USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsylvania : comprising a historical sketch of the county, by Samuel T. Wiley, together with more than five hundred biographical sketches of the prominent men and leading citizens of the county > Part 104
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works which are still in operation. They were the first mills in the world in which compound high and low pressure vertical engines were introduced as motive power for train rolls. The general plan of the mill and machinery was his own arrange- ment. Mr. Griffen was elected burgess of Phoenixville in 1857, and subsequently be- came a member of the school board. He was largely instrumental in improving the schools and in the erection of the present fine school buildings of the borough, the plans of which he designed and the building of which he superintended. He was a mem- ber of the famous bridge building firm of Clarke, Reeves & Co., and was, a good draughtsman. He drew the plans for many of the finest residences in and around Phœ- nixville. In 1837 Mr. Griffen married Esther Liggett, of New York city, by whom he had five children, all but one of whom preceded him to the grave. His first wife died in 1849, and two years later he married her sister, Mary E. Liggett, and to this sec- oud marriage was also born a family of five children. The eldest, Robert, was a grad- wate of the naval school at Annapolis, Maryland, and served in the United States navy. He died of yellow fever while in the service of his country. Another is Henry R. Griffen, general manager of the Griffen Enameled Brick Company, whose works are at Oaks, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. but whose main office is in the Times build- ing, New York city. Mrs. Mary E. Griffen is of English descent, a member of the Epis- copal church, and now resides at Phoenix- ville.
George S. Griffen was reared principally at Phoenixville, this county, and received his carly education in the common schools here. After leaving school he took a thor-
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
ough course in civil engineering at the Rensselaer Polytechnic institute, Troy, New York, being graduated from that institu- tion in the class of 1874. Soon after grad- uation he removed to Illinois, and for five years was engaged in civil engineering in the southern part of that State. In 1879 Mr. Griffen came to Phoenixville and en- gaged in the pottery business here. From that time until his death he maintained his connection with that enterprise, though the firm was changed several times. It is now known as the Griffen China Company, which succeeded to the business formerly owned by Griffen, Love & Co., and they manufacture what is known to the trade as white granite ware. The company has a capital stock of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dol- lars. The capacity of their factory is one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars' worth of goods per year, and they furnish work for one hundred and fifty employees. The works were originally small, but have been greatly enlarged and improved from time to time, as the necessities of the in- creased business demanded. The white granite ware produced here is among the best of its kind in the world, and has a steady sale in all parts of the country.
In political sentiment George S. Griffen was a republican, and like his father and grandfather, a member of the Society of Friends. He served three terms as a meni- ber of the borough council, and was very popular among all classes. In addition to his other business he was president of the Phoenixville Gas Light and Fuel Company, and took an active interest in the improve- ment and development of his town and county. Mr. Griffen never married, and his death, which resulted from apoplexy, oc- curred January 27, 1893.
J AMES G. PARKER, the present active and energetic sheriff of Chester county, who was successfully engaged in the mer- cantile and insurance business for nearly twenty years, is a son of Thomas W. and Rachel (Gawthrop) Parker, and was born in Pocopson township, Chester county, Penn- sylvania, June 12, 1847. The Parkers are of English lineage, and the name is found at an early period in the civil and religious records of the county. Benjamin Parker, the paternal grandfather of Sheriff Parker, was born and reared in Pocopson township, from which he removed to East Marlbor- ough, where he died. He was principally engaged in farming. He was an old-line whig and republican in politics, married and reared a family. His son, Thomas W. Par- ker (father), was born near Lenape, in Po- copson township, on a farmi now owned by Edward Brinton. He was reared and re- ceived his education in his native township, and then engaged in farming, which he fol- lowed until 1854, when he was elected clerk of the courts of Chester county. At the end of his term of office, in 1857, he reurned to farming and purchased a farm in North- brook township, on which he resided until his death, April 10, 1869. He was an in- dustrious and well respected mau, a consis- tent and useful member of the Society of Friends, and held membership for many years in West Chester Lodge, No. 322, Free and Accepted Masons. He married Rachel Gawthrop, and to them were born five chil- dren, three of whom died young. The two who lived to reach maturity were James G., the subject of this sketch, and Mary, the wife of James W. Daly, foreman in a ma- chine shop at Philadelphia.
James G. Parker was reared on his father's farm, received his education in the public
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OF CHESTER COUNTY.
schools, Concordville academy and the State Normal schools, and after the death of his father, in 1869, was engaged in farming for one year. IIe then disposed of his farming interests and embarked in the general mer- cantile business, which he followed snecess- fully at Parkesburg for fourteen years. At the end of that time he came to West Ches- ter, where he was engaged for three years in the live stock insurance business and in the sale of fertilizers. On January 1, 1887, he was appointed deputy sheriff, under Sher- iff Benjamin Irey, who was accidentally killed at Fraziersville in twenty-four hours after entering upon the duties of his office. George R. Hoopes was appointed in Mr. Irey's place until the fall election, when Mr. Gallagher was elected to fill out the unex- pired term. Mr. Parker served as deputy under both Hoopes and Gallagher, and at the end of Mr. Gallagher's time was elected sheriff. He assumed charge of the office on January 1, 1890, and such has been his in- dustry and energy that with the assistance of his daughter, Ellen T., he has done all of the work of the office. Ilis services as sheriff have given good satisfaction, for he has conscientiously labored for the best in- terests of the county and its citizens.
James G. Parker married Sallie P. Hos- kins, daughter of Dr. John R. Hoskins, and they have four children : Ellen T., Florence HI., Hannah II. and Ethel S.
Sheriff Parker is a republican in politics, and a member of the Society of Friends. Although never neglectful of his party's in- terests, yet he gives his time principally to his business affairs. While in the mercan- tile business at Parkesburg, he served as postmaster of that place for fourteen years- from August 1, 1870, to Angust 1, 1884; and was secretary and treasurer of the Union
Live Stock Insurance Company for twelve years. Ile is a member and past master of Kennet Lodge, No. 340, Free and Accepted Masons, of Kennett Square, this county. Mr. Parker stands well with his own party and with the public. All publie moneys entrusted to his hands are always faithfully and accurately accounted for, and the duties of his office have always been promptly and efficiently discharged. A man of good judg- ment and recognized business ability, he is active and clear headed in whatever he undertakes, and has made a conscientious and successful public official.
WILLIAM H. MOSTELLER, M. D.,
a graduate from the medical depart- ment of the university of Pennsylvania, and now a successful practitioner at Phœ- nixville, this county, is a son of John and Mary (Brownhack) Mosteller, and was born March 21, 1859, in West Vincent township, Chester county, Pennsylvania. The Mos- tellers are of German origin, but have been residents of the United States since the rev- olutionary period, and of this county for several generations. Henry Mosteller, pa- ternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a very prosperous farmer of West Vincent township in his day, and owned three or four fine farms there. He was a Jacksonian democrat in politics, and a strict adherent of the old Lutheran church. Ile died at his home in that townshipat an ad- vaneed age. He married and reared a fam- ily of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, all of whom are yet living, the eldest being now (1892) seventy years of age and the youngest forty-eight. The second of these sons, John Mosteller (father), was born on the old homestead in West
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
Vincent township in 1823, and is still a prosperous farmer of that township, hale and hearty, though the snows of sixty-nine winters have whitened his hair and chilled the enthusiasm of early youth. He is a member and elder of St. Matthew's Re- formed church, and proud of the fact that he has been an ardent democrat all his life. He has frequently been called on to fill official positions in the township, serving as school director for many years, and occupy- ing a number of other trusts. He married Mary Browuback, who is a native of Chester county, and a member of the Reformed church. The Brownbacks-originally spelled Brumbach-are one of the largest families in Chester county, and trace their ancestry back to Garrett Brownback, who came from Holland and settled in Vincent early in the eighteenth century. He owned a thousand acres of land, was the first tav- ern-keeper in these parts, and the founder of Browuback's Reformed church. His death occured in 1758. His son, Benjamin, served in the revolution. William Brown- back, maternal grandfather of Doctor Mos- teller, was a native of West Vincent town- ship, and one of a large family of children, each of whom lived to be over eighty years of age. He was a well-to-do farmer, and died in July, 1890, at the advanced age of eighty-five years.
William H. Mosteller was reared on his father's farm in West Vincent township, and received his early education in the pub- lic schools there. He afterward attended Ursinus college at Collegeville, Montgom- ery county, for a time, but on account of failing health was compelled to leave before graduation. In the fall of 1880 he entered Pickering institute, then. located at Kimber- ton, this county, where he studied for one
year, and in the autumn of 1881 matricul- ated at the university of Pennsylvania. Fron the medical department of that insti= tution he was graduated May 1, 1884, with the degree of M.D. He at once located in the northern part of West Vincent town- ship, this county, where he practiced only four months before coming to Phoenixville, in October, 1884. Here he opened an office, and has conducted a large and lucrative practice ever since. He makes a specialty 'of chronic and nervous diseases, in treating which he has been very successful. His office is on the second floor of No. 19 South Ninth street, where he may be found every day between the hours of ten and four.
On November 18, 1885, Dr. Mosteller was united in marriage to Mary D. Custer, a daughter of David Custer, of the village of Fairview, Montgomery county, this State.
Following the political traditions of his family, Dr. Mosteller is an ardent democrat, and is now serving as president of the Phœ- nixville Democratic club. He is a member of the American Legion of Honor, and of the Reformed church of Phoenixville. For a period of seven years he was annually re- elected to the postion of superintendent of the Sunday school here, and for four years he has been president of the Chester County Reformed Sunday school convention. Dr. Mosteller is a prominent member of the Chester County Medical society, and also of the Spring City and Parker's Ford Inter- County Medical society, of which latter he was one of the founders and is now vice- president and one of its permanent commit- tee on surgery.
W ILLIAM E. WHANN, the well- known manufacturer of the popular "Chester valley phosphate," at Atglen, and
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OF CHESTER COUNTY.
one of the successful business men who have given this county her wide reputation throughout the country, is a son of Thomas and Alvyra (Duvall) Whann, and a native of Chester county, having been born near Strickersville, December 10, 1855. He was reared on the old homestead there, and re- ceived his edueation in the public schools of that town. When about nineteen years of age he went to Richmond, Virginia, where he was employed for two years as superin- tendent of a fertilizer plant in that city. After leaving Richmond he returned to Pennsylvania, and about 1876 settled at At- glen and embarked in the manufacture of phosphate on his own account. He has been continuously engaged in that business ever since, and has become very successful, making a superior article, which has won the confidence of agriculturists and finds a ready sale over a wide expause of territory in this and adjoining states. His specialty is what is known as the " Chester valley phos- phate," and this brand is everywhere re- garded as a synonym for first-class goods that are always equal to the published analy- sis. In addition to his factory at Atglen Mr. Whann is also interested in two other phosphate factories in this State, both of which are prosperous and do a thriving business.
In 1879 William E. Whann married Mary A. O'Mara, of Kansas City, Missouri. She died in 1884, leaving two daughters: Edith and Alice. In February, 1887, he was wed- ded to Emma J. Ewing, of Atglen, this county.
Politically Mr. Whann is a democrat, and while never taking a prominent part in prac- tical polities, yet gives his party a loyal sup- port on all leading issues, and takes a deep interest in all questions affecting the public
welfare. Ile is a member of the Presby- terian church of Atglen, and takes high rank as a useful citizen and an intelligent, pro- gressive and successful business man.
The Whanns are of Scotch-Irish extrac- tion, but resident in Pennsylvania since about 1770, when James Whann, great- grandfather of the subject of this sketch, left his native place in the north of Ireland to find a new home in the western world. Soon after landing in America he settled near Strickersville, in the lower end of Ches- ter county, where he passed the remainder of his days in agricultural pursuits. He purchased several hundred acres of land there, part of which is yet owned by some of his direet descendants, and there he died at an advanced age. Among his sons was Thomas Whann (grandfather), who was born on the homestead, near Strickersville, became a farmer and spent his life in the cultivation of the home farm, dying at a good old age. His son, Thomas Whann (father), was born in 1802, on the old home- stead, where he grew to manhood and re- ceived such education as was afforded by the schools of that day. After attaining his majority he engaged in farming, and that continued to be his principal occupation dur- ing life. Ile died in 1885, in his eighty- third year, having been a member of the Presbyterian church nearly all his life, an elder during forty-five years, and trustee of his church for half a century. Politically he was a demoerat, and became a prominent man in his part of the county. Though al- ways devoting his principal attention to his farm operations, in Inter life he became in- terested to some extent in the manufacture of phosphate, being one of the pioneers in that business. One of his sons, John Whann, now of Philadelphia, was the originator of
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
Whann's phosphate, which he commenced to manufacture on the old homestead, in partnership with his father, as early as 1858, and which is now so well known all over this country. Thomas Whann married Alvyra Duvall, of Ellicott's Mills, Maryland, and to them was born a family of children, two of whom were John, already mentioned, and William E., whose name heads this sketch. Mrs. Whann is of French descent, was born near Ellicott's Mills, Maryland, and now resides on the old homestead near Strickersville, this county. She is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, and greatly beloved for her kindliness of manner and many rare qualities of heart and mind.
JOHN CORNOG, a representative busi- ness nian and iron manufacturerof Down- ingtown, who furnished the stone for Girard college, Philadelphia, is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Effinger) Cornog, and was born in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1808. His paternal grandfather, John Cornog, was a native of Delaware county, where he followed farming as an occupation. He was a Jeffersonian democrat in politics, and married and had two children : Daniel and Thomas. Daniel Cornog, the father of the subject of this sketch, after arriving at manhoood removed to Radner township, Delaware county, where he followed farm- ing until his death, which occurred at an advanced age. He married Sarah Effinger, now deceased, and they were the parents of eight children, five sons and three daugh- ters, among whom were: John, Ferdinand, Charles, Anna Lindsay and Adalaide.
John Cornog was reared on his father's farm, received his education in the old sub-
scription schools of Pennsylvania, and then engaged in the marble business near Down- ingtown, which he followed for a number of years. During that time he resided in Chester valley, so as to be convenient to his work, and shipped large quantities of mar- ble to Philadelphia. He furnished all the stone used in the construction of the cele- brated Girard college of that city. When he retired from the stone and marble busi- ness, he engaged in farming and iron man- ufacturing, which he has followed ever since. His farm lies near Downingtown, and his iron plant is situated seven miles from that borough, on Brandywine creek, where he employs a force of one hundred men, and manufactures iron for rolling mill purposes.
John Cornog was united in marriage with Eleanor Van Leer, and to their union was born a family of children, among whom were: George, now engaged in the hotel business in Philadelphia; Henry and Fer- dinand, the latter now deceased.
John Cornog is intelligent, energetic and firm in his convictions of what he thinks to be right. He has always had large faith in the development of the material resources of his own county, and has been the pioneer in the line of the marble and stone trade. Amidst all the multiplied cares of his ex- tensive business he has time to think of his friends, whom he is always glad to greet and render any service within his power. Success in business life comes not to every one who embarks in commercial pursuits, and of those who have succeeded in Ches- ter county, Mr. Cornog deserves especial mention. His life has been one of activ- ity and usefulness, and iu all of his busi- ness enterprises success has attended his efforts.
Louis R. Walters.
875
OF CHESTER COUNTY.
C APT. LOUIS R. WALTERS, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, was born February 13, 1855, near that borough, where he has since lived continuously. After a preliminary education in the public schools he prepared for college under Professor (now Judge) Swartz, of Montgomery county, and entered Lafayette college in 1873, from which he was graduated as a civil engineer (C. E.) in 1877, and a year later received the degree of Master of Science (M.S.). IIe has been for a number of years a very active member of the board of education, and takes special interest in educational matters. After graduating he entered the employ of the Phoenix Iron Company, and by assiduous and close application to the company's affairs, won for himself the greatest respect and esteem, filling several responsible and important positions, such as engineer, superintendent of mills, and roll designer. He faithfully filled these positions, and continuously remained with the Phoenix Iron Company np to the time of being honored with an appointment as assistant United States treasurer at Phila- delphia. Captain Walters has always been active and prominent in party work, and has repeatedly represented his party in county, State and National conventions. It is a noteworthy faet that the candidates for whom he worked have always been success- ful. As a delegate to the Republican Na- tional convention of 1888, it is a well known fact that he was in the front rank among the members of the Pennsylvania delegation, and was a persistent champion of General Harrison, and at the critical period in the struggle was instrumental in gaining for the General twenty-three dele- gates. With great determination he cou- tinued the Harrison fight, and it was unani- 51
mously conceded that he was the standard bearer in the struggle of 1888. He was justly credited with being the original Har- rison man from the State of Pennsylvania.
Captain Walters gained his military title by organizing in Phoenixville, about twenty- one years ago, a juvenile infantry company, known as the " Whealley Cadets," which afterward became a part of the 6th regiment of the National Gnard. He was chosen cap- tain of ('o. D, 11th regiment of the National Guard of Pennsylvania, on August 7, 1873, and resigned in July, 1876,and was appointed paymaster of the 11th regiment the follow- ing month. During the Pittsburg riots he acted as adjutant of the 11th regiment, and when the National Guard was re-organized in 1878, he rejoined his old company and was nnanimously elected captain. l'nder the re-organization this company became Co. D, 6th regiment National Guard of Penn- sylvania. Captain Walters has constantly labored in the interest of the National Guards of this State, and by virtue of re-elections in 1878, 1883, and 1888, he is still in command, being fourth in the order of seniority in a list of one hundred and forty captains in the National guard of this State.
His name was prominently mentioned for the position of naval officer at the port of Philadelphia, and he had weighty endorse- ments for appointment, his backers includ- ing all the State officers, a number of con -. gressmen, State senators, representatives, the judges and connty officers of Chester, Mont- gomery and Delaware counties, members of the iron and steel association, besides other manufacturers, merchants, and influential contributors to the National campaign fund.
Captain Walters was solicited by the citi- zens of Chester county to stand for the legis- lature in 1890, but had to reluctantly refuse
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
a nomination, on account of accepting the position of assistant United States treasurer at Philadelphia, to which he was appointed August 4, 1890.
General Walters became a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle in 1886, by joining Washington Castle, No. 45, and has worked hard for the interests of the Order ever since. He entered Washington Com- mandery, No. 15, as a private in 1887, and has been promoted through that channel from ensign to sergeant, to lieutenant and captain, and in 1888 was elected major of the third battalion, 6th regiment. When the State organization was divided into two brigades he was elected brigadier general of the second brigade, which includes all the commanderies in the State outside of Phil- adelphia, comprising four full regiments of twelve companies each. He is also a mem- ber of the Union League of Philadelphia.
Captain Walters married Ada S., daughter of the late David and Andora Latshaw, and they have had four children, only two of whom, Millie and George, are now living. The Latshaws are an old family of Chester county, their residence here covering a pe- riod of nearly two hundred years.
Capt. Lonis R. Walters is a son of William and Ann Walters. His father died in March, 1858, and was a brother of George Walters, chief engineer Phoenix Iron Company. He is of German and Irish parentage. His great-grandfather, John Walters, came to America about 1762, and settled on the Schuylkill road, at a point known as the forks, the exact spot where the subject of this sketch was born. His maternal grand parents came to America from Ireland about 1802. Their name was Mc Williams, and they settled on a small lot, just about one mile south of Kimberton.
w ILLIAM DELL HARTMAN, M. D., a prominent physician of West Chester and a leading natural scientist of Pennsylvania, whose large collection of par- tula and Achinella exceed the collections of the British museum and the Jardin des Plantes of France, is a son of Major-General George and Edith W. Hartman, nee Weaver, and was born in East Pikelaud, Chester county, Pennsylvania, December 24, 1817.
William Dell Hartman grew to manhood in his native county, received a good edu- cation, and after reading medicine entered the university of Pennsylvania from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1839. After graduation he returned to West Chester, where he has been successfully en- gaged in the practice of his profession ever since.
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