Bucknell University - L Agenda Yearbook (Lewisburg, PA)

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In vSeptcmber, 1862, when the War of the Rebellion had assumed proportions demanding most active measures on the part of the Government, Mr. ' olverton raised a Company of Eniergenc) ' , under the call of the Governor. Of this body he was captain, and served in the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Regiment, under Colonel Ralph McClay In June, 1863, he was elected captain of Company F of the Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania Regiment, called for by the Governor, and served until mustered out in August. Mr. Wolverton, in November, 1S78, was nominated by the Democratic party and elected to the State Senate, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of A. H. Dill. He was reelected for four years in November, 1880, and so admirably had he represented the interests of his constituents that, in 1884, he was sent to the State Senate for another term. Although his district was strongly Republican, he was elected by large majorities at three successive elections, two of them in Presidential years. After ten years ' service he declined to again be a candidate. During his terms in the Senate he was a member of the Judiciary Committee, and ranked as a leading lawyer of that body, and was the author of many important measures now on the statute books of the State. During the .session of 1887 Mr. Wolverton was nominated by the Democrats of both Hou.ses as their choice for United States Senator, and he was also a candidate of his party for the Presidency of the Senate. He was again chosen, in 1890, as the Democratic standard bearer, being nominated in the Seventeenth Di-strict for the Fifty-second Congress, and elected by a large majority. In 1892 he was elected for another term, serving through the Fifty- third Congress. Although each time his majorit} ' was over 5,000, he declined to again be a candidate. While in Congress Mr. Wolverton was a member of the Judiciary Committee, and he was considered one of the most eminent lawj ' ers of the House. He was one of the principal movers in the construction of the Danville, Hazleton Wilke.sbarre Railroad, from Sunbury to Hazleton. He organized the Shamokin, Sunbury ; Lewi.sburg Railroad Company, for the construction of a railroad from vShamokin to West Milton, and acted in a managerial capacity. He was President of the company from its organization until after the road was leased to the Philadelphia Reading Railway Company, forming part of its main line between Philadelphia and Williamsport. Mr. Wolverton also organized an electric railway, and constructed its road, connecting vSunbury and Northumberland. Mr. Wolverton has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Bucknell University since i8yi. He has shown an active interest in the affairs of the University, and has attended all the regular meetings of the Board both at Lewi.sburg and Philadelphia.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF Hon. Simon P. Wolverton. fS ts SIMON P. VOL ' ERTON, of Suiibury, Pennsylvania, was born January 28, 1837, in Rush Township, Northumberland Count} ' , Pennsylvania. He was the son of Joseph and Charity Wolverton, people well known in that section. ITntil he was seventeen years of age he worked upon his father ' s farm, availing himself of such advantages as the common schools of his district then afforded during the winter months. At seventeen he became a teacher in public schools, and commenced preparation for college at Danville Academy, about five miles from his father ' s farm. He continued there through many difficulties and, in the Spring of 1857, entered the Freshman Class at Lewisburg, now Bucknell University. At the end of his Sophomore year he left college to commence the study of law, for he felt that he was unable to supply the means for two more years in college. Dr. George N. Bliss was at that time Acting President of the University, and he insisted that Mr. Wolverton should complete his college course. At the commencement of the Senior year of his class, Mr. Wolverton determined to return to college, and Dr. Loomis, President of the Univers ity, who had returned from Europe, granted him the privilege of taking the Junior and Senior years in one ; and in the fall of 1859 he undertook the difficult task. During the Senior year he went through with the regular studies of both the Junior and Senior terms, reciting almost continuously during the day and studying during the night. He graduated in July, 1S60, taking second honors over others who had continuoush ' attended college during the whole course. After graduating, he went to Sunbury, Pennsylvania, and took charge of the Sunbury Academy, where he commenced the study of law under Alexander Jordan, then the Presiding Judge of the di,strict composed of Northumberland and adjoining counties. In April, 1862, he was admitted to the Bar at Sunbiu ' y, and has practiced there ever since. Since his admis.sion Mr. Wolverton has been engaged in some of the most important trials of his district and surrounding counties, and he has been counsel for the Philadelphia Reading Railway Company, and the Philadelphia Reading Coal Iron Company, since 1868. He has for many years been counsel for the L,ehigh Valley Railroad Company, the lychigh Valley Coal Company, and the large interests of Coxe Brothers.

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The Board of Trustees. « ts Hakrv S. Hopper, Eso , Chairman, 28 South Third street, Philadelphia. Rev. a. Judson Rowland, D.D., Secretary, 1420 Chestnut street, Philadelphia. Rev. David P. Lea.s, .• .M., Treasurer, 400 South Fortieth street, Philadelphia. Rev. C. C. Bitting, D.D., Hon. James Buchanan, LL.D., John P. Crozer, Esq., Hiram E. Deats, Esq., C. i.viN Greene, Esq., Hon. William B. Hanna, D.C.L., President John H. Harris, LL.D., Harry S. Hopper, Esq ., Ebkn C. Jayne, Esq., Rev. David P. LE.A.S, A.M., Craige Lippincott, Esq., Hon. S. Hon. Harold M. McClure, A.M., D. Bright Miller, A.M., Gen. Charles Miller, A.M., George M. Philips, Ph.D., Rev. a. Judson Rowland, D. D., Rev. George M. Spratt, D.D., Rev. Lerov Stephens, D.D., James S. Swartz, Esq., Ernest L. Tustin, A.M., Esq., Joseph K. Weaver, A.M., M.D., Rev. Hhnrv G. Weston, D.D., LL.D. WoLVERTON, LL.D. Deceased.