USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Volume I > Part 14
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In 1800, George Crumrine, a grandson of George Lenhart Krumrein, crossed from Maryland, over the Alleghanies into the valley of the Monongahela, settling upon a farm in East Bethlehem town- ship, Washington county. One of his sons, Daniel Crumrine, was born upon the same farm. He married Margaret, daughter of John Bower, of Swiss- German origin, coming to Washington county from the Juniata Valley in 1796. Among the sons of Daniel was Boyd and
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Alonzo B., the former an eminent lawyer and editor of a history of Washington county published in 1882.
Alonzo, son of Daniel Crumrine, was born in Bethlehem township, Washing- ton county, and spent his life as a farmer until about 1889, when he moved to Waynesburg, where he engaged in the milling business until his death, May 25, 1889. Ihis wife, Eleanor Weaver Crum- rine, survived him.
J. Boyd, son of Alonzo Crumrine, was born near Zallarsville, Washington county, Pennsylvania, November 29, 1881. He obtained his preliminary edu- cation in the public schools of Waynes- burg, later entering Waynesburg Col- lege, whence he was graduated A. B., class of 1902. In September, 1902, he and his mother moved to Philadelphia, where he entered the Law School of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated LL. B., in the class of 1905. Ile then returned to Washington county, accompanied by his mother, and settled in the borough of Washington. He was admitted to the Washington county bar November 7, 1905, and at once began the practice of his profession in Washington. On January 1, 1912, he formed a law partnership with C. L. V. Acheson, the firm practicing as Acheson & Crumrine, with offices in the First National Bank Building.
He is a member of the Masonic order and of the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife are members of the First Metho- dist Episcopal Church of Washington, Pennsylvania. Mr. Crumrine was mar- ried, November 9, 1905, to Lonla, daughter of David and Nannie (Pollock) Kennedy, of Mount Morris, Greene county, Pennsylvania.
WILLIAMS, Andrew G., Lawyer, Legislator.
choice) chose the locality most nearly resembling in topography the land of their birth. Thus we find the Dutch settlers chose the lowlands along rivers and sea, while the Scotch and Welsh chose more mountainous regions. So when John G. Williams came from his home in Wales to the United States, a young man of twenty-four years, he selected the mountainous city of Pitts- burgh, although trade conditions first im- pelled a residence in Maryland or Vir- ginia, also in mountain districts. He was an iron mill worker, and first found em- ployment at Ellicott City, Maryland, where he married Caroline Snyder, born there.
In 1836 he moved to Richmond, Vir- ginia, where his son, Andrew G. Wil- liams, was born. He worked in the iron mills of Richmond until 1842, then moved to Pittsburgh, working in the iron and steel mills there until 1848, then worked in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, a short time, thence to Etna, near Pittsburgh. In January, 1850, he became one of the in- corporators of the Mechanics Iron Works, a cooperative mill which existed until 1854. In 1856 he went to Paducah, Kentucky, as superintendent of the Southern Iron Works. In 1858 he re- turned to Etna, where he was in the em- ploy of Spang & Company, iron manu- facturers. In 1865 he became manager of a Pittsburgh mill, making steel by a newly discovered process, continuing until November, 1868, when he was killed in a boiler explosion in his own mill, leaving a widow and seven children. His widow survived until June, 1904, dying at the home of her daughter in Pitts- burgh, aged eighty-eight years.
Andrew G. Williams was born in Rich- mond, Virginia, September 8, 1840. He attended public schools in the cities in which his parents resided, until reaching the age of twelve years, when he began
In making settlement in a new country, it is said, the emigrants (if allowed a working in the mills, learning the trade
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of nail maker. He continued at his work until 1861, when the war between the States excited his military ardor. He was active in securing recruits, and, when his company was fully made up, was elected captain. This command he de- clined, not yet having quite attained his majority, and preferring to serve in the ranks. He went to the front with Com- pany E, 63rd Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which as part of the great Army of the Potomac participated in the hard-fought bloody battles of the Peninsula, including the Seven Days fights ; also Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and many other historic battles of the Civil War, numbering thirty engagements, in several of which Captain Williams took part, save when in the hospital from wounds. He was wounded at Fredericksburg, December 15, 1862, and again at the Wilderness, where he lay on the field of battle four days, sup- posedly dead. After the Second Bull Run he was promoted and commissioned cap- tain of his company, continuing in com- mand until his severe wounds, received at the Wilderness, so disabled him that he could no longer serve. He was honorably discharged and mustered out August 6, 1864, then returning to his home in Etna. For more than a year he was unable to work, his wounds in hand and head refusing to close.
In 1865 he attempted to resume work, but the effort was too great and he was compelled to seek employment at other than manual labor. He took a full course at Duff's Business College in Pittsburgh, whence he was graduated and became a bookkeeper. He now began the study of law under a private tutor in Pitts- burgh, and so well did he improve the time that in 1876, after coming to Butler, he was admitted to the Butler county bar. He at once began practice alone in Butler, continuing until 1879, when he
formed a partnership with Alexander Mitchell, also a veteran of the Civil War. The firm of Williams & Mitchell has now been in continuous and successful prac- tice for thirty-four years, and with the exception of one day, their office has never been closed on a secular day. That one exception was when their respective regiments held a reunion near by, and the two old veterans closed up and spent the day with their old comrades in arms. After the first six months of partner- ship they moved to their present office at No. 110 East Diamond street, and have never had other quarters. They are successful lawyers and command a large and lucrative practice in all State and Federal courts of the district. They are both members of the State and County Bar Associations, and are held in high esteem by their brethren of the bar.
Mr. Williams is a life-long Republican, always active, and as a campaign speaker greatly in demand and one con- tributing largely to party success. In November, 1890, he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Assembly, serv- ing one term, but declining a second nomination. In November, 1900, he was elected State Senator from the Forty- first District, composed of the counties of Butler and Armstrong. He was a hard working valuable legislator, ren- dering efficient service on important com- mittees. He also served six years on the Soldiers' Orphans School Commis- sion, four years representing the Senate, and two years by appointment of the Governor, representing the Grand Army of the Republic. Since his retiring from the Senate, Captain Williams has given his entire time to his law practice. He has acquired large business interests and is interested in various commercial and banking enterprises as stockholder. He is a past commander of the A. G. Reed
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Henry G. Fey
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the venerable age of ninety expired on of James B. Lyon & Company, one of his own farm, one of the few thirty- second degree Masons at that time, and his funeral was under their charge. He entertained General Lafayette on his visit to Kentucky, the General having been a thirty-second degree Mason.
Thomas C. Fry, a relative of John Fry, the father, was born in 1796, in New York City. His parents died during his in- fancy. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, being but sixteen years old at the time of his enlistment. As a young man he was connected with the firm of Curling, Robinson & Company, glass manufacturers of Pittsburgh, and his later years were passed on his farm, "The Elms," near Lexington, Kentucky. He married Charlotte Fry, and among their large family of children was a son, Henry Clay, mentioned below.
Henry Clay Fry, son of Thomas C. and Charlotte (Fry) Fry, was born Sep- tember 17, 1840, near Lexington, Ken- tucky, and received his education in the public schools of his native place. In 1856, being then sixteen years old, he found employment as shipping clerk with the firm of William Phillips & Company, glass manufacturers of Pittsburgh, thus at the very outset of his business career becoming identified with the industry with which his name was ever after to be inseparably linked. He remained with this company until 1862, and then, with the patriotism which seems to have been hereditary in his family, enlisted in the 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regi- ment, serving until the close of the Civil War.
When peace was restored, Mr. Fry re- turned to Pittsburgh and became a mem- ber of the firm of Lippincott, Fry & Company, glass manufacturers, the style being subsequently changed to Fry, Semple & Reynolds. In 1869 Mr. Fry disposed of his interest and accepted the position of general manager for the firm
the largest and best known glass manu- facturers of that period. But the time was at hand when Mr. Fry was to enter upon the independent business career which was to make an epoch in the his- tory of the glass industry. In 1872 he organized, at Rochester, Pennsylvania, the Rochester Tumbler Company, becom- ing its first president. Under his able management this company soon took its place as one of the largest and best known plants of its kind in the world. The number of its employees at the out- set did not greatly exceed one hundred, but in 1899 upward of fifteen hundred hands were kept constantly employed, and the buildings of the company covered an area of more than ten acres of ground, while its product found a market in all parts of the civilized world. The reason of this phenomenal success is largely ex- plained by the statement that Mr. Fry retained the presidency until 1899, when the plant was sold to the National Glass Company of Pittsburgh, at which time he became president of the latter organ- ization. In 1900 he resigned this posi- tion, and the following year organized the H. C. Fry Glass Company of Roches- ter, Pennsylvania, a plant which has be- come one of the largest and best known in the country, especially noted for its fine quality of cut glass and its optical specialties. One of the most marked features of Mr. Fry's character as a busi- ness man is his attitude toward his em- ployees. Never has he regarded them merely as parts of a great machine, but has uniformly considered their comfort and wellbeing, manifesting a personal and individual interest in them and re- warding capability and diligence with prompt and steady promotion as oppor- tunity offered. In all the enterprises with which he has been associated, as well as in those of which he was the originator, he has ever been the driving
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force, the impelling energy, and never on the field of Chickamauga (which was one of the many battles in which he partici- pated) did he display greater coolness and intrepidity than in the arena of busi- ness.
In June, 1883, Mr. Fry assisted in the organization of the First National Bank of Rochester, of which he has ever since been president. The bank is one of the most flourishing in the State. He is also a director of the Olive Stove Works, and is interested extensively in property on Chautauqua Lake, New York. For sev- eral terms he served as president of the town council, and has faithfully and often laboriously cooperated with others in matters affecting the welfare of the city and its worthy charities. He belongs to the class which is doing the most to advance the real interest of the city and State, and his high personal character, his large experience, and remarkably cool, clear and sound judgment give to his opinions and advice great weight and in- fluence. He is a man of warmly social nature, and his ready wit-part of the heritage he received from his Irish an- cestors-is always under the control of kindly nature. He affiliates with the Ma- sonic fraternity and the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, and belongs to the Duquesne Club of Pittsburgh. He was one of the charter members of the First Baptist Church of Rochester, and was superintendent of the Sunday school for twenty-seven years, in which work he takes a deep interest and to which he is a liberal contributor, believing as he does that religion is the most powerful of all influences.
Mr. Fry married (first), in 1862, in Pittsburgh, Emma, daughter of James and Minerva (Scott) Mathews. In 1884 this union was dissolved by the death of Mrs. Fry, and Mr. Fry married (second) Belle, daughter of Rev. H. R. McClin- tock. Mr. Fry is the father of the fol-
lowing children: Harry C., E. Gertrude, Clara B., J. Howard, and Mabel M.
Mr. Fry has a beautiful home in Rochester, a model of comfort, every ap- pointment being such as to minister to a refined and artistic taste. His children, richly endowed by nature and nurtured under the most uplifting influences, are a joy in the present and a promise for the future, both the sons following in their father's footsteps and maintaining the family tradition both in business and citizenship.
Throughout his career, Mr. Fry has been animated by the spirit of progress, ever pressing forward and seeking to make the good better and the better best. He has furnished a true picture of the ideal manufacturer, one who creates and adds to the wealth of nations while ad- vancing his own interests. The great in- dustrial organizations which he has founded and developed are monuments to his far-sighted business ability, but no less are they monuments to his philan- thropy. He has given to thousands em- ployment and opportunities for self- culture and self-development, and the wealth which has come to him he has held in trust for the less fortunate of his fellows. While increasing the material prosperity of the community he has labored for its moral and spiritual better- ment. Manufacturer, financier, philan- thropist-he is one of those of whom future generations will say: "The world is better because he lived."
WALLACE, Robert L.,
Educator, Lawyer.
The Scotch-Irish descent of Robert L. Wallace, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, is traced to the Wallaces of Scotland and to County Antrim, Ireland, where lived Robert and Mary (Knox) Wallace, whose sons James, John, Robert and Samuel
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came to America before the Revolution. They participated in that struggle for liberty, and later scattered in Western Pennsylvania and aided there in the es- tablishment of farms and homes, churches, courts and modern civilized conditions. The professions of law and medicine have been favorite ones in this family, while statesmen and business men have also borne this honored name. Farmers originally, many have continued in that occupation, and progressive, prosperous agriculturalists are not uncommon in this family.
William Wallace, father of Robert L. Wallace, was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, and was widely known, not more for his extensive farming and stock dealing operations than for his upright- ness of character and the perfect fair- ness observed in all his private business transactions, and in the many public posi- tions he filled.
Robert L., son of William and Esther (McChesney) Wallace, was born in Pulaski township, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1876. He at- tended the public schools, obtaining an excellent education, then entered Poland (Ohio) Union Seminary. Later he tauglit three school years, and in the vacation intervals himself attended sum- mer schools, specializing in his favorite branches. He then entered Grove City College (Pennsylvania), where he was graduated Ph. B., class of 1899. He then tauglit in Darlington Academy (Beaver county) one year, and for another year was principal of the Enon Valley High School (Lawrence county). All this preparatory work had been with the law as his final goal, and in 1901 he entered the law office of Hon. J. Norman Martin, of New Castle, continuing study under that able preceptor until December, 1902, when he was admitted to the Lawrence county bar, and soon afterward to prac-
tice in the State Supreme Court. He at once opened offices in New Castle, where he is now well established in a general practice extending to all State and Fed- eral courts in his district. He is a mem- ber of the State and County Bar Associa- tions, and has attained a leading position among the younger members of the Law- rence county bar.
He is a Republican in politics, and has always taken an active interest in public affairs. In 1906 he was elected to the City Council, and in 1907 was chosen president of that body. In that year he was also a delegate to the Republican State Convention and in 1908 was chosen to represent Lawrence county in the House of the General Assembly. He made an honorable record as a legislator, served on important committees, and in 1910 was again elected to the same office. During his two terms he served on com- mittees-judicial, general, municipal, cor- porations, agriculture, and was chairman of the iron and coal committee. He was not an ornamental member of these com- mittees, but a worker, influential in shap- ing and forwarding important legisla- tion. During his second term he was one of the leaders of the Independent Re- publicans of the House, and one of the most aggressive members of that body of men who carried their spirit of in- dependence to the point of defiance of machine domination. His service to his State will not be unrewarded, and greater honors from an appreciative constituency surely await him. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, active in church and Sunday school work. He stands high in the Masonic order, hold- ing the thirty-second degree, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.
He married, August 27, 1903, Edna, daughter of Jonathan Freese of Indiana, Pennsylvania. Children: William L., Robert Eugene and Esther Clare.
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LAFEAN, John R.,
Manufacturer, Public Official.
The twentieth century is emphatically the age of young men, and Pennsylvania, always a leader in every onward move- ment, is now kept in the very van of progress by the men who during the last ten years have largely aided in making her history. Among these is John R. Lafean, mayor of York, and an aggres- sive business man, who is giving his city a thorough and successful business administration.
John R. Lafean was born July 29, 1873, in York, son of Charles and Charlotta (Kottcamp) Lafean, and a brother of Hon. D. F. Lafean, Charles F. Lafean, president of the Lafean Paper Company, and A. H. Lafean & Brother, well known druggists of York. John R. Lafean re- ceived his education in the public schools of his native city, and immediately after completing his course of study he formed a partnership with his brothers, Charles F. and George Jacob Lafean, under the firm name of Lafean Brothers, manufac- turing confectioners. The business, which was established in 1886, has grown to extensive proportions, the products finding a constant market throughout the State. Mr. Lafean early showed himself to be a man of remarkable business talents, quick and decisive in his methods and prompt in the solution of those problems which are every day presented to the enterprising and successful mer- chant.
In early manhood Mr. Lafean mani- fested a keen interest in public affairs and an unusual degree of executive and administrative ability. As a young man he served with credit in the city council, and from 1905 to 1903 filled the office of city treasurer in a manner satisfactory to his municipality. He has always been identified with the Republicans, and his party, in electing him to the office of city
treasurer, gave him a handsome majority. Hle was at one time chairman of the highway commission, and was also presi- dent of the select branch of the City Council, being elected to this latter office from the Fourth Ward of York. While serving in this position his impartiality commanded the respect of men of all parties, and the fact that he has always numbered many friends among the Dem- ocrats speaks volumes for his integrity and fair-mindedness.
In 1908 Mr. Lafean was the Republican candidate for mayor, but sustained defeat by a majority of two hundred and forty- nine. In 1911 he was again nominated and was triumphantly elected by a ma- jority of seven hundred and twenty-two. His record, since entering upon the duties of his office, has justified the choice of his party. His capability has been proved beyond question. He lias dis- counted all city bills, a thing never be- fore heard of in the history of the county, and the highway department has been placed in charge of the city engineer's department. Mayor Lafean's plan is to conduct the affairs of the city as the affairs of a corporation are conducted, on the basis of strictly honorable business methods, and thus far his success is uni- versally conceded by men of all parties. His appearance is expressive of his per- sonality, being that of a man of quiet determination and business ability. Of rather tall stature and well knit frame, his keen eyes are not without the glint of humor, but his whole aspect is that of the alert, resolute man of affairs.
Genial and companionable in his nature, Mayor Lafean is identified with a number of fraternal organizations, affiliating with Jerodatta Lodge, F. and A. M., York Lodge, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Knights of Malta and the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the York Club and is a mem-
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ber of Christ Evangelical Lutheran attending the district schools, his sum- Church.
Mayor Lafean married, July 3, 1900, passed, until he was seventeen. The
Georgetta L., daughter of George and Charlotta (Gotwald) Moore, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Moore was engaged in business in Shrewsbury. He and his wife were the parents of four other children: Mrs. Jennie Rolfe, of New Jersey; Luther, of York; Norman, of New Brunswick, New Jersey; and William E., of Des Moines, Iowa. Mayor and Mrs. Lafean are the parents of one son : Henry Moore Lafean. Mrs. Lafean is one of York's most charming hostesses, and the home over which she presides is one of the city's social centers.
By his honest, public-spirited, progres- sive administration, Mayor Lafean is placing his native city among the best governed municipalities of the Keystone State, and proving himself a loyal son of York, a true Pennsylvanian and an able and high-minded executive.
IRWIN, Robert W.,
Lawyer.
One of the best known and most suc- cessful advocates in Washington county is Robert Wilson Irwin, of Washington. He is of Scotch-Irish stock, though not descended from the earlier settlers. On each side he is grandchild of an immi- grant from the North of Ireland. These grandparents settled in Washington county early in the last century. His parents, Ephraim and Margaret (Richey) Irwin, were born in Washington county. The father was a farmer, a Democrat, and a member of the United Presbyterian church. He died in July, 1894, and his widow followed him in March, 1897.
Robert Wilson Irwin was born in West Finley township, April 25, 1858. His early life was spent in hard work and the use of such opportunities of study as were offered. Working on the farm and
mers and winters were alternately family were then living at Buffalo, Washington county, where they remained for two years. Mr. Irwin's order of life then underwent a change; the winters for the next six years were spent in teaching, and during the summers, in ad- dition to the work of the farm, he took courses at the normal schools at Clays- ville and Alexander, and began the read- ing of law. In November, 1877, he regis- tered with Boyd Crumrine as a student of law. He had also studied Latin one summer, under the tuition of Rev. Mr. Walkenshaw. On June 15, 1881, he was admitted to the bar of Washington county.
While Mr. Irwin was teaching school, he availed himself of the benefits offered by debating and was interested in their work, and to this training he ascribes much of his later success in his pro- fession. He became a forcible, clear, and impressive speaker. From his admission to the bar, Mr. Irwin has been active in the practice of the law. For a while he was in partnership with ex-Judge Ache- son. His practice has been in State and Federal courts, especially in the field of corporation law. He is a good citizen, actively interested in public affairs, and in his younger days he was a hard worker in politics. This, with his success in his profession, led to his nomination by the Democratic party in 1883, when he had been practicing for but two years, as district attorney, but the district being strongly Republican, he was defeated. He was long a member of the Washing- ton school board, and for some years its president. He has frequently been a delegate to District and State conven- tions, and has served as chairman of the Democratic State Convention. Beside being a member of the County and State Bar Associations, he is a member of the
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