USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2 > Part 55
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outskirts of Scranton, called " Tripp's Park." In February, 1838, he was married to Rosanna Shoemaker, of Wyoming. Ilis high sense of public duty and patriotism prompted him to enlist, in the commencement of the late war, and although over age, he entered upon an active campaign. At the battle of Falling Waters, Virginia, he was captured, and as a prisoner endured the horrors of Libby Prison for six months. After his exchange, he was honorably discharged from the service. Ile is a Director in the Trust and Savings Bank of Scranton, also in the Second National Bank of Scranton, and is a high-toned public-spirited citizen, enjoying the high regard of all who know him.
ORMAN, CHIARLES R., M. D., Physician, was born at Barkhansted, Litchfield county, Connect- icut, August 4th, 1817. IIis early education he received at the schools of the neighborhood, com- pleting his course at the academy in Westfield, Massachusetts. Determined to adopt the Medical profession, he entered the Jefferson College in 1844. After attending two courses of lectures, he graduated from that institution in 1846, and immediately removed to Pittston and commenced to practice. Here he has ever since remained, devoting himself entirely to his professional duties and enjoying the confidence of the entire community. Prior to his settlement in Pittston, he had studied for two years under the tuition of Dr. B. F. Throop, in Scranton, a warm personal friend of Dr. J. T. Gorman, his father, who practised in Abington, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, and died in 1848.
ACKEY, L. A., LL. D., Lawyer, President of the Lock Haven National Bank, was born in White Deer township, Union county, Pennsylvania, November 25th, 1819. Ilis parents were Thomas S. Mackey and Catherine ( Augstatt) Mackey, both from Berks county, Pennsylvania. His pre- liminary education was received under the able guidance of the late Rev. David Kirkpatrick, then resident in Milton, Pennsylvania; when that divine, subsequently, removed to Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, L. A. Mackey followed him, and was prepared for Union College, at Schenectady, New York. Among the former students under the above-named scholarly and esteemed preceptor were Governors Curtin and Pollock, with many others who have since become men of note and eminence. So rapid was his progress that, before attaining his sixteenth year, he passed the required examination, and, when admitted to the college, was the youngest member in a class of one hundred and eight. IIe then took a two years' course, graduated with the highest honors of his class, and was selected to deliver the usual
RIPP, IRA, Capitalist, was born in Providence, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, January 6th, 1814. Ilis father, Isaac Tripp, and mother, Catherine La France, were of English and French ancestry. "They removed to Pennsylvania from Providence, Rhode Island. His education was received at the common schools, and the business of his life, from his early youth to the present day, has been that of a farmer. In connection with his agricultural pursuits, he has also been largely engaged in coal-mining operations, owning large tracts of coal lands which he leases, not working the mines himself. In other real estate he is also heavily interested, and is proprictor of a fine driving park on the | Greck Oration. Subsequently, he entered the law office of
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ex-Governor Pollock, where, during the ensuing year, he | Justice of the Peace for Indiana county. While acting in industriously pursued a course of legal studies ; at the expi- this honorable and responsible capacity, his entire conduct and actions have evidenced commendable ability and shrewd judgment. He is warmly attached to the Republi- can party, is a firm supporter of its principles and move- ments, and is esteemed as an industrious and a leading member. In many of the past campaigns which have agitated Pennsylvania and the surrounding country, he has participated prominently, and, though of an unostentatious nature, has, when necessity or emergency required the effort, stood forward promptly and fearlessly to sustain or vindicate views, opinions, and actions, conscientiously adopted and performed. Owing to no one the position and reputation which he has attained, and believing firmly in the value and efficacy of self-assistance, he is worthy of much commenda- tion for his indefatigable industry and the shrewd enterprise that has won him the cordial respect and admiration of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. In all matters involving the interests of his State he is a vigorous mover, and is never backward in assisting in charitable and philanthropic enterprises. ration of that period, he entered the law-school of Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, that chair being then under the charge of Judge Reed, renowned for his scholar- ship and sterling abilities. While here, he was honored by receiving the degree of LL. D., graduated, and, in 1840, was admitted to the bar of Carlisle. Removing to Lock Ilaven, he commenced, in 1841, the active practice of his profession, continuing to prosecute it until 1855. At this date he became one of the chief movers in organizing the Lock Hlaven Bank, with a capital of $200,000-$120,000 paid in. Of this institution he was chosen President, and as such has continued to act down to the present time, while his management and operations have always given entire satisfaction to all connected with the institution. In 1865, the bank was merged into a National bank, and at present possesses the full esteem and confidence of its numerous depositors. In 1870-when Lock Haven became a city- he was chosen its first Mayor, and held that responsible office for three years, during which time he greatly assisted in its progress, and in the profitable development of its industries and resources. For many years he has been closely and importantly identified with all the leading interests in this section of Pennsylvania, and his actions ARVEY, GEORGE T., M. D., Physician, was born in Doylestown, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1817. ITis father and mother were Enoch and Sarah Harvey, who were among the earliest settlers in this section of the State, and were widely known and respected in the adjacent have always been characterized by calm discrimination, matured judgment, and beneficial enterprise. He is Presi- dent of the Bald Eagle Valley Railroad Company, which runs between Lock Haven and Tyrone, and has filled this office for the past ten years. He is also President of the Central Normal School Association of Pennsylvania, and President, moreover, of various other minor enterprises and institutions. In politics, he is of the old Democratic school; in 1868, was the candidate for Congress in his district ; and at the present time is prominently named for the same posi- tion. He was married, in 1847, to Mary Hepburn, a daughter of Samuel Hepburn, of Milton, Pennsylvania, a distinguished and learned legal practitioner of that place.
country. Ilis education was acquired in the boarding- school of Bridgepoint, Pennsylvania, and upon the comple- tion of liis course of elementary and preliminary studies, he commenced the study of medicine under the efficient tutor- ship of Dr. Abram Stout, an able and conscientious practi- tioner and director. At this time he was in his twenty-first year, and, appreciating fully the value of constant and minute research, rapidly prepared himself for his profession, and finally graduated in the University of Pennsylvania. Later he removed to southwestern Missouri, and finding what he deemed a desirable and promising locality, remained in that country for about three years, practising with en- couraging success. Subsequently he returned to his native place, and, temporarily abandoning the pursuit of his profes- sion in one branch, established a drug and prescription store. In this enterprise, of which he was sole proprietor and manager, he acquired, by his thorough technical and medical knowledge, and his practical and valuable advice, the confidence and respect of a wide circle of customers and patients. At the breaking out of the Rebellion, actuated by an ardent desire to assist in sustaining the integrity of the Union, he entered the service of the United States Army, in the 25th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers; this organi- zation was enlisted for a term of thirteen months, and he
CCLUSKY, A. L., Justice of the Peace for Indiana, Pennsylvania, was born in Alexander town, West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, June 23d, 1815. Ilis parents were William McClusky and Jennie (Larimet) McClusky ; and he is of worthy Scotch- Irish extraction. His education was acquired in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, and, at an early age, he evinced those persevering and energetic qualities which have since conduced to bring him before the public as a prominent and influential citizen and officer. Upon the completion of his course of studies, he engaged in general occupations until 1859, when he was elected Clerk in the office of the Court Register and Recorder. In 1871, he was elected to the position which he occupies at pre ent- facted with it until the expiration of that time, when it was
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duly mustered out. Ile then re-enlisted in the 104th Regi- | party traversed the French creek upward from Franklin to ment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, for three years service; on this occasion he was chosen Captain of a company. IIe participated actively in the battle of John's Island, and was prominently engaged in the first action at Fair Oaks, where he was noted for gallant and serviceable conduct. Later, he accompanied the army to Yorktown, and down the Peninsula, taking an active part in the siege of Charles- ton, South Carolina. 1Ie afterward figured constantly in all the important operations, movements and engagements of the Army of the Cumberland, and was the recipient of many encomiums from his senior officers for his indefati- gable energy, his shrewdness and bravery. Although at that date a man well advanced in years, he performed a soldier's part in the most commendable manner, undergoing many hardships and much perilous exposure in the faithful discharge of numerous responsible duties. Upon several occasions he was deputed to accomplish various manœuvres and movements, attended with great and evident danger, and in every instance evinced a cheerful willingness to obey scrupulously any and all commands, repeatedly leading his men through hazardous and perilous encounters, and rarely experiencing a rebuff or defeat. At the termination of the conflict, he returned to Doylestown, and at once resumed the personal management of his former extensive and re- munerative business. Ile is a widely respected and influ- ential citizen of the above-named town, and is noted for his scholarly attainments, his energy and unostentatious benevolence.
OWRY, HON. MORROW B., Merchant, Legis- lator and Capitalist, was born at Mabel, Chau- tauqua county, New York, March 6th, IS13. In 1787, his father, with his mother and nine brothers, emigrated from the north of Ireland and came to the United States; the mother and children belonged to the Covenanter or old-fashioned Presbyterian Church, which fact necessitated their emigra- tion. In 1791, the family moved to Erie county and settled at .North East township, where all, with the excep- tion of the two elder sons, who returned to Union county, decided to settle permanently. Soon after moving to Pennsylvania, the family became scriously involved in legal troubles, and were compelled to resort to much litiga- tion in successfully establishing their claim to land, which they had purchased from the State and had patented, but which was subsequently claimed by the Population and Ilolland Land Company. While in Erie county, Morrow's father was married to Anna Barr, daughter of James Barr, who died in January, 1823, leaving a family consisting of seven sons and three daughters, Removing later to Chautauqua county, he resided there a few years, then left Mabel, transporting himself and family thence in a flat- bottomed boat, built on Chautauqua Lake, and in which the
Meadville. Locating on Watson's run, Sandisbury town- ship, in Crawford county, they found themselves in a wil- derness, with no educational opportunities save those furnished by the incompetent master of an old log school- house, whose windows were made of greased paper, and whose accommodations were of the most primitive nature. Even these poor and excessively limited advantages Mor- row was not permitted to enjoy for any great length of time, since, the family being in straitened circumstances, the most trivial expenses were a source of discomfort, and he was obliged to contribute toward his own and its main- tenance. In 1824, his father married a second time, espousing Mary Gibson, daughter of Andrew Gibson, of Fairfield township. Eventually from this union sprang three sons, viz : Alexander, who was killed at the second battle of Bull Run; Andrew, who resides in Rockford, Illinois ; and Israel, living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1826, his father again moved to Youngsville, in Warren county; but in the new home Morrow remained but a few months ; already his ambitious spirit began to assert itself, and he was planning a beginning whose end was to be honorable and eminent. Travelling to North East, Erie county, he entered the store of his cousin, Ilugh W. Lowry, and remained with him until 1828. Ile then started for Buffalo; arriving there, he lodged at the Rathbone House, and through the proprietor, Mr. Rathbone, succeeded in obtaining a position in the store of Leonard B. Creary. In this establishment he remained two years, when, his em- ployer dying, he found fresh occupation in a hardware store, continuing in that situation until the spring of 1831. At the expiration of three years, he determined to establish a business on his own account. Although only nineteen years of age, and unaided, he went to New York, and there obtained a stock of general merchandise amounting in value to more than $10,000, giving for this sum notes payable in six months, Ile then shipped the stock to Con- neautville, where he commenced business with what was at that time the finest and largest assortment of goods ever brought to Crawford county. In this enterprising venture he was eminently successful; and, greatly encouraged, he engaged largely in the butter trade, purchasing all that he could obtain in the counties of Crawford, Mercer and Butler, which was packed in firkins and shipped to Detroit, then beginning to be a town of considerable importance. Ile also traded his goods for cattle of every description, and for horses and mules, which, found on the Western Reserve, were driven to Eastern markets. After concluding a very satisfactory business in Detroit, he returned, and, overtaking his drove of cattle in the Narrows of the Sus- quehanna, a few miles from Ilarrisburg, accompanied them, riding on a mule, into the last-named city. Within two days he had profitably disposed of all his cattle, and, with the cash proceeds, arrived in New York on the day when his notes became due. Ilis promptness in meeting
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his liabilities increased his credit in that city, and subse- quently was of great service to him in various ways. In the fall of 1841, he was nominated by the Democratic party and elected to the Lower House of the Legislature from Crawford county ; and in 1842 he was again elected. The Lowry family had always been warmly attached to Demo- eratic principles, siding with the Democratic party on all important issues. His object in going to the Legislature was purely a business one, while also usefully patriotic in its tendencies. lle saw that the. State needed appropria- tions for the Erie Extension Canal and for other important purposes, and he was the author of the Bill for the Relief of the Domestic Creditors of the State; he succeeded also in introducing and carrying through a bill for the abolish- ment of the Nicholson Court, and obtained such legislation as settled the titles to lands in Northwestern Pennsylvania. For many years he attended the State conventions, and was an active and able mover in politics generally. He acted with the Democratic party until James Buchanan became its candidate for the Presidency, when, from conscientious motives, he severed his connection with it; prior to this event he had always been called a Democratic Abolitionist, and with just title. On uniting with the Republican party, he was immediately elected a Delegate at Large to the National Republican Convention which nominated Abra- ham Lincoln for President, and was also a Delegate to the convention which renominated him; in both conventions he served on the Committees on Resolutions. He was an old and trusted friend of John Brown, of Harper's Ferry fame, whom he visited after his incarceration. Ilis in- tended visit was communicated to Governor Wise, who ordered a guard of soldiers to accompany him and then conduct him out of the State. In IS48, he moved to Erie, where he has since chiefly resided. In 1861, on the even- ing of the day upon which Sumter was attacked, a public meeting was held in Erie, at which he offered $2000 to the regiment which should be the first to leave Northwestern Pennsylvania for Washington. This proved an incentive, and in a short time the " S3d" became a reality, and the promised $2000 was directed to be justly shared among the families of the indigent volunteers. During the course of the speech delivered at that meeting, Morrow Lowry enun- eiated the following opinions, then considered rash and daring in the extreme : " I would enlist the blacks every- where. . . This war must end in emancipation, and the sooner we have emancipation the sooner we will have peace." In the fall of that year, he was elected to the State Senate, to represent the counties of Erie and Crawford, and was retained by an admiring constituency in this position for nine consecutive years. During the Rebellion, many positions of trust and honor were offered him by the Gene- ral Government, but these he invariably declined, preferring to occupy the position conferred on him by Governor Cur- tin-to care for the sick and wounded soldiers of Pennsyl- vania. In this latter noble employment he organized a
system acknowledged by all to be the best and most effec- tual in accomplishing the desired ends. At the close of the war, he differed with his party on the Currency question, believing that the national banking system was a war measure, and that the " banks should be mustered out with the troops." In 1867, he published a letter, which, full of political truths and original ideas boldly and ably ex- pressed on the positions and questions of the day, created considerable excitement in public circles. In this he spoke strongly and cloquently concerning the License question ; Mrs. Surratt, whose execution he declared to be " the most wanton State murder on record"; the Naturalization of Foreigners; and Negro Suffrage. During his last term in the Legislature, he was stricken with paralysis in his right side, but fortunately the attack was not attended with fatal results. In 1870, after returning home from his legislative labors, over 2000 citizens of Erie united in a request to him that he would become their candidate for Congress, an honor he firmly declined in a letter full of pathos, loy- alty and manliness. " Taxes levied for the war," he wrote, " should have been reduced when the war ended, so that the interest should be paid, public credit maintained and the people relieved and encouraged. Make banking on public securities free-reduce the taxes, and specie pay- ments will be the inevitable result." Again, speaking of Negro Suffrage : " Clans and classes are opposed to Chris- tian fraternity, are odious to republican cquality and justice." Hle now enjoys the seclusion of private life, giving his whole time to the management of hig large estate, consist- ing of immense tracts of land in and around Erie and else- where. Ile was married, in the spring of 1832, to Sarah Fletcher, of Lansingville, Tompkins county, by whom he had six children, all of whom, with their mother, are de- ceased. Ile was married again, in 1848, to Harriet 1. Henderson, of Springfield, Erie county. Finally, more than forty children have, at different times, been educated and cared for tenderly through his bounty, while, during the war, he gave largely from his private fortune to preserve the integrity of the Union and to promote entire emanci- pation.
RYDEN, ANDREW, Miner, etc., was born in Scotland, January 10th, 1827. In May, 1843, he emigrated to the United States, and until 1850 was engaged in the mines at Carbondale, Pennsylvania. Receiving a more advantageous offer from the Pennsylvania Coal Company, he removed to Pittston and entered the service of that com- pany in the capacity of Boss Miner. Here, with the ex- ception of the year 1863, when with the Baltimore Coal Company, Wilkesbarre, he has continued, and now fills the highly responsible position of Mine Superintendent. The operations of the company are most extensive; it produces over 12,000,000 of tons of coal per year, and employs about
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2600 hands in and around its works. His position is one which requires the possession of peculiar faculties to properly fill, and his long tenure thereof fully attests the competence with which he discharges his duties. What education he has acquired was obtained by chances, and his success in life is due to his own honest, steady and self-reliant exer- tions. Ile was married, in 1845, at Carbondale, to Ann Law; and, after her death, to Isabella Young, of Dun- more, in 1857. He is a School Director in Pittston, a Director of the Miners' Savings Bank, and for six years was an Overseer of the Poor in East Pittston.
ILSON, WILLIAM R., Lawyer, was born in Reamstown, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, January 20th, 1826. Ilis father, John Wilson, was a prominent local politician, and a direct descendant of the famous Daniel Boone, who figured so largely as settler, backwoodsman and patriot soldier. Ilis mother was of German extraction, and widely admired for her many womanly graces. Ile commenced the acquirement of a preliminary education in the common schools of his native town, but, owing to vari- ous circumstances, was able to attain to but a limited degree of proficiency. Subsequently, by a persevering course of self-education and well-directed industry, he fitted himself for that profession in which he has since risch to honorable position. Ile acquired a thorough knowledge of the law under the direction of the late Colonel Reah Frazer, and in 1850 was admitted to the bar. Immediately commencing the active practice of his profession in Lan- caster, he soon obtained a large and highly remunerative clientage. Rapidly attaining popularity, he became a member of the City Councils, and was chosen to fill the position of City Solicitor, fulfilling the duties of that position with marked ability. Although opposed in politics to the Administration during the late war to suppress the Southern Rebellion, he was, nevertheless, a strong and inflexible supporter of the Government, and delivered several ardent and eloquent speeches favoring a prompt suppression of the outbreak by force of arms, and encouraging enlistment and voluntary subscriptions. Throughout that memorable and trying cpoch he ever manifested a fearless loyalty in the enunciation of his opinions, and advocated the cause of the Union in an able and energetic manner. Ile was a Direc- tor of the Inland Insurance and Deposit Company, of Lan- easter, and for some time acted as its Solicitor. For more than twenty years he has practised with marked success in the Supreme Court, and is recognized as one of the leading members of the bar, commanding respect and admiration for his many natural and acquired talents. For more than fifteen years he was an influential and industrious member of the School Board of Lancaster, and occupied himself incessantly and zealously in enlarging beneficially the prin- Ivalley. Wvailing himself of the advantages offered by the
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ciples governing school establishment and direction, evi- dencing in this particular a shrewd comprehension of the proper mode of management, and a commendable energy in carrying his conclusions to a practical and needed end. As a religious man. he is attached to the Presbyterian Church, and is generous in his donations for philanthropie and charitable objects. He was married, in January, 1852, to a daughter of Frederick Oberlin, a well-known mer- chant and politician of Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, and has a thriving family consisting of three children ..
REWER, IION. FRANCIS B., Physician, Mer- chant and Politician, was born in the town of Keen, New Hampshire, October 20th, 1820. Though not a native of, or at this time a resi- dent in, Pennsylvania, he has been conspicu- ously identified with the producing interests of this State. He received a thorough English and classi- cal education in the schools of. his native State, and gradu- ated from Dartmouth in the class of 1843. IIe then entered upon the study of medicine, and after pursuing a course of study at the Jefferson Medical College, of Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, he received his diploma from that institution and entered upon the practice of his profession at Barnet, Vermont. In 1850, he removed to Titusville, Pennsylvania, and embarked in the lumber business on an extensive scale, becoming a member of the firm of Brewer, Watson & Co. He was also deeply interested in the petro- leum trade, and was largely instrumental in developing the great industries of which that product is the centre. The first well ever sunk for that oil was on the land of the firm of Brewer, Watson & Co., at the junction of Pine and Oil creeks, in Crawford county, Pennsylvania. For a number of years he was one of the largest operators and dealers in this commodity in the country. Having realized a very large fortune in his various enterprises, he retired to West- field, in the State of New York, and there established the First National Bank of Westfield, and became also the proprietor of the Westfield Locks Works, a most extensive manufacturing establishment. He has several times been elected to the New York Legislature, where his record is in every way honorable; and in 1874 he was appointed by the President of the United States a Government Inspector of the Pacific Railway,
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