BIO: Lorenzo LORAIN, 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. _____________________________________________________________________ MAJOR LORENZO LORAIN, who passed away at Baltimore, Md., March 6, 1882, while yet in the prime of manhood, was one of the brightest, strongest and most gifted sons Centre county ever had. Soldier, teacher, scientist, civil engineer - a brilliant success in each field of endeavor. His wonderful ability and remarkable qualities were justly recognized, and he was held in the highest regard by all with whom he came in contact in the various walks of life. Many men of world-wide fame possessed fewer of the qualities that command success and those in less degree than he. Our subject was born in Philipsburg, Penn., August 5, 1831, a son of Dr. Henry Tilden and Maria (Taylor) Lorain, the former of whom was born December 15, 1799, in Kent county, Md., the latter in Clearfield county, Penna. Dr. Henry Lorain was a son of John and Martha Lorain, who were born in Maryland. Thomas Lorain, the father of John was born in England, and on March 24, 1759, received letters of marque from the Captain-general of Jamaica, Henry Moore, Esq., to command the ship, "Viper," to prey upon the French. He served with distinction and on leaving the sea settled in Kent county, Md., about 1771. He had three children: John Jr., Eliza and Thomas. The first named took quite a prominent part in public affairs, and served as postmaster of Philipsburg, at an early day in its history. His son, the Doctor, was a skilled surgeon and physician of Clearfield county, whose practice extended over a wide stretch of county. The early education of Major Lorain was rather limited, but was enough to develop the bent of his mind, and to lay the foundation for the mathematical and mechanical ability he evinced in later years. Unexpectedly and unsolicited by him, he was offered the cadetship from his district, and concluded to give up civil engineering, which he was then studying, and accept the same. Accordingly, in June, 1852, he entered the fourth class at West Point, and graduated with honor in 1856. He was then commissioned second lieutenant in the Third Artillery, and was constantly on duty at distant frontier posts until the beginning of the Civil war. In one of the earliest engagements of that terrible struggle, that of Blackburn's Ford, on July 18, 1861, he was severely wounded, and for eight months was unable to do even the lightest duty. He then accepted the position of assistant to Prof. Kendrick in the chemical department at West Point, entering upon his duties March 23, 1862. During his convalescence, Major Lorain was married February 18, 1862, to Miss Fannie Moseley McDonald, a native of Washington, D.C., and a daughter of William J. McDonald, who for forty-five years was attached to the office of the Secretary of the Senate, during fifteen years of which time he was chief clerk of the United States Senate. Four children were born to them: Henry McDonald, a prominent mining engineer of Philipsburg; Fannie B., who died in infancy; Mertie M., wife of Lieut. E. A. Anderson of the United States Navy; and W. J., who died in childhood. In May, 1862, Major Lorain's wounds became worse, but he continued to hold his position at West Point, for which he was well fitted, and with tireless energy devoted day and night to his work. He was offered several important volunteer commands, but knew it was unwise to accept until his physical condition was improved. While at West Point, he received the brevets of captain and major, the former for gallant and meritorious service at the battle of Blackburn's Ford, Va. Although his wounds prevented active service in the fields, for nine years he did faithful service in the chemical department at the military school. He afterward commanded Fort Jefferson, Florida, and subsequently was stationed at Charleston, South Carolina. For one year he held the professorship of physics and mechanics at the Lehigh University, at Bethlehem, Penn., but his love for the army forced him to resign. He also refused other important professorships in different colleges. Subsequently he served at Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor, but, owing to ill health in his family, he asked to be relieved and accepted the detail to the Artillery school at Fort Monroe, Virginia, which post had been repeatedly offered him, but which, owning to the dislike captains of artillery had for such duty, he had always previously COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 177 declined. Here he was again in his element, and in many ways pursued the interests of the school, making it far more efficient. His advice was often sought and was given in the various departments, and he was instrumental in enlarging its facilities. When he was compelled to leave the school his loss was deeply felt. During his service there he recognized the fact that improved telescopic [ ]was necessary for the large guns, and developed [ ]which bears the name of "Lorain." He also introduced firing by electricity at the [ ]. Major Lorain was [ ]active man, fond of fields sport and [ ] and fishing. Up to the last [ ]of his life he took a prominent part in [ ], his pleasant social manner making for [ ]addition to parties organized for [ ] He particularly delighted in [ ]and was remarkably skillful in [ ]of sail boats. At last he [ ]to give up these pleasures on account of his health, and on the 6th of March, 1882, he departed this life. His death was widely[ ]mourned for he had the happy faculty[ ]friends of all with whom he came in contact. Throughout his career of continued and far-reaching usefulness, his duties were performed with the greatest care, and his personal honor and integrity were without blemish. His memory will ever be a sacred inheritance to his children; it will be cherished by a multitude of friends. William J. McDonald, the father of Mrs. Lorain, was born in September, 1813, and on reaching man's estate, he married Ann B. Holt, who was born in March, 1813, and died on the 1st of June, 1878. His death occurred June 5, 1878. In their family were four children: Fannie Mosely, widow of Major Lorain; Eugenia, wife of Col. William Sinclair, of the United States Army; William J., who is connected with the Pension bureau at Washington, D.C.; and H. Bowyer, clerk of the Senate at Washington. John G. McDonald, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Lorain, was of Scotch parentage. He became attached to Congress on its removal from Philadelphia to Washington, and also served as chief clerk of the Senate for many years. In 1814, when the British troops fired the capitol, he and a negro saved all the archives of the Senate. His death occurred in that city, with those interests he had been prominently connected for so many years. The maternal grandparents, John E. and Clara (Mosely) Holt, were natives of Williamsburg and Norfolk, Va., respectively. For a quarter of a century the grandfather served as mayor of the latter place, which position he was filling at the time of Gen. LaFayette's visit to this city, and his daughter, Mrs. McDonald, served as flower girl during the services. HENRY McDONALD LORAIN, the only surviving son of Major Lorain, was born in West Point, N.Y., June 26, 1863, where he remained until 1870. At the age of eighteen he entered the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, with the view of taking a four-years' course of civil engineering, but at the end of three years was compelled to leave school on account of ill health. During the winter of 1885-1886 he attended Bryant & Stratton Business College at Baltimore, Md. Coming to Philipsburg in April, 1886, he entered the service of Holt & Chipman as mining engineer, and has since been with the company, although it has several times changed hands, being now known as the Coaldale Mining Co. He first studied to be a civil engineer, but gave it up as he preferred mining engineering, in which he has been very successful. On June 6, 1894, Mr. Lorain was united in marriage with Miss Maud Holt, a daughter of William and Mary (Foresman) Holt, and one son, Sinclair, was born to them June 23, 1895. Mrs. H. McD. Lorain died February 10, 1897 and is buried in the Philipsburg Cemetery. The family is one of prominence, holding a high position in social circles. Mr. Lorain votes with the Republican party, and in business as well as social circles stands deservedly high. Unreadable portions of the text are indicated by brackets.