History of Williamsport, (Northampton County) Pennsylvania United States of America

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Biographies:

James H. Campbell, diplomatist, was born at Williamsport, Pa., Feb. 8. 1820. He received a classical education and was graduated at the Carlisle (Pa.) law school in 1841, gaining admission to the bar in the same year. In 1844 he was a member of the national Whig convention at Baltimore. In 1854 he was elected a representative to the 34th Congress, and was afterwards elected to the 36th and 37th congresses. In 1864 President Lincoln appointed him United States minister to Sweden, where he remained until November, 1866, when he was appointed minister to the United States of Colombia. Upon reaching home, however, he declined the mission, and resumed his law practice. He died April 12, 1895.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Andrew Dousa Hepburn, educator, was born in Williamsport, Pa., Nov. 14, 1830. He was graduated from Jefferson college, Pa., in 1851, from the University of Virginia in 1854, and from Princeton Theological seminary in 1857. he was stated supply at Harrisonburg, Va., 1857-58; was ordained to the Presbyterian ministry, Oct. 22, 1858; was pastor at New Providence, Va., 1858-60; professor of rhetoric and logic in the University of North Carolina, 1860-67; professor of logic, rhetoric and the English language and literature, 1867-71, and of philosophy and literature, 1871-73, in Miami university; president of the University of Ohio, 1871-73; president of mental philosophy and English literature in Davidson college, N. C., 1874-77; president of Davidson college, 1877-85; and professor of the English language and literature in Miami university from 1885. He received from Hampden-Sidney the degree of D.D. in 1876, and from the University of North Carolina that of LL.D. in 1881. He is the author of Manual of Rhetoric.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Thomas McElrath, publisher, was born at Williamsport, Pa., May 1, 1807. He served an apprenticeship as printer at Harrisburg and Philadelphia, studied law at Williamsport and then removed to New York city where he became a proof-reader and subsequently head salesman in the Methodist Book Concern. He engaged in publishing school and religious books with Lemuel Bangs in 1825. He was admitted to the bar in 1828 and practised in New York city in partnership with William Bloomfield and Charles P. Duly. He was elected a Whig member of the state assembly in 1838, and was appointed a master in chancery for the city of New York by Governor Seward in 1840. He was appointed state director of the Bank of America by Governor Seward in 1841 and formed a partnership with Horace Greeley the same year under the firm name of Greeley & McElrath, and as business manager of the Tribune placed the unprofitable venture on a secure foundation. He was alderman of the city of New York, 1845-46, and resigned his business connection with the Tribune in 1857, on being elected corresponding secretary of the American institute, whose state annual reports he edited until 1861, when he was appointed appraiser-general for the New York district by President Lincoln. He resigned from this office in 1864, returned to the Tribune as business manager, and in 1866 was appointed chief appraiser of foreign merchandise at the port of New York. He was U.S. commissioner to the Paris exposition in 1867; U.S. commissioner to the Vienna exhibition in 1873, where, with John Jay, he was a special commissioner to adjust and superintend the American department, and was secretary and general executive officer of the New York state commission at the Centennial exhibition, Philadelphia, in 1876. He acted as legal adviser to the Park national bank in New York city up to the time of his death. He was married to Elizabeth Price of New York city. He is the author of Dictionary of Words and Phrases Used in Commerce (1872). He died in New York city, June 6, 1888.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor