BIO: Harry Burkett Fetterhoof, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

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Pennsylvania A History - Biographical.  George P. Donehoo, Editor-in-Chief.
Chicago/New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., Inc., 1928.
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Page 129-130

Dr. Harry Burkett Fetterhoof

One of the ablest and best-known physicians of Western Pennsylvania, Dr. Harry 
Burkett Fetterhoof ministered to a large clientele in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, 
and displayed diagnostic and curative ability amounting to genius.  He was 
descended from the German family of Fetterhoofs, who settled in Lebanon County, 
Pennsylvania.  The early representative, Michael Fetterhoof, soone left that 
first resting place and moved to Spruce Creek Valley, Huntingdon County, where 
he owned a tract of four hundred acres partly cleared and under cultivation by 
the owner until his death.  He married Elizabeth Rinehart, also of German birth, 
and like himself a member of the Lutheran church.  Children: John, Joseph, 
Samuel, George, Michael (2) of further mention; Lydia, who married Michael Lowe; 
Margaret, who married John Shaffer; Elizabeth, who married Jacob Shaffer; 
Susanna, who married Charles Merriman.

Michael (2) Fetterhoof, son of Michael and Elizabeth (Rinehart) Fetterhoof, was 
born in York, Pennsylvania, in 1802, and spent his early life farming.  He 
inherited his father's farm, which he had helped clear, put the whole tract 
under cultivation, and lived there all his life, a prosperous, contented, 
respected farmer.  Active first in the Whig, then in the Republican party, he 
held several township offices.  He embraced the Lutheran faith and supported 
that church.  He married Eliza Beghel, daughter of George and Elizabeth Beghel, 
both native Germans, the father a mason by trade.  Children:  Samuel, deceased; 
Mary, Married William Shaffer; Jess, a farmer, deceased; Elizabeth, married 
Thomas K. Henderson; Daniel, a farmer, deceased; George, a farmer; John, a 
farmer; William Beghel, of further mention; Margaret, deceased; Francis, died in 
infancy.

William Beghel, son of Michael (2) and Eliza (Beghel) Fetterhoof, was born on 
the old homestead at Spruce Creek Valley, Huntingdon County, June 18, 1843.  He 
attended public school and spent his early life on a farm, but, when he grew 
older, learned the tanning trade and engaged in that business with his father-
in-law, David Mong.  In 1889 he was appointed guard at the State Industrial 
Reformatory.  A Republican in politics, he was a member of the Presbyterian 
church.  He married Margaret, daughter of David Mong, owner of a tannery near 
Warriors Mark.  Children:  Harry Burkett, of further mention; Edith, who died in 
1903 at the age of twenty; Lois, residing at home, and Virginia, who died in 
infancy.

Harry Burkett, fourth generation of his family in America, son of William and 
Margaret (Mong) Fetterhoof, was born at Warriors Mark, Huntingdon County, 
Pennsylvania, July 28, 1871.  He attended private school in his neighborhood and 
graduated from Juniata College in the class of 1895.  Thus liberally educated, 
he completed his professional training by a course in medicine at Hahnemann 
Homeopathic Medical College in Philadelphia, from which he graduated with the 
degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1899.

Dr. Fetterhoof began the practice of his profession in Huntingdon, proving 
himself so sympathetic, so technically and scientifically well prepared, and so 
unflagging in his devotion to his patients that he built up a large general 
practice.  He was highly esteemed by the fellow members of his profession as 
well as by the public.  He was a member of the medical staff of Blair Memorial 
Hospital and an active member of the Pennsylvania State and Huntingdon County 
Homeopathic societies.  His political sympathies were with the Republican party, 
his religions affiliation was with the Presbyterian church.  He was a member of 
Mount Moriah Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.  Dr. Fetterhoof died 
September 21, 1920, in the forty-ninth year of his age.

In January, 1906, Dr. Fetterhoof married Mary M. Orr, born in Philadelphia, 
daughter of Smiley and Martha Orr, of that city.

There are men whose memory is always green in the minds of those who knew them; 
whose personality is so vivid that it never fades from the recollection of 
friends and acquaintances; men of whom it cannot be said, "They are dead," 
because their vital and dominant spirit still throbs in the hearts that loved 
them.  Such was Harry B. Fetterhoof, physician, good citizen and devoted 
husband.