BIO: Edward Lawrence ORTH, Dauphin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2008.  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
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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 363-364.
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  ORTH, EDWARD LAWRENCE, M.D., son of Henry Orth and his wife Rebecca 
Rohm, was born January 4, 1814, in the city of Baltimore, Md., and died 
April 15, 1861, in Harrisburg, Pa.  His father dying while the son was 
in early life, the mother removed to her former home, Harrisburg, where 
the boy was carefully brought up.  He received the education of the 
borough schools and entered the Harrisburg Academy where he pursued the 
higher branches.  He subsequently began the study of medicine with his 
brother-in-law, Dr. Luther Reily, afterwards attending the lectures of 
Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, from which institution he 
graduated March 12, 1834. Locating at Harrisburg, he began the practice 
of his profession in partnership with Dr. Reily, which continued until 
the death of the latter.  Few practitioners became as successful as 
these noted physicians were, and none at the capital were ever so 
deservedly popular.  For seven years after the death of his life-long 
friend, Dr. Orth continued his professional life, enjoying not only a 
large practice, but the confidence and love of his numerous patients.  
As a physician he was learned, skillful, self-sacrificing, sympathetic 
and faithful.  In the community he was greatly beloved for his 
unassuming, gentle, and gentlemanly demeanor.  In the language of a 
contemporary, "he was a man of fine culture, an attentive and 
conscientious physician, quiet and unobtrusive in manner."  For many 
years he was one of the trustees of the Presbyterian church, was a 
director of the Harrisburg Bank, and served in the borough council.  
Dr. Orth married Martha Cummins Kerr, daughter of Rev. William Kerr, of 
Donegal, and Mary Wilson, his wife.