Robert Graham Ralston
ROBERT GRAHAM RALSTON, M.D., a physician and surgeon of Cowansville, Pa., was born Jan. 22, 1830 in South Buffalo township, Armstrong county, son of James and Jane (Graham) Ralston.
James Ralston and his wife were both natives of Ireland, and coming to the United States at an early day settled in Westmoreland county, Pa., where they farmed. After the Civil war the father moved to Slate Lick, Armstrong Co., Pa., bringing with him his five surviving and unmarried children, three of whom now survive: Mrs. James Hunter, Mrs. Isabell Juck and Dr. Robert G. Ralston. The father of these children died on the last day of the year 1876, and the mother passed away ten years before. Both were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church of which he was an elder. In politics he was a Democrat. At one time he served as captain of militia.
Dr. Ralston attended public school until eighteen years old, when he entered Elder's Ridge Academy. Following this he took his degree of A.B. from Jefferson College, being graduted therefrom in 1855. He then read medicine for three years, and entering Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, took a three terms' course. Being then qualified, he began the practice of his profession at Cowansville, where he has continued fifty-one years. He is one of the oldest practitioners in Armstrong county, and in spite of his years has a large and lucrative practice, in the western part of East Franklin township, which he built up many years ago, and has since continued to hold.
On Jan. 19, 1865, Dr. Ralston was married to Martha J. Templeton, of Clintonville, Ill. The following children have been born of this marriage; Nancy Bell, Mrs. J. Ambrose; Nettie May; Jennie; Mrytle, Mrs. N.J. Leslie; Ina, Mrs. O.V. Davidson; Virginia; Dr. Wiliam James, of Slate Lick; John T.; Robert S. Few men in Armstrong county are as universally respected as Dr. Ralston, who hold the friendship of all with whom he has come in contact, whether professionally or in a social way.
Source Pages 414-415 Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present , J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed September 1998 by Rodney G Rosborough for the Armstrong County Beers Project
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