BIOS: James M. LOUTHER, M.D., Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of 
Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review 
Publishing Company: 1899, pp 151-152.

   James M. Louther, M.D., a well-known physician of Somerset, Pa., and one of 
its most active and public-spirited citizens, was born in Westmoreland County, 
this State, May 5, 1839, the son of Jonathan and Margaret (Faloon) Louther.  His 
paternal grandfather, David Louther, who was born in Philadelphia in 1794, died 
in Westmoreland County on April 30, 1864, having settled there as a farmer when 
a young man.  Of grandfather Louther's nine children, Jonathan was the oldest.
   Jonathan Louther was born on the paternal homestead in Westmoreland County, 
and there passed the seventy years of his life, during his active period being 
profitably engaged in tilling the soil.  He also owned and operated a grist-mill 
for some years.  A man of superior intelligence and judgment, he was prominent 
in public affairs, and held various offices of trust, including that of Tax 
Collector.  He married Margaret Faloon, daughter of David Faloon, of Indiana 
County, Pennsylvania.  Of the twelve children born into the household, five 
survive, as follows: Daniel, who married Sarah Hazellet, now deceased; Benjamin 
F., who married Lizzie Galbraith; Sarah, who is the wife of James Bricker and 
has three children - Joseph, Emma, and Lizzie; Elizabeth; and James M., the 
special subject of this sketch.  Both parents were members of the Presbyterian 
church.
   James M. Louther was graduated from the West Fairfield College in 1860.  He 
studied medicine with Dr. L. T. Beam, of Ligonier, Westmoreland County, where, 
on receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1865, he began the practice of 
his profession.  Settling at Stoyestown, Somerset County, soon after, he 
remained there nineteen years, being one of the foremost physicians of that 
locality.  In 1884 Dr. Louther came to Somerset borough, and he established a 
drug store, which he has since carried on successfully in connection with his 
extensive practice.  In August, 1862, he enlisted as a Private in the One 
Hundred and Thirty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in which he served ten 
months, being employed the larger part of the time as assistant surgeon either 
in the Washington hospital or on the field of battle.
   Since becoming a resident of Somerset the Doctor has been active in promoting 
measures designed for the advancement of the borough, having been one of the 
projectors of the Somerset Electrical Light Company, of which he is the 
president, and one of the organizers and the vice-president of the company that 
has erected the mammoth summer hotel and sanatorium, which will greatly benefit 
this borough.  He is an earnest supporter of the principles of the Republican 
party, and for several years served as School Director.  He is a member of the 
R. P. Cummings Post No. 210, G.A.R., of which he has been surgeon many years; of 
the Golden Eagle Lodge; and of the Royal Arcanum.  He attends the Lutheran 
church, toward the support of which he contributes generously.
   On June 16, 1866, Dr. Louther married Susan L., daughter of John Mong, of 
this county.  She died at the age of thirty-eight years, having been the mother 
of five children.  Of these the three now living are:  Snyder J. H. Louther, 
M.D., who married Amanda Hochstetler of this county, and has one child, Richard; 
Angus W.; and Mary.  The Doctor married his second wife, Mary, daughter of 
Nelson Stottler, on January 2, 1844.  Two children have been born to them - Edna 
M. and Margaret V.