USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Vol. VII > Part 35
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affairs of the community effort and counsel of genuine value, his penetrating thought often added wisdom to public movements. In 1879, however, he aban- doned business in consequence of his election to the office of water assessor of the North Side. It was during his in- cumbency that he gained his first impor- tant political victory, one of the most hotly contested of his whole career. James Lindsay was a candidate for the Select Council of Allegheny (now North Side, Pittsburgh), opposing Hugh Flem- ing, and so skillfully was the campaign of the former managed by Mr. Grier that Lindsay was elected on the third ballot. In 1885 Mr. Grier resigned the position of water assessor in order to become chief clerk in the office of the county clerk of courts, an office then held by David Mc- Gonigle. In 1887 Mr. Grier resigned, having been elected delinquent tax col- lector of Allegheny. In this position he served continuously until the latter part of 1901, when he resigned in favor of his chief clerk and confidential friend, John G. Hastings. He then engaged in the brokerage business in partnership with his brother-in-law, Chester T. Hoag, and in April, 1903, he dissolved the connection and devoted himself to his many other business interests.
These were, indeed, numerous. He was president of the Park and Falls Street Railway Company, of Youngstown, Ohio, and organized a company of Allegheny men to purchase the line in Youngstown and extend it to twelve acres of land on the outskirts of the city, which land was then converted into a park and summer pleasure-ground. Mr. Grier was also president of the Columbia Plate Glass Company, of the Consolidated Valley Water Company of Avalon and Bellevue, and of the Pittsburgh Vein Coal Com- pany. He was a director of the Second National Bank of Allegheny, the National
Fireproofing Company and the Dollar Savings Fund and Trust Company of Allegheny. A man of action rather than words, he demonstrated his public spirit by actual achievements that advanced the prosperity and wealth of the community, giving, to whatever he undertook, his whole soul and allowing none of the many interests intrusted to his care to suffer for want of close and able attention and industry.
A vigilant and attentive observer of men and measures, holding sound opin- ions and taking liberal views, Mr. Grier's ideas carried weight among those with whom he discussed public problems. He was one of the conspicuous Quay leaders in Allegheny county, constituting, with John R. Murphy and Robert McAfee, a triumvirate which was regarded as well- nigh invincible in the political affairs of the county. Born to command and wise to plan, Mr. Grier was preëminently a man to lean upon-a man upon whom men leaned. The most signal recognition of his ability and popularity as a political leader occurred when Governor William A. Stone offered him the position of re- corder of Allegheny county. This honor Mr. Grier declined.
Both in private and in public life he was ever unostentatiously ready to aid the distressed, to watch over the interests of the poor and to accord to the laborer his hire. In all concerns relative to the welfare of Pittsburgh his interest was deep and sincere, and during the whole period of his public life he presented an example of honesty, patriotism, and phil- anthropy. He was a director of the Ninth Street Bridge Company and a trustee of the Allegheny General Hospital. Though of a strongly marked social nature, he be- longed to no secret orders. He was a member of Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church.
Of fine presence and polished manners,
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Mr. Grier was a man once seen not easily forgotten. His genial nature and sunny temperament endeared him to all with whom he was brought in contact. Pos- sessing all the essential qualifications of a wise and successful executant, he was withal a man of valiant fidelity. Impetu- ous and persistent, he was also prudent. Broad in his views, buoyant in disposi- tion, honest, sincere and self-reliant and endowed with an inherent genius for leadership, he won a matchless following and compelled the unquestioning confi- dence of men of affairs. He was a man of whom it might be truly said that he was enshrined in the hearts of his fellow- citizens.
Mr. Grier married, June 18, 1895, Har- riet, daughter of James and Charlotte (Turner) Hoag, of Allegheny, and they were the parents of two daughters: Har- riet; and Elenor. Mrs. Grier, a thought- ful, clever woman of culture and char- acter, takes life with a gentle seriousness that endears her to those about her. Not long before his death Mr. Grier built a handsome residence in the East End, and he was also the owner of a country home in Ohio. Devoted in his family relations, sincere and true in his friendships, his happiest hours were passed in the home circle.
Suddenly, in the prime of life and in full maturity of all his powers, Mr. Grier passed away January 3, 1904. Well might Pittsburgh mourn his loss. Her financial and commercial concerns, her educational, political, charitable and re- ligious interests had all profited by his support and cooperation. Revered by all for his sterling qualities of manhood, he irradiated the everwidening circle of his influence with the brightness of spirit that expressed the pure gold of character, and won a place that was all his own in the hearts of all who knew him.
Among the many tributes from the press was the following, which appeared editorially in a Pittsburgh paper: "The shockingly sudden death of Samuel Camp- bell Grier will cause wide-spread mourn- ing. Mr. Grier's friends are numbered by the thousand, none of whom had any warning that his illness might terminate fatally. Mr. Grier was a high type of the self-made man."
A self-made man indeed ! And not that alone. He was one of the "Makers of Pittsburgh," and Pittsburgh, his native city, to this day holds his name and memory in honor.
WESTINGHOUSE, Henry H., Westinghouse Official, Inventor.
Pittsburgh is indebted for her greatness not only to the men who live within her boundaries, but also, in large measure, to others whose brains and inventive genius reach out from distant cities to build up and strengthen the colossal industries which have given her her world-renown. Prominent among this powerful class of non-resident Pittsburghers is Henry Her- man Westinghouse, president of the Westinghouse Air Brake Company and an inventor whose genius has added lustre to an already famous name. Mr. West- inghouse, while a resident of New York, is conspicuously and intimately identified with the most vital interests of the Iron City.
The Westinghouse family is of German origin, and was planted in Vermont at some period prior to the Revolutionary War. Those bearing this name have always been characterized by great bodily vigor, extraordinary mental development and remarkable moral power. That these qualities have been most strikingly mani- fested in the later generations of the race the world can testify.
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George Westinghouse, father of Henry Herman Westinghouse, was an inventor, and in 1856 settled in Schenectady, New York, where he established the Schenec- tady Agricultural Works. He married Emeline Vedder, who was descended from Dutch-English ancestors who attained distinction in art and in educational and religious work. Mr. and Mrs. Westing- house were the parents of seven sons: George, now deceased, whose fame is international; and Henry Herman, men- tioned below, were the youngest. Both sons inherited the inventive genius of their father whom they greatly surpassed.
Henry Herman, son of George and Em- eline (Vedder) Westinghouse, was born November 16, 1853, in Central Bridge, Schoharie county, New York, and attend- ed the schools at Schenectady, afterward studying at the Sibley College of Engi- neering, Cornell University, Ithaca. He early developed the mechanical instincts characteristic of his family, and in 1873 came to Pittsburgh at the invitation of his brother, George, to assist in the manage- ment of the Westinghouse Air Brake Company, with which he has ever since been continuously connected.
An attempt to give, even in the briefest manner, a history of the famous Westing- house interests would be utterly super- fluous. It is known to the world. The Westinghouse Air Brake Company, which is the parent organization, was organized in 1869, and the air brake is now used by every railroad of any consequence in every civilized country on the globe. Its founder and for many years its president was the late George Westinghouse, in- ventor of the air brake, and originator of the group of powerful corporations of which this was the nucleus. A biography and portrait of Mr. Westinghouse appear elsewhere in this work. For many years Henry Herman Westinghouse was first
vice-president of the Westinghouse Air Brake Company, his keen business sense, progressive ideas and cool, clear-sighted judgment proving of infinite value in its management and augmenting in no small measure its prosperity and success.
On October 15, 1914, he was elected to succeed his distinguished brother as presi- dent of the company. It was felt by all that nothing could be more fitting or better calculated to insure for the organ- ization a future worthy of its past. Mr. Westinghouse is also president and direc- tor of the Westinghouse Traction Brake Company, the American Brake Company, the Canadian Westinghouse Company, Limited, and the Westinghouse Brake Company, of London, England.
In mechanical matters Mr. Westing- house takes high rank. In the late seven- ties he invented a high-speed single act- ing steam engine for the manufacture and sale of which the Westinghouse Machine Company was organized in 1880.
In politics Mr. Westinghouse is a Re- publican, but owing to the engrossing nature of his business responsibilities has never taken an active part in public affairs. No measure which, according to his judg- ment, tends to promote the betterment of conditions in his home city fails to receive from him substantial and influential aid and encouragement. He was the founder and for many years a guiding spirit in the management of the engineering corpora- tion of Westinghouse, Church, Kerr & Company, and he is an active member of the Westinghouse Air Brake Veterans' Association, identified with the pension plan and other sociological features of the organization. For Cornell University, his alma mater, he has ever borne a loyal affection and now occupies a seat on her board of trustees.
The words "quiet force" may be said to strike the keynote of Mr. Westinghouse's
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character, pervading and influencing the action of the attributes which have made him what he is. His insight into human nature has enabled him to surround him- self with associates and subordinates who seldom fail to meet his expectations and by the latter class he is faithfully served and loyally loved. An element which has been a potent factor in his success is his singularly strong and magnetic person- ality which has enabled him to exert a wonderful influence on those associated with him and to secure their devoted co- operation.
Mr. Westinghouse married, June 20, 1875, Clara Louise, daughter of George and Abigail Saltmarsh, of Ithaca, New York, and they were the parents of a daughter, Clara C., who became the wife of Charles W. Fletcher. Mrs. Westing- house is a woman of rare culture, social grace and genuine philanthropy-a com- bination of qualities which renders her a truly ideal helpmate for a man of her husband's disposition and temperment, one, moreover, who is devoted to the ties of family and friendship, regarding them as sacred obligations. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Westinghouse is in New York City, and they have a country residence at Kidders, Seneca county, New York.
Despite the fact that Mr. Westinghouse is no longer a resident of Pittsburgh the city for which his genius has done so much cherishes the belief that she is still the home of his heart as she is certainly the centre of his successes, and it is in connection with Pittsburgh that the name of Westinghouse will go down in history. Henry Herman Westinghouse, now at the zenith of a splendid career, has wrought well for his own honor and for the industrial dominion of his beloved city of Pittsburgh and that of the grand old commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
SIMONTON, Thomas G., Physician, Medical Instructor.
Dr. Thomas Grier Simonton, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Uni- versity of Pittsburgh, is one of the lead- ing internists in the Iron City. Dr. Simonton is well-known as a writer on medical subjects and enjoys a wide repu- tation as the originator of the anti-cocaine crusade in the United States.
William Simonton, great-grandfather of Thomas Grier Simonton, was born about 1755, in County Antrim, Ireland, and when about ten years old was sent for by his uncle, the Reverend John Simonton, pastor of the Great Valley Presbyterian Church in Chester county, Pennsylvania. The Simonton family is of Scottish origin. The Reverend Mr. Simonton caused the lad, William, to be brought to this coun- try, and appears to have given him a good education, judging from the fact that the youth studied medicine and became a highly proficient physician. Between July 14, 1777, and January 28, 1778, Dr. Simonton went before Justice Joshua Elder and took the oath of allegiance to the State of Pennsylvania. In 1784 he purchased land called "Antigua," in West Hanover township, Dauphin (then Lan- caster ) county, Pennsylvania, and on this land he passed the remainder of his life. Dr. Simonton married, November 17, 1777, Jane, born in 1756, daughter of John and Elizabeth Wiggins, and they became the parents of five sons and three daugh- ters. Dr. Simonton died April 24, 1800, and his widow passed away in October, 1824.
(II) William (2), son of William (1) and Jane (Wiggins) Simonton, was born in 1788, and studied medicine, graduating in 1809 from the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania. He prac- ticed his profession in Dauphin county,
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and also took an active part in public affairs, being several times elected con- gressman from the district of Dauphin and Lebanon counties. He was an elder in Derry church. Dr. Simonton married, in 1815, Martha, born November 25, 1791, in Hanover, Pennsylvania, daughter of the Reverend James and Martha (Davis) Snodgrass. Mr. Snodgrass was pastor of Hanover church. Eleven children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Simonton. The former passed away May 17, 1846, and the death of the latter occurred April 10, 1862.
(III) Rev. William (3) Simonton, son of William (2) and Martha (Snodgrass) Simonton, was born September 12, 1820, in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, and received his preparatory edu- cation at Newark Academy, Delaware. In 1846 he graduated at Delaware Col- lege, and in 1847 entered Princeton Theo- logical Seminary, completing his course of study in 1850. In 1849 he was licensed by the Presbytery of Carlisle, Pennsyl- vania, and in September. 1850, took charge of the churches of Northumber- land and Sunbury, Pennsylvania. At the end of four years he was called to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he remained seventeen years, dur- ing which time the congregation was greatly increased. He then went to Em- mitsburg, Maryland, taking charge not only of the congregation at that place, but also of those at Piney Creek and Taney- town. After ministering seventeen years to these three charges, he resigned the two last named, but for seven years more retained the pastorate of the church at Emmitsburg. In 1885 the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Delaware College. In October, 1897, Dr. Simonton retired from the active duties of the ministry, taking up
his abode in Washington, Pennsylvania. He married, May 23, 1855, at Danville, Pennsylvania, Anna Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. Thomas Grier. Mr. Grier was a representative of a prominent Pennsylvania family. Dr. and Mrs. Simonton were the parents of the follow- ing children: Mary Alice, wife of the Hon. Joseph Buffington, judge of the United States Circuit Court, Pittsburgh, and mother of a son, Joseph; Elizabeth, wife of James Boyd Neal, M. D., she and her husband being now missionaries in China ; Sarah Rose Grier, wife of Major Elisha Atherton Hancock, of Philadel- phia; Martha Snodgrass, of Pittsburgh ; William, died in infancy; and Thomas Grier, mentioned below. Dr. Simonton died September 21, 1908, at the Thousand Islands, New York, the whole period of his active ministry having extended from September, 1850, to October, 1897-weil- nigh a half-century of fruitful and self- denying service.
(IV) Dr. Thomas Grier Simonton, son of Rev. William (3) and Anna Elizabeth (Grier) Simonton, was born January 30, 1870, at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and received his rudimentary education in private schools of Emmitsburg, Mary- land. After a year of preparatory study he entered Washington and Jefferson Col- lege, graduating in 1892 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Matriculating in the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania, he received from that insti- tution, in 1895, the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
Immediately thereafter Dr. Simonton came to Pittsburgh, and for a year served as interne at the Mercy Hospital. In 1896 he opened an office and soon suc- ceeded in establishing himself as a gen- eral practitioner. As time went on, how- ever, he turned his attention more and more to the subject of internal medicine,
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and is now widely known as an internist in that department of his profession, hav- ing a large clientele in the East End. For eight years he served on the staff of the Passavant Hospital, and he now be- longs to the staff of the Children's Hos- pital and also to that of St. Francis' Hos- pital. Since 1911 he has been Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine in the University of Pittsburgh.
As a writer on medical subjects Dr. Simonton has been accorded widespread and favorable recognition, his frequent contributions to professional journals meeting always with appreciative atten- tion. He belongs to the Pittsburgh Acad- emy of Medicine, and in 1912 was its president. The other professional organ- izations in which he is enrolled are the American Medical Association, the Penn- sylvania State Medical Association, and the Allegheny County Medical Society. He also belongs to the William Pepper Medical Society and the Beta Theta Phi fraternity.
To Dr. Simonton belongs the very honorable distinction of having been the originator of the anti-cocaine crusade in the United States, a movement which accomplished much in stopping the pro- miscuous use of this drug, thereby con- ferring incalculable benefit on the nation and, indirectly, on the world at large.
The political allegiance of Dr. Simon- ton is given to the Republican party, but beyond bestowing on public affairs the amount of attention demanded of every good citizen he has never participated in the work of the organization. In the Masonic fraternity he has attained the thirty-second degree, and he also affiliates with the Knights Templar, and holds membership in the University Club. He belongs to the Shady Side United Pres- byterian Church.
Dr. Simonton married, June 26, 1911, Luella, daughter of the late John and
Maggie (McKelvy) Munhall, of Pitts- burgh. Mrs. Simonton, who is a social favorite and also identified with various clubs and philanthropic movements, is a woman fitted to give to her husband in- tellectual comradeship and at the same time to be the presiding genius of his home.
Dr. Simonton has devoted many years to his chosen work of ministering to the suffering, and his labors have been largely successful, but his initiation of the anti- cocaine crusade will ever remain his crowning service. In leading the van against the perversion of this drug from its original beneficent uses he performed an act which entitles him to the lasting gratitude of every American citizen.
LLOYD, David M., Financier, Enterprising Citizen.
The name of Lloyd is one which has earned favorable commendation for many years in the city of Pittsburgh, and of David McKinney Lloyd it may truly be said that he is the worthy son of a most worthy father. Mr. Lloyd holds high official position in numerous financial and other enterprises.
David McKinney Lloyd was born in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, October 28, 1852, son of the late Henry and Jane F. (Mckinney) Lloyd. A biography and portrait of Henry Lloyd is to be found elsewhere in this work. David Mckinney Lloyd was three years of age when his parents removed to Pittsburgh, and it was there that he received his education in the public and private schools, and at the Western University of Pennsylvania (now University of Pittsburgh). Upon the completion of his education he entered upon his business career by becoming a member of the firm of H. Lloyd, Sons & Company, of which his father was the senior member. They were among the
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most prominent iron manufacturers of the country. His health failing in 1875, it became advisable that he spend some time in complete relaxation. He accord- ingly spent three months in England and nine months in California, and upon his return to Pittsburgh formed a business connection with the First National Bank at Altoona, Pennsylvania, which was only severed by the death of his father in 1879, which necessitated his return to Pittsburgh, where he acted as adminis- trator of his father's estate. After having settled these matters, Mr. Lloyd again turned his attention to banking interests. In 1890 he was elected to the presidency of the People's Savings Bank, which he holds to the present time. He is also vice- president of the Safe Deposit & Trust Company ; director in the People's Na- tional Bank; trustee of the Pittsburgh Branch Guarantee Company of North America, and an important stockholder in numerous manufacturing and commer- cial concerns.
Mr. Lloyd's character has fitted him to assume and bear responsibilities of a widely diversified nature, and, like his father, he has ever taken a great and active interest in all matters relating to the cause of religion. He is a trustee and was for fifteen years treasurer of the Western Theological Seminary ; member of the Scientific Society of Western Penn- sylvania; member of the Pittsburgh Art Society ; trustee of the Deaf and Dumb Institute; charter member of the board of trustees of the Point Breeze Presby- terian Church, of which he was one of the founders; and is a member of the Duquesne Club, the Pittsburgh Athletic Association and other social organiza- tions of Pittsburgh.
Mr. Lloyd married, April 17, 1877, Amanda, daughter of Hamilton and Mary Elizabeth (Jack) Mcclintock.
Hamilton McClintock was one of the earliest oil producers of Oil City, Penn- sylvania. Children of David Mckinney and Amanda (McClintock) Lloyd: Mary E., wife of James K. McCance, of Pitts- burgh; Jane F .; and Henry, born Janu- ary 8, 1882, educated in Pittsburgh public schools, graduate of Shadyside Academy, Pittsburgh, and graduate, in 1905, of Princeton University.
While his business affairs naturally occupy most of Mr. Lloyd's time, yet his interest in his fellow citizens is a gener- ous one, and he is ever ready to aid any project for the welfare of the community. His record worthily supplements that of his father.
WELLER, John S., Lawyer, Corporation Official.
Pittsburgh's supremacy among the steel cities of the world is based primar- ily upon her superior brain-power, not upon her muscle or her coal, and the great reservoir of that brain-power has always been found in the strength of her bench and bar. That strength has steadily grown with the lapse of years and among those counsellors whose learning and ability most worthily maintain, at the present day, the prestige of the legal pro- fession, is John S. Weller, a leader of the bar of the Steel City and ex-State Senator from the Thirty-sixth District. Mr. Wel- ler has been for nearly thirteen years a resident of Pittsburgh and is prominent in her legal, financial and political circles.
John S. Weller was born November I, 1867, in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of the late Dr. Frederick S. and Mary A. (Hammer) Weller. His preparatory education was received in the public schools of Bedford county, Penn- sylvania, and by private tuition, and later he entered the Pennsylvania State Col-
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lege, where he graduated as a civil engi- neer in the class of 1889. Subsequently he was employed on the staff of the United States Geodetic Survey, making a record which showed that his prospects of success as a civil engineer were un- commonly brilliant.
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