USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Vol. VII > Part 36
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It was, however, to the legal profes- sion that Mr. Weller's talents and inclina- tions predominantly drew him, and it was not long before he began to study in the offices of Russell & Longenecker, promi- nent attorneys of Bedford county. In September, 1891, he was admitted to the Bedford county bar and immediately be- gan practice, rapidly rising into promi- nence as a natural consequence of innate ability, thorough equipment and unremit- ting devotion to duty. From 1894 to 1897 he served as district attorney for Bedford county, administering the office in a manner highly creditable to himself and fully satisfactory to all good citizens.
About this time Mr. Weller entered the field of politics, where his ability won speedy recognition and soon made him a power to be reckoned with. In 1898 he was elected to the State Senate for a term of four years, representing the Thirty- sixth District, and made a most excellent record, fully demonstrating his excep- tional fitness for public life and his high- minded regard for the interests of his con- stituents.
In the autumn of 1901 Mr. Weller re- moved to Pittsburgh, where he is a member of all courts and has a large clientele. He is general counsel for the American Reduction Company, the Bene- dum-Trees Company, Booth & Flinn, Limited, the Clover Leaf Farms Com- pany, the Clover Leaf Oil Company, the East Wilkinsburg Improvement Com- pany, the Freehold Oil & Gas Company, the Emerald Coal Company, the Emerald Coal & Coke Company, the Interior Marble & Tile Company, the Kittanning
Water Power Company, the Leader Pub- lishing Company, the Lee S. Smith & Son Manufacturing Company, the Penn Fuel Company, the Penn-Mex Fuel Com- pany and the Vulcan Motor & Service Company, Burton Powder Company. He is general counsel and director of the Pittsburgh & Allegheny Telephone Com- pany and the Pittsburgh Silver Peak Gold Mining Company.
In the business life of the Pittsburgh district, Mr. Weller takes a leading part. He is secretary and director of the Pitts- burgh-Butler Telephone Company and director of the Pittsburgh-Johnstown Long Distance Telephone Company. In the welfare of his home city he manifests a public-spirited interest, promoting to the utmost of his power, every sugges- tion which, in his judgment, tends to further that end. He is a member of the Pittsburgh City Planning Commission, having been appointed in 1912 by Mayor William A. Magee. A liberal giver to charity, his benefactions are bestowed in the quietest manner possible. In politics he is and always has been a Republican. He affiliates with Hyndman Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and Bedford Chap- ter of Royal Arch Masons, and belongs to the Duquesne Club, the Pittsburgh Country Club, Oakmont Country Club, Pittsburgh Athletic Association and the Beta Theta Phi college fraternity.
In the sphere of his chosen profession and in the arena of politics Mr. Weller has achieved distinction and been awarded honors. The vista of the future is a bright one, for with a man of his type one tri- umph is but the stepping-stone to another and added years mean simply larger work and greater attainment. Indications are that before many years have elapsed the Old Keystone State will call upon John S. Weller to serve her in a position more commanding than any of those which he has yet filled.
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THORP, Charles M.,
Lawyer.
The history of the bench and bar of Pittsburgh had its beginning before the American Revolution, and the attorneys of her courts have ever stood second to none in the United States. The noble traditions of the past have been ably maintained by those of the present time -notably by such men as Charles M. Thorp, member of the law firm of Weil & Thorp, and a leader in all movements having for their object the promotion of the welfare of Pittsburgh.
Charles M. Thorp was born March 16, 1863, at Hawley, Wayne county, Penn- sylvania, son of the late Lewis Hale and Anna Atkinson (Wise) Thorp. He was educated in the common schools and the Oil City High School, and graduated from Cornell University with the class of 1884, taking the degree of Ph. B. He registered as a law student with the late William Scott, of Pittsburgh, and was admitted to the bar of Allegheny county, on motion of the late Thomas Herriott, December 26, 1886. Since that time Mr. Thorp has been active in his profession in Pittsburgh. In 1895 he formed a law partnership with A. Leo. Weil, under the firm name of Weil & Thorp, which con- tinues to the present time. This firm is a most important one, having conducted many celebrated cases both in Pennsyl- vania and in other States. In the presen- tation of a case Mr. Thorp's manner and language-quiet, simple and forceful-are singularly effective. The papers which he prepares are strong and present the matter under consideration in a manner which admits of no dispute. He has a broad, comprehensive grasp of all ques- tions that come before him, and is par- ticularly fitted for affairs requiring execu- tive and administrative ability.
As a citizen with high ideas of good government and civic virtue, Mr. Thorp stands in the front rank. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, and takes a lively interest in that phase of politics which makes for the highest good of the community. He is a director of the Phillips Sheet and Tin Plate Com- pany ; a trustee of Edgewood Presby- terian Church; and a member of the fol- lowing clubs : The Duquesne, University, Edgewood Club (director), Edgewood Country Club (director ).
Mr. Thorp married May 22, 1888, Jessie M., daughter of George and Mary (Jordan) Boulton, of Pittsburgh, and they are the parents of children: Mar- garet Boulton; Evelyn Louise; Jessie Marianne, Sarah Eleanore ; George Boul- ton, born January 2, 1893; and Charles Monroe, born March 9, 1895.
PROVOST, George W., Head of Electric Corporation.
George Watson Provost, president and director of the Union Electric Company, is one of the younger generation of Pitts- burgh business men.
David Provost, great-great-grandfather of George Watson Provost, though born at Gedney Hill, Lincolnshire, England, was of French descent. His ancestors were Huguenots and, like so many of their brethren, accepted exile rather than renounce their religious faith. Taking refuge in England, the Provosts and some others who were skillful engineers were employed by the Duke of Bedford in draining some extensive swamps. The accomplishment of this task made them independently wealthy.
(II) James, born 1777, son of David Provost, was a farmer and married, in 1800, Ann Pullen. Their children were: James, Thomas, Ann, David, Sarah T.,
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Watson, mentioned below; John P., and Louise. Of these, Watson and Matilda emigrated to the United States.
(III) Watson, son of James and Ann (Pullen) Provost, was born May 31, 1812, in Lincolnshire, England, and was edu- cated at Peterborough. In May, 1838, he came to the United States, and was employed by farmers in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. In the autumn of that year he returned to England for his wife and son, and on arriving with them in his new home was employed by a man known as "Preacher Jones," in the first brickyard in Birmingham. There he was unfortunately defrauded of his wages, and later turned his attention to farming, purchasing the William Wilson mill on Saw Mill run. This was destroyed by fire, and he afterward bought Pollock's mill. He was a Republican, and a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Mr. Provost married, in 1836, at Wisbeach, St. Mary's, England, Mary, daughter of Robert and Maria (Mayne) Watkinson, and their children were: William,; Anna P., married James Phillips, of Pittsburgh ; James; Robert Watson, mentioned be- low; Maria, married Dr. J. H. Burkett ; C. Wright ; and Samuel P. Mr. Provost, by indomitable energy in the face of great discouragement, acquired a handsome competence and at the time of his death was the owner of more than eighty acres of land, upon which many houses were erected.
(IV) Robert Watson, son of Watson and Mary (Watkinson) Provost, was born in 1845, in Allegheny county, Penn- sylvania, and obtained his education in local schools. In association with his brother he was engaged for a time in the contracting business in his native county, but later became a farmer. He was a Republican, and attended the Presby- terian church. Mr. Provost married
Mary Jane, daughter of John McFarland and Martha (Crummy) Phillips and cousin of John M. Phillips, of Pittsburgh. The Phillips family were among the old settlers of Allegheny county. Mr. and Mrs. Provost were the parents of the fol- lowing children: Edward Allen, of Pitts- burgh ; John Phillips, of Pittsburgh, vice- president of the Union Electric Com- pany; Lillian Mary, wife of George P. Manson, of Kalamazoo, Michigan ; George Watson, mentioned below; Mary Mayne, of Pittsburgh ; and Melcena, wife of Her- bert N. Rudderow, of East View, Pitts- burgh. Mr. Provost, who was a useful man and good citizen, closed his career while still a young man, passing away June 6, 1882.
(V) George Watson, son of Robert Watson and Mary Jane (Phillips) Pro- vost, was born November 13, 1873, at Fair Haven, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and attended both country and city schools, completing his course of study at Duff's Business College, Pittsburgh. For a short time thereafter he was em- ployed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and was then associated with an uncle who was in the flouring business on the South Side. Five years were spent with the Empire Laundry Company, and from 1896 to 1901 he was identified with the foundry business.
But in none of these different occupa- tions did Mr. Provost feel that he had found his true sphere, and in 1897, while he was still identified with the foundry concern, he ventured into the field of elec- tricity, forming, in partnership with his brother, the General Railway Supply Company. Success attended them, and they remained in business until 1907, when they consolidated with the Union Electric Company, the new firm retain- ing the latter name, and Mr. Provost be- coming president and director, offices
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which he still retains. The business of the company is that of jobbers in mine, mill and especially railroad supplies, and they have a large and flourishing trade. in Western Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, West Virginia and Western Mary- land. The success of the enterprise is in no small measure the result of the keen foresight and aggressive management of the president of the company, the force of whose personality makes itself felt in deeds rather than in words, and who looks the man he is. Mr. Provost has recently purchased the controlling interest in the Pittsburgh Talking Machine Company, and he is also identified, as stockholder, with other enterprises.
Politically, Mr. Provost is an Independ- ent Republican, ever ready to do all in his power for the betterment of conditions in his community. He affiliates with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights Templar, belongs to the Union and Press clubs, and is a member of the Presby- terian church.
Mr. Provost married, June 16, 1902, in Pittsburgh, Harriet Louise, daughter of the Rev. W. P. and Laura (Gardner) Shrom, of that city, where Mr. Shrom has been for twenty-five years pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian Church, going thither from Cadiz, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Provost are the parents of four children : Laura Gardner, born August II, 1903; George Watson, born February 6, 1905; Harriet Louise, born March 2, 1907; and Mary Jane, born March 25, 1911. Mrs. Provost, a cultured woman of winning personality, is a member of the Colloquial Club of Pittsburgh and other social or- ganizations.
Among the several nationalities which have gone to the making of Western Pennsylvania the French has been in a minority, but the old Huguenot strain i, always effective and this George Wat- son Provost has ably assisted in proving.
SACHS, Charles H.,
Lawyer.
The future of Pittsburgh is in the hands not of her industrial leaders and poten- tates alone, but also in those of the men who preside and argue in her courts- who administer justice and plead for re- dress of wrongs. Her standing in the years to come depends largely on the maintenance, by her judges and advocates, and for that maintenance she looks to such men as Charles H. Sachs, one of the ac- knowledged leaders of the younger gen- eration of Pittsburgh lawyers. The pro- fessional career of Mr. Sachs has thus far been associated exclusively with Pitts- burgh, and he is intimately identified with her essential interests.
Charles H. Sachs was born in Russia, September 29, 1877, son of the late Hyman D. and Libbie (Weiner) Sachs. Hyman D. Sachs died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 7, 1901 ; Mrs. Hyman D. Sachs is still living. Charles H. Sachs accompanied his parents to the United States in 1883, they locating in Pitts- burgh. His education was received in the second ward schools and at the aca- demic department of the Pittsburgh High School. He then took up the study of law in the Pittsburgh Law School (now the Law Department of the University of Pittsburgh), and was graduated with the initial class of that institution, in 1897. He was admitted to the bar of Allegheny county, September, 1898, since which time he has been in active practice of his profession in Pittsburgh. On his admis- sion to the bar, Mr. Sachs became a part- ner of Alexander Spiro, under the firm name of Spiro & Sachs; in September, 1901, H. C. Levey was admitted, and the name became Levey, Spiro & Sachs; in May, 1902, Mr. Spiro retired, and the firm was changed to Levey & Sachs; in April, 1903, that firm was dissolved. Mr.
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Sachs then formed a partnership with Benjamin L. Hirshfield, under the name of Sachs & Hirshfield, in 1904, which was dissolved in 1910, when Mr. Hirshfield retired from the practice of law. Since then Mr. Sachs has practiced alone. Pos- sessing thorough equipment enforced by innate ability and unremitting devotion to duty, Mr. Sachs has made for himself, entirely by his own efforts, a place of high standing among his professional breth- ern. Thorough and painstaking in the preparation of his cases, he is clear and forceful in their presentation, his argu- ments being remarkable for depth of in- sight and lucidity of expression. He is a member of all Pennsylvania courts and of the United States Circuit Court.
As a true citizen, Mr. Sachs takes a keen and active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his home city. His political affiliations are with the Republicans, but he has no desire for place or preferment, finding, in devotion to his chosen profession, the most con- genial sphere for the exercise of his ener- gies. His charities are numerous, but quietly bestowed. He is a trustee of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies and director and member of the executive committee of Montefiore Hospital. He is also a director of the Washington Trust Company. Of genial nature, Mr. Sachs is a member of various social organizations. He is a member of the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith.
Mr. Sachs married, December, 1906, Miss Flora Hirsch, born in the city of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Levi) Hirsch.
The personality of Charles H. Sachs is that of a true lawyer-strong and at the same time magnetic. He has the legal mind, fitted to appreciate formal logic, exact statements and nice distinctions and delighting in the formation of prin-
ciples and the definition of rights and duties. Considerate and courteous, he always conveys the impression that be- hind his genial exterior he possesses an underlying foundation of keen business sense and administrative ability. His temperament is social and he is a pleasing and interesting conversationalist. The fact that he possesses a large number of personal friends is proof that he is ardent and loyal in his attachments.
PAYNE, William G., Coal Operator, Financier.
Three generations of the Paynes have been prominent in the coal mining busi- ness in Pennsylvania, descendants of Robert Payne, of Ballycommon, Kings county, Ireland, who with his wife, Mary A., the daughter of Rev. William Cham- berlain, a clergyman of the Established Church of England at Ballycommon, Kings county, Ireland, came to America with their son Edward, and settled in Canada. From Canada the son Edward came to Pennsylvania, where he became a noted coal operator. Following him, his son, William G. Payne, has also en- gaged in coal operations, extending the family name and fame. In the fourth American generation follows his son, William T. Payne, his activity being along the same line in association with his honored father.
Not alone are the Paynes prominent in that part of the business world occupied by the mining industry, but each gener- ation has widened its horizon, its mem- bers becoming veritable "Captains of Industry," their interests extending to other States and to other lines of activity. By marriage they are connected with the Standish family of English descent, a family that has been an honored one in America since the first coming of
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the "Mayflower." Minersville, Schuylkill county, was the first Pennsylvania home of the Paynes, and not until 1871 did Wil- liam G. Payne locate at Kingston, now the family home. Since that date he has been a resident of Kingston, although his business interests are larger in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Now past the sixty-seventh year of an unusual- ly active business life, he has surrendered many of the heavier burdens to his cap- able and willing son, William T. Payne, but is himself still "in the harness," a man of energy and force of character. His life has known nothing but success, but it is a success that has been earnestly striven after and that has been won by industry and intelligence, not by favor- itism or a lucky turn of Fortune's wheel. He commands the unvarying respect of his fellowmen, and none has suffered that he might rise through the misfortune of another. He has welcomed opportunity, has exercised good judgment, never has sought for a royal road to fortune, but has risen through the efficacy of the old fash- ioned virtues, perseverance and integrity. His life has been one of development until now beyond the height of man's strength and vigor, he can review his past with satisfaction and can point the way for younger men to follow.
Robert Payne, the grandfather of Wil- liam G. Payne, first landed in Montreal, Canada, when he came to this country, and ever remained in Canada, there en- gaging in the milling business until his death. He is buried at Granby, near where his American life was spent. Edward Payne, his son, was born in 1814, came to Canada with his parents when a boy, and died at Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1857. He spent his early life in Canada, later locating at Minersville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. There he became an extensive coal operator,
owning three mines. He also owned in fee simple that tract of coal land now known as the "Stanton," John Stanton being his superintendent, and the shaft getting its name from him. Later he engaged in the wholesale coal business as well, maintaining offices in Philadel- phia and New York, marketing the pro- ducts of his own mines and of others. He built up a large business and laid the foundation upon which his son, William G., built one far greater. Edward Payne married Priscilla Standish, of Pennsyl- vania parentage and distinguished Eng- lish ancestry. She died in 1880.
William G. Payne, son of Edward and Priscilla (Standish) Payne, was born at Minersville, Schuylkill county, Pennsyl- vania, July 19, 1848, and is now a resident of Kingston, Luzerne county. When young his parents moved to Jersey City, New Jersey, where he attended public and private schools until the death of his father in 1857. He was then taken to Granby, Canada, where relatives resided, and there attended school. Later he joined his uncle, William Payne, in New- ark, New Jersey, and after completing his studies entered the employ of the Con- sumers' Coal Company of Newark, a company of which his uncle was inter- ested. He began as a clerk in the com- pany's offices, quickly grasped the details of the business, and was promoted in rank, finally filling the office of secretary- treasurer. He continued in Newark until 1871, when he was made general super- intendent of the East Boston Mines, owned by the company, at Luzerne, Penn- sylvania, then making that place his head- quarters. In 1873 he purchased the mines and business of the Consumers' Coal Company, and a little later, in association with W. H. Meeker, established the wholesale coal business of Meeker, Payne & Company in New York City. From
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that time he engaged in greater enter- prises, and has immense business inter- ests, widely separated. The foundations laid broad and deep, he has upon them erected a business edifice strong and en- during that he can contemplate with pleasure and pride. He is president and principal owner of the East Boston Coal Company, president of the Dolph Coal Company, of Scranton, a manager of the Pierce Coal Company, of Scranton, presi- dent of the Consumers' Coal Company, of Newark, New Jersey, a company of im- portance in that city, and the owner of valuable coal lands in Pennsylvania, director of the Wyoming National Bank, of Wilkes-Barre, and has other interests of less importance. He was a director and one of the principal owners of the Bridge- port Steamboat Company, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and president of the People's Steamboat Company, owners of a large fleet of passenger and cargo steamers ply- ing between New York City and Bridge- port. Mr. Payne is a Republican in politics, and in 1892 was a presidential elector on the Harrison ticket. He is a communicant of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church of Wilkes-Barre; a life member of the Wyoming Historical and Geolog- ical Society, and Westmoreland Club of Wilkes-Barre; Taquahanga Club of Ver- mont ; Lawyers' Club of New York; St. James' Club of Montreal.
Mr. Payne married, October 6, 1868, Ellen, daughter of Lother Roberts, of Montreal, Canada, and has two children, William T. and Blanche E.
William T., only son of William G. and Ellen (Roberts) Payne, was born in Kingston, Pennsylvania, April 20, 1871, and is still a resident of that borough, a prominent man of affairs. After reach- ing school years and until 1883 he attend- ed Miss Widnall's private school in Kingston, then upon the moving of his
parents to New York City, where his father had important wholesale coal inter- ests, he entered the Dwight School, pre- paratory to taking up studies at Sheffield Scientific School, at New Haven, Con- necticut. At the age of twenty years he completed his scholastic work and entered business life, becoming a clerk in the office of the East Boston Coal Company. He proved a worthy son of his father and greater interests have been committed to his able management. He is now vice- president and general manager of the East Boston Coal Company, president of the Raub Coal Company, of Kingston, director of the Second National Bank, of Wilkes-Barre, and a director of the West Side Hospital, of Kingston. He is a Re- publican in politics, a communicant of the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church of Wilkes-Barre ; a life member of the Wy- oming Historical and Geological Society, and interested in all that concerns the welfare of his native town.
Mr. Payne married, June 15, 1897, Anna, daughter of Agid and Anna (Piper) Ricketts, of Wilkes-Barre, and has two children, Anna Roberts and Pris- cilla Standish Payne.
HADDOCK, John C.,
Coal Operator, Exemplary Citizen.
Although John C. Haddock ranked among the most prominent coal operators of the Wyoming Valley, he was a well matured man before he came to the Val- ley, and his previous life had been entirely spent in commercial lines. The story of his life is that of a boy born in a far-away land, but brought to the United States at so early an age that he never could have known he was not American by birth had others not told him. He came up from lowly position, made his own way to responsible position, and won fortune by
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a bold investment in the supposedly worked out Dodson mine at Plymouth, Pennsylvania. But luck bore no part in his successful life, hard work, persever- ance, sound judgment and business acumen being the factors which placed him in the commanding position he occu- pied. At the time of his death he was president of the Plymouth Coal Com- pany, and while he possessed the entire confidence of the coal operators of the Valley, he was also regarded by the miners as one of their best friends. He operated his mines for profit, as he was entitled to do, but he had a keen interest in the welfare of his men and did not wish to prosper at their expense. It was largely through his instrumentality that the Plymouth Coal Company levied a tax on their own coal to create a fund for the support of employes made dependent through mining accidents. His attitude towards the miners during the coal strike of 1902 was favorable to their side of the controversy, and there was probably no operator in the anthracite region who was held in higher esteem by the miners or by the general public than Mr. Haddock. They knew him as he was, knew the real man, knew his practical, sensible ideas of mine and business management, his un- flinching courage and sterling manhood. To his business associates he was the cool levelheaded man of affairs, upright and honorable in every transaction, a true "captain of industry." To his personal friends he was very dear, the soul of hos- pitality. This side of his nature cannot be better described than in the following tribute from his friend, Bishop Darling- ton, which appeared in the "Brooklyn Daily Eagle:"
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