USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Vol. III > Part 24
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Enterprise was always one of Mr. Kirk's most marked characteristics and he was among the first to take advantage of the dis- covery of oil. Immediately after that event he removed to Collins township, now the Eighteenth ward, and there built and operated one of the pioneer oil refineries. Later he migrated to Bradford, Pennsyl- vania, where he organized the McCalmont Oil Company, an enterprise which proved signally successful, mainly in consequence of the influence of Mr. Kirk's vigorous, compelling nature which made prosperity in anything he undertook a "foregone conclu- sion." Subsequently Mr. Kirk sold his in- terest to the other stockholders and for some years lived in retirement in Pittsburgh, having large investments in property in the East End.
As a business man, this oil magnate was in many respects a model, combining as he did indomitable perseverance and ability to read the future with unusual capacity for judging the motives and merits of men. This insight enabled him to put the right man in the right place and thus to fill the various departments of his business with assistants who seldom failed to meet his ex- pectations. To his associates and subordi- nates he endeared himself not only as a strong and capable official, true to every trust, but as a man of unvarying justice and unfailing benevolence. He was prom- inent among those independent oil operator,s who contended for relief from railroad dis- crimination, becoming an active member of
the Producers' Association. As president of the Pure Oil Company he was one of the chief witnesses examined in 1888 by the House Committee on Manufactures in its investigation of trusts.
In all concerns relative to the city's wel- fare, Mr. Kirk's interest was deep and sin- cere, and never did he refuse aid and in- fluence to any project which he deemed cal- culated to further that end. An indepen- dient Republican, he took an active part in municipal affairs, for several terms repre- senting his ward in the councils and serv- ing for many years as school director. On two occasions he was the candidate of his party for congress. Ever ready to respond to any deserving call made upon him, his charity was of the kind that shuns pub- licity.
Of strong mental endowments and busi- ness capacity of a high order, Mr. Kirk was a man of commanding personality. His dominant characteristic was his unflinching integrity-the cornerstone of his success. Earnest in all his aims and of invincible de- termination, his business associates at times failed to understand his far-sighted pro- jects, but one and all never denied him credit for purity of purpose and personal honor. So broad were his sympathies that he might truly be called a man universal. Large as was his mind his heart was larger. His countenance was a faithful index to his character, reflecting as it did his nobility of soul. Appreciation of the good traits of others was a prominent feature of his character, and he was an ardent and loyal friend. Dignified, courteous and genial, he was a true and kindly gentleman and a brave and upright man.
Mr. Kirk married (first) May 22, 1856, Ellen Baldwin, of Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Kirk: Walter M., of Twin Falls, Idaho: Mary B., wife of James L. Davidson, of Los Angeles, Cali- fornia; Mrs. Ella Bovaird, Pittsburgh; Elizabeth, widow of William J. Post, Pitts- burgh; David, of Kane, Pennsylvania :
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Clara N., wife of Dr. Frank S. Post, of Portland, Oregon; Albert E., Pittsburgh. Mrs. Kirk died December 30, 1885, and Mr. Kirk married (second) June 27, 1890, Ella, daughter of Merrick and Ruth (Dyer) Boyce, of Bangor, Maine. Mrs. Kirk is widely known as one of the pioneers in social centre work in the United States and is a charter member of the Social Centre Association of America. She was the first woman city superintendent of schools in the United States, holding this position at Bradford, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Kirk has accomplished notable results in the Green- wich School in New York City, and her text book on enunciation and articulation has recently been adopted by the New York School Board.
The closing years of his life were for the greater part spent by Mr. Kirk at his beau- tiful home in the East End, surrounded by the books and pictures he loved, many of them mementoes of his extended travels. He was devoted to the ties of family and friendship, regarding them as sacred obli- gations. One of his chief pleasures was the exercise of hospitality. All who were ever privileged to be his guests could testify that he was an incomparable host, possessed of unfailing tact and graphic powers of con- versation which were always controlled by great kindness of heart. He was a lover of literature and a man of thorough and varied information. Young men in whom he dis- cerned unusual qualities of mind of heart awakened his special interest and many of them were indebted to him for aid in their first start in life.
On December 22, 1906, Mr. Kirk passed away, leaving the memory of a life sing- ularly complete, full of goodness and crowned with achievement. Irreproachable alike in his public and private relations, he fulfilled to the letter every trust committed to him and was generous in his feelings and conduct toward all.
David Kirk was a true Scotsman. By
the force of his ancestral traits he aided in the upbuilding of one of the stupendous industries which have given to the metro- polis of Pennsylvania her world-wide re- nown, thus proving his right to the title of Scottish-American-Pittsburgh's ideal cit- izen.
MILLER, James A., Business Man, Public Official.
James A. Miller, a prominent business man of New Tripoli, Lehigh county, Penn- sylvania, was born May 3, 1863, on the family homestead in Lynn township, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. His immigrant an- cestor was Andrew Miller, his great-grand- father, who was a native of Switzerland, an early settler in Lehigh county, and who married and reared a family.
John Miller, son of Andrew Miller, was born on the family homestead, and was educated in the neighborhood schools. He was a farmer by occupation. He married Marie Rex, also of Lehigh county.
Reuben Miller, son of John Miller, was born in the family homestead, November 27, 1824. He was educated in the common schools, and was a farmer by occupation, acquiring an ample competence as a re- ward of his industry. His later years were spent in pleasant retirement in New Tripoli, where he died, May 17, 1904. He married Sarah A. Mantz, daughter of David Mantz. Children: 1. James A., of whom further. 2. Alvena M., married Reuben H. Fisher, and had four children. 3. George D., mar- ried Josephine Oldt, by whom three chil- dren. 4. Mary J., married James D. Sny- der. 5. William A., married Savilla Krause; by whom one child. 5. Catherine E., deceased.
James A. Miller, son of Reuben Miller, passed his youth on the homestead farm, assisting in its cultivation during the spring and summer months. He acquired an ex- cellent education, beginning in the public
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schools and thence passing to several select schools, and to such good purpose that he taught for some years, and gained such rep- utation as a capable instructor as to give promise of rapid advancement in the in- structional field had he adopted it for his life work. He was, however, inclined to a business career, and entered the employ of his father-in-law, Jonas German, whose store and hotel business he successfully managed for a period of nineteen years, ending with July 5, 1900, when Mr. Ger- man died. Mr. Miller then purchased the hotel property and general store, both of which he has successfully conducted to the present time. He is a leading factor in business affairs, and since 1903 has been a director of the Merchant's National Bank of Allentown, a flourishing institution, to which he affords excellent advisory service. In 1885 he was elected justice of the peace, in which position he has been continued by reëlection to 1914. He is an earnest advo- cate of Democratic principles, and is re- garded as a most capable local leader in his party. He was elected to the Senate of Pennsylvania to represent Lehigh county in 1910. He has ably served in this capacity a term of four years, and is now a candidate for reelection. He is a member of various fraternal bodies-the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania Ger- man Society. He and his family attend the German Reformed church.
Mr. Miller married, in 1881, Louisa G. German, daughter of Jonas German, a resi- dent farmer and business man of Lynn township. Of this marriage was born one child-Ralph E., January 26, 1882, a grad- uate of Ursinus College, class of 1905, who is married to Alma J. Clamer, daughter of Francis J. and Julia Clamer, of Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Two children were born to this union-Margaret Louise, July 5, 1908, and Robert Clamer, December 17, 1909.
HORN, Harry Yohe, M. D.,
Physician, Surgeon, Public Official.
Dr. Harry Y. Horn, whose name is widely known in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, as an eminent and successful medical prac- titioner in the borough of Coplay, Lehigh county, also the proprietor of a drug store in successful operation, is a descendant of a family of German extraction, long seated in this country, noted for its patriotism and fidelity to duty, and for many other ex- cellent characteristics which have been transmitted in large degree to its descend- ants, prominent among whom in the present generation is Dr. Horn.
The first ancestor of the line here under consideration was Abram Horn, a resident of Pennsylvania, who served as captain dur- ing the Revolutionary War, and as colonel of the First Pennsylvania Regiment during the War of 1812. Among his children was Abram Jr., who served as postmaster of Easton, Pennsylvania, during President Jackson's administration, also State Sur- veyor for the Eastern District of Pennsyl- vania. He married Susan Hay. Among their children was Melchoir, born in Easton, in 1783, and married Isabel Trail, and among their children was Melchoir Hay, born in Easton, April 9, 1822, died Febru- ary 28, 1890. He served as colonel of the Twenty-eighth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers in the Civil War, filled many public positions of trust and responsibility, and was cashier of the Catasauqua National Bank. He married, October 12, 1845, Ma- tilda L. Heller, born March 1, 1823, daugh- ter of Jacob Heller, and a descendant of Christopher Heller, who embarked with his son, Johan Simon Heller, at Rotterdam, on the ship "Winter Galley," and arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 5, 1736. Melchoir and Matilda L. (Heller) Horn were the parents of the following children : Susan Butz, born September 15, 1846, married, April 21, 1874, Martin L.
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Dreisbach; William H., born December 2, 1847; Edward Trail, born June 10, 1850, married, June 15, 1880, Harriet Chisholm ; Frank Melchoir, born October 16, 1852, married, January 18, 1882, Elizabeth F. Williams; Harry Yohe, of whom further; Isabella Trail, born February 4, 1861, died February 5, 1882; Charles Robert, born October 16, 1863, married, June 23, 1886, Blanche Thomas.
Dr. Harry Y. Horn was born in Cata- sauqua, Pennsylvania, January 18, 1859. He attended the schools in the vicinity of his home, pursued a literary course in Le- high University, and then matriculated in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he was graduated with the de- gree of Doctor of Medicine in the class of 1879. He at once engaged in active prac- tice at Laury's Station, but after a resi- dence of one year there removed to Cop- lay, his present residence. His skill and ability, combined with his comprehensive knowledge of his chosen line of work and the interest he displayed in each and every case entrusted to his care, soon won for him the confidence of the people in his community, and he was rewarded by a lib- eral patronage which has increased in vol- ume and importance up to the present time. He is also acting as surgeon for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, consulting sur- geon for Allentown Hospital, surgeon for the Atlas Portland Cement Company, sur- geon for the Coplay Cement Manufacturing Company. In addition to these varied duties he opened a drug store in Coplay in 1900, which is fully equipped with everything needful for the preparing of prescriptions, which are carefully looked after by com- petent persons, and also carries a large stock of commodities peculiar to that line of trade. His prominence as a physician and his high character as a man led to his appointment as president of the Coplay National Bank, in which capacity he is serving at the pres- ent time (1913); to membership on the school board, where he served for sixteen
years ; as burgess of Coplay, his tenure of this office being noted for efficiency and capability ; and as a member of the com- mon council. These facts are conclusive evidence that he has ever taken a keen interest in the development and progress of his adopted city, his influence for good being felt in many channels.
Dr. Horn married (first) in 1881, Annie, daughter of Peter Heller, of Allentown, who bore him six children: Matilda H., Isabel T., George P., Robert T., Annie H., Harry Y. Mrs. Horn died in 1887, and Dr. Horn married (second) Florence, daughter of Charles Heller, of Allentown, who bore him three children : Fannie H., Charles W., and Louise F.
PITCAIRN, Alexander,
Man of Affairs, School Official.
There is no finer type of citizen than the man of sterling business talent and high moral worth whose activities are all devoted to the advancement of the best interests of his community. Such a man was the late Alexander Pitcairn, for many years a mem- ber of the well known firm of Smith & Pitcairn, and officially connected with a number of industrial and financial institu- tions. For more than half a century Mr. Pitcairn was a resident of Pittsburgh, and aided largely in the promotion of all that made for her progress and well-being.
Alexander Pitcairn was born August 29, 1831, in Lowell, Massachusetts, and was the eldest son of Robert and Jean (Edwards) Pitcairn whose other children were: Ed- ward; and Artemas, deceased, a sketch and portrait of whom appear elsewhere in this work. John Pitcairn, of Philadelphia, chairman of the board of directors of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, is a cousin. Alexander Pitcairn was educated in the common schools of his native city, but in his early manhood felt a desire for larger opportunities than those afforded by his circumstances and environment. At the
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
age of nineteen Mr. Pitcairn came to Pitts- burgh and entered a tailoring establishment on Sixth street, where he spent some time in making himself master of every detail of the business. He then formed a partner- ship with William Smith, under the firm name of Smith & Pitcairn, and for twenty years conducted a flourishing business. His remarkable sagacity, clear judgment, un- wearied energy and unimpeachable integ- rity rapidly advanced him to a prominent place in the mercantile circles of the city and built up for him an enduring and en- viable reputation. At the end of a score of years of business activity Mr. Pitcairn bought out the Excelsior Transfer Com- pany, afterward the Excelsior Express and Standard Cab Company. He was a direc- tor and stockholder in the National Trust Company, and a director in the Columbian Oil Company. He was also at one time one of the directors of the Third National Bank.
Unswerving in his devotion to the best interests of his city, Mr. Pitcairn was ac- tively identified with every movement which, in his judgment, tended to further those ends. A Republican in politics, he was never an office-seeker, but invariably gave loyal support to all measures which he deemed calculated to conserve the inter- ests of good government. From December 10, 1872, until February 14, 1888, Mr. Pit- cairn served continuously on the Pittsburgh School Board, and was one of the oldest members in point of service. He was at one time chairman of the High School Com- mittee and later president of the Board of Education. A man of broad vision, aggres- siveness and foresight, Mr. Pitcairn did a great work for the city in an educational way. Serving for years on the Liberty Sub-district School Board, and foreseeing the great growth of that section of Pitts- burgh, he was influential in the board's buy- ing almost an entire block of land on Ells- worth avenue and erecting thereon the Lib- erty School building. Bitterly criticised for
his activity in this, time soon showed the wisdom of his action, as this building quickly proved too small and before it was paid for another had to be erected.
Ever ready to respond to any deserving call made upon him, such was Mr. Pitcairn's abhorrence of publicity that the full num- ber of his benefactions will in all probabil- ity ever remain unknown. His public spirit was especially manifest in the pioneer work which he did in the interests of the city's fire department, serving as one of the first fire commissioners. He was quick to notice signs of unusual qualities of mind or heart in anyone, and social distinctions were ignored by him, industry and brains being the patents to the only aristocracy which he recognized. He attended the New Jeru- salem (Swedenborgian) Church.
The personality of Mr. Pitcairn was that of a man of strong mental endowments, business capacity of a high order, generous impulses and a chivalrous sense of honor. It was said of him, "He was a man who kept his word absolutely." Himself a true friend, he possessed the gift of inspiring loyal friendship in others. A man of cul- tured tastes, he was a wide reader and an interesting conversationalist. He was active in the formation of the Junta Club, a liter- ary organization composed of a small num- ber of men, which met at the homes of its members to discuss the questions of the day, thus keeping in touch with current events. His dominant characteristics were imprinted on his countenance, and his man- ner and bearing were invariably dignified, courteous and genial.
Mr. Pitcairn married, April 13, 1854, Janet, daughter of John and Agnes (Mc- Ewen) Pitcairn, whose other children were: Robert, of Pittsburgh, deceased; John, of Philadelphia, mentioned above; Hugh, a physician, deceased; and Mrs. M. P. Starkey, deceased, of Philadelphia. The father of these children was a noted me- chanical expert of Johnstone, near Paisley,
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Scotland. He and his wife, soon after their marriage, emigrated to the United States, but later ieturned to their native land, re- maining some years. In 1846, however, they came again to this country, settling in Pittsburgh.
Mr. and Mrs. Pitcairn were the parents of the following children: Edward, treas- urer of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Com- pany ; Agnes; Helen, wife of S. S. Lind- say, of Pittsburgh; and David A., of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company. Mrs. Pit- cairn, a woman of fine fibre and delicate culture, full of grace and self-possession, and withal breathing the charm of domes- ticity, was in all respects fitted to be the helpmate of a man like her husband, the ruling motive of whose life was love for his home and family, and who delighted to entertain his friends. For a few years they resided on the North Side, removing, in 1865, to the East End, where they had a most charming home. Mrs. Pitcairn con- tinues in her widowhood the charitable work in which she and her husband were so long united.
On August 13, 1904, this honorable and kindly man closed his career of notable use- fulness and well-earned success. By his death Pittsburgh lost one of her most in- fluential citizens and one who had ever sought for her welfare and prosperity. Un- ostentatious in all he did, but of unwavering loyalty to principle, he fulfilled to the letter every trust committed to him and was gen- erous in his feelings and conduct toward all. As an intimate friend expressed it: "He was a clean, just, honest, fair and manly man every way you took him."
Some lives there are, so effective and yet so quiet, that not until their assistance and support are withdrawn does the community realize how implicit has been its reliance upon them and how well-nigh impossible it will be to fill the vacancy caused by their removal. Such a life was that of Alexander Pitcairn.
KOCH, Harry I.,
Insurance Underwriter.
One of the best known of the younger generation of Allentown business men is Harry I. Koch, foremost among the city's representatives of real estate and insurance interests. Since the age of twelve years Mr. Koch has been a resident of Allentown, and is thoroughly and conspicuously identi- fied with its business, social and fraternal interests.
George J. Koch, father of Harry I. Koch, and son of Samuel Koch, removed from Chapman's Station to Allentown, where he engaged in the shoe business. He married Mary Alice, daughter of William Hun- sicker. The history of the Hunsicker fam- ily is given elsewhere in this work. Mr. George J. Koch has now retired from busi- ness.
Harry I., son of George J. and Mary Alice (Hunsicker ) Koch, was born Novem- ber 29, 1876, at Chapman's Station, and when the family removed to Allentown at- tended the public schools, graduating from the high school in 1892. He then entered the American Business College, where he took a full course in bookkeeping. Mr. Koch began his business life as a transcrib- ing clerk in the office of the Recorder of Deeds, when that position was held by Mor- ris J. Stephens. He then entered the serv- ice of Krall & Company, furniture dealers, and later associated himself with the Yeager Furniture Company. With this firm he re- mained eight years in an executive capacity, and during this time was brought much into contact with the workingmen. In this way Mr. Koch became familiar with the aims, needs and desires of the man who toils. He made many friends among the employes, and his retirement was a cause of sincere regret on the part of every one associated with the business, from the heads of the firm to the lowest subordinate. The mer- cantile insurance business was the next field
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Chas. C. Kaiser
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
of endeavor in which Mr. Koch essayed his powers, forming a partnership with Ray Brown, under the firm name of Brown & Koch. As general insurance brokers the organization has conducted a very lucrative business, also in real estate, building up a high reputation for sagacity and integrity. Two years ago Mr. Koch was elected secre- tary of the Chamber of Commerce, an office which he has since continuously held, thus gaining much valuable knowledge in regard to the city's needs and requirements.
Mr. Koch's many friends have for a long time desired him to enter public life, feeling that it was a sphere for which his adminis- trative abilities peculiarly fitted him. De- spite their entreaties, however, Mr. Koch persisted in his refusal until March, 1912, when he filed his papers with the Secretary of the Commonwealth as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the Assem- bly from the First District of Lehigh county. He was defeated at the polls by about three hundred votes, the question of eligibility being brought up on a teclinicality at too late a moment to be controverted before election. Such men as he are needed in the field of politics no less than in the arena of business.
During the years 1894-95-96, Mr. Koch was ardently devoted to athletics, and was an able competitor in many of the bicycle races of that period, being then considered the local expert, and he was a popular figure on race tracks, from New York to Harris- burg. He is an active and energetic mem- ber of the Allentown Lodge of Elks, and has passed all the chairs, now being a past exalted ruler of that order. During 1912- 13 his services in the order were recognized by an appointment as a district deputy, as such having general jurisdiction over twen- ty-two lodges in his district. In 1912 he was a delegate to the Elks' Convention at Portland, Oregon, the trip taking him through many of the principal cities of the continent, in all of which he proved himself a close observer, comparing conditions as
he found them with those existing in his home town. He has been a member of the Lehigh Democratic Club ever since attain- ing his majority, and he also belongs to the Lehigh Saengerbund. He has various other social and fraternal connections which have added to his already great personal popu- larity. He is a member of Christ Lutheran Church, having helped to organize the con- gregation and also the Sunday school. Of the latter body he has been secretary since its inception, and is an acknowledged expert in the keeping of Sunday school records, his method having become so popular as to be adopted by many of the Sunday schools of the Lutheran church. A paper upon the system, written and read by Mr. Koch, was so highly esteemed that it was published in pamphlet form and distributed among other Lutheran churches. He has been a mem- ber of the vestry of Christ Church and has also served as a deacon.
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