BIOS: Walter S. MOUNTAIN, 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 184-185.

  Walter S. Mountain, M.D., a successful physician and surgeon of Confluence, 
Pa., and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Lower Turkey Foot, August 31, 
1839, son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Pringey) Mountain.
  John Mountain, the Doctor's grandfather, who resided in Petersburg, Pa., and 
followed the carpenter's trade, was accidentally killed.  He left a large 
family.  The maiden name of his wife was Hannah Drake.
  Jonathan Mountain, the father of Dr. Mountain, was a native of Petersburg, 
Pa.; and his active period was there devoted to agricultural pursuits.  He was a 
leading spirit in township affairs and a citizen of worth and influence.  He was 
a member of the Disciples church.  His wife, who was a daughter of John and 
Abigale Pringey, of Lower Turkey Foot, became the mother of eleven children, 
namely; William, who resides in Confluence; Joseph, a resident of Iowa; 
Harrison, who served in Company K, Eighty-fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, in the Civil War, and died of fever at Seven Pines, Va.; Walter S., 
the subject of this sketch; Nobel, of Placerville, Cal.; Levi, of Iowa; Martha, 
who died in that State; Newton, who died in 1865; Ross and Mary, both of whom 
reside in Iowa; and Howard, of Montana.  Jonathan Mountain died in 1858, aged 
fifty-three years; and his wife, Elizabeth, who survived him, died in Iowa in 
1895.
  Walter S. Mountain acquired his early education at the common and high schools 
of his native town.  He assisted in carrying on the home farm until October 8, 
1861, when he enlisted in Company H, Eighty-fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, under Captain J. B. Treadwell and Colonel J. B. Howell.  He 
participated in the battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, and Malvern 
Hill, and was discharged as a Corporal January 25, 1863.  Re-enlisting on 
January 25, 1864, as Sergeant in Company L, Third Regiment, Pennsylvania Heavy 
Artillery, under Captain J. B. Bisman and Colonel Roberts, and being made 
Lieutenant of his company one month later, he was present at the battle of 
Chapin Farm.  While stationed at Fortress Monroe he frequently met Jefferson 
Davis, who was confined there after his capture.  He was discharged as a 
Lieutenant on November 9, 1865.  Upon his return from the South he began his 
medical studies under the direction of Dr. H. Brubaker, of Somerset, with whom 
he remained two years; and then, entering the Philadelphia University of 
Medicine and Surgery, he was graduated in 1870.  Since 1871 Dr. Mountain has 
been engaged in the practice of his profession at Confluence, making a specialty 
of surgery; and he opened the first drug store in this township, which is now 
carried on under the firm name of W. S. Mountain & Son.  He is a member of the 
County and State Medical Associations, the Baltimore and Ohio National 
Association of Railroad Surgeons, and the Tri-State Medical Association, 
comprising the States of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia.  He is 
Surgeon for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and is now United States Pension 
Examiner for Somerset County.  He has served as School Director and upon the 
Borough Council.  He was appointed Postmaster in 1889, serving for years, and 
was also Post-office Inspector.  In politics he is a Republican.
  On June 24, 1873, Dr. Mountain was united in marriage with Alvira Watson, 
daughter of Lot and Catharine (Mosier) Watson, of Addison.  They have one son, 
Lloyd Mountain, who is a graduate of the Philadelphia School of Pharmacy and is 
in business with his father.  He married Grace Groff, daughter of ex-State 
Senator Fred Groff, of Meyersdale.
  Dr. Mountain belongs to Somerset Lodge No. 358, F.&A.M.; Somerset Lodge, No. 
361, I.O.O.F.; the Junior Order of the United American Mechanics; and is Surgeon 
and Past Surgeon of Ross Rush Post, G.A.R., of Ursina.  He was one of the 
organizers of the Disciples church in Confluence, and had full charge of 
constructing the handsome edifice.