USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Volume I > Part 32
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was offered and accepted the position of and Twenty-sixth streets. In all these superintendent of the Racine & Missis- sippi railroad, at Racine, Wisconsin, and during a part of the time he was with this company he acted in the capacity of master mechanic.
enormous interests the figure of Mr. French dominated. His was the hand in which all the threads from the numerous departments were gathered and twisted into one harmonious and perfect whole. His was in truth a master mind. Shortly before his death his company was merged with the Railway Steel Spring Company, and he was the first chairman of its board. As a member of the Pitts- burgh Chamber of Commerce his opinions were listened to with interest, and never failed of having the effect he intended they should have. He had the interests of the Republican party truly at heart and gave it his staunch support. His religious affiliations were with the Cal- vary Episcopal Church of Pittsburgh, in which his wife was an active worker.
At the outbreak of the Civil War he was one of the first to offer his services in defence of the rights of the Union, but because of physical disability he was not accepted. The public affairs of the com- munity in which he resided occupied a large share of his time, and he was de- voted to its interests. This was recog- nized by his election to the office of sheriff of Racine county, Wisconsin, in 1862, to fill a term of two years' dura- tion. Before his term of office had ex- pired he associated himself with Calvin Wells in the manufacture of car springs in Pittsburgh, under the firm name of the. He was a member of numerous organi- A. French Spring Company, which has zations, some among which were: Ra- cine Lodge, No. 18, Free and Accepted Masons, of Racine; past master of St. John's Lodge, of Pittsburgh ; member of Zernbbabel Chapter, of Pittsburgh, and past high priest of the Grand Chapter of Wisconsin; also of Tancred Command- ery, Knights Templar, of Pittsburgh ; Duquesne Club, of Pittsburgh. since that time become known the world over. Their manufacture was commenced opposite the Union Depot, their floor space being forty by one hundred feet, and with only about ten men in their employ. From this comparatively small beginning has grown the enormous plant of the present day. At first they mann- factured only the elliptic spring of the Mr. French married (first) in 1848, Euphrasia Terrill, of Liverpool, Medina county, Ohio, who died in 1871. They had children : Lucie, married Carl Ret- ter; Ida, deceased, married William Phillips; Clara, married Charles Kanf- man, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Philo Nelson (q. v.). Mr. French married (second) Caroline B. Skeer, of Chicago, and they had one child, Mary A., who died at the age of eighteen years. Hazen patent, but at the end of four years the demand for their output had in- creased so enormously that they were compelled to erect larger quarters, and the portion now known as No. I was erected. They now employ about four hundred and fifty men, and manufacture all kinds of elliptic and spiral springs for use in locomotives, passenger and street cars, automobiles, etc. Their output is sent to all parts of the world, Europe Of Mr. French it may truly be said that his life was a happy illustration of the honors and rewards of perseverance, ambition and indefatigable energy. Con- sistency was one of his chief character- isties; and his methods of business, while progressive, were tempered with a making a particularly strong demand for it. This is the largest plant of its kind in the world and the buildings cover two blocks bounded by Nineteenth and Twenty-first streets, and another on Smallman street, between Twenty-fifth
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certain amount of conservatism which made them immune against trivial fluctu- ations in the business world. He was personally interested in numerous chari- table enterprises, and his private bene- factions were unnumbered.
FRENCH, Philo Nelson,
Manufacturer, Man of Affairs.
Retired from the active business life of the city of Pittsburgh in order to devote the necessary time to his extensive and important private interests, Philo Nelson French is, however, still closely in touch with whatever concerns the business in- terests of the city whose welfare he has had at heart for so many years. He still holds official position in several large corporations and financial enterprises, and his counsel is sought and highly valued.
Mr. French was born in Racine, Wis- consin, January 26, 1860, son of Aaron French. When he was two years of age his parents removed to Pittsburgh, where practically his entire life has been spent. His earlier school education was received in that city, and this was supplemented by a four years' course at Greylock In- stitute, South Williamstown, Massa- chusetts, and a course of one year's dura- tion at Lehigh University. He then en- tered the employ of McIntosh, Hemphill & Company, manufacturers, holding a position in their drawing and designing department for a period of three years, at the same time continuing his study and practice of mechanical engineering, in which he had achieved a great amount of proficiency. He then formed a con- nection with the A. French Spring Com- pany of Pittsburgh, a part of his duties being in the office of the concern, while he was also in charge of the machinery until 1887, at which time he was ad- vanced to the important position of gen- eral superintendent. This position not
alone required a thorough knowledge of all kinds of machinery but also execu- tive ability of a high order, as there were between three and four hundred men in the plant. All of these with few excep- tions were skilled workmen, and the fact that labor troubles played a very unim- portant part in the history of the concern is sufficient proof of the able manage- ment of Mr. French. He was also a di- rector of the Canton Steel Company, of Canton, Ohio.
As above stated, Mr. French has now retired from the active duties of the con- cern of which he was the general man- ager and one of the directors. While he is deeply interested in all matters which concern the public welfare of the com- munity, his great business interests have prevented him from taking an active part in political affairs, and he has contented himself with casting his vote in favor of the candidates of the Republican party. He is a liberal contributor toward the support of the Episcopal church. His fraternal affiliations are as follows : Blue Lodge No. 45, Free and Accepted Ma- sons ; Zerubbabel Chapter No. 162, Royal Arch Masons ; Tancred Commandery No. 48, Knights Templar; Rose Croix, Prin- ces of Jerusalem ; Syria Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Valley of Pittsburgh Consistory, in which the thirty-second degree was conferred upon him; Duquesne Club of Pittsburgh.
Mr. French married, January 11, 1887, May Elizabeth, daughter of B. L. H. Dabbs, of Pittsburgh. Their two chil- dren are: May Elizabeth and Aaron (3d).
Mr. French has encountered in the course of his career the usual number of difficulties which crop up in the path of a business man of the present hurried age. He has met these with a force and de- termination of character which have not alone enabled him to win his way to suc-
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cess but have earned for him the com- charge of the estate, and in 1867 married mendation of his fellow citizens. As- sisted by his wife, a woman of most charming personality, their home on Pembroke Place, East End, Pittsburgh, is one of ideal comfort and openhanded hospitality. There are gathered men and women of energy, talent and intellectu- ality, and the family is justly popular in the social circles of the city.
THOMPSON, Josiah M.,
Oil Producer, Legislator.
The emigrant ancestor and grandfather of Josiah M. Thompson, John Thompson, was born in county Antrim, Ireland, mar- ried there Martha Humes, came to Penn- sylvania in 1795, and in April, 1799, moved from Chartiers Creek, Allegheny county, to Brady township, Butler coun- ty, where he was the owner of one thou- sand acres of land, and died in 1846, aged ninety-six. His six sons were very large men, noted for their great physical strength. All were members of Muddy Creek Presbyterian Church.
Jolin H. Thompson, the second son, born in Allegheny county, December 1, 1798, married Jane C. McCandless, who died December 16, 1898, reaching the great age of ninety-three years. John H. Thompson was a farmer of Butler coun- ty all his life. He died by accidental drowning in Slippery Rock creek, Butler county, December 21, 1860.
Josiah M., only son of seven children of John HI. and Jane C. (McCandless) Thompson, was born on the homestead in Brady township, Butler county, Penn- sylvania, April 20, 1840. He was edu- cated in the public school of the township and Sunbury High School. He taught for three years in one of the public schools of Brady township, retaining the same school the entire term of his peda- gogical career. After the death of his father, Josiah M., being the only son, took
and settled on the home farm. He con- tinued there engaged in farming until 1904, then spent about four years in Ohio and Illinois, then moved to But- ler, Pennsylvania, where he now resides. For many years, in addition to his farm- ing interests, he was engaged in the pro- duction of oil in Butler county. He is a Republican in politics, active in the party, and for fifteen years served as jus- tice of the peace in Brady township. He was also for many years school director. In 1886 he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania House of Assembly, rep- resenting Butler county. In November, 1890, he was again elected to the same office. He served his two terms with credit, holding position on important committees. He is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and while living on the farm belonged to the local grange, Patrons of Husbandry. Both he and his wife are members of the Second Presbyterian Church of Butler.
He married, October 2, 1867, Clara B. Varnum, of Center township, Butler county. Children: Elvina Jane, de- ceased ; Florence, married Elmer J. Mc- Junkin, of Sistersville, West Virginia; John L., of Old Mexico; Frank deceased ; Samuel W., of Old Mexico, where he is engaged in the oil business the brothers being associated in business; Marie, mar- ried Dr. Oscar Klotz, of Cheneyville, Illinois. .
IREDELL, Rodney Rodgers, Journalist.
Rodney R. Iredell, a prominent journ- alist and publisher of Allentown, comes of an old and honorable family of Eng- lish Quaker origin. Since the days of their first settling in Pennsylvania, they have in every generation been repre- sented by men who have left their mark upon the development of the eastern part
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of the State. Among the earlier repre- highest in every department of the na- sentatives of the house was the distin- tional life, putting as it did the whole force of a weighty personality into many a struggle for amelioration of conditions. guished jurist, Justice Iredell, a justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, and a contemporary of General Washing- ington, whose friendship and respect he enjoyed.
Robert Iredell, Jr., the father of Rod- ney R. Iredell, a journalist of prominence in eastern Pennsylvania, was the son of a Robert Iredell, also a journalist of distinction, who was for many years at the head of the Norristown Herald and Free Press, a paper established in 1796. Robert Iredell survived his son, Robert Iredell, Jr., being ninety-five years old at the time of the latter's death. Robert Iredell married Teressa Jones, a woman of marked ability along literary and ex- ecutive lines. She was a leading spirit in the large and patriotic assistance ren- dered to the families of soldiers at the front during the Civil War, and in the organized care given by the community to the sick and wounded soldiers who were brought to Norristown. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Iredell had six children, of whom one was Robert Iredell, Jr.
To such an inheritance of ability and character, Robert Iredell, Jr., was born, at Norristown, in 1844. He obtained good educational advantages, coming when a young boy under the influence of that distinguished educator and leader of public opinion, Samuel Aaron, at his seminary at Norristown. Many of the advanced views of this able man on questions of national import took deep root in the mind of the impressionable and enthusiastic lad, and found an echo many years after in the trenchant and patriotic editorials that came from his pen. Ilis influence upon his community through the paper known as the Chron- icle and News, of which he was founder and for nearly a quarter of a century publisher and editor, was deep and up- lifting. ITis paper always stood for the
In turning aside to trace the influence of a great teacher upon a young man's career, note has been made of his life work. For this work he was fortunate in gaining the technical knowledge in its minutest details. The depletion of his father's office caused by the enlistment of many of his force for the struggle of the Civil War required his recall from school. In the printing house he thor- oughly mastered the printing trade, a fact that was of the greatest value to him in his later journalistic work. In 1862 he responded to an emergency call and enlisted in the State militia in order to repel the invasion of the Confederate troops into Pennsylvania. He became a member of Company D, Eleventh Regi- ment Pennsylvania Militia, under Cap- tain William H. Cook and Colonel Charles A. Knoderer. The regiment was in service but a short time, and Mr. Ire- dell then returned to the journalistic work to which he gave the rest of his life.
In 1870 Mr. Iredell disposed of his in- terest in the Norristown Herald, and moved to Allentown, where he purchased the Lehigh Register, a weekly. He also bought the Lehigh Patriot, a German weekly, the Daily Chronicle and the Daily News, which were merged into one paper, the Chronicle and News, which was founded in 1870, and which is now the only Republican organ in Lehigh county. In 1870 Mr. Iredell was ap- pointed bank assessor by Governor Hart- ranft, and was for nine years postmaster of Allentown. Mr. Iredell was one of the leaders of the Republican party in Lehigh county, and one of the organizers and first secretary of the Livingston Club.
He married, in 1870, Mathilde von
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Tagen, who was a leader in the society of Allentown, and also widely known as a club woman. She was a prominent member of the Daughters of the Ameri- can Revolution, and was for several terms a regent of Liberty Bell Chapter, of Allentown. Six children were born to them, of whom four survive. Mrs. Iredell died February 22, 1907.
Rodney Rodgers, son of Robert Ire- dell, Jr., and his wife, Mathilde von Tagen, was born at Allentown, Pennsyl- vania, October 1, 1883. His school ad- vantages have been excellent, a broad and varied foundation having been laid for the diversified needs of a journalistic career. He attended first the Muhlen- berg Preparatory School, and then took the course of study prescribed at the Allentown High School, going then to the famous Lawrenceville School, which follows so closely the lines of the great public schools of England. He also worked in the commercial classes of Drexel Institute, Philadelphia.
His business career began with his en- tering the office of the "Chronicle and News" of Allentown, the paper founded in 1870 by his father, and of which he is now part owner. On this paper he served in almost every possible capacity, and learned the newspaper business from the ground up. He served as reporter, proof- reader, sporting and dramatic editor, and as musical critic. Upon the death of his brother, Lloyd Jones Iredell, in January, 1911, Mr. Iredell became the business manager of the paper. In March, 1912, the business was incorporated under the name of the Chronicle & News Publish- ing Company, at which time Mr. Iredell was elected president of the company, an office he holds up to the present day. Mr. Iredell is Republican in political sympathies, and in religious affiliations is an Episcopalian. He is a member of the Livingston Club, and of the Lehigh Country Chib.
He married, June 1, 1911, in Allen- town, Kathleen, daughter of George Weaver and Mary L. Seagraves.
PORTER, William H.,
Journalist, Physician.
It is entirely within the province of true history to commemorate and per- petnate the lives and character, the achievements and honor of the illustrious sons of the State. High on the roll of those whose efforts have made the history of medicine in Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, a work of fame, appears the name of Dr. William H. Porter, who for the past fifteen years has been numbered among the medical practitioners at Beav- er. Dr. Porter is strictly a self-made man, his education having been obtained through his own well directed endeavors. In addition to the work of his profession, he is deeply interested in the business progress of this State. He has extensive real estate holdings in Beaver and Beaver county, and is the owner of valuable coal lands in West Virginia. He is an active participant in public affairs, though not an office-seeker, his intrinsic loyalty to all matters affecting the good of the general welfare having ever been of the most in- sistent order.
February 19, 1861, at Markle, West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, occurred the birth of Dr. William Henry Porter, who is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Bair) Porter, the former of whom was a farmer by occupation. Dr. Porter was reared to adult age on the old homestead farm, in the work and management of which he early began to assist his father. At the age of sixteen years, after con- pleting the curriculum of the district schools, he entered Markle Academy, which he attended for the ensuing two years, at the expiration of which he be- gan to teach school in Armstrong coun- ty. He was a popular and successful
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teacher for a period of three years, and during the summer months of that time he taught in Markle Academy. In 1882 he accepted a position as manager of a mercantile house in Markle, the same be- ing owned by S. W. Nelson & Company, and he continued incumbent of that po- sition for nine and a half years. In 1891 he came to Beaver, where he entered into a partnership alliance with John A. Mel- lon to conduct the Daily Star, successor of the Globe-Star, a weekly Democratic paper. Dr. Porter was manager of the Daily Star from September, 1891, until 1897, and during that time he was also a student in the University of Pennsyl- vania, in the medical department of which excellent institution he was grad- uated in March, 1897, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then retired from the newspaper business and initiated the active practice of his profession at Beaver, where he controls a large gen- eral and surgical practice, and where his success has been of the most gratifying order. He is the owner of considerable valuable property in Beaver and Beaver county, and also has coal interests in West Virginia.
Dr. Porter has been twice married, his first marriage having been to Miss Emma E. Artman, a daughter of Michael and Rachel (Hill) Artman, whom he married in August, 1883. Four children were born to this union, namely: Lola, Ray- mond, Russell and Mabel; all of whom are single and remain at the paternal home. March 30, 1904, Dr. Porter was united in marriage to Miss Isabella Rob- inson, who was born in Allegheny coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and who is a daughter of David and Susan (Morrison) Robin- son, prominent citizens of Thornhill, this State. The doctor has no children by this marriage.
In politics Dr. Porter gives a stalwart allegiance to the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands Oil Company.
sponsor, and in a fraternal way he is af- filiated with the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks, the Woodmen of the World, and the Masonic order. In con- nection with his professional work he is connected with several medical organi- zations of representative character, and as a citizen he is a man of mark in all the relations of life.
HALL, Robert Calvin,
Financier, Man of Affairs.
Pittsburgh-that acme of activity, that city which is more than a city-has been made what she is by the aggressive methods of her business men. More po- tent even than the inestimable treasures bestowed by nature upon this wonder- ful region has been the brain-power of its mighty workers. A leader among those who now sustain and promote the city's financial prestige is Robert C. Hall, capitalist, and for many years iden- tified with the most vital interests of the Iron City.
Robert Calvin Hall was born at Cleve- land, Ohio, September 3, 1865, son of Henry Martyn and Abbey (Hubbell) Hall, both born and reared in New York City. His father was a merchant. His grandfather Hall was a New York ship- ping merchant, and his grandfather Hub- ell a New York lawyer, a faet which may explain the combination of business in- stinet and the quick insight into the legal phases of business affairs which Mr. Hall possesses. He is of the eighth generation in America on all four lines of descent of the New England ancestry.
He received his literary and scientific education at the high school in Titusville, Pennsylvania. Mr. Hall's first business occupation was as an assistant in his father's general store. Later for ten years he was actively engaged in pipe- line construction work for the Standard His early experience
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brought him into mercantile touch with manufacturers all through the Pittsburgh section, while the latter widened and broadened this early training. He is, however, essentially of a constructive temperament, with a strong desire always to undertake and develop situations and conditions in embryo or undertone, and place them where they belong. This Mr. Hall has done in a number of notable in- stances in the Iron City and vicinity in recent years. For a number of years he has been in the brokerage business, and is recognized as a wise adviser, his rep- utation being such that he can refer his patrons with confidence to any bank in Pittsburgh.
With many of Pittsburgh's large busi- ness concerns Mr. Hall is actively asso- ciated, and is recognized as a dominant factor in business and financial circles. He was originator of the Duquesne Light Company ; is treasurer of the Pittsburgh and Allegheny Telephone Company, member and former president of the Pitts- burg Stock Exchange; and active in a number of other enterprises. He is a large holder of Fourth Avenue real es- tate, and one of the builders and owners of the famous "Bellefield Dwellings," said to be the finest apartment house in Pittsburgh.
Seldom is it that a man as active and successful in business as Mr. Hall takes the keen and helpful interest in civic af- fairs to which his record bears testimony. A man of action rather than words, he demonstrates his public spirit by actual achievements which advance the prestige and wealth of the community, and is ever ready to respond to any deserving call made upon him. He has a farm and country residence at Aspinwall, Pennsyl- vania, where he delights to give the pleasure of out-of-doors to many friends, and he appreciates boys and girls. The liberal views and genial personality of Mr. Hall have drawn around him a large burgh."
circle of friends, and he is one of the city's most prominent clubmen, belonging to the Union Club, the Pittsburgh Country Club, the Pittsburgh Chamber of Com- merce, the Sons of the Revolution, and several others. Politically, he is allied with the Republican party, but at all times is an independent freelance. With all his strenuous duties, Mr. Hall finds time to devote considerable attention to the esthetic side of life and its refining influences, and is the possessor of one of the most valuable private collections of art in Pittsburgh, numbered among which is the world-famed painting, "The Bath," by a celebrated French artist, which took the first prize of $1,500 and a gold medal at the hands of the interna- tional jury of artists at the International Art Exhibit on the occasion of the dedi- cation of the great Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh.
Mr. Hall married, at Oakland, Mary- land, August 7, 1897, Miss Frances P., danghter of Captain John M. and Anna (Pearson) Clapp, of Washington, D. C., and they are the parents of the following children: Pearson Hall, Rosalie Good- man Hall, and Frances Ross Hall. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are extremely popular in the social circles of Pittsburgh, and their charming home, "Ross Mansion," at Aspinwall, Pennsylvania, is the seat of a gracious and refined hospitality.
Mr. Hall's personal appearance is an index to his character, giving the impres- sion of intense vitality and alertness, while the keen yet kindly eyes indicate penetrating observation and withal a lov- able and magnetic nature-a fact which goes far to account for the uniform suc- cess of his undertakings. He is one of the men who count in great cities, for the reason that they are the men who help to make them. It is men like Rob- ert C. Hall who are "Makers of Pitts-
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