USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2 > Part 71
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· cases of the most important and delicate nature. As an | the law department of the University of Albany. Then author, he is widely known as the writer of The Forum ; Sertorius, or The Roman Patriot, a tragedy ; The Trial, and a farce called Love and Honor. Ile was married, December 24th, 1826, to Emmeline Catharine Ilandy, daughter of Sewell Ilandy, of the United States Navy, and granddaughter of James Hutchins, of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Ile died in Philadelphia.
TRANAIIAN, PERRY G., Farmer and Real Estate Operator, was born at Columbia, Iler- kimer county, New York, July 12th, 1820. Ile is the son of Gibson J. Deverdorf, a farmer. Educated in the common schools of Herkimer county, he, in 1841, commenced clerking in dry goods at Erie, and, for four years, taught country school in Erie and Warren counties during the winters, and clerked during the summer. Then he went to farming in Erie county, which he still continues. In IS58, he re- moved to Union City, then a country " four corners," and purchased the well-known Miles' estate, laid it out in town lots, built houses, encouraged enterprises, etc., till now, the town, with its 3000 population, its railroad connections, banks, shops, business blocks,, is a monument to the in- dustry, liberality, publie spirit, and success of its founder. Ile established the Casement Savings Bank at Union City, and is its President. He has been the Democratic candi- date for Assembly, but his party being in the minority in the county he was not elected. Ile has been Jury Com- missioner. On December 26th, 1843, he was married to Louisa M. Webber, of Columbus, Warren county, and has four daughters, one of whom married a third cousin, E. G. Stranahan, and lives at Union. Ile is one of those men who, in an eminent degree, may be called " self-made." With no outfit except habits of industry and thrift, the only legacy left him by his father, he has become the pos- sessor of a large property and the builder of a prosperous town. Of genial manners, fine business talents, and great personal popularity, he has acquired large influence, and has made his mark in the county of Erie. As long as Union City remains, his activity in its settlement will be remembered.
EIDELMAN, WILLIAM, Lawyer, Soklier, Edi- tor, and Politician, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, January 17th, 1840. Ile received a thorough English and classical edu- cition at the New York Conference Seminary, and enjoyed the benefit of a short course of study at the Troy University. Having determined upon adopting the legal profession he pursued his studies to that end, from 1860 to 1862, in which year he graduated from
he enlisted in the service of his country, and was appointed Second Lieutenant in one of the companies of the 153d Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, which was attached to the Eleventh Corps of the Army of the Potomac. Ile followed the fortunes of this regiment for ten months, par- ticipating during that time in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, as well as other engagements, and proving himself a gallant soldier and efficient officer. He was honorably mustered out of the United States service in August, 1863, and was admitted to practice at the bar, in Pennsylvania, in November of the same year. After pass- ing over two years in a law office in New York city, he freturned to his native county, and soon received the ap- pointment of Deputy Sheriff, holding it until 1867. For a short time he occupied the editorial chair of the North- ampton Democrat, and exhibited marked journalistic ability. In 1869, he resumed the practice of law, and devoting his entire time and attention to its details quickly acquired not only a large and lucrative connection, but political prominence which, in 1871, resulted in his elec- tion to the office of District Attorney of Northampton county, for the term of three years.
EISE, CAPTAIN FRANK, Merchant, Soldier, Lawyer, etc., Prothonotary of the Courts of York county, Pennsylvania, was born in Paradise township, in that county, May 22d, 1837. 1lis father, George Geise, and mother, Elizabeth ( Riley), were also both natives of the same county. Receiving his education at the York County Academy and the Cumberland Valley Institute, at Me- chaniesburg, Pennsylvania, when about eighteen, he re- turned to York county, and for two years engaged in teaching school. Ile then removed to Baltimore and remained in mercantile life until 1861, when he entered as a private the 87th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volun- teers, and served with that organization for two and a half years, earning his promotions and gaining the position, upon the non-commissioned staff, of Sergeant: Major. Ile obtained his discharge from that regiment in order to accept a commission as Second Lieutenant in the 32d United States Colored Troops, and joined his new com- mand at Camp William Penn, Philadelphia, being stationed there for about six months, serving upon the garrison staff. Leaving Philadelphia for active duty in the field, he was intercepted by an order detailing him as Provo t Marshal at Hilton Head and Charleston, South Carolina. In this trying position, and as Assistant Provost Marshal General of the Department of the South, he served under the administrations of Generals Foster, Gihnore, and Sickles, until his muster out of service, in 1865, being, in the meantime, promoted to First Lientenant, and transferred
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to the 54th United States Veteran Volunteers. IIe was also subsequently recommended for promotion to a cap- taincy, but never was mustered in that rank, his term of service having expired. After leaving the United States Army he was appointed to a clerkship in the Interior Department, Washington, and while thus employed attended law lectures at Columbia College, graduated therefrom in 1869, and was admitted to practice in the courts of the District of Columbia, Returning to York in the same year, he met with much success at the bar until 1872, when he was elected to the position of Prothonotary for the county.
IRD, IION. THOMAS II., was born in Wash- ington, Pennsylvania, November 15th, 1787. Ilis grandfather, Major John Baird, an officer in the British army, served under General Brad- dock ; was present at the defeat of that brave but unfortunate soldier, July 9th, 1755; and was afterwards engaged under General Forhes in the expedition of 1758, against Fort Duquesne, losing his life in the ambush that resulted in the capture of General Grant and the defeat of his enterprise. Major Baird's son, Dr. Ab- salom Baird, was born in Philadelphia, probably; was a Surgeon in the Continental Army during the Revolution, enjoying the intimate friendship of many of its most dis- tinguished officers; afterwards practised his profession for some years at Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, where he married Susan Brown ; and removed subsequently to Wash- ington, Pennsylvania, where he attained the distinction of being the most able physician and surgeon of his time in western Pennsylvania. He was eminent also for his classi- cal, scientific and literary attainments, his early education having been pursued at the famous Log College on the Neshamony, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. At the time of Dr. Baird's death, his son Thomas, then about eighteen years of age, was a student in the classical school of David Johnston, in Brooke county, Virginia. The embarrassed condition of his father's estate compelled him to leave school, and he commenced the study of law in the office of Joseph Pentecost, at Washington, where he was admitted to the bar in March, 1808, before completing his twenty-first year. Ilis success in the rapid attainment of a large and remunerative practice was remarkable at a bar which boasted such practitioners as James Ross, Henry Baldwin, Parker Campbell, Philip Dodridge and other eminent lawyers of that day. In October, 1818, he was appointed, by Governor Findlay, President Judge of the newly formed District (the Fourteenth) composed of the counties of Washington, Fayette, Greene and Somerset-the last was taken off in 1824 to form part of the Sixteenth District. In December, 1837, he resigned his seat on the bench, which he had filled with great honor and rare ability for more than nineteen years. Upon resigning his judgeship he
ren oved to Pittsburgh and resumed the practice of the law, being admitted to the bar of that city January 2d, 1838. After ten or twelve years of continuous professional labors he withdrew from active life to the retirement of his farm, near Monongahela City, Washington county, Pennsylvania. Ile did not, however, lose his interest in public affairs, and was a frequent contributor to the newspapers upon the topics that were from time to time agitating the public mind. In 1854, he was the candidate of the Native American party for Judge of the Supreme Court, Judge Black, the Democratic nominee, being his successful competitor. As a profound, discriminating, acute and ready lawyer, Judge Baird had few equals in the State, and probably no supe- rior. Ilis opinions when on the bench always commanded the high respect of the Supreme Court, and the reversal of any of his decisions was extremely rare. In bis judicial career perhaps the most prominent event was his striking from the roll of the Fayette county bar, in 1835, a majority of the attorneys. This led to his impeachment before the Legislature, by which tribunal he was, npon trial, honorably acquitted. The case will be found in the fifth volume of Razole's Reports, and the whole correspondence and pro- ceedings are detailed in Hasard's Register of Pennsylvania, vol. xv, pp. 113, 245. When practising as an attorney, it seemed impossible for the most acute practitioner to catch him unawares. So thorough and extensive had been his reading, so retentive was his memory and so quick was his reasoning faculty, that his conclusions appeared to come like intuitions, and were almost invariably correct. Among the most able and searching productions of the Presidential campaign of 1827-'28 was a pamphlet address from a county meeting to the people of Washington county, against Jackson, written by him. An argument from his pen against Sabbath Mails and Sabbath Desecration in General was
published in pamphlet form and widely circulated. Ilis charges to the Grand Jury were frequently published. Ilis series of papers on the slavery question, over the signature "Alethes," in the Pittsburgh Commercial Journal, in 1851, attracted much attention ou account of their marked ability. As a friend of internal improvements and commercial enter- prise he was among the foremost men of his time, if not occasionally in advance of his time. As one of the original suggesters and active promoters of the National Road, of the Monongahela Navigation Improvement, of the modern method of coal transportation by tow-boats and barges, of the construction of the Chartiers' Valley Railroad-the first survey for which was made largely, if not entirely, at his expense-as President of a bank and builder of a mill in his native town, and in numerous other ways, he gave con- stant evidence of his active and enlightened public spirit. Though deprived of the advantages of a thorough academi- cal course of instruction in early life, his thirst for knowl- edge and his facility in its acquisition soon carried him far in advance of the great majority of those who have com- pleted the ordinary college curriculum. His attainments
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in classical learning were of a high order; philological studies were to him a virtual recreation; and the reading of the Scriptures in the original tongues was with him a life-long habit and one of his greatest enjoyments. One of the occupations of his later years was rendering the Psalms of David from the original IIebrew into a metrical English version, and he advanced as far as the Forty-second Psalm. In history and general literature his reading was unusually extensive ; his power of memory was remarkable, and his taste highly cultivated. In person he was tall, slender and slightly stooped-always appearing to be in a deep study, with his eyes fixed on the ground. On this account, when walking on the street, he seemed to be unsocial. But on meeting friends and acquaintances he was free, easy and communicative, possessing a fund of information which he freely imparted to others. His friends were glad to visit him and enjoy his conversation, because of his fine literary tastes and his large attainments in every branch of knowl- edge. ITis sense of right and wrong was very acute, and as a judge his sole object was the administration of justice. Ile was somewhat impulsive and irascible, which betrayed him sometimes into speaking unadvisedly. But when on reflection he saw his error, no man was more ready to make amends. Being conscious of uprightness in all his conduct, he never shunned-nay, even courted-the most rigid scrutiny. ITis bitterest enemies at the bar accorded to him integrity and honesty of purpose and an anxious desire to do right. Ile possessed a remarkably kind disposition and was liberal even to a fault. His latest professional act was the prosecution before the Court of Claims at Washington of a claim for compensation for the services rendered by his father, Dr. Baird, during the Revolutionary War. For the manner in which he conducted this case, and for his lucid and forcible argument, he was highly complimented at the time by many of the distinguished lawyers then in Wash- ington. A decision in his favor was rendered by the court, and he was immediately and urgently solicited by a number of similar claimants to conduct their cases for them, but his impaired health compelled him to decline. IIe was endowed by nature with rare intellectual gifts, and dis- tinguished for his profound legal attainments, his diversified and highly cultivated literary taste, his kindness of heart and his spotless integrity. But his crowning grace was a deep, yet simple, and unaffected piety, marked by rare humility, tender conscientiousness and childlike faith. For some years preceding his death he was a great sufferer, but endured the severest pain with a patience that was truly remarkable in one of his nervous temperament. ITis last illness, however, was brief; but the summons, though sud- den, came to one who had long been waiting for its coming, and almost his last whispered utterance was the expression of his trust in a present Saviour. He died at the residence of his son-in-law, Charles MeKnight, in Allegheny City, November 220, 1866, having completed his seventy-ninth year seven days before; and his remains were interred,
November 25th, in the cemetery at Washington, Pennsylva- nia, whither they were followed by a large concourse of those in the midst of whom he had spent his most active years, and by whom he had been so long revered and loved.
UIDEKOPER, GENERAL HENRY S., Soldier and Manufacturer, was born in Meadville, Penn- sylvania, July 17th, 1839. His parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, his mother being the daughter of Judge Shipman, from Lancaster county, and his father, born in Meadville, coming of ancestry originally from Amsterdam, Holland. They were fully able to afford him the means of obtaining a thorough education, and after completing his preliminary studies in the schools of the neighborhood he entered IIarvard College, at Cambridge, in 1858, and graduated from that institution with honor in the year 1862. The South was then in rebellion against the National Govern- ment, and with the patriotism that seems to have been a marked family characteristic he immediately entered the army in support of the Union. Ile enlisted on August 28th, 1862, and was mustered in at Harrisburg, as Captain of Company K, in the 150th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. Almost immediately he was selected for the position of Lieutenant Colonel, and served so efficiently that upon the occurrence of a vacancy he was immediately promoted to a full Colonelcy. Ile proved his gallantry and ability to command on numerous well-fought fields, among others in the battles of Pollock's Mill, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg ; at the latter place he had the misfortune to lose his right arm, and his empty sleeve, as well as history, bear testimony to the fact that he was no holiday soldier. At Gettysburg, too, while in hospital, he was captured and held for a short time as a prisoner of war. The autumn succeeding that of 1863, unfit for field duty, but still desiring to serve his country in some capacity during its need, he applied for assignment to duty. The estimation in which his ability was held by the highest authority in the land is evidenced in the following note :
ADJUTANT. GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY :
Please grant such requests as Colonel Iluidekoper may make. Yours truly, A. LINCOLN.
Ile was finally compelled to resign by reason of prostra- tion consequent upon his wounds, and he was honorably discharged from the United States service on March 6th, 1864. On his return to his home in Meadville, and after his restoration to health, his active habits would not permit him to be content with a life of inactivity. IIe engaged with two brothers under the firm-title of II. S. & F. W. luidekoper, in the erection of a factory for the production of woollen goods. The enterprise has proved most suc- cessful, the establishment now furnishing employment for
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seventy five hands and shipping to the New York market |1865. Commencing the active practice of his profession in goods to the amount of $200,000 per annum. Governor Geary, fully appreciating the military character of Colonel Huidekoper, appointed him in 1871 to the command of the Twentieth Division of the Pennsylvania National Guard, and in 1874 he was placed, as Acting Major-General, in charge of the Seventh Division National Guard of Penn- sylvania. Since his return from the army he has held entirely aloof from active participation in political move- ments, though frequently solicited to accept public position. Ile was married, in 1864, to Emma G., daughter of I. W. Evans, of Philadelphia.
ITTERSON, HION. T. II. BAIRD, Lawyer, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 6th, 1844. Ilis parents were Joseph N. Patterson and Mary (Bird) Patterson, daughter of the late IIon. T. II. Baird. Ile is a descendant of Revs. Joseph and Robert Patterson, the pioneers of the Bible Society and book publishing interests of western Pennsyl- vania. After completing the usual course of studies pur- sucd in Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, he graduated from that institution in 1864. IIc then began the study of law with his grandfather, Judge Baird, and George Shives, Jr., of Pittsburgh, and was admitted to the bar of Allegheny county September 7th, 1867. Engaging in practice in the above mentioned city, he rapidly acquired an extensive and remunerative clientage, which, since that time, has monopolized the major portion of his time and attention. During the war of the Rebellion, he served as a private soldier in the 204th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was favorably noticed for his zeal and efficiency. Ile was elected from the Twenty-third Sena- torial District to the Constitutional Convention of 1872- '73, and served ably as a member of the Committees on Legislation, and Railroads and Canals; it is a noteworthy fact that, although one of the youngest members of this convention, he was also one of the most active and influ- ential, and participated with unusual earnestness and capa- bility in all measures of an important character.
Allentown, Lehigh county, in 1866, his well-directed efforts were soon crowned with the success which they merited. Entering early into the political arena, he has participated prominently in all the prevalent cotemporary movements and struggles of the old Democracy in his native State, and has been noted as a vigorous and talented leader. Pro- fessionally, he is a shrewd and learned practitioner, and while arguing before the court and jury his concise and logical reasoning is used with marked effect. In 1872, he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention, and while acting in that capacity served on the Committees on Private Corporations, Foreign and Domestic, other than Railroads, Canals, and Religious and Charitable Corpora- tions and Societies.
ROOKS, EDWARD, Principal of the State Nor- mal School, Millersville, Pennsylvania, was born in the year 1831, at Stony Point, New York. Ilis father, John J. Brooks, a mechanic, and his mother, Caroline A. (Rose), were both natives of the same place. Ilis educational advantages were fair, and he profited by them to the utmost, complet- ing his scholastic learning at the Liberty Normal School of New York. Hle adopted teaching as his profession when but eighteen years of age, and in it has expended the energies of his life, seeking by every means to promote the advancement of educational systems. Ile has held the position of Professor of Mathematics in the University of Northern Pennsylvania ; is favorably known as a lecturer at teachers' institutes; is President of the State Teachers' Association, and is in fact prominent in every movement of an educational nature. Ile has no aspirations towards public position or official station, and has no connection with any corporations, companies or other bodies, except with the Board of Trustees of the State Normal School, of which he is the honored and highly efficient Principal. lle was married, November 3d, 1855, to Maria, daughter of Colonel John W. Dean, who, when a boy, was a private in the War of 1812, and who afterwards became a colonel of cavalry and a leading Democratic politician of his sec- tion. Professor Brooks has rendered valuable service in the cause of public education.
ARVEY, HION. EDWARD, Lawyer, was born, January 17th, 1844, in Doylestown, Pennsyl- vania, where his father, George F. Harvey, M. D., was a leading physician. His early ODGSON, WILLIAM II., Journalist, was born in Doylestown, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, Oc- tober 15th, 1829. Ilis father, John Hodgson, a printer, and his mother's family, the Ilalls, were old and well-known residents of this section of the State. His education was acquired in the common schools of his native place, and in 1844 he entered education was acquired in the private school presided over by Rev. S. M. Ilamiel, of Law- reneeville, New Jersey. After due preparation he entered the College of New Jersey, in 1860, and graduated there- from in 1864. Subsequently, he entered upon a course of legal studies under the guidance of Hon. George Lee, of Doylestown, and was admitted to the bar in September, a printing-office, where he was employed until his father
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purchased the Jeffersonian. Ile then became attached to | M. Allison, he originated and established the Altoona the office of that journal, and, after mastering all the prac- Tribune. This journal, the first number appearing January Ist, 1856, was published as a weekly newspaper, with gratifying suceess. In May, 1858, William M. Allison disposed of his interest to Henry Clay Dern. In April, 1873, MeCrum & Dern began the publication of a six- column daily edition, which they have since continued with well-directed energy and signal success. The weekly paper has a larger eirculation than is possessed by any other journal of the same stamp in central Pennsylvania, circulating extensively throughout the lumber, coal and iron regions. Politically, the Tribune is independent, al- though invariably containing a full and satisfactory resume of all important politieal events. The jobbing business of the office is very large and lucrative, and is of more real importanee, financially considered, than the newspaper publications. tical details involved in the printing business, was appointed Manager. In this capacity he continued to serve with in- dustry and ability until 1867, when he became by purchase the sole owner of the entire establishment. Under his supervision and control the paper rapidly attained still greater prestige and popularity, and within a short space of time grew to be one of the best-edited and most influ- ential county organs in the State. The Daily Local News was originated and established in November, 1872, and sinee that date has met with great success, having a wide circulation and being considered a valuable and enterpris- ing journal. While warmly and loyally interested in all matters concerning the welfare of his country, he is neither an office-holder nor seeker, occupying himself solely in seeking to render his papers the vehicles of information and culture.
ENNEDY, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Protho- notary of the District Court and Court of Com. mon Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, was born near Pittsburgh, January 19th, 1841. Ilis father, a farmer, sent him to the country school-house. During the late war he enlisted and served three years in the Pennsylvania Reserves; was taken prisoner and confined in Libby Prison for four months. At the close of the war he became a clerk in the Prothonotary's office at Pittsburgh, and continued in that capacity for abont six years, reading law the while with Major A. M. Brown. He was admitted to the bar early in 1870, practised law for three years, and was elected Protho- notary of the District Court and Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County in 1873. In politics, he has always been a Republican. Ile takes an active interest in military affairs, and is an officer on the staff of the commandant of the Fifth Division, Pennsylvania State Militia, with the rank of Major.
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