USA > Pennsylvania > A biographical album of prominent Pennsylvanians, v. 3 > Part 29
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SAMUEL WETHERILL.
During the years 1854 to 1859 Mr. Wetherill conducted an expensive series of experiments for the manufacture of spelter. The first spelter, made from Lehigh ores, was made by him, in 1854, by passing the vapor of oxide of zinc through a bed of incandescent coal in a muffle furnace ; but the process consumed too much coal to enable him to compete with foreign spelter, which was then selling at five and a quarter cents a pound, and it became necessary for him to make experiments upon the fire-clays of our country in order to determine whether we had clays suitable for retorts. After innumerable experiments and many expensive failures and disappointments, he at length discovered a compo- sition which resisted the action of heat sufficiently, and while engaged upon experiments with vertical retorts (afterwards patented by him) in place of the Belgian horizontal ones, his neighbors, the Pennsylvania and Lehigh Zinc Com- pany, acquired knowledge of his success and mixture of clays, and immediately informed Mr. De Gee, of Ogree, Belgium, who brought to this country a corps of skilled workmen, and established profitably the manufacture of metallic zinc at Bethlehem. In 1857 Mr. Wetherill sent an ingot of his spelter to the Messrs. Wood (sheet-iron rollers of Philadelphia) with a view of testing its malleability, and they returned him the first sheet of zinc rolled from metal extracted from Pennsylvania ores. This sheet, and a number of small boxes and other articles made to show the malleability and fineness of this metal, were exhibited by him at the Agricultural Fair of Northampton county, and a certificate of honorable mention was awarded to him.
When it became manifest that the war for the Union was destined to be a serious and prolonged struggle, Mr. Wetherill joined an independent regiment then forming in Philadelphia, known as Harlan's Light Cavalry, and subse- quently as the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was commissioned Captain of Company H, August 19, 1861, but promoted to be Major October Ist follow- ing. His regiment performed an important part in subduing the rebellion, and in rapidity of marching was not excelled by any. During the year's service at Suffolk it constantly scoured over the whole country on the left bank of the Blackwater and Chosan rivers from the James river, Va., to Albemarle Sound, in North Carolina, and it is estimated each company marched three hundred miles per month in this period. During the raid for the destruction of the Dan- ville Railroad in June, 1864, in which the regiment lost one hundred and thirty in killed, wounded and missing, nearly five hundred miles were traversed in ten days, including the time engaged in fighting. "No more effective operation of the kind," says Bates, "was accomplished by cavalry during the war." For a short period Major Wetherill had command of the regiment, and, at the close of the war, April, 1865, he was brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel " for gallant and meritorious service before Richmond and Petersburg."
Colonel Wetherill has retired from business, and is now spending the close of a useful and honorable life at Oxford, Maryland. His sons, John P. and S. P. Wetherill, in connection with August and Richard Hecksher, are conducting the business which he established at Bethlehem. E. T. F.
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F. GUTEKUNST.
CHILA
ROBERT R. DEARDEN.
ROBERT ROWLAND DEARDEN.
E NGLISH ancestry and New England birth and training form an admirable combination to fit a man for a useful life and good citizenship. This fact is proved abundantly in the history of the United States, every important event in which is marked by the work of such men. They occupy every field of labor, and are conspicuous in every good work. In nearly every State of the Union men thus favored have done the public service in council; have been dis- tinguished in the pulpit; have enriched literature, and led in the busy life of commerce. With patriotism fully developed, and courage of the Spartan type, they have ever been foremost when emergencies brought peril with them, and the military annals of the country are radiant with the records which they have made in war.
Among the honored citizens of Pennsylvania who enjoy such a genealogy is ROBERT R. DEARDEN, of Philadelphia, member of the Legislature for the Twenty-seventh District. He comes from English stock, but was born in Lowell, Mass., March 23, 1845, where his father, William Dearden, a native of England, who is still living and has earned a considerable reputation through- out New England for his literary attainments, was for many years prosper- ously engaged in the mercantile business. Robert was educated at the public schools of his native city, and at the English and Classical Institute of Spring- field, Mass., an institution which ranked high for the thoroughness of its cur- riculum. Upon completing his studies he went into his father's store in Spring- field, the family having, in the meantime, removed to that beautiful city, where he supplemented his educational acquirements with a sound business training.
When the rebellion began young Dearden was a boy of sixteen. The follow- ing year, however, he offered his services to the Government, and enlisted in a company which became part of the Forty-sixth Regiment Infantry of Massachu- setts. The quota of the State was at that time soon filled, and the command was not at once sent to the front; but the company was duly organized, and began drilling and disciplining in order to qualify the men for service when they should be permitted to go forward. When the command was mustered into the service, however, the mustering officer, to the great disappointment of young Dearden, rejected him on account of his youthfulness and immtaure physique. The boy pleaded persistently, and protested vehemently, that he was fully able to dis- charge the duties and bear the burdens of a soldier's life, but to no purpose, and his comrades went off without him.
Mr. Dearden first came to Philadelphia early in the year 1867, where he engaged for a brief period in business. Having, however, a desire to see the West, he soon entered upon an extensive trip in that direction, going as far as the Territory of Nebraska, Omaha being at that time scarcely more than a fron-
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ROBERT R. DEARDEN.
tier town, and visited various sections of what was then considered the far West. In the same year he located in Chicago, and became associated with a publishing house. The following year he became connected with a semi-monthly journal known as the Northwestern Review, which was mainly devoted to fire and life underwriting interests. This he found to be a congenial employment, and in June, 1869, he purchased the property and developed it into a lucrative and prosperous business, which was rapidly increasing in volume and value when it was overtaken by the disastrous fire of 1871, which entailed upon him serious loss. But this misfortune did not dismay him, for he at once refurnished the establish- ment and continued the publication regularly. From the beginning of his con- nection with the paper he found that a large share of his business was with eastern companies, and to facilitate matters he established a branch office in Philadelphia in 1874. This met with such success that in the following year he moved the parent plant to that city, and changed the name of the publication to the United States Review. Since that time there has been no change in the property except the steady and large increase in its business. Mr. Dearden has been continuously the editor and publisher of the paper for more than twenty years, and has the satisfaction now of knowing that it is universally recognized as one of the most valuable and ably edited publications of its class in the coun- try, and its influence is widely felt and wisely guided.
From early life Mr. Dearden took an active interest in public affairs, and had a natural taste for politics. In' 1880 the Garfield campaign so stimulated his ardor and enthusiasm that he yielded to the solicitation of friends, having already, through the medium of debating clubs and business meetings of citizens, acquired considerable reputation as an orator, and went upon the stump. The State Committee soon learned of his power and capability as a speaker, and urged him to service throughout the State under the auspices of that organization, which request he acceded to with most satisfactory results. In every important cam- paign since his voice has been heard pleading eloquently the cause of his party, not only in Pennsylvania, but in other States, where his widely diffused business interests have made him acquainted.
In recognition of his valuable services to the party in the Garfield campaign the Republicans of the then Twenty-first, but now the Twenty-seventh, Legisla- tive District tendered him the nomination for the membership of the House of Representatives of the State. After a careful consideration of the subject he accepted, and was elected by a handsome majority. Since that time his record is part of the history of the State, and a very important and valuable portion of the proceedings of the Legislature. Apt in speech, acute of mind, and ardent in nature, he soon became one of the recognized leaders on the floor, and during the memorable session of 1883 he took an active part in the always earnest and sometimes acrimonious debates. For each succeeding term he has been renom- inated and elected, so that he has served four consecutive terms, and is one of the oldest members in continuous service in the House.
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ROBERT R. DEARDEN.
On both occasions in which Hon. H. K. Boyer was chosen to the Speaker- ship, Mr. Dearden was selected to present his name to the caucus. They are intimate personal friends, and, prior to the organization of the session of 1887, Mr. Dearden was urged by a considerable number of the members to become a candidate for the office. But he resisted all overtures in that direction, and pro- tested that his choice for the honor was Mr. Boyer. He was again solicited to be a candidate for the session of 1889, but again refused to allow his name to be used. During the session of 1885 he served as Chairman of the Committee on Insurance, and as a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, and was appointed on other important committees. In 1887 he was made Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, and was reappointed to that responsible post in 1889. That he has discharged the arduous and delicate duties devolving upon him in consequence with fidelity and ability is proved by the confidence which his associates on the committee and the other members of the House have shown in him. At the organization of the session of 1889 he was the unanimous choice of his party for the position, and no candidate offered to com- pete with him. When it is remembered that this position carries with it an implied recognition of leadership, the significance of this fact will be apparent.
Mr. Dearden has done the State great and effective service at the head of that important committee. He has a thorough knowledge and practical understanding of the corrective and charitable institutions of the State. From the time he first entered the Legislature he has studied this subject. His aim has been not alone to understand the needs of the inmates, but to study the management of the institutions, with the view of ascertaining the manner and measure of the fidelity and capability displayed by those in charge of their administration. The result is, that the work of the Appropriations Committee during the last session was performed with a courage, intelligence and ability never before equalled; and while every institution was amply provided for, and every need of · the "wards of the State " fully considered, the judicious care in appropriations saved the treasury a large sum of money. Of course he had able assistants in the work, and A. A. Clay, of Elk county, Samuel W. Wherry, of Cumberland, J. S. Fruit, of Mercer, Dr. Walk, of Philadelphia, W. H. Andrews, now Chair- man of the Republican State Committee, and others, rendered valuable aid; but the efficiency of the work of a committee depends largely on the chairman. Mr. Dearden is now a member of the Special Joint Committee of the Legislature appointed to inquire into the charitable and corrective institutions of the several States, for the purpose of devising a better method of conducting those in Penn- sylvania. The committee has already visited a number of institutions, and is preparing to make other visitations. The report of the observations and conclu- sions of the members will be presented to the Legislature at the next session.
Mr. Dearden has been singularly honored by his colleagues in the Committee on Appropriations, and by the members of the House generally. Of the large number of bills which were favorably considered by the committee during the
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ROBERT R. DEARDEN.
session of 1889 all except two or three passed through both Houses-a record probably without a parallel. This was followed at the close of the session by a compliment of an altogether unusual character when the House formally thanked him for his services by a special resolution, which was spread upon the journal. This great honor was conferred upon him by a unanimous vote, and was in tes- timony of appreciation of his work as Chairman of the Committee on Appro- priations. After the adjournment his colleagues of the committee tendered Chairman Dearden a complimentary dinner as a mark of their personal regard and appreciation, and supplemented the honor by the presentation to him of a beautiful and more tangible token of their esteem.
Mr. Dearden's name is now being popularly considered as among those avail- able for the office of Auditor-General, when the term of the present incumbent expires. His habits of thought, analytical mind and mathematical inclinations point to him as a man particularly suited for such an important service. Though not a lawyer, he is familiar with the statutes and has a judicial mind; while his acquaintance with the corporate interests of the State is widespread and intimate.
Mr. Dearden is a member of several political and social organizations, among which are the Pennsylvania Club, the Union Republican Club, and the Young Republicans of Philadelphia.
Mr. Dearden was married, November 5, 1867, to Miss Ella S. Chapin, a daughter of Deacon H. J. Chapin, of Springfield, Mass., at one time a member of the Legislature of that State, and who is now a resident of Galesburg, Ill. The fruit of this union was four children, three of whom are living, two sons and a daughter.
G. D. H.
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WILLIAM HAYES GRIER
WILLIAM HAYES GRIER.
W TILLIAM HAYES GRIER, late Superintendent of Public Printing for the State, and now publisher of the Independent, a weekly newspaper published at Columbia, Pa., was born at McEwensville, Pa., in 1841. His grandfather was Rev. John Hayes Grier, born in Bucks county in 1788, who graduated from Dickinson College in the same class with ex-President James Buchanan. He at once entered the Presbyterian ministry, was placed in charge of the Great Island and Jersey Shore Circuit in 1814, and remained with the Jersey Shore congregation until 1854, when he was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Stevens. He was sixty-six years of age when he retired from active ministration with the Jersey Shore charge, but continued preaching for a number of years thereafter, wherever and whenever called upon. He died at Jersey Shore in February, 1880, at the age of ninety-two years.
The eldest son of the venerable prelate was John Hayes Grier, M. D., born at Brandywine Manor, Chester county, Pa., in 1813. After graduating from Jef- ferson College, Cannonsburg, he studied medicine with Dr. James Dougal, of Milton, Pa., and attended lectures and was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa. He began practice at McEwensville, Northumber- land county, in 1840, and remained there until 1855, when he removed to Jersey Shore, where he continued to reside until 1859, when he removed to Nippenose Valley, five miles from Jersey Shore, where he still lives.
William Hayes Grier is the eldest son of the Doctor. As soon as he had attained the proper age he was entered in the public schools of his native vil- lage, and pursued the elementary studies there taught until he was eleven years of age, when he was sent to the McEwensville Academy, then presided over by Professor C. Low Ryneirson. After spending about four years in this institu- tion he was apprenticed on the 20th of October, 1856, to the art of printing in the office of the Jersey Shore Vidette. He remained there until November, 1858, when he was offered a school in Crawford township, Clinton county, with the assurance of a four months' term at twenty-five dollars a month, which he ac- cepted. At the end of the school term, April, 1859, he left for Akron, O., and secured employment on the Akron Democrat, where he " pulled " the Washing- · ton hand-press and performed all other duties incidental to the labor of a weekly newspaper office until January, 1861, when the indications of impending war impelled him to return to Jersey Shore. He obtained a situation on the Vidette, and remained there until Fort Sumter was fired upon, when he enlisted as a private in the Jersey Shore Rifles, which afterwards became Company A, Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves.
He passed through all the campaigns in the Army of the Potomac from Dranesville to Cold Harbor, except Chancellorsville, the regiment to which he
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WILLIAM HAYES GRIER.
belonged having been on duty in Washington at the time of that battle. He was wounded in the leg at the battle of Gaines Mill, Va., June 27, 1862, and was in Ascension Church Hospital, Washington, D. C., for six weeks in consequence of that misfortune. Having sufficiently recovered from the injury, he rejoined the regiment a few days before the army started on the second Bull Run cam- paign, and participated in that disastrous expedition. In March, 1863, he was promoted from the ranks to the place of First Sergeant, and on June 4, 1864, was commissioned Second Lieutenant by Governor Curtin.
After his return from the army in July, 1864, Mr. Grier became foreman and associate editor of the Columbia Spy, and remained in that office until October, 1866. In that year he was nominated by the Democracy of Lancaster county as a candidate for the State Senate. . His Republican competitor was his old colonel, Joseph W. Fisher, who was elected, owing to the strong party majority in the county.
About this time the Democrats of Columbia concluded that a Democratic paper was a necessity in that town, and the Columbia Herald, of which he was the publisher and associate editor, was started. The first copy of the paper was printed by himself on a hand-press. He continued with the paper until Novem- ber, 1870, when he was appointed travelling agent of the Columbia Mutual In- surance Company. After six months' experience he resigned the situation, and started a job printing office, which he conducted successfully until October, 1873, when, in company with S. P. Moderwell, he purchased the Herald estab- lishment. Mr. Moderwell retired two years later, and was succeeded by Robert B. Risk, now of the Lancaster Examiner, who in turn withdrew in 1877, leaving Mr. Grier as sole owner and editor. He continued in this relation until January I, 1885, when he sold the plant and franchise to E. J. Miller.
In political life Mr. Grier has long been active. He has repeatedly repre- sented his county and senatorial district in State conventions, and was a delegate to the National Convention of 1876, which nominated Samuel J. Tilden. He served as a member of the State Committee for a number of years, was a mem- ber of the County Committee eighteen years, and during the important cam- paign of 1874 was chairman of that body.
Residing in a county in which his party was always in a minority, much of the labor of preserving the organization devolved upon him. An important fea- ture of this work is in securing candidates to make the hopeless battles for elective office, and in addition to the defeat which he sustained in the contest for a seat in the State Senate in 1866, he was obliged to run for the same office in 1878, with the same result. In 1883, when the Democrats of the State were flushed with hope over the triumphs of the previous year, the friends of Mr. Grier brought him forward as a candidate for the office of Auditor-General There were several distinguished names introduced in the convention, and con- siderable strife for the compliment. On the first ballot Mr. Grier received the second highest vote. His leading competitor was nominated on the second ballot,
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WILLIAM HAYES GRIER.
The first political office which Mr. Grier ever held was that of Assistant As- sessor of Internal Revenue, to which he was appointed in 1866, during the ad- ministration of President Johnson. Subsequently he served as Clerk of Coun- cils, and two years as borough tax collector. When General William McCand- less entered upon the duties of the office of Secretary of Internal Affairs in 1875, he summoned Mr. Grier to the position of Chief of the Bureau of Statistics. Under the new conditions imposed by the constitution of 1873 the importance of this office was greatly increased and its functions enlarged, and the newly in- augurated head of the department of which it was a branch was deeply con- cerned in the subject. He selected Mr. Grier after careful deliberation. Having known him as a soldier in the field, and become more intimately acquainted with his sterling qualities afterwards as a party leader, he concluded that no better selection could be made. During a service of four years, in which every obli- gation to the public was scrupulously met and every public duty faithfully per- formed, the wisdom of the choice was amply vindicated.
Mr. Grier has frequently served his community in minor offices, and always with acceptability. In 1876 he was elected School Director, and served three years, being the only Democrat on the Board during the period. Notwith- standing this fact, his influence for good was felt in the deliberations of the body at all times. In 1881 he was elected Justice of the Peace in the ward in which he had resided for many years by a majority of eighty-nine votes, while the ward gave over one hundred majority for the Republican party. He was appointed Superintendent of Public Printing by Governor Robert E. Pattison in August, 1883, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Joshua Jones, who had filled the office for some years. At the expiration of that term he was reap- pointed for a full term of four years in June, 1885, and served the time. In Jan- uary, 1887, he was tendered the appointment of Chief of the Southern Division of the Pension Bureau by Gen. John C. Black, the then Commissioner of Pen- sions, but he declined the offer, as an acceptance would have rendered neces- sary his removal to Washington and the disturbance of domestic arrangements that were entirely congenial and satisfactory.
Mr. Grier was married in 1865, in Columbia, to Miss Mary E. White. She died in November, 1884, after a lingering and painful illness, which she bore with patience and fortitude. She left two daughters, one of whom is married, and is the mother of two children. His second daughter is eleven years of age, and is pursuing her studies in the public schools.
Mr. Grier is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having taken the Royal Arch and Templar degrees, and is also a member of Orion Lodge of Odd Fel- lows of Columbia. He was the first Noble Grand of the Lodge, which was in- stituted in 1874. He is also an active member of the Grand Army of the Re- public, and has served his Post as Commander for two terms, has repeatedly been elected delegate to the State and National Encampments of the Order, and taken an important part in the deliberations of those bodies. He takes a deep
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WILLIAM HAYES GRIER.
interest in all matters connected with the veterans of the war, and spares neither time, pains, nor expense in serving the interests of old soldiers. He has been a member of the Pennsylvania State Editorial Association since its organization in 1869, and was its President in 1888. Though for a period of nearly five years he has not been actively engaged in journalistic work, he has preserved his rela- tions with the association, and is one of its most valued members.
G. D. H.
F. GUTEKUNST
PHILA
WILLIAM F. JORDAN.
WILLIAM FRANCIS JORDAN.
N To element has contributed more to the enrichment of the State in her material resources and the development of her men than the oil industry. Prominent among those whose names are connected with this section and this industry is that of WILLIAM F. JORDAN, of Bradford, who has given much energy and intelligent effort to the work.
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