Husband Hon. Hugh Nelson McAllister 1 2 3 4 5 6
AKA: Nelson McAlister 7
Born: 28 Jun 1809 - Lost Creek Valley, Juniata Co, PA 6 8
Christened:
Died: 5 May or 15 May 1873 - Philadelphia, PA 1 9 10
Buried:
Father: Judge William McAlister (1774/1775-1847) 2 11
Mother: Sarah Thompson (1783-1862) 8 12
Marriage: 12 Sep 1859 6 9
Other Spouse: Henrietta Ashman Orbison (1817-1857) 3 5 6 9 - 16 Sep 1841 3
Wife Margaret Hamilton 7 9 10
Born: Abt 1823
Christened:
Died: 27 Apr 1876 9
Buried:
Father: Hugh Hamilton (1785-1836) 9 13 14 15
Mother: Rosanna Boyd (1786-1872) 14 16 17
Children
• They had no children.
General Notes: Husband - Hon. Hugh Nelson McAllister
He was reared on his father's farm, living at home and working on the farm during his minority, and receiving such elementary education as the neighborhood schools afforded. He obtained the rudiments of the classics from Rev. John Hutchinson. In 1830 he entered the freshman class at Jefferson College, Canonsburg, and stood so high before the end of the year as to be chosen by his society as one of its debaters, which honor, however, his modesty and timidity induced him to decline. He graduated, in 1833, high in a class in which were many more since distinguished in the Church and State. As soon as he graduated Mr. McAllister commenced the study of law in the office of Hon. W. W. Potter, at Bellefonte. After completing the ordinary course of studies pursued by students in an office, he attended a law school then conducted at Carlisle by Hon. John Reed, president judge of the district, and author of "Pennsylvania Blackstone." On November 25, 1835, on motion of W. W. Potter, Mr. McAllister was admitted to practice in several courts of Centre County. He was at once taken into full partnership by Mr. Potter, and the election of the latter to Congress soon after threw the whole labor and responsibility of an extensive law practice upon the younger partner. As in every subsequent situation in life, Mr. McAllister brought so much ability, earnestness, zeal and indomitable perseverance to bear as to overcome all obstacles, and to successfully meet all responsibilities resting upon him. The early death of Mr. Potter, while in Congress, left Mr. McAllister alone in the practice to compete with one of the ablest Bars in the State. He remained without a partner until Gen. James A. Beaver was called to the Bar in 1859. From that time the law practice was conducted under the firm name of McAllister & Beaver. During the long professional career of nearly thirty-eight years he had an extensive, laborious and lucrative practice. Up to the last eight or ten years of his life he regularly attended the courts of Clinton and Huntingdon counties, and, at times, courts of other counties. As a counselor he was always discreet, careful and safe; as an attorney he was faithful, honest and industrious; as an advocate, he was earnest, zealous, and, at times, impressively eloquent. He would embark in no man's cause unless thoroughly impressed with its justice, and then he battled, as only a man of his temperament could battle, for the right. In the preparation of causes he was most thorough, and frequently performed an amount of labor which seemed beyond human endurance. His arguments before the Supreme Court of the State, of which the books of reports are full, were always strong, clear and exhaustive.
During the Civil war, Mr. McAllister was one of the most earnest and zealous supporters of the Administration. He was ever foremost in contributing means, and performing work to secure volunteers, and in supporting the families of those who were in the service. He did more than any other one man to raise and organize the many companies which left Centre county, and finally, almost by his unaided exertions, raised a full company, of which he was elected captain, and upon its arrival at Camp Curtin, in Harrisburg, was assigned as Company F to the 232d Regiment of Pennsylvania Militia, commanded by Col. George B. Weistling. Although far beyond the age when men are relieved from military duty, and being unfit by education, habits and the state of his health for the hardships of a campaign, he accepted the responsibility, went with his company to the field, and served faithfully until his place could be filled by a younger man.
Mr. McAllister never held many public offices. Gov. Bigler, when a vacancy occurred in the Fourth Judicial District, desired to appoint him to the presidency of the Common Pleas, and asked his friends to induce him to grant the use of his name, and Gov. Curtin twice formally offered him commissions as president judge, which he declined.
After the close of the war, he was appointed by the Governor as one of the commissioners to investigate, settle and adjust the claims of citizens of the border counties, for losses sustained by the war. This arduous and responsible duty he performed in a manner highly satisfactory to the State officials, as well as to the people immediately interested. He was elected one of the delegates at large to the Constitutional Convention of 1873, and was appointed chairman of the important committee on "Suffrage Election and Representation," and a member of the committee on "Railroads and Canals." He entered upon his work with the energy and zeal which ever characterized him. Unfortunately he did not limit his labor by his physical capacity to endure it, but by his desire for the permanent good of his native State. Toward the close of winter his strength gave way under incessant toil, and he was compelled by his physician to return home for rest. He remained at home four or five weeks, during which time he improved in strength. Three weeks before his death, and actuated by an intense desire to take part in the important discussions then going on in the convention, and being in improved health, he went back to Philadelphia, and at once engaged arduously in the labor of the convention. He made several important speeches upon questions pending before that body. He had over-estimated his strength, for his intense labor brought on disease, which in a few days terminated his earthly career. Literally he offered himself a sacrifice upon the altar of his Commonwealth. He sacrificed his life in his effort to protect the people from the corruptions of the times, and the evils of misgovernment. Referring to him in this connection, his biographer said: "The delegates at large, elected upon the ticket with him, will select a successor, but they cannot fill his place."
He was one of the projectors, the constant friend and liberal supporter of what is now the Pennsylvania State College. He kept the Agricultural Society in existence for years almost unaided. He was the friend and supporter of the common schools, academies and seminaries, as well as Sunday-schools. For many years he was the recognized head of the organizations in the county for the promotion of temperance.
For a long time he was not only a member but an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, and took an active part in the labors of the Sessions, Presbyteries, Synods and General Assemblies.
With his first wife he had seven children, four of whom died in infancy.
General Notes: Wife - Margaret Hamilton
from Harrisburg, Dauphin Co, PA