USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2 > Part 57
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IDDLE, GEORGE W., Lawyer, was born in the city of Philadelphia, January 11th, 1818. Ile was educated at St. Mary's College, Baltimore, and, on the completion of the usual curriculum, devoted himself specially to the stu.ly of the law. Ile was admitted to the bar, January 11th, 1839, and has continued actively and successfully to follow his profession in his native city up to the present time (1874). Ile is one of the most eminent lawyers of the Philadelphia bar, and fitly represents the ability, sterling integrity, and solid learning which have made that bar famous. Devoted
large, he has held but few publie positions; his services in this direction having been confined chiefly to the offices of School Director, member of Common Council, Trustee of the Gas Works of the city of Philadelphia, and member of the Fourth Constitutional Convention of Pennsylvania of 1872 and 1873, in which latter body he was particularly prominent, representing the First Senatorial District, com- posed of the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Seventh, Eighth, and Twenty-sixth Wards of the city of Philadelphia. He . was a regular attendant at its sessions, and a frequent, powerful, and earnest speaker, especially in the discussions on the subject of the " Judiciary; " he served also on the Committee on Impeachment and Removal from Office, of which he was the Chairman, and on that on Executive Departments. In politics, he is attached to the Demo- cratic party.
AMPTON, HON. MOSES, LL. D., Lawyer, Judge, etc., was born near Darlington, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, October 28th, 1803. His father, Moses Hampton, was one of the early pioneers of western Pennsylvania, whence he re- moved from the State of New Jersey, where he had resided for many years. He was of English descent, but served in the cause of freedom during the war of the Revolution. About 1812, the family removed to Trumbull county, Ohio, where they built a log cabin, cleared ground for farming purposes, and, in the midst of the surrounding wilderness, toiled hard to build a home. In all these labors the son bore a willing part, adding to his farm work the trade of blacksmithing, which was his father's occupa- tion. lle left his home when seventeen and entered an academy at Burton, Ohio, where, his father being too poor to assist him in gaining an education, he supported himself by manual labor for one year, in which he acquired con- siderable proficiency in the English branches and had com- menced the study of Greek and Latin. Leaving Burton, he visited his home, and then, journeyinig on foot through the trackless forest, made his way to Washington College, Pennsylvania. Here he entered upon a regular course under the instruction of Dr. Wylie. In the last year of the session, 1826, he was tendered, and accepted, the post of Principal of the La Fayette Academy, at Uniontown, Penn- sylvania. This position he creditably filled for two years, during which time he commenced the study of law with John M. Austin, of Uniontown. Here he was admitted to the bar in the early part of 1829, and immediately engaged in the practice of the profession. In 1829, he removed to Somerset, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and became the colleague of Jeremiah S. Black and Charles Ogle. For one year he held, fram Governor Ritner, the appointment of Prothonotary of the Courts of Somerset, and then resigned. Ile gained much reputation in this place, and ranked as
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one of the leading members of its bar. In 1838, he re- moved to Pittsburgh, where his practice hecame greatly extended, and he engaged with zeal in the field of politics. In the Ritner campaign of 1837, he was among the most active and efficient advocates of Whig principles, winning thereby great popularity and adding largely to his profes- sional connection. Since the age of seventeen, he has been a regular member of the Presbyterian Church, and is one of the senior elders of that denomination. In 1846, he was elected to Congress as the representative of Allegheny county, and, in 1848, was re-elected. During his first official term, he was a member of the Committee on Com. merce; in the second session, on the Committee of Ways and Means. Returning to Pittsburgh, he proposed to de- vote himself to his practice, but, in 1853, was nominated for and elected President Judge of the District Court of Allegheny county. Re-elected as President Judge of the same court in 1863, he served with distinction until Decem- ber, 1873, when he retired to private life. While in Con- gress, he obtained an appropriation for the building of the Marine Hospital, on the Ohio river, below Pittsburgh, and also secured an appropriation of $75,000 for the building of the Pittsburgh Post-office; this heing the first money ever granted for such purpose to any city except New York. During his term of service as Judge, he organized and per- fected the system of the Allegheny County Work-house, now a great benefaction and a self-supporting institution. Ile was an original member of the Republican party.
LACK, JEREMIAHI S., Lawyer and Judge, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, January Ioth, 1810. Ilis father was a man of influence and considerable prominence, and, from 1814 to ISIS, was a member of the Legislature; after- ward, for several years, an Associate Judge ; and, at the time of his death, a member of Congress. After acquiring a thorough classical and mathematical education, he abandoned school-life and adopted temporarily the oc- cupation of a farmer. When in his seventeenth year, he entered the law office of Chauncey Forward, in Somerset, and, in 1830, while still in his minority, was admitted to the bar. In 1831, he became Deputy Attorney-General for Somerset county, and, in 1842, was elevated to the bench, becoming the President Judge of the Court of Common P'leas of the Judicial District composed of the counties of Somerset, Bedford, Fulton, Franklin, and Blair. In 1851, he was elected Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Penn- sylvania, to which he was re-elected in 1854. In 1857, under the administration of President Buchanan, he was the Attorney-General of the United States; in 1860, Secre- tary of State ; and, in 1862, Reporter of the Supreme Court of the United States. Ile was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention of Pennsylvania of 1872 and
1873, as a Democratic delegate at large, and took an active part in all its deliberations until he resigned his seat on October 20, 1873.
HOCK, SAMUEL, Lawyer and Financier, eldest son of John and Salome Shock, was horn in Harrisburg, May 28th, 1797. Ilis ancestry was purely German, and his grandparents immigrated to this country at an early day, settling near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father, remov- ing to Harrisburg in 1792, filled the office of Commissioner and Treasurer of Dauphin county, and, in ISIo, was selected by the Legislature of Pennsylvania as a Commis- sioner with Robert Harris, Adamson Tannehill, William McCandless, and Nathan Beach, to survey the northern and southern roads from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh, to dis. cover the best route for a turnpike between the two places. After a thorough course in various preparatory schools, he, in 1815-'16, studied at the West Nottingham Academy in Cecil county, Maryland, under the care of the Rev. Dr. Magraw and the distinguished linguist, Daniel M'Crem- mer. In 1812-'13-'14, he was Recorder of Patents under John Cochran, Secretary of the Land Office, and Recorder of Surveys in the office of Andrew Porter, then Surveyor- General. In September, 1814, he joined the Harrisburg Artillerists, a volunteer company formed within twenty-four hours after the British had burned the Capitol at Wash- ington. This company, commanded by Richard M. Crain, marched to York, and thence to Baltimore, where they remained until the enemy abandoned the intended attack upon that city, and concentrated their forces near New Orleans. In May, IS17, he began to study law with Ilon. Amos Ellmaker, Attorney. General of Pennsylvania, and, under his auspices, was admitted to the bar in March, 1820. In the same year, he was appointed Solicitor of the Ilarris- burg Bank, which post he filled for many years, being later made Solicitor for the Directors of the Poor. In 1825, he took an active part in an unsuccessful effort to impeach Samuel S. Frank, President Judge of the Dauphin and Lebanon District. In the carly part of his professional career, he was both a teacher and a superintendent of the Sunday-school of the Lutheran Church, and, by personal labor and generous contributions, aided materially in the erection of a Sunday-school house. In IS25, he was elected Clerk of the House of Representatives, by a union of the Whig and anti-Masonic members, as successor of Francis R. Shunk, the Democratic candidate. In 1837, he was made Secretary to the Convention to amend the Constitu- tion, and, at the close of the labors of that body, he was unanimously thanked. In 1839, he was elected Cashier of the Columbia Bank and Bridge Company under no very favorable circumstances; its nominal capital being $150,- ooo, but, actually, not more than from $$0,000 to $100,000, as a bridge costing more than $175,000 had, in 1832, been
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carried away by an ice-freshet, and the loss sustained had | prietor of the famous " Good Intent " stage line of coaches not been made up; no dividend had been made for five that ran from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. She dying in March, 1860, he was married again, in 1865, to Annie E., daughter of Robert Barber, a descendant of Robert Barber, one of the first settlers of Lancaster county, who took up one thousand acres of land, on a part of which the town of Columbia now stands. years, while the stock was selling at $35 per share for $100 paid in, and few buyers; the capital was afterward increased to $250,000 by converting $100,000 of bridge capital into bank capital, which ouly enlarged the banking privileges without adding a dollar of money to its resources. In 1837, the capital was increased by subscription and pur- chase of new stock at $115 per share to $322,500, with a change of title to that of the Columbia Bank ; in 1865, the charter as a State Bank was surrendered, and it became UFF, JAMES KNOX POLK, Lawyer, was born in Chartiers township, Allegheny county, Penn- sylvania, September 10th, 1844. IIe is of Irish extraction, and in 1833 his family settled in Western Pennsylvania. Ilis grandfather, Joseph Lawson, emigrated from Ireland in 1811, and, upon landing in the United States, settled in Delaware county. ITis father, Samuel A. Duff, removed with his grandfather, in 1833, to Allegheny county, each remaining there subsequently until His death. James acquired his education in various schools, including the Bethel Academy, of Allegheny county, presided over by Dr. George Mar- shall, noted for his talents and scholarly attainments. Ilis course of studies he completed finally at Mount Union College, in Stark county, Ohio, where he evinced unusual discriminative powers and quick perception, Leaving this institution in 1861, he engaged in the study of the law under the guidance of General Shiras, Sr., of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Upon the completion of his course of legal studies, he was admitted to the bar, in 1865. IIe imme- diately entered upon the active practice of his profession in Louisville, Kentucky, but in six months returned thence to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he has since practised with success. At an early period he became warmly in- terested in the various political movements agitating his State and country; and, participating actively in all affairs touching the interest of the Democratic party, was early recognized as an able and energetic member. Public opera- tions and enterprises he has uniformly supported. He is Solicitor for various banks, railway companies and finan- cial organizations. In 1872, he received the Democratic nomination for the Legislature, and in 1874 was, by uni- versal acclamation, nominated for District Attorney, a posi- tion he is well fitted to fill. the Columbia National Bank, with a capital of $500,000, and the stock is now selling at from $145 to $150 per share ; he still retaining charge of its interests as Cashier. In 1848, he was appointed aid to Governor William John- ston, which, by courtesy, conferred upon him the title of Colonel. In 1860, he was a member of the State Com- mittee of the Republican party, and a delegate to the National Convention at Chicago which nominated Abra- ham Lincoln for the Presidency. Through his exertions and liberal donations, an excellent library has been estab- lished in the common-school building, in Columbia, for the free use and benefit of the pupils of the common schools, and is known as the Shock Library; also, in various other educational enterprises he has labored efficiently. During the Rebellion, he was noted for his loyalty, and presented to the company of volunteers first formed in Columbia a handsome and costly flag. At one and the same time, he served as President of the following named companies and organizations : the Common-School Board, for ten years; the Columbia & Marietta Turnpike Road Company; the Columbia & Chestnut Hill Turnpike Road Company, all of which he aided in constructing; the Columbia Water Company, and the Columbia Gas Company. He was Treasurer of the Reading & Columbia Railroad Company, but resigned that position in 1862, preparatory to embark- ing for a continental tour. Ile was also a Director of the Poor of Lancaster county, and of the Wrightsville, York & Gettysburg Railroad; a Trustee of the Normal School at Millersville; and was twice elected Auditor of Lancaster county. Ile still fills the major portion of these offices, and, in addition thereto, is President of the Old Columbia Public Ground Company. lle is a member of the Presbyterian Church in full communion, and President of the Board of Trustees. In politics, he has been uniformly anti-Demo- cratic; in 1818, he east his first vote with the Old School party, which, under Michael Leeb and others, was an off- shoot from the Democracy. In 1824, he was one of thir- ROWN, A. M., Lawyer, was born in Middlesex, Butler county, Pennsylvania, August 3d, 1829. Ilis father, born in Cumberland county, Penn- sylvania, in ISoo, was a descendant of one of the Revolutionary heroes who participated actively in the struggle for Independence ; his mother, Mary Marshall, born in the county of Derry, Ireland, came with her father's family to Pennsylvania when in her in- teen citizens of Harrisburg who supported John Quincy Adams for the Presidency; in 1829, he joined the anti- Masonic party, and prepared the first political pamphlet issued by that party in Pennsylvania. Ile was a great admirer of Thaddeus Stevens. Ile was married, in 1842, to llannah, youngest daughter of Amos Slaymaker, of Salisbury township, Lancaster county, noted as the pro-
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fancy, and at the present time is noted for her cultured ] mity the name of A. M. Brown for that office. The Pitts- intellectual powers and her womanly graees; she is a burgh Dispatch first publicly advocated his election in an able and lengthy editorial containing the following : " We are well convinced that ninety-nine out of every hundred tax-payers will, at the mere mention of his name, feel satis- fied that, if the whole directory were searched over and carefully pondered, a fitter nomination could not be made." Speaking further of the new charter and of the increased importance, power and dignity attached to the above-named office, the same well-known journal says : " It will be seen at a glance that the place, under these conditions, cannot be properly filled save by a person fairly conversant with city affairs, possessed of good judgment, firm will, and, chiefest of all, unbending honesty. It is no fulsome lau- dation, but a simple statement of fact, to assert that these attributes, one and all, are possessed by A. M. Brown. Certainly the most active member of the bar to-day ; inti- mately acquainted with the past history and present status of Pittsburgh ; of unyielding fidelity to the fulfilment of any duty reposed in him, be would not be merely a Mayor enjoying public confidence in his personal worth, but one capable of using at all times intelligently and for the best interests of the city the large authority reposed in his office." The Chronicle (Independent) also promptly and cordially endorsed the nomination, as did also the Leader, the Gazette (Republican), the Telegraph, and the Post (the only Democratie organ in Pittsburgh), and the News Item (a literary journal), with many other newspapers, all of which spoke in glowing terms of him and advocated earnestly his nomination and election. He has been offered the position of Judge of the District Court by a majority of the bar, and twice firmly declined to enter upon the onerous duties of that office. He is distinguished for his liberality and benevolence; has ever been energetic and efficient upon all occasions of public and private emergency, and deservedly enjoys the respect and confidence of all who know him. descendant of the renowned Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, whose offshoots form one of the most valuable and admi- rable elements of our present population. A. M. Brown was primarily destined by his parents to pursue a mercantile life, and when quite young became the recipient of a thor- ough business training, which was subsequently of great value to him as a lawyer practising in a large commercial centre. Later, he abandoned commercial pursuits, and, in accordance with his earliest and most ardent desires, entered upon the study of the law. Having diligently and profitably studied the legal science and practice under the able guidance of the Hon. Thomas M. Marshall, of Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania, he was, by " special allocatur," granted by the Hon. William B. McClure, President Judge of the Courts of Allegheny county-upon the certificate of the Board of Examiners-admitted to the bar in IS53; he was thus duly qualified to practice without having pursued the period of probation almost invariably required of law- students. He was then admitted to partnership with his Icarned and able preceptor, and the law firm of Marshall & Brown soon attained high rank in the profession; the mem- bers, individually, also became prominent leaders in local and State politics; not, however, as holders or seekers of office and emolument, but as public-spirited and loyal citi- zens. From the date of his admission to the bar down to the present time A. M. Brown has actively pursued the practice of his profession, for many years associated in partnership with the Hon. T. M. Marshall, and since 1865 individually and for himself alone. At this date he is widely recognized as an eminent and influential practi- tioner and an upright lawyer, distinguished by ability and scholarly attainments. Although he has never sought nor held any political position of profit, the characteristics which have ensured him success in his profession and his oratorical powers have conduced to render him popular and powerful as a political mover. Few men have contributed so materially to the success of the Republican party, yet at all times he has been prompt and fearless in unveiling and URTIS, HON. CARLTON B., Lawyer and Con- gressman, son of John Curtis, was born in Madi- son county, New York, December 17th, 1811. Ilaving received an academic education, his talents and taste led him to select the legal pro- fession, and he entered the office of the late Judge Mullet, of New York. Soon after he moved to Pennsylvania, and there continued his studies with D. C. Barrett, of Eric, until his admission to the bar. In 1834, he settled in Warren, Warren county, Pennsylvania, and some features of legal knowledge he is almost without superiors, while his reading has been so extensive and so carefully conducted that few jurists have a more profound knowledge of the general law. In 1836, then but twenty- five years of age, he was sent to the Legislature, serving suppressing every specjes of trickery and injustice emanating both from his own and from the opposing party. As an energetic member of the Republican National Convention, at Baltimore, in June, 1864, and at Chicago in 1868, he acquired a national reputation. During the war to suppress the Rebellion, his best energies were contributed to main- toin the integrity of the Union ; and, by his warm and well- directed efforts, the enlistment of volunteers for the army was greatly furthered. Although often urged by the people and the press to become a candidate for Congress, for ju- |immediately engaged in the practice of his profession. In dicial and for various other responsible positions, he has invariably and resolutely declined to accept the proffered honors. In seeking a candidate, in 1874, for Mayor of the consolidated city of Pittsburgh, under the new charter, the people and the newspaper press presented with rare unani-
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meritoriously; and in 1837 and 1838 was twice re-elected ; during his term there he warmly and ably supported the Common School Law, then being enacted. Returning home he resumed his practice, and was thus occupied until 1850, when he was elected to the Thirty-second Congress. Ile was an upholder of the Democratic party and principles until 1855, when the Missouri Compromise was repealed; and since that time has affiliated with the Republican party, exhibiting himself as an able champion when it was sorely in need of competent leaders. In 1861, when President Lincoln issued his call for troops, he was in the enjoyment of a large practice, but his regard for his country's safety influenced him more strongly than did his desire to advance his personal interests, and he immediately commenced re- cruiting soldiers for the army. His efforts created the 5Sth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, and of this organization he was appointed Colonel. The regiment was soon after ordered to North Carolina; and there did efficient duty for a lengthy period. In 1863; his health began to fail, and he was required to resign. After his re- turn home, and when reinstated in his former good health, he re-engaged in his professional . duties, and since that date has continued to practice with great success. . In 1872, the Republicans of the Nineteenth District unanimously nominated and elected him to the Forty-third Congress, where he has made an honorable, record and labored with zeal and efficiency as a member of the. Committees on Terri- tories, and Expenditures of, the. War .. Department. He is one of Erie's most talented and enterprising citizens, and has always been foremost in all public improvements. He was one of the founders of the First National Bank of Erie, and was the chief and most energetic organizer and builder of the Dunkirk & Venango Railroad; and to him must be credited a large share in the origination of those. wise measures which have since contributed to render that en- terprise so extensive and remunerative. Ile was married, in 1835, to Ann Sargent, of Warren, Warren county, Pennsylvania.
OLLENBACK, MATTHIAS, Pioneer, Revolu- tionary Soldier, Judge, Merchant, Indian Trader, ete., was born February 17th, 1752, at or near Jonestown, in Lancaster (now Lebanon) county, Pennsylvania, and was the second son of John Ilollenback-of Saxon descent, but believed to be a native of Virginia-and Eleanor Jones, a lady of Welsh parentage. Being thus of mixed German and Welsh descent, nature appears to have selected for him some of the strongest and best traits of both characters. His education was limited to a few weeks tuition in a common school ; but to him, as to other men who have risen from obscurity, by the force of their own abilities, the world was a life-long school, and expe- rience and observation his skilful tutors. He emigrated to Wyoming Valley about the latter part of the year 1769, with
a party of young men from his native county, for the purpose of settling under the Connecticut laws; and at once em- barked in trade in a small way. In the long and bloody dispute which followed, known as the " Pennamite and Yankee War," though himself a Pennsylvanian, he steadily adhered to the cause in which he had embarked, until the question of jurisdiction was decided in favor of Pennsyl- vania by a competent tribunal, in the Decree of Trenton. " From that moment," says the late Judge Scott, " he yielded obedience to the Constitution and laws of Pennsyl- vania, and contributed all in his power to quiet the turbu- lent and reconcile the disaffected to the legitimate authori- ties." On the 17th of October, 1775, he was commissioned an Ensign in the 24th Regiment of Connecticut colonial Militia. On the 26th of August, 1776, he was appointed by Congress to serve as an Ensign in Captain Durkee's Company of Wyoming minute-men, for local defence. The Wyoming companies were, not long afterward, drawn into co-operation with the main Revolutionary army ; and IIollenback served eighteen months, being engaged in the battles at Millstone, Bound Brook, Mud Fort, Brandywine and Germantown. Ilis daring conduct at Millstone was specially commended. Early in June, 1778, representa- tions of imminent danger to their homes caused the resigna- tion of the commissioned officers of the Wyoming companies, and their return to Wyoming with a portion of their men, Ilollenback among the number. They came just in time to die. As the fatal day approached, scouts were sent up the Susquehanna to reconnoitre the approach of the enemy. At . Exeter, fifteen' miles above Wilkesbarre, Hollenback and one companion found the bodies of the two young Hardings, ffreshly murdered and scalped by the savages. These they placed in a canoe and brought down the river. The foe was now known' to be near at hand, and the settlers were roused . for self-defence. The greater part of the Wyoming minute-men being still in the main army, the defence. devolved mainly upon the aged, the young and the undisciplined, poorly armed and equipped : yet they went forth with a constant mind, and the most of them sealed their devotion with their blood. The story of the day of July 3d, 1778, is well known. Ensign Hollenback fought upon the right wing; and says the historian Miner, " Fear was a stranger to his bosom. I have heard several say who recognized him in the battle that a braver soldier never marched out to meet an enemy." When the day was lost and the rout became general, he escaped to the river, throwing off his outer clothing and securing some valuables to his queue. Thus he swam the river, diving under as long as he could, and coming to the surface occa- sionally for breath; a bullet once grazing his head so closely as to cause an involuntary gasp, by which he lost a gold piece out of his mouth. Resting for an hour on the eastern bank, under cover of the forest and the darkness, he pressed on to Wilkesbarre, reaching home about one o'clock in the morning of July 4th. After some hurried
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