DEATH OF FRANCIS WYETH.

An Old and Much Respected Citizen Passes Away.

At his home on North Front street early yesterday morning, Francis Wyeth, one of the city's oldest inhabitants passed into rest. He had been in failing health several years. His end, however came suddenly.

Francis Wyeth, son of John Wyeth and Louisa Weiss, was born April 6th, 1806, in this city. He was educated at the Harrisburg Academy and learned the art of printing in his father's office, subsequently entering Jefferson College, Canonsburg, from which institution he was graduated in November, 1827. On his return home his father, who had conducted the Oracle of Dauphin thirty-five years, transferred that paper to his son, which he edited several years. He also entered into the business of bookseller and publisher. At the time Mr. Wyeth took charge of the Oracle the Whig party had just come into existence, of whose principles and policy he was an enthusiastic supporter. Becoming, however, tired of an editor's life he sold out the newspaper establishment about 1831, continuing his other business till 1859, when he disposed of that. In April, 1861, at the outbreak of the Rebellion he was placed in charge of the quartermaster's department at Camp Curtin, where he continued until the general Government assumed control of all the military organizations of the State. On the 20th of July, 1862, Governor Curtin appointed him one of the commissioners from Pennsylvania to visit all the hospitals in the Army of the Potomac in the interest of the volunteer soldiers of the State who were sick or wounded, and as his commission read, "to assure each and all that their condition awakens the liveliest interest and sympathy of the people and Governor of Pennsylvania." Returning home he made the recommendation that "those from Pennsylvania be transferred to hospitals in their own State that they might be near to their friends and acquaintances." This was subsequently carried out during the continuance of the war. On November 28th, 1863, he was again directed to visit the various hospitals. For a long term of years he was one of the trustees of the Harrisburg Academy, and in 1879 he was elected president of the same. Mr. Wyeth married, May 29th, 1829, Susan Huston Maxwell, of Franklin county, Pa., who died December 24th, 1841, at Harrisburg, and they had among others William Maxwell, of St. Joseph, Mo., John and Francis H., of Philadelphia. Mr. Wyeth married, secondly, Sarah C. Carson, daughter of Chas. Carson, of Harrisburg, and their children were Charles C. (died in infancy) and Parker C., of Indian Territory. Deceased was a member of Pine Street Presbyterian church.

—Harrisburg Telegraph (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania), Monday, July 3, 1893, p. 4

The above obituary was provided by Anonymous (#46960440) on 3/29/2024. Birth and death dates and locations were also added.