USA > Pennsylvania > A biographical album of prominent Pennsylvanians, v. 3 > Part 16
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Wanamaker is a great believer in the importance of close relationship between employer and employé. Suggestions from the heads of departments and clerks are frequently solicited and always carefully considered. There is no tyranny of organization in his house. A cash boy may at any time appeal to the pro- prietor. He has a civil service system and a plan of marking by which he knows the yearly, monthly and weekly record of each of his thousands of employés. Promotions are made according to the showings of this plan.
But, while the organization is no doubt very complete, there is something behind all this that has attracted customers whose purchases amount to over twelve millions of dollars a year. What is the secret? One probably is, that over a quarter of a million of dollars is annually spent in advertising, and the advertisements are so attractively written that they are read as news of the day. Another is, that visitors are allowed the utmost freedom to come and go, and no one is solicited to buy. Reading-rooms, toilet-rooms, refreshment-rooms and an information bureau are provided for all; and strangers who visit the city for a day are invited to leave their packages or have their grip-sacks checked, and no questions are asked whether they intend to purchase at the store or not. When he was a lad Wanamaker says he resolved, if he ever owned a store, "to make it easy to get in, easy to do business in, and easy to get out of. That is what you will find this store is. Why, people complain that we do not pay them attention enough. We don't pretend to. We display the goods, and everybody is free to come in, look all around, buy or go out, just as freely as if they were at home." The store is, in fact, a general meeting place for the ladies of Phila- delphia and adjacent towns, and on bright afternoons its broad aisles, with the brilliant crowds of shoppers, remind one of the Main Building in the great Cen- tennial Exhibition. More than three thousand persons are constantly employed in the building, and in the holiday season the number is increased to about five thousand. Those who have been in continuous service for seven years are given a percentage of the profits, and in the first year after this arrangement was made the sum of $109,436.68 was divided among them, and $10,000 set aside as an addition to the pension fund for their benefit. Recently a hotel for women has been opened by Mr. Wanamaker on Broad street, where employés who have no homes may obtain a room, board, and have a dozen pieces of wearing apparel laundered, all for three and a quarter dollars a week.
About three years ago the commercial world was surprised by the announce- ment that John Wanamaker had purchased the stock of Riegel, Scott & Co., a prominent wholesale dry-goods jobbing firm; and later it may be said to have been
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'startled by the news that he had bought out Hood, Bonbright & Co., whose mag- nificent store at the corner of Eleventh and Market streets, for which they pay a rental of $67,000 a year, is one of the noteworthy sights of Philadelphia. He thus suddenly became prominent in the wholesale as he had been in the retail trade, and he now ranks as third in the United States; his sales at wholesale having amounted to over fifteen millions of dollars in a year. A. T. Stewart was no mean prophet when he said, as he once did to Mr. George W. Childs: "You have a great business man in your city. I refer to Wanamaker. He will be a greater merchant than I ever was or ever will be."
But while Mr. Wanamaker is the highest personification of commercial shrewdness and sagacity now living, he is also prominent in religious and chari- table work. Though born in a section of the city not noted for its refinements, his habits were always good. It is not known that he ever smoked a cigar, drank a glass of wine, played a game of billiards, or attended a theatre or circus in his life. When he was a lad he drifted into John Chambers' church one even- ing, and happening to attract the attention of that noted preacher he became interested in Sunday-school work. He is now the Superintendent of a Sunday- school that has three thousand scholars in regular attendance, and he per- sonally instructs a class of four hundred and fifty adults, rarely missing a Sunday. He was for many years President of the Young Men's Christian Association, and a large contributor to the building fund. He is now President of the Penny Savings Bank and a Director in the Free College which have been established in connection with the Bethany Church, which he founded as a mission church. He is also a Manager of the University and Presbyterian Hos- pitals, a Trustee of the Williamson Trades' School, and is the originator and active worker in the Citizens' Committee " for the relief of cities and communities attacked by disease and other sudden calamity."
His personal appearance is not very marked, and his head, which is thickly covered with dark-brown hair, is not large; for he wears a 678 hat. "His face," says a paragraphist in the New York Sun, " is of the Quaker type-of the sort that many would call distinctively Philadelphian. It is as round and as smooth as a baby's; it has very large features, a mild and kindly expression, and, as so often follows with those faces, has no natural adornment except a pair of heavy dark-brown eyebrows and long dark eyelashes. There is complete good nature in his face, coupled with every sign of a nerveless, apathetic tem- perament. There is a hint of humor in the eyes, but it is overmastered by the downward curve of the corners of the mouth and the heavy lines from them to the nose, which show that in him humor takes the form of sarcasm. He says bright things and enjoys them, but they are sharp-edged rather than sugar- coated. He looks one straight in the eye, speaks in a low tone, using the sim- plest words, and the charm of his conversation lies in the directness, clearness and rapidity of his speech. His remarks are like cleavers, not intended to be kept polished and pretty, but warranted to go to the heart of things. In
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his smooth, good-natured, almost juvenile face, with its plump cheeks and absence of care-lines, one reads one of the main secrets of the man's success- that is, the ability to attend to a multiplicity of cares without fretting or friction."
A famous painter, when asked how he mixed his paints, replied, "With brains." If brains were the only thing needful, Mr. Wanamaker would be a great artist. Like the elephant's trunk, which can pick up a pin or encircle an oak, his mind can grasp both great things and small. He can make a speech, write a circular, drive a bargain, and probably run a government department with equal facility. He can endure any amount of labor without apparent fatigue, and pos- sesses the faculty, which some have defined to be genius, of being able to con- centrate his mind on the subject before him until he has mastered it, and then dismissing it. No one can predict with certainty what will be the future of this remarkable man; but it is safe to assert that his motto in his new official career will be what it has been in his commercial life : "Do the best you can, and leave the rest to Providence."
E. T. F.
. 1
F. GUTEKUNST.
PHILA.
JOHN F. BETZ.
JOHN FREDERICK BETZ.
T HE brewing interests in Pennsylvania form a very large and important por- tion of the industries of the State, and it is exceedingly interesting to note the wonderful growth of this business in the country at large, from the tiny beginnings of the first brewer of the Commonwealth of the days of William Penn to the immense proportions it has assumed at the present time; and it is but fitting that something should be known of the men who stand at the head of this line of trade in which so much capital is invested, and which gives employment, either directly or indirectly, to so large a number of persons. One of the most successful brewers and malsters in this country is JOHN F. BETZ, of Philadelphia, who, though born in Mohringen, in the kingdom of Würtemberg, April 8, 1831, was brought to this country in the following year by his parents, who located in . Pennsylvania ; so it will be seen that he is, to all intents and purposes, a Pennsyl- vanian. He attended the schools of Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville, assisting his father during his school vacations, and, when but thirteen years of age, secured employment in the brewery of his brother-in-law, D. G. Yuengling, in the latter city, with whom he remained eight years, during which time he acquired a full and complete knowledge of the business in all its details and branches. He was assiduous in his attention to the duties of his vocation, and having by his indus- try and intelligence attracted the attention and won the confidence of his employer, he was intrusted with the management of the brewery during the last three years of his engagement there, conducting the business with an ability that indicated the success which has since attended his career.
In 1852 he visited Europe, and remained some time in Stuttgart for the purpose of familiarizing himself with the methods of malting and brewing in vogue in that city; and afterwards made an extensive tour of the continent, and visited England, investigating upon every opportunity the great breweries of the differ- ent countries through which he passed, and obtaining information for future use in his business. From England he returned to the United States.
He then entered into business with his uncle, Henry Clausen, now H. Clausen & Son, of New York, with whom he remained in partnership for four years. In 1865 he leased to his brother a brewery of which he had become sole owner, and then went to Richmond, Va., and, in connection with Messrs. Yuengling & Beyer, erected a large establishment known as the James River Brewery. He remained there in active charge until 1867, when he again visited Europe, returning to this country in the autumn of 1868 and taking up his residence in Philadelphia, where he leased the establishment known as Gaul's Brewery, situ- ated on New Market street. There he did a large and rapidly increasing business, introducing improved methods, giving it the benefit of his practical experience, and utilizing the information obtained by him in his investigations during his sojourn and travels abroad.
Though possessed of few early advantages either of wealth or education, he
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JOHN F. BETZ.
was endowed by nature with a sound mind and a healthy organism, and with his practical judgment, matured by experience, he has met with constant success in all his undertakings. Upright in all his dealings, he combines the cautiousness of the Teuton with the energy and enterprise of the American, and his plans are characterized by liberality and comprehensiveness. He is a large owner of real-estate both in New York and Philadelphia. An entire block of buildings, known as Betz's Block, extending from Forty-fourth to Forty-fifth street, was erected by him in the former city, and he owns a large number of desirable and valuable properties in various sections of Philadelphia. In 1880 Mr. Betz built the brewery situated at Fifth, Crown and Willow streets, occupying an entire square, which is one of the largest and most substantial breweries in the United States. He was the principal financial promoter of the organization of the Ger- mania Brewing Company, whose extensive plant is situated on Broad street above Columbia avenue, and which splendid establishment he now entirely controls. It is to his liberality and confidence in the city's future that the com- munity owes the erection of the handsome and commodious Grand Opera House at the corner of Broad street and Montgomery avenue, one of the most attractive and comfortable places of amusement in the country, and the success of which has fully demonstrated the correctness of judgment and foresight of the proprietor. He purchased the church property at the corner of South Penn Square and Broad street, and it is his intention to improve it by erecting thereon a magnificent building for office purposes, which will be an ornament to the city and at the same time increase the taxable value of the property to a large extent. He has also purchased the property at the south-west corner of Broad street and Girard avenue, and it is his intention to replace the house by one of the most palatial residences in this country. Shortly after becoming a citizen of Philadel- phia, and appreciating the capabilities which Broad street possessed of being made a magnificent avenue of private residences, he offered to become one of a hundred property owners, each to erect on that splendid street a dwelling-house that would not cost less than $100,000; and it is now his intention, in a short time, to far exceed that amount in the contemplated improvements in his home.
Mr. Betz in private life has been given to many charitable acts. He estab- lished a free bed at the German hospital, and one at the Pennsylvania Hospital, endowing each with the sum of $5,000. Among other positions of trust he holds those of Director in the First National Bank and Director of the Real Estate Trust Company.
Mr. Betz was married, in 1854, to Miss Sybilla Sander. She died April 16, 1884. Mr. Betz's tribute to her memory, in the shape of a magnificent mauso- leum costing over $50,000, is in the beautiful West Laurel Hill Cemetery. Two sons were born to the union, of whom only one, J. Fred. Betz, survives. He is associated with his father in all his extensive enterprises, and takes an active part in their management. He was married on February 4, 1880, to Miss Rosalean C. Hull, a daughter of Mr. Joseph Hull, of Philadelphia. They have two children-a son, John F. Betz, 3d, and a daughter, Rosalean. C. R. D.
+. It TEPUNCT.
GEORGE W. BLABON.
GEORGE WASHINGTON BLABON.
S' IR THOMAS BROWNE has said : " He that chiefly owes himself unto himself is the substantial man; " and it is generally conceded that the self-made man is the best made man.
Our country affords many splendid illustrations of self-made men, but none more full of instruction and incentive to the young than the life of GEORGE W. BLABON, the successful oil-cloth manufacturer of Philadelphia. He has none of the false pride that seeks to conceal the difficulties and obstacles in early life that he has overcome. He was born in Wells, York county, Maine, September 28, 1824, and is the son of Otis and Mary Blabon. His father was of pure Eng- lish blood, and his mother was of English and Irish extraction. At the age of five years he was taken by his parents to Chesterville, then in Kennebec county, now Franklin county, Maine. This part of the State at that time was almost a wilderness. His father purchased one hundred acres of land, and erected a log- house with two rooms for their future home, and commenced to clear the land for farming. There were no school-houses near, and the opportunity for obtain- ing an education was limited. The lad was obliged to walk three miles to school, and, as his father was comparatively a poor man, and he the eldest son, he was not allowed much time to attend school. He was obliged to work, and help make a living for his young brothers and sisters. He continued to work on the farm until he was seventeen years of age, when he left home, determined to " seek his fortune," and started out with a capital of only a few cents. He directed his course for Boston, Mass., and, on his arrival there, found himself without a penny, in a strange city and among strangers. He was in good health and high spirits, however, and, after walking some hours through the city and wondering at the sights that met his view, he commenced to think about his financial condition. He applied to a good-hearted Irish boarding and lodging- housekeeper, who agreed to keep him one day and lend him seventy-five cents until he could obtain work. He remained one night at his host's house, and the next day after his arrival in Boston he purchased a second-class railway ticket and visited Lowell. He failed to find employment in that city, and started on foot through the country looking for work on the farms. He soon found a man, who engaged him to work on his farm at fifty cents a day and his board. In a short time he received some money from his employer, and returned to Boston and paid in full the man that had trusted him for his first night's lodging in that city. He continued to work on this farm for some weeks, when he received an offer of employment in a small carpet factory in Southboro, Mass., which he accepted. He worked in this establishment about one year without losing a day during his engagement. He received eleven dollars a month, and his board and washing. During the time he was with this firm he did not draw more than ten
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dollars of his wages. At the end of the year he concluded to leave his situation to visit his parents in Maine, and then received the full amount of his wages, which seemed to him a small fortune. He went to Boston, and made some small purchases of clothing, and proceeded to his home. He gave his father more than one-half of his savings, and continued to do so for some years. While visiting his parents he received an offer from a firm engaged in manufacturing oil-cloth in Baltimore, Md. He accepted the situation, returned to Boston, and engaged passage on a schooner bound for Baltimore. He worked only a short time for this firm before they desired him to go on the road to sell the produc- tion of the works. He continued in their employ many years, and travelled through Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania. He was pleased with the people of the latter State, and desired to make his future home among them. During his engagement in Baltimore he had saved a few hundred dollars, and determined to locate in Philadelphia and commence business on his own account.
In the spring of 1852 he went to Philadelphia and rented a second-story store- room on Third street above Arch, and purchased small lots of oil-cloth from manufacturers in the Eastern States. These goods he sold to retail dealers in Pennsylvania. After doing business in this way for a year he formed a partner- ship with Mr. J. W. Carson, under the firm-name of Blabon & Carson. They continued the business of dealing in oil-cloth for about three years, when his partner withdrew, and Mr. Blabon then entered into partnership with Mr. S. C. Smith, under the style of Blabon & Smith. In 1857 the great commercial panic found them with a small capital, and notes to pay every few days. Mr. Blabon resolved neither to fail nor ask any favors from their creditors. The late Governor Coburn, of Maine, held two of the firm's notes for about $1,500 each. He wrote them that he "presumed they would not find it convenient to pay these notes when due," and stated that if they would make new notes, extended to suit, he would return the notes about maturing. They wrote Governor Coburn that their notes were payable at bank in Philadelphia, and when due would be promptly met, and thanked him for his kindly offer. During this panic they sold goods without regard to the cost, provided the purchasers paid cash in par funds. Parties that owed them in the West declined to pay in consequence of the cost of exchange on Philadelphia, which was from fifteen to twenty per cent. In all such cases the firm assumed the loss in order to obtain funds to meet their notes. They passed through the panic and paid all obligations when due, and Mr. Blabon has never given a note since that time. They had little capital left, but their credit was excellent.
The firm of Blabon & Smith continued until 1861, when Mr. Smith desired to withdraw, as he feared the country was going to pieces in consequence of the war with the South. The firm was dissolved, and Mr. Blabon purchased his partner's interest. He continued the business under the style of George W. Blabon & Co., but he alone had an interest in it.
In 1864 he commenced to manufacture oil-cloth in a small way. This busi-
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GEORGE W. BLABON.
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ness has constantly increased. In 1875 he erected the large plant on the line of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad at Nicetown, four miles from Philadel- phia proper. The works cover eight acres of ground. In 1885 he concluded to add to his business the manufacture of linoleum for floor covering. This class of goods had then only been manufactured in England and Scotland, and is sold largely throughout Europe. He made two visits to England to secure machinery with which to produce the goods. He ordered a part of the machinery made in that country, but all that he could obtain patterns for he had constructed in the United States. It required two years to complete the facilities for making this class of goods. The linoleum department at his works is considered very perfect, and the goods produced are equal to any made abroad. The machines required to make these goods are very heavy, one machine in the works weighing fifty tons, and another eighty. All the departments of the works are stocked with the best and finest labor-saving appliances in the country. The output of the establish- ment is among the largest in the world. The production of floor oil-cloth, from one yard to four yards in width, is nine thousand five hundred square yards per day. This does not include the large output of oil-cloths made on cotton body and used for covering furniture and other purposes, nor the large amount of linoleum floor-cloth which the factory is producing. About twelve years since, Mr. Blabon gave his son, George C. Blabon, and Mr. John C. S. Davis an interest in the business. (These young men are his only partners at the present time,
Mr. Blabon was formerly largely interested in street railways in Philadelphia, and was a Director in the Philadelphia and Gray's Ferry and in the Schuylkill River Railways. He was a Director for a number of years in the Union National Bank of Philadelphia, and was one of the eight original incorporators of the Independence National Bank, and sold the bank the property it now occupies on Chestnut street. He is at the present time a Director and Vice-President of the bank, and is also a Director in the Finance Company of Pennsylvania and in the American Surety Company of New York. He is interested in many other financial corporations in Philadelphia, New York and Boston, and has large real- estate interests in Philadelphia and in the West.
Mr. Blabon was married in January, 1854, to Rosanna, adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Underwood, of York, Pa., who died at the birth of his son, George, in February, 1855. On July 20, 1871, he was again married, this time to Rebecca H., daughter of Jacob W. Souder, of Philadelphia. Two chil- dren have been born to this union, Edwin L. and Walter D., both of whom are attending school, and who will be trained to commercial pursuits.
E. T. F.
ALEXANDER P. BROWN
ALEXANDER PATTERSON BROWN.
T HE Scotch-Irish have made their power felt in every department of human activity and progress, and no lineage excels theirs in the proportion of men who get to the front of whatever avocation or pursuit they enter. From this race ALEXANDER P. BROWN is descended. He was born in the city of Philadelphia, June 3, 1842. His father was William Brown, who was directly descended from that John Brown who opposed the Papist tendencies of the house of Stuart, and was shot down by Claverhouse on May 1, 1685, in the parish of Muirkirk, Scotland, while defending his Protestant faith. William Brown married Jane Patterson, a lineal descendant of Alexander Patterson, who, in the reign of George III., became the proprietor and occupant of the mills in the manor of Acton, County Armagh, Ireland, and immigrated to America in the early part of the present century. His estate passed into the hands of Colonel Close, of Drumbanagher, whose eldest son, Charles Maxwell Close, was High Sheriff of the county, and now sits in the House of Commons as one of the leaders of the Conservative party in Ulster. Alexander P. Brown was the eldest son by this marriage.
At an early age Alexander P. Brown was placed in the school of Miss Laugh- lin. At ten he was sent to a preparatory school, and in 1852 entered the Locust Street Grammar School, of which William Cleavenger was then Principal, and during the three years he remained there gave abundant evidence of industry, application and capacity. In 1856 he was admitted into the Central High School, over which the late Prof. John S. Hart then presided, where he became proficient in scholarship, and received numerous testimonials of merit and distinction, and devoted much of his leisure time to reading history.
When he attained his eighteenth year he entered the employment of Hugh Barrett, a boot and shoe manufacturer, where he gained a practical knowledge of business and learned everything relating to the manufacture and sale of boots, shoes and leather. He laid the foundation of a profitable trade by his frequent visits to the West and South. In 1870 he commenced business for himself, and associated with him his brother, Clement M. Brown. After thirteen years of active business he retired with a competency.
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