David A Gorman
DAVID A. GORMAN, V. S., for nearly ten years a resident of Kittanning, Pa., is well known in his line of work throughout this part of Pennsylvania, particularly in his connection with the State Live Stock Sanitary board. He has been secretary of that body for Armstrong county since settling here, and during his residence in Indiana county held the same position for that section.
Dr. Gorman was born April 15, 1848, in Indiana county, Pa., son of David G. Gorman and grandson of David Gorman, who came to this country from Scotland before his marriage. His wife, whose maiden name was Jennie George, came to America from Ireland when a child. Mr. and Mrs. David Gorman resided a short time in Armstrong county, moving thence to Indiana county, where they settled on what is known as the old homestead of the family. He was a farmer by occupation.
David G. Gorman was born April 2, 1823, near South Bend in Armstrong county, Pa., and received his education in the common schools of Armstrong and Indiana counties. He taught school for some time in Indiana county, where the greater part of his life was spent, becoming one of the prosperous farmers of that section. Politically he was a Democrat of strong convictions and active in the work of the party, and he served thirty-five years as justice of the peace in Indiana county. He and his wife were members of the M. E. Church, in which he was also prominent. He married Christiana Fry, a native of Indiana county, daughter of Daniel and Mary Fry, and ten children were born to them, namely: David A., Jane E., Martha C., Mary C., Nancy H., William, Delillah, Henry, Sarah, and John. Henry lives on the old homestead farm and David is the only member of the family residing in Armstrong county. The mother died at the age of seventy-five years, the father in his eighty-fifth year. They were buried in Indiana county.
David A. Gorman received his early education in the common schools of Indiana county and at Covode Academy there. He took the course of veterinary surgery at Toronto, Canada, attending the Ontario Veterinary College, class of 1887. Returning to Indiana county he established a good practice there, his work extending also into Jefferson and Clearfield counties, and to Johnstown, Cambria county. In September, 1904, Dr. Gorman located at Kittanning. He was first at No. 208 Arch street for three or four years, thence moving to North McKean street, opposite the post office, where he remained for two years, until he came to his location at No. 360 Arch street. In 1900 Dr. Gorman became a member of the Veterinary Medical Association of Philadelphia, and he also became a member of the State Live Stock Sanitary board, of which he was secretary for Indiana county during his residence there; in his position of secretary for Armstrong county he also covered Jefferson, Westmoreland, Clarion and Butler counties. Dr. Gorman is a member of Kittanning Lodge, No. 688, I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the chairs. He is also a Mason, belonging to Blue Lodge No. 313, at Indiana, and to Chapter No. 228, R. A. M., at Clearfield, Pa. His religious connection is with the M. E. Church, and he is a Republican in politics.
On May 3, 1870, Dr. Gorman married Rebecca Jane Shaffer, who was born in Bedford county, Pa., daughter of S. S. and Mary (Beck) Shaffer, deceased, who were pioneer settlers in Indiana county, where they are buried. Mr. Shaffer was a farmer and stonemason, a well educated man for his day, and one of the respected citizens of his section. He was a member of the M. E. Church and a Republican politically. To Dr. and Mrs. Gorman have been born six children: S. C., M. D., who graduated from the Baltimore Medical College, and is now practicing his profession; Mildred, who died when twenty-three years old; two sons, who died in infancy; Emma, wife of David Hanna, a resident of Independence, Oregon; and Bonnie, who is employed as a clerk in the M. L. Bowser shoe store in Kittanning.
Source: Page 933 Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed October 1998 by Kathy Zagorac for the Armstrong County Beers Project
Contributed for use by the Armstrong County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/)Armstrong County Genealogy Project Notice:
These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format, for any presentation, without prior written permission. Genealogy ProjectReturn to the Beers Project
Return to the Armstrong County Genealogy Project
Return to the Armstrong County Genealogy Project
Return to the Armstrong County Genealogy Project