USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Volume I > Part 19
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 | Part 53
Mr. Jackson was married, in 1836, to Mary Beard, whose family record is appended to this sketch, and the follow- ing children were born to them: Anna Margaret, married Francis Semple Bis- sell, a leading business man of Pitts- burgh, and a representative of the Penn- sylvania branch of an old Connecticut family of Huguenot origin; Mary Louise; and John Beard, mentioned be- president of the Fidelity Title and Trust
low. Mrs. Jackson, a woman of lovely and exalted character, was of the Saxon type of beauty, tall and fair, with a most gracious and winning manner. Mr. Jack- son was devoted to his home and family, passing his happiest hours at his own fireside and in the company of his friends. When he passed away, Septem- ber 19, 1862, all felt that the city had lost one of her ablest business men and most benevolent, public-spirited citizens. Mrs. Jackson survived her husband a number of years, her death occurring June 9, 1879.
John Beard, son of George Whitten and Mary (Beard) Jackson, was born February 17, 1845, in Pittsburgh, and re- ceived his early education in private schools, afterward matriculating in the University of Western Pennsylvania, now the University of Pittsburgh. Be- fore entering Kenyon College he con- tinued his education at the grammar school of Gambier, but on account of ill health was unable to graduate In later life, in recognition of his standing in the Protestant Episcopal church and his love for literature, he was made a trustee of Kenyon College from the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and in 1893 his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts.
On the death of his father, Mr. Jack- son was called upon to take charge of the estate, and assisted in winding up the af- fairs of the Anchor Cotton Mills. His time not being fully occupied with the affairs of the estate, he was elected to membership on boards of which his father had been an honored and valued member, notably the Western Insurance Company, the Bank of Pittsburgh, and the Allegheny Cemetery. In March, 1882, he was made a director of the St. Clair (now the Sixth Street) Bridge Cor- poration, and remained to the close of his life actively interested in the organiza- tion. December 12, 1887, he was elected
I28
Suo Jackson_
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Company, which office he held for nearly twenty-one years, with but one prolonged absence, of several months, from ill health. He filled the position with con- spicuous fidelity and success, and may truly be said to have builded his life into the institution. Unfaltering in the dis- charge of duty, however painful, he in- sensibly drew from those around him the same high and conscientious fidelity which he demanded from himself, and diffused a spirit of harmony and good fellowship throughout the entire force. Between himself and the officers and em- ployès of the company the most cordial relations existed, and he delighted to call them his "boys." He gave them an an- nual dinner at the Duquesne Club, and on one of these occasions ( November 10, 1906), was presented with a large and beautiful silver loving-cup, its inscription testifying that it was the gift of "The Fidelity Boys."
December 18, 1903, Mr. Jackson was made vice-president of the Dollar Sav- ings Bank, having been for twenty years a member of the board of trustees, and he was at one time president of the Chan- ber of Commerce. He was a director in the Allegheny Valley Railroad Company, the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie railroad, and several branch roads; also, in the Union Switch and Signal Company, and the Standard Underground Cable Com- pany. He was vice-president of the Union Fidelity Title Insurance Com- pany, and one of the original directors of the Pittsburgh Life and Trust Com- pany. He was also a director of the Pittsburgh Stove and Range Company, the Garland Corporation and the Pitts- burgh Steel Foundry. For many years a director of the Allegheny Cemetery As- sociation, he succeeded in course of time to the office of president, and by special act of the board was given the privilege of riding through the grounds on horse- back, that he might thus enjoy his fav-
orite recreation while inspecting the grounds and advising with the superin- tendent. Of no man could it be said with greater truth than of Mr. Jackson that he was "one who loved his fellow-men." The story of his life is one of wide-em- bracing and far-reaching philanthropy. When a child he was present with his father at the laying of the cornerstone of the Western Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, at Dixmont, and his interest in it was life-long. With the Deaf and Dumb Institution he was identified for more than a third of a century, becoming a member of the board of trustees when a young man, and the success of the in- stitution was very largely due to his ef- forts and devotion. The boys at their games on the grounds were always de- lighted to see him, and greeted him with a special salute which showed their af- fection. He was also actively interested in St. Margaret's Deaf-Mute Mission and in the Pittsburgh Branch of the Penn- sylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf.
Like his father, Mr. Jackson was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and early engaged in the work of the Parish of St. Andrew's, teaching in the Sunday school, and for about twenty- five years serving as superintendent. He was also a vestryman and junior warden, represented the parish in the diocesan convention, and served on many impor- tant parochial and diocesan committees. In 1893 he was forced by reason of re- mote residence to withdraw from the parish, but always retained the deepest interest in its welfare. When the plans for the new Calvary Church were under consideration, Mr. Jackson consented, at the earnest solicitation of the rector, to serve on the building committee, and gave much time, attention and thought to the construction of the beautiful edi- fice, contributing liberally to the building fund, and with his sister, presenting the
129
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
fine organ. The Episcopal Church Home, of which he was president of the board of trustees for many years, was especially dear to his heart, and in his devotion to its interests he would ar- range to stop on his way from business to look after the repairs of the building and the welfare of the children. He was a director of the St. Margaret Memorial Hospital and the Homeopathic Hospital.
Mr. Carnegie, in selecting trustees for the Carnegie Library, on its organiza- tion, asked Mr. Jackson to serve, which he did, but after a short time resigned. He was again appointed a trustee, this time of the Carnegie Institute, and at his death was still on its board. He rejoiced at its magnificent success and was al- ways present at the Founder's Day Cere- monies. The Carnegie Technical Schools were among the many objects to which he gave his attention, and for a number of years he served as president of the Institute of America in Pittsburgh, ac- cepting the office at the earnest solicita- tion of those interested in archaeology, and using his influence to further the in- terest of the Society and to enlarge its membership. As a true citizen Mr. Jack- son entered enthusiastically into the Pittsburgh Sesqui-Centennial Celebra- tion, acting as treasurer of the funds con- tributed for the carrying out of the plans. He also consented to appear in the pro- cession on Lieutenant-General S. B. Young's staff on Greater Pittsburgh Day, riding his own horse.
Mr. Jackson was for many years a di- rector of the School of Design and a member of the Art Society, and was the first Pittsburgher to present an oil paint- ing to the permanent collection in the Carnegie Galleries. He was one of the original guarantors of the Pittsburgh Orchestra, regularly attending the con- certs, until the strain of business ren- dered the exertion too great. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Society of
New York City, the Union League Club, the Duquesne Club of which he was at one time president; the University Club; and one of the original members of the Pittsburgh Golf Club, in which, although not a golf player, he always took a lively interest. He was an active member of the Church Club, and for a time served as its president. Mr. Jackson belonged to several shooting and fishing clubs in the United States and Canada, having be- come a member, when a very young man, of the Winons Point Shooting Club, of Sandusky Bay. After he became presi- dent of the Fidelity Title and Trust Company, Mr. Jackson reluctantly re- signed from this club for the reason that the annual meeting of the company was held at the height of the duck season, and he never allowed pleasure to inter- fere with duty.
Always a student and a lover of litera- ture, and possessing withal a knowledge of French and German, Mr. Jackson de- lighted in travel, but after succeeding to the presidency of the Fidelity Title and Trust Company seldom left home except on business or in quest of needed repose. In earlier years, however, he travelled extensively in his own country, and in 1869, with his unmarried sister, he spent fifteen months visiting the British Isles and the principal cities of Europe. He spent the summer of 1872 abroad with a friend, and in September, 1880, with his sister, sailed from San Francisco for Japan, thence making a tour of the world and reaching home in November, 1881.
The regularity of Mr. Jackson's habits enabled him to accomplish an amount of labor which was a constant marvel to his friends. Rising at six, he repaired to the library that he loved so well, and there, after reading a chapter in the Bible, de- voted himself until breakfast time to Ger- man literature, being at his desk in the Fidelity by half-past eight, there to open his mail without interruption. He pos-
130
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
sessed a singularly attractive personality, and his appearance showed him to be what he was-an upholder of generous, noble and patriotic standards, an example of strong and pure manhood. Mr. Jack- son never married. After the death of his mother he remained with his unmar- ried sister in the house which had been his birthplace, until changes in that part of the city forced them to remove, when they built the present home, "Pennham." The mutual affection and devotion of Mr. Jackson and his sisters exceeded the or- dinary feeling of their relationship, and his life with the one who was the presid- ing genius of his home was one of rare beauty. United in thought, feeling and purpose, companions in travel and in the peace and seclusion of home, the com- munion of this brother and sister was in- terrupted only when the former ceased from earth.
The death of Mr. Jackson, which oc- curred October 31, 1908, was of tragic suddenness, being the result of a fall from his horse when returning from his usual weekly ride into the country. The mourning was universal. All felt that Pennsylvania had lost one of her most highly esteemed bankers, his native city one of her most honored citizens, and that humanity had been deprived of an unfailing friend.
The tributes were well-nigh number- less. His closest friend, writing on the night of his death, said: "We knew him to be wise in counsel, to be faithful to every duty assumed or laid upon him, to be thoughtful of others and respectful of their rights, to be liberal and considerate with those who differed from him in opinion, to be at all times the courteous gentleman. We knew him to be broad, generous and silent in his charities, and we know how we learned to rely upon and greatly defer to his judgment. It was an honor and delight to be associated with John B. Jackson."
Thus spoke the vestry of Calvary Par- ish: "His loss will be felt throughout the whole church; from all parts of the country, as well as the diocese, his help was sought and it was freely given. He regarded himself not as the owner, but as the trustee of his wealth, and he en- deavored so to administer the trust as to be ready to give a just account of his stewardship."
The following are extracts from minutes adopted by the Chamber of Com- merce: "He stayed here in Pittsburgh and denied himself the travel he loved because of his appreciation of the life of Pittsburgh, and his wish to serve his city . . Wise counsellor, untiring worker, ever the courtly, genial gentleman, 'he kept his friendship in constant repair.' . Grateful as we may be for what he did, let us be still more grateful for what he was."
Mr. Jackson was a friend to the colored race, and from Alabama came this touch- ing tribute : "The members of the faculty and students assembled in Chapel in memory of our dear benefactor express our deepest sympathy, knowing still that though dead, his good works follow him."
The following words express the sense of loss which pervaded the entire com- munity :
1
"He was a type of the very best American citizenship, a lover of nature, an advocate of everything that tends to the betterment of humanity, a far-seeing man of business, a de- voted friend, one of God's noblemen.
"John B. Jackson was a type of the men who have helped to make Pittsburgh great. Conservative to the degree of eschewing rash experiments, his life was ordered along pro- gressive lines, and his success was due to careful planning enforced by vigorous action. His industry in business and in all charitable endeavors was proverbial. His wise counsel was eagerly sought by those about to embark in new enterprises, and in more than one season of financial depression he rendered substantial aid toward restoring public con- fidence.
131
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
"There was for him no subtle distinction be- FAGAN, Charles Aloysius, tween personal honor and business practice. He was the same-courteous, high-minded, Lawyer. splendidly upright personally in the counting house and directors' room as in the home; and nobody ever doubted the purity of his motives whether in public affairs or private. Men of this sort are modest, plain, outwardly matter-of-fact, unpretending as well as unas- suming. But to live as they do, in the very thick of the market place, in the din of dol- lars and the turmoil of traffic, without ever a thought of taking advantage of their neigh- bor or stooping to do the base thing be- cause others, perchance, do it-this is the mark of true chivalry. And such a soul, and such a life, was John B. Jackson's."
Pittsburgh holds to-day in love and honor, the memory of John Beard Jack- son, but her pride in him as financier, philanthropist, citizen, is surpassed by her glory that in each of these characters he was stainless and above reproach. "His record is unclouded. His fame is whiter than it is brilliant."
(The Beard Line). 1
Edward Beard, grandfather of Mrs. Mary (Beard) Jackson, was of West Hyde, Hertfordshire, England, and mar- ried Mary Coleman. Their children were: Joseph, John, Edward, Peter, mentioned below; Jane; Ann, married Hodges.
Peter, son of Edward and Mary (Cole- man) Beard, married Ann Coffey, daugh- ter of Cornelius Coffey and Matilda Montgomery, his wife, and they became the parents of two daughters: Mary, mentioned below; and Louisa, who died unmarried.
Mary, daughter of Peter and Ann (Coffey) Beard, was born April 3, 1813, in Pittsburgh, and became the wife of George Whitten Jackson, as mentioned above.
Charles Aloysius Fagan is one of the prominent and successful lawyers in the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July 1, 1859, his parents being Thomas J. Fagan and Mary Fagan. His education was acquired successively at St. Mary's Academy, Ewalt College, and the Pitts- burgh Catholic College. He read law and was admitted to the bar in 1887. For a time he held office as deputy district attorney under Hon. W. D. Porter, now Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsyl- vania, and the late Richard H. Johnson, and displayed such ability in his conduct of cases that he was appointed to the of- fice of Assistant District Attorney in 1894 by the Governor of Pennsylvania to fill the unexpired term of Hon. John C. Haymaker, now Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County. In his legal practice he had for a partner ex- Senator Magee, the firm practicing under the title of Fagan & Magee, and when the latter was elected as mayor of Pitts- burgh, Mr. Fagan became associated in partnership with Robert T. McElroy, with office in the Frick Annex Building. They are extensively engaged as corpora- tion counsel, and have in addition a lucra- tive general practice.
Mr. Fagan gives his political support to the principles of the Democratic party, and has been an active factor in the coun- cils of his party. He was presidential elector for the Twenty-second Congres- sional District of Pennsylvania in 1892, and was chairman of the Democratic committee of Allegheny county, 1894-95. The following year he was elected one of the delegates-at-large to the presidential convention of that year.
In addition to the demands made upon Mr. Fagan by his legal work, he is inter- ested in a number of corporate institu-
132
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
tions, being vice-president of the German National Bank of Pittsburgh, vice-pres- ident of the Iron City Sanitary Manu- facturing Company, and director in the East End Savings and Trust Company, Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Ship Canal Company, Anthracite Coal Company, Natalie & Mt. Carmel Railroad Company, Wheatly Hills Land Company of New York, and other corporations. He holds fraternal membership in the Duquesne, Union, Pittsburgh Country, Oakmont Country and Press clubs. He is presi- dent of the Pittsburgh Hospital ; a direc- tor in the Boys' Industrial School of Al- legheny County, and a member of the Western Pennsylvania Historical So- ciety.
Mr. Fagan married February 9, 1887, Mary A., daughter of P. C. Kane, a re- tired merchant of Pittsburgh. They have had children : Marie Alice, Jean Lucille, Grace Cecilia, Dorothy Patrice and Charles A., Jr. The family lives at North Highland avenue and St. Marie street, Pittsburgh.
QUAY, Matthew Stanley,
Lawyer, Soldier, Statesman.
Matthew Stanley Quay, United States Senator from Pennsylvania, and the sec- ond member of the Senate chosen from Beaver county, was a man who for many years had been termed, by friend and foe alike, one of the most perfect types of the political leader. His career was a most remarkable one, his election to of- fice after office by the people of Penn- sylvania, and his term of public service for half a century, speaking more strongly than words of his standing with the people of the Commonwealth. For a period of thirty-five years he absolutely dominated his party in the overwhelm- ingly Republican State of Pennsylvania ; and, though bitter charges were made against him by his enemies, his friends
stood by him through thick and thin. It was Senator Platt who said of him, "It seems to me that the greatest oppor- tunity that one could have asked for in this world would have been to be an office boy in the office of Senator Matt Quay."
Senator Quay was born at Dillsburg, York county, Pennsylvania, September 30, 1833. He was the son of Rev. An- derson Beaton Quay and Catherine McCain Quay, his father being a Presby- terian minister descended from a Scotch- Irish family which traced its lineage to the earliest days of this country. The Rev. Mr. Quay's first pastorate was at Dillsburg, where his son was born; after this he removed to Beaver, Beaver county, and then to Indiana, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, being in charge of Presbyterian churches in both of these localities, and filling the several pulpits with marked ability. His son Matthew was brought up in Beaver county, re- ceiving his primary education in the public schools, and being prepared for college at the Beaver and Indiana acad- emies. The boy was a very bright stu- dent, and entered Jefferson College at the age of sixteen, manifesting pronounced literary tastes. He was graduated with honors in 1850, after which he studied law with Colonel Richard P. Roberts, in Beaver; Augustus Drum, in Indiana, Pennsylvania; and Perry and Sterret, in Pittsburgh. Before completing his stud- ies he went south for a time and lived in Texas, returning to Pennsylvania when he was twenty-one years of age, and being admitted to the bar of Beaver county in 1854. The following year he was appointed prothonotary of Beaver county, and was elected to the same office in 1856, and re-elected in 1859. After this he served for a time as secre- tary to Andrew G. Curtin, during the latter's first term as governor of the State. In 1861 he resigned his office to
I33
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
accept a lieutenancy in the Tenth Penn- sylvania Reserves; he became Assistant Commissary General of his State, colonel of the 134th Pennsylvania Infantry, and State Military Agent at Washington, D. C.
The 134th Regiment had been re- cruited in compliance with a call for troops to serve nine months, issued by Governor Curtin in July, 1862, and com- panies E and I were from Beaver county. As Washington was threatened by the advance of the enemy in the second Bull Run campaign, the regiment was ordered to the capital before its organization was completed; from there it was sent to Arlington Heights, where it was fully organized, with Matthew Stanley Quay as colonel, and was variously engaged in the defenses. While in camp near Antie- tam, not having yet taken part in battle, Colonel Quay was stricken with typhoid fever and the command temporarily de- volved upon Lieutenant Colonel O'Brien. Later Colonel Quay returned to duty, but was so much reduced by sickness that he was compelled to resign. The regiment remained in camp until Decem- ber 30, 1862.
During the battle of Fredericksburg, in the formation of Tyler's brigade for storming the heights in the last struggle of the day, the regiment had the post of honor in the brigade, the right of the first line. In the brief time that it was in the conflict fourteen men were killed, one hundred and six wounded, and nine- teen missing, many of the latter known to be wounded. Colonel Quay, though unfit for service, refused to remain be- hind, and served as aide on the staff of General Tyler throughout the battle. In his official report General Tyler bears this testimony to Colonel Quay's faith- fulness: "Colonel M. S. Quay, late of In March, 1887, Quay took his seat in the United States Senate, succeeding the 134th, was upon my staff as volun- teer aide-de-camp, and to him I am John J. Mitchell. The following year he greatly indebted. Notwithstanding his was made chairman of the Republican
enfeebled health, he was in the saddle early and late, ever prompt and efficient, and especially so during the engage- ment." Colonel Quay was also chief of transportation and telegraphs, and mili- tary secretary to the governor of Penn- sylvania.
Immediately after the war he started actively in politics, being elected to the legislature in 1865, and again two years later; and at this time began to develop his wonderful system of political control. For a time, in connection with James S. Rutan, he had been in control of the "Beaver Argus," which they purchased from the former managers in 1865; but after the expiration of not quite a year he sold out his interests in the paper to Mr. Rutan, who thereafter conducted it alone. Colonel Quay was at first a sup- porter of Governor Curtin for the United States Senate when Simon Cameron, John W. Forney and Thaddeus Stevens were also in the senatorial race, he him- self being the Curtin candidate for speaker of the House. Simon Cameron, however, was elected, and Quay became chairman of the ways and means com- mittee. His first election as delegate to a National Convention came in 1872; he was also delegate-at-large to the Repub- lican National Conventions of 1876 and 1880. By the year 1873 he was Secretary of State, and a leader in his party, Hart- ranft then being governor. In 1878 Quay was appointed Recorder of Phila- delphia, having been Secretary of the Commonwealth for six years. He be- came chairman of the Republican State Committee, 1878-79, and was again Sec- retary of the Commonwealth from 1879 to 1882. In 1885 he was elected State Treasurer by the largest vote ever given to a candidate for that office.
134
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
National Committee, managing the Har- during which he held up all legislation, rison campaign; it was in this campaign demanding that his bill be passed. Dur- ing the administrations of President Har- rison and President McKinley he was not popular at the White House, but when Roosevelt came into office his in- fluence was strongly increased, and he became a power in that direction; and in his own State his sway was absolute. which he so successfully conducted that he acquired the title of "the silent man." In 1891 he resigned as national chair- man, having suffered the defeat of his candidate for governor, Delamater, the year previously, in his own State. Two years later, however, he was again at the front, and was re-elected United States Senator, his term expiring in 1899. He was a delegate to the Republican Na- tional Convention of 1892; chairman of the Republican State Committee, 1895- 96; delegate to the Republican National Convention of 1896, and the same year elected a member of the Republican Na- tional Committee, and chosen a member of the executive committee. In 1900 he was again a delegate to the Republican National Convention, and again elected a member of the Republican National Committee.
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.