USA > Pennsylvania > A biographical album of prominent Pennsylvanians, v. 3 > Part 21
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CURTIS G. HUSSEY.
acter that upon consultation with the geologist Dr. Hussey promptly stopped all further operations at that place. The following year he transferred opera- tions to Eagle river, where they soon . discovered a wonderfully rich vein of mass copper, which became known as the Cliff Mine. This was the first mine opened in the Lake Superior country, and was the first to yield pure or metallic copper, not only in this country but probably in the world. This fa- mous mine cost its owners in assessments $110,000, and paid them $2,280,000 in dividends. The product of the mines was found in huge masses weighing from one to eighty tons, and the difficulty that confronted them was how to smelt the ores. To attempt to cut or break them up would not pay. The fur- naces of Boston, Baltimore and Pittsburgh were incapable of smelting such large masses, and the outlook was discouraging for Lake Superior copper. At this juncture Dr. Hussey solved the problem. In spite of ridicule and incredulity he had a reverberatory furnace built with a movable top. The cover was shifted to one side, and the masses of ore were lifted by a crane and let down upon their bed at the bottom, the cover was then replaced, and the thing was done. It was an immediate success, and the first ingots cast were as good as those made now, and the principle is in use at the present time. In 1849 he induced a partner to join him in the erection of a mill for the manufacture of copper, and thus started the Pittsburgh Copper and Brass Works, the first of the kind west of the Alleghenies. The mills, located on the Monongahela river, about a mile above Pittsburgh, are still running in full blast, and are among the most active industries of Pittsburgh.
Besides taking the share he did in connection with the Cliff Mine, Dr. Hus- sey was a leading spirit in the development of the Aztec, Adventure, North America, Medora, Mass, Northwestern, National and other mines. Of these the National paid good dividends for several years. He was among the earliest to secure extensive iron lands, as well as copper tracts, in the Michi- gan peninsula, on some of which mines have been opened and worked. In California gold mining he was also among the first, having begun explora- tions there in 1849. The production of gold, silver and copper in Georgia, Col- orado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, British Columbia, Mexico and elsewhere received his active attention, and they have been sought for with free expenditures.
As before stated, Dr. Hussey was the first man in this country to make steel en- tirely in the crucible in large quantities and of the best quality. Notwithstand- ing many attempts had been made, all resulting in failure, Dr. Hussey studied out and perfected what is known as "the direct process," totally different from the English and all other methods then known. The idea was ridiculed every- where by steel manufacturers and workers; nevertheless he had faith in his plans, and, persevering, succeeded in face of all opposition, and his process has been universally adopted in this country, and to a large extent in Great Britain.
The works which he purchased in order to test his experiments have grown
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CURTIS G. HUSSEY.
until they now cover five acres of ground in Pittsburgh, and furnish employment to a large number of men.
Dr. Hussey has been foremost and prominent in promoting charitable works as well as in manufacturing enterprises. In 1860 he took an active part in founding an observatory in Allegheny City, for which he purchased a tract of land, now very valuable, and contributed liberally of his time and personal atten- tion, having been President of the observatory for seven years, at the end of which time the entire property was consolidated with the Western University, of which institution he is one of the trustees. He was also one of the founders of the School of Design for Women, of Pittsburgh, which was organized in Janu- ary, 1865, and of which he was the first President.
As before stated, Dr. Hussey is of Quaker descent, and leans to the views of that denomination in religion, politics and social matters. He is a strong advo- cate of total abstinence, and has done much to promote the cause of temperance. In fact, to his temperance in all things he attributes his continued good health and the perfect preservation of his mental faculties at an advanced age. Al- though now at a period of life when most men feel the need of perfect rest and abstinence from business cares, he still takes an active interest and busy part in affairs, watching the progress of current events, giving aid and encouragement to those about him, and is able to look back over a long life, which, although full of labor, has been marked with splendid success. He is held in the highest esteem and respect by the members of the community in which he resides and in which he has produced such ample results, and his name will always hold a foremost place in the list of the pioneer manufacturers of the western part of this State.
C. R. D.
F. GUTEKUNST.
PHILA
M. E. McDOWELL.
ROBERT K. MCNEELY.
+. GUTEKUNST
HIL4
SIMON MUHR.
SIMON MUHR.
S1 IMON MUHR, the senior member of the firm of H. Muhr's Sons, manufacturing jewellers of Philadelphia, is the eldest son of Henry Muhr, a watchmaker of great skill, who came to this country from Bavaria in the year 1853.
Mr. Muhr was born at Hurben, Bavaria, April 19, 1845, and was, therefore, eight years of age on his arrival here. He received a common school education, and at the age of thirteen left school to learn the trade of watchmaking with his father, who had in the meantime entered into business. But the inclinations of young Muhr were less for mechanics than for trade, and, after a short apprentice- ship of two years, in which, presumably, he was not highly successful in mastering the art of watchmaking, he began to devote himself to the commercial branch of his father's business, who then traded as H. Muhr. Even at that early age his energy, industry and natural aptitude for trade soon made itself felt in the rapid increase in the volume of business done by the house. When he reached his majority, in 1866, he was admitted into the firm, which then became known as H. Muhr & Son, and the business for the year was about seventy-five thou- sand dollars. Immediately thereafter they began to import largely, and in 1869 commenced the manufacturing of jewelry by purchasing a shop, with its tools and implements, for the sum of seven hundred dollars. This was a small room in Franklin place.
Since that time Mr. Muhr has devoted much of his attention to the manu- facturing branch of the business, adding new departments from time to time, until the little shop of 1869 has expanded into the magnificent establishment, now occupied by the firm, at Broad and Race streets. This building was erected in 1885 by Mr. Simon Muhr, and is owned by him. It is seven stories high, has a frontage on Broad street of one hundred feet and on Race street of one hundred and forty feet, and is supplied with all modern improvements, its stately appear- ance making it an ornament to the splendid avenue of Philadelphia on which it is located.
The sales department of the firm is managed chiefly by Mr. Jacob Muhr, a younger brother, while the factory was for several years under the joint manage- ment of Messrs. Simon and Joseph Muhr; the latter having been admitted into the firm in 1873, in which year Henry Muhr retired. Since that time the firm- name has been H. Muhr's Sons. Mr. Jacob Muhr was admitted a member in 1876. In 1888 Joseph withdrew from the partnership.
For some years the annual sales of the firm have been about a million of dol- lars, and the volume of business is being constantly increased by the addition from time to time of new departments to the factory ; while the importation of diamonds and other precious stones is now a leading feature of the house.
Mr. Muhr is small in stature, but of such pleasing presence and affable manners
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SIMON MUHR.
that his geniality has become proverbial, while his personal popularity is of the strongest character. He is paternally solicitous for the welfare of his employés, taking great interest in their affairs, and never when in trouble do any one of them hesitate to confide in him or to depend upon his advice and assistance.
Mr. Muhr is likewise deeply interested in charities, and much of his time is taken up in hearing appeals for aid from individuals and societies. He is an active member of numerous benevolent and charitable associations, to all of which he is a liberal contributor ; but, if satisfied of the worthiness of the case or cause, no appeal is made to him in vain; yet he does not confine his benefac- tions to any sect, society or creed, but is most catholic in his giving. He is an ardent Democrat, but with so many demands upon his time he has naturally little leisure for politics, although his fellow-citizens have nevertheless called upon him to represent them in conventions of his party, and to serve as a School Director. Other offices tendered him he has declined.
Mr. Muhr, besides having a genius for business, is possessed of a native elo- quence which is exceedingly effective and carries all before it. Without scho- lastic polish it combines a ready wit with an intense directness of purpose and expression and an earnestness of manner which are most convincing, and rarely fail in accomplishing the object advocated by him. In this year (1889) he is but forty-four years of age, and stands at the very head of his business in this coun- try, esteemed by those who know him best, and respected by his fellow-townsmen of all classes as an honorable merchant and a good citizen.
M. S.
1
F GUTEKUNST.
PHILA.
JOSEPH P. MURPHY.
JOSEPH P. MURPHY.
OSEPH P. MURPHY, who is an excellent representative of the bright young men J who have made the Kensington District of Philadelphia famous for its manufactures, was born in Philadelphia, February 15, 1845. After receiving a fair education in the public schools of his native city, and serving an apprentice- ship with his father, Dominick Murphy, who for forty years was a manufacturer of cotton goods in Kensington, he began business for himself shortly after he had attained his majority. Like most of the manufacturers who have achieved remarkable success, he commenced in a small way ; for in 1869 he had only nine looms, and his total force of employés did not exceed twenty-five. Ten years later he purchased the ground at the corner of Fourth and Cumberland streets, and erected thereon the extensive mill which he now occupies, and which is two hundred and fifty feet in length and four stories in height. At a later period he secured a building on the opposite side of Cumberland street, the dimensions of which are about forty by one hundred and sixty feet; and in these two factories he now runs over five hundred looms, employs over nine hundred hands, and turns out cotton, woollen and worsted goods of all descriptions to the value of $1,500,000 annually.
Mr. Murphy has devoted himself closely to his business, and has not united with secret societies or social organizations ; but he has been an earnest advocate of Democratic principles and of tariff reform. He is President of the Union Democratic Club, Vice-President of the Democratic Societies of Pennsylvania, and Vice-President of the Philadelphia Tariff Reform Club. At a large meeting of the delegates to the Convention of the Democratic Societies of Pennsylvania held in the Academy of Music, Philadelphia, October 22, 1889, he was called upon to preside, and made a brief address, from which we subjoin the following extracts :
" LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :-- I thank you for the honor conferred in selecting me to preside over this great Democratic meeting. I shall endeavor to perform the duties devolving upon me to the best of my ability. I congratulate the Democracy of the city of Philadelphia-I congratulate our brother Democrats of the State of Pennsylvania-upon the gratifying success of this magnificent Convention which you have just held. Out of your deliberations nothing but good can come to that great organization in which we are proud to be enrolled-good that must redound to the benefit of our grand old Commonwealth, and to the cause of free and pure constitutional government throughout the entire length and breadth of our common country. Our party was born with the Constitution. Under its guidance our country prospered and expanded as no country ever did before. Success could not corrupt or destroy it. Defeat can never dismay or disorganize, for it is grounded on the principles enunciated by its immortal founder, Thomas Jefferson ; those principles for which ' Old Hickory' so vigorously contended, and which were gallantly upheld in the contest of ISS8 by that noble man who preferred being right to being President- one who is not dead or even sleeping, but, as a private citizen, is performing his full duty to his country, and when that country shall again summon him to the helm of the Ship of State, which is now being tossed in the breakers of violated promises and dishonored pledges, his wise head, his firm hand, his patriotic heart, will guide it into the harbor of peace, prosperity and safety.
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JOSEPH P. MURPHY.
" Impartial history will recall the fact that neither the assaults of open foes nor the sneers of pretended friends could swerve President Cleveland one hair's breadth from the straight path of duty. Around him he saw the army of office-seekers clamoring for place; beyond them he saw the great body of American people asking only for a wise, honest, economical administration ; but above them all he saw the law which he had solemnly sworn to support, and he, Jackson-like, determined that, by the Eternal, the law must be enforced and obeyed.
" The campaign of brilliant promises passed away ; the time of performance came, and what a spec- tacle is presented to the gaze of men! If there is one single pledge that has been honestly kept, it has escaped my observation. If there is one solitary plank of that remarkable piece of political timber called the Republican platform of 1888 which is not worm-eaten and decayed, then let it be sent to the great National Museum as one of the most wonderful curiosities exhibited.
" The prophets, who, a short time ago, predicted an era of brilliant business prosperity such as the world never saw which was to follow the advent of the Harrison administration, do enjoy prosperity in the offices, outside the civil-service law, where the duties are light and the compensation heavy ; but busi- ness languishes, and labor looks in vain for the golden stream which was to flow into its lap.
" To-day representatives from the countries of South America-some of them republics, like our own- are inspecting our mines, our foundries, our factories and our workshops. They are amazed at the wonderful mechanical ingenuity which we exhibit. They are still more wonderfully amazed to find that by unjust, unfair, unequal and excessive tariff taxation we have built a Chinese wall around our country, and closed against ourselves the inviting markets which they gladly open to us.
" The swaddling-clothes, which we wrapped around our industries in their infancy to strengthen them and give them support, now hamper and fetter their full employment, and confine us to our own house- hold. Let us unloosen the bonds and give full scope to our power. Let our limbs be free to go where we will, and seek new markets in the many lands which are ready, in return for our manufactured arti- cles, to pour forth their silver and gold and all the rich products of their climates and soil. This cannot be done in these days of peace while we groan and stagger under the weight of enormous tariff taxation levied to prosecute a great war.
"Our commercial intercourse with other peoples can only come through tariff reform. That reform has been postponed for a short time; but, with the intelligent, thoughtful masses of the American people, it is bound, ere long, to win, and we shall again go forth with these words emblazoned on our banners : ' Not to defeat, but to victory,' signal and decisive.
" Without detaining you longer, and interfering with the eloquent speakers who are to address you, permit me, my fellow-Democrats, to wish you 'God-speed' in this movement which has been so auspi- ciously begun. The young blood which is to be infused into the councils of our grand old party I doubt not will prove the elixir which shall rejuvenate it, and start it once more on a career of prosperity, power and glory which will redound to the benefit of every portion of our beloved country."
On June 23, 1868, Mr. Murphy married Adele G. Miller, daughter of John J. Miller, a well-known resident of Kensington, and they have had eight children, seven of whom are living.
CHILE
. IJTEFUNST.
WILLIAM PATTON.
WILLIAM PATTON.
O NE of the most successful ironmasters of Pennsylvania and a leading citizen of the borough of Columbia, Lancaster county, in this State, is WILLIAM PATTON, who was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, of Protestant Irish parentage, May 12, 1817, but who, coming to this country in the year of his birth, is as thoroughly an American as if native and to the manor born. He is a grandson of Matthew Patton, of County Tyrone, Ireland, who was in comfortable circum- stances, and his father was James Patton, who was born in County Tyrone in 1788. James Patton had heard and read much of America in his youth and early manhood, and determining to cast his fortunes with the young republic, he evinced his strong convictions of right and duty before he had even become a resident of this country. In 1812, in company with a number of other young men, he embarked on a merchant vessel at Queenstown for America; but, when two days out, the ship was overhauled by an English man-of-war, and all of the party were compelled either to return to England or enter the British service to fight against the United States. Upon refusing to fight under the English flag Mr. Patton was imprisoned until the end of the war. Soon after that event he married Ann Ramsey, of County Tyrone, Ireland, and in 1817, the year of his son William's birth, he bade farewell to his native land, and again sailed for America. Arriving in this country, he settled in West Goshen township, Ches- ter county, Pa. In 1823 he purchased the farm owned by his uncle, George Given, situated about two and a half miles from West Chester, where he resided, and devoted his attention to agriculture until 1850, when he removed to Co- lumbia, and engaged in the lumber trade, being associated with his two sons, William and Scott. With the exception of three years' temporary residence in Erie, in this State, he continued to live in Columbia to the time of his death, which occurred in 1883 at the home of his son William, at the ripe old age of ninety-five. Eight children were born to James and Ann Patton, two of whom only survive, William and Scott, the latter a merchant of Columbia, Pa. Ann Patton, William Patton's mother, died in 1873 under the following circum- stances: While seated in a carriage on the fair grounds at Erie, during the progress of the Pennsylvania State Fair, the horse took fright at a portable en- gine, upset the carriage, and Mrs. Patton was thrown out, receiving injuries which, coupled with her advanced age, resulted fatally. Mrs. Patton was then in the seventy-sixth year of her age and the fifty-sixth of her wedded life.
William Patton's early life, until he was twenty-two years of age, was spent on the Chester county farm, which he assisted his father in cultivating at such times as he was not attending the schools of the neighborhood. When the first railroad in Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia and Columbia, was built, he received the appointment of State Agent, which office he held for one year. He later
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WILLIAM PATTON.
became connected with the road as a locomotive fireman, and to illustrate the difference in railroad management at that early stage of the business and at the present time he recounts how, after about three months' apprenticeship, he vol- unteered one day to run a locomotive from Parkesburg to Columbia. He per- formed the duty with such satisfaction to the managers of the road that he was at once promoted to the position of engineer. In striking contrast to this, as illustrative of the railroad management of to-day, is the fact that an apprenticeship of as many years is now exacted of firemen before they are permitted to run an engine.
In 1841 Mr. Patton opened a forwarding house and lumber and coal yard at Fair View, Lancaster county, to which business he continued to devote all his attention until 1844, when he again entered the employ of the State as train despatcher at Columbia, but continued to conduct his lumber and coal business. In 1845 he associated with him his brother Scott, and added a general mer- chandise store to his other interests. In 1852 he abandoned mercantile pursuits, and directed his attention to contracting, having, as an initiatory step, built for the State the round-house at Columbia in connection with the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad. His next contract was for the building of the greater por- tion of the Huntingdon and Broad Top Railroad, including the Stonerstown bridge, a structure two thousand feet in length, built of wood and masonry, spanning the Raystown branch of the Juniata river. His greatest venture in this line of business was the construction, in conjunction with six other con- tractors, of eighty-two miles of the western end of the Erie Railroad, extending from Erie to the Mckean county line, running through the counties of Erie and Warren, and six miles additional in Elk county.
In 1865 he abandoned. the contracting business, and embarked in the produc- tion of iron as General Manager of the Susquehanna Iron Company, whose works are located at Columbia, Pa., on the banks of the Susquehanna river. With this interest he has since been identified as its controlling head. As a successful ironmaster Mr. Patton has earned an enviable reputation and State prominence. The Susquehanna rolling-mill, under his competent supervision and management, has become one of the most successful establishments of its kind in Pennsylvania. It has been happily styled the "Columbia Golden Ar- gosy." In its lengthy history it has had, of course, seasons of depression, though but two labor strikes have occurred among its employés, one of which was adjusted by arbitration and the other by a bold, determined and successful stand against organized labor. Running night and day in prosperous seasons, it has divided profits that have caused other iron manufacturers to marvel at its suc- cess. Mr. Patton adhered to the fortunes of the company in its reverses as well as in its success, and has lived to witness the high position it has won and the splendid return it makes to its owners, both of which results are due to his skil- ful guidance and careful watchfulness over its interests. In times of political turmoil the Democratic journals of the State point with pride to the veteran
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WILLIAM PATTON.
Democratic rolling-mill manager and his successful establishment, to the end that their political opponents may take note and profit thereby by imitating his politics, and they refer to his success as proof that every iron manufacturer should also be a Democrat. The advocates of Democratic principles always present the Susquehanna rolling-mill and its management as a shining illustra- tion of the superiority of Democratic methods in the conduct of the iron trade to insure profitable returns in the business. The capacity of the mill has been increased from time to time, and is now quadruple the extent of the original plant. The capital stock is $200,000, and commands a premium of more than $ 100 per share, and it rarely occurs that any of it is offered on the market. The mill carries over two hundred men on its pay-roll, and has a capacity of twelve hundred tons of finished bar iron per month. It has twelve single puddling and three heating furnaces and three train-rolls.
Mr. Patton has been largely identified with the growth and development of Columbia, and for many years, in addition to his other business interests, has been actively engaged in building operations. In the borough government he has occupied the office of Chief Burgess, and was several times selected to serve in the school board and town council. In positions of trust he has served as director in several of the more prominent industrial and financial institutions of the borough. He is one of the two survivors of the original Board of Trustees of the Odd Fellows Hall Association, as a member of which he gave to Hon. Hugh M. North, LL. D., his first law case, whose opinion then rendered was subsequently sustained. Mr. Patton is a director of the First National Bank of Columbia, of the Susquehanna Iron Company, and was one of the original pro- jectors of the Keeley Stove Works, of Columbia, one of the largest establish- ments of the kind in the United States. Declining years and the arduous du- ties devolving upon him in the conduct of the Susquehanna rolling-mill com- pelled him, however, to retire from active co-operation with all corporations and enterprises save the First National Bank and the Susquehanna Iron Company.
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