USA > Pennsylvania > A biographical album of prominent Pennsylvanians, v. 3 > Part 8
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
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CLEMENT A. GRISCOM.
International Company, through its ownership and control of these companies, is practically the owner of three great transatlantic lines embracing twenty-one iron and steel steamships. The bulk of the capital of the company is owned by residents of Philadelphia, in which city the enterprise has its head-quarters. The fleet of the company consists of the four American steamers, "Pennsylvania," "Ohio," "Indiana " and "Illinois," and, notwithstanding the American lines which run between Philadelphia, Queenstown and Liverpool, the only trans- atlantic line flying the American flag ; the eleven steamers, " Nordland," " West- ernland," " Waesland," "Rhynland," "Belginland," "Pennland," "Switzerland," "Nordeland," "Vaderland," "Zuland," and a new ship of seven thousand tons burden now building and not yet named, constituting the Red Star Line, which sail between New York and Philadelphia, and New York and Antwerp, and fly the Belgian flag; and of the six steamers of the Inman Line, "City of Berlin," "City of Chicago," "City of Chester," "City of Richmond," "City of New York " and " City of Paris," sailing between New York, Queenstown and Liver- pool under the English flag. Of this large fleet all the vessels are maintained in the very highest state of excellence and efficiency. Mr. Griscom is of the opin- ion that transatlantic steamship travel is only in its infancy, and that it would greatly increase if passengers could be assured that they were to be carried in an unsinkable steamship which would be propelled by twin engines and twin screws, thus reducing the liability of a breakdown to a minimum. Mr. Griscom also expressed the opinion that the comforts of the sea voyage should, and could, be greatly increased by liberal arrangements of cabins and deck-houses, wherein elegant accommodations could be obtained by those who were willing and able to pay for them, and that, coupled with these essential improvements, there should be a high rate of speed procured from ample machinery power; that such speed should be regularly maintained, and not only attained on occasional voy- ages. The "City of New York " and the " City of Paris" are the realization of these views which have been advocated by Mr. Griscom for several years, and are the boldest and yet most practical conceptions of sea-going accommodations ever yet designed, requiring a faith and confidence in the appreciativeness of the travelling public that, previous to the planning of these vessels, had never been recognized by the managements of any other prominent steamship lines. Other companies are now, however, following these ideas, so that to Mr. Griscom is due the credit of having inaugurated a change for the better that will greatly benefit the entire travelling public who have occasion to cross the Atlantic, no matter by what line. It has always been Mr. Griscom's theory that the Ameri- can public would pay liberally for a good thing, especially if it contributed to their safety as well as comfort; and it was this firm conviction which gave him courage to enlist, to a large extent, his own capital and that of his friends in this new era of ocean travel.
Mr. Griscom occupies, in the winter season, a comfortable and handsome house on Spruce street, Philadelphia, and in the summer resides at his attractive
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CLEMENT A. GRISCOM.
country-seat " Dolobran," near Haverford Station on the main line of the Penn- sylvania Railroad, which is so named in compliment to his mother, after the old seat of the Lloyd family in Wales. Being fond of agricultural pursuits, the at- tention required to look after the place is a relief from the cares of his commer- cial business, and he finds agreeable recreation and amusement in raising stock and in riding and driving his horses. His fondness for horses, which has been lifelong, is shared by his children, who have all ridden with him, mounted on ponies or horses, according to their age, from the time they were able to sit alone in the saddle, and not unfrequently the whole family may be seen out together for a gallop over the beautiful roads in the neighborhood.
Mr. Griscom is a member of the Philadelphia Club, the Rittenhouse Club, the Union League of Philadelphia, the New York Yacht Club and the Farmers' Club, composed of wealthy landholders in Pennsylvania, who are husbandmen for recreation and not for profit. He married, on June 18, 1862, Frances Canby Biddle, daughter of William Canby and Rachel M. Biddle. They have five children living-Helen Biddle Griscom, Clement Acton Griscom, Jr., Rod- man Ellison Griscom, Lloyd Carpenter Griscom and Frances C. Griscom. Clement, the eldest son, graduated at the University of Pennsylvania, class of 1887, and is now in the office of Peter Wright & Sons. The other two boys are studying in the same university.
C. R. D.
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F. GUTEKUNST.
PHILA
JAMES KERR.
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JAMES KERR.
J AMES KERR, member of the Fifty-first Congress from the Twenty-eighth Dis- trict of this State, and an extensive lumberman and coal operator of Clear- field county, was born in Mifflin county, October 2, 1851. In the fall of 1859, when he was eight years of age, his mother with her family removed to Blair county, and thence, in 1865, to Osceola, Clearfield county. Two years later, when only sixteen years old, the youth came to Clearfield, where he has since resided, and where the orphan boy of Mifflin county has won the confidence and respect of the community, and is regarded as among the leading citizens.
James Kerr was educated in the common schools of the neighborhood in which he resided, with the addition of a term in a private school at Phillipsburg, Centre county. But he was so attentive to his duties, and so intelligent in his endeavor, that he acquired a more than ordinary fund of knowledge and a superior equipment for the battle of life. He began very early to earn for him- self, and embarked in business, after he had taken up his residence in Clearfield, as a clerk in a general store. From 1867 until 1873 he was a faithful subordinate in the mercantile line, and during that time not only won the confidence of his employers, but the friendly interest of a very large circle of acquaintances.
In 1873, encouraged by assurances of friendship from a great many of the leading citizens, Mr. Kerr engaged in the mercantile business on his own account. It was an unpropitious time for new business enterprises, and before the year was out the country was suffering from the greatest financial panic of modern times. But Mr. Kerr built up a large and lucrative trade. He continued in that voca- tion until 1876, when he sold his establishment and engaged in the insurance business. In that branch of effort he was the pioneer in the county, and was successful in the matter of procuring an extensive and profitable patronage. He not only introduced the business in the county, but controlled it for several years.
At the same time Mr. Kerr became interested in other lines of trade, and gave some attention to real-estate and coal operations. In these he was successful, and before long the business had so grown on his hands that it was necessary to abandon some of his enterprises. Accordingly, he sold the insurance business in 1882 and engaged in the lumber trade in earnest. His practice was to buy tracts of land in fee and cut timber from them, and, as in frequent cases he acquired in the same purchase valuable coal property, he concluded, in 1885, to operate both, and the result is that he is now extensively engaged in developing the coal lands on the line of the Beech Creek Railroad in Clearfield county, and producing bituminous coal in the same section. He is the General Manager of the Oshanter and Cuba Coal Companies, both of which are extensive concerns.
Mr. Kerr laid out the village of Kerrmoor in the lumber region of Clearfield
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AMOS ROGERS LITTLE.
A' MOS R. LITTLE, who for the past forty years has occupied a prominent place in the mercantile circles in Philadelphia, and is well known as one of her most public-spirited citizens, was born in the town of Marshfield, Mass., July 27, 1825 ; but from his early manhood, having been identified with his adopted State, he may fairly be considered a representative Pennsylvanian. His father was Edward P. Little, a respected and influential native and resident of Marsh- field during the first half of the nineteenth century, who, at nine years of age, accompanied his father, Com. George Little, U. S. N., to sea, having been appointed a midshipman by President John Adams, and was on board the frigate " Boston " at the time of the capture by that ship of the French frigate " Versue" off the West Indian Islands in 1801. From 1828 to 1845, with the exception of two sessions, he represented his district in the State Legislature of Massachusetts, and was also a Representative in Congress from his State.
Mr. Little is a direct descendant of Thomas Little, who came from Devonshire, England, and, as it is stated in some old papers that he brought with him in 1630 four bound men servants, it is reasonably conjectured that he was of an affluent family. In 1633 he married, at Plymouth, Mass., Ann, one of the daugh- ters of the pilgrim, Richard Warren. About the year 1650 he moved to Marsh- field, where he located and built himself a house. His eldest son, Thomas, was killed by the Indians at the Rehoboth fight in 1676. Ephraim, the third son, married Mary Sturtevant in 1672. John, the third son of Ephraim, married Constance Forbes. Their son, Thomas Little, was the father of George Little, above referred to as a commodore in the navy of the United States and one of Massachusetts' revolutionary heroes. His son, Edward P. Little, married Miss Edy Rogers, a daughter of Mr. Joseph Rogers, who was a direct descendant of the noted John Rogers, one of the most famous of the martyrs of the Refor- mation. Of this marriage Amos R. Little was born.
Mr. Little's birthplace was within a few miles of the home of Daniel Webster, and he was, upon many occasions, the companion of the " Great Expounder " on gunning and fishing excursions. The taste then acquired for these recreations he has retained through life, and to this he largely attributes his continued health, for he has made it a rule to put aside the cares of business at least twice a year in order to indulge in these manly sports in a rational manner.
Until he was nineteen years of age he led the usual life of a well-to-do farmer's son : attending school near his home at first, and then studying for a time at a school under the care of the Society of Friends in Providence, R. I., and later at a school at Sandwich, Mass. Industrious habits and a receptive and retentive mind enabled him to turn his opportunities to excellent account, and at the expiration of his last school term he had acquired an excellent education.
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AMOS R. LITTLE.
In 1844 he bade farewell to the old homestead and came to Pennsylvania. He decided to enter upon a mercantile career, although at that time he did not possess the slightest idea of any of the duties or responsibilities attendant upon such a pursuit. His capital stock consisted only of energy, integrity, and a determination to acquire all the knowledge that was necessary for success. His first year was passed as a clerk and all-around utility man in a country store at Milestown, near Philadelphia, Pa., where his compensation was his board and five dollars per month. Here he obtained his first insight into mercantile traffic, and learned the rudiments of business with a thoroughness which was to be of inestimable service to him in the future. At the end of a year he secured a position in the wholesale commission house of Maynard & Hutton on Market street, Philadelphia, at a salary of three hundred dollars per annum, and remained with this firm for three years at a steadily increasing compensation.
In 1849 Mr. Little married Miss Anna Peterson, a daughter of the late George Peterson, then a retired merchant of the city of Philadelphia, and a direct descendant of Lawrence Peterson, the first Protestant Bishop of Sweden. In the same year he engaged in the dry-goods commission business, having as his partner his wife's brother, the late Pearson S. Peterson, under the firm-name of Little & Peterson. The title of the house underwent several changes in the - years that followed until, in 1873, it merged into the well-known firm of Amos R. Little & Co. The house passed successfully through the various seasons of financial trouble which occurred during its existence. It was for many years the agent of the celebrated Pacific Mills of Lawrence, Mass., probably the most : extensive manufactory of material for ladies' dress-goods, composed entirely of cotton or entirely of wool and of those two materials combined, that exists in the world.
In 1883 Mr. Little retired from business, and shortly afterwards started on a tour around the world accompanied by his wife. He had previously visited all the places of note in his native land when such trips could be made to contribute to his enjoyment of sport with the rod and gun. But his desire for travel and investigation was still unsatisfied, and he determined on a more extended expe- dition. Crossing the United States to California they took steamer to the Sandwich Islands, thence to New Zealand, and, in the course of their trip, visited Tasmania, Australia, China, Japan, Java, India, Egypt, Palestine, and all the principal European countries. The result of their experience and observa- tions is contained in a charming volume, written by Mrs. Little and recently published, entitled " The World As We Saw It."
Mr. Little has been prominent as an ardent advocate of reform in politics, particularly in municipal matters, and, by his strict integrity and lofty standard of private duty, has commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. He has, however, always been a staunch Republican in principle. It was only in municipal affairs, when he thought the opposing candidate was too over- whelmingly superior to the man on his party's ticket, and that it was necessary
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AMOS R. LITTLE.
to rebuke the autocratic machine methods of the so-called and self-constituted " leaders," that he voted and worked against the success of the latter. It was he who suggested and organized the famous " Committee of One Hundred," and that body of genuine reformers owed no small portion of its success to his judg- - ment and counsel. Upon the organization of the body for work he became first Vice-President, and contributed materially to the important matter of devising a plan of operations; drafting the "Declaration of Principles," and putting in motion the reform machinery which accomplished so much for the improvement of the political and official morals of the city.
In 1876, while still in active business, Mr. Little was a member of the Board of Finance of the Centennial International Exhibition, and was also Chairman of the Committee on Admissions to that great " World's Fair." His faith in the ultimate success of the enterprise, and the enthusiasm, energy and intelligence with which he prosecuted the work, greatly assisted it during the period of doubt and uncertainty through which it passed at the outset. His earnest- ness served to inspire others to increased effort in behalf of the work, and, with his liberal contribution of time and money, he may be said to have been one of the most earnest promoters of it. So efficient was his work at that time that it was but natural his services should be in demand upon the occa- sion of the Constitutional Centennial Celebration held in Philadelphia in Sep- tember, 1887; and upon the formation of the commission, composed of dis- tinguished representative citizens of. the various States, he was appointed the member for Pennsylvania by Governor Pattison, and upon their organization he was selected by the body as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the United States Commission having that remarkably successful event in charge. In this position he won new encomiums for his mastery of details, his prompt and competent settlement of the multifarious questions that came up for decision, and for the tact and ability he displayed in the management of the many subjects requiring the attention of the committee, of which he was the head. The unwearied industry, enthusiastic interest and skilful financial management then displayed by him fully justified the appointment, and verified the wisdom of his selection for the position. A portion of the money appropriated by the Legisla- ture of the State of Pennsylvania, to be expended by the Commission under the immediate direction of his committee, was returned to the State treasury; and of the large amount, mainly collected personally by Mr. Little from citizens of Philadelphia, to be used in creditably celebrating the occasion, the disbursement of which was made under his supervision, fifty per cent. was returned to the subscribers ; yet it was the universal verdict that nothing was left undone which could have increased the measure of success of the affair.
Mr. Little enjoys robust health, and, while not now actively engaged in any special business, he is interested in many corporations and enterprises, to the suc- cessful operation of which he lends his counsel and financial aid. On November 28, 1888, he was elected as a Director of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, to
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AMOS R. LITTLE.
fill the vacancy caused by the death of John Price Wetherill-a tribute to his reputation in the community for integrity, and a recognition of his business ability and standing. The selection was universally commended by the press, and in railroad, commercial and financial circles, as most fitting and judicious. He has no children, and he and his wife spend much of their time in travel and the enjoyment of the competency which is the result of his business energy and sagacity. He has been spoken of frequently as a suitable and available candi- date for different offices in the gift of the people, but prefers the quiet life of elegant leisure that it is now his privilege to enjoy to the turmoil and excitement of politics and the responsibilities of the public official.
D. G. Y.
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F. GUTEKUNST.
CHILA
JAMES S. NEGLEY
JAMES SCOTT NEGLEY.
G I ENERAL JAMES S. NEGLEY, a soldier of the war with Mexico, a Major-Gen- eral of volunteers in the war of the Rebellion, later a Representative in Congress from the Twenty-second District of this State, and now engaged in extensive business enterprises in New York, was born, December 22, 1826, in East Liberty, Allegheny county, Pa. His ancestors were Swiss, and were pioneers in the Allegheny valley, having settled near the old French Fort Duquesne, and were participants in the events connected with the French and Indian war, better known as the Seven Years' war. He was educated in the public schools of his district and at the Western University; but before his graduation, when war was declared with Mexico, he enlisted, in his nineteenth year, as a private in the Duquesne Grays, which organization became a part of the First Pennsylvania Regiment. His family invoked the aid of the law to detain him as a minor, but, persevering in his determination, he left with his company and participated in the siege and capture of Vera Cruz, and in the bat- tles of Cerro Gordo, La Perote and Las Vegas, and in the siege of Puebla, besides taking part in other engagements of the campaign, remaining with the victorious army until the American flag floated over the citadel of the Mexican capital, notwithstanding that he received while at Puebla an order from the Secretary of War for his honorable discharge.
Returning home he devoted himself to manufacturing pursuits, which he soon abandoned, and gave his attention to agriculture and horticulture. He became noted as one of the most skilful horticulturists in the country. While thus engaged, prior to the war for the preservation of the Union, he took a deep interest in military matters, and was chosen Brigadier-General of the Eighteenth Division of the State Militia by an unanimous vote. Foreseeing the civil con- flict General Negley, as early as December, 1860, made formal offer of an organ- ized brigade to the Governor of the State. But it was not until the first call was made for troops by the President, on April 17, 1861, that authority was given him, after having been summoned to Harrisburg by the Governor, to recruit and organize the volunteers. He was mustered in as a Brigadier-General of volun- teers April 19, 1861, and placed in command of the State encampment at Lan- caster, where he performed the duties devolving upon him with promptness, efficiency and fidelity, speedily raising and organizing more troops than the Government would receive. He was chosen by General Patterson to lead one of his brigades in the Shenandoah campaign in the early part of that year, and took part in the various councils of war held by that commander, and was prominent in the engagement at Falling Waters, Va.
Upon the termination of the three months' service General Negley was for a time placed in command of the volunteer camp at Harrisburg, and later on joined
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JAMES S. NEGLEY.
General Sherman's command at Louisville, Ky., with his brigade. Subsequent to the capture of Nashville his brigade became part of General McCook's division, under the command of General Buell. When the latter marched to Pittsburgh Landing, General Negley was placed in command at Columbia, Tenn., rendering valuable service in keeping open the lines of communication, and holding the enemy in check ; and when Buell pursued Bragg into Kentucky General Negley relieved General Thomas at Nashville. Here he was obliged to tax his best resources to prevent the city from falling into the hands of the enemy ; but he succeeded, and held the garrison until the morning of the 20th of October, when the victorious legions of Rosecrans came to his relief.
Under General Rosecrans, who had succeeded General Buell, General Negley became quite prominent in the operations of the army in the campaign in Ten- nessee. He distinguished himself, and was singularly successful in Middle and Eastern Tennessee, where he was engaged in actions at Santa Fé, Rogersville and Florence. He led the forces against Morgan's command at Shelbyville and General Adams at Sweeden's Cove, and at the battle of Lavergne, October 7, 1862, he was in command, and defeated the Confederates under Generals Richard H. Anderson and Napoleon B. Forrest.
At the battle of Stone River in front of Murfreesboro, which began on the very last day of the year 1862, he was in command of the Eighth Division of the Fourteenth Army Corps. He performed heroic and invaluable services through- out that memorable conflict, driving Breckinridge from his intrenchments and insuring final success to the Union arms. As an evidence of his gallantry upon this occasion, we cannot do better than quote the following from an account of the battle in Bates' " Martial Deeds of Pennsylvania :"
" Early in the morning of the 31st of December, 1862, General Rosecrans met the rebel army under General Bragg in front of Murfreesboro at Stone River. General McCook, with the divisions of Gen- erals Johnson, Davis and Sheridan, held the right of the Union line, General Thomas, with the divisions of Generals Negley and Rousseau, the latter in reserve, held the centre, and General Crittenden, with the divisions of Generals Palmer, Wood and VanCleve, held the Union left. With massed columns the rebel general attacked the Union right just at the moment that General Rosecrans was about to attack from the Union left. The latter's right wing was crushed and driven before help could reach it. Gen- eral Negley stood next with his splendid division, and made a stubborn fight. A writer in the ' Rebellion Record' says : 'Pushing out to the cedar forest, where this gallant division was struggling against great odds, General Sheridan was met bringing out his division in superb order. During all this time General Negley's command was holding its line, though fearfully outnumbered. When the right broke the latter pushed in ahead of the right wing and was driving the enemy. His troops sustained one of the fiercest assaults of the day, and the enemy was severely punished. On the afternoon of the following day the fighting was renewed on the Union left upon the other side of the river, and the foe was again driving the centre. At this juncture General Negley's division, supported by that of Davis and St. Clair Mor- ton's pioneer battalion, was immediately pushed forward to retrieve the disaster. A sanguinary conflict ensued, perhaps the most bitter of the whole battle. Both sides massed their batteries, and plied them with desperate energy. The infantry of either side displayed great valor, but Negley's unconquerable Eighth Division resolved to win. The fury of the conflict now threatened mutual annihilation ; but both brigades charged simultaneously, and drove the enemy under Breckinridge from their intrenchments, capturing a battery and the flag of the Twenty-sixth Tennessee.'"
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