USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2 > Part 21
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Į liberal appropriations to build the " Princeton " and " Union." For many years, Surgeon Foltz was an inti- mate friend and medical adviser of the late President Buchanan during his suffering from a painful and pro- tracted local disease. lle also attended him while pros- trated with that mysterious malady termed the " National Ilotel Disease," about the time of his inauguration, March, IS57. On the breaking out of the Rebellion, he was ordered to the Gulf of Mexico on the frigate "Santce," from which he was transferred to the " Niagara" steam frigate, Commodore Mckean's flug ship, and was present at the bombardment of Forts MeCrea and Barrancas, November 22 and 23, 1861. He was next appointed Fleet Surgeon of the Western Gulf Squadron, and had his quar- ters on the " Hartford," the flag ship of Admiral Farragut. Under his direction a hospital was established at Pilot Town for the reception of the wounded. lle was present at the bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, at the capture of the Chalmette Forts, and at the surrender of New Orleans. On May 8th, 1862, when off Baton Rouge, some boats from Farragut's fleet were fired into by gue- rillas; Dr. Foltz went in an open boat, under fire, to attend the wounded. On July 15th, during the battle with the rebel ram "Arkansas" he went on board the " Tyler" in a boat, to peform a like service. From this time forward, for a year and more, he remained attached to the " llartford," until the Mississippi river was virtually opened by the sur- render of Vicksburg, July 4th, 1863. During this period, while New Orleans was occupied by so many Northern troops, and the presence in the river of the great naval force, he had serious apprehensions of the havoc which yellow fever would make, if it made its appearance in that city. By the combined efforts of the Port Physician, and the Military Governor, General Butler, such precautions were taken that the city was entirely exempt from the scourge, though it furiously raged in all the cities of the Gulf, in- cluding Mexico and Cuba. In August, 1863, he returned to New York, and the following year serve:l as a member of the Naval Medical Board, and in 1866, was President of the same. In June, 1867, he was named Fleet Surgeon to the European Squadron under Admiral Farragut, and with that high office made the celebrated cruise in the " Franklin " steam frigate. On his return, in 1870, to the United States, he was again ordered on duty as President of the Medical Board, and was appointed, October 25th, IS71, by the President, Chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and Surgeon General of the Navy with the relative rank of Commodore, and -held these positions until he reached the age of sixty-two years, April 25th, IS72, when he was retired by law. In 1837, he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Yale College; and in March, 1874, was elected one of the Vice-Presidents of the Alumni of the Jefferson Medical College. Ile mar- ried, in 1854, Rebecca, daughter of John F. Steinman, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and has a family of three sons.
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OOD, JAMES FREDERIC, Fifth Bishop of the ; ill health, to return home. On his assumption of the title Roman Catholic diocese of Philadelphia, was and authority of bishop, he vigorously prosecuted the build- ing of the cathedral, which was dedicated, November 20th, 1864; and, on April 4th, 1866, he Iid the corner-stone of the new Seminary near Overbrook. This building was completed in September, 1871, for the reception of its inmates. The preparatory seminary at Glen Riddle, pur- chased during the lifetime of Bishop Neuman, was. then abandoned and the pupi's transferred to the preparatory department of the new edifice; the Glen Riddle establish- ment and farm being sold to the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, who now occupy it as a novitiate. In the administration of the diocese he has manifested abilities of a high order, and under his fostering care it has advanced greatly in importance and to unprecedented prosperity. born, April 27th, ISIC, at the Southwest corner of Front and Chestnut streets, in that city. Ilis parents were both English, and came to this country in 1809, settling in Philadelphia, where his father engaged in business, as a merchant and importer. lle received his elementary education at a school in Dock street, and, in November, 1821, was sent to England for its completion. There, he entered the gran.mar school attached to the church of St. Mary de Crypt, in Gloucester, where he remained for more than five years. After that time he returned home, and continued his studies at the school of Mr. Sanderson, in Market street. In 1827-8, he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and obtained, in that city, a position as check clerk, in the Branch Bank of the United States, being, afterwards, advanced to the post of individual book-keeper and discount elerk. Ile remained thus till IS33, when he was appointed paying and receiving teller, in the Franklin Bank of Cincinnati, and three years subse. quently, cashier, in the same institution. Shortly prior to this, he became converted to the Roman Catholic faith and was baptized, og the 7th of April, 1836, by the Most Rev. Archbishop Purcell of Cincinnati, and confirmed by him, in the same year, in the church of the Most Holy Trinity. In September, 1837, he resigned his position in the bank, and, in October following, went to Rome for the purpose of studying for the church. After spending three or four months at the Irish College, in Rome, of which Cardinal Cullen was then Rector, he entered the College of the Propaganda, (March, 1838,) as a subject of the diocese of Cincinnati. Having completed his studies, he was or- dained priest, by Cardinal Fransoni, Prefect of the Saered Congregation of the Propaganda, March 25th, 1844. Ile then returned to this country, reaching Cincinnati in the ensuing October, after an absence of seven years. Ile was appointed assistant pastor at the Cathedral, continuing so between nine and ten years, when he was appointed pastor of St. Patrick's Church, in Cincinnati. While in that office, he received the Pope's Bull, creating him Coadjutor Bishop of Philadelphia, with the right of succession, and was consecrated Bishop, April 26th, 1857, by the Arch- bishop of Cincinnati. Ile reached Philadelphia in the early part of May, and took charge of the financial affairs of the diocese. His predecessor, Bishop Neuman, dying suddenly, January 5th, 1860, he succeeded to his title and assumed the administration of the diocese. Ile made a second journey to Rome, to be present at the canonization of the Japanese Martyrs, in 1862, and returned thither in 1867, to assist at the eighteen-hundredth anniversary of the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul. He was also a mem- ber of the (Ecumenical Council, which opened at the Vati- ean, December 8th, 1869, and was a warm advocate of the Infallibility of the Roman Pontiff; but, after participating in its deliberations during three months, was compelled, by
ILL, HION. ANDREW II., Lawyer, and State Senator from the Seventeenth District, comprising the counties of Snyder, Union, Northumberlind, and Perry, was born in Baltimore county, Mary- land, January 18th, 1836. Ilis father, Rev. Ilenry G. Dill, was a clergyman of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and in accordance with the custom of that denomination was periodically removed from place to place. In 1849, he entered the Dickinson Seminary, whence he graduated in 1852. Ile entered the Junior Class in Dickinson College in September, 1853, and gradu- ated in the first section in June, 1855. He then engaged in teaching in Frederick county, Maryland, and became a student at law with James Lynch, of Frederick city, where he was admitted to the bar, in the fall of 1858, after which he became a practitioner in Columbia county, Penn- sylvania, and there remained until 1859. In that year be opened an office in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, but after six months associated in a law partnership with his uncle, Isaiah Dill, of Huntsville, Alabama. In April, 1860, he returned to Pennsylvania, and settled in Lewisburg, Union county, where he became actively engaged in the practice of his profession, and has since resided. Ile served as Ist Lieutenant of Company F., 28th Regiment Pennsylvania Militia, during the emergencies of 1862 and 1863, lending his aid to the country in the hours of her most imminent perils. In 1865, he became a member of the firm of Bill- meyer, Dill & Co., boat builders, at Lewisburg, who operate two steam saw mills and are extensively engaged as dealers in square timber, in addition to the production of some seventy-five boats per annum. Receiving the Democratie nomination for the Ilouse of Representatives, in 1869, for the counties of Lycoming, Union, and Snyder, compasing a Republican district, he was elected and took his seat January Ist, 1870. In the fall of IS70, he was elected to the Senate from the same district, for three years, and in I873, was re-elected from his present district. In cach of
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these eontests he ran far ahead of his ticket, carrying in [ the business, which he now carries on, on his own account, each case a Republican district. As a legislator he has been a faithful custodian of the interests of his constituency, and his course has been marked by a conscientious die- votion to his conceptions of the best interests of the whole people.
and enjoys a large and extensive patronage. Personally he is tall and well formed, with a florid complexion and a clear blue eye : his hair, once dark, is now beginning to be tinged by the hand of time. Ile was married, October 16th, 1854, to Eliza Kreider of Lebanon county, who died in March, 1870, leaving him with three children. In 1872, he was married to Sallie G. Lehman of the same county, who lived but a single year after their union.
INGST, JOHN H., Farmer and Merchant, was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, August 9th, 1833, and is the son of Lewis and Rosanna Yingst. His carly years were spent upon his father's farm, where indeed he labored until he TRONG, IION. WILLIAM, LL. D., Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, was born at Somers, Connecticut, May 6th, 1808, and is the son of the Rev. William 1 .. Strong, an eminent Presbyterian clergyman and graduate of Yale College. His preparatory edu- cation was acquired at the Munson Academy, Massachu- setts, and when sixteen years of age he entered the Fresh- man Class of Yale College, pursued the usual four years' course, and graduated with honor to himself and the In- stitution, in 1828. Ile subsequently taught a Classical and Mathematical School, occupying his leisure hours in the study of law, and so continued until February, 1832, when he entered the law school of Yale College. In the follow- ing month of October, he was admitted to the Bar of the Superior Court of Connecticut, and shortly thereafter, he was also admitted to practice in the District Court, and Court of Common Pleas of the City and County of Phila- delphia. On November 17th, of the same year, he opened a law office in Reading, Pennsylvania, and made that city his future residence. In political faith, he was a Democrat of the Old School, and as such was several times elected a member of the City Councils of Reading, and also one of the Controllers of the Public Schools. In 1846, he was elected by the Democracy of the Ninth District (Berks county) as the Representative to Congress, and was re- elected in 1848. Ile served on several important Com- mittees, and was Chairman of the Committee on Elections. In 1850, he declined a re-election and returned to the prac- tice of his profession. In 1857, he was elected by the people of the Commonwealth a Judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania for the term of fifteen years, but resigned his position on the bench, October Ist, 1868, and returned to his practice at the bar. On February 18th, 1870, he was named by President Grant, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, which high position he yet re- tains. While a resident of Reading, he was for many years a Director of the Farmers' Bank of that city, as well as a Director of the Lebanon Valley Railroad; and was counsel for the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company until he went on the bench. In religious faith, he follows in the footsteps of his father, having been for many years a mem- attained manhood's estate. ITis educational ad- vantages were very limited, being only those afforded by the common country schools of that section, and even these benefits were dispensed but a limited portion of the year. Ilis partents' language was the peculiar dialect known as " Pennsylvania Dutch," and his opportunities for acquiring a knowledge of the English tongue were very slight, for it was not taught or even used in the schools of the dis- triet or county ; yet with all these disadvantages, he man- aged by sheer energy, and the perseverance with which he was possessed to gain a sufficient knowledge by which he was enabled, in after years, to rise to a position of respect- ability and affluence. Scarcely had he attained his major- ity than he married, and through the influence of his wife, who was a humble devout Christian, he likewise became one, and as a Christian he has ever sinee consistently walked. Ife remained on his father's farm, actively en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, and receiving a share of the crops in payment for his labors until 1862, when he was able to purchase for himself a farm of 158 acres, and shortly afterwards, another plantation, both being situated in his native county. In 1864, he connected himself with 1). S. Early, of Hummelstown, Dauphin county, on the line of the Lebanon Valley Railroad, and conducted a general warehouse business, proving himself an active energetic partner in the establishment. In the fall of 1866, he disposed of his interests in the firm to his partner and returned to Lebanon county. In June, 1867, he associated himself with Isaac Hoffer, of the borough of Lebanon, and established a large hardware trade, and rapidly rose to prominence and success. In 1870, he sustained a domes- tic bereavement in the loss of his wife, from whom he never was parted during all the years of their intercourse. HIe had been the happiest of men, while leading the quiet life of a farmer, or engaged in business pursuits ; and now that the tie which bound him to home was severed, he re- solved to travel through the great West, a resolution which he carried out, visiting twenty-four of the States, and glean- ing ideas, as he proceeded, of the agricultural resources and business capacities of other localities, and subsequently extending his visit through the Dominion of Canada. On February Ist, 1874, he purchased his partner's interest in ber and a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church, and is
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fully identified with all the leading boards of that denomi- nation. For several years, he has been one of the Vice- Presidents of the American Bible Society, and also of the American Sunday School Union; and, in 1873, was elected President of the American Tract Society. He received, in 1867, the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, from Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania; and, ia 1570, the same honorary diploma was granted him by Nassau Hall, Princeton, New Jersey, and also by his Alma Mater, Vale College, New Haven.
ICKMAN, JOIIN, Lawyer and Statesman, was born near the battle-field of the Brandywine, Pennsylvania, on the anniversary of that cele- brated action, September 11th, ISIO. ITis father was a farmer, widely known and conspicuous for his good, sound, common sense and upright deal- ings. ITis education was acquired from a private tutor, a foreigner by birth, who resided in the neighborhood, and who took particular pains in the thorough instruction of his young pupil. IIe subsequently studied law with IIon. Townsend Ilaines-who afterwards became Judge of the District-and was admitted to the bar in 1832. As a young man, he rendered himself conspicuous in his pro- fession, and soon acquired an excellent reputation as a IIe successful pleader throughout the Commonwealth.
took an active part in the political arena, and warmly espoused Democratic principles; he was wont to " stump" the State, and attracted much attention as an opponent of the views and opinions of Anti-Slavery men, often en- countering their most eminent debaters, and being acknow- ledged by all to be a " foeman worthy of their steel." In debate, he was quick, terse, and withal eloquent, couching his expressions in the choicest language, and carrying con- viction to those who were wavering in their opinions. IIe filled the office of District Attorney for a term, and was honored by the nomination and election to Congress from the then Sixth District-composed of the counties of Chester and Delaware-in 1854, as a Democrat in full standing. It was during the summer of 1355, that he be- came interested in the great struggle then occurring in Kansas; and in order to have the matter properly investi- gated by Congress, he suggested a certain course of action which was adopted by ex-Governor Reeder, who had recently been removed from the Executive chair of the Territory ; and this was to have Reeder run against Whit- field for delegate, and then contest the election ; this plan was fully carried out, subsequently. It was during the memorable days at the opening of the Thirty-fourth Con- gress, when the great contest resulting in the election of N. P. Banks as Speaker, that John Hickman took the initiative of his final abandonment of the Democratic Pro-Slivery secessionist faction, by " shelving Governor
Aitken," the candidate of the " fire-eaters," for Speaker, and standing by the Republican nominee, being determined never to submit to Southern dictation and domination. Just about this time Reeder went to Washington to contest his election with Whitfield, which was done, and Repre- sentative Hickman being on the Committee wrote the Report and presented the same, March 5th, 1856. This led to a close contest between him and Alexander II. Stephens, also a member of the Committee, but finally it resulted in a Committee who were to proceed to Kansas, and the ultimate consequence was that Slavery was not legislated into Kansas, but Popular Sovereignty governed the question. This was the seed which, in after years, produced the Rebellion, and during the whole period of those troublesome times, he was one of the most cour- ageous and resolute men in the House as a defender of the North. And yet, notwithstanding his great opposition to the Buchanan administration, he had been, during the campaign preceding his election, one of his most ardent supporters; but when that President obeyed the behests and demands of the South, he did not hesitate between Liberty and Slavery. Since his retirement from political life, he has devoted himself much to reading, and is considered a fine Shakspearian scholar. As to his religious traits, he was at one period an attendant of the Episcopal Church, though he was never a believer in any sectarian views. IIe is, however, a great Scripture reader, and being possessed of a retentive memory, the accuracy with which he quotes from any of the sacred books is remarkable. ITis powers of conversation are genial, social, and very entertaining, and he is a great lover of home-which is an attractive onc, adorned with a fine picture gallery and a magnificent library. IIc married a sister of General John Wolcott Phelps, a prominent military chieftain during the War of the Rebellion.
VERHART, WILLIAM, Merchant, was born in Vincent township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, May 17th, 1785, and was the eldest son of James Everhart, who, at the age of eighteen years, entered the Army of the Revolution, and suf- fered the many hardships of the days that tried men's souls. William chose a mercantile life, and, before . he attained his majority, entered into business on his own account. During the War of 1812, he raised and drilled a rifle corps, but was not called into service, as peace was declared shortly afterwards. Having determined to be- come an importer of merchandise, he sailed from New York for Liverpool in the packet ship " Albion," and had the misfortune to be wrecked in that vessel on the Irish coast. ITis escape from a terrible death was marvellous, and saved himself by clinging to a rock on which he secured literally but a foothold, as he could only rest one foot at a time on its narrow surface. By the lowering of a
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rope from the overhanging cliffs, which he attached to his body, he was drawn up to a place of safety, and received very kind treatment at the hands of the Irish peasantry who rescued him. Such a miraculous preservation as was his, out of such a terrible wreck and loss of life-for he was the only passenger out of twenty-two that was saved-ex- cited the public sensibility throughout Europe and America, and on his arrival in Liverpool, he received marked atten- tion. Ile was thus left perfectly destitute, a stranger in a foreign land, having, in some way, lost $10,000. Although this amount was found, and freely and earnestly offered to him by the officers of the Government, and although it was probably the very money he had lost, yet he refused to re- ceive it, fearing he might be mistaken in its identity ; thus manifesting a rare instance of sterling integrity. He was, however, well cared for, and amply repaid his patrons in after years, during the Irish famine, by large donations which he remitted from the United States : and to such an extent did he remember the favors he had received when cast away, that his name will not be forgotten by the thou- sands whose miseries were alleviated by his gifts, and by their descendants in all future years. On hi; return to the United States, he removed to West Chester, where he pur- chased large tracts of land, including the " Wollerton Farm." Ile improved these in various ways, laying out streets and donating them to the town, and on the lots and blocks so formed, he crected many elegant buildings. So manifest were the improvements he projected and executed that the borough throve exceedingly, and it was soon doubled in extent. Ile remained an importing merchant for thirty years, when he retired from active business pur- suits. In political creed, he was a Whig of the IIenry Clay school, and, in 1852, he was nominated and elected as the Representative in Congress, from the district com- posed of Chester and Delaware counties, receiving a largely increased vote over the average on that ticket. Ile was a man of simple habits, plain and unostentatious in his man- ners, but withal of bold and successful enterprise ; and his character as a merchant and capitalist was without a spot or blemish. He was universally respected, and his death was considered a public loss.
IIOMAS, ISAAC, M. D., Physician, was born in Willistown, Chester county, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 16th, 1797, and is a son of Mordecai and Lydia (Hooper) Thomas, both of whom were zealous members of the Society of Friends. ITis primary education was obtained in the schools of the neighborhood, and he also passed a year at the boarding school of Joshua Hooper in Merion, Montgomery county, closing with an attendance at the academy in Westchester. Having selected the medical profession as his future sphere, he duly prepared himself, and matriculated at the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, in 1817, and after the prescribed three
years' course of studies graduated therefrom, and forthwith commenced practice in Delaware county, where, however, he remained but a few months. Finding a better field of duty, he removed to Westchester, in the fall of 1820, and devoted himself industriously to the practice of his profes- sion, in which he met with marked success. He soon ae- quired an extensive patronage, which he retained until 1858, when, after nearly forty years of service, he relin- quished practice, and retired from the active duties of his profession, although at times his ripe experience and ju- dicious counsel is sought for in consultations with the pre- sent practitioners of the healing art; all of whom bear honorable testimony to his skill and excellence. For twenty years he has been a member of the State Medical Society, and he has also been for a long period connected with the National Medical Association. In 1858, he went to Europe, where he sojourned for three months. In public affairs and improvements he has ever taken a lively interest, and by his efforts has contributed largely to the growth and prosperity of the beautiful town of Westchester. He was one of the Trustees of the academy there for many years, and prior to its conversion to the Normal School. IIe was also a member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Westchester during its existence. For twenty-one years he was a Director of the Westchester Railroad Company, and during eight years was President of the Board. Ile was also a Director of the old Chester Bank for thirty-five years, resigning therefrom in 1872, on account of ill-health. Thus it will be seen that his services have been for many years sought for and obtained in the various positions whose developments tend towards the advancement and prosperity of the country in general. In political belief, he has been a life-long opponent of the Democracy. Ile has never al- lowed himself to take an active part save on one occasion, when his name was placed on the Anti-Masonic ticket for the Legislature ; but the opposition proved successful. Per- sonally, he is short in stature, being a trifle below the me- dium height. In conversation he is fluent and agreeable, at the same time possessing the gem of true modesty. Al- though he has passed the allotted limit of "three score years and ten," he is in the full enjoyment of all his facul- ties. Ile was married, in 1324, to Ann C., daughter of the eminent Charles Miner, whose reputation is national. In 1835, he was again married to Mary II., daughter of George Brinton of Chester county, his former wife having died in 1832.
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