USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Vol. VII > Part 11
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SUPPLEE, William C., Business Man, Civic Leader.
William Couse Supplee, president and director of Supplee's Alderney Dairy, Philadelphia, has won recognition for energy and integrity, and is numbered among the progressive business men of the State. The ancestral history of the Supplee family covers a long connection with America. The great-great-grand- father of William Couse Supplee came to this country in 1685, landing in New York. The family were French Hugue- nots, or Protestants, and they preferred to leave their native country, France, rather than renounce their religion. Three brothers of the name, accompanied by their families, therefore sought relig- ious liberty in the New World, and in the days of William Penn we find mem- bers of the Supplee family appointed to positions of honor and trust under the great Colonist.
William Couse Supplee was born Feb- ruary 14, 1869, in Pennsylvania, son of George Righter and Mary (Couse) Sup- plee, the former named born in Mont- gomery county, Pennsylvania, and the latter named a native of Virginia. Wil- liam C. Supplee attended the public schools of his native county, and later took up the study of art and engraving. This work proved congenial, and he con- tinued along that line for four years, when his interest was diverted to the
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study of milk and the possible develop- ment of that industry. In 1885 he asso- ciated himself with his father, who was conducting a small milk trade doing a business of $25,000 per year, and at the present time (1915) the Supplee Alder- ney Dairy is doing a business of $2,000,- 000 per annum, with expensive buildings, and a large organization covering Phil- adelphia, Ocean City and Atlantic City, also having extensive producing plants throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. The Supplee Alderney Dairy distributes milk, cream, cheese, butter, ice cream and condensed milk to some two hundred thousand customers. Two hundred wagons and eight automo- bile trucks are used in the business, and the large letter "S" painted on the sides of the vehicles has become a familiar sight in the cities above mentioned. Mr. Supplee has been a strong factor in mak- ing their business a gigantic industry, and this has been accomplished by hard work, close application and business abil- ity, these attributes being essential to the success of any undertaking, and in this particular instance it has meant purity of product, excellent quality and efficient service to the consumer. Mr. Supplee has served as president of the Philadel- phia Milk Exchange for two successive years, and is considered an authority in his line of business.
Despite the fact that the dairy business requires continuous oversight, Mr. Sup- plee finds time for recreation, deriving the greatest pleasure from swimming and participating in the games of golf and tennis. He also takes a keen interest in all matters pertaining to civic better- ment, and is a member and director of the Philadelphia Society for Organizing Charities. He is a member of the Union League Club, Philadelphia ; Poor Rich- ard Club, Philadelphia ; the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts; the Historical
Society of Pennsylvania; the Pennsyl- vania Museum and School of Fine Arts; the City Club, Philadelphia; Automobile Club of Philadelphia, and the Atlantic City Country Club. Fraternally he be- longs to St. Paul's Lodge and Palestine Chapter, Free and Accepted Masons. In politics he is a Progressive Republican, and was a delegate to the Roosevelt con- vention.
William C. Supplee married (first) Ellen Harris, who bore him a daughter, Margaret, now a student at the Miss Irving School. He married (second) Helen J. Fanning, daughter of David Hale and Rosemond (Dorlas) Fanning.
OSBURN, Frank C., Lawyer.
Among attorneys of Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania, is Frank Chew Osburn. Through his mother he is a direct descendant from Governor John Haynes, and. Governor George Wyllys, both early governors of Connecticut ; John Eliot, the Apostle to the Indians, of Roxbury and Boston, Massachusetts; Daniel Warner, son of William Warner, of Ipswich, Massachu- setts, 1637; Matthew Griswold, of Say- brook and Lyme, Connecticut; Captain James Avery, and Captain George Denis- ton, both of New London, Connecticut, both of whom served through the King Philip Indian War; Robert Williams, of Roxbury, Massachusetts; and several other well known New England families.
Governor John Haynes, born 1594, died 1654, married Mabel Harlakenden, born 1614, died 1655, daughter of Richard Har- lakenden, of Earls Colne, England; their daughter, Ruth Haynes, born 1639, died 1688, married Samuel Wyllys, born 1631, died 1709, son of Governor George Wyllys; their daughter, Mary Wyllys, born 1656, died 1729, married Rev. Joseph Eliot, born 1638, died 1694, son of Rev.
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John Eliot, the Apostle to the Indians; their son, Rev. Jared Eliot, born 1685, died 1763, married Hannah E. Smithson, born 1693, died 1761 ; their son, Nathan Eliot, born 1725, died 1798, married Cla- rina C. Griswold, born 1733, died 1811; daughter of Judge John Griswold; their daughter, Clarina Eliot, born 1759, died 1802, married Jonathan Warner, born 1747, died 1823, son of William and Re- becca Warner; their son, Griswold Eliot Warner, born 1791, died 1873, married Maria Sheffield, born 1794, died 1870, daughter of William Sheffield and his wife, Bridget Welthe Williams; their daughter, Henrietta Williams Warner, born 1831, died 1908, married Franklin Osburn, born 1821, died 1904, father of Frank C. Osburn. Mr. Osburn is:
Eighth in descent from Daniel Warner and Elizabeth Denne, his wife; eighth in descent from Matthew Griswold and his wife, Ann Wolcott, daughter of Henry Wolcott, of Windsor, Connecticut, 1636 (see "Family Histories and Genealogies," by Edward E. and Evelyn Mc. Salesbury, supplement to volume 3); eighth in de- scent from Captain James Avery, of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and New Lon- don, Connecticut, and Joanna Greenslade, his wife.
Eighth in descent from Captain George Deniston, of New London and Stoning- ton, Connecticut, son of William Denis- ton, of Roxbury, Massachusetts. Said George Deniston married, in England, Ann Borodell.
Ninth in descent from Robert Williams, member of Artillery Company, of Boston, 1644, and Elizabeth Stalham, his wife. (See "History of Stonington and Gene- alogies," 1900, by Wheeler).
Through his father he is a direct de- scendant from Colonel Samuel Chew, of Herrington, Anne Arundel county, Mary- land, and of John Osburn, one of the early settlers of Loudoun county, Vir-
ginia. Being ninth in descent from John Chew, of James City, Virginia, 1624, descent being through his grandson, Joseph Chew, the second son of Colonel Samuel Chew and Ann Ayres, his wife. Joseph Chew left two sons : Joseph Chew, Jr., of Prince George county, Maryland, and Alexandria, Virginia; and Henry Chew. (See will of Joseph Chew, proved 1705, Annapolis, Anne Arundel county, Maryland) ; Joseph Chew, Jr., being the great-grandfather of Mary Chew, who married Benjamin B. Osburn.
Fifth in descent from John Osburn, born 1712, died 1786, and his wife, Sarah Morris, daughter of Thomas Morris, of Virginia, the descent being through their son, Richard Osburn, born 1739, died 1795, the father of Benjamin B. Osburn. (See pedigree of Frank Chew Osburn, in College of Arms, London, England, vol. ii of Ancient Wethersfield, by Stiles, under "Warner Family ;" and "Descend- ants of John Eliot, 1598-1905").
Frank Chew Osburn, son of Franklin Osburn and Henrietta Williams Warner, and grandson of Benjamin B. Osburn, born May 2, 1792, died August 23, 1861, and his wife Mary Chew, born Septem- ber 4, 1799, died November 4, 1868, daughter of John Chew, of Alexandria and Loudoun county, Virginia, was born at the house of his maternal grandpar- ents, Griswold Eliot Warner and Maria Sheffield Warner, on North Canal street, Allegheny City, Pennsylvania (now Northside, Pittsburgh), December 20, 1854. Was educated in private schools in Jefferson county, West Virginia. and in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Attended college at the Western University of Pennsylvania (now University of Pitts- burgh), graduating in 1874. Read law from 1876 to 1879 with John C. Mc- Combs, Esquire, and James W. Over, Esquire. Attended lectures at Columbia Law College, New York City, 1880 to
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1881, and began practice of law in Pitts- burgh, 1881. Vice-president of Allegheny County Bar Association, March, 1908, and president of Allegheny County Bar Association, 1909, and also 1910. Is a member of Pennsylvania Bar Associa- tion, and also of American Bar Associa- tion. Was a director of the Second Na- tional Bank of Pittsburgh prior to its consolidation with the First-Second Na- tional Bank. Member First Presbyterian Church, of Pittsburgh. Married, Novem- ber 28, 1906, in Pittsburgh, Virginia Claire, daughter of Henry Blake Hays and Mary Howard Hays. An account of the Hays family is to be found elsewhere in this work.
DARLINGTON, William M., Accomplished Lawyer, Litterateur.
The bar of Pittsburgh is of colonial, revolutionary and national record, and the distinction which it early acquired has never been diminished or obscured. Foremost among those who, during the middle decades of the nineteenth century, maintained the prestige of the past and shed new lustre on Pittsburgh's legal annals, was the late William McCullough Darlington, for nearly fifty years a recog- nized leader of the Pennsylvania bar and an honored citizen of the metropolis of the State.
Job Darlington and his wife, Mary, were residents of Darnhall, Cheshire, England.
(II) Abraham Darlington, son of Job and Mary Darlington, emigrated to Ches- ter county, Pennsylvania, in 1711; mar- ried, 1716, Elizabeth Hillborn.
(III) Thomas Darlington, son of Abra- ham and Elizabeth (Hillborn) Darling- ton, married, in 1754, Hannah Brinton.
(IV) Amos Darlington, son of Thomas Darlington and Hannah (Brinton) Dar- lington, married Elizabeth Powel, in 1789.
(V) Benjamin Darlington, son of Amos and Elizabeth (Powel) Darlington, was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1812. He went to live in Pittsburgh, where he married Agnes Mccullough.
(VI) William McCullough Darlington, son of Benjamin and Agnes (McCul- lough) Darlington, was born May 1, 1815, in Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Penn- sylvania. He received his education in the private schools of Pittsburgh and at Jefferson College, at Cannonsburg, Penn- sylvania. Studying for the legal profes- sion with Richard Biddle, esquire, in 1837 he was admitted to the bar of Alle- gheny county. As a close student and one skillful in the application of his legal knowledge, he soon took high rank among his professional brethren, his well-earned reputation steadily augmenting with the passing years.
Possessing that judicial instinct which makes its way quickly through imma- terial details to the essential points upon the determination of which a cause must turn, Mr. Darlington's arguments were to an unusual degree logical, forcible and clear. He threw himself with all the zeal of his nature and with all the rich stores of his great learning, into the cause of his client, delighting to master and un- ravel the most difficult legal problems, and possessing an eloquence which was persuasive without vehemence, polished without affectation, and pleasing with- out being florid. The laws relating to real estate received from William M. Darlington a special amount of attention, in consequence of which he acquired an exhaustive knowledge of the principles involved in titles as well as of the laws governing their alienation and descent. As a result of his long and close study of this branch of his profession, he was re- garded as an authority on property and conveyance, and was frequently consult-
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ed by other leading attorneys and by judges on the bench.
During the latter years of his life, Mr. Darlington, while not the oldest man then practicing in Pittsburgh, was the oldest living member of the Allegheny county bar. In 1888, on the completion of the new courthouse, his seniority was recognized by the presentation to him of the keys of the Temple of Justice.
As a true citizen, Mr. Darlington was interested in all enterprises which medi- tated the moral improvement and social culture of the community, and actively aided a number of associations by his in- fluence and means. In politics he was a Republican, and, while he never exhibited any political aspirations, and steadily re- fused to accept office, was frequently consulted in regard to questions of mo- ment, being known as a vigilant and at- tentive observer of men and measures, whose sound opinions and liberal views caused his ideas to carry great weight among those with whom he discussed public problems. No good work done in the name of charity or religion sought his cooperation in vain, and in his work of this character he brought to bear the same discrimination and thoroughness that were manifest in his professional life. He was a devout Christian and attended the Presbyterian church.
Of singularly strong personality, no one could approach Mr. Darlington with- out feeling himself in the presence of a man of marked ability and the loftiest moral standards. Simple and dignified in manner, he had withal a certain warmth and geniality which drew men to him, inspiring that loyal regard which was the natural response to the friendship of a nature like his. His countenance, bear- ing and whole aspect were those of a man of mark.
One of the chief features of Mr. Dar- lington's home, and one most expressive
of his individual tastes, was a library of about fourteen thousand volumes, pecu- liarly rich in the literature of his profes- sion, and in historical works. It was, in fact, one of the best and largest private libraries in the United States. Second only to his love of the law was his love of history. He was vice-president of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, and a member of other historical associations. In regard to anything pertaining to West- ern Pennsylvania and the Ohio Valley his information was full and authentic, and he was frequently consulted by local and general historians. He was himself the author of the following works: "Illus- trative Notes to Journal of Colonel John May, Boston, 1788-89;" "Christopher Gist's Journals, with Notes and Biog- raphies ;" and "An Appendix of Illustra- tive Notes to Colonel Smith's Narrative of Captivity with the Indians, 1755-59."
Mr. Darlington married Mary Carson, daughter of Richard Butler and Mary Boyd (Fitzsimmons) O'Hara, of Pitts- burgh. (See O'Hara line, following). Children of William McCullough and Mary Carson (O'Hara) Darlington: I. O'Hara. 2. Hillborn, who died in 1862. 3. Mary O'Hara. 4. Edith, who became the wife of Samuel A. Ammon, esquire, of Pittsburgh. Mrs. Darlington was in all respects an ideal helpmate for her gifted husband. She was a woman of literary attainments and an authoress of note. Her death occurred June 18, 1915. Devotion to his family was the ruling motive of Mr. Darlington's life, and no place was ever so dear to him as his own fireside.
On September 28, 1889, William Mc- Cullough Darlington closed his long, bril- liant and honorable career, passing away at his home, "Guyasuta," Allegheny county, and depriving the bar of that county and of his native State of one who looked upon the profession of the law as
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an order of government, and believed that, whether in office or out of it, he who measured up to his full height should give public service. He stood as an exemplification of what a lawyer's life and attitude should be, not merely to the bar, not merely to his clients, but to his country at large and to the community in which he lived. In private life he was one of the most kindly and genial of men, delighting in hospitality, and when the announcement of his death appeared many were the tears shed for the faithful friend and the incomparable host, the man to whose conversation it was ever counted a privilege to listen, and the charm of whose voice and manner yet lingers in the memory of those to whom it was once familiar.
The life of William McCullough Dar- lington was one of singular completeness and well-rounded symmetry, irreproach- able and beneficent in every public and private relation. The productions of his pen are evidence of his public spirit and literary ability, and will be read and valued by future generations of Pennsyl- vanians. As a lawyer he stands preëmi- nent in the legal annals of his day, not only by reason of brilliant talents, but as an upholder and an exemplar of the lofti- est principles of his profession.
(The O'Hara Line).
The first known of this family was Teige Oge O'Hara Buidhe, 1560, one of the chiefs of the Clan O'Hara, in Ireland. The coat-of-arms of the O'Hara family is as follows: "A demi lion rampant, hold- ing in the dexter paw a chaplet of laurel. Motto, "Try."
(II) Cormac, son of above.
(III) Charles, son of above Cormac O'Hara.
(IV) Dermond O'Hara, son of above Charles O'Hara. Son of Dermond O'Hara
was Sir Charles O'Hara, Lord Tyrawly ; Sir James O'Hara, son of Sir Charles, who became Lord Tyrawly, born 1690, died 1774.
(V) Felix O'Hara, son of Dermond O'Hara, was an officer in the Irish Bri- gade in the service of France.
(VI) John O'Hara, son of Felix O'Hara, served as officer in the Irish Bri- gade in service of France, as did his father.
(VII) James O'Hara, son of John O'Hara, was quartermaster-general in United States Army, 1792 ; married Mary Carson, daughter of William Carson, of Philadelphia.
(VIII) Richard Butler O'Hara, son of General James and Mary (Carson) O'Hara, married Mary Boyd Fitzsim- mons, and their daughter was
(IX) Mary Carson, who married Wil- liam Mccullough Darlington, of Pitts- burgh, as stated above.
Mrs. Mary Carson (O'Hara) Darling- ton was born at "Guyasuta," Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. As a child she spent much of her time with her grand- mother, the widow of General James O'Hara, who lived in Pittsburgh, where she studied under governesses. Later in her young girlhood she was at school at Braddock's Fields, Mrs. Olver's "Edge- worth Seminary." Later she attended another famous boarding school for girls, Mrs. McLeod's School, on Staten Island, New York. Soon after returning home from school she married William M. Dar- lington. Mrs. Darlington was always a student, and being especially interested in history, read and studied with her hus- band, whose library and historical writ- ings remain as a monument to both hus- band and wife. Her ability to read French, Italian, German and Spanish was of great assistance in the research work necessary in exhaustive studies of the
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history of this country. In 1892 Mrs. Darlington published the book "Fort Pitt and Letters from the Frontier," and since that time wrote many articles of histor- ical value. In 1901 she prepared a list of names of the officers of the Colonial and Revolutionary armies who died in Pitts- burgh, and were buried in the historic graveyards of the First Presbyterian or Trinity churches, Pittsburgh, and wrote a sketch of the life of each. This paper was read before the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revo- lution, of which Mrs. Darlington was an honorary member, and as a result of in- terest awakened, a bronze tablet has been placed on the stone wall on Oliver ave- nue, back of the two churches, which bears the names of these officers and others of whom Mrs. Darlington also wrote sketches for the use of students of history. For several years Mrs. Darling- ton was an attendant at the First Pres- byterian Church of Pittsburgh, but for many years was a member of the Pres- byterian Church of Sharpsburg, where she taught a Bible class, when she first returned from school, and in later years had charge of the Sunday School infant class. She had travelled quite exten- sively, twice having been abroad with her family. Her greatest happiness was, however, in her home with her books, her flowers and her family, but never did she lose interest in the affairs of the world, of her own country and locality, or her desire fail to give aid where needed. Hers was a long, beautiful life.
COOKE, Abbot S., Man of Affairs.
Not always does it happen that the traditional traits of a man of birth and breeding are combined with those of the modern business man, but the personality and career of Abbot S. Cooke, of Pitts-
burgh, furnishes a striking instance of this union of qualities. Mr. Cooke, presi- dent of the Cooke-Wilson Electric Sup- ply Company and officially connected with other important organizations of a similar character, is one of the most aggressive and successful business men of the Iron City, and he is also descended, through both his parents, from New Eng- land families of colonial, Revolutionary and national distinction.
John Cooke, founder of the American branch of the family, is said to have come from Wales, and on June 19, 1696, was of Saybrook, Connecticut, the re- cords of the town showing that on that date he sold a tract of five acres. He married, and had a son and a daughter, John and Mary. He married (second) Hannah, born February 1I, 1670, daugh- ter of Captain Daniel and Mary (Weld) Harris, of Roxbury, the former a native of England. By this second marriage there was a son Daniel, mentioned below. John Cooke died January 16, 1705, at Middletown, Connecticut.
(II) Daniel, son of John and Hannah (Harris) Cooke, was born September 19, 1691, at Saybrook, Connecticut, and re- moved to Providence, Rhode Island, where he married, February 4, 1713, Mary Power, whose ancestral record is appended to this sketch. Daniel Cooke died February 7, 1738, and his widow passed away December 17, 1741.
(III) Nicholas, son of Daniel and Mary (Power) Cooke, was born Febru- ary 3, 1717, and became a successful ship- master and merchant, also engaging in rope-making and distilling. He was pos- sessed of a handsome fortune for his day, owning and managing various estates in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Con- necticut. For years he was one of the most influential men in the colony, hold- ing many offices of trust and honor and
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almost continuously serving as deputy governor. Upon the outbreak of hostili- ties between England and the colonies he was called to the governorship of Rhode Island, and for the next three years, as Governor Cooke, he presided in the gen- eral councils, directed the State military operations, and furnished the supplies for the troops, not only in his own depart- ment, but also for those under the im- mediate command of General Washing- ton. Governor Cooke married, Septem- ber 23, 1740, Hannah, born March 13, 1722, daughter of Hezekiah Sabin, the first settler of that portion of Northeast- ern Connecticut where his Red Tavern was for many years the favorite hostelry. Governor Cooke and his wife were the parents of twelve children, among whom was Jesse, mentioned below. Governor Cooke died November 14, 1783, and the death of his widow occurred March 21, 1792.
(IV) Jesse, son of Nicholas and Han- nah (Sabin) Cooke, was born December 19, 1757, in Providence, Rhode Island, and married (first) Rosanna, daughter of Captain Christopher and Joan (Vin- cent) Sheldon. Captain Sheldon was a prominent citizen of Providence, and a son of John Sheldon, the immigrant an- cestor. Mrs. Cooke died November 20, 1789, leaving a son Joseph, mentioned below. Mr. Cooke married (second) Hannah Warner, by whom he had a daughter, Rosanna Sheldon, born Au- gust 30, 1792, died December 20, 1808. Mr. Cooke died September 13, 1794.
(V) Joseph, son of Jesse and Rosanna (Sheldon) Cooke, was a slender lad and during his youth narrowly escaped death by yellow fever. Upon attaining manhood he procured the insertion of Sheldon in his name by act of the Legis- lature. He became a noted business man of Providence and New York City, for
eighteen years was the agent of the Ly- man Cotton Manufacturing Company, and in New York was an associate of Job Angell in the wholesale dry goods business. He was interested in the banks and canal enterprises of his day, and served as one of the councilmen of Providence. In 1821 he was elected a director of the Providence Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and in 1831 a trus- tee. In the Masonic fraternity he at- tained the highest honors. After passing all the chairs of his lodge he became in 1828 a member of the Grand Lodge, and in 1831 was made grand master of the State, holding that high office until 1835. He was also a chapter, council and com- mandery Mason. Mr. Cooke married Mary Welch, and of their nine children the youngest was Nicholas Francis, men- tioned below.
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