USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania > Part 97
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132
W. H. M. ORAM, attorney at law, was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 6, 1842. His parents, John F. and Louisa (Farr) Oram, were natives of Philadelphia and Chester county, Pennsylvania, re- spectively. Our subject received his primary education in the public schools of his native city, and graduated from the Philadelphia high school. He then entered the law office of Daniel Dougherty, the distinguished lawyer and orator, under whom he pursued his legal studies two years, and after- wards spent one year in the office of John Hanna, a leading attorney of the same city. While pursuing his studies, he, in 1862, entered the University of Pennsylvania, and after a thorough course in the law department of that institution graduated in May, 1865. In the meantime, having passed a meritorious examination, he was admitted to the bar at Philadelphia, April 15, 1865. In May following he came to Shamokin, where his scholarly attainments and brilliant pleadings soon placed him in the front rank, and won for him a large practice.
From boyhood his political affiliations have always been with the Repub- lican party, and up to within the last few years his time and talents were freely devoted to advocating and defending its principles and measures. In 1873 Mr. Oram was elected solicitor of the borough, and re-elected at various times, filling the office in all sixteen years. In 1876 he was the choice of his party in Northumberland county for State Senator, but, through an unfair combination of the other candidates, he was defeated. In 1877 he
926
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
was appointed, by the United States comptroller of currency, receiver of the Northumberland County National Bank of Shamokin, and wound up its affairs. In 1881 he was a candidate for president judge, but by mutual agreement with the two other aspirants he withdrew from the contest. He was a popular candidate for Congress in 1884, but was defeated in the county convention. Since that time he has not sought political preferment, but has devoted all his energies to the duties of his profession.
Mr. Oram was married, March 4, 1865, to Miss Lavina E., daughter of Joseph W. Jones, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Seven children have been born to this union, five of whom are living: Kate A .; Fannie V .; Lavina E .; Clara, and John. The whole family, except the eldest daughter, who is an Episcopalian, are members of the Lutheran church of Shamokin.
Following the footsteps of his able preceptor, Mr. Oram has become well versed in the many intricate phases of legal science, and is recognized as one of the most fluent and able advocates at the bar. He is an indefatigable student, and prepares his cases with the greatest care, supporting his con- clusions by the strongest precedents and authorities. Gifted with a natural command of language, and a master in analyzing human motives and pas- sions, his great influence over a jury renders him a very dangerous foe in a legal conflict. He is the oldest practicing attorney in Shamokin, and his large and constantly increasing business before the several courts of the State occupies nearly all his entire time and attention. He nevertheless watches and supports the march of public improvement, and is one of the most liberal and enterprising citizens of the county.
GEORGE W. RYON, attorney at law and president of the Shamokin Banking Company, is descended from two of the most prominent pioneer families of Pennsylvania. His great-grandfathers, on both sides of the ancestral tree, served in the Continental army throughout the memorable struggle for inde- pendence, one of them attaining the rank of colonel and commissary of sub- sistence in General Wayne's division. The Ryon family had been residents of the Wyoming valley for nearly a century, when John Ryon, grandfather of our subject, removed from his birthplace in Luzerne county to his future home at Elkland, Tioga county. He soon rose to considerable prominence in public affairs. For eleven years he was the Democratic State Senator from the Tioga and Bradford district, and filled the office of associate judge of Tioga county fifteen years. While in the Senate he introduced and had passed by both Houses a resolution favoring the nomination of Andrew Jackson for President. Sixty years ago he was located at Milton, Northumberland county, as superintendent of the Pennsylvania canal, and his name as such may yet be seen cut on a stone in the lock at Shamokin dam, opposite Sunbury, under date of 1829.
Our subject is a son of George L. and Hannah (Hammond) Ryon, the latter a descendant of the Connecticut Hammonds who were early settlers of
927
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Pennsylvania. He was born at Elkland, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, April 30, 1839. When he was ten years old his parents removed from Elkland to Lawrenceville, in the same county, and engaged in farming, and here George W. grew to manhood. He was educated in the Lawrenceville Academy, the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, Lima, New York, and Eastman's Commercial College, Rochester, New York. After obtaining a good education he accepted a position as civil engineer on the Kenosha, Rockford and Rock Island rail- road, with headquarters at Rockford, Illinois, which he filled one year. In 1859 he went to Tamaqua, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where he entered the office of his uncle, Judge James Ryon, and commenced the study of law. After two years spent in diligent application, he passed a creditable examina- tion, and was admitted to the bar at Pottsville, September 10, 1861. Soon after his admission he returned to Lawrenceville and engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1869 he located at Shamokin, where he soon built up and has since enjoyed a successful and lucrative practice.
Politically Mr. Ryon adheres to the unswerving Democratic faith of his forefathers, and has always taken an active interest in the triumph of Demo- cratic measures and principles. In 1876 he was a delegate to the St. Louis convention which chose Tilden and Hendricks as the national standard bearers of the Democratic party. He was also a delegate to the two State conventions that put in nomination Heister Clymer and Judge Persing for the governorship. His influence in the councils of his party and his prom- inence at the bar, led, in 1881, to his nomination for the office of president judge of Northumberland county, and out of a poll of twelve thousand votes he was defeated by only two hundred nineteen.
Mr. Ryon has always taken a prominent part in the development of the social and material interests of Shamokin. He drew the charter and was one of the corporators of the Shamokin Banking Company. He has also been a director of the bank since its organization, was the first president of that insti- tution, and was again elected to that position, January 20, 1891. He was one of the corporators of the Shamokin Gas Light Company, and has been treasurer of the company since 1874; he was one of the promoters and is now a director of the Shamokin Manufacturing Company, and is also a stock- holder in the water company. He has filled the office of borough solicitor several terms, and at all times exerted himself in the line of progress and public improvement.
He was married, April 29, 1869, to Miss Phebe, daughter of the late William Huntzinger, of Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, who has borne him a family of three children: William H .; Lewis H., and Bessie.
In religion Mr. Ryon adheres to the faith of his ancestors, that of the Presbyterian church, and in the congregation of that denomination in Sha- mokin he and his family are constant and regular in their attendance. He has
928
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
held the office of trustee for a number of years and was a member of the building committee during the construction of the present handsome church edifice, to which he contributed very liberally of his means and gave much of his time and personal supervision; and to his judgment, careful and intelligent counsel, the Presbyterian church of Shamokin is greatly indebted for the successful consummation of this and other projects of its manage- ment, and in whose welfare Mr. Ryon is always keenly interested. He is " held in high esteem for his many acts of unobtrusive charity, and the many worthy objects of benevolence which have had his substantial support and encouraging word.
In his profession he is recognized as a safe, conservative counselor, well grounded in legal science; a plain, logical, and convincing speaker, a man of excellent judgment, and a diligent student. He is one of the ablest and best known lawyers of the Northumberland county bar.
PETER A. MAHON is one of the best known lawyers of the Northumber- land county bar. He was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, Novem- ber 11, 1849, son of Patrick and Catharine (Kelly) Mahon, natives of Ireland and residents of Schuylkill and subsequently of Northumberland county for many years. His father is dead, but his mother resides in Shamokin. His parents moved from Schuylkill county to Trevorton, Northumberland county, in 1850, and our subject received his early education in the public schools of that town. He afterwards attended Fryburg Academy and Wyoming Sem- inary, and then entered the law office of his brother, James Mahon, a leading attorney of Scranton. He applied himself diligently to the study of his chosen profession, and in February, 1875, was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county. After a short practice in Scranton and Wilkesbarre, he came to Shamokin in 1875 and opened a law office. Mr. Mahon was then compara- tively unknown, but with the passing years he has gradually won a practice second to none in his adopted home, and is to-day recognized as the peer of any of his professional contemporaries. He has reason to feel proud of the fact that while yet one of the younger members of the bar he was chosen to till the office of district attorney in November, 1883. By close application to the duties of that office he won a high degree of success, and in 1886 was re-elected to the same position, which he filled continuously for a period of six years. During his official career his vigorous prosecution of offenders won for him the reputation of being "one of the best criminal lawyers in this section of the State." He seems to possess the faculty of discovering the strongest possible evidence in a case, weaving a legal network around the criminal, and then presenting the facts to the court and jury with logical precision and crushing force. In his pleadings before a jury he combines eloquence, withering sarcasm, and logical argument, while his Celtic mother wit is used with telling effect against opposing counsel and witnesses. He is equally strong in civil practice, and is always a safe, conservative, and hon- est counselor.
.
1
Of us treaty "ONmahon
1
929
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
While devoting his principal attention to his professional duties, Mr. Mahon yet finds the time to take an active interest in the social and material progress of his home. He is a charter member and director of the Shamokin Street Railway Company, the Electric Light and Power Company, and the Market House Company, and is always willing to lend his assistance to every worthy object.
Mr. Mahon is one of the stalwart and influential Democrats of this sec- tion of the State, and has filled nearly all the political offices in both the county and district committees. Since entering political life he has devoted his time unsparingly to the best interests of his party, and is one of the ablest advocates and most sincere defenders of Democratic measures and principles within the local councils of the party. He was married in 1883, to Kate, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Egan) Maloney, natives of Ireland and subsequently residents of Ashland and Shamokin, Pennsylvania, and both deceased. Five children are the fruits of this union: Paul; Ida; Eliz- abeth; Catharine, and Leonard. The whole family are members of St. Ed- ward's Catholic church, in which faith Mr. Mahon was born and reared.
U. F. JOHN, attorney and capitalist, was born in Shamokin township (now Ralpho), Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, October 15, 1835, sec- ond son of Samuel and Angelina John. He spent his early years on the homestead farm, and obtained such education as the common schools of that period afforded. He was engaged in farming and clerking until 1854, when he located at Mt. Carmel, and opened the first general store in that place, which he conducted two years. Being desirous of securing a more thorough education, he entered Greenwood Seminary, Columbia county, in 1857, and graduated from the Commercial College of York, Pennsylvania, in 1862. He then entered the law office of John B. Packer, of Sunbury, and was admitted to the bar, August 4, 1863. In the same year, in connection with his father, he located at Green Mountain, Mt. Carmel township, and engaged in the development of a colliery. He followed the coal business until the spring of 1870, when he removed to Shamokin and commenced the practice of his pro- fession. Mr. John was one of the original stockholders of the Shamokin Banking Company, and is one of its present directors. He was married, October 9, 1867, to Agnes, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Dundore, of Read- ing, Pennsylvania. They are the parents of four children: Howard, de- ceased; Flora A .; Samuel, and Sarah I. In politics Mr. John is a stalwart Republican, and is a member of Lima Lodge, F. & A. M., of Lima, Ohio. He has been very successful in accumulating property, and can be safely classed as one of the wealthiest citizens of Shamokin.
ADDISON G. MARR, attorney at law, was born at Lewisburg, Union county, Pennsylvania, January 24, 1844, son of Rev. Phineas B. and Mary (Graham) Marr. Our subject is a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Northumberland county. His paternal grandfather, William Marr, was
.
930
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
descended from the Marr-Erskin family of England, and a pioneer of Northampton county, Pennsylvania. He subsequently settled upon land adjoining Milton, where he died. The father of Addison G. spent his early life upon the homestead, and received his education at Milton Academy and Princeton College, New Jersey, from which he graduated. As a minister of the Presbyterian church he was located at Milton, Shamokin, and Lewisburg, and died at the place last mentioned in 1874; his widow survives him and resides in Lewisburg. His family consisted of eleven children: Mary, wife of Dr. J. E. Barber, of Leadville; William A., attorney, of Ashland, Penn- sylvania; Henry S., attorney; Rev. James; Addison G .; Margaret, wife of P. M. Barber, of Philadelphia; Helen W., wife of J. W. Crawford, of the same city; Henrietta, widow of William Lister; Carrie, deceased; Walter, de- ceased, and Rev. George, of Philadelphia. The subject of this sketch was educated at Randolph Academy, Lewisburg, and in 1862 entered Princeton College, and was graduated in 1866. He then commenced the study of law with J. B. Linn, Secretary of the Commonwealth, and was admitted to the bar in 1867. In August of the same year he located in Shamokin and prac- ticed law three years. He then engaged in the banking business under the firm name of A. G. & J. C. Marr; in 1871 it was merged into the Miner's Trust and Safe Deposit Company, which they operated until 1877, when he resumed the practice of his profession, which he has since followed. Mr. Marr filled the office of city solicitor three years. Politically he is a Demo- crat, and has served as chairman of the county committee four years. He was married, in 1871, to Maggie W., daughter of John W. Sheriff, of Lew- istown, Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of two sons: William P. and A. Graham.
WILLIAM W. RYON, attorney at law, was born in Lawrenceville, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1857, son of George L. and Hannah (Hammond) Ryon. He received his education at the common schools and the Mansfield State Normal School, where he graduated in 1874. He then entered the law office of his brother, George W. Ryon, of Shamokin, and was admitted to the bar in 1878. He practiced his profession a short time, when he was appointed deputy sheriff for three years, after which he resumed his pro- fession, and has since enjoyed a successful practice. He was married in 1882 to Miss Sue, daughter of Isaac May, Sr., and by this union they have one child, Charles A. Politically, Mr. Ryon is an ardent and influential Democrat, and is a leading member of St. Edward's Catholic church.
W. E. ZIMMERMAN, attorney at law, was born at Sunbury, Pennsylvania, August 22, 1857, son of Jeremiah H. and Harriet (Bright) Zimmerman. His early education was obtained at the public schools of Shamokin and the State Normal School at Millersville, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Zimmerman's early occupation was that of a teacher, filling that position in the schools of Shamokin ten years. In 1881 he commenced the study of
931
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
law under George W. Ryon; he was admitted to the bar at Sunbury in November, 1886, and immediately commenced the practice of his profession at Shamokin. Politically he is an ardent and prominent Democrat; he is a member of the Lutheran church, has been a member of its official board, and has charge of a large library connected with its Sunday school. While comparatively a young man Mr. Zimmerman is pushing his way in his pro- fession, and laying the foundation for a successful practice.
J. W. GILLESPIE, attorney at law, was born in 1850, in Lower Augusta township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, son of Anthony and Sarah (Foye) Gillespie. He received his early education at Shamokin, Trevorton, and at the Lewisburg high school. He then learned the cabinet maker's trade, which he followed as a business until the spring of 1884, when he went to Michigan, and entered the law office of Sawyer & Knowlton, of Ann Arbor, was admitted to the bar the same year, and graduated from the law department of the Michigan University in 1886. He practiced two years in the office of Sawyer & Knowlton, and in 1886 returned to this county and was admitted to practice, but soon after removed to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he remained two years. He then returned to Shamokin, where he has since continued to prosecute the duties of his profession. He was mar- ried in 1871 to Valeria, daughter of Silas Farrow, of Shamokin township, Northumberland county. To this union have been born two children: Lillian I. and J. Malcolm Asbury. In 1889 he was elected city solicitor, which office he now fills. Politically he is a Republican.
EDWIN S. ROBINS, physician and surgeon, was born in Elysburg, North- umberland county, Pennsylvania, June 3, 1832, son of Dr. Joseph and Leah (Shindel) Robins, of that village. He grew up in Elysburg, receiving a common school education, and subsequently attended Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Returning from school in the autumn of 1851, he commenced reading medicine with his father. In 1852-53 he attended lectures at the University of Maryland, Baltimore; in 1853-54 he attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and was graduated, March 10, 1854. He commenced practice at Elysburg with his father, and in October, 1855, came to Shamokin and entered into partnership with his brother, Galen S. The latter died, October 9, 1856, and our subject con- tinued practice alone. For more than thirty-five years Doctor Robins has been one of the prominent and successful medical practitioners of his native county, and is one of the oldest and best known physicians of this section of the State. His long and successful practice of surgery has given him a wide reputation. He has successfully performed many of the most difficult amputations, and his professional skill in this field of practice has been in frequent demand. Doctor Robins served as surgeon of the Seventh National Guard of Pennsylvania for several years during Hartranft's administration. He has built up a large and lucrative practice, and stands in the front rank
932
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
of his profession. Doctor Robins was married, October 10, 1853, to Matilda, daughter of William Gulick, of Elysburg. Eight children are the fruits of this union, five of whom survive: Frank A .; Lizzie, wife of F. A. Thomas; Ella, wife of William Brice; Edwin S., and Josephine. The family are adherents of the Episcopal church, and in politics the Doctor is an ardent Democrat. He has been a member of the Masonic order twenty- five years, and is one of the popular citizens of Shamokin.
D. S. HOLLENBACK, physician and surgeon, was born in Lower Augusta township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, May 26, 1836, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Sherry) Hollenback. His early education was received at the common schools of the township and at Freeburg Academy. He then entered the office of Doctor Eyster, now of Sunbury, and graduated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in April, 1864. He soon after entered upon the practice of his profession at Shamokin, where he has been actively engaged up to the present time, and enjoys a large and lucrative practice. He married Clara, daughter of Isaac Sober, of Shamokin town- ship, and they are the parents of one son, William W. The Doctor is an ardent Republican, but has never held any public office except director of the poor, which position he filled in 1876. He is a member of St. John's Reformed church of Shamokin, and one of the oldest and best known prac- titioners now in active practice in this part of the county.
CHARLES W. WEAVER, physician, was born in Rush township, Northum- berland county, Pennsylvania, August 23, 1840, son of Jesse Weaver, a well known resident of that part of the county. He received his education at the common schools and Sunbury Academy. In 1861 he enlisted in the Ninety- third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until 1863, when he was dis- charged because of physical disability. In the autumn of 1863 he com- menced the study of medicine with Dr. E. S. Robins, of Shamokin, and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College in March, 1867. He has gradu- ally built up a good practice, but on account of failing health he is unable to devote his entire attention to professional duties. On the 9th of June, 1870, Doctor Weaver married Kate, daughter of George Heckert, a well re- membered citizen of Shamokin. By this union they are the parents of five living children: Margaret; Marion A .; Helen; Edith, and Ralph. Doctor Weaver has served in the borough council and on the school board, and is a member of Lincoln Post, G. A. R., Shamokin Lodge, F. & A. M., and the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and in November, 1890, he was the Republican candidate for county treasurer, when, though defeated, he ran largely ahead of his ticket.
M. H. HARPEL, physician, was born at Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, Febru- ary 1, 1838, son of Mark and Martha (Morgan) Harpel. He was reared in the city of Philadelphia, Northampton and Lancaster counties, Pennsylvania, and received his early education at the public schools. In 1861 he entered
933
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
the State Normal School at Millersville, Pennsylvania, where he completed his education. He then began the study of medicine with Dr. Joseph Baker, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and graduated from the Homoeopathic College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1867. In the fall of the same year he commenced the practice of his profession in Shamokin, where he has since continued to reside. He is one of the present members of the school board, with which he has been connected ten years. Politically the Doctor is an independent voter; he is an adherent of the Masonic order, and is a member of the Lutheran church of Shamokin. He married Mary, daughter . of Nathan Haas, of Shamokin, and they are the parents of five children: Edward F. and Flora, both of whom are preparing for the medical profession; William L .; Frederick, and Howard. The Doctor is one of the leading physicians of the city, and one of its prominent citizens.
R. L. WRIGHT, physician, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, son of Humphrey and Mary (Cogan) Wright; he attended the public schools until his parents moved to Shamokin township, Northumberland county. A short course of private instruction under a former tutor enabled him to secure employment as a school teacher at Shenandoah, Schuylkill county, where he at once took up the study of medicine under Doctors Reagan and McCrea. At the age of twenty he started for Ann Arbor, Michigan, to pur- sue a classical course in the university there, but before reaching his desti- nation, an unforeseen event compelled him to retrace his steps and return home. From thence he proceeded to Philadelphia, and entered Jefferson Medical College, graduating in March, 1869. He immediately commenced the practice of medicine at Shamokin, and through energy and perseverance he has established a large and lucrative practice. He was the first physician elected to the office of coroner of Northumberland county, and after serving six years in that office he abandoned politics altogether. In 1881 he was married in Philadelphia to Monica V., daughter of Robert Barr, and by this union they have four children: Alphonse; Vincent; Irene, and Mary. Polit- ically, the Doctor is a stanch Democratic, and both he and wife are members of St. Edward's Catholic church of Shamokin.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.