USA > Pennsylvania > A biographical album of prominent Pennsylvanians, v. 3 > Part 31
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Mr. Meyers is at present Postmaster at Harrisburg, to which important office he was appointed on March 9, 1887. In the preliminary contest for this position he showed to very excellent advantage. He was at first reluctant to enter the lists, and even went so far as to declare that under no circumstances would he allow his name to be considered. But friends insisted, and finally when the opposition, which consisted of a meagre minority, became assertive he yielded in so far as to allow the matter to be brought before the people. Two local
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contests were made, during which he gave his friends comfort but made no effort for himself. Finally, when the appointment was made, he was absent from home, but the people rose en masse to indorse the action, and when he returned he was received with such an ovation as was seldom extended to any man in the State capital, and he yielded to the importunities which followed and accepted the office. His administration has justified the preference of his friends, and it is the universal judgment that there has never been a more faithful and efficient officer.
In religion Mr. Meyers is an Episcopalian, and has been for years a vestryman of St. Stephen's Church, Harrisburg. He has five children living-Mrs. Ellis L. Mumma, a graceful and successful writer; Edwin K., who is State Printer; Henry S., publisher of the Harrisburg Star ; Mrs. B. F. Africa, of Huntingdon, and W. K., who is a student-at-law.
G. D. H.
F GUTEKUNST.
PHILA.
JAMES M. PLACE.
JAMES MILFORD PLACE.
THE hope of the future lies in the character, intelligence and energies of the young men of the country. It is not alone that they will soon be called upon to discharge the duties and meet the responsibilities which now devolve upon and are discharged by the leaders of the present, but they will be compelled to keep pace with the march of progress and assume the additional responsibili- ties which natural development will entail. Conspicuous among those who are destined to perform an important part in the events to come is JAMES M. PLACE, publisher of the Harrisburg Sunday Telegram.
Mr. Place was born at Canandia, Allegany county, N. Y., December 13, 1850. In his infancy his parents moved to Pennsylvania, so that he is practically a native of the Keystone State, though not "to the manor born." When he was eleven years old the family settled at Corry, Pa., then the gateway to the oil region, and the point at which the refining interests of the time centred. The failing health of the father obliged James, the eldest of nine children, to leave school at the early age of twelve in order that he might aid in maintaining the household. The plucky little fellow started out to sell papers, and at that early period of his life exhibited the energy, intelligence and dash which have since characterized his operations in larger fields and more important enterprises. His father was a skilful blacksmith, and among the first to successfully weld iron and steel together. It was his purpose to teach the art to his son. He was the blacksmith in charge of the Downer Oil Works at Corry, the largest establish- ment of the kind at that time in the country. With the idea of his learning the trade the boy was taken into the shop at so tender an age that he could not wield the large sledge, but stood on a box by the anvil and hammered the hot iron with an ordinary hand-hammer instead.
At the age of fifteen the support of the family, to a large extent, devolved upon him, and this duty was performed nobly. Some time previous to this an event occurred which turned to his advantage. The proprietor of the works in which his father was employed, Samuel Downer, resided at Boston. He was a grave man of studious and eccentric habits, who, even while on the streets, was absorbed in business affairs. It was his custom to visit his Corry property at regular intervals, and, as a means of economizing time and energy, when he arrived there would walk to his office on the railroad track instead of taking the round- about way of the streets. One day as he was going from the station to the office a train was backing up to the depot. With his head down and his mind engrossed in business he failed to notice the approach of the train. Young Place, who had been selling papers and was returning to the station (which was his depot of supplies), had boarded the train and stood on the platform of the rear car. As it neared Mr. Downer the boy gave an alarm and saved him from
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JAMES M. PLACE.
impending death. Subsequently the grateful man made inquiries regarding the boy, sent for him and gave him a clerkship in the office of the works.
In 1867 the petroleum excitement brought him to the oil regions, then, as now, a favorite resort of ambitious and energetic spirits. It was then that his knowledge of the art of blacksmithing stood him in good stead. He at once found employment at the famous National Wells, near Pleasantville, as helper in dressing the tools, and before he had reached his eighteenth birthday he had charge of the shops of that extensive company. Subsequently he abandoned the field in that section and followed the tide to Fagundas, opened a news' room, and established a penny mail service between that point and Tidioute. His mail service was so satisfactory to the public that he soon opened an independent post-office at Fagundas, and conducted it successfully until a regular office was established there by the Government, and even after that, in obedience to the demands of his patrons, he continued it for some time. This he found a con- genial employment. With a natural inclination for newspapers and a fondness for the excitement incidental to postal service in a pioneer settlement, he found all his energies taxed to meet the demands of the occasion. The postal service multiplied his patronage in the newspaper branch of his business, and everything moved along to his liking. When the Government post-office was located at Fagundas, common consent pointed to him as the postmaster. Hon. Glenni W. Schofield, then the Congressman for the district, in obedience to this sentiment, not only recommended him to the department at Washington, but wrote to him urging him to make application for the position. Among the most valued souvenirs which Mr. Place retains of those stirring times and events is this letter. But he had not attained the age necessary to qualify him for the office, and con- sequently he did not make the application.
In 1870 St. Petersburg, Pa., became the centre of oil producing operations, and the youthful but energetic dealer lost no time in joining the immigration thither. For many years a small village had existed there, which the oil devel- opment awakened into fresh life. His first work in this new field of operations was in the line of wall decoration. At Fagundas he had added wall paper to his stock in trade, and had learned to hang it by dint of persistent effort. Accordingly, upon his arrival at St. Petersburg, he took a contract to paper a large hotel then building at East Foxburg. With the profits of this work he opened a business establishment for the sale of stationery, wall paper and other articles of kindred character, and it is a matter of record that the first new build- ing for private purposes in this revived town was erected by Mr. Place. He speedily won his way into the respect and good opinion of the people, and three days after reaching his majority was appointed Postmaster of the place. The population of the town was multiplying with phenomenal rapidity, and the busi- ness of the office increasing even more rapidly; but he always kept at the head of the procession, and, though the youngest Postmaster in the country, was recog- nized as one of the most efficient. Prodigious activity was required to keep pace
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with the wonderful growth of the community, but he proved equal to the work. Every detail was systematized thoroughly, the convenience of patrons was care- fully considered, additional facilities were secured promptly as required, and the office attained the highest degree of perfection. Its service ranged over a wide section until the salary reached $2,000 per annum, and several clerks were employed. Mr. Place filled the position for seven years, despite the efforts of envious business rivals to secure his removal. Finally, however, when the tide of business took another direction, he left the place and took up his abode in the Bradford field. During the period of his residence in St. Petersburg, besides managing the post-office, he conducted book and stationery stores and news agencies in that place, in Edinburg, Emlenton and Bradford simultaneously, enjoying an immense trade, and handling the entire circulation of the leading papers of the day in that section.
Mr. Place was one of the earliest, if not the first, to make newspaper circula- tion a distinct branch of journalism. Now, every great newspaper has one or more managers of that particular branch of their business, and half a dozen agents, though but few of those who are making their living by that work know to whom they are indebted for introducing the system and making it possible for them to do so. But it was a line of business for which Mr. Place had a natural genius, and in this direction his greatest successes have been achieved. It was not alone, however, in this branch of the business that he was apt and successful. He seemed to be entirely in his element when employed in any sort of newspaper work. Possessing a journalistic instinct for news, nothing escaped his vigilant eye. He never pandered to the depraved taste that demands sensationalism at the expense of private character and personal feeling, but had the courage to expose shams, frauds and immoralities when public interests were promoted by the exposure, regardless of who was affected.
While at St. Petersburg Mr. Place became the circulating agent of the Oil City Derrick in that section, and, though he distributed all other papers which cir- culated in that locality, he made a specialty of oil interests. His suggestions were always entertained favorably, and they contributed largely to furthering the amazing influence which the paper named wielded for years. The proprietors of the journal appreciated his untiring enterprise as a news gatherer, and had implicit confidence in his integrity, intelligence, discernment and sagacity in business affairs which were invaluable. About this time he aided in starting the Oil City Sunday Call, a paper of marked excellence. The large circulation of the Pittsburgh Sunday Leader in the oil regions led him to believe that a first- class Sunday paper published within the regions would prove successful. The Call met his expectation, but soon after it was started a business arrangement with the Pittsburgh Leader induced him to abandon connection with it, and it only survived that circumstance a brief period. But, as he characterizes it; his "connection with the Call was a pleasant incident in a kaleidoscopic life," and it helped to widen and enlarge his views and knowledge of journalism.
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JAMES M. PLACE.
" Oil towns" are generally short-lived, and in 1875 the hegira set in for the northern regions that rapidly depopulated the southern sections. Mr. Place followed it and opened a book store in Bradford, and controlled the entire circu- lation of the Bradford Era-a prosperous daily. The demand for an independent newspaper to represent the petroleum interests about this time grew clamorous, and he raised $18,000 in a few days to establish a new organ of public sentiment. So great was the confidence reposed in his ability and judgment that the money was contributed freely, and in due course of time the Petroleum World appeared in Titusville under his management. But the location was unfortunate. The World was a model of typography and of editorial ability, flavored with scintil- lations of wit that gave zest to its more solid matter. Had it been established at Bradford or Oil City it certainly would have become the foremost daily in North- western Pennsylvania, and the chief exponent of the interests of the oil industry. He withdrew from connection with it, and after his retirement it lost ground steadily, finally joining the innumerable caravan of similar projects that failed of success in that section. However, it revealed the possibilities of journalism in the oil regions, and deserved a better fate.
When the oil developments began in Allegany county, N. Y., Mr. Place opened an extensive store in Richburg, and located there. The influx of strangers, and the rapid increase of population, soon rendered the postal facilities inadequate, and Mr. Place was appointed Postmaster; but before his commission was received objections were filed against the appointment of a newcomer, and, though a canvass of the people showed a decided majority in his favor, the commission was withheld. Of course, this was a serious disappointment, yet it seemed only to stimulate him to greater exertions in the mercantile line. His business covered a vast area, and included the circulation of all the popular papers within the region. In this way he entered into business relations with the publishers of the Elmira Sunday Telegram, which event became the turning point in his life. They were so impressed with his success that they induced him to take charge of their interests in the Allegany oil field and Bradford City, and in order to facilitate the work he started a store at Bolivar. Finally, they prevailed on him to assume the business management and direction of the Har- risburg Sunday Telegram, which he did about the Ist of January, 1887, and within a year from the date of the beginning of that relation he became the owner of the valuable plant.
Of Mr. Place's successes since becoming the publisher of this last named journal the vastly increased circulation and widened influence of the paper, and the magnificent building erected for its accommodation, are monuments more substantial and enduring than any panegyric which might be written. But these successes have not been achieved without hard work, and his indefatigable labors have more than once threatened to break down his health. For the first two years of his management of the paper, and in fact until its success was established beyond the region of doubt, he worked at his desk or on the road
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well-nigh both day and night. It was this combination of persistence, and an intelligent understanding of the work, however, that conquered opposition, over- came obstacles and achieved success; and he now has the satisfaction of knowing that he has a newspaper of larger circulation, wider influence and greater pecu- niary resources than any other in Central Pennsylvania. In fact, there is but one Sunday newspaper in the State, the Philadelphia Press, with a larger circu- lation than the Telegram.
An evidence of the strength and influence of the Telegram is shown in the commutation of the death sentence of Curtin McClain, of Mifflin county, by the Governor of the State. The prisoner had been convicted in the lower court; an appeal to the Supreme Court had failed, and an application to the Board of Pardons for commutation of sentence had been refused, when Mr. Place's sym- pathies for the boy were touched. He employed able counsel, had the circum- stances for which the youth was convicted thoroughly investigated, and thus equipped for a stubborn contest appealed to the Board of Pardons for a rehear- ing. This was granted, and the case of the prisoner was brought before that tribunal with such force, and such good reason shown for clemency, that the petition was allowed, and the boy is now in prison instead of occupying a mur- derer's grave. It was a labor of the most tedious and protracted nature. The evidence in the trial had to be gone over and sifted; the characters of the wit- nesses analyzed; the circumstances surrounding every detail of the unfortunate affair brought out. But these circumstances did not appal the indefatigable humanitarian. Indeed, they seemed to serve as an incentive to greater effort, and in the end, after a hard fight, his purpose was achieved. For this work in the interest of humanity his only reward was the gratitude of the boy's aged mother, but that was ample compensation for the generous-hearted man who spent time and money freely to accomplish what he conceived to be right.
Mr. Place has had many flattering offers of employment from leading newspa- pers in the country, but none have been sufficiently attractive to allure him from the congenial and satisfactory work in which he is engaged. Within the last year two invitations have come from New York city papers, but he prefers to continue in the field in which his success has been achieved and so marked.
One of Mr. Place's leading characteristics has been a willingness to aid and encourage aspiring newspaper men to success who have shown ability in jour- nalism. The late Philip Welsh, whose matchless humor has made merriment wherever the English language is understood, got his first introduction into the business of newspaper writing through Mr. Place. Samuel L. Williams, the brilliant paragrapher of the Philadelphia Press' editorial staff, was one of his pupils; and W. W. Howard, now of Harpers' Magazine, J. M. Perrine, of the Oil City Derrick, and J. C. McMullin, for years the recognized oracle in oil matters, all began newspaper work under his direction. But that is not the only way in which he has shown his sympathy for his fellow-creatures, and given vent to his benevolent disposition; for there are plenty of poor families who are
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indebted to his generosity for help in their hours of distress, and who rise up and call him blessed.
It is not surprising that a gentleman of Mr. Place's generous impulses should take a great interest in the sufferers by the Johnstown calamity. From the first announcement of that overwhelming disaster he exerted every effort, not alone to inform the public of the incidents of the event, but to ameliorate the sufferings and improve the condition of the stricken people. Later he has undertaken, and has now in progress of publication, a complete and comprehensive history of the disaster, the proceeds of the sale of which will be appropriated to the relief fund for the benefit of the sufferers. It has received the earnest endorsement of Gov- ernor Beaver, Adjutant-General Hastings, and members of the State and local relief committees. Mr. J. J. McLamar, the editor of the work, is a painstaking and conscientious writer, and Mr. Place has thrown all his matchless energy, industry and business sagacity into the work of publishing and distributing it.
Mr. Place is unmarried, but his mother and two sisters reside with him, and comprise a happy circle in a comfortable home in Harrisburg.
G. D. H.
HENRY J. STAHLE.
HENRY JOHN STAHLE.
Tr is the pride of Pennsylvania that among her citizens is a sturdy group of men who have lived and wrought to the end that the public might be made richer and better by the example of virtue, manhood and unselfishness which they portray. With rugged constitutions, acute and active minds and earnest- ness of purpose, they have, in various spheres and different localities, performed their perfect work. Among them is HENRY J. STAHLE, editor and publisher of the Compiler, of Gettysburg, Pa., and a widely known and honored citizen of the Commonwealth.
Mr. Stahle was born at York, Pa., November 5, 1823. His rudimentary edu- cation was obtained at the common schools of his native borough, and the knowledge thus acquired was subsequently supplemented by a course at the York Academy, from which institution he emerged at the age of eighteen years.
Upon the completion of his schooling he entered upon an apprenticeship to the art of printing with Glossbrenner & Small, on the York Gazette, and after serving that engagement became foreman in the office, and served in that capacity a year or more. On August 19, 1845, he purchased the Compiler, at Gettys- burg, and at once entered upon the publication of that paper, which, by reason of the force of its editorial opinions and the obvious integrity of its purpose, soon became recognized as the Democratic organ in Adams county. The paper has twice been enlarged since he assumed control, and enjoys about ten times the circulation it did then.
His method of conducting his business is rare, and the success which he has achieved is no doubt largely attributable to that fact. In editorial expression he is brief, incisive, straightforward and plain. He may be said to have been the pioneer in the crisp and sententious editorial paragraphing now so popular, and once said to a friend that a proposition which could not be presented in a quarter of a column had better be left out entirely. His paper is always radiant with bright thoughts briefly stated, scintillating with crisp wit and forceful fact. In the more than forty-four years of his proprietorship the paper has never been a day late, never issued a half sheet, and never missed an issue but one, that being the week of the battle of Gettysburg.
When Mr. Stahle first entered upon the work of publishing the Compiler he laid down some rules to guide his action, and has always adhered to them. At that time the county into which he came almost a stranger gave a majority of five or six hundred for the Whig party. To change this was the object he set out to accomplish, and, in order to reach the result, concluded that under no circumstances must he ever become a candidate for office. By faithful ad- herence to his plans the Whig majority began to dwindle, and in 1854, for the first time, the Democrats elected a portion of the county officials. Three years later the entire county ticket was elected and a majority for the State ticket
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HENRY J. STAHLE.
secured. Ever since, with unimportant exceptions, the county has been Demo- cratic. Frequently he has been tendered nominations for Assembly, State Sen- ator and Congress when success was practically certain, but refused. Adherence to his policy was more important than the honors and emoluments of office.
But he has not held the same ideas in regard to the purely honorary posi- tions in the gift of his party. He was elected a Presidential Elector in Pennsyl- vania in 1856, when James Buchanan was chosen President. A characteristic incident of that event is told by one of Mr. Stahle's friends. When the Elec- toral College of Pennsylvania that year had completed its labors the members went in a body to present their congratulations to the President-elect at his resi- dence, near Lancaster. At the banquet speeches were made by nearly all the members, and through most of these ran a tone of expectation of reward and hope of office. In replying to them collectively Mr. Buchanan expressed his gratification that Adams county had for the first time voted for the Democratic ticket in a general election, and regret that the young man who represented that county in the Electoral College had not spoken. In response to the general de- mand for a speech which followed Mr. Stahle said that being the only Democrat in the State who did not want an office, he had refrained from speaking on that account. The information was afterwards conveyed to him direct from Mr. Bu- chanan that he could have almost any office he desired; but he held to his plan to accept no place. He was nominated as Presidential Elector again in 1872, when Mr. Greeley was the candidate of the party, but, in common with his asso- ciates on that occasion, was defeated. He was a delegate to the national con- vention which nominated George B. McClellan for President in 1864, has many times served as delegate to State conventions, and has been probably twenty years a member of the Democratic State Committee. He has always been earnest and active in party work, and never " cut a ticket " nominated by a Dem- ocratic convention.
Mr. Stahle has always been a progressive citizen, and contributed both effort and means towards bringing two railroads into Gettysburg from Hanover and Car- lisle and in building gas and water works. He is serving on the Board of Direc- tors of both the gas and the water companies. In fact, all enterprises promising good to the public of the town and county have had his approval and warm sup- port, and he has been and is, in the full sense of the term, a useful citizen.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is an Odd Fellow, in both of which orders he has filled the most important local offices. He was one of the originators of the Pennsylvania State Editorial Association, and is an active member of that organization. He served a term as President, and for a number of years was a member of its executive committee.
Mr. Stahle married Louisa B., only daughter of Mr. Ezra Doll, merchant, of Frederick, Md. She has been dead about ten years. The issue of the marriage was six children, three boys and three girls, all grown and several married.
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