USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Vol. VII > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle: I saw your sympathetic tribute to our mutual friend, Mr. Haddock. Permit me to add my tribute also in a few lines in "The Eagle". John Courtney Had-
dock was a large man in every way, in body, in mind and in heart. The Glen Summit home of himself and his wife was a shrine where many received inspiration, and still more unbounded hospitality. Though a large employer of labor, controlling several coal properties, his fellow coal mine owners upheld the justice of many of the laboring men's demands. His love for flowers of his beautiful gardens was only surpassed by his greater love for his God, and all forms of suffer- ing humanity. His friendship was a large asset of gain to his intimates, and his memory will be treasured for years to come. May I lay this one little flower of appreciation upon the casket of one who deserves much more?
Yours very sincerely,
JAMES HENRY DARLINGTON.
The Bishop's House, Harrisburg, Pa., December 29, 1914.
John Courtney Haddock was born in the county of Longford, Ireland, Novem- ber 26, 1850, and died in New York City, December 20, 1914. When an infant he was brought to the United States by his parents, who settled in Lenox, Massa- chusetts. After obtaining a good educa- tion in the public schools, he obtained a position with a commercial house in New- port, Rhode Island, later forming a con- nection with a wholesale coal dealing firm with whom he remained until reaching his majority in 1871. Then he was sent to Fall River, Massachusetts, as manager of the coal yards there, but in 1874 went to New York City, there becoming man- ager of the wholesale coal department of Meeker & Dean. He spent six years with that firm, which term of service com- pleted the years spent as an employee. He had thoroughly mastered the detail of coal marketing, wholesale and retail, but as yet had not had any connection with coal production.
In 1880, Mr. Haddock, in association with G. W. Shonk, of Plymouth, Penn- sylvania, purchased the unexpired lease of the Dodson mine at Plymouth, an in- vestment which resulted very profitably and was a striking instance of the sound-
PEN-Vol VII-18
249I
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
ness of Mr. Haddock's judgment, as the mine was considered a "worked out" property. In 1882 he purchased the lease of the Black Diamond mine at Luzerne, Pennsylvania, which he worked very suc- cessfully as long as he lived. He engaged in other extensive mining operations in corporate connection, became president of the Plymouth Coal Company, president of John C. Haddock Company of New York City, and was the forceful executive of both. He was successful in promoting the development of the various mining properties and other business interests of which he was the executive head and left the heritage of an unimpeachable char- acter, notable for his uniform kindliness and fair treatment of his fellowmen. Kindly consideration for the welfare of others being a conspicuous trait of his character. Himself a successful business made, self made in the truest sense of the word, he had the most ardent sympathy for others, striving to rise as he had risen and ever extended a helping hand.
That he possessed superior business ability and that the management of his various collieries was wise, is attested not only by his success but by superin- tendents and mine foreman in his em- ploy; their testimony agreeing that among all the coal operators of the an- thracite region none took a deeper inter- est nor more consistently promoted the safety and general welfare of employes than Mr. Haddock. It was his standing rule that mine superintendents and fore- man investigate every grievance and give every committee of miners or every individual a fair hearing. In this way harmony was preserved and many small misunderstandings were prevented from growing into greater ones.
That his employes fully appreciated the spirit of kindness and consideration, and the close personal touch which he kept with the workers by seeing that his repre-
sentatives lived up to the principles of fair dealing, is shown in the following reso- lutions of condolence adopted by Local Union No. 1770, United Mine Workers of Plymouth :
Whereas, God, our Creator and Preserver, in His wise Providence, has removed the soul of the late John C. Haddock, Esq., from among his beloved family, his numerous friends and em- ployes in this valley, a man who was a loving husband and a father to his children in all re- spects. He possessed a noble and generous heart, and at all times was ready to consider the poor widow and orphan. His character and rep- ntation were unquestionable, and he always received his employes in a very courteous man- ner. Therefore, be it
Resolved, That we, the members of Local Union 1770, United Mine Workers of America, and of the Dodson Employes' Accidental Keg Fund, send our heartfelt sympathy to the widow and children of the deceased, trusting that some day we shall all understand what to-day appears dark.
Resolved, That Luzerne county has lost one of its leading independent operators in the anthra- cite coal region, a man who always considered the welfare of his employes at heart, and during the strike of 1902 he displayed himself as usual in favor of the men.
Resolved, That Local 1770, and also the Keg Fund, will miss him, because he urged and con- tributed liberally to the support of the Keg Fund at all times.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family of the deceased and also placed on the minutes of our Local Union and Keg Fund.
LODWICK DAVIES, EUGENE Bosso, CHARLES COOPER, Committee.
Mr. Haddock was a generous friend and attendant of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, a member of the Wyoming His- torical and Geological Society, the West- moreland and Wilkes-Barre Country Clubs, all of Wilkes-Barre, the Hazleton Country Club of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and of the Lawyers' Club of New York City.
2492
Eng by E & Minamy & Ere It.Y.
Lewis Historical . ab St
Peray Ofrecen P
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
He married, October 7, 1875, Miss Jennie Sharpe DeWolfe, of Brooklyn, New York; children: Mabel, wife of Carleton C. Jones, of Wilkes-Barre ; John Courtney (2), graduate of Yale, class of 1915; Courtney, deceased.
The family home was at Glen Summit, where a most generous hospitality was dispensed and where Mr. Haddock in- dulged to the full his love for flowers and all nature's works, and in its comforts and beautiful surroundings gave full rein to the finer attributes which distinguished him. He usually spent the winter months in New York City, but Glen Summit was a permanent family home. He is buried in Oak Lawn Cemetery.
DONNER, Percy E., Financier, Enterprising Citizen.
The work of the financier has ever been identified with the vital part of all indus- tries, and it is partly through their shrewdness and their ability to foresee the changing order of events that the plants of numerous Pittsburgh companies have been able to carry on their estab- lishments in a way that is creditable to the Iron City. Many of these men have had a varied, broad experience, and are thus unquestionably qualified to handle transactions of so important a nature in a way that promotes and makes for the good of all parties concerned ; and such a man is Percy E. Donner, banker, pro- moter, authority on real estate and former steel company official, who by his unceasing efforts and his able mind has not only made himself felt and respected in the financial circles, but has brought the flourishing community of Monessen up to its present developed, modern con- dition, and who, ever since his adoption of Pittsburgh as his native city, has been identified with its best and leading inter- ests.
Percy E. Donner, son of Frederick and Mary J. Donner, was born November 18, 1878, at Columbus, Indiana, and was edu- cated in the public and high schools of his home town. Believing that greater opportunities were afforded in the east, Mr. Donner arrived in Pittsburgh and some time afterward affiliated himself with the United States Steel Corporation, which was then being organized. He was placed in charge of the largest plant at Monessen, and here his inherent execu- tive ability and his kindly disposition made him one of the most popular general managers ever known in these mills, continuing in this capacity to the satis- faction of his superiors and the loyal sup- port and admiration of his subordinates. Mr. Donner resigned this position Feb- ruary I, 1904, when he became interested in the development of a number of other projects. The most important of these enterprises was the Webster, Monessen, Belle Vernon & Fayette City Railway Company, which was then undergoing organization. His business changes show very clearly that he is a worker and a doer of the modern type of pioneer, and, doubtless, had he lived a century ago, he would have imprinted his name upon the scroll of honor with many of our indomit- able pioneers. Financing this young con- cern became his part of the business, and here he was given free scope for the play of his financial talents and his helpful work has lead this organization to paths of signal success. He is still a member of its board of directors. Notwithstand- ing the numerous companies and organ- izations in which he was exceedingly and importantly interested, Mr. Donner was induced to take an active part in the affairs of the Pittsburgh Air Brake Com- pany, at the same time being made one of their directors. He is also director in the East Side Land Company, which really founded the town of Monessen and
2493
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
is practically responsible for the reason of its final development.
Gradually, however, the financial chan- nel has been weaning his broad interests and versatile talents to her exacting side, and the most of Mr. Donner's work is confined to the business of banking and brokerage. He is head of the firm of Donner, Childs & Woods, and is daily exhibiting his fitness to occupy the posi- tion as head of this well respected and much liked concern. Several years ago, he joined the New York Stock Exchange and spent two years on the floor, which experience has invested him with a knowledge that is well-nigh priceless. He is a member of this exchange for his firm.
Though he is an alert and enterprising man, Mr. Donner does not believe in the concentration of effort on business affairs to the exclusion of the amenities of social and outdoor life, and he is a member of the Duquesne, Pittsburgh, Press, Alle- gheny Country, Pittsburgh Country and the Harkaway Hunt clubs. An enthusi- astic sportsman, Mr. Donner is fond of life in the open and is an all-around out- door man of no small note.
Mr. Donner married, in 1909, Miss Elizabeth, daughter of the late George P. Hamilton, Jr., and one child, Letitia Caldwell Donner, is the fruit of this union. Both Mr. and Mrs. Donner are fond of travel, in this country and abroad, and their delightful home on the North- side is the seat of many smart affairs and gracious hospitality. Mrs. Donner com- bines her gift of rare charm and tact with innate refinement and culture and is said to be one of the most popular matrons of Pittsburgh.
Mr. Donner stands high in the esteem of his business associates and firm in the hearts of his friends, and the reputation which he has already gained will increase and strengthen with the lapse of years,
based as it is upon the solid and enduring foundations of natural ability, broad and comprehensive learning and unimpeach- able integrity.
BENSON, William S., Rear Admiral, Distinguished Naval Officer.
Rear Admiral William Sheppard Ben- son, Chief of Operations, charged with the practical direction of forty thousand men, and the machinery of the naval forces of the United States, was born in Georgia, September 25, 1855, and received his ap- pointment to the Naval Academy from that State. He graduated from the Naval Academy in June, 1877, and served twenty- two years at sea, and has occupied virtu- ally every position on land and sea that his rank would justify.
In the year 1877 he was ordered to the "Hartford" (flagship), South Atlantic Station, and remained attached to her on that station until January I, 1879, when he was ordered to the "Essex," at the same station, and was detached from the "Essex" in May, 1879, to the "Constitu- tion," at Norfolk, in October. After he sailed with that famous old warship on her last cruise, he was ordered to duty at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in July, 1881. The following year he was ordered to the "Alliance," at the home station, and the next year was transferred to the "Yantic," and cruised with her to Littleton Island in the summer of 1883 as convoy to the Creely relief steamer "Proteus." Later he was on duty under the Naval Advisory Board at South Boston until March, 1885, when he was detached and ordered to the Branch Hydrographic Office at Balti- more. In 1888 he was ordered to the "Dolphin," at New York, and made a cruise around the world. On one cruise he navigated the entire coast of Africa.
Rear Admiral Benson's naval career
2494
Benson,
-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
has been diversified from the very begin- ning of the modern navy. He has had a varied and useful experience in connec- tion with its building. During the eight- ies he inspected the material for the con- struction of the first modern vessels, which later formed the famous "White Squadron." For a number of years he was instructor in seamanship, naval archi- tecture and naval tactics at the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and later became commandant of midshipmen while Ad- miral Badger was superintendent, and in 1908 commanded the practice squadron of five ships. He has served as chief-of-staff of the Pacific fleet, and was captain of the superdreadnought "Utah," and tempo- rarily as commandant of the first division of the Atlantic fleet.
In 1913 he was detached from the "Utah" to be commandant of the League Island Navy Yard, Philadelphia. Admiral Benson, who reached the grade of captain in 1909, was chosen by Secretary Daniels to be Chief of Naval Operations, April, 1915, with the grade of rear admiral. At the time of Rear Admiral Benson's ap- pointment, Secretary Daniels said, "Cap- tain Benson comes to this position after a ripe experience of varied character and of comparatively recent acquirement ; name- ly, the command of one of the most modern battleships; the command of a division of the Atlantic fleet; and finally the command of one of the greatest and most important navy yards, at a time when it was rapidly developing and fit- ting out to do shipbuilding on a large scale, and where he proved himself to be an administrator of the highest type."
Admiral Benson is a member of the Navy Club at Washington, a member of the Union League, Philadelphia, and is also a member of the Catholic Club, of New York.
He married Miss Mary Augusta Neyse, daughter of Colonel F. O. Neyse, of the
United States army, and they have three children-a daughter, Miss Mary Augusta, married Professor Hermon S. Kraft, of Annapolis ; a son, Howard, Jr., lieutenant commanding the United States Ship, Sub- marine H2 .; and a second son, Francis Neyse Benson, a midshipman in the United States Naval Academy.
NICHOLSON, John, Jr., Manufacturer, Inventor.
Among Pittsburgh's leading business men during the latter half of the nine- teenth century must be numbered the late John Nicholson, Jr., distinguished both as a manufacturer and an inventor. The branch of the family of which Mr. Nichol- son was a representative has been for more than a hundred years identified with the most essential interests of the Iron City.
The origin of the name Nicholson is in dispute. It is said that when the Nor- mans settled in England and tried to pro- nounce the name Lincoln they could get no better result than Noncol, which later became Nicole, and in course of time Nicholson. It is a fact that after the Conquest, Earles of Lincoln called them- selves Contes de Nichole. Some authori- ties derive the name from the Norman patrynomic of Fitz-Nigell.
During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries branches of the Nicholsons were planted in New Jersey, Virginia and New England. The arms of the family are: Arms: Azure, two bars ermine on a chief argent three suns proper. Crest : A lion's head erased gules, ducally gorged, or.
John Nicholson, great-grandfather of John Nicholson, Jr., was a revenue col- lector for the crown in County Donegal, Ireland. He married Letitia Stuart, who was of Scotch birth and claimed kindred with the royal Stuarts. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson were the parents of the fol-
2495
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
lowing children, all born in Ireland: Charles; James; John, mentioned below ; Letitia, Andrew, and Patrick. All these children came to the United States in the latter part of the eighteenth century and the early portion of the nineteenth. The father, John Nicholson, died in Ireland. and his widow received a pension from the crown until she came to the United States, which she did between 1802 and 1824. She died in Pittsburgh some time prior to 1845, regretting to the last that she had ever left Ireland.
(II) John, son of John and Letitia (Stuart) Nicholson, was a ship carpenter, and settled in Philadelphia. In 1802 he removed to Pittsburgh, where he estab- lished a ship and boat yard. He helped build the "New Orleans," the first steam- boat on our western rivers, for Captain Roosevelt, an ancestor of ex-President Roosevelt. Mr. Nicholson's principal oc- cupation was the construction of gulf coasting vessels which he shipped in skeleton to New Orleans and launched from that city. He married, November 6, 1797, in Philadelphia, Mary, daughter of John and Mary Schuyler*, both of New Jersey, and their children were : William ; John, mentioned below; Abraham Schuy- ler, and Andrew Jackson. John Nichol- son, the father, died in Pittsburgh, Febru- ary 4, 1846, aged seventy-five years.
(III) John (2), son of John (1) and Mary (Schuyler) Nicholson, was born March 6, 1802, in Philadelphia, and was less than one year old when his parents removed to Pittsburgh. His education was received in the schools of that city, and on reaching a suitable age he was ap- prenticed to Anthony Beelen to learn the trade of iron moulding. Upon the expira- tion of his apprenticeship he entered the service of Kingsland & Lightner, who had purchased Mr. Beelen's foundry, and
by his energy, economy and industry soon acquired a competence. In 1826 he bought a small foundry situated on part of the ground now occupied by Mc- Knight's rolling-mill, in Birmingham, the south side of Pittsburgh, and, being a skillful moulder, was much sought after by foundry proprietors. In 1828 the firm of Arthurs & Benny induced him to sell his small foundry and take an interest in their large establishment. In a short time the retirement of Mr. Benny dis- solved the partnership, and the well- known firm of Arthurs & Nicholson was established, continuing without change for nearly twenty years, during which time they made the engines for many of the steamboats built in Pittsburgh, and the first pair placed in what are now the old water works. They also built the engines and made the necessary castings for some of the rolling-mills. Between 1830 and 1835 they purchased from Mc- Clurg, Parry & Higby what was then known as the Eagle Foundry, situated in Pipetown, and operated both establish- ments until 1836, when the latter was destroyed by fire. They sold the ground on which it stood to the Pittsburgh Gas Company and built a large foundry and machine shop on the bank of the Monon- gahela near Lock No. I. In 1846 or 1847 the firm of Arthurs & Nicholson was dis- solved, and in settling the business Mr. Nicholson took charge of the new works, Mr. Arthurs retaining the old establish- ment. Mr. Nicholson carried on a large business until Thanksgiving night, 1848. when the works were burned to the ground. In association with his son-in- law, G. W. G. Payne, of Nashville, Ten- nessee, Mr. Nicholson rebuilt the works, and under the firm name of Nicholson & Payne engaged largely in the manufac- ture of stoves, grate fronts and grates. In 1855 Mr. Nicholson disposed of his in- terest to Mr. Lee and Frank S. Bissell,
·The Schuyler record is appended to this blog- raphy.
2496
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
who continued the business as Payne, Lee & Company, the style subsequently becoming Payne, Bissell & Company, and eventually Bissell & Company. In 1861 they removed to Allegheny, and Mr. Nicholson's works remained idle until abont 1864, when they were burned down for the third time in their history. Mr. Nicholson married, February 24, 1824, in Pittsburgh, Rebecca McGrew (whose an- cestral record is appended to this biog- raphy), and their children were: Mary Ann. Eliza, Rebecca, John, mentioned be- low; George, Adda, and Emma.
On October 17, 1880, Mr. Nicholson died, and one who knew him intimately for nearly half a century paid this tribute to his memory: "I have no hesitation in saying that, in my judgment, he pos- sessed as many of the attributes of a good man as any other of whom I ever had any personal knowledge."
(IV) John (3), son of John (2) and Rebecca (McGrew) Nicholson, was born September 21, 1832, in Pittsburgh, and received his education in the schools of his native city and in Travilla's Academy in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Early in life he was associated by his father in the latter's business, for which he proved to have an unusual aptitude. Later he be- came a furnace builder and the head of a very flourishing concern.
While Mr. Nicholson's business quali- fications were of a high order, he pos- sessed also an uncommon amount of me- chanical genius which found its most notable expression in the invention of the Nicholson Recuperative Furnace for melt- ing glass. This machine, by using slack as a fuel to generate gas, much cheapened the process, and at the same time greatly improved it. This invention was per- fected in 1880 and brought Mr. Nicholson merited distinction.
Always a staunch Republican, Mr.
Nicholson never was conspicuously as- sociated with the affairs of the organiza- tion, though taking a keen and helpful interest in every project having for its end the betterment of conditions in his community. He was a member of the Methodist church. His countenance, so expressive of the traits of character which made him what he was, and his earnest, cordial manner, are still too fresh in the memories of a majority of Pittsburghers to justify any description here.
Mr. Nicholson married, June 16, 1864, Mary Elizabeth Cheek (whose ancestral record is appended to this biography), and they became the parents of the fol- lowing children : 1. Mary, resides in Pitts- burgh, but has lived much abroad. 2. John H., whose biography appears else- where in this work. 3. Harry Schuyler, a biography of whom may also be found on another page. 4. Robert, died in child- hood. 5. Joel Cheek, also died in child- hood. Mr. Nicholson was a man of strong domestic affections, and for many years his home was brightened by the devoted wife and mother who passed away De- cember 9, 1892, at the comparatively early age of forty-seven.
It was not in the city which had been his birthplace and life-long home that Mr. Nicholson's own death oc- curred, but on the island of Cuba, where he breathed his last on January 23, 1906. When the news reached Pitts- burgh, the sense of sorrow was wide- spread and sincere, all classes of the com- munity uniting in mourning for one whose talents and successes had been used in the service of his city and had been made to minister to the general good.
John Nicholson, Jr., was the son of a man who fostered the iron manufactures of Pittsburgh while they were still in their infancy, and he himself, with larger opportunities, gave a powerful impetus to
2497
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
their maturer development. In two gen- erations the name of John Nicholson is a notable one in the industrial world.
(The Schuyler Line).
Philip Pieterse Schuyler emigrated from Holland as early as 1650, and set- tled in Albany, New York. He was one of the most prominent citizens of the province, and the family he founded is recognized as one of the historic families of America. Under date of August 29, 1654, he is styled the Honorable Philip Pieterse Schuyler, and about that time he was appointed one of the commissioners or magistrates of the court at Albany. He served in the office of magistrate for many years, and was for some time presi- dent of the court. On November 1, 1667, he was commissioned captain of the Foot Company of Albany, and two years later was also appointed to command the mili- tary company at Schenectady. Captain Schuyler married, December 12, 1650, Margaretta Van Sleihtenhorst, whose father held important offices in the colony of New York, and their children were: Gysbert; Gertrude, married Colonel Ste- phanies Van Cortlandt; Alyda, married the Rev. Nicholas Van Rensselaer, and after his death became the wife of Robert Livingstone; Peter, known as "Colonel," married (first) Engeltie Van Schaick, and (second) Maria Van Rensselaer; Brant, married Cornelia Van Cortlandt; and Arent, mentioned below. Captain Schny- ler died in Albany, August 9, 1683.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.