Robert Bruce Petriken

Born in Muncie, Lycoming County, Sept. 12, 1826, the son of William A. and Margaret (Montgomery) Petrikin; the Senator was educated at Shedden’s Academy, McEwensville, and Lafayette College, Easton; moved to Huntingdon County, studied law under A.P. Wilson; joined the bar, 1849; and enlisted with the 5th Regt., PVI, elected Major, April 20, 1861, for three-month service.  The 5th was deployed to guard Washington, encamped at Alexandria, Virginia.  He served until the outset of 1st Manassas; returned to Harrisburg; and mustered out with the regiment on July 25, 1861.  After service, Petrikin continued the practice of law, was elected to the state Senate in fall 1870, and served through 1873.  Robert died in Philadelphia on April 15, 1895.  His wife was the former Mary Pohl.