BIOGRAPHY: Thomas S. PYLE, Mifflin County, PA
Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by P. S. Barr
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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, pages 625-626.
THOMAS S. PYLE, M.D., Allensville, Mifflin county, Pa., was born June 14,
1846, in Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pa. He is a son of Dr. Andrew J. and
Eliza P. (Sheppard) Pyle. His grandfather, Robert Pyle, emigrated from England
and settled in New Jersey, where he followed the business of carpenter,
contractor and builder. He was a Democrat. Robert Pyle was married to Miss
Currey. Their children are: Robert; Thomas; Andrew; Currey; Daniel, of
Michigan; Martha; Mary; Maria. They are all dead but Daniel. Robert Pyle
died in Ashland county, O., where he lived after his retirement from business.
His wife died in Iowa. They were members of the Presbyterian church. Dr.
Andrew Pyle, father of Thomas S. Pyle, was educated in New Jersey, and was for a
time engaged with his father in business, as carpenter and builder. He saved
his earnings and entered the medical department of King's college, Cincinnati,
where he graduated with honors. He then went to Greensburg, and there practised
medicine for some years. From that place he removed to Ashland, O., and
continued his practise. During the oil excitement in Pennsylvania, he removed
to New Castle, Lawrence county, Pa., and speculated in oil with good success.
After some years he removed to New Galilee, Beaver county, Pa., and resumed the
practise of medicine. Andrew J. Pyle was married in Lock Haven, Clinton county,
Pa., to Eliza P. Sheppard, who was a native of Clinton county, of Scotch
descent. Their children are: Robert J., contractor and builder of Venango
county, Pa.; Ellen, deceased; Martha C. (Mrs. Washington McConnell), Lawrence
county, Pa.; Erastus C., brick mason of Venango county, Pa.; Emily (Mrs.
Thomas A. Smith), of Franklin, Pa.; Phoebe A. (Mrs. James Hudson), of Beaver
county, Pa.; Thomas S.; George W., postmaster at New Galilee, Beaver county,
Pa.; Franklin B., of Colorado; Sarah, deceased; John N., deceased. Andrew J.
Pyle was a man of intelligence and ambition, and his success was achieved
through industry and honest purpose. He was a member of the Presbyterian
church, in which he held office for many years. His death occurred in 1889.
Thomas S. Pyle graduated from the public schools of New Castle, Lawrence, Pa.,
and then read medicine with his father for four years. He spent two years in
the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia,
graduating with honor in 1868. He began the practise of medicine in the
Kishacoquillas valley, at White Hall, where he remained for twenty-three years,
and acquired an extensive practise. In 1891 he removed to Petersburg,
Huntingdon county, to succeed Dr. McCarthy; here he was again successful, but
returned to Mifflin county in 1895 and settled at Allensville, his present home.
Dr. Pyle compounds his own medicines. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of
all his associates. He is a member of the Medical Society of Pennsylvania, and
of the National Medical Association. Dr. Pyle is a lover of horses and has some
fine ones. He belongs to Belleville Lodge, No. 302, I. O. O. F.; to the
Belleville Castle, K. G. E.; and to the Order of Rebecca. His political
connections are Democratic. He was school director for three years, and justice
of the peace for five years. With one exception, he never had a case taken to a
higher court.
Dr. Thomas S. Pyle was married in March, 1869, to Jennie E., daughter of
George Contner, a blacksmith of the Kishacoquillas valley. Their children are:
Sarah P. (Mrs. Warren Moffet), of Petersburg; and Anna J. Dr. Pyle and family
are members of the Presbyterian church. Dr. Pyle is also a worker in the
Sunday-school.