BIO: Henry L. CARLISLE, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ H. L. CARLISLE, M. D. It is not every professional man who finds in his own native place, and among his old-time acquaintances, the best field for the efforts of mature years, and that Dr. Carlisle, a rising young physician of Philipsburg, Centre county, should thus tempt fate, and win success under circumstances usually considered most trying, is evidence of more than ordinary ability and worth. Dr. Carlisle was born December 28, 1862, and is a son of Samuel and Martha (Lorain) Carlisle, who died when he was a child of less than three years. Samuel Carlisle was a native of this State, and came to Philipsburg from Chambersburg in early manhood to engage in mercantile business. The Doctor's mother, who was born in Centre county, was a granddaughter of Philipsburg's honored pioneer, John Lorain, and his wife, Martha, both natives of Maryland. Thomas Lorain, great- grandfather of Mrs. Carlisle, commanded the ship in which he came to America, and, locating in Maryland at an early period in its history, took a leading part in the development of the place in which he settled. Dr. Henry Lorain, Mrs. Carlisle's father, was born in Maryland, but locating in Clearfield county, became one of the most prominent physicians of that section, his practice extending over a wide range of territory. He married Miss Maria Taylor, a native of the county. Dr. Carlisle being left an orphan at such a tender age, was taken in charge by his mother's brother, Major Lorenzo Lorain, one of the ablest and most noted sons of Centre county. A keen and well-balanced intellect, and rare executive ability, combined with a genial nature which won the lasting regard of all sorts and conditions of men, gave him extraordinary influence. His COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 213 capabilities seemed almost limitless. As soldier, teacher, scientist, civil engineer, and inventor, he did work of permanent value. He was born in Philipsburg, August 5, 1831, and during his boyhood, while studying civil engineering, he was offered a cadetship at West Point, which he accepted. Entering in June, 1852, he was graduated with honors in 1856, and received a commission as second lieutenant in the Third U. S. Artillery, his duties taking him to various points. At the outbreak of the Civil war, he naturally took a post of responsibility, and in one of the first battles, that of Blackburn's Ford, Va., in July, 1861, he was severely wounded. He never entirely recovered (in fact his death was the result of disease superinduced by the wound); but in March, 1862, he accepted a position as assistant in the chemical department at West Point, which he held for over eight years. He was offered several volunteer commands but much as he desired to join the army in the field his physical condition prohibited it. He received, however the brevet rank of captain for his gallant conduct at Blackburn's Ford and later that of major was bestowed. On leaving West Point he was stationed at Fort Jefferson, Florida, as commander, and later at Charlestown, S. C., and then he took the chair of physics and mechanics at Lehigh University at Bethlehem, Penn. His liking for military surroundings and connections led him to resign this position and to refuse other important posts in different colleges. For a time he served at Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor, and after became an instructor in the United States Artillery School at Fortress Monroe, Va., and remained until a short time before his death which occurred March 6, 1882, at Baltimore. Md., while on sick leave. While at the school he made, or was instrumental in bringing about, many improvements, and he invented a gunsight which bears his name. He left a widow, formerly Miss Fannie Moseley McDonald, of Washington, D.C., and two children: Henry McDonald, a mining engineer in Philipsburg and Mertie M., wife of Lieut. E. A. Anderson of the United States Navy. Under the fostering care of this noble man our subject passed his most impressionable years. The frequent changes of location had their educational effect, and he attended various schools also - one at Norfolk, Va., the academy at Troy, N. Y., and a school at Gettysburg, Penn. In 1882 he became a clerk in the office of the Philipsburg Banking Company, and held the position for ten years, resigning in 1892 to take a similar place in a coal company's office. He had by this time discovered his real bent, and after one year in the last position he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, and in 1896 received the degree of M. D. Returning to Philipsburg, where he had long been deservedly popular, he began his professional labors. 1900 Paint Township, Somerset County census - Henry L. Carlisle, 37, physician