USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > Biographical review : v. 24, containing life sketches of leading citizens of Pittsburgh and the vicinity, Pennsylvania > Part 4
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AMES JOHNSTON PORTER, famil- iarly known as "J. J.," the head of the firm of J. J. Porter & Co., of Pitts- burg, wholesale dealers in millinery and no- tions, is one of the foremost business men of
this county. He was born October 2, 1843, on a farm in Perry County, Ohio, son of James M. and Sarah (Orr) Porter. He comes of Scotch-Irish Presbyterian stock. His grand- father, Nathan Porter, a native of the north of Ireland, settled on a farm in Cross Creek township, Ohio, about the year 1800, and there spent the rest of his life.
James M. Porter was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, about 1812, and remained there until after his marriage. In 1842 he pur- chased from the government, at one dollar and a quarter per acre, one hundred and sixty acres of land in Perry County, to which he thereupon moved his family and household goods in a covered wagon. His purchase was on the head-waters of Sunday Creek, in the centre of the coal and oil fields of to-day. Knowing nothing of the mineral treasures hidden beneath his land, he worked industri- ously to cultivate it, but he had gathered only two harvests, when he died in 1844. His son, James J., now owns the land, holding the original patents from the government. His wife, Sarah, was a daughter of Thomas Orr, a Scotch-Irish immigrant, who came to this country in 1790. A man of energy and abil- ity, Thomas Orr was an officer in the War of 1812, Sheriff of the county in 1814, and an active and prominent church member. He died in 1828. He was married in Ireland to Catherine Johnston, who bore him twelve children. Mrs. Sarah Porter returned to her early home in Steubenville, Ohio, after her husband's death, and died in 1866.
James Johnston Porter, the only son of his parents, was educated in public and private schools in Steubenville. He obtained his first ideas of business in the store of G. Scott & Co., of Steubenville, dealers in dry goods, trimmings, and millinery, entering Mr. Scott's employ in 1860. Mr. Scott died in
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1868, and in 1869 a new firm was formed, of which Mr. Porter was a member. The name was J. H. Hawkins & Co. They conducted a successful business for four years; and then, in 1873, two of the partners, Mr. Porter and Mr. Donaldson, opened a store in Pittsburg at 127 Wood Street, with the sign Porter, Don- aldson & Co. All the members of the Steu- benville house were interested in this estab- lishment, and were soon in command of a flourishing trade. Two years after opening the establishment they moved to the corner of Fifth Avenue and Liberty Street. In the latter part of January, 1878, Messrs. Porter and Donaldson sold their shares in the Steu- benville business, and bought all the stock of the Pittsburg store. The firm name was then changed to Porter & Donaldson. In 1882 they moved into their present commodious quarters, Nos. 820, 822, and 824 Liberty Avenue, where they occupy the whole of five floors and the basement. On January I, 1892, Mr. Donaldson having retired, the firm name was changed to J. J. Porter & Co. Dur- ing all the changes in management and loca- tion Mr. Porter has been a leading spirit in the enterprise, and much of its success is due to his ability and judgment. From fifty to one hundred and fifty hands are now employed in the establishment, according to the season ; and the trade embraces a circuit of three hun- dred miles, extending into Indiana, Ohio, and Western Virginia.
Mr. Porter was married December 18, 1890, to Miss Mary Clokey, of Springfield, Ohio. He and his wife are members of the First United Presbyterian Church of Allegheny. In the society he has been an Elder since 1883, is a member of the Ways and Means Committee, and he has been the superintend- ent of the Sunday-school for twelve years. In 1883 he was the treasurer of the Quarter-
centennial Commission of the United Presby- terian Church, taking an active part in raising the seven hundred thousand dollars which was that year devoted to missions and other church work. He is at present serving on the Board of the Young Men's Christian Association.
QSEPH HORNER, A.M., D.D., LL.D., who has been for nearly thirty years the agent of the Methodist Book Concern in Pittsburg, is a man of profound scholarship and pleasing personality. He was born in Boroughbridge, Yorkshire, one of the prettiest spots in England, son of Charles and Elizabeth (Morrill) Horner. The father, who was born in the township of Beadle, Yorkshire, was a first-class mason. and followed the business of contractor and builder in his native land for some time. In 1832, with his wife and family, he came to America, and, settling in Pittsburg, was soon in control of a prosperous building and con- tracting business. An eloquent and zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church, he acted as local preacher for some time in his native land, and in this city was a prominent church member, serving the society as class leader and in other capacities.
Joseph Horner was a child when his parents settled in Pennsylvania. He received his early education in a private school taught by Samuel Ker, a noted educator of that day, and he afterward graduated from Duff's Com- mercial College. Obtaining employment then as a book-keeper for the firm of I. & A. Patterson, leading contractors and builders of the locality, he worked for them six years. He then entered the Western University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in the class of 1848. Among his classmates were Judge John H. Bailey and Judge Chris.
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Magee; Colonel A. S. Morgan, at one time the commandant of the United States Arsenal in Pittsburg; and James D. Lange, who after- ward won prominence among the railroad magnates of New York. In 1850 Mr. Horner entered himself as a law student in the office of John A. Wills, Esq., of Pittsburg. While not taking kindly to the law, he showed a. natural bent for the ministry. Subsequently, with the purpose of following this calling, he entered the Pittsburg Methodist Episcopal Conference in 1850, and devoted his time to studying theology and to writing. At this time, stationed at Manchester, now a part of Allegheny City, he acted as junior preacher of the Conference, and he contributed much valuable matter to the local papers and the Methodist Quarterly Review. He was or- dained Deacon in 1852 and Elder in 1854. There were six churches in this circuit, and his labors were shared by another preacher. In 1853 he was placed in charge of the Fay- ette Spring Mission. He continued in active pastoral work until 1869. In October, 1868, he was appointed Pittsburg agent of the Meth- odist Book Concern, and entered immediately on his duties. The office at that time was on Wood Street, near the corner of Fourth Avenue. In April, 1869, it was moved to the corner of Smithfield Street and Virgin Alley ; and the next move was in 1894, when the present commodious headquarters were opened to the public. The building is a handsome eight-story brick edifice. The first floor and basement are devoted to the Book Concern's business; and on the seventh floor, besides a chapel, are the editorial rooms and the office of the Pittsburg Christian Ad- vocate, the local denominational paper, of which Dr. Charles W. Smith is the editor. Mr. Horner has written and published many articles of interest, always following an un-
usual vein. His first production, published in the Methodist Quarterly Review, was a dramatization of Solomon's Song, entitled "Solomon's Song Retranslated, Arranged, and Annotated." Other articles which at- tracted attention were: "Christianity and the War Power"; "The Baptism of Naaman, the Leper," a treatise on immersion; "Where is the Ramah of Samuel?" an article on the birthplace of Jesus, and one on the chro- nology of the infancy, taking up and refuting the views of Renan, the brilliant French in- fidel. Study has always been Mr .. Horner's luxury. He has recently given much atten- tion to research in chronology as connected with the developments of modern scholarship in relation to the Assyrian monuments. For twenty-six years he has been the treasurer of the funds of the Pittsburg Conference, and he was a member of the General Conference in 1872 and 1876. In the latter year he was secretary of the Committee on the State of the Church. He is a trustee of the Alle- gheny College, Beaver Seminary, and Pitts- burg Female College. In his younger days he was connected with a number of literary clubs and societies. He cast his first vote in the ranks of the Whigs, and has been for many years identified with the Republican party. When he was a boy he took an active part in juvenile temperance work, becoming interested at the time of the Washingtonian movement in 1840.
Mr. Horner was first married in June, 1853, to Caroline, daughter of John McCracken, M. D., of Pittsburg. The four children born of the marriage were: Charles S., a resident of this city; Martha E., the wife of George T. Bushfield, a Pittsburg grocer; John McC., who died in 1888; and James Richey Horner, M. D., of Allegheny, who is now in London making a special study of brain and nerve
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disorders. The mother died in 1863. Mr. Horner contracted a second marriage on May 16, 1866, with Margaret Lusk, a daughter of Thomas Lusk, of Allegheny. Of the three children born of this union two died in in- fancy. The other, Joseph T., graduated from Western University in 1896, with the degree of E. E. He is a member of the London Society of Biblical Archaeology.
R. W. A. OTTO WUTH, senior member of the firm Wuth & Staf- ford, consulting and analytical chemists at 516 Market Street, Pittsburg, was born in December, 1833, in Wiesbaden, Ger- many, son of Dr. Francis and Wilhelmina (Wilhelmj) Wuth. His ancestors for several generations have been people of culture, well known in science and law. Christian Charles Wuth, his grandfather, who spent his seventy years of life in Germany, and was a valued member of the Medical Council, had four sons. Dr. Francis Wuth died in the Father- land in 1845, at the early age of thirty-five years, having already won a place of promi- nence in the medical profession. He married Wilhelmina Wilhelmj, one of the ten chil- dren, three sons and seven daughters, of August Wilhelmj, who was a lifelong resi- dent of Germany and for many years the President of the Supreme Court of Cassation. The celebrated violin player, Wilhelmj, is an own cousin of the subject of this sketch.
Dr. W. A. O. Wuth is the only one living of the three children born to his parents. He received a collegiate education in Wiesbaden, where he was fitted for the University of Heidelberg, from which he was graduated in 1856. Three years later he came to America with the intention of devoting himself to the profession of chemist. From that time until
the latter part of 1864 he was engaged with the Pennsylvania Salt Company. Resigning his position at that time, the present firm of Wuth & Stafford was formed, and has since carried on an extensive business. Dr. Wuth has become well known in scientific circles, having won a reputation for knowledge and skill in his profession, and being considered an authority on all subjects connected there- with. Taking an active interest in the wel- fare of his adopted country, he is a stanch Republican. He is a member of the Heidel- berg University Society.
The Doctor was married in January, 1873, to Miss Camilla B. Barclay, daughter of Josiah and Jane (Smith) Barclay. Two children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Wuth - Bar- clay and Berthold - both of whom are college students. Mrs. Wuth is a member of the Daughters of the Revolution, her great-grand- father, Colonel Hugh Barclay, having been an officer in the Revolutionary War. She is a member of the Episcopal church,
AMUEL A. PICKERING, an en- terprising furniture dealer of Pitts- burg, was born in the city of Alle- gheny, June 1, 1874, son of Thomas and Mary H. Pickering. The father, a native of Blackburn, England, was a descendant of an old English family, which had lived in that town for several generations. Having grown to manhood in Blackburn, he came to America about the year 1870, and soon became inter- ested in the retail carpet trade in Allegheny. He afterward moved to Pittsburg, and opened a furniture and carpet store on Penn Avenue and Tenth Street, where he did a large and constantly growing business up to the time of his death in December, 1892. His five chil- dren are: Moses, who does business with his
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brother Samuel; Alice, the wife of George E. House, of Wheeling, W. Va .; Sadie, who is married to R. P. McChesney, of Pittsburg; Thomas, now in Colorado; and Samuel A. Pickering, the subject of this sketch. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and his wife were for many years active supporters of the Trinity Episcopal Church of Pittsburg.
After attending the public schools of Pitts- burg and Allegheny, Samuel A. Pickering took a commercial course in the business col- lege of Iron City. Finishing his schooling at the age of seventeen, he entered the store of his father as clerk. He had served in this capacity only one year when, owing to his thorough knowledge of business principles, he was taken into the firm. On the death of his father Mr. Pickering took full charge of the business, and through his efficient man- agement it so increased as to oblige him to erect a new store. This building, which was begun in June, 1895, is one of the finest of its kind in the city. It is much larger than the old building, extending one hundred and ten feet on Tenth Street and forty-two feet on Penn Avenue, and rising seven stories high, thus giving a floor area of more than thirty- two thousand square feet. The brick used in the construction of the outer walls is of a buff color, and the front is ornamented with terra cotta trimmings. It is occupied entirely by the business of Mr. Pickering, and is among the largest houses in the city devoted exclu- sively to the furniture line. The number of persons employed in this store is over fifty, while the yearly sales amount to nearly three hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Pickering gives his entire attention to his business, and it is owing to this incessant industry, as well as to his business ability, that he has been so successful. Few men of his years have
reached so high a position in the business world. Mr. Pickering and his mother live in the East End, where they have recently built a new residence on Stanton Avenue.
RTHUR AMEISEN, of the firm of Ameisen & Kremery, who conduct an Austro-Hungarian law and collec- tion business in Pittsburg, was born at Cracow, Austria, July 25, 1870, son of Leo and Emily (Mandel) Ameisen. His father is still living in Cracow, which has been his home for many years, the ancestral residence being known as Newsandec. Mr. Ameisen received his education in the public schools of Cracow and in the gymnasium of St. Ann. Subsequently he entered the office of a news- paper owned by his uncle, where he remained for about three years engaged in editorial work. During this time he became familiar with the French and English languages, both of which he speaks fluently. On May 21, 1891, he came to the United States, and immediately entered the Austro-Hungarian consular service, in which he remained until January, 1895, working under Max Schamberg, who was then Consul. Mr. Schamberg had been carrying on an extensive Austro-Hun- garian law and collection business. This, on retiring from the consularship in 1895, he transferred to Messrs. Ameisen & Kremery, who are continuing it at the same office where it has been carried on for the past thirty years. Mr. Ameisen, who had previ- ously become familiar with the details of the business, has been able to carry it forward most successfully. He has fifteen correspond- ents in Austria-Hungary, and manages all the business for the many people of that country who are settled here. The work is conducted in six different languages.
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While in the consular service Mr. Amei- sen began reading law, and was the first stu- dent enrolled in the recently organized law department of the Western University of Pennsylvania. He began his course of study there in 1895, and graduated in June, 1897, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. An article written by him and published in the Western University Courant, entitled "Suggestions to the Educators of the Bar," advocating a reform and the enlargement of the curriculum of legal studies, attracted much attention and favorable comment from lawyers and judges throughout the State. Mr. Ameisen was editor of the legal depart- ment of the Western Pennsylvania Courant throughout his entire course in the college, and conducted it in a most able manner.
EORGE H. ATKINSON, United States Inspector of Boilers for the Pittsburg District, and a native of Pittsburg, was born in November, 1831, on Penn Avenue, below Fourth Street, son of James and Charlotte (Hirst) Atkinson. His grandfather, Henry Atkinson, described as a "regular Covenanter," thereby implying a Scotch ancestry, followed farming for some time on Squirrel Hill. The father, who was born in the County Down, Ireland, in 1806, came with his parents in 1812 to Pittsburg, when the place was a mere village. He was educated here, and his first work for wages was performed on the river steamers. In the course of time he became captain, in which capacity he was employed for many years. After re- tiring from that occupation, he was appointed general agent of the Citizens' Insurance Com- pany, which position he held for thirty-three years, witnessing in that period a large in- crease in the business of the company. In
politics he was a Democrat up to 1856, when the new Republican party was organized here. His wife, Charlotte, was born in Chambers- burg, Pa., daughter of George Hirst, who served as a soldier in the Black Hawk War, conducted a paper-mill in Lawrenceville. since annexed to the city, and was one of the first paper makers of Pittsburg, having been born near Philadelphia or Darby. She died at the age of sixty-seven years, leaving a family of six children. Of these Henry and George H. are living. James Atkinson, Jr., the eld- est of those who reached maturity, was for a number of years superintendent of the city water-works. Both parents were members of the Second Presbyterian Church. Later they united with the Central Church, in which the father was an Elder.
George H. Atkinson first attended the West Ward Public School, situated on Ferry Street. After the removal of his parents to Pitt town- ship now the Eleventh Ward, his studies were continued in the schools of that locality, and later he became a pupil of Duquesne Col- lege. Upon leaving the latter institution, he was apprenticed with Knapp, Ward & Co., and later with Knapp & Totten to learn engine building. Subsequently he went on the river as an engineer, running boats from Pittsburg to New Orleans, across the Gulf, and to St. Paul and other places. When the Civil War broke out he joined the Missis- sippi squadron of the northern naval service. and was first assistant engineer successively on the ironclads "Pittsburg " and "Caron- delet." After the fall of Vicksburg, in the siege of which he assisted, he was promoted to the post of chief engineer. He was in the engagements at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Island No. 10, Fort Pillow, at Memphis and Vicksburg, and in the Red River expedition, besides many minor actions. Commissioned
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in September of 1861, he had served in the war for more than four years when he was dis- charged in December, 1865. Soon after his return home he was appointed under Presi- dent Johnson's administration Inspector of Steamship Boilers for the Pittsburg District, the largest district in the West excepting those of New Orleans and St. Louis. Since then he has held that position continuously, with the exception of two years during Mr. Cleveland's first administration, thus being one of the oldest of the Federal officers in point of service, and practically in the pay of the government since 1861. Mr. Atkinson is a member of Union Veteran Legion, No. 1, a life member of Washington Lodge, F. & A. M., and of Duquesne Chapter.
In 1861 Mr. Atkinson married Rosa M. Stewart. Having lost her father when quite young, she and her mother resided for a time with her grandfather, Archibald Kerr, well- known and esteemed in Washington, Pa. At a later date her mother came to Pittsburg. Here subsequently Mrs. Atkinson taught school in the Seventh Ward, now the Eleventh Ward. Her parents were James and Malvina (Kerr) Stewart, both members of the Presby- terian church and throughout their lives ac- tive workers in that society. Mrs. Atkinson has been the mother of four children. Of these two died in infancy, and a son, George, died when twenty years of age. The fourth, Charlotte K., resides with her parents. The family, which formerly dwelt on Centre Avenue, now lives in Park Place at the east side of Pittsburg, the most beautiful residen- tial part of the city. Mr. Atkinson attends and supports the Presbyterian church, and his wife and daughter are prominent in the church work and devoted to its interests. In poli- tics he has always been an active Republican, and has been delegate to different conventions.
He was a member of the Grand Central Re- publican Club, and was its vice-president dur- ing Lincoln's first campaign.
ALTER URE, M.D., one of the lead- ing physicians and a respected citi- zen of Allegheny, having an office at 176 Federal Street, was born September 5, 1832, in Stirlingshire, Scotland, son of Robert and Jane (Meikleham) Ure. His grandfather, Walter Ure, as well as his mother's father, was a lifelong resident of Scotland. The latter followed the occupation of farmer.
Robert Ure, who was born in Scotland, lived in his native country until past middle life. In 1838, accompanied by his wife and children, he emigrated to America, locating in Columbus, Ohio. A short time afterward he removed to Springfield, Ohio, and thence, in 1841, to Cedar Rapids, Ia., where he re- mained until his death in 1849, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Meikleham, died in 1855. Both were deeply religious and members of the Associate Presbyterian Church, bringing up their family of six sons and two daughters in the same faith. Of their children four are now living, namely: James, a resident of Denver, Col .; William, who lives in Omaha, Neb. ; Walter, the subject of this sketch; and the Rev. David M. Ure, D.D., of West- ern Avenue, Allegheny.
Walter Ure was a little lad of six years when he crossed the broad Atlantic with his parents. He subsequently obtained his early education in the public schools of Ohio and Iowa, much aided at home by the instruction of an older sister. In the fall of 1855 he en- tered Miami College, from which he was grad- uated in 1859. Coming then to Allegheny,
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WILLIAM H. GRAHAM.
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he studied medicine and theology until the breaking out of the war, when he was made assistant surgeon of the United States Volun- teers, a special rank to which he was appointed by President Lincoln, his appointment being confirmed by the Senate. After serving a year he returned to Allegheny, where he resumed the study of medicine; and in the spring of 1866 he received his degree in the School of Physicians at New York City. Since that time Dr. Ure has been actively and success- fully engaged in the practice of his profes- sion in this city, where he has gained a wide reputation for skill, and built up an extensive patronage. In politics he is a strong Repub- lican.
Dr. Ure was married March 15, 1887, to Miss Margaret Grove, daughter of Fred and Mary (Ray) Grove. Of their six children Mary Ray, Frances, David M., and Cather- ine Hukill are living. Walter died July 29, 1891; and Elwood, September 15, 1893. The Doctor and Mrs. Ure are held in the highest esteem in the community, and are valued members of the Fourth United Presby- terian Church.
ILLIAM H. GRAHAM, a promi- nent business man of Pittsburg, was born in Allegheny City, August 3, 1844, son of Harrison and Elizabeth (Thorn- ley) Graham. His grandfather, William Graham, an Englishman, who had been a sea captain in his own country, was an early set- tler in Allegheny, where he kept a grocery. William died while the Civil War was waging, being then over eighty years old. Robert, one of his two sons, is now the president of the Bible College of Kentucky. His other son, Harrison Graham, with his wife came to this country from a locality in England near Manchester, in 1830, locating in Philadel-
phia. After living there for a few years, they travelled over the mountains by wagon, and settled in Allegheny. Harrison was a rope- maker and a confectioner. He died in Pitts- burg of cholera in 1854. His wife is still living. They were both members of the Christian church. Of their eight children Sarah, Mary J., William H., John B., Mar- garet, and Harry are living. Sarah is the wife of C. L. Netting; Mary J. is the wife of Richard Theophilus; and Margaret is the wife of H. A. Spangler, of Allegheny .. Harry is employed in the office of the Recorder of Deeds, Pittsburg.
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