Source:Goehring-obit/content
In the presence of his brother, Edward, other relatives and the attending physicians, Harry L. Goehring, district attorney of Allegheny county, died in a private room in the West Penn hospital at 9 o'clock last night. Suffering from cirrhosis, complicated with valvular heart trouble for many months his life had been slowly ebbing away.
He had been unconscious for some hours before death, and the end came without apparent pain. although realizing his condition, he displayed fortitude throughout his final illness and did not give up the fight for life without a struggle.
A few days ago Mr. Goehring's condition was improved, and friends entertained hopes of his ultimate recovery from the ailment that has made him an invalid almost since he began his term as district attorney. Yesterday, however, his condition grew rapidly worse. Late yesterday afternoon his friends and even his physician gave up any hope of his recovery.
Harry Lynch Goehring was born in Irwin, Westmoreland county, April 4, 1864. He was the son of Jacob and Annie Goehring, his father being at that time a well-known coal operator of the county. In his early youth he moved with his parents to Allegheny county, where he attended the public schools of the Northside.
His public school education completed, Mr. Goehring, registered as a student at the Western University of Pennsylvania, now the University of Pittsburgh. From there he went to Princeton university, from which institution he was graduated in 1887 with high honors.
Upon his return to Pittsburgh, immediately following his graduation, Mr. Goehring entered the law offices of George W. Guthrie, present mayor of Pittsburgh, where he acquitted himself well. On June 22, 1889, at the age of 25 years, he was admitted to the Allegheny county bar and began active practice.
Marked efficiency in his first few years of law practice won Mr. Goehring the recognition and praise of his competitors. Under District Attorney Richard Johnston he served as assistant, an office which carried with it no compensation. Mr. Johnston died while in office, and when Clarence Burleigh was elected to fill the vacancy Mr. Goehring was continued in his former capacity.
At that time, through the efforts of Mr. Burleigh, a small appropriation was secured and the office of assistant district attorney became an active one. Instead of having only the preparing of indictments and the handling of the grand jury to deal with, the assistant took charge of the cases of the Commonwealth.
From his first appearance in public life as a lawyer Mr. Goehring took an active part in politics, as a Republican. In 1903, when the Citizens' party was organized, he was made the choice of that organization for the office of district attorney, but after a strenuous contest, he was defeated by the small majority of 1,600 votes by Major Robert E. Stewart. In the campaign of 1906, as the standard-bearer of the Republican party, he won the election.
Made Many Big Changes.
On the first Monday of January, 1907, Mr. Goehring assumed the duties of the office. His first procedure was to make radical changes in the manner of conducting the Commonwealth's business. These changes have been highly appreciated by the attorneys generally, and it is claimed that since he has been in office more business has been disposed of than under the administration of any of his predecessors.
During most of his time he was in office Mr. Goehring was in ill health, and his active work was in charge of Robert T. McElroy, first assistant. Mr. Goehring figured prominently in the Joseph Smith murder trial and in the Sewickley burglary cases, in which penitentiary sentences of 36 and 12 years were given.
Mr. Goehring was admitted to practice before the supreme court of Pennsylvania, October 19, 1891, on motion of Mr. Guthrie. He was a member of the Pittsburgh, Duquesne and University clubs and the Tariff and Americus political clubs.
On January 12, 1896, Mr. Goehring was married to Miss Jean Morrow, of Wellsville, O. The couple moved to Davis and California avenues, Eleventh ward, Northside, where he lived until his death.
Besides his widow, the following brothers and sisters survive: J. H. Goehring, Pittsburgh; E. L. Goehring, Chicago; Edward B. Goehring, Pittsburgh; Mrs. Rebecca Marchant, Pittsburgh, and Miss Melissa Goehring, 6855 Penn avenue, Pittsburgh. Mr. Goehring's mother, Mrs. Annie J. Goehring, lives with her son, J. H. Goehring, 5831 Bartlett avenue.
