USA > New York > New York state's prominent and progressive men : an encyclopaedia of contemporaneous biography, Volume III > Part 3
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From the beginning of his career as a box-maker Mr. Blair
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was prominent in the organization of labor. He filled succes- sively all offices in the Box-makers' Union, and was a delegate to the central organization. From 1867 to 1873 he was a leader in every movement of workingmen in this city. In the latter year, when the socialists made their first appearance here, he was chairman of the Committee of Safety, and urged practical measures for preserving the integrity of the labor-unions. These were rejected by the radical element, and finding himself in the minority, he resigned his place. He then organized the Green- back Labor party in this State, and traveled all over the State in its interest. For some years that party was a considerable factor in politics, but it began to wane after a few years, and in 1881, convinced that the effort to perpetuate it would be futile, Mr. Blair, as president of the Working-men's Assembly of the State, called a convention of labor-unions at Albany, and secured the adoption of his old plan of not supporting a separate labor party, but voting for the friends of labor and opposing its enemies. That became the policy of organized labor in New York, and for five years Mr. Blair was busy putting it into exe- cution. To that policy has been due much of the beneficent labor legislation of late years. Among the laws secured are those prohibiting the labor of children of tender years, forbid- ding competition of prison labor with free labor, and limiting to ten hours the labor of railroad employees. The establishment of the Board of Arbitration, inspection of mines and of bake-shops, the eight-hour law in public works, Labor Day, the Saturday half-holiday, and numerous other like measures belong to the period of Mr. Blair's activity in such matters.
Early in his business career Mr. Blair adopted the principle of cooperation, and started with some of his comrades a co- operative box factory. It failed through the jealousies of some of the men. Thereupon he withdrew and began work on his own account, with no capital but his kit of tools. He soon had a large shop, employing sixty men ; then built two factories, and each year for fifteen years cut five million feet of lumber. His was the only union factory in the trade, and on that account it was more costly to maintain. The competition of Western fac- tories eventually destroyed his profits. For a time he kept on at a loss in order to give his men employment, and thus sacrifieed
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much for the cause of organized labor. But in 1890 he was compelled, after a loss of $100,000, to retire from the unequal competition, and abandoned the large trade, and confined his small plant to special work.
Mr. Blair was appointed by Governor Hill, in 1886, to serve on the Special Prison Commission. At present he holds the impor- tant place of Superintendent of the Poor in the Department of Charities of this city, his office being a sort of clearing-house for the relief of the destitute. It is his boast that no deserving per- son has ever been turned away from his office, and no impostor has been tolerated. It has been his aim to command the con- fidence of all organizations engaged in charitable work, and to encourage their cooperation in the amelioration of the condition of the poor of the great city.
Mr. Blair is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the general committee of Tammany Hall. He also belongs to the Democratic Club, the New York Athletic Club, and the Work- ing-men's Political League of this city. He is a member of Naval Post No. 516 of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the George Washington Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Tammany Society, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
CALVIN STEWART BRICE
C ALVIN STEWART BRICE, who for many years was prominent in the nation as a lawyer, railroad manager, and political leader, was born at Denmark, Ohio, on September 17, 1845. His father was William Kirkpatrick Brice, a Pres- byterian minister, and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Stewart, was a woman of much intellectual force and charm of character. The family removed in 1848 to Co- Inmbus Grove, in Putnam County, Ohio, and there Calvin spent his boyhood to the age of thirteen, under the home care of his mother and the scholarly instruction of his father. At thirteen
he went to the preparatory school of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. His studies were interrupted in 1861 by the Civil War, when he enlisted in Captain Dodd's University Company, and was stationed at Camp Jackson, at the State capital. In the fall he returned to college, only to enlist again the next year in what became Company A of the Eighty-sixth Ohio Infantry. He spent the summer of 1862 campaigning in West Virginia, and then returned to Miami, to be graduated in June, 1863. Then he went to Lima, Ohio, taught for some months in the public schools, and was employed as a clerk in the office of the Anditor of Allen County. In July, 1864, he went to the war again, with a company recruited by himself, with a commission as captain of Company E, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Infantry. He served in Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia, and the Carolinas until the end of the war, and was appointed lieutenant- colonel, but not mustered in.
Mr. Brice went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, in the fall of 1865. and attended lectures in the Law School of the University of Michigan. The next spring he was admitted to practice at the
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bar and in the United States courts, and immediately formed a partnership with James Irvine, at Lima, Ohio, and for a dozen years pursued his profession there with success. His high character, ability, and devotion to the interests of his clients made him deservedly one of the foremost lawyers in that part of the State. Meantime he became interested more and more in railroad affairs, and at last transferred his activities almost entirely from his profession to that important business. His first railroad connection was with the legal department of the old Lake Erie & Louisville Road. He became a stockholder in that road, and played a leading part in its development. Failing to make the traffic arrangements he desired with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Road, he next undertook the great "Nickel Plate " enterprise, and carried it through success- fully. This made him a man of great wealth and a figure of national importance and interest. He thereafter was promi- neutly connected with numerous other railroads, including the Union Pacific, the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia, the Mobile & Birmingham, the Memphis & Charleston, the Lake Erie & Western, the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic, and the Knoxville & Ohio, and also the Pacific Mail Steamship Com- pany. He was for years one of the most active and efficient factors in the railroad development of the Southern States.
Mr. Brice was an earnest Democrat in politics, and for many years was conspicuous and influential in the councils of his party. He was a candidate for Presidential elector on the Tilden ticket in 1876 and the Cleveland ticket in 1884. In 1888 he was a delegate at large from the State of Ohio to the Demoeractic National Convention, was chosen Ohio's member of the National Committee, and as chairman of the Campaign Committee con- dueted the campaign of that year. Upon the death of William IL. Barnum he was, in 1889, elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He was delegate at large from Ohio to the National Convention of 1892, and chairman of the delega- tion.
His prominence in polities made Mr. Brice the logical choice of his party for whatever preferment it had to offer, and he was consequently, in January, 1890, elected United States Senator from Ohio, for the term 1891-97. In that office he exerted an
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exceptional influence among his associates. He served on the committees on Appropriations, Pensions, Public Buildings and Grounds, and Pacific Railroads, being chairman of the last- named. He was also a member of the "Steering Committee " of his party in the Senate. His business experience, penetrating quality of his mind, and his cautious and conservative though optimistic temperament, made his judgment to be highly prized and his advice to be sought on all important matters.
Mr. Brice always maintained a home and a legal residence in Ohio. His senatorial duties led to the establishment of a second home at Washington. A third was in New York, where the bulk of his railroad business was concentered, and where he and his family were prominent in the best society. Still a fourth home at Newport was occupied by the family for a part of the year. Mr. Brice was married, in 1870, to Miss Catherine Olivia Meily, a woman of fine intellectual gifts and much charm in social leadership. Five children were born to them, three sons and two daughters. One of the sons, Stewart M. Brice, has become prominent in the municipal affairs of New York city.
Mr. Brice was a member of most of the leading social clubs of New York, Washington, and Ohio. He died at his home in New York on December 15. 1898.
FREDERICK R. BROOKE
W HILE it is one of the most undeniable axioms that no thing succeeds like success, the practical American spiri renders due tribute in the fullest degree to the successful mar who, starting poor, without backing, and through sheer persever ance, pluck, and ability, makes his way in life. For this reason such books as Samuel Smiles's "Self-Help" will always be o prime interest, not only to workers of all classes, but to the generous spirits of those who, prosperous themselves, ean stil appreciate the nobility of industry. Few of the examples of in dustrial achievement noted in the famous book we have men tioned are more interesting than the career of Frederick R Brooke, president and manager of the United States Pneumati Horse Collar Company, also president of the F. R. Brooke Com pany. This gentleman, after a variety of struggles and business vicissitudes, has attained high standing in commercial and busi ness circles as a result of his sound business judgment, strie integrity, energy, and keen foresight. We must not leave ou of consideration the two essential points of his natural adap tability to mercantile life and matters of finance. The company which he represents always receives the benefit of a judicious expenditure of the treasury funds, for his hard experiences il early life taught him the value of money, which the great Na polcon himself once reminded a spendthrift relative was "a very material thing."
Mr. Brooke was born in 1860, at Brantford, Ontario, Canada his ancestors being of Irish and English extraction on his father's side, and full American on his mother's. He was educated at the Brantford Collegiate Institute. On leaving college, in 1878, he first entered the leading dry-goods house of his native city as
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an apprentice. His first business training was under the stern supervision of a hard-working, economical Scotchman, who in- culcated the spirit of industry, thrift, and economy, which largely shaped and influenced his successful business career.
Naturally ambitious, he could not long remain within the con- fines of a small Canadian city, and in September, 1879, he gathered together his small belongings, and, with twenty-eight dollars in cash, sought fortune in the land of his adoption. Being of a free and independent nature, he disliked the autocracy of a monarchical government, and at the earliest moment became a naturalized citizen of the United States, feeling in all sincerity that the country from which he derived all the benefits in life was entitled to all that he could give in return.
He entered the employ of the dry-goods house of Sibley, Lind- say & Curr, of Rochester, as extra salesman during the holiday season, and in December of the same year came east to New York. No easy task awaited this countryman, and for a time he endured considerable privation. All classes of trade were dull and employment difficult to obtain. At this time his in- domitable perseverance was strongly manifest. For weeks le traversed every avenue of the city, seeking such employment as would enable him to make sufficient to meet his honest obliga- tions ; but the beardless youth met with the same old story - lack of experience in the great metropolis. Finally, in sheer despera- tion, he offered his services without salary to a manufacturer of envelops, that he might demonstrate his business ability. After a few weeks his success as a solicitor attracted the attention of one of New York's leading bank stationers, who secured his services. For fourteen years he faithfully served and managed this business in a way very profitable to his employer, living economically, and putting aside a moderate amount each week, until, in 1893, an unfortunate investment swept away the entire savings of years. At that time what seemed a misfortune proved a blessing in disguise, for the lesson taught was never forgotten - that wealth was not to be secured outside the chan- nels of legitimate business enterprises. At this period he re- signed his position, and, with a modest sum borrowed from a friend, started the business of which he is now president, which within five years, under his management, became one of the
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GEORGE V. BROWER
A GOOD old Brooklyn name is that of Brower, identified with that city through at least four generations. Abraham Brower was an officer of the patriot army in the War of the Revolution, and, with his brother Jeremiah, was joint owner of the old tide-mill at Gowanus, which was burned by order of Washington, at the battle of Long Island. The present chief representative of the name is a great-grandson of that Revolu- tionary warrior, and, though born outside of the city of Brooklyn, has for most of his active life been identified with its interests.
George V. Brower was born at Paterson, New Jersey, on Oeto- ber 14, 1842, and was prepared for matriculation at Princeton College. But the outbreak of the Civil War at that time caused his plans to be altered, and he did not go to college. Later he studied law in the office of Judge Charles W. Waller, at Hones- dale, Pennsylvania, and was admitted to the bar of Pennsylvania in 1866 and to that of New York in 1867. Since the latter date he has been engaged in the practice of his profession in Brook- lyn, with more than ordinary measure of success. His practice has dealt largely with real-estate and commercial affairs, and has led him into connection with several important enterprises. Thus he is counsel for, and one of the trustees of, the Kings County Trust Company, and president of the Long Island Trust Company.
Mr. Brower has for many years taken an active interest in public affairs, and has exerted no little influence in polities as a member of the Democratic party. On Jamiary 30, 1885, Presi- dent Cleveland appointed him General Appraiser of the Port of New York, which office he held and filled satisfactorily for four years. Then, in July, 1889, he was appointed a park commis-
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sioner of Brooklyn, and was elected president of the board. At that time there were three commissioners. Afterward the com- mission was reduced to a single member, and Mr. Brower filled the place until February 1, 1894, when he retired before the incoming of a Republican administration.
The Democratic party regained control of the city government on January 1, 1898, and thereupon Mr. Brower was replaced in the office he had formely filled, and to which he was able to return, not as a novice, but as an expert. He became park commissioner for the borough of Brooklyn, for a term of six years. In that place he has charge of the entire system of parks in Kings County, and also of the great pleasure drives, or park- ways, such as that along the shore of New York Bay at Bay Ridge, that extending from Prospect Park to Coney Island, and that from the Prospect Park Plaza to East New York.
Mr. Brower was one of the founders of the Rembrandt Club of Brooklyn. He is a member and trustee of the Brooklyn Tree Planting and Fountain Society, which has done much to beautify that city, and a member also of the Montauk, Atlantic Yacht, Brooklyn, and Riding and Driving clubs, and various other social and political organizations, to all of which he devotes not a little of his time and means. He is an enthusiastic yachtsman, and has a summer home at Brandt Island, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, where he has every opportunity to indulge that taste. He is also an ardent lover of nature in all her forms, and a close student of arboriculture and horticulture. Thus he has been able to give to the parks of Brooklyn expert service and sympathetic care. Under his administration not a few improve ments have been made in the appearance and management of the parks, in which he takes a natural pride, and for which he is entitled to credit.
DAVID WOLFE BRUCE
TF printing be the "art preservative of arts,"- and it is impos sible justly to deny it that distinction,-the art of type founding must be reckoned its most essential faetor. It was, il fact, the invention of movable type, rather than that of the printing-press, that ushered in the new era of the world. So long as mere engravings upon slabs of wood or stone were used in i the printing-press was of comparatively little avail. It was when movable alphabetical types, cast of metal, were invented that the full capabilities of the press began to appear. And thus at leas on an equality with the inventors and makers of printing-presse; must the world hold in grateful remembrance those who made of type-casting not merely a trade, but an art worthy of identifi cation with the highest developments of the "art preservative of arts."
For two generations the name of Bruce was identified con spicuously with the important industry of type-founding il the United States, and for eighty years members of the Bruce family owned and controlled the great business which George and David Bruce established early in the nineteenth century The founders of this business, George and David Bruce, were as their names indicate, Scotchmen, who had come to the United States from Edinburgh in their boyhood, in the last decade of the eighteenth century. In Philadelphia, in Albany, and finally in New York they engaged in the various departments of the printing and publishing trade. Finally they introduced into the United States the art of stereotyping, and began the business of type-founding. To the latter industry George Bruce especially devoted himself, and he became the foremost type founder of America. He invented new machines and processes
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and originated various new and attractive styles of type. For a full generation he stood easily at the head of the trade in Amer- ica, and the products of his foundry had no superiors anywhere in point of both beauty and utility. At the age of seventy-six years he cut his last set of punches (for great primer script), and the work was as good as any he had ever done in the prime of life, and was unsurpassed by that of any other American type-founder.
George Bruce was not only a great type-founder : he was for many years one of the best citizens of New York. His wealth, his intelligence, his benevolence, and his unswerving integrity made him a valuable member of the community. He was iden- tified with many good works and organizations. Thus he was for many years president of the Mechanics' Institute and of the Type-founders' Association of New York, and an active mem- ber and supporter of the Historical Society, the Typographical Society, the St. Andrew's Society, and the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen. He died in New York city on July 6. 1866, leaving a large fortune and a business of great profit and of world-wide renown. The business was conducted after him for many years by the subject of the present sketch.
David Wolfe Bruce, son of George Bruce and Catherine Wolfe Bruce, the latter a sister of John David Wolfe, the emi- nent philanthropist, was born in New York city on March 21, 1824. He was educated in the best private schools of his native city. and then entered the business already successfully estab- lished by his father. This was the type-foundry with which the name of Bruce is still connected. The elder Bruce died in 1866, and thereupon David Wolfe Bruce succeeded to the head of the business, retaining the old firm-name of George Bruce, Son & Co.
Mr. Bruce was not content, however, with simply receiving this business from his father and carrying it on in the same old way that had proved so profitable. He enlarged the factory and greatly increased its output. He devised and produced many new styles of type. Among these latter was a new and better- graded series of Roman letters. He also produced a series of borders and corner ornaments. A complete set of penmanship scripts, designed and reduced by him in 1868-76, has been pro-
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nonnced the most difficult and expensive feat in type-founding ever performed or attempted in America.
He took no active part in political matters, nor was he identi- fied with other business interests. Soon after his inheritance of the type-founding industry from his father, he took Jame: Lindsay into partnership with him. After Mr. Lindsay's death in 1890, he decided to withdraw from the cares and labors o: business, and accordingly in that year he gave the great foundry to three of his employees, and then retired to private life.
Mr. Bruce was not a club-man in the ordinary sense of the term, but he was a member of the Old Guard. He was never married. He died on March 13, 1895.
The three employees who succeeded to the business were Henry M. Hall, Vilinder B. Munson, and Robert Lindsay, sol of Mr. Bruce's former partner, James Lindsay. Robert Lind say died in 1890, and Mr. Hall retired in 1896, leaving Mr Munson in sole charge.
In 1901 Mr. Munson retired, selling out to the American Type founders' Company.
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GEORGE BRUCE
VINHE historie and royal Scottish name of Bruce has long been I inseparably connected with the printing industry in the United States, and bids fair, after nearly a century, to be remem- bered in association therewith as long as the "art preservative of arts " endures.
George Bruce, the eminent printer and type-founder, was, as his name indicates, of Scottish origin. He was born in Edin- burgh on July 5, 1781, and at the age of fourteen followed his brother David to the United States. Here he gave his first atten- tion to another department of the publishing trade, namely, book- binding. His employer proved, however, intolerably tyrannical and exacting, and the lad soon left and, on the advice of his brother, apprenticed himself to Thomas Dobson, then one of the foremost printers of Philadelphia, in whose shop David Bruce was already employed. In 1798 Dobson's establishment was destroyed by fire, and an epidemic of yellow fever broke out, which causes combined to impel the brothers to leave Phila- delphia and make their way toward New York. Their route, as was customary in those days, was by the way of Perth Amboy and thence by boat to New York. At Amboy, however, George Bruce developed yellow fever and lay desperately ill for some time. Through the careful nursing of his brother he finally regained his health, and then they eame on to New York, soon proceeding to Albany, where they secured employment in a printing establishment. After a few months they returned to New York and continued their work as printers. In 1803 George Bruce was foreman of the "Daily Advertiser" office, and at the same time a writer for that paper. Before the end of the year he took full charge of the office as printer and publisher of the paper for its proprietor.
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The next venture was the opening of a book-printing estab- lishment at the corner of Pearl Street and Coffee House Slip, New York. This was in 1806. Young Bruce and his brother had little capital, and they were compelled to do most of the work themselves. One of their first books was an edition of Lavoisier's "Chemistry," of which they set all the type and printed all the sheets with their own hands. Their intelligence and energy brought them success, however. Their shop was enlarged and additional men were employed, and in 1809 they opened a new office on Sloat Lane, near Hanover Square, in which they had no fewer than five presses.
Three years later a most important step was taken. David Bruce went to England, learned the then secret art of stereotyp- ing, and brought back his knowledge to New York. Here the brothers introduced that invaluable process, though with much difficulty. The type of those days was cast with so low a beveled shoulder that it was not suitable for stereotyping. As type-founders would not make them a suitable type, the brothers decided to cast their own type. This they did successfully, and then had no difficulty in making the stereotype-plates. They invented a machine for planing the backs of the plates to a uni- form thickness, and also the system of backing them with wooden blocks so as to bring them up "type-high." The first stereo- typed works were a New Testament in bourgeois type and a Bible in nonpareil, after which they brought out an edition of Latin classics.
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