USA > Pennsylvania > A biographical album of prominent Pennsylvanians, v. 1 > Part 43
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In conjunction with the Singerly estate Mr. Singerly owns seventy-five acres of ground in the Twenty-eighth ward, where he is practically creating a new
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WILLIAM M. SINGERLY.
residence portion of the city. The improvements he has made in this locality during the last five years have cost over $3,000,000. Mr. Singerly proposes to construct on this tract of ground 800 buildings, which number will be ultimately increased to 1,500. The necessary material for so vast an undertaking is supplied from a brick-yard, which turns out 60,000 bricks a day, and an immense planing- mill to furnish the required lumber.
He has changed the grades of the streets at his own expense, though it was clearly the duty of the city to do it, and having concluded an amicable arrange- ment with the Mechanics' Cemetery Company for the opening of Twenty-second street, and with the Odd Fellows' Cemetery Company for the opening of Dauphin street, the Cohocksink sewer will be extended in a straight line and will be the main artery for draining the northern section of the city. The design of opening these streets threatened at one time to excite no little ill-feeling, but the negotiation has been satisfactorily conducted, and has terminated with good- feeling and the best of wishes on both sides, and certainly to the great benefit and improvement of the city. The buildings erected under the Singerly opera- tion are among the finest and most substantial ever erected in the "City of Homes." There is nothing stinted in their completion nor cheap-looking in their appearance, yet they are offered to the people at moderate prices on easy terms, and stand in contrast eminently better and of more value than other houses in that section built by other operations, and for which higher prices, in proportion, are asked. This spirit of "what is worth doing at all is worth doing well" is additional evidence of Mr. Singerly's philanthropy. His object in his building operations, as in other things, seems to be to benefit the poor.
The mills on the corner of Eighth and Dauphin streets were formerly mere knitting-mills, producing only a comparatively small quantity of hosiery. For a long time the mills had but a precarious and struggling existence, and it was thought impossible by many to make them self-sustaining, much less profitable. At this juncture Mr. Singerly was induced to take an interest in them as a possibly profitable investment. The knitting of hosiery has been discontinued, and it now produces "Jerseys " for women, and turned out in 1885 $1,200,000 worth of those goods. These mills are now the largest producers of this kind of goods in the world, and its product is universally regarded as of the finest quality.
A gleaner and binder factory, located at Norristown, also the property of Mr. Singeriy, employs about one hundred hands and produces $100,000 worth of these labor-saving machines each year. His paper-mill at Fair Hill, Cecil county, Md., employs about one hundred people and turns out ten tons of paper daily. Within a comparatively recent period he bought the old Masonic Hall, and the beautiful Temple Theatre and Egyptian Musce (since destroyed by fire) was the result of that purchase and the owner's irrepressible enterprisc.
Politically, Mr. Singerly is a Democrat (unswervingly so in national affairs), but
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WILLIAM M. SINGERLY.
not hide-bound nor so illiberal in his views on State and local affairs as to pre- clude his associating with many of the trusted men of the opposition parties, and from speaking his mind without regard to party affiliations when necessity arises. 11e has always been active in politics, from the time he first learned the rudiments in the Eleventh ward, and has been prominent in State and National Conventions, but with it all he has so conducted his newspaper as never to permit it to drift into the rut of a political organ.
Mr. Singerly is still within the meridian of life, sociable, but not convivial, fond of domestic life, yet participating in public enjoyments when his pleasure so disposes. With the bent of his mind towards constant improvement and progress it is difficult to estimate to what mammoth proportions the various enterprises he is now engaged in, and those he proposes to inaugurate, will grow in the course of time.
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DR. EDWARD MORWITZ.
EDWARD MORWITZ.
E DWVARD MORWITZ, M. D., is known throughout the United States and in many parts of Europe as one of the ablest, most influential and successful German-American journalists and publishers. He was born, June 12, 1815, at Dantzic, Prussia, where his father was a wealthy merchant. The boy, after having received his elementary training in the public school of St. Peter's, was sent successively to three boarding schools in Pomerania, where, besides the usual classics, were taught the Semitic languages and Oriental literature-theo- logical as well as philosophical. Returning to Dantzic when seventeen years old he resolved to study medicine, entered the college (Gymnasium) at that place, passed through its classes with unusual rapidity, and began his medical studies, in 1837, at the University of Berlin. lle afterwards visited the universi- ties at Halle and Leipsic, returning to Berlin in 1840, where he passed his doctor and state examinations, and was admitted to practice as a physician. At that time he was offered the position of Assistant Physician in the Clinic of the Berlin University (formerly Hufeland's), which honorable distinction he accepted.
Besides attending to his practice Dr. Morwitz, during that time, wrote a num- ber of essays on medical subjects which were highly appreciated, and also began work on a book-" The History of Medicine "-which was afterwards (1848-49) published in two volumes by the celebrated firm of Brockhaus & Co., Leipsic, and was very well spoken of by the profession.
In 1843, after travelling through most parts of Germany, France and Switzer- land, Dr. Morwitz left Berlin to settle at the town of Conitz in Prussia, which he thought would offer him a better opportunity for his specialty-the treatment of nervous and mental disorders. In this expectation he was not deceived, and became eminently successful, acquiring also an excellent general practice. At Conitz he established and maintained at his own expense a hospital for the poor, and finished his " History of Medicine."
Then commenced the throes and troubles of the Revolution of 1848. Dr. Morwitz took his stand in the popular (Democratic) party, and soon was pressed into prominent leadership; but by the upsetting of his carriage he suffered a compound fracture of several ribs, which ended his political activity for that time and confined him for months to the sick-room. His recovery was so very slow that he apprehended he would be unable to resume his practice, and therefore again took up his chemical and technical studies, and succeeded in making some valuable inventions, especially a new breech-loading gun. Not being permitted to make that invention available in Germany, Dr. Morwitz, in 1850, visited Eng- land and the United States in order to find a market for it. In the fall of that year he returned to Europe, but with the intention to make his future home in this country. He soon returned to America, and settled in Philadelphia.
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EDWARD MORWITZ.
In 1853 Dr. Morwitz bought of John S. Hoffmann the Philadelphia Democrat, the oldest daily German newspaper in the country, which had been established in May, 1838. The business was carried on under the firm-name of Hoffmann & Morwitz until 1874, Mr. Hoffmann having remained in the establishment until that time to assist the new proprietor. Mr. Hoffmann then retired from the firm, and the business has since been continued under the firm-title of Morwitz & Co.
In 1854 Dr. Morwitz very earnestly advocated the adoption of the Consolida- tion Act of the City of Philadelphia, the foundation of the great development and present importance and prosperity of the city. In 1855 he started a weekly political newspaper called the Vereinigte Staaten Zeitung. He then wielded a widespread and important influence, as was evidenced in the spring of 1856, when, at the first election for Mayor under the new city charter, the German vote, it was then thought, mainly caused the election of the Hon. Richard Vaux over his opponent, Mayor Conrad. On July 4th of the same year Dr. Morwitz started a literary Sunday paper called Die Neue Welt, which is now highly appreciated and circulates largely throughout the country.
The Presidential canvass in the summer of 1856 called forth all the energics of the Pennsylvania Democrats in support of Mr. Buchanan. Col. John W. Forney, then Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, conducted the campaign with remarkable ability and vigor, and intrusted Dr. Morwitz with the lead among the Germans. This, in the beginning, required hard work ; for the anti-slavery feeling natural to the Germans, and the fresh enthusiasm of the new Republican party for their principles and their romantic leader, Fremont, had affected the German voters and greatly weakened the party ties of those who had previously adhered to Democratic doctrines. But finally, by means of a most thorough organization, reaching almost every voter, and by the persistent efforts of devoted workers and speakers, the October election in Pennsylvania resulted in a small Democratic majority, mainly accomplished by the extraor- dinarily large German vote. This October election was, as usual, an indication of the political complexion of the country, as shown by the result of the succeed- ing general election in November when Mr. Buchanan was chosen President of the United States.
The effectiveness of Dr. Morwitz's work in the campaign was universally acknowledged, and when the old Democratic organ of the State, The Pennsylva- nian, of Philadelphia, which was also the President's home organ, fell short in satisfying the requirements of its position, he was urged and encouraged by lead- ing Democrats to purchase the paper. Considering the proposition a compli- ment to one so young in journalism and politics, he purchased The Pennsylvanian from Mr. William Ricc. Notwithstanding the difficulties attending the simulta- neous management of The Democrat and The Pennsylvanian, he succeeded in this «lual task very satisfactorily until the summer of 1860, when the adjourned Democratic National Convention in Baltimore nominated Stephen A. Douglas for the Presidency. About half the delegates, mostly Southern men and many
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EDWARD MORWITZ.
friends of the administration, thereupon seceded, and, in a convention of their own, nominated John C. Breckinridge for the same office. Fully appreciating the disastrous consequences of such suicidal actions, Dr. Morwitz, together with many patriotic men, most earnestly urged both hostile wings of the party to become reconciled and to again offer a united front to the Republicans. Finding these strenuous efforts to be in vain and the advice unheeded, Dr. Morwitz determined not to support either of the factional candidates, and he sold The Pennsylvanian at a sacrifice, while he maintained in the columns of The Democrat a strictly neutral course.
After the election of Mr. Lincoln foreshadowings of coming events created very dull times in all branches of business, entailing much suffering and causing severe distress and sickness among the poor. Just then a German Dispensary, maintained hitherto by contributions from German citizens and attended by Ger- man physicians, had to close. Dr. Morwitz, considering its continuation par- tieularly needed under the circumstances, returned to his old profession, reopened the dispensary in Noble street, and gave medical advice to and supplied with medicines all comers free of charge. With the assistance of two druggists this charitable work was kept up until a general improvement in business, created by the war, followed the former depression and did away with the necessity for it.
Before the outbreak of the war Dr. Morwitz entertained the belief that it could be avoided through the efforts of the Peace Conference at Washington, or in some other way. But when that hope was shattered, and the war had actually broken out, the necessity for the North to end it victoriously prevailed over all party considerations, and caused him to throw the influence of his paper on the side of the Union and to encourage and assist materially in the organization and outfit of several German regiments and in placing the government loans. At the same time, however, The Democrat maintained unflinchingly its old -political position throughout the whole war.
In 1862 Dr. Morwitz engaged in the organization of the " German Press Asso- ciation of Pennsylvania," composed of German-American editors, publishers, preachers, teachers, and others, for the protection and promotion of the interests of the press, and for preserving the German churches and schools and spreading the knowledge of the German language, literature and civilization among the people.
In 1870, at the commencement of the Franco-Prussian war, Dr. Morwitz called a meeting of Germans at Concordia Hall in order to devise means for raising funds for the purpose of providing prompt assistance to wounded or siek soldiers of the Fatherland. The meeting enthusiastically adopted the proposition, and appointed a committee which, during the meeting, sent a despatch to Bismarck stating what had been done and inquiring how the money should be sent. This first meeting sounded the keynote to many others throughout this country, which resulted in an aggregate of some $600,000 being sent to Germany for the purpose proposed.
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EDWARD MORWITZ.
In 1872 the agitation to reform Philadelphia's municipal government was begun by liberal Republicans. They called upon Dr. Morwitz for assistance, which was readily given. The German Democrats were soon the strongest and steadiest supporters among the reform forces. The good work went on vic- toriously ; strong political positions were taken, reformers put into important offices, and many abuses abated. The year 1874 promised still better results, to aid in which Dr. Morwitz purchased The Age newspaper, taking possession on January 1 of that year. But the reformers began to disagree, and their dissen- sions gave the victory to their opponents, and broke up the reform organization.
In 1875 he sold The Age to the "Times Publishing Company," and joined in establishing the Times. He retained an interest in it until 1881, when it had become a great success which he thought properly belonged to those who had mainly made it such, and he withdrew, leaving the conduct of the paper entirely in their hands.
In the summer of 1885, on Dr. Morwitz's seventieth birthday, a number of societies and associations, comprising the most prominent representatives of his countrymen, combined to tender him an ovation, and came in a large, brilliant torchlight procession to his house, where, after a splendid vocal and instrumental serenade, they presented, through their respective delegates, a number of resolu- tions expressing their acknowledgments of his worth as a man, and their appre- ciation of his long and unceasing private and public labors for the good of his fellow-men. The doctor, in then addressing the delegates, protested against what he termed such unmerited praise, and in a few words defined the vital prin- ciples of his whole life. He had become a physician, anxious continually to learn more in order to become more able to advise and prescribe for sufferers. He had remained a physician who, by the instrumentality of the different news- papers and other publications controlled by him, had all the time enlarged his practice, so to say, and been enabled to advise suffering humanity in general, instead of only the individual, how to protect life and liberty, and to enjoy the pursuit of happiness.
Dr. Morwitz at that time controlled or owned nearly 300 different newspapers (among them eight dailies), which he had acquired or established, one by one, since 1853.
Ile continues up to this time (1888) living an extremely plain, frugal and retired life, finding pleasure in hard work and studious investigations. He is continually assisting the talented and meritorious, who are without means, to better their condition, and takes a lively interest in all progressive enterprises concerning the public good, and is liberal and generous in his large and unostentatious charity.
JAMES P. BARR.
JAMES P. BARR.
AMES P. BARR, late editor and principal proprietor of the Pittsburg Post, was born in Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pa., September 4, 1822. 1fe sprung from that sturdy Irish stock which has made itself so strongly felt in the United States and nowhere with more vigor than in Western Pennsylvania. His grandfather had come to this country in 1799 with his wife and four children, two boys and two girls. The family at first located in Georgetown, D. C., but in 1818 moved to Greensburg, in Pennsylvania. The father returned to Ireland but eventually came back to America and died at Blairsville, where his remains lie by the side of his son, Daniel H., father of James P. Barr. Daniel HI. Barr was a man of local mark in his day, active and aggressive in politics and an ardent follower of Jefferson and supporter of Jackson. When barely out of his teens he served in the war of 1812 in the operations on the Potomac and Chesa- peake. At Blairsville he was a Justice of the Peace and Postmaster under President Tyler. He was also made State Collector on the Pennsylvania Canal, at that time an important office. He possessed more than average intelligence and was of a literary turn, a taste which he encouraged in his children.
In 1841 James P. Barr left his home at Blairsville where he had been work- ing as a cooper, the trade of his father, and went to Pittsburgh, entering the office of the American Manufacturer as an apprentice, to learn the printing busi- ness. The Manufacturer was one of two Democratic weeklies then printed in Pittsburgh, the other being the Mercury. In 1842 the two papers were united and from this union sprung the Daily Post, the first number of which was issued September roth of that year. Mr. Barr, still an apprentice in the office, assisted to put in type the first number of this, the first Democratic daily in Pittsburgh, and worked off on a hand-press the first copy of the paper with which he was afterward so long and honorably identified. He was prouder of this reminiscence than almost any other event of his life. Mr. Barr continued with the Post, hav- ing graduated at the case and in the press room and been advanced to the position of business manager, until 1845, when Chambers MeKibben, who had been appointed Postmaster of Pittsburgh by President Polk, induced him to accept a clerkship in the post-office. He served in that capacity for four years, though the work was arduous and confining, and the pay meagre. There was not so much business then as now, of course, but there were very few to do it, and the existing system and improvements that lighten individual labor and yet produce greater results were then unknown. At that time there were only nine or ten clerks employed in the office.
In 1849 a Whig administration succeeded that of President Polk, and there was a change of postmasters and subordinates, Mr. Barr retiring with the others. But in the meantime he had an eye to journalism and soon after he left the post-
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JAMES P. BARR.
office purchased the Pittsburgh Chronicle, and changed it from a morning to an afternoon paper. At first he was associated on the Chronicle with the late John C. Dunn, but eventually became sole proprietor. The Chronicle under Mr. Barr's management was an independent paper with very decided Democratic leanings. Still it was a good deal of a free-lance at abuses and wrongs wherever they showed themselves, as he was unbound by trammels of party, and his virile pen soon gave it a marked individuality and influence for good.
Mr. Barr remained in charge of the Chronicle until 1854, when he sold it, and the subsequent year assumed the business management of the Post, then pub- lished by Gilmore & Montgomery. He remained in this position until May, IS57, when he became sole proprietor and editor, and maintained his proprietary connection and editorial charge of it to the time of his death. During the nearly thirty years that he had control of the Post he had to deal with weighty questions that tested capacity as well as courage and integrity. The first of these was the contest involving the repudiation of certain city and county railroad bonds. Mr. Barr, from the first, set his face sternly against this repudiation and waged war- fare on the chief advocates of the measure, who were high in the ranks of both political parties. It was a bitter contest, but in the end honesty and the sober second thought triumphed after the repudiators had carried several elections and inflicted immense damage upon the credit of the city and county, as well as direct money loss to the taxpayers consequent on the sacrifice of valuable railroad securities. Mr. Barr deemed this the most important and memorable contest of his life, and excepting the support of a few staunch friends of both political parties, he fought it solitary and alone.
In the great civic controversy preliminary to the civil war Mr. Barr, in the election of 1860, championed with all the zeal and energy of his nature the can- didacy of Stephen A. Douglas, and the principles of home rule and the dena- tionalization of slavery which Douglas represented. Douglas was defeated by the defection of the Breckenridge faction ; Lincoln was elected and civil war was threatened. When the supreme crisis of the firing on Fort Sumter called the North to arms, Editor Barr did not hesitate in his choice of duty, and spoke with no uncertain voice. Although for compromise and conciliation up to that time all partisan considerations were then dropped and the Democracy was urged to join hands with the Lincoln administration in maintaining the union of the States and the integrity of the Republic. The Government's calls for troops were sustained, and when the declaration came from Washington that more men were offered than would be accepted and enlistments thus discouraged, Mr. Barr through the columns of the Post protested and urged greater vigor in the organi- zation and cquipment of troops. There came a time later in the war when Mr. Barr felt called upon to oppose the radicalism that was inclined to subvert the freedom of the press and stifle criticism of the acts of those in authority, but of this it is sufficient to say his clear head and manly spirit were equal to the occa- sion, and he inspired the Democracy of Allegheny county with his determination to yield no jot or tittle of their constitutional rights.
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JAMES P. BAKR.
In 1863 Mr. Barr was elected Surveyor-General of Pennsylvania by the Demo- cratic party, and served the legal term of three years. The State during that time was invaded by the rebel forces. The important documents confided to his care were saved from the possibility of capture by his energetic action. During his term a larger amount of money was returned to the State treasury than dur- ing any previous one, which was mainly due to the discovery of oil in the west- ern part of the State, causing increased business. He retired at the end of his term with credit and honor.
Mr. Barr was very prominent in the politics of the State as a Democratic leader and filled various offices of trust and responsibility. Ile was for many years a member of the State and National Committees of the Democratic party and wielded a large influence in its councils. In 1873 he succeeded Hon. Jeremiah S. Black as a member of the Constitutional Convention, and during its session and the canvass for the adoption of the new Constitution he took the deepest interest in its success. He always took a leading part in establishing and conducting public charities. He was among the first, if not the first, to call attention to the necessity of making permanent provision for soldiers' orphans, and succeeded in procuring a charter for a Soldiers' Orphans' Home in Pitts- burgh, this being certainly the first in the country as a separate school for the orphans of soldiers. It was assisted by large private subscriptions, obtained chiefly by Mr. Barr's efforts, and maintained by private contributions until the State made provision for its care. He gave it daily supervision for five years and seven months, during which time upwards of seventy orphans of soldiers were wholly maintained and educated.
For several years Mr. Barr was an inspector of the Western Penitentiary, and very active as a manager of the Pennsylvania Reform School at Morganza, a State institution, containing over three hundred inmates, managed on the family system, having separate buildings, on a farm of several hundred acres. It is the only one of its kind in the State, and is pronounced one of the most successful in the country. He was also active in securing aid for the completion of a hospital, under the direction of a board of managers and the Sisters of Mercy of Pitts- burgh.
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