USA > Pennsylvania > A biographical album of prominent Pennsylvanians, v. 1 > Part 16
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WILLIAM A. WALLACE.
of mind that Mr. Wallace carly exhibited specially fitted him for dealing with the delicate questions which this condition of things imposed. He was always noted for great courage, taet and good judgment. Untiring energy and tenacity are among his most striking characteristics, and his powers of endurance and capacity for work are simply remarkable.
The case of Turner vs. The Commonwealth, reported in Fifth Norris, gives a fair illustration of the tenacity of purpose with which Mr. Wallace fights his legal battles, and follows a trail in spite of all obstacles. He was counsel for the defence, and feeling ran high against his client, who was convicted of murder in the first degree, and sentenced to be hung. Mr. Wallace took the case to the Supreme Court, and his argument for a reversal of the judgment of the lower court is regarded as one of the strongest ever delivered before that tribunal. It was also a successful one, for the decision of the court was reversed, and a new trial ordered. He secured a change of venue from Clearfield to Clinton county, and the case was retried. The Commonwealth was struck in one of its weakest points, and after one of the most dramatic scenes ever witnessed in a court-room in Central Pennsylvania, his client was acquitted. Mr. Wallace had given three years of hard work to the case, and illustrated in a striking manner those quali- ties of mind and body that have brought him fortune and fame.
Since Mr. Wallace left the Senate he has been devoting himself assiduously to the practice of his profession, and to bringing returns from his large landed estate, which had been neglected during his official life. During the last few years he has done more to develop the bituminous coal interests of the Clearfield region than has ever been done before, and he is now reaping the reward of his industry and enterprise. He is apparently giving little attention to politics, and yet he is a keen observer of events, and is keeping his eye upon the condition of the party in all parts of the State. He seems to have lost political ambition for the time being, but his influence is nevertheless powerful in the councils of his party, and when the time comes for political action he will doubtless be found taking part in shaping his party's course. He has a pleasant and elegant home in Clearfield, three sons who are in business with him, and two daughters who grace his household. He has a large library, in which he spends most of his time. It is but natural that a man of his strength of character, habits and disposition, and one who has borne such a conspicuous part in shaping political controversies, should be assailed and criticised. It is to his credit that he has many and bitter enemies, and still more to his honor that he has been able to meet them with success, and to rise to his present eminence by sheer force of character, energy and ability.
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C. R. D.
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HON. SIMON P. WOLVERTON.
SIMON PETER WOLVERTON.
H ON. SIMON P. WOLVERTON, now representing the Twenty-seventh District in the State Senate, was born, on the 28th of January, 1837, in Rush township, Northumberland county. Ile was the son of Joseph and Charity Wolverton. His mother was a daughter of William Kase, a prominent resident of that part of the county. She was a woman of great natural ability and strong will. Although she had never had the advantages of more than an ordinary edu- cation, she knew its value, and did everything in her power to encourage her son in his efforts to acquire the benefits of a college course. Mr. Wolverton declares that he owes his success in life more to the influence of his mother than to any other person.
Up to the age of seventeen he worked on his father's farm, availing himself of such educational advantages as the common schools of the district at that time afforded. At the age of seventeen he became a teacher, and after his first winter's term commenced preparation for college at the Danville Academy, attending the institution during the summer and fall months and teaching during the winter, while keeping up in his class by semi-weekly recitations, opportunity for which was afforded him through the kindness of the principal, Prof. Joel E. Bradley. Subsequently he entered the Freshman Class of the Lewisburg University, in its third term, in the spring of 1857. At the end of the Sophomore year he left col- lege with the intention of studying law, as he was entirely dependent upon his own resources, and for this reason felt that he was compelled to forego the advantages of a full collegiate education. He again resorted to teaching as a stepping-stone to his chosen profession, and taught one term of school in Dan- ville. After teaching six months, he determined to return to college and join his class in the fall of 1859, providing the faculty would allow him to take two years in one, as he believed he could succeed in so doing and graduate with his class. He was allowed the privilege of doing this, and made the effort. During the Senior year he went through with the regular studies of both the Junior and Senior years, reciting almost continuously during the day and studying during the night. In July, 1860, he graduated with his class and took the second honors over those who had attended college continuously. The effort that he was required to make to accomplish this formed in him habits of study and close application which have proved of great advantage to him in after life in his profession.
After he graduated he went to Sunbury, and took charge of a school known as the Sunbury Academy, and began the study of law. He read under the instruction of Hon. Alexander Jordan, an eminent jurist, who served as President Judge of Northumberland and adjoining counties for twenty years. In April, 1862, he was admitted to the bar at Sunbury, where he has since practiced his profession.
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SIMON P. WOLVERTON.
In September, 1862, Mr. Wolverton raised a company of emergency men, of which he was Captain, and served in the Eighteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. In June, 1863, he was chosen Captain of Company "F" of the Thirty-sixth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, under the call of Governor Curtin for ninety days' men to resist the invasion of Pennsylvania by the Con- federates under Lee.
In November, 1878, he was elected to the State Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Hon. A. H. Dill. He was re-elected for four years in November, 1880, and again re-elected in November, 1884, for another term of four years. Although a Democrat, and his Senatorial district strongly Repub- lican, he carried it by large majorities three times. As the elections in his district took place each time during a Presidential canvass, when party lines were closely drawn, his vote shows in what esteem he is held by those who know him. During his ten years in the Senate he has occupied a prominent position, and ranked as one of the leading lawyers of that body. During the session of the Senate, in 1887, he was nominated by the Democrats of both Houses as their choice for United States Senator. He was also the candidate of his party, which was, however, in the minority, for the Presidency of the State Senate. During his service in the Senate he was the author of many important acts which may now be found upon our statute books.
Mr. Wolverton has always taken an active interest in the material welfare and progress of his section, and was one of the principal movers in the construction of the Danville, Hazleton and Wilkes Barre Railroad, running from Sunbury to Hazleton. He was also an active promoter of the organization and building of the Shamokin, Sunbury and Lewisburg Railroad, between Shamokin and West Milton, making a connection between the coal regions and Williamsport. He has been President of the company since its organization.
He has acted as counsel for the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company for over twenty years, and has been employed in most of its important suits in his own and surrounding counties.
On the 29th of November, 1885, he was married to Elizabeth D. Hendricks, a daughter of Benjamin Hendricks, of Sunbury, and has three children-Mary G., Elizabeth K., and Simon P. Wolverton, Jr.
HON. FRANCIS W. HUGHES.
AUSTIN
FRANCIS WADE HUGHES.
F RANCIS WADE HUGHES, of Pottsville, was born August 20th, 1817, in Upper Merion township, near Norristown, Montgomery county, and is now sixty- seven years of age. IIis father, John Hughes, was one of the principal men of his neighborhood; was a gentleman farmer, who leased the larger part of his estate to tenants, and in his time was regarded as wealthy. His mother was a daughter of Benjamin Bartholomew, who commanded a cavalry company throughout the entire Revolutionary war. Both on the paternal and maternal sides his ancestry was among the original settlers of the colony of Pennsylvania. Hugh Hughes, a remote ancestor, came to this country from Wales prior to the time of William Penn and settled upon the estate where Mr. Hughes was born, and which is still owned by his brother, Benjamin Hughes, of Bridgeport, Pa. The small Welsh colony, of which Ilugh Hughes was one, settled on the banks of the Schuylkill, in close proximity to the early Swedes. Owing to the large number of Swedish emigrants and frequent intermarriages, the memory of the early Welsh settlement is now chiefly retained in names of streams and localities in that neighborhood. The Hughes family was prominent in Colonial and Revolutionary days, and at an early period were recognized as having a voice by reason of birthright in the affairs of the old Swedish churches. The Bartholomews were also among the old settlers, but resided in Chester county, and were of French Huguenot extraction.
That F. W. Hughes should be a lawyer was determined for him whilst he was yet a boy. The family tradition is that when young his father, mother and friends regarded him as mischievous. Such estimate of his character he, however, in- dignantly repelled. The pure benevolence of breaking the eggs to assist the setting hen or the uncovering of garden seeds to promote vegetable growth, or kindred efforts, were not appreciated as intended, and brought him often into what he considered unmerited disgrace. He had a great love for animal pets, but his affection was sometimes displayed in efforts more satisfactory to himself than comforting to his subjects. He was simply a boy in robust health, with quick intellect and overflowing animal spirits. What he next would do was not only a mystery, but a fear to parents controlling children with all the straight- laced notions of bygone days. After some specially annoying prank, his father, almost in despair, shaking him, said :
" Frank, why do you do such things? Your brother Coll never does."
In the midst of tears the boy replied, " There's no credit to Coll for that."
"Why not?" asked the father, indignantly.
" Because Coll never wants to, and I want to all the time."
The truth embodied in this reply startled the old gentleman. Ile hesitated a moment, and then exclaiming, "By Jove! there's something in that," turned away.
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The boy displayed quickness, ability, and fine reasoning powers. The father exercised intelligence in giving a career in life to his sons, and in this case it was soon determined. "Frank," said the father, "shall be a lawyer, Coll a clergy- man." His judgment was good, as it was also as to the professional or business careers of his other sons.
Rev. David Kirkpatrick, of Milton, Pa. (the father of Judge Kirkpatrick, of Pittsburgh), at that time deservedly enjoyed the reputation of being one of the best instructors of youth in the State. To his care was the subject of our sketch con- fided. Among his schoolmates were numbered ex-Governor Curtin, ex-Governor Pollock, Hon. Samuel Calvin, and others who have since risen to eminence in the State and nation. As a student, although young, he made rapid progress in classical as well as mathematical studies, and was held in high esteem both by his teacher and his schoolmates.
In the autumn of 1834 he commenced the study of law in the office of the late George W. Farquhar, of Pottsville, and the following winter he entered the office of John B. Wallace, of Philadelphia. He had as fellow-students there John W. and Horace B. Wallace, sons of his preceptor, and also the late William Parker Foulke, Esq. It is rare that four young men of such great ability are found in one office, and so able, earnest, and untiring a preceptor as Mr. Wallace is still more rare. Mr. Wallace had retired from the active practice of the law and de- voted himself to the instruction of his students. The zeal of the teacher was equalled by the industry and ambition of the scholars. A knowledge of pleading, acquired at that time, Mr. Hughes has often since displayed in the trial of causes, exciting the wonder and astonishment of bench and bar. Mr. Wallace died during the latter part of the year 1836. After his death young Hughes entered the law school at Carlisle, which was then under the control of Hon. John Reed, President Judge of that judicial district. At the law school he again met ex- Governor Curtin and others of his schoolmates of the Milton Academy. Not- withstanding his youth he took a high position; the extent of his learning, the facility of its acquirement and the brilliancy and clearness of its expression is still fresh in the minds of his fellow-students.
In August, 1837, he was admitted as a member of the Schuylkill county bar, and immediately commenced the practice of his profession in Pottsville, where he passed his life. In obtaining business he had no long struggle to encounter. Ilis success was immediate, brilliant, and has been continuous. His practice was always very lucrative; it extended to all branches of the profession, and his cases important. He probably tried more causes than any lawyer in Pennsylva- nia, whilst at the same time his office practice was very large. He was in 1839 appointed Deputy Attorney-General by Hon. Ovid F. Johnson, then Attorney- General. Ile resigned three times, but was subsequently reappointed, and held the position altogether eleven years ; his knowledge of criminal law was con- sequently thorough, but the great bulk of his practice had always been in the civil courts. Ile ranked among the first of the few great land lawyers, was a fine
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equity practitioner, and understood patents and commercial law. He prepared a case rapidly, but examined and cross-examined a witness with rare ability, and excelled in the management of a case. He had few equals in the country as a nisi prius lawyer, although his extended reputation had perhaps been acquired in the argument of cases in the superior courts on appeal. Mr. Hughes, at no period of his life, was willingly concerned for the prosecution in homicide cases, and for a period of twenty-five years refused such engagements. He had, how- ever, very frequent engagements for the defence, with invariable success to the extent of preventing a conviction for murder in the first degree. He always gave the subject of criminal jurisprudence a great deal of thought, and whilst he could not be said to be opposed to capital punishment to the same extent or for the same reasons which influence its opponents generally, yet he doubted the efficacy of capital punishment in any point of view.
Nevertheless, when what are known as "Molly Maguire" cases came on for trial, he took an active part in the prosecution in Carbon, Schuylkill and Colum- bia counties. Owing to peculiar circumstances capital punishment of the crimi- nals seemed to be the only remedy for the evils that afflicted the community. To discuss fully the nature of the Molly Maguire organization is not possible, nor would it be proper in this article, yet a few words upon a subject so widely known, and yet so little understood, may not be amiss. For a number of years life and property in the anthracite coal fields of Pennsylvania were at the mercy of organized murderers. Men of high repute were shot down in populous neigh- borhoods in the broad light of day; property was burned and otherwise de- stroyed; communities were terrorized, and yet the criminals escaped either without the form of a trial or if tried were, through perjured testimony, acquitted. Be- yond the known crimes, accidents in mines, involving the loss of human life, carried with them the suspicion of criminal outrage. Labor against the will of the laborer was controlled to its own disadvantage by an unknown, an irrespon- sible and a criminal power. Organized crime attained political power, legislative honors were obtained, and in at least one instance, through a nomination, a place among the judiciary was claimed, but fortunately not granted. When by accident there was a conviction for a lower grade of crime, untiring efforts, very frequently successful, were made for the pardon of the criminal. Murders were becoming of almost weekly occurrence, yet to all appearances the murderers were unknown. All rights of person and property were set at defiance; a reign of terror in a highly civilized, order-loving community secmed imminent, and vigilance com- mittees were being formed. The ordinary detective was at fault because the usual motives of jealousy, revenge, or hope of gain seemed wanting. So great an as- cendancy had the Molly Maguire organization obtained through its terrorism that the utter abandonment of the best coal region in the world to criminals seemed probable.
And yet throughout the coal region there were not over six hundred members of the organization, probably not near that number acquainted with its guilty
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purposes, but in repelling an attack they waged no uneven battle. Acting under charters of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, they asked for sympathy and ob- tained material aid from that organization. By birth Roman Catholics, though in open conflict with the church, they proclaimed a religious persecution as being waged against them. By reason of their Irish birth they sought and obtained the sympathy of Irish people who held their order and their crimes in utter de- testation. Although, but in rare instances, connected with labor organizations, they charged that the prosecutions were inspired by a hatred to laboring men, and, to a larger extent outside of the region than in it, inspired that belief.
A knowledge of the criminals was obtained. The requisite proofs, through the efforts of Mr. Gowen and the instrumentality of the Pinkerton Detective Agency, were at hand; that they should suffer the highest punishment known to the law was absolutely required. That they should neither escape through perjured tes- timony or be inspired by the hope of pardon through political influence was necessary. Capital punishment in their case seemed the only remedy for the ills under which the community suffered. Acting under this belief, Mr. Hughes actively, earnestly, and successfully took part in the prosecutions. The result has justified the efforts made. The lesson has been taught that punishment, if delayed for years, will follow crime, and life and property in the coal regions are again under the protection of the law.
Mr. Hughes' life was that of a lawyer. In his profession was centred his great ambition, and in it he made his greatest efforts. At the same time he took an active interest in politics as well as engaging in extensive business operations. In 1843 he was elected as a Democratic candidate to the State Senate in Schuylkill county, only one hundred and forty-nine votes being cast against him. After serving in the Legislature one year, in 1844, he resigned his position and returned to the practice of the law. In the fall of 1844, during the Presidential campaign, he, as a supporter of Polk and Dallas, engaged in a joint debate with Joseph G. Clarkson, Esq., of Philadelphia, who was not only his senior, but also had an established reputation as a political speaker. The debate was on the general political issues of the day, and excited much attention through- out the State. It did much to establish his reputation as a trained speaker, and even his opponents, much as they disliked his political views, admitted that in the special controversy he was the victor. While in the State Senate he formed warm friendly relations with the Hon. William Bigler, who, when elected Gov- ernor in 1851, appointed him Secretary of the Commonwealth. This office he filled until 1853, when he succeeded Judge James Campbell as Attorney-General, remaining in that office until the early part of 1855. As Secretary of the Con- monwealth he was Superintendent of Common Schools and took great interest in the organization of the common school system of Pennsylvania, which, with slight and comparatively immaterial modifications, is still maintained. Ile wasthe author of the Common School Act of 1854, and his decisions as Superintendent of Common Schools relative to the construction of the law are referred to in the
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digests, and are regarded as authority. He co-operated with Governor Bigler in the more effective collection of the revenues of the State, especially in taxes due from corporations, and in the conversion of a large portion of the State debt from a six to a five per cent. loan. He was earnest in his advocacy of the rights of women. He did not advocate their right to vote, but claimed that the sphere of their employment should be enlarged and their pay be made commensurate with their service. In his reports as superintendent he urged the more general employment of female teachers at adequate salaries. In 1856 he was on the Democratic electoral ticket and voted for James Buchanan for President of the United States. He was in politics a Democrat, and had frequently been a dele- gate to county, State and national conventions, over many of which he presided, and in others, on the committee on resolutions, influenced their counsels. In politics, as in law, he was ever recognized as a power brilliant, frequently irresistible. As, however, a politician of the old school, he believed in the power of organization, but regarded parties as the representatives of principles, not as mere machines for the advancement of politicians. He had always been a strong advocate for the protection of American industry through the medium of a tariff, and the position of the Democratic party in this respect was embraced in his debate with Clarkson, referred to above. His position was that the primary object of duties upon imports is to collect revenue, but that in the adjustment of such revenues such discrimination on imports should be made as to give adequate protection to American industry. He was not a pro-slavery man, and he would have seriously objected to its introduction into the State of Pennsylvania, and would not, in his own behalf, have dealt with negroes as property. He was in feeling opposed to the institution. But he recognized the fact that good men differed from him in opinion, and he did not claim such difference of opinion amounted to criminality on their part. He admitted the binding force of the Constitution in the recognition of slave property. Upon this question he de- nounced the "higher law" doctrine of the abolitionists as subversive of all rights and as tending to anarchy and the overthrow of constitutional freedom. He saw at an carly day the threatened danger to American institutions, and in order to avert such danger he earnestly advocated a strict adherence to both the letter and spirit of the Federal Constitution.
Prior to the war his political opponents ridiculed him as an alarmist. When his forebodings were realized, he was by some denounced because of his fore- knowledge. He regarded a civil war with dread, and hoped until the last to avert it. As a consequence, at the peace convention, which met in Harrisburg in 1861, of which he was a prominent member and on the committee on resolu- tions, he earnestly continued his efforts. When, however, the resort to arms was inevitable, his support of the Union was prompt, energetic and valuable. He denied utterly any right of secession. He claimed that the government was one of the whole people, not a confederation of States. He aided in fitting out two of the first five companies that reached Washington. He maintained with
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voice and pen the legal right of the government to put down rebellion with force of arms. As early as July 4th, 1861, in an oration delivered at the court- house in Pottsville, he argued against any legal right of secession on the part of any State, and insisted upon the duty of the general government to put down rebellion by force of arms. This address was generally published and com- mended at that time. He aided in the raising of regiments when the invasion of Pennsylvania was threatened by the forces of Lee, and one regiment was familiarly known as his regiment.
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