BIO: Philip DOUGHERTY, Dauphin County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JAWB Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/runk/runk-bios.htm _______________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, pages 229-230. _______________________________________________________________ DOUGHERTY, PHILIP, son of Dennis and Catherine (Maginty) Dougherty, was born March 24, 1806, near Middletown, Dauphin county, Pa. His father came to America from Ireland about 1805, and settled in Derry township, not far from Middletown, where he died about 1824. His wife, whom he married in Ireland, died about 1845, in Harrisburg. Their children were Mary, who married Hugh Dougherty, and John, both born in Ireland; Philip, the subject of this sketch, James, Catherine, who married Edward Sweeny, Dennis, Charles, Hugh, and Daniel. From the age of eighteen Philip Dougherty was busily engaged as a contractor on canals and railroads, and was largely engaged in the construction of important public works, such as the Pennsylvania canal, the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, Delaware and Raritan canal, Union canal, Lehigh canal, Northern Central railroad, New York and Erie railroad, Camden and Amboy railroad, and the Dauphin and Susquehanna railroad. He continued in the business until February 1853, when he was chosen president of the Mechanics' Bank of Harrisburg, organized at that time, a position which he filled until his death, which occurred at Harrisburg, February 3, 1865, in his fifty-ninth year. He was also a director of the Northern Central railroad, the Middletown Bank and the Harrisburg Gas Company, of which he was one of the founders. Mr. Dougherty was very successful in business, combining great energy and force of character with quick perception, sound judgment and strict integrity. He dispensed a liberal hospitality to his many friends, and enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. Of a warm and generous nature, his old feelings, impulses and actions were of an elevated character, and his friendship permanent, strong and useful. He was ever ready to aid the deserving and relieve the unfortunate, and in all respects was a valued member of the community. Mr. Dougherty married, June 10, 1833, at New Brunswick, N. J., Mary W., daughter of John and Rebecca (Whiteside) Clark. Mr. Dougherty was born 1813. Their children who reached maturity were James Dennis, who graduated at Georgetown College, class of 1857, was a lawyer by profession, and a captain of artillery during the Rebellion, and colonel on the staff of Governor Packer, of Pennsylvania, and died April 2, 1878; William E., for many years engaged in the banking business in Harrisburg, and later resident clerk of the United States Senate, at Washington, D. C., and Mary F., who married Bernard J. McGrann, contractor and banker, of Lancaster, Pa.