USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Vol. X > Part 29
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(Attest)
RAMSEY PEUGNET, Secretary.
New York, September 11, 1918.
WEAVER, George, Business Man.
Seventeen years have passed since George Weaver passed from earthly view, but his memory is green and there are many loyal hearts who recall him with affection and love. He won high position in the business world in which he moved, through his own untiring efforts and re- sourcefulness, backed by sound business principles and a genial, lovable personal- ity. He was most kindly-hearted and charitable, never denying any reasonable demand upon his sympathies. He made many acquaintances and it was literally
true that "every acquaintance became a friend." He loved his home and there his genial hospitable nature was at its best. He was a son of John Weaver, who came to this country from Germany in 1837.
George Weaver was born in Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1853, and died at his summer home at Harvey's Lake, Pennsylvania, August 1I, 190I. After attendance at the public schools and private school established by Colonel Harvey, he later entered the office em- ploy of the Diamond Colliery, and when that enterprise was abandoned he trans- ferred his services to the Bailey Ice Com- pany, a concern with which he was con- nected for some years. The experience gained with these companies was valu- able, and when later he was taken into the employ of the Reichard Brewing Com- pany, it was as a well-finished, capable young man, willing and able to perform managerial duty. He soon established a high reputation with the company, and as business increased rapidly through Mr. Weaver's efforts, he was admitted a part- ner in the year 1888. He threw himself heartily into the business, and later so thoroughly had he mastered every detail of the business and so well-satisfied was he with his own ability to manage it suc- cessfully, that when his partner, John Reichard, was willing to withdraw from the company, Mr. Weaver purchased his interests. He renamed the firm, the Reichard & Weaver Brewing Company, and injected so much of his own vigor- ous nature into the company that it be- came one of the most valuable brewing properties in the State. When the era of consolidation was organized the Reichard & Weaver Brewing Company was greatly coveted, and finally it was absorbed by the consolidation, but at Mr. Weaver's price. He was also elected vice-president of the new concern, The Central Brewing
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Company, and held that position in the management until his death in 1901. He was also vice-president and director of the Anthracite National Bank of Wilkes- Barre, and had other business interests of but little less importance. He con- tinued a factor in the business world until the last and bore his part of every burden.
His warm-hearted, social nature de- lighted in the social side of club life, and he was a member of several of the clubs of Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, including the Westmoreland, West End Wheelmen Club (now the Franklin Club), and Elks of the first named, and the Scranton Club of the last named city. He was a member of St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, and in his political faith was a Republic- an. He knew no sect or creed in char- ities, but to know that help was needed always brought a ready and hearty re- sponse.
Mr. Weaver married, February 6, 1880, Frances Hartman, daughter of Eusebius and Catherine (Scheur) Hartman. of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver were the parents of five children: Eliza- beth, married A. R. Ely, of Norfolk, Vir- ginia ; Kathleen, married Robert E. Smith, of Wilkes-Barre, and has a son, Robert Weaver Smith ; George P., vice-president of the Perma-Loc Manufacturing Com- pany, a graduate of Harry Hillman Acad- emy of Wilkes-Barre, Wyoming Seminary of Kingston, and Georgetown University, A. B., class of 1913; Frank J., educated in the public schools and at Wyoming Seminary, now (1918) in the United States service at Officers' Training Camp, Jacksonville, Florida; W. Walter, edu- cated in the public schools and at Wyom- ing Seminary, now in the United States artillery service in training at Camp Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, for overseas duty. Mrs. Weaver survives her husband and continues her residence in Wilkes- Barre.
BOYLE, Patrick Francis,
Contractor, Public Official.
Patrick Francis Boyle, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, one of the most prominent figures in the business and political life of this part of the State, head of a great contracting enterprise, and identified closely with municipal and State affairs, is a fine example of the best type of those Irishmen who have come to this country in early youth and made themselves by their talents and perseverance so import- ant an element in our body politic. Pre- eminently a man of affairs, he has made his activities subserve the end of his own ambition and the welfare of his fellows. Hazleton, which has been the scene of his life-long work in connection with the enterprises so closely associated with his name, feels toward him as a community an esteem and positive affection that is rarely accorded to any man on so large · scale. Strong common sense, an invin- cible will, the latter tempered by unusual tact and good judgment, are the basis of his character and incidentally of his suc- cess.
Mr. Boyle is the son of Patrick and Ellen Kearney (Boyle) Boyle, both of whom were natives of Newtown, County Donegal, Ireland, where they resided until coming to the United States. Mr. Boyle, Sr., was reared in his native dis- trict, and for a time was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, working a farm that had been in possession of the family for a long period. Eventually he sold this property in order to secure the money needed by him to come to the United States, after which he set sail with his wife, and landing at the harbor of New York, came immediately to Hazleton, Pennsylvania, where he settled and made his home for a time. He later removed to the town of Freeland, where the latter years of his life were spent and where he
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Patrick Francis Boyle
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
finally died. After coming to this country he followed coal mining as a business during the remainder of his life. He was a good citizen, and a faithful member of the Roman Catholic church. He and his wife were the parents of the following children : John, a Civil War veteran, who now resides in Brooklyn; Patrick Fran- cis, with whom we are here specially concerned ; James, a resident of Freeland, a Civil War veteran; Timothy, who makes his home at Hazelton, a Civil War veteran; and Mary, who became the wife of James Logan, of Freeland, Pennsyl- vania.
Born March 20, 1844, in County Don- egal, Ireland, Patrick Francis Boyle, sec- ond child of Patrick and Ellen Kearney (Boyle) Boyle, spent his childhood in his native place. He attended as a child the local schools and there gained the major portion of his education. He did not accompany his parents to the United States, but in 1855 followed them to this country, and came at once to Hazelton. He attended for a time the public schools at Hazleton and here completed his stud- ies, at the same time that he was working for his living. His first work was secured in the coal mines as a breaker boy, but he soon gave this up and followed the trade of cabinetmaker and carpenter. He was exceedingly ambitious and energetic, and possessed a great share of initiative, and where most other youths would have con- tinued at work for an employer, he began for himself, and it was not long before he was taking and performing good sized contracts in this line. In 1867 he removed to Allentown and there continued his now growing contract business, erecting many important structures, and he gained a wide reputation for ability and strict ob- servance of his obligations. He put up a large number of public buildings in
Allentown, as well as many handsome private residences and office buildings. In the year 1877 he returned temporarily to Hazelton, on account of some special work he had contracted for, but after its completion went once more to Allen- town. He maintained, however, a strong affection for his first American home, and eventually, in 1885, returned here and took up his residence permanently. Since that time Mr. Boyle has continued to re- side here, and until the year 1914 re- mained in active business. Among the prominent buildings erected by Mr. Boyle at Hazleton, Allentown and Freeland, should be mentioned the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Allentown ; St. Patrick's Church and Parsonage at McAdoo, Pennsylvania ; the Greek church at Hazleton and the German Lutheran church at the same place; the First Slav- ish Church, the borough building, the first silk mill and the Reinhart building, all at Hazleton. Besides these there have been a great number of school houses and pri- vate residences at Hazleton and other places in the vicinity. But Mr. Boyle has not contented himself by undivided appli- cation to any one business enterprise, how- ever important. On the contrary he has, with public interest worthy of him, found an interest in many different aspects of the business and financial interests here and has become prominently identified with them. He is at the present time a di- rector of the Markle Banking and Trust Company, president and director of the Diamond Water Company, and was for sixteen years in the past, president and director of the Hazleton Improvement Company, and is also president of St. Gabriel's Cemetery Association.
Mr. Boyle has for many years been most closely identified with public affairs in this region, and during his entire active
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Willow At houve
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life has been a staunch supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party. He has exerted a potent influence in the councils of the party, and has been chosen many times as a candidate for public office on its ticket. In 1869 he was elected to the Select Council of Allen- town, and was thereafter reelected until he had served three consecutive terms of two years each on that body, part of the time serving as president of the board. He also served as assessor, as a member of the Board of Control, and represented Allentown as a member of the State Leg- islature, 1881-82-83-84. Upon coming to live at Hazleton he continued his political activities, and in the two years from 1887 to 1888 was a member of the Bor- ough Council and part of the time its president. When in the year 1890 Hazle- ton became a city, Mr. Boyle was selected as a member of the first Select Council and served as president of the same, and in 1897 and 1898 was elected to the House of Representatives by a flattering major- ity. Mr. Boyle is a staunch member of the Roman Catholic church and attends St. Gabriel's Church of this denomination. He is active in the work of the parish and is a member of the Holy Name Society here.
Patrick Francis Boyle married (first) in 1868, at Allentown, Rose McCauley, whose death occurred in 1897. They were the parents of the following chil- dren: I. Rose, who became the wife of Michael Walsh, of Hazleton. 2. Frank P., who received his education at the University of Pennsylvania and gradu- ated from the law department there; he is now successfully practicing as an at- torney at Hazleton. 3. James A., who is now engaged in the same line of the con- tracting business as his father at Hazle- ton. 4. Hugh J., who received his educa-
tion at the Pennsylvania State College, from which he graduated; he is a chemist by profession, and at the present time re- sides at Hazleton. 5. Mary D., who be- came the wife of William K. Byrnes, of Philadelphia, where they now reside. 6. Genevieve, who became the wife of Dr. S. A. Quinn, of Allentown. 7. Alice N., who became the wife of Herbert Kud- lich, of Palmerton, Pennsylvania. Mr. Boyle married (second) in 1901, Rose McCauley, a cousin of his first wife, and one child has been born to them, a daugh- ter, Anita Dorothy Boyle.
BROWN, Wilson H.,
Manufacturer, Leader in Civio Progress.
A leader among the manufacturers whose united efforts have won for Phila- delphia her proud title of "The Workshop of the World" was the late Wilson H. Brown, president of the Continental Eiderdown Company, and Wilson H. Brown, Incorporated, officially connected with other business organizations, and widely known as a manufacturer of woolen yarns. Mr. Brown at one time held the office of sheriff and was a leader in the cause of civic progress and munic- ipal reform.
Wilson Hare Brown was born January 27, 1862, in Philadelphia, and was a son of John Wilson and Susanna C. (Hare) Brown. John Wilson Brown was born November 23, 1832, and died April 16, 1891. He was a son of John and Hannah (Wilson) Brown. John Wilson, the father of Mrs. Brown, was of Leeds, England, and in 1803 came to the United States, settling at New Leeds, Cecil county, Maryland, where he became the first manufacturer of broadcloths in America.
The education of Wilson Hare Brown
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was received in public schools of his na- tive city, and from early youth he dis- played the aggressiveness which was always so marked a feature of his char- acter, making the narrative of his busi- ness career one of steady progress from the humble post of office boy to the com- manding position of one of Philadelphia's leading manufacturers. In 1876 he entered the service of J. Dalton & Brother, manu- facturers of woolen yarns, and in 1884 formed a partnership with Joseph W. Hilton for the purpose of engaging in the same line of business. The venture was started in a little mill at 46th street and Girard avenue, and in 1886 Mr. Brown withdrew from the connection, establish- ing himself under the name of Wilson H. Brown, woolen yarn manufacturer. From a small beginning was developed, through his energy and enterprise, a business which grew, as the years went on, to pro- portions unforeseen even by its founder. It was not long before Mr. Brown was in circumstances to establish a mill in Ger- mantown, where he employed thirty hands. After this the development was still more rapid, and during the last years of the life of this man with whom success was a "foregone conclusion," he found himself at the head of a force of several thousand men. In 1891 the firm name was changed to Wilson H. Brown & Brother, and in 1898 the business was in- corporated as the Leicester and Con- tinental Mills Company, Mr. Brown being vice-president, treasurer and general- manager.
In 1907 he withdrew from this concern and in 1910 became president of Jonathan Ring & Son. In 1911 Mr. Brown founded the Continental Eiderdown Company, be- coming its first president, and in 1913, withdrawing from Jonathan Ring & Son, he founded the concern known as Wilson
H. Brown, Incorporated, manufacturers of woolen yarns. At the time of his death he was president of this organiza- tion, and also of the Continental Eider- down Company. He was likewise a di- rector of the Kent Manufacturing Com- pany, the Royal Ascot Knitting Mills, and the Arizona United Mining Com- pany. All these concerns received safe guidance from his wise counsel and addi- tional impetus from his vitalizing energy.
Always an ardent advocate of political betterment, Mr. Brown, in 1905, having been a member of the Common Council since 1895, was among the first of its inde- pendent members to oppose the lease of the city's gas works to the United Gas Improvement Company, a measure which he had previously fought in 1897. The boldness of his initiative on this impor- tant question stimulated public interest to a high degree and resulted in the defeat of the proposition. It was largely through Mr. Brown's opposition that the Schuyl- kill Valley water lease was defeated in the Common Council, as was also the ordinance leasing the Dock street wharf to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He opposed the electric light franchise without concessions to the city, and throughout the ten years of his member- ship in the Common Council he was the strenuous and· uncompromising opponent of everything detrimental to good govern- ment and the best interests of the munici- pality.
As a result of the issue raised against the gas lease fight in 1905, Mr. Brown was chosen as the City party's standard- bearer, being nominated for sheriff and elected by a large majority on the Re- form ticket. The reform of the sheriff's office received his first attention, the office, for the first time in the history of Philadelphia, being placed on a sound
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
business basis. Mr. Brown was sheriff from 1905 to 1908.
So busy a man as we have endeavored to describe could hardly be expected to have much time for social intercourse or any other form of recreation, but Mr. Brown was too wise a man to disregard this essential side of life, and was a mem- ber of numerous organizations, including the Manufacturers' Club, in which he was chairman of the house committee. His other clubs were the Union League, White Marsh Valley Country, Seaview Golf, Philadelphia Cricket and Lincoln. He affiliated with Oriental Lodge, No. 385, Free and Accepted Masons, in which he was master in 1886-87, and he was also a Knight Templar. He occupied a seat in the Philadelphia Chamber of Com- merce, was president of the board of trustees of the Philadelphia Commercial Museums, and belonged to the Pennsyl- vania Manufacturers' Association and the State Old Age Pension Commission of Pennsylvania.
Never was there a man of whom it could be more truly said that his face was an index to his character, than of Wilson Hare Brown. The strongly ex- pressive and finely moulded features bore the stamp of an aggressive disposition, quick to take the initiative, but also tenacious of purpose to a degree which never relaxed until the goal was reached. The kindliness and geniality which radi- ated from his whole aspect explained the fact that at every step of his progress through life this man made friends. Quiet and unassuming but forceful and fearless, his many unobtrusive charities were seldom known to any save the re- cipients and himself.
Mr. Brown married (first) June 13, 1881, Haidee, daughter of James and Sarah Jane (Jonson) Dalton, of Philadel-
phia, the former a manufacturer of woolen yarns. By this marriage Mr. Brown be- came the father of one son: Millard Dal- ton Brown, whose biography follows. Mr. Brown married (second) May 25, 1886, Bessie K., daughter of Elias B. and Alice K. (King) Crane, of Newark, New Jersey, of the old New Jersey family of that name. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were the parents of three daughters: Haidee ; Beatrice; and Bessie, wife of William Whitney Ball (son of William H. Ball, secretary to ex-Governor Brumbaugh) and mother of a son, William H. Ball, 2nd.
While still in the prime of life, Mr. Brown was summoned to relinquish his many activities, and on October 16, 1918, he passed away, sincerely mourned by the large body of his fellow-citizens, to whose best interests he had ever been so true and leaving a void not to be filled in the hearts of those nearest and dearest to him.
As a manufacturer of prominence, who, while most effectively serving the busi- ness interests of his city, responded to the call of his friends and neighbors to stand for the cause of good government, but who ever kept steadfastly before him the preeminence of his life-work as a captain of industry, the name and mem- ory of Wilson H. Brown will be held in lasting respect and gratitude by all true Philadelphians.
BROWN, Millard D., Manufacturer, Soldier in the World War.
Among Philadelphia's typical twenti- eth century business men must be num- bered Millard Dalton Brown, president of the Continental Eiderdown Company and the Wilson H. Brown Company, In- corporated. That Mr. Brown is coming to the front as an executant is a self-
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OK
HIRES
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
evident fact, but a most honorable record of service in France testifies that, as a soldier, he has already arrived.
Millard Dalton Brown was born Au- gust 8, 1882, in Philadelphia, and is a son of Wilson Hare and Haidee (Dalton) Brown, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Brown, who was one of Philadelphia's most aggressive manufacturers and pub- lic-spirited citizens, is represented by a biography and portrait which appear on preceding pages in this work. The pre- paratory education of Millard Dalton Brown was received at the Germantown Grammar School, after which he attended successively the North East Manual Training School and the Philadelphia Textile School, eventually completing his studies at the Wharton School of Fi- nance, University of Pennsylvania. At the end of this thorough course of prepa- ration for business, Mr. Brown associated himself with the widely known concern of which his father had been the founder . and was then the head. Acquiring the most comprehensive and detailed knowl- edge of the industry, he developed at the same time an aptitude for administration and a skill in management which prom- ised to make him in the course of time one of the leading manufacturers of his native city, a promise which appears now to be in process of fulfillment.
From a very early age Mr. Brown man- ifested a deep interest in military mat- ters, enlisting in the National Guard of Pennsylvania, and in 1916 serving on the Mexican border with the rank of captain and then major of the First Pennsylvania Infantry. Later Major Brown saw much active service in France, first as lieuten- ant-colonel and afterward as colonel, holding the former rank in the First Pennsylvania Infantry and the latter in the 109th Infantry. He participated in
the Second Battle of the Marne near Chateau-Thierry and in the battles of the Ourqa river and the Aisne, and served as adjutant to General Harres, acting chief of staff, Base Section No. 5, Ameri- can Expeditionary Forces, with head- quarters at Brest.
But this career of brilliant service and rapid promotion was cut short by the death, on October 16, 1918, of Colonel Brown's father. Resigning his commission on November 16, 1918, Colonel Brown re- turned home to take charge of the great business which his father had left and which then became the trust of the son. Mr. Brown is now a partner in the firm of Brown & Bowers, yarn manufacturers, and president of the Continental Eider- down Company and the Wilson H. Brown Company, Incorporated. These concerns employ several thousand men and are among the most widely known textile or- ganizations in Philadelphia.
In politics Mr. Brown is a Republican. but has never mingled actively in the affairs of the organization though ever ready to do his part as a good citizen in working for betterment of conditions. His clubs are the Union League, Manu- facturers', Lincoln and Pelham. He is a member of the Presbyterian church.
HIRES, Charles Elmer,
Manufacturer.
Among Philadelphia's best known busi- ness men is Charles E. Hires, head of the Charles E. Hires Company, and officially connected with various other business and financial institutions. The Hires family originally was of Wales, where the name was spelled Hyer. Their arms are as follows :
Arms-Gules, a porcupine argent collared or.
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Charles Aires
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
The progenitor of the family in Amer- ica was John Hires, who came to New Jersey in the ship "Shibe." He purchased a large tract of land in New Jersey and there passed his life.
John D. Hires, father of Charles E. Hires, and a descendant of John Hires, was born in Hopewell, Cumberland coun- ty, New Jersey, February 17, 1817. He received his education in the schools of his section, and for a time lived in Salem county, but later returned to Cumberland county. He pursued farming and the buying and selling of cattle and other stock in a large way. For eleven years he was a prominent resident of Salem county, but in 1862 settled in Roadstown. In politics he was a Democrat and held various local offices. He married Mary Williams, of Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, and they were the parents of ten children. Both he and his wife were members of the Cohansey Baptist Church, and for many years Mr. Hires served as a deacon. His death occurred in January, 1878, and his wife passed away January 8, 1880.
Charles Elmer Hires, son of the late John D. and Mary (Williams) Hires, was born near Salem, Salem county, New Jer- sey, August 19, 1851, and his early edu- cation was acquired in the schools of New Jersey. He then served a four-year ap- prenticeship in a drug establishment in Cumberland county, New Jersey, after which he came to Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, and established a retail drug busi- ness, which he conducted for seven years. He then founded a wholesale botanic drug house on Market street, Philadel- phia, where in 1877 he commenced the manufacture of root beer of a superior quality, which has since become famous all over the world. In addition to this business, in 1899, Mr. Hires became inter- ested in the manufacture of condensed
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