Allabough served PSAD in a leadership capacity for 31 consecutive years beginning in 1881, including four years as a Board Member, two years as a 1st Vice President, two years as a 2nd Vice President, 17 years as Treasurer and 6 years as President. He also served on committees for the National Association of the Deaf.

    Allabough took a leading part in the movement to establish the Home for the Aged and Infirm Deaf dedicated in Doylestown in 1902. He was on the Board of Trustees of the Home and served as a lay reader at St. Margaret's Mission to the Deaf at Pittsburgh, where in 1911 he became an ordained priest. His first job was as a Clerk at London, Liverpool & Global Insurance Company in New York. After 2 years, he opted to become the Supervisor of Boys' Dormitory at the Western Pittsburgh School for the Deaf. Five years later, he became a teacher. In 1907, during his stay at WPSD, he studied at the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle to become a priest. In 1910, he became a Deaconate. When he resigned his WPSD post to become ordained an Episcopal Priest his annual salary as a teacher was $1460.

    Allabough was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania on March 18, 1861. He lost his hearing from scarlet fever at the age of two. He attended the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf from the age of 13. After graduating in 1879, he went on to Gallaudet University to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1884.

    Brewster was born to Joseph L and Louise Allabough. The father was an Attorney at Law and had hoped that Brewster the eldest son of the family would follow in his footsteps. He had two brothers, David and Joseph, Jr. The sons' mother died when they were very young.

    He was renowned as the "workhorse" of the Society. Hodgson, the editor of Deaf-Mutes Journal dubbed him a "True Founder of PSAD" and added that he was a true believer in organized effort. He worked hard to pay off PSAD's mortgage on the Home property in Doylestown. Six years after the purchase, PSAD paid off the entire mortgage. Allabough hosted a celebration for this special occasion and in front of the crowd burned the mortgage papers, collected the ashes and put them in a bag for posterity. He mentioned again the beneficial results of organized effort.

    The editor of Gallaudet Buff and Blue referred to him as “the most intelligent and faithful worker for our welfare.” The initiative and energy combined with Ziegler's formed the enduring basis for PSAD. His obituary in Deaf-Mutes Journal read “a most generous and a noble man.”

    The greatest among his many accomplishments was the establishment of the Chapters. As President of PSAD in 1902, he saw there were only four chapters in existence. He traveled across the State to aid the deaf to establish their first Chapters. It was a remarkable accomplishment when he formed 10 chapters in just 24 days. Allabough helped form the following Chapters during 24 summer days: Johnstown - June 22, Altoona, - June 25, Beaver Valley - June 28, Erie - July 1, York - July 2, Harrisburg - July 8, Lebanon - July 12, Reading - July 13, Allentown - July 15, Scranton - July 16. Note that he formed a Chapter in Erie and then set up another one in York the next day. In addition, he was a very dedicated worker and unselfish with monies. He paid his traveling expenses from his own pocket instead of using PSAD funds.

    Physically strong and robust, he was a great lover of outdoor sports. During his college days he was at home with a tennis racquet, and excelled on both the football field, and the baseball diamond.

    Allabough was 58 years old when he died May 19, 1919. He passed away suddenly while he walked to a train station on his way home from Cleveland, Ohio. He had conducted a religious service the evening before at Middletown, Ohio, where it was reported that he was in his usual good health. The manner of his death, a strange coincidence, was similar to that of his predecessor, Rev. Austin W. Mann.

    He was buried in Montgomery County Cemetery in Norristown, facing the Schuylkill River. Ten years hence, his friend Ziegler would also watch the Schuylkill from his final resting place about 17 miles away in East Laurel Hill Cemetery.

    In 1823, he and five other students went to Harrisburg with Principal Weld. Those students were to give an exhibition before the Governor.

    After studying drawing and portrait painting under two local masters, he went to London in 1838 and did studies from the antiques in the British Museum. He became a pupil of Paul Delaroche in Paris. He returned to America in 1841 and settled in New York City as a painter of miniatures.

    Carlin was also a well known as a poet. He published some verses entitled The Deaf-Mutes' Lament in the Philadelphia Saturday Courier. He produced several other poems that were astonishing because during that time a deaf poet was unheard of. The editor of the American Annals of the Deaf said, "We should almost as soon expect a man born blind to become a landscape painter, as one born deaf to produce poetry of even tolerable merit."

    There was an exhibition of Carlin's painting in the Detroit Institute of Arts. One painting entitled After a Long Cruise depicted sailors making merry on the wharf, against a background of four-mastered schooners. He also painted a portrait of Laurent Clerc using the method of charcoal drawing. It is presently in the Gallaudet University collection. His oil painting of Laurent Clerc hangs at the Kentucky School for the Deaf.

    Carlin had published several articles. The Saturday Post published a series of articles by Carlin on the science of architecture. In 1868 he published a book for children titled The Scratchiest Family, which included drawings of monkeys, engraved by another deaf artist.

    Carlin excelled in fund raising. He raised $6000 for the building fund of the St. Ann Church for the Deaf in New York. Starting in 1873, and for the next eight years, he headed a committee to raise funds to build the Gallaudet Home for Aged and Infirm Deaf.

    He even influenced Edward Miner Gallaudet to found a college for the deaf. He was an orator at the formal opening of Gallaudet University in 1864. He received the first honorary degree of Master of the Arts by the College. Carlin suggested a monument to the memory of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet. Statues of both Gallaudet and Alice Cogswell were erected on the campus of Gallaudet University in 1889.

    Carlin was an orator at the Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf's first convention in 1881where he served as temporary Chair.

    His philosophy on sign language was different from that of many deaf people. Carlin believed, even though he was deaf and unable to speak or lip read, that speech and lip reading should be taught to the deaf. He classified the sign language into four elements; Natural Signs, which he considered superfluous and retarding to process; Verbal Signs, or word-for-idea, which he considered most necessary; Pantomimic Signs, which he favored in moderation to depict passions and imitate action; and Individual (Name) Signs, which he condemned as "wholly nonsensical" and a lazy avoidance of the spelling-out of proper names.

    Carlin was married to Miss Seward of the family of President Abraham Lincoln's famous Secretary William Henry Seward. He died on April 23, 1891.

    The PSD was well-known school and the largest deaf residence school in the United States of America. During 1860's the school had approximately 190 students. From 1823 to 1884, the Superintendents, Dr. Hutton and Dr. Foster, exercised their common belief concerning the use of sign language in the classrooms. Their philosophy was very simple. They believed that things should not change drastically nor should new ideas be accepted. They were taught signs by a legendary deaf man, Laurent Clerc. He served as acting Superintendent for 7 months when the school was opened in 1820.

    Crouter hailed from Canada. His first teaching job was in the Kansas School for the Deaf in 1865. The school offered him a principalship but he declined to accept a teaching position at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in 1867. He was only 23 years old. His tenure at PSD lasted for 58 years.

    In 1870, the school offered a trial oral class but it was a dismal failure, lasting only a few years.

    Crouter succeeded Superintendent Foster in 1884. One of his first actions was to establish an oral section. That was a separate building from those students who used signs. He also improved the condition of the classrooms and provided the students with textbooks and materials. In later years the enrollment grew to almost 800 students.

    Crouter first met Alexander Graham Bell in 1877 while teaching in a classroom. Bell was walking pass Crouter's classroom with a Philadelphia Star reporter. Later in the day they met and chatted for a while. Crouter had heard of Bell through his works relating to inventions and speech for deaf children.

    During Crouter's superintendency, he became close with Bell. Together they established the Volta Bureau, currently the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf. Dr. Crouter was actively involved in the Bureau serving as president and a director and remained active until his death in 1925.

    Crouter was respected and loved by many deaf people. He had a remarkable ability to remember faces, particularly of the deaf. He was very supportive of the Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf (PSAD) founded in 1881. The Society's main objective was to create a Home for the Aged and Infirm Deaf. Dr. Crouter played a major part in establishing the Home to which he gave not only advice, but also financial support. He rarely missed the annual PSAD convention. He communicated with the deaf people through signs.

    In 907 the Board of Directors of the School decided that the use of oralism in the classroom was a failure. They decided to discontinue it and return to using signs in the classrooms. But Crouter stopped them and convinced the Board Members to set up a committee to further explore oralism and collect information from various oral schools in both America and Europe. The Board agreed and Crouter appointed himself to the task and did the research. When he returned with the information, he convinced the Board that (delete) oralism was the best way to educate deaf children. The school decided in 1909 to ban the use of signs and use oralism exclusively in the classrooms. For 25 years the school had maintained separate facilities for oral and sign classes.

    Ironically, in 1910, the PSAD gave Crouter an expensive plaque for his loyal dedication and great service to the deaf people. Upon receiving the plaque, he told the audience, signing, "I want to talk directly to you, I do not want to use speech or use an interpreter..."

    Crouter wrote to Edward Miner Gallaudet, President of Gallaudet University, suggesting he establish a separate building for deaf oralists on the same campus. He added that if Gallaudet did not approve his idea, he would act to start another college for deaf oralists. Gallaudet's long reply stated that it would be foolish to have another separate college for deaf oralists mainly out of financial concerns. One college could successfully serve various kinds of hearing loss individuals.

    When Crouter died in 1925 at age of 79, he received many letters of appreciation from all over the United States, and Europe. Many came from deaf people. In his will, he asked to have his body viewed in the school, knowing that deaf people could come. He specifically requested deaf pallbearers. He was buried in New England.

    Warren Smaltz, one of the Board member of PSAD recalled his encounter with Crouter. Warren Smaltz acknowledged that Dr. Crouter was success in educating the Deaf must be ascribed his love for them, and to his sincere devotion. He also regarded his work as a service rendered to God. He was a loyal churchgoer. He attended the Church where the Deaf people attended. The Priest was also a Deaf man. He was Rev. Henry Winter Syle, the first Deaf to be ordained into priesthood. A few years ago, Mr. Smaltz asked him, "Why he labored to impart speech to all the deaf, however, inapt some of his pupils may be." In answer he opened a Prayer book and pointed to the vesicle: O' Lord, open thou our lips, then he pointed to the responses: And our mouth shall show forth Thy praise"

    When Crouter died in 1925, he requested to have 4 Deaf ball bearers. He was buried in New Hampshire.

    He wrote under the pen name of "Joe, a Jersey Mute," and he broke New York's monopoly of deaf literary talent. His remarks on the subject of deafness were more sentimental than learned, but he sounded a new note. The poets Nack, Burnet, and Carlin bemoaned deafness as a calamity, and eluded to themselves as "silent exiles on the face of earth" Said Joe in that connection: "I glory in my eternal silence. I cannot bring myself to believe that any mute feels as if he were 'a prisoner in his dreary cell doomed for life.' My tongue, though mute, does not need the power of speech because my arms and hands can express my ideas. Dumbness-and I say it in earnest-is a lovely silence. There is much in the rude gestures of a mute to charm and to delight another. As long as life lasts, in all probability I shall continue to be deaf and dumb...but I have none of the feelings of a sorrow-stricken lunatic. I claim the honor of being called a Merry Mute; nay, I insist on being designated thus."

    From extent writings we learn that he was probably the son of a harness-maker and certainly the nephew of a Baptist clergyman; that his mother wished him to learn harness and saddle making but he spurned it as beneath his dignity; that he chose the "printing business" instead, and at the age of 18 was working in the office of the Herald at Mount Holly, NJ. that his love of books kept him out of taverns and dives; that he was converted to religious thinking at the funeral of his uncle; and that in 1848 he was appointed a teacher at the Pennsylvania Institution.

    As a teacher he was energetic and popular. He advised children in his care to read the pious works of Hannah More, to drink nothing but cold water, and to "adhere to the truth at all hazards." He continued to be known as Joe the Jersey Mute," and under that name wrote A Leaf from a Teacher's Diary, an amusing sketch in which romance goes hand-in-hand with pedagogy. It is also recorded that he lent his pen to a more serious and valuable subject: the need of a national college for the deaf. He receives honorable mention as one of the four illustrious deaf men who furthered the movement to establish Gallaudet College: Carlin, Booth, Flournoy, and Mount.

    Joseph Mount left the Pennsylvania Institution in 1863, and commenced a new career as a western mute. He was Principal of the Kansas School at Baldwin City from February 1865, to April 1867, when he moved on to Arkansas. He is sometimes called the founder of the Arkansas School at Little Rock, but history is not clear on that point. Others also played key roles in developing standard educational settings for the deaf. As early as 1850 a class of five deaf pupils was taught in Clarksville, Arkansas by J. W. Woodward, a deaf man of rare ability and intelligence. He was a native of Virginia, educated in France, and a journalist in little Rock. Woodward tried for years to obtain sufficient state aid to keep the school going but had to close it in the end. In 1860 another private school for the deaf was organized at Ft. Smith, Ark., in the home of Asa Clark, who had a deaf daughter. The six pupils were taught by Matthew Clark, a deaf-mute educated at the New York Institution. The school received a State appropriation, but the next year it closed on account of chaotic political conditions resulting from the Civil War.

    These early efforts probably smoothed the way for Joseph Mount, who opened a private school in Little Rock on July l0, 1867, and the next year converted it into a state institution. He received an appointment as Principal. His pupils, who had been supported by charity and had been moved from one boarding house to another five times during the year, were finally established on state property.

    But rest had not come to Joseph Mount- with one hundred dollars a month and board assured him as Principal, he resigned suddenly in February 1869, and left the school without a head. When next heard of in 1871, he was in Lee's Summit, Missouri publishing a newspaper, The Prairie Banner.

    Later, he relocated to Dallas, Texas, and remained there a number of years as editor of The Sunny Clime, "a paper owned and published by two deaf women." The paper was still viable into the 1890s.

    The date of Joseph Mount's death cannot be confirmed. The Volta Bureau Library has a scrapbook collection of his Recollections of a Deaf and Dumb Teacher and other pieces published in The Ladies' Repository from 1857 to 1860. He also contributed to W. M. Chamberlain's National Deaf-Mute Gazette and Gallaudet Guide. Many articles signed "Deaf-mute Typo" and Manual Alphabet," were attributed to mount based on local allusions and by his peculiar, moralizing style. To his religious mania he added in later an obsession for teaching the manual alphabet to every hearing persons he met, and would avoid conversation with any one unwilling to learn this convenient method of speech. His chief claim to distinction is having secured appropriations for the Kansas and Arkansas Schools to make them permanent institutions.