USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 1 > Part 59
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EARD, GEORGE PETRIE, President of the Cumberland Valley State Normal School, was born in Orange, Vermont, June 3d, 1834. II¢ is the son of Kendall and - Roxcinda .(Richard- son) Beard, who are respectively of Scotch and English descent. He was educated at an excel- lent public school in the neighborhood of his birth-place, subsequently at the Barre Academy, and finally entered the University of Vermont at Burlington, where he graduated with honors in 1860. That " the boy is father of the man " was forcibly illustrated in the early traits of character and the incidents of his life. . He was the acknowledged and chosen organizer and leader among his associates in school, in the debating club, in the literary society, and everywhere
where leadership was demanded. In his course of studies he ranked high as a scholar, especially in language, litera- ture and mental philosophy, and its kindred subjects. His attention was early given to the philosophy of teaching, and he was one of the first and most efficient advocates and organizers of Normal Schools in his native State. In May, 1865, he settled in Chillicothe, Missouri, where, as City Superintendent of Public Schools, he organized a graded system of schools for that city, which soon became noted for their excellence and marked success in their results. By the fame of these schools, his efforts before the people, the teachers and the members of the State Legislature, he was largely instrumental in securing the necessary legisla- tion and appropriations, by which the public and Normal Schools of Missouri have been inaugurated. He labored several years as organizer, instructor and lecturer in teachers' institutes throughout that State. In 1867, he represented the Missouri State Teachers' Association in the National Teachers' Association ; and subsequently, in 1870 and 1871, was elected President of the State Teachers' Association, a position which he filled with great credit to himself and acceptance to the body over whom he presided. In the autumn of 1870, he received the unanimous nomination as the candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction on the Republican ticket ; but was defeated in consequence of the union of the (so-called) Liberal Republicans and De- mocrats. In the spring of 1871, he was elected President of the State Normal School at Warrensburg, Missouri, and in ten days after accepting the office opened the institution with an attendance of thirty pupils. IIe organized and ad- ministered the affairs of this establishment, increased its membership to nearly two hundred pupils in the space of fifteen months-the first class of fourteen graduating in 1872-and raised the school to a high grade of merit and success. In the fall of IS72, he was elected President of the Cumberland Valley State Normal School, at Shippens- burgh, Pennsylvania (the position he now holds), and en- tered at once upon his duties. He organized and opened this school in April, 1873, with upwards of three hundred students in attendance. The unprecedented success of his efforts in the organization and management of this institu- tion has given him rink with the foremost educators of the State. IIe has already labored largely as Instructor and Lecturer in institutes and associations in Pennsylvania, and is a universal favorite with the teachers and people. Per- sonally, he is tall, straight and robust, with dark hair and eyes, and agreeable manners ; sympathetic, genial-tempered and a lover of wit, he has many and warm friends. As a scholar, he unites the liberal and thorough culture of the university with the practical and progressive utilization of the learning of the present day. His oratory is elegant and forcible, and often eloquent. His enthusiasm warms and moulds every thought and argument into living, vitalizing power. He speaks fluently, and habitually without manu- script or notes. He has contributed largely to educational
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literature. Several original poems and hymns from his pen have been published and much admired. He has been an earnest Christian worker in the Sunday-school and church from youth. Hle ranks with the most liberal of orthodox believers, having his church-membership with the Congre- gationalists, Methodists and Presbyterians, at different times, as Providential circumstances have ordered. All his talents, time, and efforts are entirely consecrated to the cause of education, in which he profoundly believes himself espe- cially called to labor. This devotion has won him a posi- tion in the front rank of the educators of the State. Ile was married, in December, 1862, to Luna C. Griswold, of Randolph, Vermont, and has three daughters : Stella S., Lucy E., and Luna L.
LLEN, GEORGE, LL.D., Professor, was born in Milton, Chittenden county, Vermont, December 17th, 1808. Ile is a son of the late Hon. IIe- man Allen, who was a native of Massachusetts, but left that State for Vermont at an early day, and having studied law was admitted to practice in 1803. Ile was a man of marked superiority of intellect, a great lawyer, an eloquent speaker, and universally respected for the virtues of his private character. He was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court by the Legislature, but de- clined to accept the office; and, afterwards, sat through four successive Congresses as a Representative. On the mother's side, Professor Allen is descended from the New-London Prentises, who reckon among their ancestors representatives of Sir Humphrey Gilbert and that branch of the Edgecombe family of which the Earl of Mount Edgecombe is now the head. He was educated primarily in the district school, which was taught during the winter by some of the students of the University of Vermont ; then at Mr. Osgood's Academy in Burlington, and partly by two graduates of Dartmouth Col- lege, who were successively students in his father's office. In 1822, he was sent by his father to Canada to acquire a know- Iedge of the French language, which he obtained by a resi- dence with M. Consigny, the Cure of St. Matthias at Pointe Olivier, opposite Chambly. In August, 1823, he matriculated at the University of Vermont, which was at that time in a very precarious condition. During the last eighteen months of his connection with that institution it was under the Presidentship of Rev. Dr. Marsh, for whom he ever after entertained the most profound veneration and affectionate regard ; and he it was who probably influenced his future course of life, especially in introducing to his notice the writings of Coleridge and Wordsworth, the best old Eng- lish authors, and the Germans. He graduated in 1827, and began to study law in his father's office, in conformity to the latter's views rather than expressed wish. In the spring of the following year his father removed to Burlington, Vermont, and Professor Torrey of the University being
about to travel in Europe, the corporation to which his father belonged appointed him his substitute, and this connection with the institution lasted for the greater part of two years. During this period he was a passionate student of the clas- sics, so much so as to injure his health. It was the wish of President Marsh that he should remain a member of the Faculty, and as Professor of English Literature; but to meet his father's views he returned to the study of the law, and completed his course of reading in the office of Judge Turner, at St. Alban's, who had been his father's preceptor thirty years before. He was admitted to practice in 1831, and at once opened his office in Burlington. He had been trained up in the faith of " Congregational Calvinism," but during his college life had come in contact with the Book of Common Prayer, through a room-mate who was a Church- man. With him he had attended the private services held by Rev. Dr. Robertson, his Greek and Latin Professor in the University. In 1832, Bishop Hopkins arrived in Burlington, became Rector of St. Paul's Church, and opened a Family School, afterwards the Vermont Episcopal Institute, in which Professor Allen assisted as Classical teacher. IIe now commenced the study of Hebrew and theology, and in the following year was ordained by Bishop Hopkins to the Diaconate, and for some time thereafter acted as a home missionary, though still retaining his con- nection with the institute. Having been elected Rector of the Episcopal Church at St. Alban's, he accepted it, being ordained Priest in 1834. He retained the charge of this parish for three years, and was most happily settled. His old literary tastes were revived, and he studied all his favorites with renewed energy and avidity. During this pe- riod also he became a contributor to the New York Review, and his first article, On the Study of Works of Genius, at- tracted great attention, and drew forth the congratulations, among others, of the poet Halleck. In the spring of 1837, an attack of bronchitis caused him to resign his pastoral charge, and he was immediately offered the choice of four professor- ships, which were tendered him by different institutions. Through the kind offices of his friend, Rev. Dr. Henry, editor of the New York Review, among these, was offered for his acceptance that of Professor of Languages at Newark (Delaware) College, which he accepted; he removed to the place in November, 1837, and remained there for eight years. During this time he became warmly attached. to one of his colleagues, Rev. William N. Pendleton, of Vir- ginia, who was afterwards the General Pendleton, Com- mander of Artillery in the Confederate Army from the first battle of Bull Run to the Surrender at Appomatox. While residing at Newark, Professor Allen frequently visited Philadelphia, and through his love for Wordsworth made the acquaintance of the American editor (the late Professor Henry Reed) of that poet's works. About that time, the venerable Rev. Dr. Wylie, Vice. Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, and Professor of Ancient Languages, having become very advanced in years, Professor Reed
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wished very much that his new friend might become his assistant and successor ultimately. In 1845, he was elected to the full Professorship, and, in September of that year, commenced his duties in that institution. He found the Department of Languages greatly curtailed and cramped. When the opportunity was given him, by some act of the Board of Trustees, he recommended such modes of remedy- ing the deficiency as were possible with the Faculty as it was. On the death of Professor Reed, in 1854, with the cordial co-operation and help of his colleagues, Professors Vethuke and Frazer, he was enabled to carry his point; twenty-four hours of Greek and Latin per week, instead of sixteen, became the rule, and he was entrusted with the sole guidance in the Greek language. IIis former pupil, Francis A. Jackson, was elected Assistant Professor of Lan- guages, and to him was confided the Department of Latin, of which he has since been made full Professor. Professor Allen co-operated actively with the present Provost, Dr. Charles J. Stille, in his reconstruction of the University; and the Trustees of the University, as a compliment and in recognition of his services, took the unusual step of con- ferring upon him, although one of their own Faculty, the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. During his early con- nection with the University, his theological opinions under- went a change, and, in 1847, he became a member of the Roman Catholic Church. This action, however, produced no change whatever towards him on the part of the Trus- tees of the University. He was married, July 7th, 1831, to Mary Hancock Withington, of Boston, as near a de- scendant as exists of John Hancock of famous memory. It may be considered remarkable that the marriage was celebrated by no less a personage than Ralph Waldo Emer- son, of whose church the bride was a member.
ACKSON, SAMUEL, M. D., Physician, was born in Philadelphia, March 22d, 1787. He was a son of Dr. David Jackson, of Chester county, and his mother, Susan Kemper, belonged to a New York family of German descent. Having acquired a thorough classical education, he began the study of medicine with Dr. James IIutchinson, Jr., and, at his death, selected Professor Wistar as his preceptor, mean- while attending the regular courses of lectures in the Medi- eal Department of the University of Pennsylvania, whence he graduated in 1808. After devoting his attention for some time to the branches of chemistry, botany and phar- macy, as connected with medicine, he commenced the practice of his profession in Philadelphia, and soon his energy and genius obtained for him a prominent position among the physicians of that city. During the War of 1812, he manifested his patriotism by joining the " First Troop of City Cavalry," and became an active member of
that organization. In 1820, he was elected to the Presi- dency of the Board of Health, a position of much responsi- bility and importance, as, at this period, an epidemic of yellow fever was then prevailing and spreading through the city, causing a great dread and much agitation in the community. In this connection, he displayed the utmost energy and the highest personal courage in combating the advance of the disease, and in ascertaining the laws of its dissemination. Throughout the infected localities he fear- lessly took his way, and by his timely efforts in behalf of the sufferers, aided by the skill and wisdom of his minis- trations, he succeeded most happily in diminishing the rate of mortality and restoring to health and usefulness many of his fellow citizens. In 1821, he was appointed Professor of Materia Medica in the Philadelphia College of Phar- macy, then just entering upon its successful career. His selection for this position was peculiarly appropriate, as the attention he had previously bestowed upon pharmacy and its kindred branches enabled him, at the start, to judge of the requirements necessary to instruct apprentices in this art. Neglected for the most part by physicians, pharma- cology was but little cultivated or known throughout the country ; and there were no means provided to train up those who were willing and anxious to acquire a knowledge of this important practical science. By his personal efforts, in which he was aided by the venerable Dr. G. B. Wood, this institution was successfully established, and its influ- ence has been felt throughout the length and breadth of the land. Ile had now fairly entered upon his career as a teacher. IIe joined the association which was organized by Dr. Chapman, and here he first taught Medical Chem- istry, and afterwards Materia Medica and Therapeutics. This association was the germ of the " Medical Institute," which had its own special hall, and in after years (1837) was regularly chartered. In 1827, he was chosen by Pro- fessor Chapman as his Assistant in the University of Penn- sylvania, and there lectured with great success on the Institutes of Medicine. In these addresses, he first intro- duced to the American medical public the important dis- coveries of Laennec, in regard to Auscultation and Percus- sion, the influential doctrines of Broussais on Physiologi- cal Therapeutics, and the profound pathological studies of Louis. The advent of the cholera, in 1832, furnished him another opportunity to manifest his disregard for all personal considerations when the welfare of the community was at stake. He was appointed, by the Board of Health, one of a professional committee to visit Montreal, where the disease had first appeared on this continent, and the re- sult of his and their observations was embodied in a report, published July 8th, 1832. He subsequently took charge of one of the city cholera hospitals himself, and published two elaborate papers on the disease, after its subsidence. In 1835, a separate chair of the Institutes of Medicine was created in the University, and its duties assigned to him. In this professorship he devoted himself with great zeal.
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In his introductory, delivered early in 1837, he advocated the theory of the correlation of forces, a doctrine which, in later years, has been adopted by the scientific world. He filled this position for over a quarter of a century, when the advancing infirmities of age warned him to retire from the scenes of active life. IIe resigned his professorship in 1863. Although the hand of time began to show its weight upon him, the mind was ever bright and active, and he pursued his studies and wrote medical articles as late as 1870. Always ready with the pen, his productions were generally in the form of contributions to periodical litera- ture or the transactions of societies, and confined to ques- tions of professional interest. His professional practice was very large, and he retained it during the entire length of his active years. ITis remarkable sagacity in appreciating the causes of disease, and his wonderful skill to discern and suggest remedies, induced his professional brethren to seek his advice constantly in difficult cases requiring con- sultation. Ilis opinions were sought by physicians from all parts of the country, and often from abroad. Ile was entirely unsparing of self to soothe the sick and dying, and especially to reconcile the latter to the inevitable decree- the lot of humanity-as much the duty of a Christian phy- sician as of a Christian minister. He never deceived, ex- cept when the consequences might prove fatal. Few ever possessed a deeper hold on his fellow beings. In all the chequered scenes of many-colored life, an attractive influ- ence pervaded, and drew many around him to enjoy the inexhaustible resources of a mind that enriched and en- livened, at the same time adding a zest and force to the originality of his ideas. He died April 4th, 1872. He was a member of the American Philosophical Society; and also a corresponding member of the " Académie Royale de Mé lecine," of France.
Ile matriculated at Yale College in 1835, and graduated A. B. in 1839. During his college life, he was a close stu- dent in history and the belles lettres, and gained a high reputation both as a writer and a debater. On his return to his native city, he entered the office of the late Hon. Joseph R. Ingersoll, as a student at law, and was admitted to practice in 1842. A short time after this, he went abroad and passed two years in Europe, travelling through many of its countries, beside passing a considerable time in study. After his return home, although nominally an at- torney at law, he devoted his time chiefly to the manage- ment of important private trusts, and to the prosecution of his favorite studies. In October, 1861, a few months after the outbreak of the Rebellion, he became one of the mem- bers of the Philadelphia Associates of the United States Sanitary Commission, the object of which organization was to collect money and supplies to aid the commission in its work of mercy in affording relief to the sick and wounded of the army. Ile was soon made Chairman of the Com- mittee on Supplies, and served in that capacity during the whole of the war. With the aid of the late Horace Bin- ney, Jr., and Robert M. Lewis, he organized the Women's Branch of the Philadelphia Associates ; and also initiated the movement which culminated in the great Central Fair, commonly called the " Sanitary Fair," in aid of the funds of the United States Sanitary Commission, which was held in Philadelphia during the month of June, 1864, in Logan Square. All these agencies contributed upwards of a mil- lion and a half of dollars to the general treasury of the com- mission. After the close of the fair, and at the request of the Executive Committee, he prepared a volume descrip- tive of the same, entitled, A Memorial of the Great Central Fair in Aid of the Sanitary Commission, held in Philadel- phia, June, 1864. Shortly after this event, he became a member of the Standing Committee of the Commission, and, at the close of the war, he compiled, at its request, The History of the United States Sanitary Commission, which is the official record of its labors. During the war, he was engaged not only in benevolent but also in patriotic work. In December, 1862, he published a small pamphlet, en- titled, How a Free People conduct a Long War, which produced an extraordinary impression. Its object was to prove that the discouragements which our Government and people met with in their efforts to put down the Rebellion were paralleled by the events of the Peninsular War in Spain. Whether it was that the parallel seemed complete, or, simply because words of encouragement in an hour of deep despondency are specially welcome, the result was very remarkable. In a short time, more than a half million copies were distributed throughout the country. The author received letters from many of the most eminent men throughout the Union, bearing testimony to the great good which had been effected by it. Among others, President Lincoln wrote : " The pamphlet is by far the best produc-
TILLÉ, CHIARLES JANEWAY, LL. D., Lawyer, Professor and Provost of the University of Penn- sylvania, was born in Philadelphia, September 23d, 1819. He is a son of John and Maria (Wagner) Stille, and of Swedish descent on his father's side, being descended from that Olof Stille who accompanied Printz-the first Governor of the Swedish Colony on the Delaware-on his voyage, in 1641, and who also, as the millwright of the colony, was probably the buikler of the Swedes' mill on Cobb's creek, the oldest in Pennsylvania. On his mother's side, he is descended from Rev. - Wagner, one of the companions and fellow laborers with Muhlenberg, the great missionary pioneer among the German emigrants of this State. He received his preliminary education in the Academical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, then in charge of Rev. Dr. Crawford, and at the Edge Hill School at Princeton, of which Rev. Dr. E. C. Wines was Principal at that period. I tion upon the subject it treats which I have seen ; the read-
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ing and re-reading of it have afforded me great pleasure, and I believe, also, some profit." A short time afterwards, its author printed another pamphlet : Northern Interests and Southern Independence. In May, 1866, he was chosen by the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, Professor of History and English Literature. He soon felt that the instruction in that institution, although admirably con- ducted, was on too narrow a basis to satisfy the demands of popular feeling. In December of that year, he proposed to the Trustees, as a first step towards reform, that a system of elective studies should be adopted by the Board. Rev. Dr. Goodwin having resigned the office of Provost in June, 1868, the Trustees unanimously elected the present incum- bent as his successor. Yale College, his Alma Mater, con- ferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, during that summer. He was inaugurated to the high position he has since so ably held, September 30th, 1868, and, in his (inaugural) address, took strong ground in favor of the establishment of a Scientific School on the general plan of the Sheffield School at New Haven, as a new department of the University. Shortly afterwards, the Trustees applied for the purchase of the site of the present University buildings in West Philadelphia. After a most tedious negotiation, which lasted more than a year, during which time he was a most active laborer, the City Councils consented to the sale. Arrangements were soon made to erect the present beautiful building for the Collegiate and Scientific Departments. He prepared the plan of organi- zation, which was adopted in March, 1872. The building was opened for the reception of students in September, 1872, with the two Faculties, that of Arts, and that of Sci- ences, filled with some of the ablest men in the country as professors, and thoroughly equipped with the best means of instruction. The number of students has more than doubled within the past five years, and is increasing annu- ally. Ilis labors in this direction are appreciated not only by his colleagues and the Trustees, but by the public in general. He married, in 1846, Anna, daughter of Joseph II. Dulles.
ALES, GEORGE, Merchant, was born at mid- night, on December Ist, 1787, in Bristol, Rhode Island. Ilis father, Nathaniel Fales, was of Welsh extraction, his ancestors having emigrated from Wales to America in 1640, and settled near Boston, Massachusetts. His mother's name was Elizabeth Bradford, a lineal descendant of William Brad- ford, one of the Pilgrim Fathers who crossed the Atlantic in the famous " Mayflower," in 1620, and became the Gov- ernor of Plymouth Colony in 1621, retaining that office for a period of about thirty years. Nathaniel Fales was a far- mer in Rhode Island, and sustained a position of consider- able importance, having been at one time a Judge of the Common Pleas Court in that State, and also a member of
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