USA > New York > New York State's prominent and progressive men : an encyclopaedia of contemporaneous biography, Volume II > Part 25
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Dr. Smith has been active in the general affairs of his profession, constantly endeavoring to keep fully abreast of the best medical thought and knowledge of the times, and to do all in his power to extend and perfect that knowledge. He is a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, the New York State Ho- meopathic Medical Society, the New York Pathological Society, and the New York Materia Medica Society. He is a visiting physician to the Flower Hospital, in addition to the other hospital and college appointments already mentioned.
His religious activities find scope at the Brick Presbyterian Church, which he regularly attends with his family. In social matters he is a member of the Colonial Club, the Players, the Arion, and various other organizations.
On June 1, 1881, Dr. Smith was married to Miss Kate Zog- baum, daughter of Ferdinand Zogbaum of New York, and sister of Rufus F. Zogbaum, the well-known artist and illustrator. They have four children, named St. Clair, Ferdinand Mont- gomery, Katharine Wyndham, and Hugh Montgomery.
THOMAS GUILFORD SMITH
MONG the various Smith families in the United States, one A of the oldest and foremost is that whose ancestors, chiefly of the Quaker faith, settled under William Penn at the ancient city of Burlington, New Jersey, and in its neighborhood. Pem- berton Smith of Philadelphia was a member of it, as the iden- tity of his given name with that of a near-by town might indicate. He married Margaretta E. Zell of Philadelphia, and spent his life chiefly in that city. It was there that his son, the subject of this sketch, was born, on August 27, 1839. There, too, the boy received his early education, in private and public schools, and then in the Central High School. Thence he went to the well-known Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, New York, and in due time was graduated there, in 1861, with the degree of civil engineer; two years later the Central High School of Philadelphia gave him the degree of A. M. In 1899 Hobart College, at Geneva, New York, conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL. D., in acknowledgment of his services to the cause of education as regent of the University of the State of New York.
Mr. Smith began his business career in the engineering depart- ment of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, and became in time resident engineer of that company in the Mahanoy mining district. In 1865 he resigned that place, and for the next four years was general manager of the Philadelphia Sugar Refinery. A few years of railroad and mining work as consulting engineer of various companies followed, and in 1872 he went to Europe in the interest of some railroad enterprises. On his re- turn to this country he became secretary of the Union Iron Company of Buffalo, New York, and made his home in that city.
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After five years of service in that office he became Western sales- agent for the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, and then organized the firm of Albright & Smith, sales-agent for that company for New York State and Canada. In 1892 the Reading Company bought out the firm, and then his thirty years' connection with the coal trade ceased.
Mr. Smith had, meanwhile, in 1889, become sales-agent for the great iron and steel concern of Carnegie, Phipps & Co. of Pitts- burg, now merged into the Carnegie Steel Company, Limited. He still conducts that branch of their business in New York and Canada, and is also vice-president of the New York Car Wheel Works at Buffalo, the St. Thomas (Canada) Car Wheel Com- pany, Limited, the Canada Iron Furnace Company, Limited, of Radnor Forges, Quebec, and is connected with various other enterprises in the iron and steel trade. He is a director of the Niagara Bank of Buffalo, vice-president of the International Car Wheel Company, which was formed in 1899 by a consolida- tion of the various car-wheel companies with which he was con- nected in the United States and Canada, and treasurer of the Gruson Iron Works, of which he was, in 1899, one of the organ- izers and incorporators. This last-named company has acquired the exclusive right for the United States, under contract with Fried Krupp Grusonwerk of Magdeburg-Buckau, Germany, to manufacture Gruson chilled cast-iron rotating turrets and other chilled-armor constructions for coast defense.
In addition to his business activities, Mr. Smith has been con- spicuous in various educational, scientific, benevolent, and social movements. He is a member of the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Union League, and the Franklin Institute of Phila- delphia; of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Institute of Mining Engineers; of the Grolier Club, Players' Club, and Shakspere Society of New York; of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, the Ameri- can Economic Association, and the American Protective Tariff League; and of the chief social clubs of Buffalo, and similar organizations in Pittsburg, Montreal, and other cities. He was one of the founders of the Charity Organization Society of Buffalo, and has for many years been its president. He was for some years a member of the council of the University of Buffalo,
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and president of the Buffalo Library, and is now president of the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy. In 1890 he was elected a member of the board of regents of the University of the State of New York. He is a member of the Society of the Sons of the Revo- lution, and of the Colonial Society of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Smith was married, in 1864, to Miss Mary Stewart Ives, daughter of Chauncey Pelton Ives of Lansingburg, New York. They have two sons, Pemberton Smith, a civil engineer, associ- ated with his father, and Chauncey Pelton Smith, a physician and surgeon of Buffalo.
Mr. Smith has been all his life a Protectionist. His father and grandfather were stanch Whigs, and his forefathers Fed- eralists. At the time of his graduation the Civil War had just begun, and the cause of protection received a great impetus, owing to the government's need of revenue, which was obtained through the Morrill Tariff, as well as the internal-revenue legis- lation known as the " war taxes." Mr. Smith's connection with the iron and steel trade, which has continued through his busi- ness life, has made him even more pronounced in his protection- ist belief than ever, and finds expression in his membership in, and constant support of, the American Protective Tariff League.
His life and experiences have impressed upon him, above most other things, the necessity for technical education as a means to success. His own career has proved that there is no incongruity between the activity of a trained business life and a cultivation of literary and scientific pursuits. The study of natural history, begun in his youth and continued ever since, made it particularly appropriate that on his entrance into the board of regents of the University of the State of New York he should be made chairman of the museum committee. In this connection Mr. Smith has constantly endeavored to keep prominently in view the economic value of the work of the university through the State Geologist, Botanist, Entomologist, and other State officers who report to the museum committee. The director of the State Museum, under the inspiration of the committee, has been de- voting his time more and more to the economic geology of the State, and to special reports on its building-stones, its clays, and its road-making materials, and to increasing the exhibit of these valuable resources in the State Museum at Albany.
HERBERT CROMMELIN SMYTH
THE paternal ancestors of Herbert Crommelin Smyth came from the North of England in colonial days, and settled in New York State, or what has since become such. In Revo- lutionary days their sympathies were with the mother-country, and accordingly, with many other loyalists, they left New York and moved over into Canada, settling there upon land acquired from the famous Indian chieftain, Captain Brant. Some of his maternal ancestors, Douglas by name, were among the early settlers of Massachusetts, from which colony they gradually migrated to New York, and thence to Canada. His maternal grandfather was Samuel Gouverneur Ogden, a member of the well-known Ogden family of New York and New Jersey. Mr. Ogden was one of the most prominent merchants of his day, having homes and offices in both New York and Bordeaux, France. He was the fitter-out of the Miranda expedition to South America, the first organized effort to assist the South American colonies in their struggle to throw off the Spanish yoke and become independent republics. Mr. Ogden's mother was a granddaughter of Francis Lewis, who was born in Wales, who became a New York merchant, served in the French and Indian War in Canada, and was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and whose son, Morgan Lewis, was Governor of New York. Mr. Ogden's daughter, Julia Gabriella Ogden, became the wife of Joseph Kennedy Smyth, a New York importing merchant.
To this latter couple Herbert Crommelin Smyth was born, at their home at One Hundred and Forty-first Street and North River, New York, on December 19, 1870. He was educated in the public schools of New York, in 1889-90 at the Columbia
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University Law School, and in 1891-92 at the New York Law School. Meantime, on being graduated from the grammar school, at the age of fourteen, he began studying law under Judge Nelson J. Waterbury and his son, Nelson J. Waterbury, Jr. At seventeen he became managing clerk for Mr. Waterbury. Thus he made such progress in his law studies that in 1892 he was admitted to the bar, and accordingly left the law school without waiting to be graduated.
Mr. Smyth, in February, 1893, severed his connection with Mr. Waterbury's office, in order to become an assistant examiner of claims in the office of the Fidelity and Casualty Company of New York. A year later he became a member of the law firm of Nadal, Smyth, Carrere & Trafford, in which form it still exists and enjoys a prosperous career. The business of the firm is largely concerned with the defense of negligence suits and sim- ilar litigation.
Mr. Smyth has personally been trial counsel for a number of corporations and individual clients. He has held and has sought no public office of any kind, preferring to devote his attention to the pursuit of his professional calling.
He has become connected with a number of professional and social organizations of the best class. Among these are the Association of the Bar of New York City, the Sons of the American Revolution, the New York Historical Society, the Met- ropolitan Museum of Art, the Manhattan Club, and the Colo- nial Club.
Mr. Smyth was married in New York, on April 8, 1896, to Miss Maimee S. Murray, daughter of George and Mathilde S. Murray. They have one child, Herbert Crommelin Smyth, Jr.
ARTHUR WILLIAM SOPER
C YONSPICUOUS among the pioneer business men of the central part of the State of New York in the early part of the present century, when that region was still largely un- settled, and was regarded as a frontier country, was Albert Soper. He was engaged in the cutting and sale of lumber, an industry of prime importance in a growing country, such as that was, and, indeed, of no little account in every civilized and industrial land. The business was then a profitable one in that region, and it is to-day, in the country at large, one of the foremost in point of capital engaged and value of goods produced, ranking among the three or four chief manufacturing industries. The indi- vidual business founded by Albert Soper flourished throughout his lifetime, and was left by him to two of his sons, Alexander C. Soper and James P. Soper, under whose management the Soper Lumber Company is to this day profitably maintained.
Another son was born to Albert Soper and Esther Soper, his wife, at Rome, New York, on July 18, 1838, to whom the name of Arthur William Soper was given. The parents being people of easy means, the boy was not subjected to the hardships and struggles of poverty, but was sent to school and well educated. He first attended the local public schools, which were of good repute, and then pursued a course at the Rome Academy, under the direction of Professor Frank Moore. Thus he was engaged in preparation for the duties of life until the end of his six- teenth year.
At the age of seventeen young Mr. Soper began his business career as a clerk in his father's office. It was in many respects a promising beginning, for, as we have said, the lumber business was an important and increasing one, and he might have been
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well content to remain in it. Moreover, under his father he received an admirable training in practical business methods. The three years spent there were, therefore, profitable in their bearing upon his future career. But three years were all that he cared to spend in the lumber trade.
At that time railroad-building was just beginning to assume large proportions, and it scarcely needed the eye of a prophet to see that it was destined to become one of the greatest industries in the land, and indeed one of the whole world's foremost fields of business activity. The young man was quick to recognize this fact and to devote his attention to such enterprises. It was in 1858 that he entered the railroad service, as a clerk in the home office of the Rome, Watertown, and Ogdensburg Railroad, in the freight department. He was at the foot of the ladder, but he applied himself with all possible diligence to mastering thoroughly every detail of the business, knowing well that thus ascent to the top was best to be assured. After three years of work as a subordinate clerk he received his first promotion, to the place of superintendent's clerk. This place he held for two years, applying himself faithfully to the new duties and details which it involved.
After these five years of office-work, Mr. Soper decided that he had better learn something about the details of railroad man- agement and operation by practical experience "on the road." Accordingly, he secured an appointment as conductor of a pas- senger-train, and for a year familiarized himself with that branch of railroad work and with the other branches with which it brought him into contact. Such experience was useful to him, and prepared him more fully for the next change in his fortunes, which was then near at hand.
The superintendent of the Rome, Watertown, and Ogdens- burg Railroad was at that time Addison Day, one of the most accomplished railroad managers of that generation. Mr. Soper had already come much into contact with him as superinten- dent's clerk, and now, being in need of an assistant superintendent, Mr. Day turned to the young conductor and appointed him to the place. This was a considerable promotion, and Mr. Soper found his duties such as to call into use all the knowledge and experience he had acquired in his former places on the road.
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For four years the two worked together, and then Mr. Day was called to the West to be superintendent of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad, with offices at St. Louis. Soon after assuming the duties of that place he felt the need of a skilled and trusted assistant, and, accordingly, sent for Mr. Soper. The latter promptly responded to the summons of his former chief, and left Rome for the West in February, 1871. The work at St. Louis was congenial, and he prospered in it, and enjoyed the association with Mr. Day. The latter was not, how- ever, destined to last long. Mr. Day's health failed, and at the end of a year he was compelled to resign his place as superintendent on that account.
Mr. Soper had already proved his worth to the railroad, and he was, naturally and justly, chosen to succeed Mr. Day. So, at the age of thirty-four, he became superintendent of the railroad, one of the most important lines in that part of the country. He fully rose to meet the needs of this responsible place, and dis- charged his every duty so satisfactorily that in a short time he was again promoted to be general manager of the road, having practical direction of all its interests. Under his efficient and energetic administration the road greatly prospered, and became one of the most important commercial contributors to the growth of the Missouri metropolis.
But Mr. Soper did not propose to spend all his life at St. Louis, great as were its opportunities. He had gone from Rome thither as to a larger and more promising field. Now, with the same object in view, he turned away from St. Louis to the chief city of the continent. He had been at the head of the Iron Mountain administration about ten years when he announced his intention of resigning and removing to New York. The announcement was received with wide-spread and deep regret among the business men and citizens of St. Louis, who had learned to esteem him highly in all respects, and to regard him as one of the chief aids to the growth and prosperity of their city. A large number of them united in presenting to him a handsome service of silver, together with resolutions eloquently expressing their appreciation of him and their regret at his departure.
Mr. Soper then came to New York, and, instead of entering
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the employment of any corporation among the many that would have been glad to secure his services, he entered upon an independent career, and became the head of corpora- tions of his own. He still gave his attention, of course, to railroad affairs, identifying himself with several lines of business intimately connected therewith, all of which, under his direction, prospered and expanded greatly. About 1889 he became the president of the Safety Car Heating and Lighting Company of this city, which he has since managed with conspicuous success. That is now his chief business connection, though his interests in other directions are wide-spread and important.
Mr. Soper has always been a strong Republican in politics, but he has confined his political activities to the discharge of the duties of a private citizen. Public office would doubtless have been within his reach had he been inclined to seek it, but he was not.
In 1871, at about the time of his departure from New York State for St. Louis, Mr. Soper was married. His bride was Miss Hettie Wardwell, a daughter of Samuel Wardwell of Rome, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Soper have one child, a daughter named Mary Theresa. They make their home in New York city, where they have a large and appreciative circle of friends, and are interested in social affairs in a commendable degree.
Mr. Soper's success in business has been attained through the force of personal merits, put forward through persistent and earnest labor. He possesses more than the average store of physical and mental energy, and is abundantly endowed with those elements of integrity, generosity, and loyalty which com- mand the respect and confidence of all who know him. He would doubtless have won success in any calling, but did so the more surely because of his persistent devotion to the one chosen by him for his life-work.
Mr. Soper's two brothers mentioned above, are still at the head of the Soper Lumber Company. They long ago removed its chief offices from Rome to Chicago, and through the exer- cise of sagacity, enterprise, and energy, they have made it one of the great industries of that city, and one of the foremost concerns in the lumber trade of the entire West.
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ALBERT GOODWILL SPALDING
LBERT GOODWILL SPALDING is a descendant of the Rev. Edward Spalding, who came from England in 1630 and settled at Braintree, Massachusetts, and the son of James Law- rence Spalding and Harriet Irene Spalding, the latter the daugh- ter of Johnson Goodwill of Batavia, New York. He was born at Byron, Ogle County, Illinois, on September 2, 1850, and was edu- cated there and at Rockford, Illinois. His father died when he was eight years of age, and his youthful training was conducted by his mother, a woman of rare ability and charm of character. At the age of sixteen he began work as a clerk in a Rockford grocery store. He was afterward bill-clerk in a wholesale gro- cery store in Chicago, and bookkeeper in the "Register " news- paper office, Rockford, Illinois. In 1872 he was advertising manager of the New York "Daily Graphic."
At the age of sixteen he was accounted a champion baseball- player, and from that age until he was twenty-six he was almost constantly captain or manager of some team, including the fa- mous Rockfords, Bostons, and Chicagos. He found the game in a low estate, abandoned largely to gamblers and rowdies. Through his efforts the National League was formed, an organi- zation which assumed control of the game throughout the country and speedily lifted it to a dignified and worthy plane. For years he was the recognized head of the National League, and was largely instrumental in formulating the code of rules by which the game has long been governed.
One of his notable achievements in baseball was the taking of two teams on an exhibition tour around the world. This enter- prise cost fifty thousand dollars. The teams introduced the game to lands in all parts of the world, and played on the historic
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sands of Egypt, and before royal and imperial personages at many European capitals.
Mr. Spalding's interest in baseball and athletics led him, in 1876, to open in Chicago, on eight hundred dollars capital, a small shop for the sale of the goods used in such games. The business prospered until to-day it comprises mammoth estab- lishments in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and other Ameri- can cities, and in some European cities, and is the acknowledged leader in the athletic-goods trade of the world. When the bicycle began to come into use he was quick to appreciate its possibili- ties, and he became one of the foremost manufacturers of and dealers in bicycles and cycling goods. He was conspicuous in the organization of the Cycle Board of Trade, and was its sec- ond president. Finally, in 1899, he successfully organized the American Bicycle Company, or the Cycle Trust, as it has been called. This gigantic corporation unites all the chief bicycle manufacturing interests of the country, and will un- doubtedly henceforth exercise a beneficent control over the entire industry.
Mr. Spalding is a director of the Royal Trust Company of Chicago, and is identified with some extensive real-estate enter- prises in that city. He has also numerous other business connections. He has a handsome home on Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, and he has for a summer residence one of the finest estates at Seabright, New Jersey. He has never held any politi- cal office, though several have been offered to him. He is a member of many clubs, including the Union League of Chicago, the Chicago Athletic Association, the Kenwood Club, the New York Athletic Club, the Country Club, the Lawyers', Hardware, and Engineers' clubs of New York, and the Seabright Golf Club.
Mr. Spalding was married, on November 20, 1875, to Miss Josephine Keith of Campello, Massachusetts. Their one child, Keith Spalding, was born on October 7, 1877. Mrs. Spalding died at Seabright, New Jersey, on July 9, 1899.
has 36 Steinway
CHARLES HERMANN STEINWAY
THE name of Steinway, long known and loved by musicians the world around, was brought to New York from the city of Seesen, near Brunswick, Germany. Henry Engelhardt Stein- way was in the first part of this century a prosperous piano manufacturer there, and about 1848 he was induced to look to America as a field for the extension of his trade. He sent his second son, Charles, to New York to investigate, and the report was so favorable that in June, 1850, he came hither with his sons Charles, Henry, and William, and founded here the famous house of Steinway & Sons, his oldest son, C. F. Theodore Stein- way, being left at home in Seesen to continue the business there.
The subsequent history of the family is the history of the pianoforte and largely the history of music. From a small be- ginning the Steinways built up one of the largest piano-manu- facturing businesses in the world, and made their instruments stand second to none. Their first factory was a small affair in Varick Street, and their second in Walker Street. In 1860 they took possession of their great factory on Fourth Avenue, and six years later opened the great salesrooms and concert-hall on East Fourteenth Street, which has since been one of the musical centers of the world. The Steinways became the court piano manufacturers to the sovereigns of Great Britain, Ger- many, Spain, and Italy ; and their instruments were used by the greatest musicians, such as Rubinstein, Liszt, Wagner, Pade- rewski, Patti, Gerster, and Theodore Thomas.
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