USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > Commemorative biographical encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania : containing sketches of prominent and representative citizens and many of the early Scotch-Irish and German settlers. Pt. 1 > Part 87
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In 1852, believing himself qualified for
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higher responsibilities and more profitable opportunities, he removed to Elmira, N. Y., where he established a car wheel foundry and machine shop. While en route to Elmira he met traveling a prominent citizen of Harris- burg, Pa., who set before him the advantages that locality possessed for a railroad car works, but he was then too far committed to the en- terprise at Elmira to change at that time, but in 1853, a year later, he was induced to visit Harrisburg at the solicitation of several of its citizens, where he consented to take up the enterprise, and then organized the Har- risburg Car Manufacturing Company and commenced the erection of its buildings-a small works with a capacity of nine eight- wheeled cars weekly and a capital stock of $25,000 -- taking charge as manager.
In 1862 the company was entirely re-or- ganized with a capital stock of $75,000, made up from its original money paid in, and from accumulated earnings-a new departure that greatly augmented its production, employing two hundred and fifty hands. In 1864 its capital was again increased, and so success- ful had it been that in four years more its capital was raised to twelvefold the original sum, and all from earnings, besides having paid liberal cash dividends from time to time during the period. Thus in fifteen years it had risen from a modest beginning of small capacity to a large and prosperous enterprise. with over a thousand busy men in a teeming hive of industry. By his enterprise other es- tablishments grew out of the undertaking- a saw mill, planing mill and a large machine works, the property of the present enterprise.
When he first came to Harrisburg there was very little mechanical skill among the artisans of the city. Being possessed of great mechanical ability, skillful and experienced, with a mastery of all the details, he was able to lead practically, and from the crude ele- ments of mechanical attainment, bring out a body of skilled workmen, to effect which during the winter of 1853-54 he established a free school, for the instruction of his young men, in free-hand and mechanical drawing, thus cultivating them in theoretic mechanies and general intelligence for leaders to a higher skill and efficiency.
Having been a mechanic himself, among the first things receiving his attention were the interests and well-being of the workmen under his charge, endeavoring to improve their condition. Custom made the pay- ments of laboring men lax and irregular.
He commenced by adopting a weekly pay- ment of partial earnings for the weekly necessities of market, paying the balance in monthly settlements. Other methods were organized for concentrating their wants for coal and flour, which a few substantial dealers would make concessions to secure, the company paying for the same monthly, thus securing to the workmen lower prices than their individual purchases could be made by other means. He has never al- lowed one dollar to be brought to the treasury of the company by any speculation for re- duction of the money promised as wages to the workmen.
By his unselfish, persistent and sincere care of their interests he greatly endeared them to him, and they manifested to him the utmost respect and kindest regard, believing he had the heart to do them justice. In this connection it may be stated, that on his fifty-first birthday, February 6, 1873, he was the recipient of a massive silver tea service of a cost of $1,250, which was presented to him as a testimonial of affection and esteen by the employees under his control. The greatest secrecy in getting up this kind re- membrance was had, fearing if it came to his knowledge he would suppress the effort, which secrecy was successfully maintained until- being invited to meet them for a little manifestation of their kind feeling, supposed to be on his part something more of kind- ness than value. He was only undeceived when a magnificent chest of silverware was opened to his astonished gaze. It was kindly meant and gratefully received, under protest of the hope that none had been oppressed or coerced into contributing to the purchase for fear of favor to be lost. In this connection it may also be stated, that in the early history of the company, at the second annual meeting, so great was the satisfaction of the stockholders with the success of the enterprise, that the proposition was then made to present the manager with a silver service, at a cost of $650. He, on his part, having his sympathies frequently enlisted by sickness among his men or their families, instead of receiving such testimonial, re- quested that he be allowed to Ycontribnte among the men as need required, from the company's funds, an equivalent sum, which was kindly granted, and from that time for- ward it has been his policy never to let his employees suffer in sickness of themselves. or their families, oftentimes burying their
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dead, helping them by advances in slack work, to be worked out in more prosperous times, to which obligation the men have been uniformly faithful, and in case of in- jury about the works kindly care has been taken of the injured.
His mechanical faculty, perfected by dili- gent study with a life-long practice, has raised him to the highest ranks of best me- chanics in the enterprises of the Common- wealth. He has largely aided in building up the industries of Harrisburg, and added to its wealth and prosperity, disseminating many millions of dollars to its laborers, thence ramifying through all the trade of the city, and this largely from products sent to foreign states and territories.
Railroad car building has in its history periodic seasons of depression. In the panic of 1857 this was notably the condition, but a familiarity with general manufactures and mechanics enabled the manager, with the facilities of a fully equipped car works, by watchfulness to select some other branch for the employment of his facilities, and the manufacture of machinists' tools was taken up and successfully established. On the re- eovery of railroads from the distress of the panic, and renewal of business, with the growth consequent on increased population, and the neglect to keep up rolling stock, made urgent demand for new cars-a profit- able business for car works, so much so that every facility of the works could be fully used in that line, crowding out the machine business. Under these conditions twenty- two acres of land in another portion of the city were purchased, large and commodious shops built and equipped with best class machinery, the machine business removed thereto, and since carried on as the Harris- burg Foundry and Machine Works, now doing a large and flourishing business in general boiler and engine work, where great numbers of oil tanks and the company's celebrated "Ide " engine, and a great variety of other foundry, machine and boiler work are manufactured.
The large consumption of Inmber and the difficulty of keeping up assortments of sup- plies, led to the purchase, in 1865, of a fully equipped saw mill in the city, which since has been one of the active branches of the company's works, adding to the care of the manager. Five years since, the old mill and site were sold and a large new mill of modern equipment built at a more con-
venient point. In 1871, for the enlarge- ment of the works, ground was purchased at contignous points, and a large planing mill erected and equipped as a branch of the works.
On the 25th of April, 1872, a passing lo- comotive set fire to the car works, and in an hour's time, buildings, lumber, cars and everything combustible were in flames, mak- ing a total destruction of the great plant. Again the manager's mechanical experience and ability for directing working forces were tested to the utmost. At one o'clock p. m. the fire commenced, and that night the saw mill was set sawing lumber for the erection of a shop for building cars at the foundry and machine works, and by seven o'clock the next morning carpenters were at work framing the same. With the foundry and machine department and the planing mill facilities, five box cars were daily erected there during the rebuilding of the car works.
Every drawing, pattern and guide to build by had been consumed by the flames; the old works had been built small as a begin- ning, and additions made from time to time as business advanced; the total destruction of the works admitted plans more fitting to the plant, which were arranged and under the immediate direction of the manager, the busiest man in the force. The great collec- tion of large buildings, counting from the day of the fire, was erected, with shafting and machinery put in place, in ninety days' time, and turning out ten eight-wheeled finished cars daily. This when told to experienced builders seems to be incredible, but it is a fact well known to many of the citizens of Harrisburg.
Summarizing, he has within the thirty- five years since he began this enterprise, starting with $25,000, with a small plant, with crude and unskilled labor, built up this large system of works, the mechanical head and master. He retired from the ma- chine works in 1891.
During the war of the Rebellion he aided in supplying the Government with horses. He ran the first train over the Baltimore and Ohio railroad after the battle of Antie- tam.
Ile has steadily refused to seek or receive political honors, believing the responsibili- ties of an active business life was a full measure of one man's duties. Ile has had many other interests and business connec- tions besides those herein named.
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He has been a member of the Episcopal church many years, and is a contributor to the city hospital. He believes sincerely in his duty under God to his fellow-man, as taught by the gospel of Christ, has invested in his business under that command, kind- ness and paternal care over those under his direction, and while believing in it as a duty, also believes in it as a wise policy. It brings willing hands and hearts to his aid-a prime element of successful working out a prob- lem of associated life. He is a inember of the Masonic fraternity.
He has three surviving children, one son, W. T. Hildrup, Jr., associated with him in the management as secretary of the company and superintendent of the car wheel making department. He is himself now one of the oldest car wheel makers in the country, hav- ing been in it for forty years. His first wife having died, he was again married, in Octo- ber, 1876, to Miss Emma J. Piper, of Phila- delphia, a lady of high culture, a devoted and affectionate wife.
GILMORE, JAMES A., Harrisburg Bridge Company, was born in Indiana county, Pa., August 7, 1822, son of John and Elizabeth (Davies) Gilmore. The mother was a native of Carlisle and the father who was of Scotch- Irish descent, came from the North of Ire- land to America when a young man. On his arrival he enlisted in the United States army and served in the war of 1812. After the war he settled in Indiana county, and after his marriage removed from there to Carlisle, Pa., where both he and his wife died. He was a contractor and was engaged in work on the Cumberland Valley railroad. James A. left home at the early age of six- teen years and went to Duncannon, Pa., where he found work among the furnaces until 1840, when he came to Harrisburg and learned the trade of cabinet maker with Joseph R. Boyd. He worked at his trade for some years and then was employed by the State in the building of the Pennsylvania canal, worked on bridges, locks and gates for five years and subsequently was employed about the same length of time by the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company, after which he engaged with W. O. Iliekok at the Eagle Works, in the wood working department, where he remained a number of years. In 1873 he entered the service of the Harris- burg Bridge Company and took charge of the repair work on the bridge, which position
he has occupied since that time. Mr. Gil- more sent a substitute into the army. In his political views he is a Democrat but has never sought office. He was married. in 1844, to Miss Adeline Stahl, daughter of John Stahl, of Harrisburg. Their children are: Joli A., a retail merchant of Harris- burg; Mary, wife of Lalta Laverty, of Nor- wood, Delaware county ; Ida, married W. J. Poole, deceased. Mr. Gilmore is an active member of the Presbyterian church.
-BECKER, HENRY, tontmaker at the State Arsenal, was born in the city of Saarbrucken, province of Lorraine, France, May 4, 1823. He is a son of the late Philip and Caroline (Myer) Becker. His parents had born to them a family of nine children, of whom Henry, the subject of this sketch, and Will- iam P., an ex-alderman and police magis- trate, are the only living members. Henry attended a German school in his native city for two years. When seven years old he came to America with his parents in 1830 and located in what was then the suburbs of Philadelphia. He completed his education in the private schools of Port Richmond, Pa. He worked in the rope-walks of Port Rich- mond for one year. In 1836 he was bound out as apprentice to the baker's trade and worked at this business for six years. From 1839 to 1841 he was a contractor for unload- ing vessels arriving in the Schuylkill river with cargoes of wood. In the beginning of May, 18441, he shipped in the United States navy, and was assigned to the sloop-of-war Cyane, Capt. Cornelius Stribling commander. He served for five years on this vessel, dur- ing her trip to the North and South Pacific ocean, on a surveying and exploring expe- dition. In 1842 the vessel was pressed into the service to assist Commodore Jones, the naval commander of the Pacific coast, to take possession of California. In the fall of 1845 he returned to Philadelphia, and was dis- charged from the service. From 1846 to the fall of 1848 he was engaged in the merchant service between New York and London. On February 1, 1849, he removed to Harrisburg and carried on a baking business for Charles F. Muench, for one year. In 1850 he engaged in the baking business for himself and con- tinued in it till 1877. From 1877 to 1553 he was in charge of the lumber yard of Trullinger & Co. Since that date he has filled his present position in the State Arsenal. From 1860 to 1872 he fired all
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State salutes, and this duty he still performs on State occasions.
He has been twice married, his first mar- riage occurring in Harrisburg, March 26, 1850, when he was united in matrimony by Rev. Charles A. Hay to Sophia Morsh, of Harrisburg. There were no children by this marriage. Mrs. Becker died November 25, 1856. He was united in marriage the second time in Carlisle, Pa., by Rev. Mr. Hoffman, a Lutheran minister, December 24, 1858, to Margaret E. Umberger, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Smith) Umberger. To this marriage have been born nine chil- dren, six of whom are living, namely: Catherine, wife of Joseph Blackburn, resid- ing in Philadelphia; William U., residing in Harrisburg; Henry, residing in Buffalo, N. Y .; Margaret E., wife of William Shel- drake, residing in Philadelphia; Charles P., residing in Harrisburg; and Louisa, wife of John Tress, residing in Harrisburg. Mrs. Beeker died February 22, 1892.
In political views Mr. Becker is now a Republican. HIe attends the Lutheran church. Mr. Becker has been a traveler to all parts of the world and has accumulated a store of information which he readily im- parts. His ready flow of language and genial manners make him a good enter- tainer in all circles.
-BRENNEMAN, ADAM, deceased, was born in South Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., May 8, 1825. He was a son of Henry Brenneman, a native of Lancaster county. Henry Brenneman was a farmer of South Hanover township, and was killed by acci- dent while felling a tree. He had five chil- dren : Eve (Mrs. William Scheffer), of Ohio ; Adam; Mary (Mrs. Jacob Etter), deceased ; Elizabeth, deceased ; Jacob, deceased, resided in Ohio, and was a farmer and mechanic.
Adam Brenneman married Miss Harriet Stondt, and located in Lower Paxton town- ship. Thence he removed, first to Susque- hanna township, thenec to East Hanover township, and engaged in farming. When He retired from business he moved into Harrisburg, where he died in 18SS. He served as school director in East Hanover township, and helped to fill the quota from that township during the war. He was brought up in the Lutheran church, but later in life he and his wife became mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife died in 1890. They reared eight
children to maturity : Elizabeth (Mrs. Jacob C. Albert), of Harrisburg; William Il .; Adam, of Derry township; Edward, Jacob D. and Ephraim, all of Harrisburg ; Calvin, of Kansas City, Mo., and Louisa.
BRENNEMAN, WILLIAM H., was born in Lower Paxton township, May 15, 1849. Ile was educated in the public schools, at Sei- ler's Academy and by private tutors. Ile taught school in the township and at. Harrisburg for several years. In 1876 he began business as a florist, and continued until 1881, when he engaged in the manu- facture of mince meat. He does an exten- sive business in this line, shipping his pro- ducts to all parts of the United States. In political opinions Mr. Brenneman is Repub- lican. He is a member of the Knights of Malta.
WV. H. Brenneman was married in 1871 to Miss Emma E., daughter of Samuel Hassler, of Lower Paxton township. They have five children : Hattie, Blanche, Bessie, Susie and Emma. The family are members of the Lutheran church.
. HANDSHAW, HENRY, was born in Dauphin county, Pa., June 21, 1827 ; son of John and Catherine (Keim) Handshaw. The grand- parents were natives of Germany and were by occupation farmers. The parents were both natives of Dauphin county. The father was born January 8, 1799. He followed the oceupation of farmer until within a short time of his death. He married Miss Cath- erine Keim, by whom he had three chil- dren, two of whom are living: Elizabeth, wife of Simion Tobias, deceased, and Henry. Susan, deceased, was the wife of David Martz, also deceased. Mr. Handshaw was married, secondly, in 1832, to Miss Mary Carl, to whom were born seven children, five of whom are living: Jacob W., J. Levi, Thomas L., Isabella, wife of Jacob Straw, Emma, wife of John L. Henny, of Carlisle, Pa. Their deceased children were Anna and Mary. Mr. Handshaw was originally a Whig in politics, but became a Republican. Hle was a member of the U. B. church. His death occurred June 8, 18SI, at the age of eighty-five years, and he is buried at the U. B. churchyard at Centerville, Pa. His first wife died in 1831. His second wife is still living at the advanced age of 88 years and resides at Carlisle, Pa.
Henry was reared on the farm in Cum-
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berland county and attended the public schools a part of the time each year until he was seventeen years old, when he left the farm to learn the trade of carpenter at Car- lisle. He worked at his trade in Harrisburg seven years, and then secured a position in the car works, where for five years he had charge of the car department, at the end of which period he was advanced to the po- sition of assistant superintendent of the works, which he held until 1SS8. In all he has been with the works in this department for thirty-three years and has won an en- viable reputation for mechanical skill and fidelity. Mr. Handshaw was married Dc- cember 23, 1851, in Harrisburg, to Miss Mary A. Quick, daughter of James and Alice (Lamb) Quick, to whom four children have been born : James Q., Catherine, wife of S. W. Guiles, of Columbia, Pa .; William T. H., Harry I. His wife died June 5, 1879. He married again July 8, 1880, Miss Margaret Quick, sister of his first wife. Mr. Hand- shaw was not in any aetive work during the year 1886, but thefollowing fourteen months was manager of the car works, since which time he has lived retired.
He is an active member of the Order United Workmen. In his political views he is a Republican. His church member- ship is with the Graee M. E. church.
The parents of Mrs. Handshaw were of Irish descent and came to this country about 1800. The father was a blacksmith by trade and followed this occupation. Hc married Miss Alice Lamb, by whom he had three children, the only survivor of whom is Margaret, the second wife of Mr. Handshaw. Nir. Quick died at the age seventy-two years and is buried in Juniata eounty, and his wife is buried in the Harrisburg cemetery. He was a member of the M. E. church and his wife of the Episcopal church.
MATHER, EDMUND, president of the board of commissioners of water and light depart- ment, was born in Lancaster, England, September 8, 1827. He is a son of James and Sarah (Aked) Mather. He was reared in his native land and received his educa- tion in the private schools. He learned the . trade of paper-making with his father. In 1849 he emigrated to America and first. settled near Fitchburg, Mass. where he was employed in the paper mills for three years. In 1852 he went to Raleigh, N. C., and took charge of a paper mill, remaining
for three years, having control of the mill on Crab Tree creek. In 1854 he purchased the machinery and built a large mill at the Falls of the Neuse, and operated the same for the Manteo Manufacturing Company. In 1855, siekness compelling him to leave, he emi- grated to Mount Holly, Pa., and took charge of one of the two mills then at that place. After two years, on account of poor health, he removed to Sterretts Gap, Pa., where he leased a hotel and engaged in business. Three years later, in 1860, his health having been restored, he came to Harrisburg and was engaged by Jacob Zug to build a mill near Mount Holly, Pa. He completed and started the same, receiving a salary for his services; he also owned an interest in the enterprise. In 1861 he closed the mill on account of the disturbed eondition of the country.
When Fort Sumter was fired upon Mi. Mather enlisted in the Lochiel Grays and served three months. He re-enlisted in com- pany B, Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania volun- teers; was made first sergeant, and was pro- moted to adjutant of the regiment. He was in important battles, among which are Win- chester, Chancellorsville and other engage- ments. In Deeember, 1863, he was trans- ferred to the Veteran Reserve corps, on ac- count of disability. He resigned in Novem- ber, 1865. Mr. Mather was military inspector of the hospital at Alexandria, Va., and after- wards came to Harrisburg, and was soon thereafter employed to take charge of a paper mill at West Newton, Pa., which posi- tion he held but a short time on account of ill bealth.
In January, 1867, Mr. Mather went to Washington, D. C., and became the business manager of the Evening Leader, a Republi- can paper. This position he held for one year and then went to Titusville, Pa., where he built a paper mill. His health continu- ing to be poor, he was not active in business for the next twelve years. In 1883 he em- barked in the construction of furnaces, and has since gradually worked into mechanical engineering.
Mr. Mather was elected to the city coun- eil in 1883 for three years. In 1887 he was made president of the water board ; was re- elected in 1890, and again chosen in 1893. He never solicited a single vote, his prefer- ment to office came unsolicited. He was one of the first who helped to organize the first Board of Trade, was secretary for two
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years and is a member of the present board. Mr. Mather is a Republican in politics, and was very active in party matters in 1868, during which he was secretary of the Re- publican Committee of Harrisburg. He is a member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M .; of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, and a charter member of the Royal Arcanum.
Edmund Mather was married in 1851 to Miss Jane Ann Parker, daughter of John Parker, of England. They have one living child, Sarah, who married J. W. Decter, now of Mechanicsburg, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Mather have attended the Pine Street Presbyterian church since 1861. He is a life member of the Young Men's Christian Association, and has for several years been connected with the American Water Works Association.
TOWSEN, JAMES A., superintendent and treasurer of the Capital City Flint Company, was born in Lancaster, Pa., December 6, 1829, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Wheeler) Towsen, of Lancaster and York counties re- spectively. He was reared and educated in his native county, and learned the trade of slate roofing in 1847, at which he worked on sub-contracts in Lancaster county nntil 1867, when he embarked in the business as a contractor at Harrisburg. He executed large contracts for the Pennsylvania steel works, the McCormick estate, Charles L. Bailey & Co., and the Pennsylvania Railway Company. Up to 1878 he was a member of the firm of Thomas Arnold & Co., at which date he purchased the interest of the firm. In February, 1895, he became connected with the Capital City Flint Company, and in Juue following was elected superintend- ent, and was made trustee of the company in December of the same year. During the war of the Rebellion he served with the State militia, and went into the field for three months as a member of company K, Forty- seventh regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers. under Colonel Wickersham, being first a cor- poral and afterwards quartermaster sergeant, In politics he is active as a member of the Republican party. Mr. Towsen was mar- ried, in 1850, to Maria Stauffer, daughter of Frank Stauffer, of Lancaster county, by whom he had eight children: Charles and Clare, both deceased; Thomas F., of Harris- burg, roofer; Martha, wife of Henry il. Spooner, of Harrisburg; William II., of Har-
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