BIO:  Luther L. REWALT, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, Wrightsville Borough and Hellam Township, Pg 81

LUTHER L. REWALT, M. D., was born in Middletown, Penn., December 25, 1839.  His 
parents were William and Catherine (McKinley) Rewalt, of Pennsylvania, and of 
German and Scotch-Irish descent, respectively.  They had only this one son and 
one daughter.  Until the age of ten Luther L. attended the public schools, and 
the following five years at Eman’s Institute at Middletown.  At the age of 
fifteen he entered the preparatory school at Litiz Academy, where he remained 
four years.  He then began reading medicine at Halifax, Penn., with Dr. Wright, 
and then read with Dr. Filbert, at Columbia.  At the age of twenty he entered the 
medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, from which 
institution he graduated in March, 1861, with the degree of M. D.  At the 
outbreak of the Rebellion he received the first surgeon’s commission issued by 
Gov. Curtin, and was assigned to the Twenty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer 
Infantry, a three months’ regiment, and served until the end of his term.  
Returning to Wrightsville he practiced medicine until August, 1864, when he was 
appointed acting assistant surgeon, United States army, by Dr. John Campbell, 
United States army surgeon at Philadelphia, which position he held but a few 
months.  Returning to Wrightsville he resumed the practice of his profession 
until January 27, 1865, when he entered the Twenty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer 
Cavalry, as assistant surgeon, and remained to the end of the war.  He again 
returned to Wrightsville, where he has since located, practicing his profession, 
except one year, which he spent in Philadelphia.  He was married April 6, 1868, 
to Mary Jane Magee, daughter of James F. Magee (deceased), of Wrightsville, and 
had five children:  James W., Mary F., Annie M., William H. (deceased), and 
Francis J.  The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  The Doctor 
is surgeon of the G. A. R. Post, at Wrightsville, and a past member of the school 
board.  He is a man of fine scholastic attainments, and devotedly attached to his 
profession, and is respected by all.