USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Vol. III > Part 16
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Harvey B. Chess was a man of original genius, aggressive methods, far-sighted sagacity and stainless character. It is such men that Pittsburgh needs-it is men of this type that are needed by the country at large. They are the men who build up great cities and mighty nations.
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WETHERILL, William H.,
Leading Manufacturer, Prominent Citizen.
The history of the Wetherill family, of Philadelphia, is one of deep interest both from the commercial prominence of the family and the peculiar historical associa- tions connected with the name. Originally members of the Society of Friends, Samuel Wetherill, of the fourth generation, dis- played such activity and patriotic ardor for the cause of independence that the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting of the Friends saw in his conduct sufficient devia- tion from their "Ancient Testimony and Peaceable Principles" that he was disowned by them in August, 1779. This did not seem to dampen his ardor, for he continued his patriotic work, and was the prime mover in the movement that resulted in the organ- ization of "The Religious Society of Friends," better known as "Free Quakers." Samuel Wetherill was the first clerk and preacher, three successive generations of his family having also held the office of clerk. The old patriot who would not hide his pref- erences under the sombre garb, was not only strong in his patriotism and in his religious fervor, but was a leader in the commercial world ; was one of the promoters and man- agers of the "United Company of Philadel- phia, for the Establishment of American In- dustries," a society called into existence by the imposition of the "Stamp Act." He established a plant on his home lot on South alley, between Fifth and Sixth streets, where he wove, fulled and dyed cloths. When dyes could not be obtained without great cost, he established a chemical labora- tory for their manufacture, this being the foundation of the immense chemical and drug business that yet exists in the family name. He supplied well woven cloth to the Continental Congress from which soldiers' uniforms were made, and after peace was declared engaged in the drug business on Front above Arch streets, under the name of Samuel Wetherill & Son, his son Samuel
being his partner. "Wetherill's Drug Store" was long an ancient landmark, and their sons and grandsons were graduated and sent forth as manufacturing chemists. Samuel Wetherill & Son were the founders of white lead manufacturing in the United States, establishing a plant in Philadelphia in 1804, then abandoned textile manufactur- ing, and ever afterward were manufacturers of drugs, chemicals and paints. This great business is now conducted by descendants of Samuel, the founder, and under the pres- ent name of Wetherill & Brother has reached vast proportions. Probably no business in the city has existed so long (1762-1914) under one family ownership and name. So Samuel Wetherill, the Quaker patriot, who suffered for his zeal, deserves well of those who venerate patriotism, for the hardest battles are not fought on the firing line, but down in one's soul and when the old patriot faced ostra- cism and disgrace from the hands of his brethren he displayed a courage that de- serves to be commemorated in enduring marble.
The Wetherills trace an English ancestry to the eleventh century. Burke's "Landed Gentry" refers to the Wetherell family as long seated in the county of Durham and the North Riding of Yorkshire, and de- scribes the arms borne by family as "Argent two lions passant, guardant, sable on a chief indented of the last three covered cups or." This same coat-of-arms was brought to New Jersey by Christopher Wetherill in 1683, and is used by his descendants.
The history of the family begins in Amer- ica with Christopher Wetherill, who came in 1683, settling in New Jersey, at Burling- ton, there owned a large land estate, was member of the Proprietary Council of the Province, 1706-07, filling other official posi- tions, including that of sheriff of Burlington county in 1700. The line of descent to William H. Wetherill, of Philadelphia, is through Thomas, eldest son of Christopher and his wife, Mary Hornby, who died in
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England in 1680, the mother of four chil- dren. Christopher had no issue by his two American wives.
Thomas Wetherill, born in York county, England, November 3, 1674, died in New Jersey, in 1749. He inherited the greater part of his father's lands in New Jersey, and was a wealthy land owner of the province, to which he came in 1683. He married Anne Fearon, June 22, 1703, "late of Eng- land, now of Burlington county," daughter of John and Elizabeth Fearon of Great Broughton, Cumberland county, England. Both Thomas and his father, Christopher, were prominent Friends.
Christopher (2), eldest son of Thomas and Anne (Fearon) Wetherill, was born in Burlington county, New Jersey, Feb- ruary 26, 1711, died there in April, 1786. He inherited a large part of the lands de- scending from his father and grandfather in Burlington, Hunterdon, Morris and Es- sex counties, New Jersey, devising them at his death to his children, most of whom had moved to Philadelphia. He married, in 1735, Mary, daughter of Judge John Stock- ton, of the Common Pleas Court of Somer- set county, New Jersey, and a sister of Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declara- tion of Independence from New Jersey. She was a granddaughter of Richard Stock- ton from Cheshire, England, one of the early settlers of Princeton, New Jersey, and a great-granddaughter of Richard Stockton of Malapas, Cheshire, England, baptized 1606.
Samuel, eldest son of Christopher (2) and Mary (Stockton) Wetherill, was born in Burlington, New Jersey, April 12, 1736, died in Philadelphia, September 24, 1816. As noted previously he became a Philadel- phian of great public spirit, taking the liv- liest interest in public affairs. His con- nection with textile manufacturing and the establishment of a drug store and chemical plant has been narrated, also his early con- nection with the "Free Quakers" after his disownment by the Society of Friends for
his patriotic ardor. The meetings of the "Free Quakers" were held at his house fre- quently until the erection of a meeting house at the southwest corner of Fifth and Arch streets, still standing. The subscription fund for this church was contributed to by Washington, Franklin and many others. A lot was also granted them by the State of Pennsylvania on the east side of Fifth street, below Pine. Samuel Wetherill con- tinued to preach after he became so feeble at eighty years of age that he was carried from his carriage to the church in a chair. He was a member of the Philadelphia Com- mon Council, chairman of the Yellow Fever Committee of that body in 1793, and was one of the most active members of the water committee. Samuel Wetherill married, April 5, 1762, at Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Sarah Yarnall, born August 27, 1734, died July 27, 1816, daughter of Mor- decai Yarnall, an eminent minister of the Society of Friends and granddaughter of Francis Yarnall, a member of the Colonial Assembly in 1711.
Samuel (2), eldest son of Samuel and Sarah (Yarnall) Wetherill, was born in Philadelphia, April 27, 1764, died there Sep- tember 29, 1829. He was his father's busi- ness associate from youth, became a partner with him as Wetherill & Son in the drug and chemical business on Front street, and later in the white lead and paint establish- ment on Twelfth street, in which later his own sons and grandsons became partners. He was a member of the Philadelphia Com- mon Council, as was his father, and later his son also became a member. He succeeded his father as clerk of the Society of Free Quakers, serving until his death. He mar- ried, April 24, 1788, Rachel Price, born January 28, 1766, died February 9, 1844, daughter of John Price, of Reading, Penn- sylvania, and his wife, Rebecca, daughter of General Jacob Morgan, of Morgantown, Pennsylvania.
Dr. William Wetherill, son of Samuel (2) and Rachel (Price) Wetherill, was born
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in Philadelphia, January 21, 1804, and died at his summer home "Fatland," on the Schuylkill river, April 28, 1872. He grad- uated from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania and from the College of Pharmacy, but did not practice medicine in Philadelphia; was a partner with his brother, John Price Wetherill, in the Wetherill & Brother White Lead Works. He later took up his residence at the old family home, "Fatland," part of a large tract purchased by his father near the junction of Perkiomen creek with the Schuylkill river, originally containing 1,400 acres, and known as "Mill Grove on the Perkiomen." A portion of the estate had been sold out of the family, and was the home of John James Audubon, the famous ornithologist, for many years. Later it was repurchased by William H., its present owner, son of Dr. William Wetherill, and in his family summer home.
Dr. Wetherill married, July 6, 1825, Isa- bella Macomb, born February 22, 1807, died December 25, 1871, daughter of John Wil- liam and Isabella (Ramsay) Macomb, granddaughter of William and Sarah Jane (Dring) Macomb, and cousin of Brigadier- General Alexander Macomb, the hero of Plattsburg, 1814, and commander-in-chief of the United States army at the time of his death in 1841. Dr. Wetherill and wife were the parents of a large and dis- tinguished family, eminent in the profes- sions, war and commercial life.
William H., son of Dr. William and Isa- bella (Macomb) Wetherill, was born Jan- uary 20, 1838. He was educated in Phila- delphia schools, and early in youthful man- hood entered mercantile life with Samuel and William Welsh, well-known Philadel- phia merchants and importers. After nearly ten years experience with that firm he established in business in Boston, Mass- achusetts, continuing there in successful operation until 1872, when the death of his honored father compelled a rearrangement of his plans. He returned to Philadelphia
and at once took his father's place in the Wetherill & Brother White Lead Works, being of the fourth generation to own and operate this important Philadelphia in- dustry, known since 1831 as Wetherill & Brother, as successors of Samuel Weth- erill & Sons. The connection begun in 1872, yet exists, William H. Wetherill being the official head of the firm, being now ably seconded by his capable sons of the fifth generation-Abel Proctor and Webster King.
During the Civil War, Mr. Wetherill enlisted and drilled with the Philadelphia Home Guards, attached to one of the Penn- sylvania "Emergency" regiments, was ser- geant of Captain Charles S. Smith's com- pany, went to the front, and was at the battle of Antietam.
Mr. Wetherill's connection with church and philanthropic societies of Philadelphia has been long, continuous and valuable. For about thirty-five years he has been clerk of the Society of Free Quakers, suc- ceeding his cousin, John Price Wetherill, and is of the fifth generation of his family to so serve the Society founded largely through the efforts of Samuel (1) Wetherill prior to 1780. He is a member of the Prot- estant Episcopal church, and has been especially interested and generous to St. Mary's Church, Locust, above Thirty-ninth street. In 1907 he caused to be erected a beautiful stone tower on that church, its graceful proportions terminating 110 feet above its base. This was in memory of his old friend, Harry Flickwir West, as is shown on a tablet placed in the room be- neath: "To the glory of God, in loving memory of Harry Flickwir West, who died January 3, 1906, this spire is erected by his life long friend, William H. Wetherill." On October 20, 1907, the tower was dedi- cated with most impressive ceremony, and stands a memorial to friendship and gen- erosity. The original plan called for a set of chimes, but the intent of the donor was prevented by the desire of the vestry to re-
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tain the old bell cast by J. Wiltbank in 1838, the sound of which is so familiar to the resi- dents of the neighborhood, and for which the parish has an effectionate attachment. The tower memorial windows to the sisters of Mr. West are also the gift of Mr. Wetherill.
His military record has gained him mem- bership in George G. Meade Post No. I, Grand Army of the Republic; his political faith, to the Union League, of Philadelphia. He delights in the glories of his country's past, and holds membership in many asso- ciations historical and educational. These include the Pilgrims' Society of Massachu- setts; Historical Society of Pennsylvania ; Historical Society of Montgomery County ; Apprentices Library Association ; Pennsyl- vania Forestry Association ; Philadelphia Skating Club, and Humane Society, and other local societies, charitable and scientific. He is a life member of the House of Refuge Association and of the Zoological Gardens Association ; Philadelphia Paint Club, Philadelphia Board of Trade, Jordan Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Pea- body, Massachusetts; and Washington Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, the latter body located in Salem, Massachusetts.
Mr. Wetherill married, October 4, 1865, Elisabeth Putnam, born May 27, 1842, daughter of Abel and Lydia (Emerson) Proctor, of Massachusetts ; children: Alice Putnam, deceased; Edgar Macomb, de- ceased; Henry Emerson, M. D., graduate of the Medical Department of the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, now practicing his profession in Philadelphia ; Herbert John- son, married Mary Rowe Dunn, and re- sides in Philadelphia; Abel Proctor, asso- ciated with the firm of Wetherill & Brother, married Sarah Reeve Mullen; Webster King, associated with his father and brother in Wetherill & Brother, married Georgine Vaux Cresson ; Francis Macomb, a clergy- man of the Protestant Episcopal church. Mrs. Elisabeth Putnam Wetherill deceased February 5, 1914.
The summer residence of the family is
the old "Audubon Home," a part of the tract owned by Samuel Wetherill, "Mill Grove Farm," on the banks of the Perkio- men, purchased in 1813. Since its purchase by William H. Wetherill many years ago, it has been greatly beautified, and is a most beautiful commodious country residence, and visited by members of Audubon so- cieties and others from all parts of the country, the latchstring hanging out at all seasons of the year to any lover of Audubon ornithology, and those who wish to enjoy the view from the piazza, which Bayard Taylor, the historian and traveler, claimed was the most beautiful view along the beau- tiful Schuylkill river.
BENHAM, Silas Nelson,
Physician, Surgeon, Public Spirited Citizen.
The standing of the medical profession in Pittsburgh has ever been of the highest, and among those of its members who during the latter half of the nineteenth century most signally aided in the maintenance and in- crease of its prestige was the late Dr. Silas Nelson Benham, conspicuous alike as a skillful practitioner and a learned consult- ant. For a quarter of a century Dr. Ben- ham was a resident of Pittsburgh, and both as a physician and a man occupied a place in the front rank of her citizens.
Silas Nelson Benham was born Novem- ber 20, 1840, at Washington, Pennsylvania, and was the only child of Silas Nelson and Margaret (Grove) Benham. His father died when he was nine months old, and his mother married (second) February, 1846, Samuel H. Rial, of Washington, Pennsyl- vania. A woman of great strength of character and executive ability, her death occurred March 6, 1904.
Silas N. Benham was educated in his native town, first attending preparatory schools and then entering Washington Col- lege, now Washington and Jefferson Col- lege. He read medicine with Dr. F. Julius Le Moyne, and afterward, during the
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S.n. Benhaus
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winters of 1863-64 and 1865, attended lec- tures at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, graduating from its medical department. The course of Dr. Benham's medical education was interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil War. At that crisis in our history, sharing the patriotic ardor of the youth of his generation, he enlisted as a army surgeon, and for three years served with credit on the staff of his uncle, General Henry Benham, in a West Virginia reg- iment.
In 1864, Dr. Benham came to Pittsburgh and opened an office on Third avenue. Thenceforth, to the close of his life, he remained a resident of the Iron City, being continuously engaged in the active practice of his profession. His thorough equipment, eminent abilities and unwearied devotion to duty caused his rapid advancement to the commanding position which for so many years was his. As a physician of the regular school he was enthusiastic in his efforts to elevate the standard of the medical profes- sion.
Conspicuous among the services which entitle Dr. Benham to the gratitude of posterity, was the founding of the Pitts- burgh Free Dispensary, in which he was largely instrumental. With this beneficent institution his name will ever be insepara- bly associated, and it constitutes a most appropriate monument to his memory. He was at one time physician to the Mercy Hospital, and at the period of his death filled the position of surgeon to the West Pennsylvania Hospital. He belonged to the American Medical Association, the Amer- ican Surgical Society and the Allegheny County Medical Society, at one time serv- ing as president of the last named organiza- tion.
As a citizen, Dr. Benham was intensely public-spirited, and no movement having for its object the welfare of Pittsburgh found him unresponsive. He affiliated with the Republicans, but his professional duties left him little time for active participation
in politics and prevented him, with two ex- ceptions, from holding office. These ex- ceptions were made in the interest of the cause of education, which he had ever deeply at heart. For several years he served as a member of the second ward school board and for a time represented that ward on the central school board, where he held the position of chairman of the high school committee. Dr. Benham was actively and prominently affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, being a Thirty-second degree Mason, member of Franklin Lodge, No. 221 ; Duquesne Chapter, No. 193, Royal Arch Masons; and Tancred Commandery, No. 48, Knights Templar. Widely but un- ostentatiously charitable, no good work done in the name of philanthropy or religion sought his co-operation in vain. He was a member of Christ Methodist Episcopal Church.
As a highly intellectual man of many brilliant attainments, Dr. Benham was emi- nently fitted for the high position which he long held in the medical fraternity. He en- joyed, to a remarkable degree, the affection- ate regard of all who knew him, possessing much personal magnetism and having a manner at once dignified and winning. His countenance bore the impress of a noble character, showing him to be what he was- a true gentleman and an upright, courageous man.
Dr. Benham married (first) July 27, 1866, Nellie, daughter of Robert H. Rand, of Meriden, Connecticut, and they were the parents of two sons-Robert Rand, and Ed- win, both of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Benham died April 27, 1872, and Dr. Ben- ham married (second) February 20, 1889, Margaret Lee, daughter of the late Wilson and Hannah (Lee) Miller, and grand- daughter of Reuben Miller. Sketches and portraits of Wilson Miller and his father, Reuben Miller, appear elsewhere in this work. Dr. and Mrs. Benham were the parents of one daughter, Margaret Lee, who was married, November 12, 1913, to George
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Bart Berger, of Pittsburgh, son of the late George Berger.
Mrs. Benham is a woman of culture, social grace and genuine philanthropy-the type of woman to be in all respects a fitting mate for such a man as her gifted husband. Dr. Benham was devoted to the ties of family and friendship, regarding them as sacred obligations. His happiest hours were passed in the home circle and he delighted in the exercise of hospitality. Mrs. Ben- ham and her daughter are active in social and charitable circles. Their winters are passed in their beautiful North Side resi- dence and their summers at "Beaumaris," their lovely summer home on the shore of Lake Muskoka, Canada.
The death of Dr. Benham, which oc- curred November 3, 1890, was a distinct loss to the medical profession and to the city at large. Realizing that he would not pass this way again, he made wise use of his opportunities and his talents, conform- ing his life to a high standard, and ven- erated, both socially and professionally, for his profound and comprehensive knowl- edge, his eminent abilities, his long and val- uable services and the spotless purity of his moral character.
Dr. Benham, at the time of his death, lacked but a few days of the completion of his fiftieth year. Half that period had been devoted to the scrupulous and enthusiastic performance of strenuous professional duties. In a quarter of a century he had accomplished as much as a man of ordinary ability and strength of purpose could have brought to pass in twice that time. His life was consecrated to the advancement of medical science and the relief of suffering humanity. The record of his labors forms part of the medical annals of the city of Pittsburgh and the State of Pennsylvania.
CLARK, Joseph Nelson, Soldier, Physician, Manufacturing Druggist.
Prominent among those who have at- tained distinct prestige in the practice of
medicine and pharmacy in the State of Pennsylvania and whose success has come as the logical sequence of thorough technical information, as enforced by natural pre- dilection and that sympathy and tact which are so essential in this profession, is Dr. Joseph Nelson Clark, of Harrisburg. His paternal ancestors were from Scotland, his maternal from England, and both settled in Pennsylvania when that section of the coun- try was still untrodden by white men, receiv- ing their lands directly from William Penn.
John Clark, great-grandfather of Dr. Clark, according to early records appears as a private on "A Pay Roll of the Bounty of Captain Andrew Foreman's Company of the Militia of York County in the State of Pennsylvania, guarding the Convention of Prisoners at Camp Security for the Months of November and December, 1781." (See page 530, vol. 14. Pennsylvania Archives, second series, 1888). He had a son, William Clark.
James, son of William Clark, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, where he was a miller and farmer, and where his entire life was spent. He married Margaret Nelson, and had children: Fanny, de- ceased ; Mary ; Joseph Nelson, whose name is at the head of this review ; Lucinda, de- ceased ; Hannah ; Elizabeth, deceased ; Mur- ray; Emma; Samuel, deceased. William Nelson, great-grandfather of Mr. Clark, died in 1766. Colonel Samuel Nelson, his son, was commissioned captain September II, 1776; commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the Sixth Battalion of York County Militia, June 17, 1779. His son, William Nelson, married Frances Parks, and had a daughter Margaret, who became the mother of Dr. Clark.
Dr. Joseph Nelson Clark was born in Monaghan township, near Dillsburg, Penn- sylvania, November 12, 1839. At the close of the first year of his life his parents re- moved to Cumberland county, and it was in the schools of Churchtown and the Normal School at Newville, Pennsylvania, the latter
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now the State Normal School at Shippens- burg, Pennsylvania, that his preparatory education was acquired. He was graduated from the Newville Institution in 1860, and received his diploma there. From his earliest youth the medical profession had had a great fascination for the studious lad, and he decided to make it his life work: He became a student in the Medical De- partment of the University of Georgetown, Washington, D. C., was graduated in the class of 1867 and received the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He took a post- graduate course of one year, being grad- uated from this with honor. St. Louis, Missouri, was the scene of his first medical practice, but at the expiration of one year he returned to the State of Pennsylvania, where he located in Mechanicsburg, and followed his practice with a very satis- factory amount of success. He served as president of the Female Collegiate Institute at York, Pennsylvania, 1870-71. The fol- lowing year he removed to Harrisburg, and was continually engaged in the practice of his profession there until 1887, at which time he became identified with the drug trade. He purchased the proprietary rights of McNeil's Pain Exterminator, a remedy enjoying a world-wide sale, and his con- duct of his business affairs has been on a par with the excellent work he did while ex- clusively engaged in medical practice. It is not often that one finds professional and business ability united in one person in so perfect manner as is the case with Dr. Clark. He has been frequently called upon to hold official position in other enterprises, and is president of the People's Savings Bank, and has served in the same capacity for the Twentieth Century Building and Loan Association and the Dauphin County Sabbath School Association. Until Dr. Clark removed to Mechanicsville in 1905, he was a member and elder for many years of the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Harrisburg, of which he had been one of the founders, and had also been superin-
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