History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 94

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Williamsport two years. Mr. Gilmore read law in the office of the Hon. Robert P. Allen, and was admitted to the bar of Lycoming county in July, 1887. He has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in the courts of the district and State, and has made a specialty of practice in the orphans' court. Politically he is a Democrat; he has been chairman of the Democratic county com- mittee for the past two years, and has filled that office with credit to himself and his party. He has been a member of the school board in the Eighth ward for three years, and is the present solicitor of the board. Mr. Gilmore is a stockholder in the Lycoming Opera House Company, and takes a deep interest in the growth and improvement of his adopted home. He was married in 1884 to Jennie, daughter of Charles A. Rentz, of Clinton township, Lycoming county, and has a family of three children: Charles Edmund; Anna, and Helen. The family are members of St. Paul's Lutheran church, in which society he is a deacon. His wife is president of the Ladies' Aid Society of that organization. Mr. Gilmore is a member of the Masonic order, and belongs to the chapter and commandery.

HARVEY W. WHITEHEAD, attorney at law, was born in Armstrong township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, August 7, 1854, son of Charles and Elizabeth (Gable) Whitehead. His father is a native of Steuben county, New York, and came to Williamsport in 1846; he moved to DuBoistown in 1855 and has resided there ever since. Our subject received a common school education, subsequently attended the Muncy Normal School, and took private instruction for two years; he also took a course at Professor Davis's Commercial College. He taught school in DuBois- town five terms; in 1882 he was elected clerk of the board of county commissioners, and filled that position three years. In 1884 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of county treasurer by a majority of 970, which was the largest majority given for any candidate that year. He filled that office for three years, 1885-87, and then commenced reading law with J. F. Strieby. He was admitted to the bar, January 16, 1889, and has since been engaged in the practice of his profes- sion. Mr. Whitehead has always taken an active interest in the public schools. He has served as school director four years, and in 1881 he was a candidate for county superintendent, but was defeated by Charles D. Riddell. He was married in Sep- tember, 1883, to Laura, daughter of Henry Anrand of DuBoistown, and has four children: Charles G .; Edith C .; Harriet, and Ralph. Mr. Whitehead is a stock holder in the Athletic Park Association and the Lycoming Opera House Company. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Encampment, the Canton, and the Royal Arcanum.

OTTO G. KAUPP, attorney at law, was born in Shrewsbury township, Lycoming county, June 2, 1866, son of Matthias Kaupp, a native of Germany, who came to Lycoming county in 1853 at the age of eighteen years. Here he married Catherine Hepperlin, also a native of Germany, who came to Lycoming county with her parents. They resided on a farm in Shrewsbury township until 1891, when they removed to Hughesville, to pass their declining years in the enjoyment of a com- fortable competency. They are consistent members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Kaupp served in the late war as a member of the One Hundred and Ninety-second Pennsylvania Volunteers. He is a Democrat in politics, has filled various township offices, and served one term as county commissioner. Otto G. Kaupp was.

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reared upon his father's farm aud attended the public schools of his native township. He graduated from the Lycoming County Normal School in 1885 and from the Williamsport Commercial College in 1886. After teaching several terms in the district schools he became principal of the public schools of Hughesville, but resigned to accept a similar position at Montoursville, and in 1889 he was assistant principal of the Lycoming County Normal School. He read law with W. E. Craw- ford, Esq., of Hughesville, and was admitted to the Lycoming county bar in April, 1890, since when he has practiced his profession in Williamsport. While a resident of Hughesville he served as auditor of that borough, and in 1891 he was appointed solicitor to the board of county auditors. In 1891 he was chosen chairman of the Democratic county committee, after having served as secretary two years. In Feb- ruary, 1891, he married Katharine M., daughter of John Heller, of Fairfield town- ship, and they are the parents of one child, Katharine. Mr. and Mrs. Kaupp are members of St. Paul's Lutheran church of Williamsport, of which he was treasurer in 1891. He is also a member of Brandon Lodge, No. 1007, I. O. O. F., and is one of the rising young attorneys of his native county.

WILLIAM C. KING, attorney at law, was born in Loyalsock township, Lycoming county, February 6, 1860, and is a son of James T. and Mary R. King of that town- ship. His grandfather, Joseph King, and great-grandfather, William King, were pioneers of that part of Lycoming county. He was reared on the homestead farm, and was educated in the public schools and at the Muncy Normal School, and subse- quently attended the Williamsport Commercial College. He then taught school at Ralston one year and two years in Fairfield township. He served as deputy pro- thonotary of Lycoming county for ten years, under William Follmer, Daniel Steck, and John L. Guinter. In 1887 he was elected to the office of register and recorder, and served until January 1, 1891. Mr. King had previously studied law, was admitted to the bar in January, 1891, and has since practiced his profession and also is at present general secretary of the Grit Publishing Company. He is an active adherent of the Democratic party; he has served as a member of the school board from the Eighth ward for six years, was secretary of the board two years, and auditor for three years. He is prominently connected with many secret organiza- tions in Williamsport, and is an active member of the F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F., the Royal Arcanum, B. P. & O. Elks, and the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the Revolution. Mr. King has served three years as a private in the National Guard of Pennsylvania, was made second lieutenant of Company D, Twelfth regi- ment. in 1889, and is the present adjutant of the regiment. He is a director in the Lycoming Opera House Company, and a stockholder in the Susquehanna Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and is largely interested in Williamsport real estate. Mr. King was married, September 15, 1881, to Elvira F., daughter of Isaac Campbell, of Lycoming county, and great-granddaughter of John Philip De Haas, a briga- dier general in the Revolutionary war. One daughter, Beryl May, is the fruit of this union. He and wife are members of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church, in which organization he has served as deacon for six years.

THOMAS LYON, physician and surgeon, was born at Pennsville, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, October 13, 1812, son of Edward G. and Sarah (Huckle) Lyon, both natives of England, born April 25, 1783 and 1777 respectively. He was the third of six

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sons, and after having acquired an academic education in the schools of Pennsville, Hughesville, and Muncy, he was placed under the instruction of Rev. David Kirk- patrick, an eminent teacher of his day. He studied medicine under Dr. James S. Dougal, of Milton, Pennsylvania, and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1838. He at once commenced practice at Williamsport, where he has continued to the present time. When he located in Williamsport the total population did not exceed 1,000 persons and he found but one professional rival. Dr. Lyon rapidly grew in favor and in a few years acquired a prac- tice which extended over a large territory. He is an honored member of the Lycoming Medical Society, of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He is a Republican in politics, but has never held any pub- lic office except the purely professional one of examining surgeon, to which he was appointed by Governor Curtin in the early part of the civil war. The duties of the position were the examination of applicants for the positions of surgeons in the army. Dr. Lyon was married in May, 1842, to Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph R. Priestly, once cashier of the Northumberlaud County Bank, and great-grand daughter of the noted chemist, Dr. Joseph Priestly. To this union were born six children, four of whom are living: Fannie, who married Thomas Hays, of Phila- delphia; Dr. Edward, who was graduated from Pennsylvania University in 1868, married Mary J. Lescure, and is practicing medicine in Williamsport; Sarah, who married Augustus Stearns, of Williamsport, and Jennie, who married Dr. E. B. Campbell.

DR. SAMUEL POLLOCK was born at Milton, Pennsylvania, October 23, 1808, son of William and Sarah (Wilson) Pollock. The former was a native of Lykens valley, Dauphin county, and located at Milton in the mercantile business at an early period in the history of that borough. His children were Sarah, who married Dr. James S. Dougal; Fleming W .; Thomas; Margaret, who became the wife of Dr. William McCleery; James, who was successively Congressman, Judge, Governor of Pennsylvania, and director of the United States mint at Philadelphia, and died at Lock Haven on the 19th of April, 1890, and Samuel, the subject of this sketch. His early instructors were Judge Anthony and Rev. David Kirkpatrick. Graduating from Dickinson College in 1828, he began the study of medicine with Dr. James S. Dougal; in 1830 he entered the University of Pennsylvania. graduating in 1832. In April, 1833, he began practice at Milton, moving thence to Williamsport in June, 1838, and there he resided in the enjoyment of an extensive and lucrative practice until his death, April 28, 1887. In 1832 he married Elizabeth S. Sterling. He was a fine clinical scholar; he was also proficient as a microscopist, and took considerable interest in astronomical research.

DR. JOHN S. CRAWFORD was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1808. He was reared in Luzerne county, and though he received a fair common school education, he afterwards obtained his principal education through his own efforts. While engaged in school teaching he read medicine; after graduating from Jefferson Medical College he began his practice in Luzerne county, but soon after- wards moved to Williamsport, where he formed a partnership with Bishop Bowman and Dr. Huntoon, and engaged in the practice of his profession. For many years he continued in active practice, and was one of the oldest physicians in the city. He

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organized the Lycoming County Medical Society, and was president of it for several years. He was also president of the State Medical Society at one time. Dr. Craw- ford was thrice married. Four children survive of the first marriage: Sarah M., widow of A. N. Harvey of Luzerne county; Lavina P., wife of J. C. Ayres of Dixon, Illinois; Charles P., of Luzerne county, and Joseph, of Jersey City, who is superin- tendent of the New York division of the Pennsylvania railroad. His second wife was Frances Covert, of Milton, Northumberland county, who died, leaving one son, Wil- bur F., a druggist of Williamsport. He subsequently married Mary Cushman, who survives him. He was a Republican, and quite active in local affairs. He was a member of Pine Street Methodist Episcopal church, and later of Mulberry Street Methodist Episcopal church, in which he held the office of trustee. Dr. Crawford was instantly killed in December, 1879, while crossing a railroad on one of his pro- fessional visits.

WILBUR F. CRAWFORD, druggist, Newberry, was born in Williamsport, Pennsyl- vania, June 16, 1851, and is the only son of Dr. John S. and Frances (Covert) Craw- ford. He was reared in this city, and was educated in the public schools and at Dickinson Seminary. He served an apprenticeship with Dr. Logan in the drug busi- ness, and graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in the spring of 1875. He soon afterwards located in Newberry, where he has since been engaged in business. He was one of the organizers of the Board of Trade and a director of that institution. Mr. Crawford was married in 1880 to Susan, daughter of Adam Baker of Milton, Pennsylvania, and is the father of five children: C. Ruth; Joseph W. : John S .; George Ayres, and Florence M. He and wife are members of the Lycom- ing Presbyterian church, in which he holds the office of trustee. He is a Republican, but takes no active interest in political affairs.

AUGUST RICHTER, physician and surgeon, is one of the oldest and best known medical practitioners of Williamsport, where he has been engaged in the active duties of his profession over forty-one years. He was born in Coswig, Duchy of Anhalt, Bernburg, Germany, December 16, 1822, and received a good public school educa- tion in his native land. When nineteen years of age, being exempted from military duty by drawing a free ticket in the annual draft of 1842, he concluded to see some of the world, and spent several years in travel. He visited a few points of interest in his native land, and then embarked on a German steamer for St. Petersburg, the capital of the Russian empire. He spent some time in St. Petersburg and vicinity, and thence proceeded to the medical university at Torpat, and afterwards to Len- zenhof. Finland. Here he was stricken with a severe illness from which he did not recover until early in the following summer, when he resumed his journey, and visited Riga, Frankfort, Berlin, and Schleswig-Holstein. He thence crossed to the city of Copenhagen, Denmark, and proceeded to Gotheburg, Sweden, and Chris- tiania, Norway, where he remained one season. He then returned to Gotheburg, sailed for the United States, and, after a voyage of forty-nine days, arrived safely at Boston. He made a short visit to New Orleans, whence he returned to Philadel- phia, where he entered the Pennsylvania Medical College, and graduated in March, 1851. In the spring of that year he came to Williamsport, where for nearly forty- two years he has been in continuous practice, and is recognized as one of the pioneer members of the profession. While serving on the Board of Health, in 1871 and

Jug. Richter u. S.

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1872, Dr. Richter earnestly advocated the founding of a hospital in Williamsport, and he was instrumental in having the project carried out. He is one of the trustees of that institution, and takes a deep interest in its success and prosperity. The Doctor has filled the position of health officer in Williamsport since 1887, and to his untiring zeal and strict devotion to the duties of that office the city is largely indebted for its freedom from epidemics after the great flood of June, 1889. To the performance of his duties Dr. Richter brought an extensive medical experience, a wide knowledge of the laws of hygiene, and a determination to root out and destroy the local sources of disease. Consequently all his work has been prosecuted and car- ried out in an intelligent manner, and in the best interests of the whole community. He is one of the oldest members of the Lycoming County Medical Society, and is also a member of the State Medical Society, and one of the founders of the Natural Science Association. Dr. Richter was married, April 10, 1883, to Cecelia, daughter of Bernhardt Steuber, a native of Thuringen, Germany, and a merchant of Will- iamsport. Mrs. Richter was born in this city, and is the mother of five children, as follows: Rex, who was born October 24, 1885, and died in February, 1888; Vera Adelaid, born August 25, 1889; Ruby Augusta, born June 7, 1892, and two who died in infancy. The family are adherents of the Lutheran church, and the Doctor is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. He has served in the select council of Williamsport, and is one of the well known citizens of Lycoming county.

BENJAMIN H. DETWILER, M. D., was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, October 6, 1831, and is a son of Abraham and Mary (Horning) Detwiler. His grandfather, John Detwiler, was born in Germany in 1747, and after his marriage immigrated to America in company with his brother Joseph. They separated in Phila- delphia, and it is supposed that Joseph located in the interior of the State, and that the Detwilers of York and Lancaster counties are his descendants. John Detwiler settled in Montgomery county, twenty-five miles from Philadelphia, where he pur- chased a tract of land and resided until his death, in 1826. He was a member of the Mennonite church. After the death of his first wife he married Mrs. Elizabeth Horning nee Hall, who survived him two years, and died in 1828. Their son, Abraham, was born in Montgomery county in 1790, and grew to manhood on his father's homestead. On the 11th of December, 1810, he married Mary Horning. She was born in 1790 and died in 1879, surviving her husband forty-seven years. Mr. Detwiler was a liberal supporter of education, and was the first man in Mont- gomery county to send his children to a boarding school. He was a strong temper- ance man, and was one of the first men in his locality to prohibit the use of whiskey in harvest time. He was a Whig in politics, and a Mennonite in his religious views. He died in 1832. Four children survive: Mrs. Catharine Price, of State College, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Hannah D. Price, of Ridley Park, Philadelphia; Abraham, a real estate dealer of Toledo, Ohio, and Benjamin H., of Williamsport.

Dr. Detwiler was educated in the common schools of his native county, and at Trappe Boarding School and Union College. He attended medical lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1855. He began practice at Cogan Station, Lycoming county, whence he removed to Linden, and in 1866 located in Williamsport, where he has since been engaged in the active duties of his profession. He is recognized as one of the leading physicians in this section of the 45

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State, and has built up a very large and lucrative practice. Dr. Detwiler was one of the organizers of the Lycoming County Medical Society, and has served as presi - dent of the same. He is also a member of the State Medical Society and the Ameri- can Medical Association. He was one of a committee of three physicians selected by the Lycoming Medical Society to consider the advisability of establishing a hos- pital at Williamsport, and was president of the pension examining board of Lycom- ing connty for some time. He has been a trustee of the Danville Insane Asylum since its organization, and has always taken the deepest interest in the growth and progress of worthy medical institutions. Politically he is a Republican, but aside from casting his vote he finds very little time to spend on political affairs. Dr. Detwiler has been twice married. In 1857 he married Louisa, daughter of Jacob Graffius, of Williamsport. She died in 1885, leaving three children: Thomas C., a physician of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Elizabeth, and Mary. In 1887 he married Mary Stowe Stewart, of Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Both he and wife are mem- bers of the Second Presbyterian church, of Williamsport, and take an active interest in the social and material development of that organization.

WILLIAM R. HULL, M. D., was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania,. February 17, 1838, son of David and Emily J. (Rittenhouse) Hull, natives of that county. When our subject was eight weeks old he removed with his parents to New Jersey, where he lived for eight years, and then returned to Northumberland county. He was educated in the common schools, and at Tuscarora Academy, in Juniata county, Pennsylvania. He read medicine with Dr. Samuel Pollock of Williamsport, and graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, in 1858. Dr. Hull commenced practice at Hepburnville, Lycoming county, and continued there np to 1862, when he was appointed surgeon of the One Hundred and Seventy-First Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until his regiment was mustered out in October, 1863. Previous to this he was in the surgeon general's office at Harrisburg. At the close of the Rebellion he resumed his prac- tice at Hepburnville, whence he removed two years afterwards to Newberry. About 1868 he located in Williamsport, where he has since practiced his profession. Dr. Hull was one of the organizers of Lycoming County Medical Society, and has filled the offices of president, secretary, and treasurer in that society, and also served as a member of the board of censors. He is a member of the State Medical Society and of the American Medical Association. He was prominent in establishing the Will- iamsport Hospital, was one of the charter members, and is now a member of the board of directors. He is a Republican, but takes no active part in political matters. Dr. Hull was married in 1860, to Miss J. M. Willard, a native of Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and has three children: David Frampton, manager of the Mahaffey kindling wood factory; Waldo W., a practicing physician, in partnership with his father, and Clara J. The family are attendants of Trinity Protestant Episcopal church.

WILLIAM H. H. MILLER, physician and surgeon, was born near Springtown, Penn- sylvania, August 23, 1825, son of Rev. Henry S. Miller, and Camilla (Clemens) Miller. His father was educated in Easton and was a Lutheran minister, holding charges in Bucks and Montgomery counties for fifteen years, and thereafter in Lebanon, Reading, Norristown, and Phoenixville, dying at the latter place in

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August, 1887, at the age of eighty-six years. Dr. Miller passed his youth princi- pally in Montgomery county, where he received his education and read medicine under Dr. Hahn. He was graduated from the Pennsylvania Medical College in 1849, and first began practice in Hancock, Maryland, where he soon built up a lucra- tive business, which, on account of failing health, he was compelled to abandon, and afterwards located in Baltimore City. He removed to Williamsport in 1858, where he has been in active practice ever since. He has taken an active interest in the Lycoming Medical Society, and has served as its president. He was married in 1854 to Elizabeth Virginia Hammett, and to this union there survive three children: W. H. Haydn; Otho N., and Norman. The Doctor and his wife are prominent members of St. Mark's Lutheran church.

HENRY H. FESSLER, M. D., was born in Old Lycoming township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1834, son of John and Mary (Myers) Fessler, natives of York county, Pennsylvania. John Fessler was one of the pioneers on the "Long Reach," Lycoming county, where he purchased a tract of land, and cleared a farm upon which he and wife resided until death. They reared a family of thirteen children, and were Lutherans in their religious views. Henry H. is the twelfth child, and was reared on the homestead farm, receiving a common school education. He afterwards attended Dickinson Seminary, where he completed his studies. He read medicine under Dr. E. H. Horner, of Newberry, and graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1858. Dr. Fessler commenced practice in Clinton county, moved from there to Cameron county, and in June, 1865, he came to New- berry, Lycoming county, where he has since been actively engaged in the duties of his profession. He is considered one of the leading physicians of the county, and has a large practice in the country surrounding Williamsport. He keeps well abreast with the improvements in medical science, and in 1882 he took a special course of studies. The Doctor is a member of Lycoming Connty Medical Society, and has served as a censor of the same. He is a member of the Board of Health, and in politics he is a stanch Democrat. Dr. Fessler was married, September 20, 1858, to Wilhelmina, daughter of James Funston, of Newberry, who is the mother of four children, all of whom are dead except Rachael Gertrude, wife of Walter Good, of Newberry.

GEORGE D. NUTT, M. D., was born in Burlington county, New Jersey, April 17, 1845, son of Noah and Beulah (Budd) Nutt. He was reared in his native county, and was educated at Heightstown Institute, of that State. He read medicine under Dr. Jacob Grigg, of Pemberton, New Jersey, attended lectures at the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, and was graduated in 1869. Dr. Nutt came direct to Williamsport, where he has since been engaged in the active duties of his profession, and has won and retains a large and lucrative practice. He is recognized as one of the leading medical practitioners of Williamsport, and devotes his whole attention to the varied duties of his calling, paying special atten- tion to surgery. He is a member of the Lycoming County Medical Society, the State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association, and has served as president of the county society for two years and held the office of corresponding secretary for a long period. Dr. Nutt has taken an active interest in the social and material development of Williamsport. He is a member of the First Baptist church,

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 94

Author: edited by John F. Meginness Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1650

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650