USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2 > Part 12
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In the summer of 1863, when the soil of Pennsylvania was invaded by the Confederate army under General Lee, he was appointed by Governor Curtin one of the mustering officers, with the rank of Major, to muster in the troops that volunteered for ninety days' service in response to the Gov- ernor's proclamation of June 26th, 1863, calling for sixty thousand mien for the defence of the State. Ile was assigned to duty at the temporary rendezvous on the Agri- cultural Fair Grounds at Reading, which was designated, in compliment to him, " Camp Hiester ; " and in the execu- tion of his military commission, mustered into the State service eight full regiments of volunteers, comprising an aggregate force of eight thousand men. Ile has since acted with the Republican party, and at the election of October, 1864, was the Republican candidate for Congress in the Berks county district. Since then, he has in a great measure withdrawn from active participation in public affairs, although he continues to take a lively interest in all enter- prises of a benevolent, religious, and business nature which have in view the moral and material advancement of his native city. Ile is a Director in the Reading Library Company, the Charles Evans Cemetery Company, and the Reading Gas Company, and a liberal supporter of the public and private charities of the place.
UVLER, THEODORE, LL. D., Lawyer, was born at Poughkeepsie, New York, in the year 1821, and is a son of the late Rev. Cornelius C. Cuyler, G J). D., a distinguished divine of the Presbyterian 6 Church. On his father's side, he is of Ilolland descent, his paternal ancestors having emigrated from Leyden, as early as 1650, and settled in the province of Nieuw Amsterdam, afterwards New York. Ilis paternal grandmother was a sister of Chief Justice Robert Yates. Ile was principally educated in Philadelphia, and graduated at the University of Pennsylvania, with honors, in the class of 1838. On leaving college, he entered the law office of the late Charles Chauncey, where he pursued his studies, and was admitted to practice at the bar of Philadelphia, in 1842; and having opened an office, soon commanded a respectable and lucrative practice in the civil courts of the county, State, and United States. He has, in the course of his long practice of over thirty years, been professionally engaged in every leading cause argued in Pennsylvania; and has often participated in others in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Ile was on the defence in the Christiana Treason Trials, and made the opening speech in that case; and he has been retained in many of the great patent cases before the Federal Courts, including the celebrated Woodworth Planing Machine. Ile has also been engaged in numer us celebrated railroad cases, including that of Mott vs. Pennsylvania Railroad, IS57; and has argued against the constitutionality of the
tonnage tax as applicable to that corporation. IIe has been, since 1856, the general counsel of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company, and, through all its great developments and extensions, has conducted its vast litigations with such eminent ability and success that his reputation as a leading American lawyer has risen, and grown, and spread like the mammoth corporation-client he so successfully represents. One of his finest forensic efforts was made-in the interest of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as lessees of the united railroads of New Jersey-before the Vice-Chancellor of New Jersey on a motion for an injunction against the proposed National Railway Company. In political opinion, he is of the ancient Democratic faith, and during the Civil War was an adherent of that branch known as War De- mocrats. He has long been identified with the progressive movements of his adopted city. Ile has been a Director and for nine years a Controller of its Public Schools. For eight years he was a member of, and for four years Presi- dent of, Select Council. Ile has been frequently nomi- nated for the Legislature, and on three several occasions as a Representative in Congress, but has always declined. In the fall of 1872, he was elected a member of the Con- yention to revise the Constitution of Pennsylvania, and ably served the people in that important body. Ile was a mem- ber of the Committees on the Judiciary and Printing. In religious belief, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Ile was created Doctor of Laws in 1865.
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EVIS, RICHARD J., M. D., Physician and Sur- geon, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1827, and is the son of the late Dr. M. M. Levis, a well-known practitioner of medicine, who died in 1872 ; and grandson of Richard Levis, an officer of the Revolutionary army. The family was originally French, and the name was formerly written de Levis ; but having settled in England the prefixed particle was dropped, and the name became what it now is. The American founder of the family was an associate of William Penn, and of the same religious persuasion, who landed in Pennsylvania, in 1680, and settled within a few miles of Philadelphia. The practice of medicine has been the pro- fession followed by the heads of the family for two centuries. Richard J. Levis was cducated in the public schools of his native city, closing with the High School, where he gra- duated with honor and received his degree of M. A. Ile pursued his medical studies in Jefferson College, being also a private student of the late Professor Mutter, devoting his attention more particularly to surgery. Having obtained his Doctorate, in 1848, he commenced the practice of me- dicine and surgery, and soon enjoyed a lucrative patronage. Ile was appointed, in 1859, Surgeon to the Philadelphia Ilospital, one of the largest cleemosynary institutions in the country. During the late Civil War he was placed in
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charge of two military hospitals in Philadelphia, instituted ; The Schollenberger-Brinton case, relating to the legality of particularly for the treatment of deformities from gunshot wounds, and while in this position 1800 cases of amputation came under his care. Ilis services to the country in this sphere have been highly commended, and have contributed materially to win for him a national reputation as one of the first operative surgeons of America. IIe was subsequently appointed Surgeon to the Wills' Ilospital for Diseases of the Eye; and, in 1867, Clinical Lecturer on Ophthalmic and Aural Surgery in Jefferson Medical College. In 1871, he was elected Surgcon to the Pennsylvania Hospital. IIe is deservedly popular with students as a clinical teacher. As a lecturer his remarks are clear, terse, and to the point ; and as an operator he is prompt, rapid, and skilful. ITis clinies are made interesting and instructive by the number and variety of the cases presented and operated upon. He has also been a large contributor to surgical literature. Ile married, in 1855, Ilenrietta, daughter of Charles Ro- berts, a prominent citizen of Philadelphia.
REWSTER, FREDERICK CARROLL, LL.D., . Lawyer, was born May 15th, 1823, and is a son of the late Francis E. Brewster, a distinguished member of the Philadelphia bar. He was edu- cated in the best of private academies, and gra- duated with honor, in the class of IS41, at the University of Pennsylvania, and made a public address at the commencement. He subsequently entered his father's office, where he enjoyed rare and unequalled advantages while reading for his profession. Ile was admitted to practice in 1844, and speedily commanded an extensive and luera- tive patronage. His success was principally achieved in the civil courts, but the first cases in which he distinguished himself were the celebrated trials of Cunningham-a police- man-who killed a prisoner; Lennair, who, while gunning, shot a farmer in self-defence; and Kirkpatrick, accused of poisoning his brother by means of arsenie, bountifully sprinkled over a pie sent as a Christmas present. In each of these cases he was successful, the last, indeed, established his reputation as a leader of the Philadelphia bar. In 1856, he undertook an important political case. The elec- tion for the District Attorneyship was contested between William B. Mann and Lewis C. Cassiday, and he gained the case for the former. ITis conduet of the cause was most able. This question was scarcely settled when the Bank of Pennsylvania suspended payment. Its President, Thomas Allibone, was bitterly condemned by the press and by the people ; and was indieted by the Grand Jury for conspiracy to defraud the bank. The case was tried before Judge Thomp- son. The defence was placed in his hands, and associated with him were the late William M. Meredith, Judge Thayer, and ex.Chief Justice Lewis, the result being the acquittal of the defendant. The great legal issues of the war, how- ever, brought yet more fully into view his professional ability.
paying in the new United States currency a ground rent, payment of which, by express stipulation, was to be made in silver, was gained in favor of the currency by him, and established the constitutionality of the Legal Tender Act of Congress of 1862. The argument in this case was sub- stantially, that Congress-the. law.making power-had authority to make laws; and that these laws when made could change contracts previously entered into. This posi- tion was thrice sustained by judicial decisions. The Legal Tender case was succeeded by those of the Chestnut Street Bridge, the Girard Trust, and the Bounty Loans. The conduct of these devolved upon him, by virtue of his official position as City Solicitor, to which he had been chosen, in 1862, by a movement independent of party, and brought about by such men as Caleb Cope, E. W. Clark, George II. Stuart and others-men who fully appreciated the mag- nitude of the interests to be involved in issues certain to arise, and who paid, in the mere fact of choosing him, a high tribute to the integrity and ability of their candidate; and they not only elected him, but three years later he was re-elected to the same office. Ile did not, however, finish his second term, in consequence of being chosen, in Octo- ber, 1866, a Judge of the Court of Con mon Pleas of the City and County of Philadelphia. llis term of office was ten years, but, on October 23d, 1869, he was tendered by Governor Geary, and accepted the position of Attorney- General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, retaining it until the close of the Governor's incumbency. Ile then returned to the practice of his profession, in which he is assisted by his two sons, Frederick C. and Francis E. Brewster, both of whom are of marked ability, and promise to bear honorably the obligations imposed upon them by the distinguished position their father has attained. Ilis Alma Mater has conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, and he has been twice elected Presi- dent of the Society of the Alumni. He has also found time, amid his numerous engagements, to collate and to write several legal works. Ile was married, in 1850, to Emma, daughter of the late W. P. C. Barton, M. D., at one time Senior Surgeon United States Navy ; and has six children surviving, two daughters and four sons.
ULME, JOHN, Manufacturer, was born in Lan- cashire, England, in the year 1808, and came to America, in 1817, with his father, Thomas Ilulme, with whom he resided in Philadelphia for many years. In 1833, he was selected by the stock- holders of the Louisville and Portland Canal to take charge of that work, which had been until that date a profitless enterprise. Under his able management it became a success, and in the course of the ensuing nineteen years, during all of which period he directed its operations, the Federal Government was enabled, out of the dividends ac-
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cruing upon the stock belonging to the United States, to | purchase the shares owned by private individuals, thu ; rendering it almost a free canal-no more tolls being charged at the present time than are necessary to defray the ordinary expenses of maintaining the work. Shortly after his removal to Louisville, he purchased the Surasson Slills, at the Falls of the Ohio, and embarked largely in the manu- facture of flour, and of cement, or water-lime, from a rock which he found in that vicinity. Ile introduced the use of this cement in the construction of cisterns throughout the valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi, and the health of those sections of the country were materially improved by its use. Ilaving accumulated a large fortune, he returned to Phila- delphia, in 1852, to reside, and retired from active business pursuits, devoting his time to the management of his private fortune, and to the estates of others committed to his care. In his private relations he was kind and generous, and was ready to aid by his advice, by his labor, and by his means, those who appealed to him and deserved his assistance. I.adies or aged men who required some one to take charge of their estates, orphans who were in any respect depen- dent upon him, and persons in the humbler classes who looked to him for succor, were the recipients of his kind- ness. Few citizens have administered so many and diverse estates as he had charge of, or so faithfully and beneficially at- tended to the interests of those who entrusted their all to him. He was elected a Director of the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1858, and was for several years Chairman of one of its most important committees, but during the later years of his life was an earnest opponent of its management, especially in regard to the fast freight lines run over its road by an out- side corporation. He was also a large Stockholder in the Northern Central Railway, and strongly opposed the pro- posed lease of that road to the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany. Ile always took more or less interest in public affairs. While a resident of Louisville, he was a member of their City Council, and though he held no pub ic posi- tion in Philadelphia, his influence was exerted in behalf of what he believed to be for the public good. He was no- minated as an independent candidate for Congress in the Second District, shortly after the termination of the war, but was defeated. Towards the close of his life he was a pro- minent member of the Reform Club. As a citizen, he was broad and comprehensive in his views ; honest, upright, and brave. He died April 22d, 1874.
OKER, GEORGE H., Poet, was born in Phila- delphia, in 1824. His education was commenced in his native city, and completed at the College of New Jersey, Princeton, of which he is a graduate. Soon after leaving college, he paid a visit to France and England. Returning, he took up his residence in Philadelphia. He first appeared as an author early in 1848, with a volume of his poems, entitled,
The Lesson of Life. This was followed by the tragedy of Caluynos, which under the direction of Edmund Phelps, the English tragedian, met with successful representation in England. In February, 1850, he produced the tragedy of Anne Boleyn, and after it came two plays : The Betro- thal and All the World a Mask ; both of which have been produced in Philadelphia with success, as also has been Calaynos. His next volume, The Podesta's Daughter and other Poems, was published at the close of 1851 ; a num- ber of these have been translated into German, and reprinted in an American Anthology. Later he wrote the tragedies of Leonor de Guzman, and Francesca da Rimini-the latter an extension of the celebrated episode in Dante's Inferno --- and both were produced on the stage with fair success. The commencement of the Civil War changed the direction of the poet's activity, and as a devoted, loyal Union man, he gave all his energies towards keeping alive, organizing and consolidating the patriotic sentiment of the country. Ilis lyrics-and in addition to his larger efforts he has all through his career contributed to the literary magazines lyrics and ballads of sterling merit-went over the land, stirring and encouraging the people; and he was one of the very first to seize upon the plan of utilizing the power of the loyal population, by the creation of Leagues, as a civil reserve which should morally strengthen the soldiers in the field. He was one of the founders, and as Secretary the most active officer of the Union League of Philadelphia, which sent ten regiments into the field, and accomplished a greater amount of important work than any other similar organization in the country. His Poems of the War were collected and published as a volume, in 1864, and several editions were issued during that year. In the following year, he delivered a poem, entitled, Our Heroic Themes, before the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Harvard University, which was enthusiastically received, and subsequently re- peated in Philadelphia at the re-union of the officers of the Army of the Potomac. Ilis last volume, published in 1869, is Konigsmarke, the Legend of the Hounds, and other Poems. In 1.72, he was offered the Mission to the Turkish Em- pire by President Grant, and for the past two years he has resided at Constantinople.
ANDELL, GEORGE, Ship Builder, was born in Philadelphia, September 10th, 1787. IIe started in life with but few advantages; nevertheless, by industry and ability, he worked his way to honor and fortune. In his youth he was apprenticed to William Preston, an old and esteemed boat builder, and, at the age of twenty-one, was established in business as the partner of Isaac Eyre, ship builder. IIe soon made himself worthy of the patronage of the most substantial of Philadelphia shipping merchants, Stephen Girard being among his first customers. During the War of 1812, he was engaged in building Government vessels,
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and, among others, the privateer " Snapper " for the late Admiral Stewart. He also served as Quartermaster-Sergeant to the Northern Liberty Artillery, thus doing-double service for his country, in contributing to the naval force besides shouldering his musket for her defence. In 1828, he changed his business, and established the lumber-yard now located on Beach street, above Laurel. Ile was among the originators of the old Kensington Bank, and the Ken- sington Gas Company. He is one of the most deservedly popular men in the State, a philanthropist, a finished gentle- man, kind-hearted and generous, having numerous friends who bear unqualified testimony to his affability, integrity and probity in his business relations, and to steadfastness in his friendships. IIe has had the satisfaction of seeing his sons all established in business in his and their native city, and where his footsteps have been printed from youth to old age. W. J. Landell, late of Eyre & Landell; Isaac F. Landell, managing partner in his father's business; and G. A. & E. A. Landell, prosperous and highly esteemed oil manufacturers-are all exemplary sons of a worthy sire. Ile was married, in May, 1811, and the 60th anniversary of his nuptials was celebrated May 20; 1871, in the presence of his children, grandehildren, and great-grandchildren- numbering in all thirty-eight.
ANCOCK, WINFIELD SCOTT, Major-General United States Army, was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, February 14th, 1824, and is the son of Benjamin Franklin and Elizabeth IIancoek, who removed to Norristown in 1828. IIe attended the academy in that town for some years, and, on July Ist, 1840, when sixteen years of age, proceeded to West Point, whence he graduated, June 30th, 1844, standing No. 18 in his class. IIe was while a eadet an associate of President Grant, Generals Pleasanton, Rey- nolds, Ord and Augur. IIe was appointed, July Ist, 1844, Brevet Second Lieutenant Sixth Infantry, and served upon the western frontier. Ile was commissioned Second Lieu- tenant June 18th, 1846, and thereafter was conspicuous during the War with Mexico for gallantry displayed in the several contests at San Antonio, Cherubusco, Molino del Rey, and at the City of Mexico; in recognition of which he was, August, 1848, brevetted First Lieutenant, to take rank from the date of Cherubusco; he became Adjutant of his regiment in 1849. Ile was appointed Captain and As- sistant Quartermaster, in November, 1855, and at the out- break of the late Civil War exercised a powerful influence in Los Angelos, California, to ealm the storm of passion and fanaticism which threatened to separate that section from its allegiance to the Union. Relieved at his own re- quest, he hastened to Washington, reported for service, and was assigned to duty as Chief Quartermaster on the staff of General Robert Anderson ; but before entering upon his land 1872; and at the Pennsylvania State Convention, 1869,
duties was-at the suggestion of General Mcclellan-ap- pointed by President Lincoln a Brigadier-General of Volun- teers, September 23d, 1861, and placed in command of a brigade of four regiments attached to the division of General W. F. Smith. On October 9th, 1861, his command occu- pied Lewinsville, in the advance, and was the leading column in the advance on Yorktown; by his brilliant charge on the enemy, April 4th, 1862, he won the brevet rank of Major United States Army. ITis conduct during the Cam- paign on the Peninsula led the General-in-Chief to urge his promotion to Major-General United States Volunteers --- and subsequently to three brevet commissions in the Re- gular Army. IIe was made a Division Commander on the field of Antietam. IIe was subsequently conspicuous for bravery at Fredericksburg, and though badly wounded re- fused to quit the field. A second time he was recommended for promotion as Major-General United States Volunteers, and this time obtained it. For gallantry at Chancellors- ville, May, 1863, he was assigned by President Lincoln to the command of the Second Corps, with which he gal- lantly opposed the advance of Lee at Gettysburg; and during the absence of General Meade he commanded the army until July 2d. Not a plan of his was changed, and the result of that desperate struggle attests his military genius. IIe fell severely wounded and was borne from the field. Though still suffering from his wounds, he was or- dered to Washington, December 15th, 1863, and was pro- minently named in official circles as the future Commander of the Army of the Potomac, but he disclaimed all desire for the position. Being physically disqualified for field duty, he was assigned to reeruit his depleted corps. All through the North an ovation from patriotic citizens was given him, and swords of honor presented. IIe rejoined his command, March 18th, 1864, and at the battle of the Wilderness, May 5th, was again wounded, though he would not qui the field. IIere he won his Brigadier-Generalship, Regular Army. Ile was actively engaged in the Campaign of 1364, until June 17th, when he was compelled to turn over the command of his corps on account of the wound received at Gettysburg, which had never healed. IIe shortly after resumed duty, and for five months was in every eon- test and victory. He returned to Washington, November, 1864, where he recruited the Veteran Corps of 50,000 men. In February, 1865, he was appointed to Command the Middle Department, headquarters at Winchester, Virginia, where he remained watching the enemy until Lee's sur- render. On March 13th, 1865, he was breveted Major- General United States Army for gallant and meritorious services at Spottsylvania, and, July 26th, 1866, was promoted to a Major-Generalship in the army. Since the war he has Commanded the Departments of the Missouri and of the Gulf, and now the Division of the Atlantic. He has been prominently before the publie as a candidate for nomina- tion by the Democratie party for President, both in 1868
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was named for the Governorship of his native State, but | gaged in active duties, until its term expired. Resuming respectfully declined the honor. He was married, January 24th, 1850, to Almira, daughter of Samuel Russell, a prominent merchant of St. Louis, Missouri.
AMPBELL, JAMES HIEPBURN, Lawyer, was born at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, February 8th, 1820, and is a son of Francis C. Campbell, for many years a leading member of the bar in that town ; and a grandson of Rev. John Camp- bell, who was Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, for more than thirty years. llis mother was a daughter of Judge Hepburn, formerly of Northumberland, Pennsylvania. Like his father, he was destined for the profession of the law, and was admitted to practice in 1841, having graduated at the Law Department of Dickinson College, Carlisle. Ile rapidly rose to eminence, and having located at Pottsville, secured a large and lucra- tive patronage, and for twenty-three years of professional life always ranked among the most prominent men at the bar. In 1844, he represented his District in the Whig National Convention at Baltimore, when IIenry Clay re- ceived the nomination for the Presidency, and was one of his ablest supporters in the campaign which followed. In October, 1854, although residing in a district largely De- mocratic, he was elected as a Whig member of the Thirty- fourth Congress, and supported N. P. Banks for Speaker, taking an active part in the prolonged contest which en- sued. Though a new member, and one of the youngest men in the House, he was placed upon the Committee of Ways and Means. In IS5S, he was again triumphantly elected to the House, and took a leading part in opposition to all the measures of President Buchanan's administration, which had in view the extension of slavery to Kansas and the Territories. In 1860, his speech in opposition to the Crittenden Compromise placed him among the leaders of that body. In the same year, he represented his State on the Committee of Thirty-three, of which Ilon. Thomas Corwin of Ohio was Chairman. He also, in 1860, carried his district for the third time in an even contest, and after a severe struggle by a handsome majority. In the stormy times which followed he voted for and advocated every measure calculated to strengthen the Government and sup- press the Rebellion. An uncompromising friend of the Union, he left home, April 17th, 1861, to aid in the de- fence of the National Capital, and passing through the ruffian bands of Baltimore, on the 19th, arrived in Washington the same day and immediately enlisted as a private in Major Cassius M. Clay's battalion, and was engaged in active duty with that command until its disbandment. On May Ist, ISGI, he was elected Major of the 25th Regiment, Penn- sylvania Volunteers, Colonel Henry L. Cake, of the three months' service. He accepted the position, and was en-
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