My Genealogy Hound

DR. M. AUGUSTUS WITHERS, physician and druggist at the corner of High and Charlotte streets, Pottstown, was born in Strasburg township, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, November 6, 1829. He is the son of Michael and Mary (Smith) Withers, both of whom were natives of Lancaster county. The couple had eight children, of whom five are now living: Clara Amelia, widow of Colonel Emlen Franklin, of Lancaster; Ann Josephine and Louisa (twins), the former the widow of John H. B. Wagner, and the latter the widow of Dr. A. J. Carpenter, of Lancaster; Anna, widow of Bernard Wolfe of Pittsburg; and Dr. M. Augustus Withers.

Michael Withers (father) was a miller when a young man, and later in life he engaged in the lumber and coal business in Lancaster, which he continued until he retired from active pursuits. He lived in Lancaster the greater part of his life and died there in 1891, aged about seventy years. His wife died in 1865, aged sixty-three years. Both were members of the Lutheran denomination.

George Withers (grandfather) was a native of Lancaster county. He was one of the first iron-masters in the state of Pennsylvania, and also carried on farming, at the same time operating a mill, himself and his brother doing business together. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and his widow drew a pension for many years on that account. His wife was Anna Kindig. He lived to a good old age and left two sons and two daughters. He was of German descent, like most of the people of that section of Pennsylvania.

Chester Chapin Smith (maternal grandfather) was a Connecticut man and died young. He had an only daughter. His widow married Joseph Ehrenfried and they had no children. He was state printer for Pennsylvania, having been appointed by Governor Ritner, and published a paper at the same time.

Dr. M. Augustus Withers was reared in Lancaster. He attended Franklin Academy and graduated from Yale College in 1848. He then studied medicine and was graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1851. He began practicing medicine in Lancaster, continuing there for three or four years. He removed to Safe Harbor, staying there a year or two. He removed to Pottstown in 1859 and bought a drug store. He has been a resident of that borough ever since, conducting the drug business and practicing medicine at the same time. Dr. Withers had begun and finished the study of medicine in 1849 with F. A. Muhlenberg, of Lancaster. He practiced for a time at Millersville.

Dr. Withers entered the army as an assistant surgeon from the state of Pennsylvania in the fall of 1861 and served two years, half the time as assistant and then being promoted to surgeon of the Seventy-sixth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers.

After the war he returned to Pottstown and has carried on the drug business ever since, but gave up the practice of medicine about twenty years ago.

In 1857 Dr. Withers married Mary Louise Musselman, daughter of Henry and Anna (Eshleman) Musselman. They have one daughter, Anna Mary, now the wife of Horace Evans, president of the Pottstown National Bank. They have two sons, Louis W. and George W. Evans. Dr. Withers and wife are members of the Protestant Episcopal church. He is a member of Stichter Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and is a past master of the lodge. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the County and State Medical Societies. Dr. Withers is principal owner of the Pelican State Manufacturing Company at Windgap, Pennsylvania. He resides in the property in which his store is located. He erected the store building in 1883.

George Withers (grandfather) and his brother Michael were both extensive landowners in Lancaster county, and, as already stated, were prominently identified with its iron and flour milling industry. Both were men of independent means. They owned and operated the Mount Eden and Conowingo Iron Furnaces, the first built in 1808, the second in 1809. Both took an active part in public affairs and each held a number of public positions.