Armstrong County PA Archives Biographies.....McBryar M.D., Dr. William November 29, 1822 - ????
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Patricia Bastik noemail@none.com May 20, 2025, 3:37 pm

Source: History of Armstrong County, Chicago: Waterman, Watkins and Co. 1883.
Author: Robert Walter Smith, Esq.

  ...The subject of this sketch was born of a generous 
strain of sturdy Scotch-Irish blood, both of his parents 
being descended from those races, though both natives of 
Pennsylvania.  His father was born July 18, 1784, in 
Westmoreland county, and his mother, Elizabeth Dickey, near 
Carlisle, Franklin county.  They were married June 28, 1811. 
 In their old age, in 1868, they removed to this county.  
The offspring of their auspicious union were eight children, 
four sons and four daughters, of whom five are living - 
Nancy L. (widow of Charles McLaughlin), resides in 
Westmoreland county, and Samuel, William, Mary and Sarah P. 
McQuilkin, in Apollo.  Those deceased are Margaret Watson 
and David D.

  William, the subject of this sketch, was born November 29, 
1822.  He remained at home upon his father's farm until 
1842, and obtained the rudiments of an education in such 
schools as the neighborhood possessed.  He was, however, 
determined to obtain a greater store of knowledge, and with 
the end in view, upon May 1, 1844, entered the Richmond 
Classical Institute, of Jefferson county, Ohio, where he 
remained until he graduated in September, 1847.  On the 1st 
of the following November he commenced reading medicine 
under Dr. John Dixon, of Allegheny City (now of Pittsburgh), 
with whom he remained until October, 1848, and rejoined in 
the summer of 1849.  During the winter of 1848-9 he taught 
school, an employment in which, by the way, he had gained 
some valuable experience in 1842 and 1843.  Upon October 18, 
1849, he left the office of Dr. Dixon to attend the medical 
department of the university, city of New York, from which 
he returned home in February, 1850.  In July of the same 
year he engaged in the practice of medicine at New Salem, 
Westmoreland county, in partnership with Dr. John McNeal, 
with whom he remained associated until April 1, 1852.  He 
then went to Congruity Church, Westmoreland county, where, 
however, he sojourned but two or three months, going in June 
to Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, and forming a partnership with 
Dr. Allison, of that place.  The death of this physician 
took place August 3, 1852, and in September Dr. McBryar went 
to New York, where he completed his medical education in the 
spring of the ensuring year, graduating under the allopathic 
system.  On April 19, 1853, he located in Apollo, where he 
has ever since been engaged in an active and lucrative 
practice, enjoying the respect both as man and physician of 
the people of the town and surrounding country.

  Extensive and onerous as his professional duties have 
been, his energy has not been wholly confined to them, and 
he has found time to assist in the advancement of several 
enterprises, as well as to give attention to important 
educational and other interests, such as it is the duty of 
the good citizen to foster.  He was one of the principal 
promoters of the Apollo Savings Bank, which was organized 
May 27, 1871, and has ever since been one of its directors, 
being elected successively each year.  In 1878 he was 
elected a director of the academy at Kittanning, and 
president of the academy board the same year.  In 1874 he 
was very favorably considered as a candidate for the 
assembly by the republicans.  In October, 1880, he was one 
of the organizers of the Du Bois Savings Bank, of Clearfield 
county, this state, was chosen president of the institution, 
and has held that office ever since by repeated re-election. 
 He was prominently identified with the construction of the 
new iron bridge at Apollo, purchasing the old abutments of 
several owners for the sum of $5,000, and receiving $4,000 
from the county commissioners of Westmoreland and Armstrong, 
and $1,000 from citizens of Apollo.  The doctor is president 
of the Westmoreland and Armstrong County Mutual Fire 
Insurance Company, which has its offices at Apollo, and is 
medical examiner for the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, 
of Philadelphia.  He owns about 300 acres of valuable land. 

Dr. McBryar was united in marriage October 4, 1855, with 
Miss Sarah Jane Callen, daughter of Matthew and Jane (Paul) 
Callen.   Her mother's parents were 'Squire Samuel and Jane 
(Porterfield) Paul; the father was born in Ireland, and the 
mother in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, both being of 
Scotch-Irish descent.  To Mrs. Dr. McBryar's parents were 
born six children, besides herself, she being the oldest.  
Their names are:  Eliza M., Harriet C., Emeline S., Samuel 
P., Anna Maria (deceased) and Johanna (deceased).

  To Dr. McBryar and wife were born five children - Lizzie 
J. (deceased), James C. (deceased), Ada M., William Lyle and 
Hattie Dickey.

This file has been created by a form at http://www.usgwarchives.net/pafiles/

File size: 5.3 Kb