The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2, Part 5

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

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ing nine full courses of lectures on tive different branches, and filling two professional chairs nearly all the time. as the exigencies of the college demanded. Female medical education being unpopular, those women who had money did not, then, study medicine, and those who would have studied lacked the means. Hle resigned, and turned to more profitable account the skill he had acquired as a lecturer, by travelling and lecturing before the people on Anatomy, Physiology, Hygiene, and various other scientific subjects. For one year, 1860, he was joint proprietor, principal, and teacher of a normal school, at West Chester, Pennsylvania. In 1861, he returned to the practice of his profession in Chester, Pennsylvania, where his efficiency and skill have been recognized by the acquirement of a large and lucrative practice, many of his patrons being among the best families of the place. In politics he has always been'a Whig or a Republican, but has never held an office except in the school board of which he is an active and progressive member. Though always supposed to be one of the most radical of abolitionists, he never joined any of the anti-slavery political parties, but adhered to those organizations that seemed to him more capable of accom- plishing the end. In 1856 and in 1860, he made many political speeches in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, in the interests of Republicanism. In addition to occasional articles for medical and other journals, he has been a liberal contributor to agricultural papers. Inheriting a strong fondness for agriculture, the various problems in- volved in successful stock breeding have claimed his special attention. The development of the trotting horse being an American specialty, offering many interesting, physiological questions for practical solution, he has devoted some time and study to it. His essay on The American Trotting Horse, published as an appendix to the American edition of an English work on horses, by Stonehenge, and an article on " Horses," published in the Seventh Annual Re- port of the State Agricultural Society of Pennsylvania, have both taken rank among the standard literature upon that subject. In 1845, he married Josephine S. Youle, of Phila- delphia, who still lives to bless him and the two sons who have been given them ; one is a promising young practitioner at the Delaware county bar, the other a successful whole- sale grocer in Wilmington, Delaware.

OPPEE, HENRY, President of Lehigh University, was born, October 13th, 1821, in the city of Savannah, Georgia. Ilis father was a prominent physician of French descent. After receiving a careful early cducation, he entered the military academy at West Point, June 1841, where he distinguished himself by his quick intellect, and graduated high in his class, June 1845. He was soon promoted to the Ist Regiment Artillery, United States Army. The Mexican

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war which broke out in 1846, gave him an opportunity to see active service in the field, and to display those traits of fearless determination and prompt decision which mark his character. Ile was engaged in the seige of Vera Cruz, the battle of Cerro Gordo, the skirmishes of La Hoya and Ohalaha, the battles of Contreras and Cherubusco, the des- perate storming of Chapultepec, and the triumphant capture of the city of Mexico. These engagements offered him a field in which to gain promotion, which he was not slow to appreciate. Breveted Captain of Artillery for gallant and meritorious conduct in the hard fought battles of Contreras and Cherubusco, he was appointed, after the close of the war in 1848, Assistant Professor of Ethics and English studies in the West Point Military Academy. This position he retained until the spring of 1855, when his talents ob- tained him the offer of the chair of History and English Literature in the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia. This honorable position he concluded to accept, - and resigning from the military academy, removed to Philadel -. phia for that purpose. His instruction and lectures gave great satisfaction to the institution, and his extensive know- ledge and accurate discrimination of the beauties of litera -. ture were repeatedly displayed. When, in' 1866,& the Trustees of the Lehigh University, at Bethlehem, an institu- tion founded by the liberality of the Hon. Asa- Packery wore considering the selection of a President, they decided upon offering that responsible and honorable distinction to him as one in every way competent to fulfil' its duties with success. The offer was accepted, and the brilliant career since then of the Lehigh University is in no small degree owing to the tact, the administrative ability, and the varied accom- plishments of its President. In the ycar of his acceptance, 1866, the degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him, both by the University of Pennsylvania, and by Union College, New York, in recognition of his services to the cause of liberal education. The American Philosophical Society, and other learned bodies, had previously elected him to membership; and in 1868, he was appointed by Congress, member and Secretary of the Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy. As an author, he has a wide reputation for accuracy in statement and beauty of style. Besides a large number of articles contributed to the literary periodicals of the day, he cdited. the United States Service Magasine, in 1864, '65, and '66, and the following works : Gallery of Famous Poets; Gallery of Famous Portesses ; Songs of Praise in the Christian Centuries. In 1862, he translated Marmont's Esprit des Institutions Militaires, and has written Elements of Logic, 1857; Elements of Rhetoric, 1859; A Manual of Courts Martial, 1861 ; and several other valuable works on military tactics, published during the War of the Rebellion. Ile has also been an extensive contributor to the daily press, winning among journalists a considerable reputation by the brilliancy and force of his articles upon a wide range of topics.

ANCOAST, WILLIAM II., M. D., Physician and Surgeon, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1835, and is a son of Dr. Joseph Pancoast, the late distinguished Professor of General Descrip- tive and Surgical Anatomy in the Jefferson Medi- cal College of that city. He was educated at Haverford College, whence he graduated in 1853; and on leaving the same, matriculated at the Jefferson, where he studied for three years, receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1856. In order to perfect himself in the practice of his profession he sailed for Europe, and visited the great hospitals of London, Paris, and Vienna, passing three years abroad, mostly occupied during that time in continued study at these medical centres. On his return to the United States he commenced practice in his native city, where he soon found a liberal patronage, devoting himself chiefly to the surgical branch of the science. In 1862, he was named Demonstrator of Anatomy in his Alma Mater, which he filled at intervals for the space of twelve years. Ile has also held other public positions, being Visiting Sur- geon to the Philadelphia Hospital, and Consulting Surgeon of the Charity Hospital. During the War of the Rebellion, he'did good service as an Army Surgeon; and during the absence of his father in Europe, 1867-'68, was appointed 'Adjunct Professor of Anatomy in Jefferson College. In 1871, he was elected President of the Philadelphia County Medical Society, which office he filled with credit both to himself and the association. Ile is at present a member of all the various' Philadelphia medical societies. Early in 1874, he took an active part in securing-for the purposes of a scientific examination-the bodies of the celebrated Siamese Twins, and in conducting the autopsy. In his various contributions to medical and surgical literature, he has given some original and highly important discoveries to the medical world. In the spring of 1874, his father having resigned the Chair of Anatomy in the Jefferson College, the Board of Trustees of that institution selected him to fill the vacancy.

ATTA, JAMES W., Lawyer and Adjutant-General of Pennsylvania, was born in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, April 19th, 1839, and is the son of the late John E. Latta, of Philadelphia. His grand- father, Rev. John E. Latta, of New Castle, Dela- ware, was one of four brothers, who with their father were all Presbyterian clergymen, the latter being a Chaplain in the Revolutionary Army. Ile received his education at the public schools of his native city, graduating at the Central High School, after a four years' course therein, in July, 1856. IIe was for a short time employed as a Clerk in the office of the Western Insurance Company, and while there, commenced the study of law with his father, who was then associated with Hon. William L. Peirce, now Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He was

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admitted to the bar the day he attained his majority, April 19th, 1860. Ile pursued the practice of his profession until August, 1862, when he was commissioned First Lieutenant of the 119th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served with it as such, also as Acting-Adjutant and Captain, and at times, as Judge-Advocate First Division, Sixth Army Corps. In the spring of 1864, he was one of two officers of the Sixth Army Corps, recommended by Major-General John Sedgwick, to fill vacancies in the Adjutant-General's Department ; and in May, 1864, he received a commission from President Lincoln, as Captain and Assistant-Adjutant- General; was assigned to duty with the Third Brigade, First Division, Sixth Army Corps, and was continually in the field, participating in every engagement in the Army of the Potomac from the first battle of Fredericksburg until just prior to the final struggle at Petersburg, when he was ordered'to report to the military division of the Mississippi, Cavalry Corps, Major-General John Wilson, and was assigned to duty in the Fourth Division of that command, under Major-General Emory Upton. IIe participated with this corps in its brilliant and successful raid and march from Chickasaw Bluff, Alabama, to Macon, Georgia, 600 miles ; during which it fought three pitched battles, routing the enemy on every occasion, captured 72 pieces of artillery, and 5000 prisoners. Ile was brevetted Major, in 1864, for gallantry at the battle of Winchester, Virginia, and Lieu- tenant-Colonel, in 1865, for gallant and meritorious services in the battle of Ebenezer Church, Alabama, and Columbus, Georgia. At the close of the war, he followed General Upton to Denver, Colorado, and served in that command as Assistant-Adjutant-General. IIe was honorably discharged from the service in January, 1866, and was subsequently tendered a Lieutenancy in the Sixth United States Infantry, which he declined, and resumed the practice of his profes- sion. For five years he commanded the Ist Regiment, Infantry (National Guards of Pennsylvania) ; which body has no superior in drill or discipline in the Commonwealth, and has attracted much notice wherever it has appeared in publie ; particularly at its encampment at Cape May, New Jersey, in the summer of IS69, and'on the occasion of its visit to New York, as guests of the 7th Regiment, on Evaeu- ation day, 1872. Ile was appointed, June 2d, 1873, Adju- tant.General of the Commonwealth, and now fills that office. Ile was married, November 12th, 186S, to Susan E., daughter of the late IIanson L. Withers.

cQUILLEN, JOIIN IIUGII, M. D., D. D. S., Dentist, was born in Philadelphia, February 12th, IS26. Ilis parents were, Captain Hugh McQuil- len, who served under Commodore Stephen Decatur, in the United States Navy during the war of 1812, and died in 1837; and Martha (Scattergood) MeQuillen, whose ancestors came to America with William Penn ; and one of whom, Thomas Scattergood,

was a celebrated preacher in the communion of Friends. llis early education was obtained at Friends' schools in Philadelphia, and at sixteen years of age he entered an im- porting house in that city as clerk. He continued in this, to him, uncongenial employment, until he was twenty-one years old. His tastes naturally leaned towards the learned professions, and during the whole of his mercantile appren- ticeship he remained steadfast to his innate predilections, and used all his spare time in obtaining such a preliminary education as would prepare him for a course of systematic professional study. At length, in 1847, he found himself in a position to enter upon a regular curriculum, and began to study medicine and dentistry simultaneously. Ile continued his studies for two years, and, in 1849, commenced the practice of dentistry, still prosecuting his medical studies; finally, in 1852, receiving the degree of M. D. from the Jefferson Medical College. Ilis degree of D. D. S. was given to him, subsequently, in recognition of his services to the profession. In 1857, he took the chair of Operative Dentistry and Dental Physiology in the Pennsylvania Col- lege of Dental Surgery, and eontinned to discharge the duties of his professorship until 1862. In 1859, he orginated the idea which developed into the American Dental Association, and in an article under the Nom de Plume of " Junius," advocated such an organization. His idea was soon realized in the establishment of the associa- tion as a representative body, composed of delegates from the local, county, and State dental societies, to generally protect and advance the interests of dentistry throughout the country. The first meeting of the association took place in the same year at Niagara. In this year also (1859) lie became an editor of the Dental Cosmos (a monthly journal), the recognized organ of the profession, and circulating in every part of the world where dentistry is practised. This position he retained for thirteen years, giving to the duties of it a thorough service inspired in him by his genuine love of his profession, and determination to advance its interests and general status by every means. Ile invariably con- tributed some original matter to cach number of the maga- zine, many of which papers attracted much attention. Among these may be mentioned as particularly noteworthy, a paper on The Action of Anaesthetics on the Blood Corpus- cles, which was copied into leading medical and microscopi- cal magazines both in this country and in Europe, having been translated into the German and French languages. Ilis contributions principally treated on dental education, microscopical subjects, and the principles and practice of dentistry. Ilis editorship of the Cosmos generally was noticed in terms of the warmest praise by Professor Oliver W. Holmes, in a lecture on the claims of dentistry delivered before the graduating class of Harvard Dental School. In 1862, he resigned his professorship in the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, and in the spring of the follow- ing year made an application to the Legislature of Pennsyl- vania for a charter for a new dental college, to be ealled

Galaxy Lub Cn Iminha

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the Philadelphia Dental College. The undertaking met with the greatest opposition, but the charter was, neverthe- les», granted, and in the fall of the same year (1863) the college was established, and lectures commenced in the present college building to a class of eleven students only. He may justly be called the founder of this important edu- cational institution, the value of which to the community cannot be estimated too highly. That the necessity for such a college existed has been fully proved by its great success, and its rapid development in a single decade into not merely a national but a cosmopolitan institution ; its list of graduates including names from the four quarters of the globe. The undertaking, in its inception, involved its founder and those associated with him in great sacrifices, not only of time and labor but also of money. The Doctor, and four others who were engaged with him in the enterprise, paid $700 each, or $3500 in the aggregate, in order to deliver the first course of lectures in the infant college. At the second term, though the number of students had increased, still $50 apiece was required from each member of the faculty. The great progress which the college has made, however, in its short term of existence, and the reputation which it now holds, have amply justified and rewarded the perseverance of these determined men. The latest term produced ninety-one students, with forty-nine graduates, and the possible increase is limited only by the capacity of the college. The names of those who with him started the college were, Dr. J. Foster Flagg, Dr. C. A. Kingsbury, Dr. T. Wardle, and Professor Henry Morton. They were also greatly aided by Dr. R. Shelton Mackenzie, and Peter F. Rothermel, the widely-known historical painter. He is Dean of the present Faculty of the College, and occupies the Chair of Physiology.

AGARGE, CHIARLES, Paper Manufacturer, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 30th, 1804, and is the son of a well-known miller and flour merchant of that period. He received his education at the Friends' Academy, and when thirteen years of age left school to enter Ilinkle's ship chandlery, where he remained a short time, and then changed to the commission house of Grant & Stone. But as neither of these positions offered him any inducement to remain, as no salary was paid to boys learning the busi- ness no matter how useful they might prove to be, he vi- brated a while between ship chandlery and a lumber yard, until he finally secured a berth in the ship chandlery of Isaac W. Norris, with six dollars per week as his compen- sation. IIe remained here for a while, and then through family influence obtained a situation at $500 per annum, in a paper store kept by Samuel Eckstein, where two of his elder brothers had previously been placed. Ile tho- roughly learned the business, and remained in the establish- ment until he was nearly thirty years of age. Ife then, in

connection with his two brothers, and with a capital of $1500, opened a rag and paper store on Minor street, the firin being C. & W. II. Magarge, his brother Edward having died as the enterprise was maturing. The two brothers gave their sole and undivided attention to the business, and met with steadily increasing success. The senior partner won the confidence of the mercantile community, and as he hap- pened to reside in Germantown, was elected one of the Directors of the Germantown Bank. In 1848, he was chosen its President, to which position he was re-elected year after year until 1866, when he resigned the office, though still continuing a member of the Board. During the great financial crisis of 1857 he had the opportunity of displaying his eminent qualifications for the post he occu- pied by the masterly manner in which he guided the bank through the dangers of that perilous era. Ile had pur- chased, in 1847, from the bank an old mill on the Wissa- hiccon creek which he converted into a paper manufac- tory. In 1858, he erected a large building adjoining the old edifice, and furnished it with a first-class Fourdrinier paper machine-the first in use in Pennsylvania-propelled by a steam engine. IIe also constructed an aqueduct to supply the works with pure spring water. These improve- ments cost him upwards of $80,000, besides the original payment of $25,000 ten years previously ; and the Wissa- hiccon Mills continued in successful operation until the premises were absorbed into Fairmount Park. The present firm of C. Magarge & Co. continues to occupy the front rank among the commercial houses of the day ; and though it has met with some losses, has eventually weathered every storm that has swept over the monetary world. He was married, October 23d, 1834, to Ann, daughter of Charles Ilicks, and a descendant of the celebrated founder of the ITicksite branch of the Society of Friends. Three years after her death, he was married, June 5th, 1844, to Lydia D., daughter of Matthias Knorr.

IRKBRIDE, TIIOMAS STORY, M. D., Physi- cian, was born near Morrisville, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, July 31st, 1809. ITis ancestors on both sides were, as he is himself, members of the Society of Friends, and were among the first settlers of Pennsylvania, and the.associates and companions of William Penn. He was educated in sundry excellent schools, including one at Trenton, New Jersey, under Rev. Jared D. Tyler, and he also passed a year with Professor John Gummere, at Burlington, studying mathematics. In the spring of 1828, he selected Dr. N. Belleville, of Trenton, as his preceptor in medicine, and subsequently attended three full courses of lectures in the University of Pennsyl- vania, whence he obtained his Doctorate in March, 1832. The same year he became Resident Physician at the Friends' Asylum for the Insane, where he passed twelve months, and

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was elected Resident Physician to the Pennsylvania IIos- pital in 1833, remaining there two years. He commenced private practice in Philadelphia, in 1835, devoting himself more particularly to surgery. During this period of private practice he was physician to various public institutions in the city, among them : the House of Refuge, the Institution for the Blind, the Magdalen Asylum, etc. In the autumn of 1840, while he was hoping for his election as Surgeon of the Pennsylvania Hospital, he was prevailed upon by its Managers to accept the post of Physician-in-Chief and Su- perintendent of their new Hospital for the Insane, then nearly completed. To this position he was elected without solicitation on his part, and though he reluctantly gave up his long-cherished plans, he removed his family to the new institution, superintended its completion, and there he has ever since resided, occupying the same post, although with greatly enlarged duties and responsibilities. This hospital was opened January Ist, 1841, and commenced with ninety- four patients, received from the old hospital at Eighth and Pine streets, which was the first institution in America for the care and treatment of the insane-dating back to 1751. The present hospital has now accommodations for 500 patients, and consists of two separate establishments, one for males and one for females, so as to keep the sexes en- tirely separate, this plan seeming to be superior to the one formerly pursued. The second hospital, which is now ap- propriated to males, was opened October 27th, 1859. The same Board of Managers and Physician-in-Chief have the oversight of both. The total number of patients received up to the close of 1872 was 6390. Of these, 2994 were dis- charged cured; 1494 left in various stages of improvement ; 742 left without material change ; 765 died ; leaving 395 then under care. In addition to a series of thirty-two Annual Re- ports, Dr. Kirkbride has written a work On the Construc- tion, Organization and General Arrangement of Hospitals for the Insane ; Rules and Regulations for Hospitals for the Insane, and has contributed numerous papers to medical serials. IIe was one of the original founders of " The As- sociation of Medical Superintendents of American Institu- tions for the Insane," of which he was President for nine ycars. IIe is also a member of other medical and scientific associations, including the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia College of Physicians; is an honorary member of the British Psychological Association, and of various other societics in the United States.

AILY, JOEL J., Merchant, was born in London Grove, Chester county, Pennsylvania, October 29th, 1826, and is a son of Joel I. Baily, a pro- minent agriculturist of that county, who for several years was the magistrate of the township in which he resided. His son received a good education in his native county, and when seventeen years old left school and repaired to Philadelphia, where he en-

tered the employ of Morris M. Marple, wholesale and rc- tail notion dealer, at No. 12 north Second street. At the expiration of three years he purchased the business, and though but twenty years of age entered upon that mercan- tile career which has resulted so successfully. In 1850, de- siring an increased space for the display of his merchandise, he removed to No. II on the same street, but soon these quarters proved inadequate, and, in 1852, he removed to (old) No. 69 Market street, where he entered upon the wholesale business exclusively. ITis establishment, though a large one, proved in five years entirely inadequate to con- tain his stock, and, in 1857, he removed once more, to No. 219 Market street, admitting at this time two of his clerks, Henry J. Davis and Elton B. Gifford, into partnership with him, the style being Joel J. Baily & Co. ITis sales greatly increased within the next period of five years, necessitating increased accommodations, which, in 1862, he found at No. 28 north Third street. At this time he admitted an- other partner, Samuel W. Van Culine, into the house. In this large establishment they carried on an immense busi- ness, which was constantly increasing, true to their motto of "Still achieving, still progressing," and after a decade of unexampled prosperity, they found themselves so cramped as to space that they determined to ercct a warehouse better adapted to their wants. In January, 1873, they commenced to build the elegant, spacious and massive edifice Nos. 719 and 721 Market street, to which they removed August Ist of the same year. During the War of the Rebellion Joel J. Baily was unable, on account of ill health, to take any active part in the field ; but he contributed freely of his purse towards the charities then existing, besides giving an effective support to the authorities. IIe has been, at various times, solicited to occupy positions of trust and honor in various banking and other institutions, but has invariably declined, deeming his proper sphere to be that of his own establishment, to which he has ever given his entire atten- tion, and which has proved so successful. In his youth he was allowed to consult his own tastes and inclinations for the business in which he engaged, and his abundant and continued prosperity well attests the wisdom of his choice ; besides proving that the only proper mode of bringing up a young man is to allow him to choose for himself that em- ployment for which he has a taste-and not to choose for him another for which he has no inclination.

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The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2, Part 5

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