The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2, Part 48

Author: Robson, Charles. 4n; Galaxy Publishing Company. 4n
Publication date: 1874
Publisher: Philadelphia : Galaxy Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 894

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teenth year, John Gerlacher being his tutor for the major portion of that time. An orphan at sixteen years of age, he resolved to learn some useful trade, and leaving his native place in February, IS16, he walked to High Spire, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania; arriving there, he entered into an engagement with his cousin, John Sener, to serve with him four and a half years, in order to learn the busi. ness of cutlery manufacture. At this time his salary was forty dollars per year, each day's labor averaging from fourteen to fifteen hours. In August, IS20, he returned to Lancaster; and in the following September, accompanied by Daniel Hoffman, likewise a cutler, removed to Frederick City, Maryland. Leaving this town shortly after, they moved to Ilagerstown, in the same State, where they leased a shop, procured all necessary utensils for the manufacture of cutlery, and commenced business on a limited scale. Meeting with little success, he went thence to Petersburg, IInntingdon county, Pennsylvania, where his uncle, George Rung, then resided ; while there, he was still unsuccessful in his designs, and finally returned to Hagerstown, Mary- land, whence he travelled to Winchester, North Carolina. Subsequently, he moved to Martinsburg, Virginia, vid Loudon, where he applied for employment at the house of Charles Gilgorc, who was engaged in the cutlery busi- ness, Finding no employment here, he started afoot up the valley for a distance of six miles, and crossed the Cave Mountains, returning ultimately to Petersburg, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. In this town he was employed by Jacob Eberly, in whose establishment he continued for two weeks, then returned to Lancaster vid Harrisburg. Sub- sequently, he worked at his trade at a salary of thirty-seven and a half cents per diem, and also at harvesting for fifty cents per diem. In October, he was employed by David Brady, for whom he worked for one year, his wages being his share of the estate of his father, he moved to York, Pennsylvania, and, assisted by a younger brother, Frede- rick, commenced business in York borough. At the ex- piration of thirteen months, he returned to Lancaster, and there pursued the same occupation with moderate success. Until the spring of 1848, he was engaged in the manufac- ture of edge tools, when he purchased the lumber yard whose business had been in the hands of his brothers, Jacob and Frederick Sener, from 1832 to 1848. In this venture, by the exercise of constant economy and perse- verance, he soon met with great success. Later, he asso- ciated with him in partnership his two sons, under the firm- name of G. Sener & Sons, and also opened a branch establishment at Ephrata, which was managed by his son Vard. He was actively engaged in this business nntil

ENER, GODLIEB, Lumber Merchant, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, April 23d, 1800. Ilis grandfather emigrated from Germany to the ' William, and known under the name of Sener Brothers' United States in the middle of the eighteenth century, and settled in the above-named section ! December 21st, 1870, when he retired, leaving his sons to of Pennsylvania; his father was John Sener, of | develop to a still greater extent the trade which had grown German extraction on both the paternal and maternal side. so prosperously under his own management. During the Ilis education was acquired between his seventh aud four- late war, he was a firm supporter of the Government, and

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did all in his power to sustain the Union cause. He has | been repeatedly solicited to accept various positions of trust and honor, but invariably has declined. He was married, August 13th, 1826, to Rebecca Zahn, daughter of Godfried Zahn, of Winchester, and has had seven children, four boys and three girls. One of his sons, Will.am, learned the trade of watch-making, in Philadelphia, but was after- ward taken into partnership with his father. Another has been a bank director for many years, and is noted for his enterprise and ability. The house of G. Sener & Sons is the largest lumber firm in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.

ERR, MARTIN L., Surgeon and Physician, was barn in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, Septem- ber 13th, 1838. His father, Christian B. Herr, was a wealthy and well-known farmer of that county, and noted for his thorough knowledge and capability as an agriculturist. Ilis mother was a daughter of Martin Light, one of the most prominent and influential politicians in this section of the State, and one distinguished by the energy and ability evinced in all his actions and operations. Martin L. Herr is of German extraction, and acquired his early education in the Penn- sylvania State Normal School, located at Millersville. Upon the completion of his course of elementary studies, he became a pupil in the Medical University of Nashville, Tennessee. In his twenty-sixth year, he graduated with honors from this institution, and, being an ardent advocate of the Union, decided to connect himself with the Govern- ment forces and assist in supporting its honor and integrity. In 1864, accordingly, he entered the United States Volun- teer Army as Surgeon, and was immediately assigned to active hospital duties. While engaged in this manner, he fully appreciated the worth of the wide experience attendant upon such an occupation ; and, through elose attention and studious perseverance, added greatly to his store of surgical and medical knowledge. He served in this capacity until the winter of 1866, winning many encomiums in every quarter for the able and conseientious manner in which he performed his allotted duties, and for his patient careful- ness and upright deportment. Returning subsequently to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, he entered upon the civil practice of his profession, and was soon the possessor of an exten- sive, lucrative and honorable business. In early boyhood he constantly evineed a strong liking for the professions of surgery and medicine, and up to the present time this at- tachment has been always on the increase. One strongly biased toward an especial vocation, and endowed also with unusual talents and attainments, eould scarcely fail to attain a prominent position in that vocation, if onee adopted. Of the truth of this assertion he is a striking example, and, being still young and vigorous, he may justly look forward to reaching even a higher position than that occupied by

him at present. He has been a member of the Lancaster City School Board, and is a member of the lower branch of the City Councils, serving in both of these offices with great credit to himself and entire satisfaction to all parties concerned. He is, moreover, a prominent and influential member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the St. James Episcopal Church, in whose movements and affairs he takes a warm and active interest. In all public enterprises he is a prompt and energetie mover, and is al- ways among the foremost of those who seek to ameliorate the condition of their fellow-citizens, and develop the resources of their State. He was married, September 6th, 1870, to a daughter of the late John A. Hubley.

RISBIN, JAMES SANKS, Soldier, is the son of Ezra D. Brisbin, of Boalsburg, Centre county, Pennsylvania, where he was born, May 23d, 1837. His early education he received in the Aaronsburg Institute, and subsequently in Jeffer- son College, Cannonsburg, leaving the latter institution, however, in 1857, before completing the usual course. He then began the study of the law at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, but soon after abandoned this pursuit, and in 1859 beeame Editor of the Centre Democrat, published in his native county. In this capacity he served until the outbreak of the war. Enlisting as private in a company of volunteers, he was appointed by Senator Cameron, then Secretary of War, Second Lieutenant in the Ist United States Dragoons, now the Ist Cavalry. After reporting for anty at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, he remained there until July, 1861, when he was placed in command of a detachment of recruits, and proceeded to Washington, District of Columbia. Before his arrival there the army had moved toward Manassas ; joining it immediately before the action at Bull Run, Virginia, he reported to General Blenker, and was ordered into action. During the engage- ment he was wounded in the side, but did not retire; and when the army retreated, he was ordered by General Meigs to take position in the road near Centreville, in order to check the flying troops. While performing this duty, he was severely wounded in the head by a sabre eut from one of the officers whose retreat he was endeavoring to protect. Subsequently, he was allotted three months' sick leave, and while at home was appointed First Lieutenant, August 5th, 1861; on the same day he also received his commis- sion as Captain in the 6th United States Cavalry. In the following October, he joined his new regiment at Bladens- burg, Maryland, and was sent. on recruiting service to Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained until May, 1862. While here, he was commissioned, by Governor Dennison, Major of the 3d Ohio Cavalry, and joined the regiment at Monroeville, in that State. But, under the orders of the War Department, forbidding Regular officers accepting

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any volunteer commission below the rank of colonel, he relinquished this commission, and, in May, 1862, rejoined his regiment in General Pleasanton's command, at Harri- son's Landing, Virginia. He participated in the second battle of Malvern Ilill, Virginia, August 5th, 1862; and in the same month, was transferred with the Army of the Poto- mac to northern Virginia, to the relief of General Pope; during the ensuing campaign he took part, under General Sigel, in the battle at Fall's Church. During the Maryland campaign of 1832, he participated in the skirmishes and battles at Amosville, Barber's Cross Roads, and near Peters- ville, Maryland; and, after the battle of Antietam, was en- gaged with a detached command in scouting the country about Harper's Ferry, down the river to Sandy Hook and Berlin, also to Lovettsville, Virginia. In November, 1862, he was with the advance of the Army of the Potomac, and during the march down along the Blue Ridge, was with General Pleasanton in the actions of Upperville, Union, and the series of skirmishes between the Potomac river and Warrenton. June 9th, 1863, he commandeel a squadron at the battle of Beverly Ford, Virginia, and, for gallant and meritorious service in that action, was brevetted Major in the United States Army. Detached in the same month, he reported, under orders, to General Couch, commanding the Department of the Susquehanna, and was made Chief of Cavalry. He then organized and commanded the cavalry militia of the State, at Harrisburg, to resist Lee's invasion, and was engaged in the pursuit of Imboden from western Pennsylvania to western Virginia. Relieved in July, 1863, lie rejoined his command at Falling Waters, Maryland; was again with the advance guard in the march along the Blue Ridge Mountains, when he engaged in a number of skirmishes, and was present at the battle of Brandy Station, Virginia, October 1St, 1863. He had early advocated the employment of colored troops, and July Ist, 1864, was commissioned and mustered as Colonel of the Colored Volunteer Cavalry. Reporting to General Banks at New Orleans, he became Chief of Staff to the cavalry com- mander, General A. L. Lce, and participated in the Red River campaign of March and April, 1864. In the follow. ing November, he participated in a successful raid into southwestern Virginia, having for its object the destruction of the enemy's salt-works. Subsequently, he was engaged at Kingsport, Abington, Wytheville, and Marion. For dis- tinguished action in this last-named battle, he was brevetted Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army, and Brigadier. General, United States Volunteers. March 13th, 1865, he was commissioned Colonel by brevet, United States Army ; May Sth, of the same year, Brigadier-General of Volunteers; and, in January, 1866, Major-General by brevet, United States Volunteers. In May, 1865, he commanded the Pro- visional Department of Kentneky ; and, in the ensuing fall, was ordered to Arkansas. January 15th, 1866, he was mustered out as Brigadier and Brevet Major-General, but soon after re-commissioned as Lieutenant-Colonel of the

6th United States Colored Cavalry, serving in Arkansas until he was mustered out in April, 1866. Later, he was on duty at New Orleans; and in Kentucky from November, 1866, until January Ist, ISOS, when he was promoted to the rank of Major in the 2d United States Cavalry. While in Kentucky, he acted for a while as Superintendent of Freed- men's affairs, and since that time has served on the plains in command of various posts. Ile was married in 1861, and has a family of three children.

ETTERMAN, N. P., Lawyer, was born in the northwestern part of the State of Pennsylvania, February 4th, 1804. While in his infancy, his mother and family removed to this country, where he resided and acquired his preliminary education until ready to commence the study of the law. Ilis course of legal studies he pursued in the office of his ckler brother, Washington W. Fetterman, for many years an influential and leading member of the bar of western Pennsylvania ; and, upon attaining his majority, was admitted to practice, August 14th, 1825. Subsequently, he removed to Bedford, in this State, where, after a residence of several years, he represented Bedford county in the lower branch of the Legislature for three successive years, about the year 1828. To him may be credited the origin of the present common-school system ; while, through his ability and per- severance, the first law inaugurating it in this State was passed through the Legislature. At the expiration of his third term, he was urged to become a candidate for Congress from the Bedford district; declining the proffered honor, however, he devoted his time and attention almost exclu- sively to the fulfilment of his professional duties. In 1830, he removed to Beaver, Pennsylvania; resided there until 1849, and finally returned to Pittsburgh. He was the leading member of the bar in the region comprising the counties of Beaver, Butler, Mercer and Lawrence; his principal competitors at that time being the Ion, Damich Agnew, now Chief-Justice of this State, and the Hon. John J. Pearson, now Judge of the Harrisburg District Court. To these three eminent practitioners was chiefly allotted the task of settling the many complicated questions of title, resulting from the peculiar system under which the lands west and north of the Allegheny river were held; and in the numerous and highly important actions of ejectment continually arising, he constantly took an active and able part, his opponents invariably being one of the two above- named judges. In all such cases he evinced unusual attain- ments and valuable abilities. In 1849, he returned to Pittsburgh and entered into partnership with his nephew, Gilbert I. B. Fetterman, under the firm- name of N. P. & G. I. B. Fetterman, this association continuing for several years. Subsequently, he was a leading member of the Pittsburgh bar, and attended also the courts of the neigh-

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boring counties, participating in almost every case of im- [ burgh, to the printing business. After a year's service in portance, both civil and criminal. In the celebrated case the printing office, he returned to school at the Beaver Academy. In ISES, he resumed the business of printing. In 1830, he established the Allegheny Republican, in the then borough of Allegheny, which he conducted for about a year, when the enterprise failed. In 1835, he became joint editor and proprietor of the Mercury, an old-established Demo- cratic paper, and in IS40, its sole owner and editor. In IS41, he bought the Allegheny Democrat, and united the two establishments. In 1842, in conjunction with the pro- prietor of the American Manufacturer, he established the Pittsburgh Daily Post, in which all the Democratic weeklies of the city were merged. He continued as editor and pro- prietor of the L'est until 1845, when he was succeeded by John Bigler, afterwards Governor of California. The Post has always been a successful and influential newspaper, and is now the leading Democratie daily in the State. In 1846, he embarked in the mercantile business as a wholesale grocer, and remained in that occupation until 1869. In 1866, he was elected President of the Artisans' Insurance Company, and in 1870, was chosen President of the Artisans' Deposit Bank-two distinct corporations-of both of which he is still President. Ile has been a firm and earnest Democrat all his life, but has never sought office. Ile never held any notable political position, except his place in the late Constitutional Convention of Pennsylvania. Ile has, however, filled many positions not of a political char- acter. Ile was President of the Board of Trade for several years, member and President of the Board of Inspectors of the Western Penitentiary for a considerable period, was a Director of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and other railroads, and several banking and insurance companies, of the Commonwealth as. Montgomery et al, for the murder of Dinsmore, in Washington county ; and also in the case of the Commonwealth as. Streets, for murder in Beaver county, he was retained by the Commonwealth, and dis- tinguished himself by his learning, patient research and shrewdness. Until the outbreak of the war, he was a promi- nent member of the Democratic party, and one of its leading orators in western Pennsylvania. During the Presidency of James Buchanan, he was repeatedly solicited to accept various positions of trust and honor, but invariably declined both public office and emolument. While the conflict was raging, he warmly advocated the Union cause; acted as a War Democrat, and finally joined the Republican party, of which he afterward became an active and influential ally. He gave two sons to the United States Army, as members of the 101st Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was bereft of a son-in-law, who was mortally wounded before Atlanta, Georgia Ile was also actively engaged in assisting enlist- ment, and aided more than one company in the purchase of its necessary equipments. Ile served as Chairman of the Examining Committee of Pittsburgh, to pass judgment upon all applications for admission to practice; and, in this responsible position, acted with admirable judgment and impartial discretion. He was constantly consulted, by attorneys from all parts of the State, for his opinion on points of law; and, upon such occasions, his decisions ever evidenced close research and the most thorough knowledge concerning the varions complicated points at issue, Ile was married, December 28th, 1828, to Anna M. Dillon, daughter of Humphrey Dillon, a well-known citizen of Bedford, Pennsylvania. He has left eight children surviv- ing him, among whom is S. C. Fetterman, a prominent member of the bar, and of the Select Council of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

ERNS, JAMES N., United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, was born in Philadelphia, at the corner of Sixth and Chestnut streets, in the shadow of Independence llall, on December 20, 1830. He was educated in the public schools of the city, passing into the highest class before his seventeenth year. On leaving school, he entered the establishment of Nathans & Co., in the auction and commission business, whose office was at the well- known old' coffee house auction building on Second street, which in those days served as the Exchange of Philadelphia. In 1852, he began business on his own account, in the fur- niture trade, and subsequently was in the office of the Receiver of Taxes; after which he became a member of the State Legislature, serving for six years consecutively. In 1870 and IS71, he was the Deputy Collector of Internal

MITH, WILLIAM HENRY, Delegate at Large to the Constitutional Convention, was born in New Madrid, Missouri, June 29th, IS14. Ilis paternal ancestors were English Quakers ( Friends) and were among the early settlers of this State, living landed from the " Welcome," at Chester, in 16S2. They settled at Darby, in Delaware county. ITis grandfather having taken up arms at the outbreak of the Revolution, and having fought throughout the war as a commissioned officer, forfeited his membership in the Society of Friends. The parents of William Henry emigrated to the Territory of Missouri about the year 1So6, and, there remained till 1816, when they returned to Beaver, in Penn- sylvania, where they resided until their decease. Ile | Revenue, and in 1872, the Chief Deputy of Robert II. received his school education at the Beaver Academy. In Beatty, Receiver of Taxes. In the latter part of 1872, he 1826, he was apprenticed in a newspaper office in Pitts- I was appointed the United States Marshal for the Eastern

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District of Pennsylvania. He has been prominently con- nected with the Republican party for many years. He was married, in 1851, to Amanda, daughter of David French, merchant of l'hiladelphia.

TELLWAGEN, DANIEL S., Captain United States Navy, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, November 6th, 1774. The family is de- scended from the early German settlers of the State in the colonial days, and lost nearly all its male members and money during the War of the Revolution. IIe was educated in Philadelphia, and on leaving school, being of a bold and adventurous disposition, elected to follow a seafwring life. Accordingly he entered the merchant service, and rose in it rapidly, attaining at the early age of nineteen years the position of Captain, and be- coming afterwards owner of his vessel. He continued thus for several years, and on the breaking out of the second war with Great Britain, in 1812, was still following his pro- fession. On March 15th, 1813, being in command of the brig " Concord," returning to Philadelphia from Lisbon, he found the mouth of the Delaware blockaded by a British squadron. He attempted to run the blockade, but his vessel grounded on one of the shoals in Delaware bay, and so fell into the hands of the English. All the crew, except . the cook and himself, were transferred to one of the British ships, and an officer, with a prize crew of seven men, was placed in charge of the "Concord." In this painful posi- tion, chaling under his adverse fortune and imprisonment, he conceived the bold and almost hopeless plan of recaptur- ing the ship. The vessel was lying at anchor, under the very guns of the British frigate " Poictiers," a seventy-four, and the rest of the squadron were close at hand. Still he determined to try the desperate scheme. On the ISth of March, with the assistance of the cook, a mulatto named Richard Douce, he made the attempt. They first secured the officer and seized the arms, drove the prize crew below, and fastened down the hatches. They then cut, or slipped, the cable, made sail, under the fire of the British fleet, effected their escape, and reached the city in safety. The English officer and his men were lodged in the old Arch Street Jail, and were the first prisoners of this war brought to Philadelphia. On landing in his native city he found the patriotic spirit of the country aroused, and yielding to the exciting influences of the time, he followed the prece- dents set by the earlier members of his family, and entered the navy as a Sailing Master. Ile took command of the third division of galleys, including the " Ludlow," " Wil- mer," " Alwyn," and " Ballard," under Commodore Mac- Donough, on Lake Champlain, and was in the engagement of September 6th, IS14, against the English land forces, commanded by Sir George Prevost, the Governor-General of Canada, and also in the memorable battle of September

IIth of the same year, a full account of which is given in Cooper's Naval History. For his gallant conduct on these occasions he was honored, together with six other officers, by a vote of thanks and a sword from Congress. The sword is a very handsome one; it is engraved with his name, the date of the battle, the motto, " Altius ibunt qui ad summa nituntur," and appropriate devices; the blade is equal in temper to the celebrated Damascus steel, and is surmounted by a massive gold hilt. It was accompanied by a complimentary letter from the Secretary of the Navy, written by order of the President. Both the sword and letter are in the possession of his grandson, Dr. T. C. Stellwagen, of Philadelphia. He was married to Mary Perot Fisher, whose family had also given soldiers to the army of patriots, and numbered among its members five of the Governors of the State of Delaware. He died Novem- ber 16th, IS28, in Philadelphia, at the age of fifty-four, leaving to his posterity and country an honorable name enrolled among the worthies of his State.

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The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2, Part 48

Author: Robson, Charles. 4n; Galaxy Publishing Company. 4n Publication date: 1874 Publisher: Philadelphia : Galaxy Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 894

Author: Robson, Charles. 4n; Galaxy Publishing Company. 4n
Publication date: 1874
Publisher: Philadelphia : Galaxy Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 894