Somerset Academy and Jef- ferson College; read law in the office of Hon. William H. Koontz, and was admitted to prao-

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tice in the courts of Somerset county, November 12, 1855. Previous to his admission to the bar, and before he had attained his majority, he spent about a year in the State of Illinois, where he engaged in journalism and was brought into contact with the eminent public men of that state at that day, among whom were Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. Owing to ill health he returned to his native mountains in the winter of 1855. Soon after his admission to the bar it appears he concluded to adopt journalism as a profession, for he moved to Bedford, Pennsylvania, where he edited the Bedford Gazette from August 1, 1857, until April 1, 1874. Meanwhile he had become con- nected with the Harrisburg Daily and Weekly Patriot, a journal of wide circulation, which he has edited from June 1, 1868, until the present time. Under his management the Patriot has become one of the leading democratic organs in the state. In 1863 he was chosen to represent Bedford county in the state legislature, and served through one regular and one special session. In October, 1870. he was elected to represent the district composed of Adams, Bed- ford, Franklin, Fulton and Somerset counties, in the representative branch of the national legislature, and served until March 4, 1873. He occupied the position of state printer from 1874 to 1877, and was a delegate to the democratic national convention in 1864 and 1880. He has written much for the press in addition to his editorial work on his own newspapers. In early life he was a contributor to some of the leading literary weeklies and monthlies, though most of his writings appeared under a nom de plume. He was married in 1854,. to Miss Susan C. Koontz, of Somerset.

HON. ANDREW J. COLBORN.

Hon. Andrew J. Colborn was born in Turkey- Foot township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1822. He obtained a good English education in the subscription and common schools, and under private instructors in his neighborhood. Until thirty years of age he owned and occupied a farm in Turkey-Foot. Meanwhile he had learned surveying, and taught school for a number of years, and served as school director in 1848, 1849 and 1850. He then removed to Somerset, and began the study of law in the office of Hon. John R. Edie. On February 7, 1855, he was admitted as a member of the Som-

erset county bar. He served as chief burgess of Somerset borough in 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870 and 1872, as county surveyor in 1869, 1870, 1871, 1872 and 1873, and as school director in 1878, 1879 and 1880. In 1878 he was elected by the republicans to represent this county in the state legislature. He was re-elected in 1880 and again in 1882. Mr. Colborn possesses fine legal and legislative ability. He was chairman of the ways and means committee in the session of 1881, and is a recognized leader in the body of which he is a present member.

Edward Scull, well known for many years as a journalist and revenue officer, is a grandson of the founder* of the Pittsburgh Gazette,- the first newspaper published west of the Alleghe- nies. He was born in Pittsburgh, February 5, 1818. After availing himself of such educa- tional advantages as the towns of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Steubenville, Ohio, afforded, he began the study of law in the office of John F. Beaver and Edgar Cowan, at Greensburg, Penn- sylvania, where he was admitted to practice about the year 1843. In 1846 he located in the town of Somerset, which has been his continuous place of residence to the present time. During the same year (1846) he established the Somer- set Whig, a newspaper which was soon after consolidated with the Herald, and subsequently with the Standard. He has been identified with journalism during all the years of his resi- dence in Somerset, and still controls the Somer- set Herald. Meanwhile, he has held various official positions. He was elected prothonotary of the county in 1857. Subsequently he was a prominent but unsuccessful candidate for the state senate. When the revenue laws first went into effect, he was appointed, by President Lincoln, collector of the sixteenth district of Pennsylvania. A position which he held until about 1868, when he was removed by President Johnson.

The election of General Grant in 1868, how- ever, resulted in his re-appointment. Soon after, the separate office of assessor of internal revenue was abolished, and from that time until the pre- sent, Mr. Scull has performed the duties of both assessor and collector of this district.

Robert L. Stewart was born in the town of

*The Pittsburgh Gazette was established by John Scull. July 29 1786. His grandfather, Nicholas Scull, came from England in the ship " Bristol Merchant," and landed at Chester, Pennsylvania, September 10, 1685. He was a Quaker, and served as surveyor general of the Province from 1748 to 1761.

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B. S. Meyer

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Somerset. He was admitted to the bar in 1847, and the following year was elected prothonotary of the county. He finally became the publisher of a newspaper at Gallipolis, Ohio, where he died.

Joseph F. Loy removed to Green Bay, Wis- consin, and died there.

John D. Roddy is a present resident of the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Hezekiah P. Hite was a native of Stoystown. He enlisted as a volunteer during the Mexican war, and died in service near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Henry F. Schell was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, September 14, 1822. His educa- tion was completed at Bethany, West Virginia .. After reading law in the office of Hon. Jeremiah S. Black, he was admitted to practice in this county (Somerset) which has been his place of residence since 1840. Besides attending to his professional duties, he has at different periods engaged in general merchandising, the drug business, farming and banking. He has served as chief burgess and school director of the bor- ough of Somerset, also as prothonotary, clerk of the courts of common pleas, quarter sessions of the peace, and oyer and terminer during the years 1879-81 inclusive.

James W. Black removed to the State of Missouri.

Theodore H. IIyer now resides in the city of Baltimore, Maryland.

George W. Benford and Alexander Stutzman both reside in the town of Somerset, but are not in practice as attorneys.

Cyrus Meyers was born at Meyers' Mills (now Meyersdale, Pennsylvania), April 22, 1832. He was educated at Washington and Jefferson col- lege, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. On February 6, 1854, he was admitted to practice in the courts of Somerset county, on a certifi- cate from the law department of Harvard Uni- versity. He served as district attorney of this county from 1856 to 1862, and as prothonotary, clerk of courts, etc., from 1863 to 1806. He is now deceased, as well as Robert R. Roddy, who was also admitted to the Somerset county bar in 1854.

Hon. Lewis Lichty was born on what is now known as the " Highland Farm," in Somerset township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 29, 1828. He was educated in the public schools. Subsequently he studied law under the

direction of Hon. A. H. Coffroth, and was ad- mitted to the Somerset county bar November 16, 1855. In October, 1864, he removed to his present place of residence, Waterloo, Iowa. During the years 1868, 1869 and 1870, he served as city attorney. In March, 1873, he was elected mayor of that city, and was re-elected in 1874, 1875, 1876, 1882 and 1883.

Ilon. Cyrus Elder was born in Somerset borough, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1883. Edu- cated in the public schools of that town, he studied law in the office of Hon. William J. Baer, and was admitted to practice on June 13, 1856. As second lieutenant he joined the first company organized in Somerset county during the war of the rebellion -- Co. A, 10th regt. Penn. reserve corps. Afterward he was promoted to first lieutenant and regimental quartermaster. He now resides in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Appointed by Gov. Hoyt, he served as a member of the commission to revise the tax laws of the commonwealth. He has likewise attained promi- nence as a member of the Johnstown board of councilmen, secretary of the Industrial League, editor of the Industrial Bulletin and attorney for the Cambria Iron Co.

Herman L. Baer was born in the town of Berlin, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, March 20, 1828. After graduating from the Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania, he was for two years a teacher in the Elmwood Institute, at Norristown, Pennsylvania. Subsequently he studied law in the office of his brother, William J. Baer, and on the 13th of June, 1856, was admitted to practice in the courts of his native county. Since this time he has practiced his profession in the town of Somerset. He is widely esteemed for his many social qualities, and his ability as an attorney and counsellor at law.

Henry G. Baer, a brother of William J., Her- man L. and George F. Baer, was born in Berlin, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, May 5, 1835. His literary studies were completed at Mead- ville, Pennsylvania. After studying law in the office of his brother (now Judge William J. Baer), he was admitted to the bar, with Cyrus Elder, Benjamin F. Stutzman, and Herman L. Baer, June 13, 1856. In July, 1861, with his brother, George F. Baer, as an associate in busi- ness, he became part owner and editor of the Somerset Democrat. On the 3d of September, 1861, he was commissioned second lieutenant of

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Co. B, 54th regt. Penn. Vols., and with that command served two years and six months. In 1863 the Messrs. Baer transferred their inter- ests in the Democrat to Valentine Hay, Esq.

O. Il. Gaither died of wounds received in the seven days' fight in Virginia, war of 1861-5. See account of his company and regiment in the general chapters of this work.

John O. Kimmel, a brother of Judge Francis M. Kimmel, was born in the town of Berlin, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1814. He was educated in the common schools of the county. In 1842 he was elected county register and recorder, and clerk of the orphans' court for a term of three years. Twelve years later he was elected prothonotary, clerk of courts, etc., and served another term of three years. Meanwhile he read law under the in- structions of Hon. A. II. Coffroth, and on Sep- tember 15, 1857, was admitted to practice in the courts of Somerset county.

In April, 1861, his oldest son, John O. Kim- mel, Jr., then but nineteen years of age, enlisted in Co. A, 10th regt. Penn. reserves. He was a gallant soldier, but with many other brave men, fell with his face to the foc during the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, December.13, 1862.

Valentine Hay was born in Brother's Valley township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, Octo- ber 17, 1834. He completed his literary studies at Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio. He read law in the office of Hon. William J. Baer, and was admitted to the bar April 26, 1858. Since that time he has practiced his profession in the town of Somerset.

Elias Cunningham is a resident of Somerset, though not in practice. For years he has been connected with the revenue office of the district of which Edward Seull, Esq., is the chief.

John H. Uhl was born in the town of Wel- lersburg, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1832. He received his education in the pub- lic schools. After the study of law in the office of IIon. A. H. Coffroth, he was admitted as a member of the Somerset county bar, March 12,

1861. During part of Andrew Johnson's admin- istration, he held the office of deputy collector of internal revenue. He has been a resident of the town of Somerset since February, 1858.

A. Thomson Ankeny, a native of the town of Somerset, is now a prominent attorney in the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

IIon. Chauncey Forward Black, a son of Judge

Jeremiah S. Black, was born in Somerset borough, Pennsylvania, November 24, 1839. His literary studies were completed in the Mon- onglia Academy and Jefferson College. He studied law in his father's office, and was ad- mitted to the bar of Somerset county, April 23, 1861. On January 16, 1883, he was inaugurated lieutenant-governor of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

George F. Baer, a brother of Hon. William J. Baer, was born in the township of Somerset, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, September 26, 1842. He was educated in the Somerset Academy, and Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After reading law in the office of his brothers, W. J. and H. L. Baer,,he was admitted to the bar of this county, April 26, 1864. During the war of 1861-5 he served as captain of Co. E, 133d regt. Penn. Vols. See history of that regiment in this volume. He removed from Somerset to Reading, Pennsyl- vania, April 1, 1868, where, besides the practice of his profession, he is connected with a num- ber of business enterprises.

Charles A. Gaither now resides in the city of Erie, Pennsylvania.

Francis J. Kooser was born in the town of Somerset, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1846. Hav- ing acquired a classical education at Somerset, Millersville and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, he read law in the office of IIon. William H. Koontz, and was admitted to the bar September 13, 1867. He served as district attorney of the county from 1868 to 1874, and as prothonotary, clerk of courts, etc., for one term, commencing January, 1876. Mr. Kooser is one of the most active members of the Somerset county bar.

Henry Black, a son of Judge Jeremiah S. Black, was born in Somerset, Pennsylvania. He read law in the office of his father, and was admitted to the bar in 1868.

James B. Gaither resides in the city of Phila- delphia. Paul H. Gaither is a resident of the town of Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

William H. Ruppel was born at Frostburg, Allegheny county, Maryland, May 13, 1849. Educated in the public schools, he studied law in the office of Hon. A. H. Coffroth, and was admitted to practice in the several courts of Somerset county, November 26, 1872. Since that time he has been one of the most success- ful attorneys in the town of Somerset.

John G. Ogle, a son of Hon. A. J. Ogle, was

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Af Colborn

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born in the town of Somerset, Pennsylvania, March 25, 1851. He read law in the office of Francis J. Kooser, Esq., and on February 20, 1873, was admitted to practice.

James L. Pugh, son of James Pugh, was born in the locality known as "Sheep Ridge," Somerset county, Pennsylvania, August 14, 1844. When seventeen years of age he attended the Normal School at Somerset taught by Prof. Stutzman. The following year, August 14, 1862, he was mustered into the United States service as a volunteer member of Co. D, 188d regt. Penn. Vols., for nine months. He partici- pated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, receiving three wounds in the first-mentioned engagement. On August 21, 1864, here enlisted in the 204th (5th regt. Heavy Art.) Penn. Vols. After the war he attended the Millersville State Normal School, and at different times was engaged in teaching. In the spring of 1870 he entered the office of Hon. A. H. Coffroth. On December 15, of the same year he was appointed county superintendent of common schools, a position he held until June, 1872. He then entered the law department of the Michigan University. He graduated March 25, 1874, returned to Somerset, and was admit- ted to the bar May 4th of that year. He has since held the office of district attorney.

Lewis C. Colborn, a son of Hon. A. J. Col- born, was born at IIaruedsville, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, February 20, 1850. Educated at the Millersville and West Chester State Nor- mal Schools, be read law in the office of his father, and was admitted to the bar May 7, 1874. During the years 1870-2, he served as principal of the public schools of Somerset borough. He has also followed surveying in connection with the practice of law. At pres- ent he is burgess of the town.

John R. Scott was born in the borough of New Centerville, Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania, June 3, 1853. After completing his liter- ary studies at Hopedale, Ohio, he read law in the office of Hon. William H. Koontz, and was admitted to the bar April +, 1876. He was elected district attorney of the county in No- vember, 1877, and served in that capacity for the term of three years.

A. Bruce Coffroth, a son of Hon. A. H. Coff- roth, was born in the town of Somerset, Penn- sylvania, October 19, 1855. His literary studies were completed at Chambersburg, Pennsyl-

vania. After studying law in his father's office and that of Wm. H. Ruppel, he was admitted to the bar of Somerset county, April 4, 1876. Since that time he has resided in Baltimore, Md., Terre Haute, Ind., and Columbus, Neb. He published a democratic newspaper for two years. His career has been very successful.

Edward B. Scull, a son of Edward Scull, Esq., was born in the borough of Somerset, Pennsyl- vania, in 1854. His education was completed at Elder's Ridge Academy, Indiana county, Penn- sylvania. Subsequently he read law in the office of Hon. William H. Koontz, and on July 12, 1877, was admitted to the bar. He served as first lieutenant of Co. A, in a regiment raised to preserve order during the riots in 1877. He also served as captain of a company of state national guard, now disbanded. Since 1878 he has been connected with the internal revenue service, also with the Somerset Herald.

Harry S. Endsley, born September 26, 1854, at Brownsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania ; was educated at Canton, Ohio. Afterward he read law in the office of Hon. William H. Koontz, and was admitted to the bar August 7, 1878. He resided at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, until one year after attaining his majority.

Samuel U. Trent was born February 18, 1854, in Brother's Valley township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania. His literary studies were pur- sued in the public schools and the Millersville and Indiana State Normal Schools, of Pennsyl- vania. He graduated from the last-named insti- tution and from the Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, from which institution he took a post- graduate course. After reading law with Hon. William H. Koontz, he was admitted to the bar November 11, 1878. Prior to that event, how- ever, he was known as one of the most promi- nent teachers in Somerset county. Subsequent to his admission he had charge of the public schools of Peoria, Illinois, for two years. He returned to Somerset in 1880. In November, 1881, he was elected prothonotary of Somerset county.

George B. Scull was born in Somerset, Penn- sylvania, in 1856. After completing a course of studies at Shoemaker Academy, Chambers- burg, Pennsylvania, he studied law in the office of Hon. William H. Koontz, and was ad- mitted to the bar August 29, 1879. He was elected district attorney in November, 1880, and is the present incumbent of that office. From

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boyhood he has been connected with the office of the Somerset Herald, and since 1878 has been known as the local editor of that journal.

Milton J. Pritts was born four miles east of the town of Somerset, in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, on the 12th day of September, 1857. His education was acquired in the public schools, the Somerset Academy and Washington and Jefferson College, at Washington, Pennsyl- vania. Subsequently he read law in the office of Hon. William H. Koontz, and on August 23, 1881, was admitted to the Somerset county bar. He is the present well-known cashier of the Somerset County Bank.

Dennis Meyers was born September 26, 1842, at Meyersdale, Somerset county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools, the Monongalia Academy, at Morgantown, West Virginia, and the State Normal School, at Mil- lersville, Pennsylvania. In 1869 he was elected prothonotary of Somerset county, and served three years. Subsequently he studied law in the office of Hon. John R. Edie, and on November 14, 1881, was admitted to practice in the courts of his native county.

Parker Y. Kimmel was born February 3, 1858, in the town.of Somerset, Pennsylvania. His literary studies were completed at Meadville, Pennsylvania. After reading law in the office of John O. Kimmel, Esq., he was admitted as a member of the Somerset county bar, April 25, 1882. He now resides in the thriving town of Meyersdale, Pennsylvania.

Frederick W. Biesecker was born March 10, 1858, in the township of Jenner, Somerset county. After graduating from Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancaster, he studied law in the office of Gen. William H. Koontz, and was admitted to the bar August 28, 1882.

CHAPTER LIII. PHYSICIANS OF SOMERSET COUNTY.

Somerset Physicians, Early and Late - Early Physicians of Berlin - The Medical Profession in the Towns and Villages of the County - Biographical Sketches.

PHYSICIANS.

D R. WILLIAM GORE ELDER, the grand- father of Cyrus Elder, of Johnstown, Pa., was the first physician to locate in the town of Somerset, and, from the time the county-seat was established until his death, was widely known as

one of its most prominent and respected citi- zens. Physicians were few and widely sepa- rated in this then new country, and his practice necessarily extended to all points between the Allegheny mountain and Laurel Hill, and from the Maryland line to the Conemaugh river; sometimes even beyond these landmarks. Be- sides practicing his profession, he engaged in merchandising at an early day. He also held various official positions-county commissioner's clerk, associate judge, etc.

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History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 88

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

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