Dr. Albert G. Egbert

biography

Albert G. Egbert is a retired physician of Franklin, and one of the most worthy citizens of that place. He is known all over Northwestern Pennsylvania as a quiet, unostentatious man, good to the poor, and a liberal contributor to various public enterprises. 

In the history of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Jackson Centre it is mentioned that Dr. Egbert gave several thousand dollars toward the erection of the present elegant brick edifice, and it cannot be out of place to herein mention what led to this unsolicited and liberal contribution. When the Doctor was a small boy he and his eldest brother, Edwin, went to a meeting to listen to the preaching of a Rev. Murphey. On this occasion the sacrament was administered, and the reverend gentlemen excluded every one who did not belong to his church. Edwin was an earnest Christian boy, and was deeply affected by this seemingly unchristian act, while the future doctor treasured up a lasting impression. Long afterward Albert attended another meeting, which was presided over by this same Rev. Murphey. He took a seat well up to the front of the church, and when the minister came into the church he suddenly halted just as he reached the pulpit, and, after a few moments of solemn reflection, he said:

“My friends, I am going to preach a different sermon than any I have ever preached. While coming to this pulpit I heard a voice telling me what to say, and that this was my last sermon. I want everybody to commune with us to day.” It was a glorious meeting, and proved to be the last sermon from Rev. Murphey, for on the next day he was stricken with paralysis, and soon died. This new church at Jackson Centre was to supplant Rev. Murphey’s old church, and this last liberal sermon caused Dr. Egbert to subsequently make the unsolicited and liberal contribution of $4,444 to assist in the erection of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Jackson Centre. 

Thaddeus was a graduate of medicine at both the Ann Arbor and Cincinnati medical colleges, and practiced in Oil City for nineteen years. Milton O. was graduated from the Cleveland Medical College, and retired to Pittsburgh after many years’ practice. The Egberts are one of the most respected families of Sandy Lake Township.