USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Volume I > Part 20
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In 1899 he was defeated for re-election to the United States Senate by a dead- lock existing throughout the session of the legislature. He was appointed United States Senator by the governor to fill the vacancy caused by the failure of the legislature to elect, but the ap- pointment was not recognized by the Senate. On the day of his rejection by the Senate he was nominated to succeed himself by the Republican State Conven- tion of Pennsylvania, and was re-elected United States Senator, January 1, 1901. In the Senate he distinguished himself by a cynical disregard of sham and a profound contempt for votes. He ap- peared as the champion of unpopular movements, such as the opposition to Chinese exclusion, and he scorned to con- ciliate the labor vote; he was too strong- ly intrenched to find necessary the defer- ence to public opinion which other sen- ators paid. One of his most notable ex- ploits was his long fight for the State- hood Bill, in the Fifty-seventh Congress,
From time to time Quay's leadership had been threatened by formidable in- surrections. The most serious of these was in 1895, when Governor Hastings undertook to overthrow him; up to the very hour of the State Convention the governor and the combination of local politicians who were with him supposed that Quay would be down at last. Within an hour, however, he had swept them off the face of the earth, and had made himself more powerful in Pennsyl- vania than ever before; he did not re- venge himself in any way upon those who had conspired against him.
Senator Quay was possessed of many good qualities. He was reputed to have been loyal to his friends, and to his word when he passed it in the course of his profession of politics. He was a won- derful judge of character. Industrious he certainly was, and patiently persist- ent, and had the sort of self-control which does not allow emotion to inter- fere with the attainment of a fixed pur- pose. He was a most pleasant com- panion, generous toward those having claims upon him, hospitable and consid- erate. Wealth he had, and power, and association with men in high places on terms of equality, or superiority, since to the last his voice was decisive in the White House upon many matters of im- port. Roosevelt claimed him as a staunch and loyal friend throughout his entire term as president. One of his most enthusiastic admirers was Gov- ernor Pennypacker, of Pennsylvania, who said of him: "He had a divine gift.
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When a real poet, orator, or statesman appears among men, there is no need to have the source of his power explained. It is felt. For years men have been try- ing to ascertain what were the methods by which he won his remarkable and con- tinuous success in a difficult field. It has been a needless and a hopeless task. No other man in public life, born of our Pennsylvania people, gave such an im- pression to those with whom he was brought in contact of personal and in- tellectual power. No other man has been able to accomplish so much for the substantial benefit of the Common- wealth."
In his personal appearance Senator Quay was a man of medium size, with an inclination to stoutness; though dur- ing the latter years of his life he lost much of his weight. His expression was resolute to a degree, with keen, far-see- ing eyes, and a brow which well indi- cated the quality of brain that was be- hind it. In earlier life he experienced a good deal of ill health, receiving much benefit from the out-of-door life which he enjoyed in his Texas sojourn before his admission to the bar. In later years, when his strength again began to fail, for hie was never a very strong man physically, he believed firmly that out- of-door life would restore him to health. He went to the Maine woods for several successive summers, and, priding himself upon his endurance, was untiring in his energies, walking, fishing, canoeing, and delighting in roughing it. He also spent some time in Florida, from which, how- ever, he experienced no particular bene- fit. He died May 28, 1904, at his home in Beaver, after a year's illness, being mentally alert and keen to the end. He was interred at the cemetery in Beaver.
In the year 1855, Senator Quay was married to Miss Agnes Barclay, daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth Shannon Bar- clay. They had five children, all of
whom were born in Beaver; three daughters-Mary Agnew, Coral, and Susan Willard; and two sons-Richard Roberts and Andrew Gregg Curtin. Of the latter, who became a major in the United States army and distinguished himself in the Spanish-American war, there is mention further in this work. The eldest son, who was a namesake of Colonel Richard P. Roberts, under whom his father had studied law in Beaver and for whom he retained a warm regard, be- came, like his father, a prominent poli- tician. Indeed, when a short time prior to his death the Senator had intimated his intention of retiring from political life, it was rumored that he contemplated turning over to this son his place in the Senate and in the party. Jerome Quay, a brother of Senator Quay, is superin- tendent of the Western Pennsylvania Reform School, at Morganza, Pennsyl- vania.
QUAY, Andrew Gregg Curtin, Soldier, Retired.
Major Andrew Gregg Curtin Quay, a distinguished officer during the Spanish- American war, a West Point graduate and seasoned soldier, is the second son of the late Senator Matthew S. Quay, one of the most remarkable figures in the political life of the country, a sketch of whom appears on previous pages in this work. He inherited from his father many of his most admirable character- istics and gifts-his ability to judge of men, his power of controlling them and their loyalty to him, and his keen and quick judgment. Like his father, also, he has served his country ably in a military capacity; but, unlike him, has never at- tained any great prominence as a states- man, though interested at all times in the public and political life of the Com- monwealth.
Born January 3, 1866, at Beaver, Penn-
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sylvania, the old family home, and scene General Brooke. On June 16, 1897, he of the former pastorate of his grand- was appointed captain and quartermas- ter, and stationed at Washington. In the following year he was promoted to the rank of major and quartermaster, and began his service in the Spanish-Amer- ican war, serving in Cuba with the Fifth Army Corps at first, and afterward with the Fourth Army Corps, in the same locality. father, Rev. Anderson Beaton Quay, he was named in honor of Governor Andrew G. Curtin, of Pennsylvania, to whom his father had been private secretary in the early sixties. His mother, who had been a Miss Agnes Barclay before her mar- riage to Senator Quay, died February 10, 1911, outliving her noted husband by about six years, his death having oc- curred on May 28, 1904. There were four children beside Major Quay; three sisters-Mary Agnew, Susan Willard, and Coral; and one brother, the eldest of the family, Richard Roberts, a name- sake of Colonel Richard P. Roberts, with whom his father had first studied law in Beaver, and for whom he retained a warm regard.
Major Quay was educated primarily in the private and public schools of Beaver, and later attended Eastburn's School in Philadelphia. After complet- ing his course at the latter school he entered the National Military Academy at West Point, June 15, 1884, and was prepared for his entrance into the army. Upon his graduation, June 11, 1888, he was assigned to the Fifth United States Cavalry, stationed at Fort Myer, Vir- ginia, as instructor of recruits. He re- mained here for a time, and in 1889 was ordered to Fort Sill, Indian Territory, where, after serving for a short time with the troops, he was assigned to duty with the Indian scouts, besides acting as post-adjutant. He was afterwards as- signed as second in command in the re- cruiting and drilling of the Indian troops of the Seventh United States Cavalry. He was then appointed aide-de-camp on the staff of General John R. Brooke, serving until 1896, and being in the meanwhile promoted to the first lieuten- ancy of the Third United States Cavalry. After serving with the troops for a short time he was reassigned on the staff of
After the close of the Spanish-Amer- ican war, in which he had served throughout with great credit and dis- tinction, he resigned the volunteer com- mission which had been bestowed upon him by President Mckinley in 1898, when, in response to the call for one hun- dred and twenty-five thousand volun- teers, the Tenth Regiment of Infantry, National Guard of Pennsylvania, had gone to the front. This resignation was tendered on June 30, 1899, and was fol- lowed by the resignation of his regular commission on August 31 of the same year. After resigning he was appointed Special Deputy Naval Officer at the port of Philadelphia, and served as such, 1902-1906.
Major Quay has retired altogether from military life, and has shunned pub- lic and political responsibilities, engag- ing in private business, although he is a strong Republican, and deeply inter- ested in his country's welfare. In view of his Revolutionary ancestry, Major Quay is a member of the organization of the Sons of the Revolution, the Pennsyl- vania Society of which embraces over a thousand members; the thirty odd state societies of this organization embrace now a total membership of over seven thousand five hundred. He is also a member of the later body, the Sons of the American Revolution, organized in 1889, having in view the similar purpose "to keep alive among themselves and their descendants the patriotic spirit of the men who, in military, naval, or civil
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service, by their acts or counsel, achieved half a century held a commanding posi- American independence." He is also a tion in the steel manufacturing world. member of the Minnesota Society of Simon Singer, grandfather of William H. Singer, was born in Carlisle, Pennsyl- vania, and later moved to Greensburg, in the same State. He married Mary Claus- sen, and sons and daughters were born to them. Colonial Wars, established in 1892, being the descendant of ancestors who fought and served in the colonies prior to the outbreak of the Revolution; and a mem- ber of the Military Order of Foreign Wars, which is composed of commis- sioned officers of the army, navy, or marine corps, who participated in any of the foreign wars of the United States, and the descendants of such officers.
On July 7, 1900, Major Quay was mar- ried to Miss Mary M. Miskey, a dangh- ter of William Miskey, of Philadelphia, and his wife, who was a Miss Mary Gregg, of that city. Major and Mrs. Quay became the parents of two daugh- ters-Esther and Agnes Barclay Quay ; and of one son, Andrew Gregg Curtin Quay, Jr. The children are all resident in the family home, and attendants of the Presbyterian church, of which their parents are both members. The family is a prominent one in this community, leading in social life, and conspicuous because of the esteem in which Major Quay is held as a public-spirited citizen and an able military officer in the coun- try's service.
SINGER, William H.,
Steel Manufacturer.
The steel manufacturers of Pittsburgh have more than any other class of men given to the Iron City her undisputed supremacy, kindling the blaze of those lurid fires, the roar of which is as cease- less as that of Niagara. Among the mag- nates of this colossal industry who have now passed from our sight but whose in- fluence still animates the city which was the scene of their labors and achieve- ments, none was more powerful than Wil- liam H. Singer, of the firm of Singer, Nimick & Company, which for more than
George, son of Simon and Mary (Claussen) Singer, was born in 1797, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and in 1833 re- moved to Pittsburgh, where he engaged in business. He married Elizabeth Fleger, and they became the parents of eight children.
William H., son of George and Eliza- beth (Fleger) Singer, was born October 2, 1835, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He received a liberal education in the public and private schools of his native city, and made his entrance into business life as clerk in the service of Wallingford & Company, a well known commercial house. Later he associated himself with G. & J. H. Schoonberger & Company, iron manufacturers, with whom he re- mained several years. His business tal- ents, which were of the highest order, joined to his indomitable will, rendered it a foregone conclusion that he should enter a wider field of action, and in 1860 he became a member of the firm of Sing- er, Hartman & Company, steel manu- facturers. This celebrated house was founded in 1848 by John F. Singer, an elder brother of William H. Singer, the style becoming later Singer, Nimick & Company, and the house continued in ex- istence until 1900. In 1880 Mr. Singer was one of the founders and first presi- dent of the Pittsburgh Bessemer Steel Company, retaining the presidency until 1883, when this company was purchased by the Carnegie Steel Company, and it is now the Homestead Works of the Car- negie Company. From 1883 until the close of his life, Mr. Singer was a direc- tor of the Carnegie Steel Company, and
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also of the Crucible Steel Company of America. His close and prominent con- nection with the steel industry extended over a period of half a century, and he won distinction as the originator of many useful improvements and appliances in this manufacture. Among his inventions were the "rolling bevel" on circular plates, "soft centre" plough and safe steel, and "liquid compression" for saw steel. In all the positions which he filled he exhibited remarkable executive ability and a judgment that was seldom at fault. Ile was a rare leader of men, possessing marvellous force, and at the same time always carrying with him a genial humor that made him most attractive. Himself the soul of honor, fraud and pretension were things he would not tolerate.
Intensely public-spirited, Mr. Singer took an active part in every movement which in his judgment tended to promote the best interests of his city and State. He ever stood as a synonym for all that is enterprising in business and progres- sive in citizenship. Those familiar with his fine personal appearance, his manly, handsome face, strong, and yet genial and gentle in its expression, cannot fail to remember how well his features and bearing illustrated his character. In mind he was vigorous, direct, straight- forward, truthful, and severely logical. Forcible in speech, he possessed a fine fund of humor, and was of inexhaustible charity and kindness of heart-a true gentleman and a loyal friend. He was a member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, the Engineers' Society of Western Pennsylvania, and the Du- quesne, Pittsburgh, and Allegheny Country clubs. He was a vestryman of Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church, Al- legheny.
Mr. Singer married, May 27, 1858, Hester Laird Harton, of Pittsburgh, and they were the parents of the following children: George Harton; Elizabeth,
who married W. Ross Proctor; William H., an artist of note; and Marguerite, wife of Dr. Robert Milligan. The Singer residence in Pittsburgh is very beautiful, and they have a charming summer home at Edgeworth, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Singer -a woman of peculiar sweetness and beauty of character, combined with in- tellectual brilliancy and an unusual de- gree of energy-is the centre of a large circle of warmly attached friends.
The death of William H. Singer, which occurred September 4, 1909, at his home in Pittsburgh, removed from the city one whose life has become an integral part of its history-a member of one of its most prominent and representative fam- ilies, a man of unquestioned honor and integrity and devoted to the ties of friendship and of kindred, regarding them as a sacred trust. It is but a few years since the distinguished figure of Mr. Singer was last seen among us, but .his influence is still felt in the continu- ance and increase of the noble industry which was inspired and fostered by his genius and which his practical benevo- lence rendered a source of blessing to thousands.
BIGHAM, Thomas James,
Lawyer, Statesman.
The late Thomas James Bigham, Sen- ator and Representative, and a recognized leader of the Pittsburgh bar, was a power in the political life of Pennsylvania dur- ing one of the most momentous periods of our national history. For more than a quarter of a century Mr. Bigham bore the conspicuous part in public affairs for which his talents for leadership so emi- nently fitted him, and his services were such as to impose a debt of gratitude not only upon his fellow-citizens of his own day, but also upon the generations of the time to come.
Sir John de Bingham, regarded as the
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founder of the Bingham, or Bigham fam- ily, came into England, with William the Conqueror, was knighted for his valiant services, and received from the monarch estates situated near Sheffield, Yorkshire. According to tradition, Thomas Bingham, a descendant, emi- grated about 1480 to the north of Ireland and there founded that branch of the family now so fully represented in the United States, the name, in some in- stances, having been contracted into Bigham.
Thomas Bigham, father of Thomas James Bigham, was born April 18, 1784, and married, April 4, 1809, Sarah, born October 27, 1785, daughter of James Christy, of Scotch-Irish descent and Rev- olutionary record. The Bighams and Christys were among the farming fam- ilies of Pennsylvania, and the Bighams also had taken part in the struggle for independence. Thomas Bigham died October 31, 1809, and his widow passed away August 6, 1811.
Thomas James, only child of Thomas and Sarah (Christy) Bigham, was born February 12, 1810, at the home of his grandfather, James Christy, near Hannas- town, Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania. His father having died before his birth and his mother only eighteen months thereafter, the boy was brought up by his maternal grandparents, his only educational advantages being atten- dance at the district school during the winter months, and listening all the year round to the all-day Sunday preaching of the Presbyterian church of that period. Endowed by nature with mental attri- butes of no common order and possessing an unusually retentive memory, he read with avidity everything within his reach, and as what he heard or read rarely passed from his recollection, he soon came to be regarded for miles around as a prodigy of information, being also noted for his ability in recital. The one great
desire of the ambitious lad was for a col- lege education, and he endeavored before reaching his majority to persuade his grandfather to use for this purpose a small sum of money left by his father. Mr. Christy refused, considering that the money would be much better expended in establishing his grandson as a farmer. The youth, however, on coming of age, took his little patrimony and entered Jef- ferson College, Canonsburg, and the money, added to what he was able to earn by tutoring and working during va- cations, proved sufficient to carry him through a full course. In 1834 he grad- uated with honors. During his college course Mr Bigham was distinguished by some of the talents for which in later years he became celebrated-readiness of speech, quickness of wit, power of reparte, and earnestness of purpose. These, together with his extraordinary fund of general information, caused him to be frequently called upon to uphold the honors of his college in debate. He was dubbed by his fellow students "Thomas Jefferson," the name of the Writer of the Declaration of Independ- ence being substituted for his own name of James. To the close of his life he was frequently spoken of as Thomas Jeffer- son Bigham, many supposing that he had been christened in honor of the third President of the United States.
After graduating, Mr. Bigham for one year taught a school at Harrisburg, dur- ing the winter delivering a course of lectures upon scientific subjects. The following year he came to Pittsburgh, where he continued to teach and lecture, at the same time pursuing the study of law. On September 4, 1837, he was ad- mitted to the bar of Allegheny county, and became associated in practice with Judges Veach and Baird, old-time lawyers of distinction, later forming a partnership with W. O. Leslie under the firm name of Bigham & Leslie. Mr.
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Bigham's advancement was rapid, the re- sult of native ability, combined with in- tense application and unwavering adher- ence to the strictest principles of recti- tude. Early in his professional career he met with a calamity which would have discouraged a weaker man. In the dis- astrous fire of April 10, 1845, his office and lodgings were destroyed, and with them not only the entire furnishings, but his library of legal, scientific and general works, together with his notes, papers and memoranda. To a man of Mr. Big- ham's inexhaustible energy and indomita- ble determination this great misfortune was but an incentive to renewed en- deavor. He continued on his upward course, and about 1870, a quarter of a century later, received into partnership his eldest son, Joel L. Bigham, under the firm name of T. J. Bigham & Son. Never recognizing defeat, he was never conquered.
Eminent as Mr. Bigham became in his profession, he was still more distin- guished in the political arena, a sphere for which his talents peculiarly fitted him. He became widely celebrated as an off- hand speaker- the result of the same qualifications which had brought him into prominence as a student, together with his genius for statistics, and withal an exquisite and unfailing sense of hu- mor. His marvellous memory enabled him to recall so readily the history of po- litical, financial and industrial affairs that he became known as "Old Statistics," and the "Sage of Mount Washington." His powerful, resonant voice caused him to be often compared to famous "Bill" Allen, of Ohio. In politics he was first a Whig, but identified himself with the Republican party from its inception, and remained to the close of his life steadfast in his allegiance. In the presidential campaign of 1856 he vigorously sup- ported John C. Fremont. For many years Mr. Bigham was called upon on
election nights to read the returns to the crowds at Republican headquarters, and his announcements were always accom- panied by a running fire of comments and by comparisons from memory with forni- er figures, thus giving a varied idea of the trend of results. At a time when the term "Abolitionist" was by many re- garded as a stigma, Mr. Bigham hesi- tated not to enroll himself in the ranks of that heroic band who labored and suf- fered for the removal of the great blot on our civilization-the institution of slav- ery. Not only did he consecrate to the cause his voice and pen, but for a num- ber of years he maintained at his home on Mount Washington a place of refuge for fugitive slaves-one of the many sta- tions of the "Underground Railway," the road by which multitudes passed from a state of bondage to a life of freedom in the Dominion of Canada.
In 1844 Mr. Bigham was elected to the House of Representatives and served from 1845 to 1848 and again from 1851 to 1854, and from 1862 to 1864. He oc- cupied a seat in the Senate from 1865 to 1869, serving upon the ways and means, railroads and canals, judiciary, and other important committees. As a legislator his talents were conspicuous, and he was the author of some of our most impor- tant laws, among them the married wom- en's act of 1848, the general railroad law of 1867, and the acts extending the municipal powers of the city of Pitts- burgh, known as the consolidation acts of 1867 and 1869. He early gave attention to the financial and revenue system of the commonwealth, drafting and promot- ing the passage of many of the laws im- posing taxation upon corporations to raise the needed revenue for the main- tenance of the State government, and the removal of the tax for State purposes upon land. He was a member of many commissions appointed under State au- thority at different times to investigate
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and report upon matters affecting the public interest and welfare. In 1873 he was appointed by Governor Hartranft as Commissioner of Statistics of the State of Pennsylvania, and filled the office with distinguished ability until 1875. This ap- pointment was tendered him not as a po- litical reward, but as a recognition of his exceptional talents as directed toward the industrial, manufacturing, agricultural, mining and mercantile interests of Penn- sylvania, and the reports made by him have always been regarded as of special interest.
In 1851 Mr. Bigham was elected to the board of managers of the Pennsylvania Reform School, to which for many years he had been a contributor, and he con- tinued to serve in that capacity until dis- abled by advancing years. He was one of the incorporators and the first secre- tary of the Allegheny Cemetery Com- pany founded in 1844. He was one of the founders of the "Pittsburgh Commer- cial," and for years was the proprietor of the "Commercial Journal," both publi- cations being now consolidated with the "Pittsburgh Gazette." From 1878 to 1882 he was a member of the councils of the city of Pittsburgh, where his ripe and varied experience, his judicial mind and his vigilance in behalf of the public wel- fare, were of inestimable value. He was a man of an actively benevolent disposi- tion, and no good work done in the name of charity or religion appealed to him in vain. He was the founder and chief sup- porter of Grace Protestant Episcopal Church, Mount Washington, which grew out of a mission Sunday school estab- lished by him and his wife in 1849. The church thus founded is a living monu- ment to those who planted the seed from which it sprang.
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