BIO: George W. EMIGH, Centre County, PA

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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.
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  G. W. EMIGH, M.D., a successful physician of Philipsburg, Centre 
county, is a self-made man whose history affords a striking 
illustration of the possibilities which lie before one in whom mental 
ability is combined with high purpose and resolute will.
  Dr. Emigh is a descendant of a pioneer family of Clearfield county, 
and the sturdy qualities of the race has been shown there in three 
previous generations. His great-grandfather, Christian Emigh, came from 
Germany when a young man, and settled upon a tract of land at the 
stream since known as Emigh's run, it having been named in his honor. 
He was a farmer by occupation and, so far as can now be ascertained, 
spent his life there. His son and namesake, Christian Emigh (2), who 
was born at Emigh's Rub, possessed decided mechanical genius, and 
following his inclination he learned the carpenter's trade early in 
life. The demand for such labor was not constant in that vicinity, 
however, and although he was kept busy during the summer months his 
winters were spent in chopping wood and such employment as he could 
find around the furnaces. For some time after his marriage he resided 
at Julia Ann Furnace, Centre county, but later he settled in 
Philipsburg, where he became known as a most skillful mechanic. His 
declining years were passed upon his farm in Clearfield county, about 
three and one-half miles from Philipsburg, and his remains now rest in 
the cemetery at that town.
  Jonathan Emigh, the father of our subject, was born at Julia Ann 
Furnace, and was a mere child when his father removed to Philipsburg, 
where he grew to manhood, in the meantime learning the carpenter's 
trade. He was of a literary turn of mind and very studious, and many a 
night was spent in reading while lying on his back in order to catch 
the light emitted from a burning pine fagot, as he could not afford 
candles, and his days were necessarily devoted to assisting his father. 
At seventeen he was qualified to teach a country school, and entered 
upon that work with such earnestness and zeal that he established a 
reputation as one of the best instructors in his section. In 
mathematics he won especial notice by his ability. Those were the days 
of the primitive log school houses, and his small pay was left clear 
through the custom of "boarding round."
  While teaching at Fairview he observed the unusual beauty of one of 
his pupils, a bright, healthy girl with a cherry disposition, and 
determined to make her his wife. The attraction was mutual, and in due 
time Miss Mary E. Evans became Mrs. Emigh. A home was made upon 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  455

a tract of wild land in Clearfield county, and Mr. Emigh's time was 
thenceforth devoted to clearing and cultivating land in addition to 
teaching. During the Civil war he was drafted into the Federal service, 
and although he was then in the "forties" he was found to be physically 
sound. His regiment was assigned to the Ninth Corps of the Army of the 
Potomac, and during his short tem he had some severe experiences which 
he would relate in after years. On one occasion he and a few other 
Union soldiers were surrounded in a swamp, and the Rebels kept up a 
constant firing at them all night long. The rain poured down in 
torrents, and the adjacent river overflowed and flooded the swamp. 
There they were, their bodies submerged in water, and their heads were 
with difficulty kept in a safe shelter behind stumps of trees from the 
bullets that flew thick and fast above them. Their painful efforts 
availed them nothing in the end, for when morning came they were 
obliged to surrender to their captors. This was near the close of the 
war, and fortunately they were detained only a few days in prison.
  On his return from the army Mr. Emigh resumed his former occupations. 
His abilities made him influential among his acquaintances, and for 
many years he served as justice of the peace. He was also school 
director for a long time, and even taught school in the same district 
while holding that position. This was clearly against the law, but the 
community wanted his services, and technicalities were waived. His 
widow resides at the old homestead, which Dr. Emigh purchased that he 
might surround her with every material comfort which could brighten the 
evening of her life. The following children lived to adult age: (1) 
Hiram died at twenty-two years; (2) Priscilla (deceased) married James 
Hummel; (3) Lucretia (deceased) was the wife of William Quick; (4) G. 
W. is mentioned more fully below; (5) Jonathan resides in Graham 
township, Clearfield county; (6) Henry lives at the old homestead; (7) 
Ann married George Pierce, and resides upon a part of the old farm; (8) 
Frank is attending medical college in Baltimore, Md.; (9) Florence 
married Thomas Reynolds, and resides at the old home; (10) Andrew 
Jackson died in 1873.
  Dr. Emigh was born at the family homestead, March 10, 1857, and as a 
farmer's son he early learned the necessity and value of labor. The 
constant and outdoor employment gave him healthful physical 
development, much of his time being spent in wielding the axe and 
hauling logs with an ox-team. He attended the local school and a normal 
school in the same county, but as his parents were unable to give him a 
collegiate education his later progress was made through private study. 
Once fitted for teaching he felt that he had found the stepping stone 
to success, and so rapidly did he advance in that honorable calling 
that at the time he left it for the medical profession he was principal 
of the public schools of Houtzdale, Clearfield county. He began to read 
medicine under the instruction of Dr. M. Gard Whittlier, of Clearfield, 
one of the most expert surgeons in this section, and after a course in 
the medical department of the University of New York, he was graduated 
in 1884 with the degree of M.D. Locating at Woodland, Clearfield 
county, he built up an extensive and lucrative practice. He married 
Miss Eleanor Howe, daughter of Robert Howe, a well-known resident of 
Philipsburg. She is a lady of unusual mental force and fine culture, 
and prior to her marriage was a successful teacher. Like the Doctor she 
has developed her intellectual gifts through the discipline of private 
study. They have one son, George Walton.
  On February 21, 1893, Dr. Emigh removed with his family to 
Philipsburg, and then, going to New York City, he pursued a post-
graduate course at his Alma Mater. Since his return to Philipsburg he 
has continued his professional work with marked success, his popularity 
increasing as his acquaintance widens. Alert and vigorous mentally, and 
an earnest student, he keeps well abreast of the advances in medical 
science, while his fine physique supports well the strain of 
professional duties. As a citizen he is held in high esteem for his 
sterling integrity. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., and the Masonic 
order, and in politics is an outspoken adherent of the Democratic 
party.

1900 Philipsburg Borough, Centre County census -
George Emeigh, 43 
Ellen Emeigh, 45 
Walton Emeigh, 10