THOMAS C. M. STOCKTON, M. D., a cultured gentleman and physician of Washington county, is a son of the late Rev. Dr. John Stockton, whose ancestors came from England to America prior to the Revolution, settling in New Jersey. Thomas Stockton (grandfather of subject) was born in New Jersey, and coming to Washington county, Penn., in early manhood, was married to Miss Sarah Graham of this county. The children born to them were Polly, Sarah (Mrs. Gordon), Robert, Thomas and John. John Stockton (father of subject) was born November 18, 1803, in Washington county, Penn., and was reared to manhood on his father's farm near Washington. He was a student at Washington College, graduating therefrom in 1820, and then entered the Theological College at Princeton, N. J. On June 20, 1827, he was ordained in the Cross Crook Church of Washington county, and preached regularly for that congregation until June 20, 1877, proclaiming the "glad tidings of the Gospel" for over fifty years. Although many times offered a more lucrative position, in which he would seemingly have a wider scope, his only answer to such propositions was: "I have started with my people here, they are my children, and I will live and die with them, and be buried among them." In 1831 he was united in marriage with Nancy Clark, daughter of James Clark, a prominent farmer of Franklin county, Penn., and six children came to bless their union, namely: Thomas C. M., James C. (a physician living in West Philadelphia), John P. P. (a minister of West Unity, Williams Co., Ohio), Robert W. G. (deceased in infancy), William (a graduate of Muskingum College), and Marion E. (wife of Hugh Lee, a prominent farmer of Cross Creek township). William entered the Civil war as captain in the One Hundred and Fortieth Regiment P. V. I., attached to the Second Corps, and served for some time as colonel of his regiment, although never promoted to that rank. After the war he went to North Carolina, soon afterward dying from an attack of typhoid fever.
Thomas C. M. Stockton was born May 30, 1832. He was a close student from early boyhood, and at the age of twelve years entered the Cross Creek Academy, afterward taking a course at Washington College. After his graduation the young man returned home and taught in Cross Creek Academy, for six or seven years, and then one year in Muskingum College. In 1862 he began the study of medicine under Dr. Dickson, of Pittsburgh, with whom he remained one year, afterward attending one year at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. At this time, the war of the Rebellion being in progress, he joined the Union army as assistant surgeon of the Eighty-third Regiment, P. V. I., serving until the close of the struggle, when he re-entered Jefferson Medical College. In 1866 he graduated, and same year entered upon his professional duties in Cross Creek village.
On June 4, 1863, Dr. Stockton was married to Miss Anna, daughter of the late Hampton Kerr, of Cross Creek village, and they have had two children: Jennie, born September 7, 1871 (was a student at Wilson College, and graduated in June, 1892), and Hampton Kerr, born September 23, 1882 (a bright, affectionate child, possessing an intelligence far beyond his age, he was the hope and pride of the parents in their declining years; but when three short years of the little life had passed, God called this flower to the "eternal gardens," leaving a void in the family circle which can be filled by none other. The dread disease, scarlet fever, was the messenger sent by the Angel of Death, and though the years were few, that life has left a blessed memory that will never die). Dr. Stockton has been very successful in his chosen calling. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church at Cross Creek village, over which his father had presided for so many years. Politically he was formerly a Whig, and since the organization of the party has been a Republican.
Text taken from page 120 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed April 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]