BIO: Jeremiah SEILER, Dauphin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.
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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, page 364.
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  SEILER, JEREMIAH, M.D., son of Jacob Seiler and Christiana Fireabend, 
was born June 27, 1818, in Middlesex township, Cumberland county, Pa.  
His early education was that received in the public schools of the 
country, but he applied himself closely to study and soon fitted 
himself for entering upon his life work.  He entered the office of Dr. 
Van Huff, of Mechanicsburg, and subsequently that of Dr. W. W. Dale, 
under whose instructions he pursued the course of study outlined as 
preparatory to his attending medical lectures, which he did at the 
University of Maryland, from which institution he graduated in March, 
1843.  He immediately began the practice of his profession, locating in 
West Hanover township, Dauphin county, where he continued until the 
year 1866, when he removed to Harrisburg.  He was the first in his 
profession to administer chloroform in the practice of surgery west of 
Philadelphia.  He was also one of the first of the interior physicians 
who in 1850, when typhoid fever made its appearance in the rural 
sections, to comprehend its nature and successfully control its fatal 
effects.  He was elected to the Legislature as a member of the House 
from Dauphin county in 1866, serving for two years.  The 
characteristics which were peculiar to the man as a physician marked 
his action as a legislator.  He was studious and deliberate in all that 
he did and said, with a natural frankness and unaffected modesty which 
never fail as manifestations in the character of a truly honest man.  
While a member he served on the committees of divorce, accounts, 
passenger railways and chairman of that of the State Library.  With the 
close of the last session of his official position he resumed his 
professional duties, and was actively engaged therein at Harrisburg, 
where he died after a brief illness on November 16, 1878, at the age of 
sixty years.  Dr. Seiler married, March 19, 1842, Anna Elizabeth 
Stigleman, daughter of John and Rachel Stigleman, of Cumberland county, 
and their children were Rev. Galen W., at one time missionary in India; 
Dr. John P., a bright young physician, now deceased, and Clara A.