BIO: Henry L. CARLISLE, Centre County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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H. L. CARLISLE, M. D.
  
  It is not every professional man who finds in his own native place, 
and among his old-time acquaintances, the best field for the efforts of 
mature years, and that Dr. Carlisle, a rising young physician of 
Philipsburg, Centre county, should thus tempt fate, and win success 
under circumstances usually considered most trying, is evidence of more 
than ordinary ability and worth.
  Dr. Carlisle was born December 28, 1862, and is a son of Samuel and 
Martha (Lorain) Carlisle, who died when he was a child of less than 
three years.  Samuel Carlisle was a native of this State, and came to 
Philipsburg from Chambersburg in early manhood to engage in mercantile 
business.  The Doctor's mother, who was born in Centre county, was a 
granddaughter of Philipsburg's honored pioneer, John Lorain, and his 
wife, Martha, both natives of Maryland.  Thomas Lorain, great-
grandfather of Mrs. Carlisle, commanded the ship in which he came to 
America, and, locating in Maryland at an early period in its history, 
took a leading part in the development of the place in which he 
settled.  Dr. Henry Lorain, Mrs. Carlisle's father, was born in 
Maryland, but locating in Clearfield county, became one of the most 
prominent physicians of that section, his practice extending over a 
wide range of territory.  He married Miss Maria Taylor, a native of the 
county.
  Dr. Carlisle being left an orphan at such a tender age, was taken in 
charge by his mother's brother, Major Lorenzo Lorain, one of the ablest 
and most noted sons of Centre county.  A keen and well-balanced 
intellect, and rare executive ability, combined with a genial nature 
which won the lasting regard of all sorts and conditions of men, gave 
him extraordinary influence.  His 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  213

capabilities seemed almost limitless.  As soldier, teacher, scientist, 
civil engineer, and inventor, he did work of permanent value.  He was 
born in Philipsburg, August 5, 1831, and during his boyhood, while 
studying civil engineering, he was offered a cadetship at West Point, 
which he accepted.  Entering in June, 1852, he was graduated with 
honors in 1856, and received a commission as second lieutenant in the 
Third U. S. Artillery, his duties taking him to various points.  At the 
outbreak of the Civil war, he naturally took a post of responsibility, 
and in one of the first battles, that of Blackburn's Ford, Va., in 
July, 1861, he was severely wounded.  He never entirely recovered (in 
fact his death was the result of disease superinduced by the wound); 
but in March, 1862, he accepted a position as assistant in the chemical 
department at West Point, which he held for over eight years. He was 
offered several volunteer commands but much as he desired to join the 
army in the field his physical condition prohibited it.  He received, 
however the brevet rank of captain for his gallant conduct at 
Blackburn's Ford and later that of major was bestowed.  On leaving West 
Point he was stationed at Fort Jefferson, Florida, as commander, and 
later at Charlestown, S. C., and then he took the chair of physics and 
mechanics at Lehigh University at Bethlehem, Penn.  His liking for 
military surroundings and connections led him to resign this position 
and to refuse other important posts in different colleges.  For a time 
he served at Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor, and after became an 
instructor in the United States Artillery School at Fortress Monroe, 
Va., and remained until a short time before his death which occurred 
March 6, 1882, at Baltimore. Md., while on sick leave.  While at the 
school he made, or was instrumental in bringing about, many 
improvements, and he invented a gunsight which bears his name.
  He left a widow, formerly Miss Fannie Moseley McDonald, of 
Washington, D.C., and two children: Henry McDonald, a mining engineer 
in Philipsburg and Mertie M., wife of Lieut. E. A. Anderson of the 
United States Navy.
  Under the fostering care of this noble man our subject passed his 
most impressionable years.  The frequent changes of location had their 
educational effect, and he attended various schools also - one at 
Norfolk, Va., the academy at Troy, N. Y., and a school at Gettysburg, 
Penn.  In 1882 he became a clerk in the office of the Philipsburg 
Banking Company, and held the position for ten years, resigning in 1892 
to take a similar place in a coal company's office.  He had by this 
time discovered his real bent, and after one year in the last position 
he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, 
and in 1896 received the degree of M. D.  Returning to Philipsburg, 
where he had long been deservedly popular, he began his professional 
labors.

1900 Paint Township, Somerset County census -
Henry L. Carlisle, 37, physician