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ROBERT G. RALSTON, M.D., an active and successful physician of Middlesex, East Franklin township, and a member
of the Armstrong Medical society and the Pennsylvania State Medical society, is a son of James and Jane (Graham)
Ralston, and was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1830. Among the early settlers of Westmoreland
county, from county Tyrone, Ireland, was Matthew Ralston, the paternal grandfather of Dr. Ralston. Matthew Ralston,
who was an earnest presbyterian, settled with his family, about 1799, in Westmoreland county, where he followed
farming until his death, in 1839. In religious matters he was strict in the presbyterian faith of his forefathers
and in political affairs, in this county, was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. Of his sons born in the
old world, one was James Ralston (father), who was reared from nine years of age in Westmoreland county, where
he resided until he came to this county. Sixteen years later he returned to Westmoreland county, and after a residence
of sixteen years came to South Buffalo township. In 1866 he came to East Franklin township, where he died December
30, 1876, aged eighty six years. He followed farming and was a member, for over half a century, of the Presbyterian
church, in which, during the larger part of that time, he had served as a ruling elder. He was a democrat in politics
and a pillar of strength in his church. He was a life long democrat and a successful farmer and married Jane Graham,
who was a native of Ireland and a presbyterian in religious faith and died April 21, 1871, aged seventyfour years
and nine months. Her father, Joseph Graham (maternal grandfather), came about 1800 from county Tyrone to Armstrong
county, where he followed farming as long as he lived.
Robert G. Ralston was reared in Westmoreland and Armstrong counties and received his literary education in Jefferson
college, from which he was graduated in the class of 1855. After graduation he went to Kentucky, where he was engaged
for one year in teaching. Returning home at the end of that time, he read medicine with Dr. Snowden, of Freeport,
Pa., and entered Jefferson Medical college October, 1857, from which he was graduated in March, 1860. One year
later he located at Middlesex, this township, where he has remained ever since, in the successful practice of his
profession. He is a member of the county and State medical societies. He is an elder of the Presbyterian church
and a democrat in politics.
On June 17, 1865, Dr. Ralston married Martha Templeton, daughter of John Templeton, of Sugar Creek township. To
this union have been born ten children, three sons and seven daugbters: Nannie B., married to Rev. J. C. Ambrose;
Jennie, Nettie M., Elizabeth M., Ina F., William J., Catherine, John T., Virginia and Robert S.
Dr. Ralston owns two good farms in this county and resides upon the one adjoining Middlesex. As a safe, sound and
successful physician, he receives the well merited respect of his professional brethren, and the confidence of
the community.
From:
Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia
of Indiana and Armstrong Counties, Pennsylvania
Samuel T. Wiley, Historian & Editor
John M. Greshan & Co.
Philadelphia, 1891
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