BIOS: Samuel PHILSON, Brothersvalley Twp., 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 53-55.

  Samuel Philson, the well-known banker and public-spirited citizen of 
Brother's Valley, was born in Berlin borough, Somerset County, November 
11, 1812, son of Robert and Judith (Lowry) Philson.  The father was 
born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1759, and, emigrating to America in 
1785, he settled in Berlin.  For some years he was a prosperous 
merchant, and his natural ability brought him into prominence in public 
affairs.  He served as Associate Judge for twenty years.  He was a 
Representative to the legislature, and in 1819 was elected a member of 
Congress from the Sixteenth Pennsylvania District, but owing to a 
serious accident was compelled to resign his seat in 1820.  He died in 
1831.  His wife, Judith, was a daughter of John Lowry, who came to 
Berlin at an early date.
  Samuel Philson, the subject of this sketch, is the only one now 
living of a family of eleven children.  He was educated in the schools 
of his native borough, and completed his studies at the age of 
fourteen.  After working upon a farm for two years, he in 1829 accepted 
a clerkship in a general store at Berlin carried on by James Platt, 
with whom he remained as an employee five years.  In March, 1834, he 
was admitted to partnership, the firm name being Platt & Philson.  This 
concern continued for twenty months, or until the death of Mr. Platt in 
November, 1835, when Mrs. Platt took control of her late husband's 
interest.  From that date until 1839 the style of the firm was S. 
Philson & Co.  Mr. Philson, then becoming sole proprietor of the store, 
did a profitable business; and, although he suffered considerable loss 
by five in 1845, he continued alone until 1852.  Forming a partnership 
under the name of Philson & Brubaker, that firm transacted business 
until 1875, when Mr. Philson retired in order to give his attention to 
other enterprises.  In 1857 he engaged in lumbering at Philson Station, 
which he continued for about twenty-five years; and in 1866 he extended 
his field of operations by establishing a banking-house in Berlin 
borough, known as S. Philson & Co.; and, although there have been 
changes in partnership, the concern is still in existence.  In company 
with J. S. Black he in 1868 opened a branch in Meyersdale, and in 1882 
that establishment became the Citizens' Bank, which has since been in 
charge of his son, Samuel B. Philson.  Mr. Philson was instrumental in 
procuring a charter for the Buffalo Valley Railway from Garrett to 
Berlin, and acted as its president until it became part of the 
Baltimore and Ohio system.
  He prides himself upon being an old-school Democrat, having cast his 
first Presidential ballot for Martin Van Buren in 1834.  Although 
frequently solicited to accept nominations to public offices, he has 
invariably declined, preferring to give his whole time to his business.
  On March 1, 1836, Mr. Philson contracted the first of his two 
marriages with Elizabeth McGowan, of Ligonier, Westmoreland County, Pa.  
She bore him one daughter, Elizabeth, who was born in 1837, married 
James S. Black, and died in 1893, leaving two children - Charles W. and 
Robert M. Black.  Mr. Philson's first wife died in 1837; and on 
December 3, 1839, he married for his second wife Anna, daughter of 
Benjamin and Elizabeth (Lowry) Brubaker, of Berlin.  She died January 
13, 1898.  She was the mother of nine children, six of whom are living, 
namely: Belle C., who is the widow of Charles A. M. Kissinger, and 
resides in Berlin; Ella Catharine, who resides at home; Julia Ann, wife 
of Dr. Fisher, of Shamokin, Pa.; Robert, who completed his education at 
Gettysburg College, and is now employed at the bank in Berlin; Samuel 
B., who is manager of the Citizens' Bank in Meyersdale; and Horace B. 
Philson, who also attended Gettysburg College, and is now assistant 
cashier of the Berlin bank.
  In 1838 Mr. Philson joined the Lutheran church.  He has been 
officially connected with it for forty years, and was the second 
superintendent of the Sunday-school, which was established in 1825.  
Since 1856 he has personally superintended a dairy farm in Brother's 
Valley.  His residence and banking-house in Berlin occupy the site of 
the old store building in which he began his business career.  He has 
devoted much time to study of the early settlement of Berlin, Brother's 
Valley, and Somerset County, and is considered an authority upon local 
annals and family history.