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MARSHALL COLLEGE
Class of 1857 Obituaries
Rev. John AULT, A. M., son of William and Elizabeth
(Black) Ault, was born in the vicinity of Annville, Lebanon county, Pa., April 1, 1836. He was baptized in infancy by
Rev. Henry Wagner, and confirmed in the Reformed church of his native village by Rev. F. W. Kremer (1843), of
Lebanon, Pa. His preparatory training for college he received in the Annville Academy. He entered the Freshman class of
Franklin and Marshall College in 1853, and graduated with honor in 1857, speaking the German oration. He was a
member of the Goethean Literary Society, and of the Chi Phi fraternity. He received the degree A. M. in course.
After graduation he entered the Theological Seminary at
Mercersburg, Pa. In 1858 he was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Classis of Lebanon, and subsequently was
ordained by Zion's Classis, and installed pastor of the Sulphur Spring charge in Cumberland county, Pa. In 1859
he accepted a call to the Loudon and St. Thomas charge in Franklin county, which he served until 1863 with great
acceptance. From this place he removed to Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county, Pa., and became the pastor of four
congregations in that vicinity. He organized a congregation in the town, and in 1864 built a church. His labors in
this charge were richly rewarded, making it necessary in 1868 to greatly enlarge the church building.
In 1873 he accepted a call to Christ Reformed church
near Littlestown, Adams county, Pa., and three other congregations of the neighborhood. During his ministry in
this charge he greatly improved the church buildings. Here he labored until his death, which occurred after a brief
illness of ten days, July 26, 1880. His remains were buried near the entrance to Christ Church.
During the Civil War Rev. Ault served the 126th Reg.
Pa. Vols. as chaplain, from December 2, 1862, to May 20, 1863, sharing with the men the perils and hardships of camp
life.
Rev. Ault was married to Sarah Isabella Waggoner, July
21, 1859. They had seven children, five of whom are still living: Mary Belle, wife of Rev. Wm. E. Hoy (1882), Reformed
Church missionary to Japan; John Waggoner, Annie Elizabeth, Clara May, and Laura Blanche. Mary Belle
graduated at the Keystone State Normal School, Kutztown, Pa., 1885; Clara May from Shippensburg State Normal
School, 1891; and Laura Blanche from Allentown Female College, 1894.
Rev. John Ault was a most successful minister of the
Gospel. He had a warm and sympathetic nature and was greatly beloved by the congregations he served. He
published several pamphlets, histories of the several churches he served, and was a frequent contributor to the church
papers.
[Bates, 4: 130; The Fathers, 5: 398; Mrs. Mary B. Hoy; Rev.
John P. Stein.]
Rev. Henry Irving COMFORT, son of Daniel and
Elizabeth (Brough) Comfort, was born August 19, 1830, at Gettysburg, Pa.
He prepared for college at New Oxford, Pa., under Dr. Pyfor, and entered the Freshman class in
1853. He graduated in 1857, and was a member of the Goethean Literary Society.
Mr. Comfort was a minister of the Reformed Church,
though he did not take the regular theological course. Licensed by Maryland Classis in 1858, and ordained in 1859,
his first charge was at Mechanicstown, Md., from 1859 to 1865. In 1866 he entered his second charge at
Germantown, Ohio, where he remained until 1867, when he became pastor of the Burkittsville charge in Frederick county, Md.
From 1872 to 188o he served the Grindstone Hill charge, Franklin county, Pa., and during the years 1881 to 1883 he
served charges at Bradford Junction and St. Paris, Ohio. Returning to Maryland, in 1884 and 1885 he taught in the
public schools of Frederick county. From 1886 to the time of his death he served as pastor of the Burkittsville
charge for the second time. He died of Bright's disease at Burkittsville, February 18, 1888, and was buried at Mt.
Olivet cemetery, Frederick.
Rev. Comfort was married three times. He was married
to Miss Elizabeth Shrom, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., in 1858. Charles Irving Comfort, of Newport, R. I., is the surviving -
child by this marriage. On October 6, 1864, he was married in Baltimore to Miss Margaret A. Miller, by Rev. E. R.
Eschbach, D. D. She died March 15, 1865, and on January 30, 1866, he was married to Miss Williamanna Colliflower at
Jefferson, Md. The third Mrs. Comfort and five of her children are now living: William Henry, Newton
Colliflower, graduate of pharmacy, Philadelphia, Anna Elizabeth, now Mrs. Obert, of Lehighton, Pa., Sarah Catherine, and
Mary E. Comfort.
[Rev. L. E. Coblentz; Rev. E. R. Eschbach, D. D.; Mrs. Clara
M. Titzel. ]
William Addison DUNCAN, Esq., was born in
Franklin township, Adams county, Pa., February 2, 1836, and died in Gettysburg, Pa., November 14, 1884. His parental
ancestors went from Edinburgh, Scotland, to Donegal, Ireland, from whence, about 1750, his grandfather, Seth
Duncan, emigrated to America and located in Lancaster county, Pa. He there married and lived until late in life,
when he removed to Abbottstown, then York (now Adams) county. The father of the subject of this sketch, Adam
Seth Enos Duncan, served in the war of 1812 at Lundy's Lane, Chippewa, and Black Rock, and was twice wounded;
his mother, Mary (Mark) Duncan, was of German descent.
William Addison Duncan, after receiving a common
school education, prepared for college at Mercersburg, Pa. He entered the Freshman class in 1853, and graduated in
1857 as valedictorian. He was a Diagnothian. In 1856 he was the chosen
ambassador of his instructors and fellow-students to bear the congratulatory messages of the College
to James Buchanan on his election to the Presidency. Mr. Duncan was a Democrat.
After graduation he entered the law office of Robert G.
McCreary, Esq., at Gettysburg, Pa., and was admitted to the bar, August 15, 1859. He soon built up an extensive practice
and made his professional career a success. He was elected district attorney for Adams county, serving from 1862 to
1865, defeated for the same office in 1865, but filled the same position again from 1868 to 1871. In 1874 he was
the nominee of his county for the State Senate. He was also for a long time solicitor for the county, and filled
various other local offices.
In November, 1882, he was elected to the 48th Congress
from the 19th district of Pennsylvania, comprising the counties of Adams, Cumberland and York. In spite of his
wishes his party renominated him for Congress, and though unable to canvass his district, he was re-elected by a largely
increased popular vote in November, 1884, a few days before his death. He is buried on the historic Cemetery Hill
at Gettysburg.
On May 26, 1863, he married Miss Caroline W.
Schmucker, daughter of Rev. Dr. Samuel S. Schmucker, president of the Lutheran theological seminary at
Gettysburg. Four sons resulted from this union, and three, with the widow, survive him: Charles S., William M., and
Schmucker Duncan.
His genial qualities were commended by all, and thus it
was that his strongest political opponents were among his warmest personal friends.
[Memorial Addresses, by members of Congress, 1885 (Portrait) ;
College Student, 5: 59, 77; Charles S. Duncan, Esq.]
Jacob John Gobrecht GEIGER, M. D., son of Rev. Jacob
Geiger and Esther Gobrecht, his second wife, was born at Manchester, Md., May 13, 1837. In his twelfth year his
father died, and his education was mainly provided for by an elder brother, who was engaged in business in Baltimore.
Manchester at that time enjoyed the advantages of an excellent academy, the teachers being supplied for a time by
Marshall College. Receiving his preparatory training there, he entered the Sophomore class of Franklin and Marshall
College in 1854, and graduated in 1857. He was a member of the Goethean Society.
Selecting the medical profession, which two of his elder
brothers had adopted, he entered Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, in 1858. The excited state of public
feeling caused by the John Brown raid was followed by the withdrawal of the Southern students, and he never returned
to the school. He completed his course at the University of Maryland, in Baltimore, receiving the degree of M. D. in
March, 1863.
At the second invasion of Lee he left home on the eve
of the battle of Gettysburg, and continued with the Southern army during the campaign of that year. Thence he went to
Roswell, Ga., where he assisted his brother in the practice of medicine until the approach of Gen. Sherman's army
compelled him to move further inland. He then entered the military service, becoming a member of Co. D, 1st Md.
Cavalry, operating with the Army of Northern Virginia.
He continued in active service during the waning fortunes of
the Confederacy, until the close of hostilities at Appomattox. Returning shortly afterward to his native town, he soon
acquired an extensive practice, through his genial manners and his marked success as a physician. He died unmarried,
June 13, 1873, leaving many whom he had befriended to mourn his early loss.
[George T. Shower, M. D.]
Henry Hensel GIESY, Esq., the seventh son of John
Ulric and Mary Magdalene (Hensel) Giesy, was born February 17, 1836. He prepared for college at the Capitol
University (Lutheran), Columbus, Ohio, and entered the Junior class in 1855. After graduation, in 1857, he studied
law with Judge Brazee in his native town of Lancaster, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar. In college he was a
member of the Goethean Literary Society.
At the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion he was
engaged in the practice of his profession in his native town and was one of the first to respond to the call for troops.
He entered the service as captain on the first call for three months' volunteers, and served this period in West Virginia.
At its expiration he returned, raised a new company, and re-enlisted for three years, on December 26, 1861. He was
engaged with distinction and bravery in West Virginia, and at Shiloh, Corinth, Jackson, Missionary Ridge, Knoxville,
Dalton, Resaca, and Dallas. For gallant conduct he was made major of his regiment, the 46th Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, over three captains whose commissions antedated his, on August 9, 1862. He was provost marshal on the
staff of Brigadier-General Hugh Ewing, commanding the Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, in November,
1863, and was by him recommended for promotion. In the great battles of General Sherman on his way to Atlanta, the
colonel of the 46th Ohio Regiment being assigned to the command of a brigade, the command of the regiment
devolved on Major Giesy. He was mortally wounded in the battle of Dallas on May 28, 1864, and died the next clay.
Brigadier-General Chas. C. Walcott in his official report of
the battle of Dallas says, " This battle, severe as it was upon the enemy, cost the country the lives and services of many
valuable officers and men. Colonel Dickerson, 103d Illinois, and Major Giesy, 46th Ohio, fell mortally wounded and
have since died. They were both brave and efficient officers and received their wounds during the heat of the
engagement while at the front encouraging their men." He was made brevet brigadier-general " for gallant and
meritorious services at the battle of Dallas, Georgia, where he was killed."
The remains of Major Giesy were sent to his native town
in Ohio, arriving there Monday, June 6, and were buried in the cemetery, east of the city, on the following morning.
The services were conducted by the Rev. Hockman of the Reformed Church, of which the deceased was a member,
having been baptized in infancy and confirmed in his youth.
The funeral services were attended by soldiers in uniform,
members of the bar, friends and citizens generally. " Gentle learned, brave and true," stands inscribed on his
monument in the cemetery at Lancaster, placed there by a member of the same bar.
[S. H. Giesy, Esq.; Private sources.]
Daniel Gaither HUYETT, son of Daniel and Martha
(Gaither) Huyett, was born near Cavetown, Washington county, Md., June 2, 1836. He entered the Freshman
class in 1853, was a member of the Diagnothian Society and graduated in 1857. He married a daughter of Hon. Joseph
I. Merrick, of Hagerstown, Md., in 1860, and lived quietly on a farm in Washington county until his death, July 4,
1878. A widow and six children survived him. One of his sons, W. Merrick Huyett, is principal of one of the public
schools at Hagerstown.
De Witt Clinton RENCH, son of Andrew and Jane S.
(Price) Rench, was born April 8, 1837, in Washington county, Md. He was prepared for college at the public
school near his home by Mr. William Brannon, now Judge Brannon, of Iowa. He entered the Freshman class in 1853
and graduated in 1857. He was a member of the Diagnothian Literary Society, and the Phi Kappi Sigma fraternity.
He began reading law in the fall of 1857 with Hon.
Robert Y. Conrad of Winchester, Va., and finished with Hon. Wm. T. Hamilton of Maryland. He commenced the
practice of law with his uncle, Hon. William Price, Baltimore, March 3, 1859, and was admitted to practice before
the Superior Court, April 5, 1859, and to the United States Courts, and was on the road of success and prosperity.
He remained in Baltimore until May 15, 1861, when he
returned home with the intention of joining the Confederate army. On the afternoon of June 5, 1861, his father sent
him alone to Williamsport, Md., on business. Here he was attacked by a mob with clubs and stones, shot from his
horse and murdered in the streets by Federal soldiers.
[J. M. Gaines, M. D.]
Jacob SCHNEBLY, son of Daniel H. and Anna Maria
(Rench) Schnebly, was born near Hagerstown, Md., August 17, 1834. He prepared for college at Mercersburg and
entered the Freshman class in 1853. Of half a dozen brothers who attended College for a time, he was the only
one to graduate; and all were Diagnothians. Immediately after graduation, September to, 1857, he was married, by
Rev. C. C. Russell (1853), to Miss Frances Marion Rowland and settled down to farming near Downsville,
Washington county, Md. Here he died December 11, 1872.
He was buried in Rose Hill cemetery, Hagerstown. His
wife, now Mrs. D. H. Stonebraker, and five of their eight children are still living: Mrs. Susan Maria
Stonebraker, Isaac Rowland, Harry W., Elizabeth Booth and Emma Gring.
[A. R. Schnebly; Mrs. F. M. Stonebraker; Jonas Winter;
Private sources.]
Alfred Benjamin SCHWARTZ, Esq., son of John and
Hannah (Keck) Schwartz, was born near Allentown, Lehigh county, Pa., January 31, 1836. As a boy he performed his
share of the duties of the farm, at the same time pursuing his studies in both the free and subscription schools of his
neighborhood. This early training was supplemented by a course of study in the boarding school of Dr.
Vanderveer, at Easton, Pa.
After completing his preparatory training he entered the
Sophomore class in the fall of 1854. During his entire college career he took an active interest in all matters
pertaining to the College. He was a member of the Diagnothian Literary Society, and a charter member of the Zeta chapter
of the Chi Phi fraternity.
His inclination was strongly toward the profession of law,
and on January 6, 1857, before he had taken his degree, Hon. Samuel A. Bridges registered him as a student at law,
at Allentown. Immediately after his graduation, in 1857, he devoted himself to the study of law and was admitted to
the bar, at Allentown, on May 16, 1859.
He followed his profession until the fall of 1862. On
November 25, 1862, he enlisted in the Union army. He organized one of three companies, enlisted at Harrisburg,
Pa., during the months of October and November, 1862, and was appointed captain of his company, known as
Company H, of the 147th Reg. Pa. Vols. This regiment was very actively engaged throughout the war. It took part in
the battles on Lookout Mountain and around Chattanooga. Afterwards, in the battle of Chancellorsville, Capt. Schwartz
lost almost his entire company, including his 1st lieutenant, Thomas J. Learning, to whom he was so much attached
that he named his only son, John Learning Schwartz, in his honor. After engaging in the battle of Gettysburg Capt.
Schwartz continued with his command until January 24, 1864, when he was honorably discharged on account of
sickness. Upon his return from the war he again turned his attention to his profession, and followed it till the end of
his life.
He was married March 14, 1865, at Allentown, to Miss
Ida Wright, daughter of Hon. Robert E. Wright, Sr., Rev. F. J. F. Schantz performing the ceremony. He died at
Allentown, March 14, 1867. His widow, now the wife of Hon. Evan Holben, and son, John Learning Schwartz, Esq.,
the present district attorney of Lehigh county, survive him.
[Bates, 4: 572; Prof. J. Hiram Schwartz.]
George Washington WILLIARD, son of John and
Malinda (Williard) Williard, was born at Burkittsville, Md. February 8, 1837. He prepared for college at Capitol
University, Columbus, Ohio, and entered the Junior class of Franklin and Marshall in 1855, graduating with his class in
1857. He was a member of the Goethean Literary Society.
Mr. Williard was by profession a bookkeeper, and had
considerable reputation as such. He was a young man of excellent moral character, and had many warm friends who
lamented his early death, which occurred May 12, 1889. He is buried in the cemetery at Columbus, Ohio, to which
city his father had moved when George was quite young.
[Rev. Geo. W. Williard, D. D.]
Source: Franklin and Marshall College
Obituary Record, Edited for the Alumni Association, Vol. 1, No.1, Lancaster,
Pa. Published by the Alumni Association of Franklin and Marshall
College, June 1897.
Obituaries
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