USA > Pennsylvania > Portraits of the heads of state departments and portraits and sketches of members of the legislature of Pennsylvania, 1893-1894 > Part 24
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
263
Ilouse of Representatives.
SAMUEL D. MURPHY, of West- moreland county, is of Scotch-Irish and Spanish extraction. His paternal ancestors were among the brave defend- ers of the fair city of Londonderry dur- ing the memorable siege of 1688 and 1689. Joseph Murphy (the great-grand- father of Representative Murphy), of the " Cragon," was a man of education and influence and followed horse-breed- ing, manufacturing of liquors and salt in the county of Derry, Ireland. He married Jane Glendenning, of Scotland, whose family was one of rank in the feudal history of that country. William (the grandfather) was well educated, married Eve Dickey about 1790, whose father was also a distiller of Antrim. His wife was the daughter of a Spanish LEVÝTYPÉ CO. PHNLÁ grandee, living near Lisbon. William canie to this country and settled in Fair- field township, Westmoreland county, about 1794, where Joseph Murphy, the father of Representative Murphy, was born January 19, 1800, and resided until his death, in 1878. The maternal ancestry is purely Scotch and comes down from that brave and trusted leader, Sir James Rose, who fell upon the sanguinary field of Floden, and from Sir Godfrey McCulloch, of Montieth, Wigsonshire, Scotland, through a long line of farmers, doctors, merchants and sea-faring men who have been particularly noted for intelligence and devotedness in their callings. Repre- sentative Murphy was born January 12, 1846, in Fairfield township, Westmore- land county, and was educated in the common schools. At the age of eighteen, on February 28, 1864, he enlisted in company D, Fourth regiment Pennsylvania volunteer cavalry, joined his regiment at Spottsylvania Court House and partici- pated with it in all after engagements. Two horses were killed under him, but he escaped injury himself. He was honorably discharged July 5, 1865, at Lynch- burg, Virginia. Returning to his native place he taught school for two winters but gradually drifted into dealing in live stock, which he followed till 1870. when he engaged in the milling business in Ligonier township, Westmoreland county. This business he successfully conducted for ten years. On account of failing health he sold his mill property and began his present business, that of farming and stock-raising. He has served two terms as justice of the peace and never had a decision reversed by the higher court. He was census enumerator for his dis- triet in 1890 and was nominated in the same year for assembly. He came nearer being elected than any of his party candidates, being defeated by only 188 votes. He was again nominated in 1892 and elected. He has always been a staunch Re- publican and an advocate of the most advanced ideas. He introduced a bill relat- ing to lateral railroads, enabling them to cross county lines; a bill authorizing juries in murder trials to decide whether the punishment should be hanging or imprisonment for life, and to repeal the special prohibitory liquor law of Mount Pleasant, Pa. He was appointed on the Committee of Agriculture, Accounts, Education, Labor and Industry and Ways and Means.
264
House of Representatives.
A. B. HUNTER, of Westmoreland · county, was born December 17, 1848, in Sonth Huntingdon township. He is the son of a farmer and received a thorough education in the common schools of his neighborhood, attending between the years of 1858 and 1866, but was only allowed to attend during a few months of the term, being com- pelled by circumstances to remain at home and assist his father with the farm work. He is of Scotch-Irish de- scent and was the only son, and, of course, much of the work fell upon him when his father was called away from home. He followed the occupation of farmer until he was twenty-one years of age. Mr. Hunter took nnto himself a wife when he was twenty-six years old in the person of Miss Sarah F. Bell, a talented young lady living with her parents in his neighborhood. The wedding took place September 15, 1874. In 1879 he was elected township anditor, in a Democratic township, with a majority of over 100. This alone showed the high esteem in which he was held by his fellow-men at his own home. He was very successful in all his political work, as with all his undertakings, and in 1885 Mr. Hunter was chosen as a delegate to the Republican State Convention at Harrisburg. He has been a very successful farmer and stock raiser and has devoted all his life to farming. He is at present president of the Sewickley Mutual Fire Insurance Company, with headquarters at West Newton, Mr. Hunter's home. He is the father of eight children, all of whom are living. The oldest, a son, is farming. In 1892 he was a candidate for representative from his district, but was declared defeated by the official vote as returned by 33 votes, Eli Waugaman having been elected. The contest that ensued resulted in Mr. Hunter's election over Mr. Waugaman by 52 votes, so di- rected by Judge Doty, of Westmoreland county, who declared that Mr. Hunter was entitled to the certificate as issued. He was seated March 14. Mr. Hunter served on the committees on Judicial Apportionment, Millitary and Constitutional Reform.
265
House of Representatives.
W NEWTON PORTER, of West- · moreland county, was born in Luzerne township, Fayette county, Pa., on June 22, 1843. He was brought up as a farmer boy on his father's farm, near Brownsville, Pa. He received his education in the common schools in the district and afterwards attended the Merrittstown Academy. After leaving school, having taken a fancy to me- chanics, he learned the machinist's trade at Brownsville, Pa., in 1864-65, during which period he married Miss Mary Braithwaite, an estimable yonng lady eighteen years of age. One daugh- ter graces this name. Mr. Porter worked at his trade until 1873, when he became foreman of the National Locomotive Works of Connellsville, Pa., which po- sition he held until 1879, when he re- signed to take charge of the Scottdale rolling mill as chief engineer and mill- right. He occupied this position until 1884, when he resigned to enter newspaper work, in which he was engaged either as editor or manager until October 1, 1892. In 1884 he entered the political arena and was elected councilman for one year in the borough of Scottdale and was re-elected for the term of 1885-86. After hay- ing filled this office with much credit to himself and citizens, he was elected bur- gess of the same borough and served for three terms, 1887-88-89. He was nomi- nated on the Republican ticket for assembly in 1890 but was defeated with the balance of the ticket by a small plurality. In 1892 he was re-nominated by the same party but was declared defeated by nine votes by W. R. Barnhart on the official returns. It was afterwards learned that a clerical error had occurred in the Bessimer election precinct, which, when the ballot box was opened, resulted in a tie vote of 10,765 each for Barnhart and Porter. A contest was inaugurated, which resulted in Porter being declared by the commission and judge of the county elected by a majority of eighty-two votes. Mr. Porter is a member of the follow- ing committees : Education, Congressional Apportionment, Federal Relations, and Constitutional Reform.
€
266
House of Representatives.
FRANK H. PIATT, the member from Wyoming county, who was elected on the Democratic ticket, was born in Tunkhannock, Wyoming county, Pa., December 25, 1848. He began attend- ing the common schools at an early date and in 1866 entered Lafayette College, from which institution he graduated in 1870. Subsequently he became a civil engineer, which occupation he followed for five years, doing work on the Mont- rose railway and on the river survey from Wilkes-Barre to the state line to ascertain whether the Susquehanna could be made navigable between those points-an experiment which resulted in demonstrating the impracticability of the suggested scheme. Governor Geary appointed Mr. Piatt superintend- ent of common schools of Wyoming county in 1871 to fill the unexpired term of Rev. C. R. Lane, who resigned nine months before he had served his full three years. Mr. Piatt was postmaster at Tunkhannock for four years and seven
months under appointment of President Cleveland. He is a member of the school board of his town and has occupied the position for fifteen years. He has been its secretary and president and has served as a member of council and borough and school treasurer. The high esteem in which he is held by the people of his county was illustrated in the majority by which he was elected to the Legislature. Presi- dent Harrison carried Wyoming county by 124 majority, while Mr. Piatt was chosen member of the House by 333 majority. He is a member of the Committee on Congressional Apportionment, Military and Railroads. His constituents have been very kind to him, as they have not asked him to present any bill for the consideration of the Legislature. Mr. Piatt has not appeared in debate but has missed but one roll call during the session. He has also been regular in his at- tendance at the meetings of the committees to which he is attached. His paternal ancestry dates back to the Bradys, the famous Indian fighters. One of these (Captain Brady) was killed by the redskins, and a monument has been erected to his memory at Muncy. Mr. Piatt is the son of William M. Piatt, who was Speaker of the Pennsylvania Senate in 1856 and a familiar figure in Pennsylvania political history.
-
€
267
House of Representatives.
DANIEL S. DUBS, of Marburg, York county, was born in Manheim township, York county, Pa., October 26, 1854. He is of Hessian-Irish descent, his great-grandfather having come from Hesse Cassel, Germany, and his great grandmother from Ireland. His great- grandfather, Daniel Dubs, was deeply interested in the welfare of his country- men and opposed to the treatment of the Hessians. The grandfather, Daniel Dubs, came to America and secured 320 acres of land in York county, part of which is now owned by the subject of this sketch. His son, William, had three children, all sons, Henry, Daniel and William, the second-named being the present representative. Both parents have died some years since. Mr. Dubs was reared on a farm and attended the public schools of the neighborhood for years, but was afterwards sent to the Glen Lock Academy, which he attended two sessions, taking a complete academic course. Shortly thereafter he attended a private normal school at Hanover, Pa. He was but seventeen years old when he took charge of a public school near his home, and has spent almost all his life in the public school room. On August 4, 1885, he was granted a professional cer- tificate, which was renewed May 5, 1888, and after passing a very creditable ex- amination a permanent certificate was granted him October 6, 1888. He was ap- pointed as Congressional referee by Hon. Levi Maish, member of Congress, in 1885, and in 1887 he was selected as a member of the examining committee to examine applicants for the appointment of a cadet to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Md. In 1887 he was chairman of the Democratic County Convention, and in 1890 elected a member of the House of Representatives from his district. By occupation he is a school teacher, but has devoted much time to storekeeping, surveying and the real estate business. Mr. Dubs was reelected to the Legisla- ture in 1892 by a large majority, leading his ticket by a vote of 106. He is a very popular politician and a creditable member of the Legislature. He is a member on the Committees on Insurance, Corporations, Vice and Immorality and Judiciary Local. He introduced bills authorizing and regulating the taking, use and occupancy of certain public burial places under certain circumstances for pur- poses of common school education, and prohibiting peddling or hawking of mer- chandise or goods through the state.
268
House of Representatives.
JAMES P. ROBINSON, of Long Level, - York county, was born September 22, 1840, in Cecil county, Maryland, and is one of the most genial gentlemen in the Legislature. His father being a gentleman of limited means and a la- borer, his son James was compelled to forego many of the luxuries of life. His parents managed, however, notwith- standing these adverse circumstances, to send their son to the public schools of their vicinity at an early age, where he became an apt pupil and a favorite among his schoolmates. He was soon a leader 'in the athletic sports of the day. After leaving school he associated himself with a merchant in his neigh- borhood as a clerk. His aptness as a clerk soon won for him the confidence of his employer and he was given charge of the business at different times while the proprietor was away on business. By his frugality, Mr. Robinson accumu- lated enough money to start in the mercantile business himself. A large and profitable business was built up in the neighborhood in which he resided, and he has been known near and far for his honest dealings and pleasant manner. It was while in this business that his friends urged him to allow them to use his name as a candidate for school director. He was elected by a large vote for the first term in 1887. After serving this term his usefulness had made itself felt, and he has been re-elected, occupying that position at present. In 1885 he was elected for the first time as a member of the House of Representatives and returned again this term. He is a member of the Committees on Fish and Game, Accounts, Compare Bills and Geological Survey. Mr. Robinson introduced a supplement to the log bill and a bill permitting townships to elect supervisors in election districts. He is a gentleman of fine physique and retains excellent health.
.
269
House of Representatives.
H ENRY WARREN FISHEL, M. D.' was born in Siddonsburg, York counry, Pa., January 24, 1852. He attended the public schools during the winter season until he was eighteen years of age, when he began teaching in the public schools of York and Cum- berland counties. In 1876 he was graduated at the . Millersville State Normal school, doing during that year' considerable literary work for the Cen- tennial exhibition. He was in the same year made assistant principal of the public schools of Millersburg, Pa., and in the following year was made princi- pal, which position he held until the summer of 1880. He was connected with J. B. Lippincott & Co., of Phila- delphia, the next year and in 1882 was chosen to fill the chair of Didactics in the State Normal school at Shippens- burg, Pa. The following year he was elected to the chair of English literature and rhetoric in the same institution, but resigned several weeks before the open- ing of the fall term to accept a position with a New York house. In 1886 he was graduated in medicine at the University of Maryland. He practiced his profes- sion for a short time only, preferring to follow mercantile lines. He has success- fully followed the latter ever since at his present home, Dillsburg, Pa., Harris- burg and Philadelphia. In 1881 he contested with Prof. D. H. E. LaRoss for the county superintency of Dauphin county public schools, but the Republican ma- jority of Dauphin proved too much for him. He has served his borough in the school board and town council but has never sought other office until he was elected to represent his county in the House of Representatives. He was a dele- gate to the Scranton convention which nominated Robert E. Pattison for Gov- ernor. He served as president of the board of directors of the Methodist book rooms at Harrisburg, Pa., for two years and is a director in the Dillsburg National Bank. He helped organize and served as secretary of the Dillsburg Manufactur- ing Company, is a member of the Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Association and commander of Fortney camp 307, Sons of Veterans. In his borough, when he ran for the Legislature, he received half the Republican and the entire Democratic vote and ran 100 ahead of President Cleveland in his county. He served on the Committees of Education, Manufactures and Vice and Immorality. Mr. Fishel married Miss Sarah C. Singer, of Halifax, Pa., December 23, 1879, and has two children-Walter, aged ten, and Verna, aged seven. - He is the oldest of a family of ten boys and never had a sister. All the family a. staunch Democrats. His grand-parents on his mother's side were among the ear, settlers of Eastern Penn- sylvania. His father served in company I, Two hundre Ith regiment Pennsylva- nia volunteers and was shot through the body within a sixteenth of an inch of the heart in front of Petersburg, Virginia, from which wound he recovered. He still survives. The subject of this sketch is live and progressive in educational and business affairs and is well and favorably known throughout his own and other states.
270
House of Representatives.
HENRY M. BORTNER, of York, one of the oldest members of the House, was born in Codorus township, York county, Pa., January 3, 1821. He has filled many public offices with marked credit and ability. He served eleven years as assessor, nine years as school director, one year as judge of elections and two as treasurer of York county. In 1886 he was elected to the House of Representatives. He was reelected in 1892 and is a member of the Committees on Agriculture, Constitutional Reform, Library, Manufactures, Public Build- ings and Printing. Mr. Bortner has never been anything else but a Demo- crat and is one of the leaders of his party in York county. The following poem was written by Mr. Bortner :
Henry M. Bortner Is my name, Henrietta comes near the same; She was a Dubbs before my wife; Ten children we have yet alive.
Albert, a son, stands number one, The fourth a son his name is John, The second Louisa Jane you see, Henrietta came number three.
Josiah fifth, he is a son, They all left home except this one;
Amanda sixth, she was not well, And now she is I'm glad to tell.
And Edgar eight, and that Is so, He runs the car to Baltimore; Ninth Laura, she is only small; Alice she is the last of all.
And George, a son, came number seven; After death all meet in heaven, And then we can see each other- Chlidren, Father and their Mother.
Mr. Bortner recently celebrated his seventy-first birthday and wrote the annexed poem for the occasion :
When I was young, I had much fun, To-day I reach my seventy-one. The day, when I was fifty-one, I filled the place of Treasurer John.
The Auditors, when fifty-two. Approved accounts, correct and true. Refunding orders, were all away, I left no space. for them to stay.
For it was what was overpald, More than you need to keep you straight. Without a voucher to pay it back, If not, you keep it in your sack.
On my birthday, when fifty-three, Went out of office, for I was free.
Thirteen years, from this day later, Went to the house of legislator.
Give one term more, Is all I ask. And then will say, my time Is past. As I am going down the hill. Day after day, tending the mill.
Yes, over seventeen thousand day, A long journey, for me to stay ; And many times. in winter day, No sleep, no rest, no bed to lay.
To rest myself, a half an hour. All day and night, when making flour. How many more, I c: not tell. I say good-bye, farewe . farewell.
Below is another poem by the same author, written January 3, 1853 :
On the eighth day of November, I was elected as a member. They gave me votes, to take me through, In the past year. of ninety-two.
The second day. of ninety-three, I knew the time was here for me. I left my house. short after nine, To make the train, I went in time.
271
House of Representatives.
I went in time, I was afraid, I'd miss the train. when I stayed late. The train on time, my fare I paid, And then went on, was not too late.
I have a man. which I do pay, To run the mill. when I'm away. He takes good care, and does my work, The time I stay in Harrisburg.
Six years from my first term later, Went to the house of legislator. On my birthday, when seventy-two, I took the oath, like others do.
My one term more, commenced to-day, Give me a right, two years to stay. And I will vote. what I think best. To give the laboring man a rest. .
Reduce the tax, as low as you can, High tax is not for the poor man. They have no home, but children too. Cold winter days, without a shoe.
Desk 88, you find my seat. My boarding place is Elder street. House seven hundred and eighteen, Good meals, good bed, room nice and clean.
Always In time and stay in hall, To cast my vote, when name is called. My name comes thirteen on the list, And if away, my vote is missed.
Behave myself and now declare, Will go along to the World's Fair. And if I go, I then will see. What wondrous things in ninety -three.
My thanks and best respects to all, Who cast their votes for me last Fall. They cast their vote with their free will, The first time with the Baker blll.
I wish my friends would come and stay, And hear what our members say. And all my friends, now on this floor, I say good-bye, for evermore.
272
Officers of the House of Representatives.
CHARLES E. VOORHEES, the Chief Clerk of the House of Representa- tives, was born in the Tenth ward, Philadelphia, in the year 1849, and for thirty-two years resided in the same house. He received a common school education in the public schools, passing through the various grades and gradn- ating from the Central High school. In 1866 he entered the office of Richard R. Smethurst, one of the leading con- veyancers of the city, to learn that pro- fession. He quickly acquired the con- fidence of his preceptor and eventually succeeded him as secretary of the Will- iam Richardson estate, which was largely interested in coal properties in Schuylkill county. He became active in politics at an early age, his associa- tions and his temperament naturally leading him in that direction. He was induced to abandon his profession and accept a political appointment in the water department of the city and was selected as clerk of the water committee of city council, a post of great responsibility and of some distinction. Upon the election of Samnel Hancock as city controller, Mr. Voorhees was appointed to a clerkship in that office, where he remained for a number of years and until Governor Patti- son was elected controller. In 1881 he began his career with the Legislature of Pennsylvania, being appointed messenger of the Senate. He held the same posi- tion during the session of 1883. After a severe contest he was chosen Resident Clerk of the Honse in 1885 and filled that position with marked ability until 1892, when he was elected to the Chief Clerkship of that body. Mr. Voorhees was for many years a member of the famous Good Will Engine Company, which was a school for politicians. He has been a conspicnous figure in the politics of Phila- delphia for many years, being a delegate to the city and state conventions of his party. He was one of the founders of the Union Republican Club, the leading Republican organization of Philadelphia. Mr. Voorhees is a man of superior at- tainments and marked ability. In any other state than Pennsylvania, where the machine political conditions are adverse to the recognition of brains and services, he would have been a man of mark and celebrity. In the presidential contests of 1888 and 1892 he was on the staff of the national chairman. In the great contest of 1888 his work in New York largely contributed to the election of General Har- rison. For a number of years he has enjoyed the most confidential political rela- tions with Senator Quay, as well as with other leaders. Physically, he is one of the finest looking men in the state. He numbers his friends by the thousands and in all his career he has never been known to betray a trust or to injure a friend- ship.
.
1
273
Officers of the House of Representatives.
AB BRAHAM D. FETTEROLF, resi- dent clerk of the House, was born in Montgomery county, Pa., June 4, 1850. He attended the public schools of his district, and subsequently com- pleted his education at Freeland Semi- mary (now Ursinns College), then under the principalship of his brother, A. H. Fetterolf, now president of Girard Col- lege. At sixteen years of age he en- gaged in teaching public school in Berks and Montgomery connties and so con- tinned until he attained his majority. At this time he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Philadelphia. From 1871 to 1875 he was engaged as a humber in- spector, leaving that position to engage in the flour and feed business on Market street. This was successfully followed until 1884. From 1888 to 1890 he was LEVYYver ro PHit & a member of the firm of The Roberts Machine Company, Collegeville, Pa. He has always been an uncompromising Re- publican, taking a great interest in local politics. In 1882 he was elected justice of the peace for the township of Upper Providence, and served until he resigned to accept a county office. As a justice he enjoyed the confidence of the people and had quite an extensive business. During the time he held this position he acted in many trust capacities, settling a large number of estates of decendents and as- signments, in all of which he displayed signal ability. In 1885 he was appointed transcribing clerk to the House. So faithful was he in this position that the fol- lowing session he was promoted to Speaker's clerk, and so served through the session of 1887. The session of 1889 he was again promoted to Journal clerk. As faithful effort is appreciated, Mr. Fetterolf had little difficulty at the present ses- sion to secure the position of resident clerk, a position of great responsibility.
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.