BIO: Hugh PITCAIRN, 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 358-361.
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  PITCAIRN, HUGH, M.D., son of John and Agnes (McEwing) Pitcairn, was 
born in Johnston, Scotland, in August, 1845.  While in his infancy his 
parents came to the United States and settled in Allegheny City, Pa.  
His early education was acquired in the common and high schools of that 
city.  In 1859 he entered the office of the Pennsylvania railroad in 
Pittsburgh to learn telegraphy.  In less than six months he was 
directed to take charge of the telegraph office situated at the end of 
the double track, Mill Creek, Huntingdon county, where he continued one 
year, when he was appointed operator in the general office at Altoona.  
In this place he fulfilled the duties of clerk and operator until 1865, 
when he was called to Harrisburg as assistant trainmaster, and two 
months later received the appointment of acting assistant 
superintendent and superintendent of the Susquehanna division, while 
the directors at their ensuing meeting confirmed him as assistant 
general superintendent, and in this capacity he served two years.  He 
was offered the position of superintendent of the Lehigh Coal and 
Navigation Company, with the office at Mauch Chunk, Carbon county, Pa., 
but later was sent by the president of the Pennsylvania railroad to 
Kentucky for the purpose of completing and taking charge of the 
Evansville, Henderson and Nashville road.  After the completion of this 
road he was appointed general superintendent and assisted in the 
purchase of the Edgefield and Kentucky railroad, thus making a through 
line from Nashville, Tenn., to Evansville, Ind.  He continued in charge 
of this road until its sale to the St. Louis and Southeastern railroad, 
when he accepted the position as superintendent of the Pittsburgh, 
Cincinnati and St. Louis railroad (Pan-Handle route) at Pittsburgh, 
where he continued until the early part of 1875, when failing health 
compelled him to resign.  He then went to Europe, attending clinical 
lectures in the hospitals of London, subsequently graduating from 
Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia.  In 1880 he located at 
Harrisburg in the practice of his profession.  Prior to leaving for 
Europe he associated with H. C. Dean, of Altoona, as proprietor and 
editor of the Daily and Weekly Tribune, one of the largest and best 
inland papers in the State, and has continued to hold the same until 
the present time, though taking very little part in its active 
management since he entered the practice of medicine.