History of Venango County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, including, Part 82

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868-
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Brown, Runk & Co.
Number of Pages: 1323

USA > Pennsylvania > Venango County > History of Venango County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, including > Part 82

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took an active part, and was the acknowledged peer of the leading members of that body. Since the expiration of his second term Senator Lee has devoted his entire attention to the large and lucrative practice of the firm of Lee, Criswell & Hastings, all of whom are able and successful lawyers.

Mr. Lee has been twice married. His first marriage occurred June 19, 1879, to Miss Laura M., daughter of F. D. Kinnear, of Franklin. She died July 19, 1880, and he was again married October 13, 1883, to Miss Clara V. Kauffman, daughter of Senator C. S. Kauffman, of Columbia, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.

GEORGE STUART CRISWELL, of the firm of Lee, Criswell & Hastings, attor- neys at law, was born in Richland township, Venango county, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1850. His parents, Robert and Hannah (Nickle) Criswell, the former a native of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Centre county, are residents of Richland township. His maternal grandparents, John and Sarah Nickle, were natives of Ireland, and came from Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, to Venango county early in the twenties. Both died in Rich- land township. Our subject was reared on the old homestead, and was edu- cated in the public schools and the Emlenton Academy, afterward teaching five winter terms. He commenced reading law in 1873, and in 1874 entered the office of H. A. Miller, of Franklin, now of Pittsburgh, and was admitted to the bar September 30, 1875. He has ever since been engaged in the active duties of his profession, and since August, 1887, a member of the present firm. Politically he has always affiliated with the Republican party. On the 4th of March, 1872, he was appointed deputy prothonotary, and held that position over two years. He acted as counsel for the commissioners from 1879 to 1881. He has been the representative of Venango county in the legislature of Pennsylvania, serving as chairman of the judiciary general committee during a part of his incumbency, and has filled several local offices in Franklin. Mr. Criswell was married November 26, 1879, to Miss Flora, daughter of J. H. Smith, of Franklin, who has borne him four sons: Ches- ney Harrison; Elisha Wayne; George Stuart, and Richard. The family are Presbyterians, and Mr. Criswell is a member of the Masonic order. He is recognized as one of the safe, bright lawyers of the Venango bar, as well as one of its best known members.

ROBERT W. DUNN, attorney at law, was born at New Vernon, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, January 3, 1846. His great-grandfather, Allen Dunn, a native of the North of Ireland, immigrated to this state and located in Northumberland county. In 1804 he removed to Mercer county and settled a short distance north of the site of Sandy Lake, where he erected a cabin and cleared a small opening in the forest. He subsequently became quite prominent in political and religious circles. He was one of the organizers of Rocky Spring Associate Presbyterian church, and his name appears on the session book for 1811 as a ruling elder of that body. He served as

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sheriff of Mercer county from 1821 to 1824, and also filled several other minor offices. His sons, Robert and Francis, were afterward elders in the Rocky Spring church. The former married Agnes Mckean, of Mercer, who bore him nine children: Allen, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Martha; Hugh, deceased; Margaret; Hamilton, deceased; Francis; Mary A., and Edward. In 1825 Robert Dunn erected the first blacksmith shop on the site of Sandy Lake and carried on the business many years. He was one of the incorpo- rators of that borough. Allen, the eldest son of Robert and Agnes Dunn, and the father of our subject, was born and reared in Sandy Lake. He married Eliza K., daughter of Samuel Barr, of Mill Creek township, Mercer county. They were the parents of the following children: Margaret B .; Robert W .; Samuel B., deceased; Allen, deceased; Nancy A. ; Edward S. ; Mary E. ; Martha J., and Harry A. In 1856 the family removed to Venango county, and in 1858 located in Franklin. In 1868 they went to Kansas where the father died in 1883. His widow is now a resident of Ottawa City, Kansas.

Robert W. Dunn, the subject of this sketch, came with his parents to Venango county and afterward to Franklin. He received his primary edu- cation in the public schools, and graduated at Westminister College, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, in 1867. Soon after graduating he commenced reading law with Taylor & Mackey, of Franklin, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1869. He has since been admitted to practice in the courts of adjoining counties, in the supreme court and in the United States courts, and has been equally successful in civil and criminal law. Mr. Dunn was mar- ried July 18, 1867, to Miss Martha, daughter of ex-Senator Francis, of Law- rence county, Pennsylvania. Their children are: Ella J .; William A., and Bessie M. The family are Presbyterian in faith, and in politics Mr. Dunn is a stanch Democrat. He is a member of the Masonic order, the I. O. O. F., and the A. O. U. W .; he is one of the well-known members of the Ve- nango bar, and has built up a good practice during the past twenty years.

THOMAS MCGOUGH, attorney at law, is a son of Peter and Sarah (Marshall) McGough. The former was born near Blairsville, Indiana county, Pennsyl- vania, September 30, 1822, and is a son of Thomas McGough, a native of Cambria county and Catharine (Gamble) McGough, born in Indiana county, both of whom are dead. In 1848 he married, in Venango county, Sarah Marshall, born in March, 1827, in Lawrenceburg, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of Samuel and Phoebe (Perry) Marshall, and the mother of six children: Samuel; Thomas; Doctor Peter McGough, of Pittsburgh; Phoebe; Catharine, and Blanche. Peter McGough was in early life a teacher, subsequently a merchant and banker, and for several years has been engaged in the insurance business. Politically he is a Republican, and for five years held the office of United States collector for the twentieth district of Pennsylvania. Thomas McGough was born at Parker's Landing, : Armstrong county, and came to Franklin with his parents. He received his

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early education in the schools of Franklin, and graduated at Princeton Col- lege in 1873. He then commenced reading law with C. Heydrick of Frank- lin, and was admitted to the bar in July, 1876. Mr. McGough was married in January 1886, to Miss Lydia, daughter of General Alfred B. McCal- mont. She was a native of Franklin, and died after a brief illness, Novem- ber 24, 1889. In 1879 Mr. McGough was elected district attorney and twice re-elected, holding the office until 1888. Politically he is a Republi- can, and a member of the A. O. U. W. The family belong to the Presby- terian church.

ROBERT F. GLENN, son of Reverend Robert Glenn, a sketch of whose life appears in the biographical chapter of French Creek township, and Har- riet (Finley) Glenn, was born in French Creek township, Venango county, February 8, 1851, where, until recently, his mother resided. After several years spent in teaching he read law with C. Heydrick, of Franklin, and in 1878 was admitted to the bar of Venango county. Soon after admission he became associated with James D. Hancock in the practice of law, which relation was continued until April 1, 1887. Mr. Glenn was married June 23, 1881, to Miss Harriet, youngest daughter of Isaac and Margaret D. Miller, of Greenburg, Pennsylvania. Two children, Donald and Helen Miller, are the fruits of this union. The family is Presbyterian. Mr. Glenn is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has represented Venango county in the legislature of Pennsylvania.

WILLIAM H. FORBES, attorney at law, of the firm of Mackey, Forbes & Hughes, was born at Centre Furnace, near Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, Septem- ber 25, 1861, son of Henry and Mary (Field) Forbes, of Bucyrus, Ohio. In 1862 the family removed to Meadville, Pennsylvania, and in 1865 our subject was brought to Franklin, where he has since lived. He obtained his education in the public schools, graduating in 1876, and afterward took a post course under Professor H. A. Strong, superintendent of the public schools of Franklin, and now an attorney of the Erie bar. In August, 1877, he entered the recorder's office as deputy, and the following October became deputy to Isaac Reinemann, prothonotary of Venango county, in which po- sition he served three years. On the 10th of May, 1880, he entered the office of Charles W. Mackey as private secretary and one year later commenced reading law under that gentleman's directions; he was admitted to practice April 23, 1883. On the same date he became the partner of his preceptor, which partnership has since continued. Mr. Forbes was elected secretary, treasurer, and superintendent of the Franklin Natural Gas Company July 1, 1885, and is at present secretary and treasurer of that company. Decem- ber 8, 1887, he was elected treasurer of the Shenango Coal and Mining Company of Mercer and Butler counties; January 23, 1888, treasurer of the American Oxide Company, of Franklin, and July 15, 1889, secretary of

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the Anglo-American Oxide Company. Mr. Forbes was married September 28, 1887, to Miss Mary, daughter of Isaac and Mary (Eckles) Reinemann, now of Toledo, Ohio. She is the mother of one son, Francis Henry. Politically Mr. Forbes has always been a Republican. In December, 1884, he was appointed, by Judge Taylor, one of the return judges of the con- gressional convention which certified to the election of William L. Scott to a seat in the United States house of representatives. He is a trustee of the Baptist church, of which denomination his wife is a member. Though a young man, Mr. Forbes' inherent pluck, his energy and ability, have won for him a leading position among the progressive young men of Franklin.

FREDERICK L. KAHLE, attorney at law, was born April 18, 1862, in Jef- ferson county, Pennsylvania, son of F. P. and Isabella (Mccutchen) Kahle, natives of Jefferson county, who came to Plumer, Venango county, in 1869. They were the parents of one daughter, Alice Arminta, and eleven sons: Benton T., of Pittsburgh; Manuel W., deceased; Clarence, of Pittsburgh; Doctors A. W. and R. D., of Lima, Ohio; Frederick L., of Franklin; Doctor W. A., of New York city; Charles E., of Lima, Ohio; Frank U., of Oil City; Harry, and Ainsworth, of Plumer. Our subject re- ceived his education at the common schools and the Rouseville Normal School, completing it at the Erie Seminary. In 1884 he began reading law with J. H. Osmer, of Franklin, and was admitted to the bar in August, 1886. In 1882 and 1883 he taught school in Venango county, and in 1884-85 was principal of the high schools of Sugar Grove, Warren county. Immediately after his admission to the bar he located at Franklin and commenced the practice of his profession. Mr. Kahle has filled the office of city auditor, and in 1888 was elected on the Republican ticket district attorney of Ve- nango county; he is said to be the youngest man ever elected to that office in this county. He married, in May, 1888, Miss Mary, daughter of Doctor D. C., Galbraith, of Franklin. He is a member of the Masonic order, Order of the Golden Chain, and Royal Arcanum, and an adherent of the Presbyterian church.

WALTER S. WELSH, M. D., deceased, was born at Butler, Pennsylvania, in July, 1826. He received his education at the public schools of Butler and at Washington and Jefferson College, subsequently teaching languages at Brady's Bend, Armstrong county. His medical studies were begun at Brady's Bend and Worthington, Armstrong county, and in that county his practice was commenced. At the outbreak of the civil war he was residing at Parkersburg, West Virginia, and was appointed assistant surgeon of the Fourteenth West Virginia Infantry August 23, 1862, and surgeon of the Fifteenth, March 15, 1863, subsequently rising to the rank of brigade sur- geon. In 1865 he came to Franklin and was in active practice until 1887, when failing health compelled him to relinquish professional work. His skill as a physician was generally recognized, and as a man his character

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commanded public confidence. Genial in temperament and a thorough scholar, his mental scope had been enlarged by extensive reading and observation. He was a member of the Methodist church, the county medi- cal society, and of Mays Post, G. A. R. His death occurred at Ocean Grove, New Jersey, August 8, 1889. His wife, Mrs. Martha Welsh, nee Marshall, and an only daughter, Miss Sallie Welsh, survive him. Politically he was a Republican, and served as mayor of Franklin one term.

DAVID COURTNEY GALBRAITH, physician and surgeon, is a native of Law- rence county, Pennsylvania, born May 8, 1841, son of Ephraim Galbraith, who died in Lawrence county. Our subject grew up under the parental roof and received his early education in the common schools. In 1855 he commenced reading medicine in the office of Doctor James Cossitt of New Castle, Penn- sylvania, and one of the pioneer physicians of Mercer county, and continued under his instructions about three years, afterward spending a year in the office of Doctor Taylor, of Mercer. He attended lectures at the Western Reserve Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio, in the sessions of 1856-57 and 1858-59, graduating in the latter year. He soon afterward went south, but returned to Ohio in the fall of 1861, and was appointed assistant sur- geon and subsequently surgeon in General Butler's command, serving in all over two years. In 1862 he opened an office at Polk, Venango county, and excepting the time spent in the army, practiced there about nine years. In 1865-66 Doctor Galbraith attended the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, and graduated therefrom in the latter year. In 1871 he moved to Frank- lin, where he has since built up a large and lucrative practice, being one of its best known medical practitioners. He was married in 1862 to Miss Annie Cubbison, of Butler county, Pennsylvania. She is the mother of two chil- dren: Mary and Francis. Politically Doctor Galbraith is a Democrat, and though comparatively a young man, is nevertheless one of the oldest physi- cians in time of practice in the county.

STEPHEN LOWRY COLLINS BREDIN, son of Judge John Bredin of Butler and grandson of George McClelland of Venango county, was born in Butler in 1834. He left the academy of the Reverend William White in 1852, suf- ficently well advanced in classical and mathematical studies to enter the junior class of Union College, Schenectady, New York, in its palmy days, when the Reverend Eliphalet Nott was still its president. Leaving college he began the study of medicine with his uncle by the mother's side, Nathan- iel D. Snowden, and in 1856 graduated at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. He spent the subsequent summer in assisting Doctor Snow- den in his practice, enjoying the full fruits of the old doctor's life-long training and cultivation in the science of medicine. The next two or three years he spent in the West, at Rochester, Minnesota. In 1859 he married Catharine, the third daughter of George Sloan, of Hanoverton, Columbiana county, Ohio, and settled in his native place, Butler, assuming the duties

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of a physician and the care of the large practice of Doctor Lowman, who had gone to the army as a brigade surgeon. Though his health was much broken and he was not able to do much business for a few years, he soon began to realize the arduous duties of a physician attending to a wide circle of coun- try practice and compelled to minister to the wants of a large clientele of principally agricultural people. His health improving he was able to do this satisfactorily to himself and his people for twenty-two years in Butler. Feeling the necessity for calling a halt he embraced the opportunity offered by the failure in health of his cousin, Doctor S. Gustine Snowden, and came to Franklin to take the doctor's place while he went away to endeavor to find in rest and change a remedy for the disease with which he was fatally stricken. Enjoying rest from the arduous, wearing life of constant riding and exposure, Doctor Bredin has for six years continued to practice in the place where he first read medicine, contented with the confidence and esteem of its people, who have extended to him a kindly welcome.

DOCTOR E. W. MOORE was born in Cool Spring township, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, May 27, 1848, and is a son of George R. and Mary P. (Lee) Moore, the former a native of Franklin and the latter of Butler county, Pennsylvania, and now residents of Kenton, Ohio, whither they removed from Mercer county when our subject was a child. He was reared at Ken- ton, and after receiving a public school education attended Oberlin College. He read medicine with Phillips & Snodgrass, of Kenton, and attended lectures at Charity Hospital Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1867-68- 69, and graduated February 25, 1869. He commenced practice in Kenton, removing to Franklin in June, 1871, where he has since been engaged in the active duties of his profession. Doctor Moore is secretary of the Venango County Medical Society, a member of the State Medical Society, and was a member of the International Medical Congress of 1887. Politi- cally he is a Republican, and has been coroner of Venango county four years. He is a member of the Masonic order, also of the A. O. U. W. and K. of H. He was married September 2, 1873, to Miss Effie, daughter of James and Elizabeth Bleakley, of Franklin. They are the parents of three children: Clara E., Lee Dubbs, deceased, and Edna Louise. Since coming to Franklin Doctor Moore has built up a good practice, and is one of the leading members of his profession.

JOSEPH W. LEADENHAM, M. D., was born in Carbon county, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1855, son of Joseph W. and Elizabeth (Roberts) Leadenham, the former a native of England and the latter of Wales, both of whom im- migrated to New York city in childhood. Our subject was reared in this state and New York city, received his primary education in the latter place, and took a scientific course in a college of that city. In 1871 he commenced reading medicine under Doctor J. B. Tweedle of Carbon county, and in 1874-75 attended lectures at Bellevue Hospital Medical College. In 1876

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he attended Long Island Hospital Medical College where he graduated in June of that year. He was interne in the hospitals of New York and Brook- lyn until January, 1877, when he opened an office at Edenburg, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, and practiced there until May, 1883, when he re- moved to Franklin. Doctor Leadenham took a course on histology and pathology in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, in 1882, and the next year took a course at the Post-Graduate Medical Col- lege. He was married April 22, 1878, to Miss L. May Smith, of Edenburg, Pennsylvania. In politics he is a Republican, a member of the Masonic order, the A. O. U. W., and the U. F. The Doctor is an active member of the State Medical Society, Minnesota Medical Society, and the American Medical Association, also of the American Microscopical Society. Since coming to Franklin Doctor Leadenham has enjoyed a fine practice, and is regarded as one of the progressive physicians of the county.

JOHN R. BORLAND, physician, son of Huston and Eleanor Borland, was born in New Vernon township, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, March 15, 1828, and was educated in the common schools. He read medicine with Doctor J. R. Andrews, a Reformed physician of New Vernon, Pennsyl- vania, and commenced practice at Harlansburg, Pennsylvania, in 1851. He graduated in the Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery in 1865. He was dean of the faculty and filled the chair of theory and practice, and lecturer on clinical medicine in the Georgia Eclectic Medical College in 1879-80, and graduated from that institution in the latter year. He is a member of the district, state, and national Eclectic medical societies, a con- tributor to medical journals, and is recognized as a good physician. He has served three years on the Franklin board of health, and two years as phy- sician of the county jail. On the 29th of June, 1852, he married Elizabeth Emery, of Harlansburg, Pennsylvania, born January 21, 1834. They have had nine children. The survivors are Isaac Huston, carriage manufacturer of Franklin; James Brown, publisher of the Evening News; Mary Jane; Nettie Mollie, and Charles Emery. Those dead are Emma Josephine, Laura Ellen, Nannie Malinda, and Luella. Doctor Borland is a man of extensive reading and well informed, not only in his profession but also on all the ordinary topics of life. Liberal in his professional and religious views he is opposed to proscription in either. Though formerly a Republican in politics, he has acted with the Prohibition party for some years, and has been successively nominated by that party for assembly, state senate, and congress, each time leading his party vote.

EDWARD P. WILMOT, physician and surgeon, was born in Liverpool, Medina county, Ohio, and is the only surviving son of E. Wilmot. He was educated at Oberlin high school and Oberlin College, Ohio, and read medi- cine with Professor G. J. Jones, M. D., of Cleveland, Ohio. Doctor Wil- mot graduated at the Cleveland Homoeopathic Hospital College of Cleveland,

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Ohio, March 2, 1882, and at once commenced the practice of medicine and surgery at Franklin, Pennsylvania, at which place he has- been in contin- uous practice ever since. He was married August 14, 1884, to Annie M., daughter of Calvin W. Gilfillan of Franklin. Three children have been born of this union, one of whom is deceased. Politically Dr. Wilmot is a Republican, and is a United States pension examiner of Venango county. He was elected physician and surgeon four years in succession of the Venango county alms house.

JOHN B. GLENN, M. D., was born December 2, 1838, in French Creek township. He is a son of Reverend Robert and Rebecca (Wyckoff) Glenn, the father a native of Mercer county and the mother of Crawford county. Our subject was one of a family of twelve children, and spent his early life on the homestead, attended the common schools, and commenced the study of medicine with Doctors Johnston and Cochran of Cochranton, Penn- sylvania, graduating at Jefferson Medical College. He first located at Polk and subsequently practiced at Freedom, Rockland township, where he remained for twenty years. In November, 1887, he located in Franklin, where he has since continued the duties of his profession. Doctor Glenn was married in November, 1867, to Miss Isabella, daughter of Samuel Mitchell of Polk, but now a resident of Franklin. By this marriage they have one daughter, Harriet. June 1, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Tenth Pennsylvania Reserves, and served three years, being discharged June 2, 1864. The Doctor is a Democrat, and one of the well known physi- cians of his native county.

COLONEL WILLIAM RICKARDS was born at Philadelphia November 18, 1824, son of William and Catharine (Murdoch) Rickards, of English and Scotch origin, respectively, the former a son of William Rickards of Delaware, and the latter a daughter of William Murdoch, a sea captain. He obtained a common school education and at the outbreak of the Rebellion was en- gaged in business at Philadelphia as a manufacturing jeweler in partnership with his father. Having recruited Company I, Twenty-Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, he was elected captain and was taken prisoner at Winchester. After being paroled he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel October 4, 1862, and became colonel May 1, 1863, participating in the va- rious campaigns of the Army of the Potomac until September, 1863, when the regiment accompanied Hooker to the South. He led his regiment in the charge at Lookout Mountain, and has in his possession as a memento of that engagement the regimental colors, which he claims was the first Union flag carried to the summit in the "battle above the clouds," September 24, 1863. Having re-enlisted, the regiment was mustered in as veterans De- cember 9, 1863. He was wounded at Kenesaw Mountain June 15, 1864, and discharged November 2, 1864, from the hospital at Cincinnati, having been incapacited for further military duty. In January, 1865, he came to

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Franklin and engaged in the oil business. In 1873 he engaged in dentistry and has so continued. November 16, 1848, he married Eliza, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Hamilton) Tucker of Baltimore, Maryland. They are the parents of six sons: William T., banker, of Chicago; Charles, deceased; Harry, grocer, of Franklin; George C., in the hardware business at Oil City; Irvin M., in the lumber business at Chicago, and Lewis St. G. The family is Episcopalian in church connection. Colonel Rickards is a Republican, a member of the G. A. R., and also a member of the L. T. of T. and the E. A. U.

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History of Venango County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, including, Part 82

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Brown, Runk & Co. Number of Pages: 1323

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868-
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Brown, Runk & Co.
Number of Pages: 1323