USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Volume I > Part 40
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In everything pertaining to the wel- fare and advancement of his home city Mr. Glessner's interest is keen and ac- tive. He is vice-president of the Drovers' and Mechanics' National Bank, and is also interested as a stockholder and di- rector in that institution and in a num- ber of other concerns. He affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in which he holds the rank of past exalted ruler. Mr. Glessner is a man of distinguished bearing, with the keen, deep, searching expression of eye which marks the astute lawyer and able political leader. Digni- fied and at the same time genial, always courteous and considerate of others, few men enjoy greater personal popularity or can count upon a larger number of warmly attached friends.
Mr. Glessner married, June 18, 1891, Joanna, daughter of Mrs. Mary M. Bow- en, of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of a son and a daugh- ter: Silas Forry, and Hazel M. By this marriage Mr. Glessner gained the life companionship of a charming and con- genial woman, one of those rare women who combine with perfect womanliness and domesticity an unerring judgment, traits of the greatest value to her hus- band, to whom she is not alone a charm- ing companion, but also a confidante and adviser. Mr. and Mrs. Glessner are
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prominent in York society and their home is a centre of gracious hospitality, Mrs. Glessner being one of the city's most tactful hostesses, and Mr. Glessner possessing notable social gifts.
Mr. Glessner is one of the men who sustain and increase the prestige of the legal profession and at the same time mould the political life of their commun- ities, thus helping to make the history of the nation.
McCONKEY, Edwin K.,
Financier, Legislator.
Many times in the course of her event- ful history has the venerable city of York been called to mourn the deaths of use- ful and honored citizens, but never has she sustained the loss of one whose tal- ents were more thoroughly devoted to her service than were those of the late Senator Edwin K. McConkey, or one who more fully realized the ideal of citizen- ship. Both as a business man and a leg- islator, Senator McConkey was for many years identified with the most vital in- terests of York and has left a lasting impress on the financial and political life of his home city.
The original home of the McConkey family was in the North of Ireland, whence the founder of the American branch of the race emigrated in 1756 to the province of Pennsylvania. He set- tled in Lancaster county, and early in the history of York county members of the family purchased land at Peach Bot- tom, where the name has since been handed down from generation to genera- tion.
Hugh McConkey, great-grandfather of Edwin K. McConkey, served in the Rev- olutionary War, enlisting from York county, and his brother William resided in Pennsylvania, above Trenton, near the Delaware river. He was a personal friend of General Washington, and on the
memorable night of December 25, 1776, before making the perilous passage of the Delaware, which was to result in the vic- tory of Trenton, the commander of the Continental army stopped at the house of William McConkey.
James, son of Hugh McConkey, was for more than fifty years engaged in mer- cantile business at Peach Bottom. He served in the War of 1812, responding to the call of the government for troops at the time Baltimore was threatened. From 1836 to 1840 Mr. McConkey represented the Whig party in the State Senate. He exerted a widespread influence, and was very active in the public life of York county.
William, son of James McConkey, re- moved to Wrightsville, where he asso- ciated himself with David E. Small and Michael Schall, of York, in the owner- ship of the Aurora Furnace. He was also interested in other business enter- prises, and was president of the First National Bank of Wrightsville, filling that position for many years prior to his death. He took an active part in politics, and in 1855 was elected by the Whigs to represent York county in the legisla- ture. In 1856 he became one of the founders of the Republican party in his county, and thenceforth was prominent- ly identified with its affairs. He mar- ried Susan Silver, of Silver Mount, Mary- land, and his death occurred in 1880.
Edwin K. McConkey, son of William and Susan (Silver) McConkey, was born December 11, 1864, at Wrightsville, where he received his preliminary edu- cation in the public schools, graduating from the high school and then entering the York Collegiate Institute, where he completed his course of study. Ile be- gan his business career as a member of the firm of McConkey Brothers, but after a short time entered the service of the Pullman Car Company, where he re- mained for a number of years, rising
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step by step until he became assistant superintendent in Philadelphia. At the time of his marriage he removed to York, becoming interested in the Farmers' Fire Insurance Company, of which his father- in-law, David Strickler, was secretary and treasurer. In 1900, upon the death of Mr. Strickler, Mr. MeConkey suc- ceeded to his office, and he was also a director of the York National Bank, the York Water Company, the York Gas Company and the Guardian Trust Com- pany. In all these positions his knowl- edge of men and affairs, his aggressive industry and his quiet and decisive judg- ment combined to make him most suc- cessful. In all emergencies he showed himself to be the master keen-brained intellect, noted for his aptitude in grap- pling with details and for his marvellous penetration and foresight.
The unusually strong intellectual en- dowments which Mr. McConkey inher- ited from his father and grandfather fitted him to an exceptional degree for public life, but for many years after at- taining his majority he stood aloof from the contests of the political arena, pre- ferring to concentrate his energies on the discharge of his business obligations. His allegiance was always given to the Republican party, but not until 1902 did he take any active part in politics. In that year the Republicans of York county requested him to accept the non- ination for State Senator, and although, ever since the organization of the Re- publican party, the county had sent a Democratic representative to the legisla- ture, Mr. McConkey courageously con- sented to become a candidate. After an active and vigorous campaign in which he was one of the chief participants, his party succeeded in electing him by a handsome majority. Senator McCon- key's record in the legislature was in the highest degree creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents. He took
a prominent part in all the deliberations of the senate, serving on the committees on banks and building and loan associa- tions, judiciary, education, appropria- tions, street railways, and others equally important. At the extra session of the legislature held in 1906 he performed duties of great moment, and at the close of the session received a personal letter of congratulation for his valuable serv- ices from Samuel Whitaker Pennypack- er, then Governor of the State of l'enn- sylvania.
In addition to his sterling traits of character, Senator McConkey was a man of the most attractive personality, win- ning friends easily and holding them long. Kindliness and appreciation of the good traits of others constituted one of the salient features of his character, and never did he neglect an opportunity to assist one less fortunate than himself. He affiliated with Riverside Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, also holding membership in the Country and Bachelors' clubs. He belonged to the Lafayette Club, one of the leading social organizations of York, and at one time served as its president.
Senator McConkey married, October 23, 1894, Annie, daughter of David Strickler, of York, and they became the parents of two daughters: Mary Eliza- beth, and Hannah H.
The death of Senator McConkey, which occurred August 24, 1910, deprived his city and State of one who never al- lowed questionable methods to form part of his business career, and over the record of whose official life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. Senator McConkey was a descendant of ancestors who both on the battlefield and in the council chamber rendered dis- tinguished service to Pennsylvania. His own record, had he been granted greater length of days, would undoubtedly have
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surpassed that of his forebears, and in second battle of Bull Run. At the close the years to come he would have re- of the war he was mustered out of ceived from his native State honors even greater than those she had already be- stowed upon him. service as first sergeant of his company. He was one of the valiant Union sol- diers who faced the enemy at Gettys- BROWN, Abraham L., burg. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are still liv- ing and they now maintain their home on Public Official. the old farm near Baden, in Beaver county. Mr. Brown has always been a stalwart supporter of Republican prin- ciples in his political attitude. Hiram Hendrickson, maternal uncle of Abraham L. Brown, was a member of Company F, Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was taken prisoner during the prog- ress of the Civil War and confined in a prison at Salisbury, North Carolina, where he died.
For many years Abraham Lincoln Brown has been connected with the up- building of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and he has just reason to be proud of the fact that to his efforts can be traced many a substantial enterprise and ad- vancement contributing greatly to the growth and prosperity of this section of the State. In every sense of the word he is a representative citizen and a business man of marked capacity. It is due to the inherent force of character, commenda- ble ambition and unremitting diligence of Mr. Brown himself that he has stead- ily advanced in life until he now occupies a prominent place among the active and representative men of Beaver Falls, where he is the popular and efficient in- cumbent of the office of burgess.
At Baden, Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, October 12, 1862, occurred the birth of Abraham Lincoln Brown, who is a son of Abraham and Ellen (Hen- drickson) Brown, both of whom were born in Beaver county, this State. The father is of Scotch-Irish descent and the mother of English descent. Abraham Brown was a stone construction con- tractor during the greater portion of his active career and achieved unusual suc- cess as a business man. During the .Civil War he served as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Thirty- ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and his regiment formed part of the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Brown par- ticipated in a number of important bat- tles marking the progress of the war and he assisted in burying the dead at the
Abraham L. Brown received his pre- liminary educational training in the dis- trict schools of Economy township, Beaver county, and as a youth he learned the stone contracting business under the tutelage of his father. At the age of seventeen years he accompanied the con- struction crew that built the first dam over the Ohio river, that being the Davis Island dam, and he was foreman of forces during the period of construction. In 1884 he went to Rochester, Pennsyl- vania, where he entered the employ of the Rochester Tumbler Manufacturing Company, working in the packing and shipping departments of that concern for fourteen years. For five years of that time he was a director in the company, and for two years served as president of the Central Building & Loan Associa- tion, of that city. In 1897 Mr. Brown came to Beaver Falls and here purchased the local news routes of all the metropol- itan newspapers and magazines, conduct- ing that business for the ensuing thirteen years, at the expiration of which, in Feb- ruary, 1909, he disposed of his business interests in order to give his undivided time and attention to his duties as bur- gess of Beaver Falls, to which impor-
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tant and responsible office he had just been elected. He is still the popular and efficient incumbent of that position, and his administration of municipal af- fairs is characterized by sterling integri- ty of character and honorable and straightforward principles.
In politics Mr. Brown is an uncom- promising supporter of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor. In 1909 he was candidate for the State Legislature, but met defeat at the election by reason of a combination. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World and the Sons of Veterans; in re- ligious matters he and his family are devout members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, in the different depart- ments of whose work they are most ac- tive and zealous factors. Mr. Brown is ever alert to the best interests of the peo- ple, and is an influential supporter of all measures and enterprises advanced for progress and improvement. He is con- nected with the Beaver Falls Chamber of Commerce and holds membership on a number of important committees for lo- cal improvement. In connection with the Ohio River, Lake Erie and Ship Canal project, Mayor Brown was called to the conference, December 17, 1910, at Pitts- burgh, and pledged the support of Beav- er Falls, which he represented. The counties of Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, which were affected by this new waterway, were represented at this con- ference, and all pledged their support to the enterprise. Later the Government was represented by a special committee at Pittsburgh, and met with the committee of which Mayor Brown was a member.
April 11, 1889, at Rochester, Pennsyl- vania, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth M. Palmer, a daughter of Joseph H. and Ellen (Coulter) Palm- er, prominent residents of Rochester. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have three daugh-
ters and one son, whose names are here entered in respective order of birth: Ella May, Dora Belle, Olive Margaret and Herbert Collier, all of whom remain at the attractive family home.
Mr. Brown is genial in his associa- tions, affable in his address, generous in his judgment of his fellowmen and cour- teous to all. As a citizen and enthusiast of his town it is but just to say that communities will prosper and grow in proportion as they put a premium on men of his mould.
CARSON, Hon. John W.,
Journalist.
Hon. John W. Carson is editor of the "Beaver Falls Review," and he has been identified with journalism during the greater part of his active career thus far. The dissemination of news, the discus- sion of public questions, and the promo- tion of the general welfare of his com- munity through the columns of his pa- per, constitute life's object with him as a private citizen. His public service to his city and his county has been no less im- portant and earnest, and as Representa- tive to the State Legislature from Beaver county he was influential in securing a great deal of important legislation for this section of the Commonwealth. He has always manifested a deep and sincere interest in local affairs, and was a mem- ber of the Beaver Falls Chamber of Commerce in 1912.
A native of Jefferson county, Ohio, John W. Carson was born April 30, 1857, and he is a son of James N. and Eliza (Kelly) Carson, both of whom were born and reared in the North of Ireland, where was solemnized their marriage and whence they immigrated to the United States in the year 1850. Mr. and Mrs. James N. Carson, on their arrival in this country, located in Jefferson county, Ohio, where the former turned his at-
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tention to agricultural operations. For is an uncompromising supporter of the twelve years prior to coming to America Mr. Carson was in the service of the English army and at the time of the out- break of the Civil War he enlisted for service as a soldier in the Second Ohio Heavy Artillery. He was a man of strong convictions and forceful charac- ter. In 1880 he and his wife removed from Ohio to Marshall county, West Virginia, where they passed the declining years of their lives.
John W. Carson was reared to the in- vigorating influence of the old home- stead farm in Ohio, and his early educa- tional training consisted of such advan- tages as were afforded in the district schools. Ile left home at an early age and for a number of years was employed in factories in Niles and Youngstown, Ohio. Although his first work was diffi- cult and the pay a mere pittance, he never gave up his desire for an education, but took special courses of study in night schools and managed to receive private instruction. He read law for two years in the office of 1. A. Justice, at Youngs- town, but was never admitted to the bar. Eventually giving up the law he decided to enter the newspaper business and be- came a reporter and advertising solicitor on the "Daily News," at Youngstown. In 1886 he came to Beaver Falls and en- tered the employ of the "Daily Tribune" as a reporter. Subsequently he formed a connection with the "Daily Journal," which was discontinued in 1896. In that year Mr. Carson purchased the "Journal" plant and established the Beaver Falls "Review," a weekly publication which boasts a fine editorial section and an ex- tremely large circulation. Mr. Carson is proprietor, editor and publisher of this newspaper, and he has associated in business with him his two sons. He was president of the Pennsylvania Editorial Association for one term in 1907.
principles and policies for which the Re- publican party stands sponsor. In 1904 he was honored by his fellow citizens with election to the office of Representa- tive from Beaver county in the State Legislature; and he was re-elected to that office in 1906. During his incum- bency as a member of the House he was chairman of the committee on agricul- ture, and he was influential amongst his colleagues as an advocate for good roads. He is a member of the Republican Coun- ty Committee and is chairman of the Re- publican County Central Committee for 1912. Mr. Carson is a man of splendid initiative and good judgment, and as a citizen he commands the unqualified con- fidence and esteem of all with whom he has had dealings. In 1910 the Republi- can members of the Pennsylvania State Editorial Association endorsed Mr. Car- son for Lieutenant Governor.
September 7, 1880, Mr. Carson married Miss Lida G. Robinson, at Niles, Ohio; she is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Cullander) Robinson, prominent citi- zens of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Carson have two sons: James H. and Charles B., both of whom are associated with their father in the newspaper business, as already noted.
In a fraternal way Mr. Carson is af- filiated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Knights of the Maccabees. He and his family are devout members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, in which he is a member of the board of trustees. He is likewise a trustee of Beaver College. The mem- bers of the Carson family stand high in the social life of Beaver Falls and they are all earnest workers in behalf of all enterprises forwarded for the good of the general welfare. Mr. Carson is connected with the Beaver Falls Chamber of Com- merce, is chairman of the committee on
In his political convictions Mr. Carson parks and play grounds, and it is largely
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through his work and influence that a He was born September 13, 1751, at park and play ground was secured for the people of Beaver Falls, and which was formally dedicated in June, 1912.
KIRKPATRICK, Hon. William Sebring, Lawyer, Jurist, Statesman.
Hon. William Sebring Kirkpatrick, ex- Congressman, and one of the most cap- able lawyers of the Lehigh Valley bar, was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, April 21, 1844.
The ancestral home of the family was at Watties Neach, in Dumfrieshire, Scot- land, and the first of the family of whom we have record was the great-great-great- grandfather, who removed with his fam- ily from Dumfrieshire to Belfast, Ireland, during the reign of George I., about the year 1725. In the spring of 1736 he em- barked at Belfast for America, and after a stormy voyage of thirteen weeks reached the American harbor. He crossed the Delaware river at Philadelphia, and made his way up the State of New Jersey un- til he reached Bound Brook. Thence he proceeded across the mountains until he came to a spring of water which has since been called Mine Brook. There he settled with his family, built a log cabin, and began the development of a farm in the midst of a wilderness. He died June 3, 1758.
His son, David Kirkpatrick, who was born in Watties Neach, Dumfrieshire, Scotland, February 17, 1724, accompanied his parents and family on their emigra- tion to America. For many years he re- mained a resident of Mine Brook, where his death occurred in 1814. He was mar- ried, March 31, 1748, to Mary MacEow- en, who was born in Argyleshire, Scot- land, August 1, 1728, and died at Mine Brook, November 2, 1795. They had four sons and four daughters, including Alexander Kirkpatrick, the great-grand- father of William Sebring Kirkpatrick.
Mine Brook, and died September 24, 1827. His wife was a daughter of Judge Jolin Carle, of Long Hill, Morris county, New Jersey, and they had thirteen chil- dren.
Rev. Jacob Kirkpatrick, of this family, the grandfather of William S. Kirk- patrick, was born in New Jersey, August 8, 1785, and died at Ringoes, Hunterdon county, that State. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him, and for more than a half century he was a prominent Presbyterian minister of Rin- goes. He wedded Mary Burroughs Howell, a daughter of John Sutfin, of Freehold, Monmouth county, New Jer- sey, and their family also numbered thirteen children. Newton Kirkpatrick, the father of William S. Kirkpatrick, was born in Somerset county, New Jersey, and married Miss Sebring.
Hon. William Sebring Kirkpatrick be- gan his education in the public schools of Easton, and continued his studies until he had completed the high school course by graduation in 1859. The same year, although only fifteen years of age, lie en- tered Lafayette College, and received his degree of Bachelor of Arts in that institution, in the class of 1863. On completing his literary course he took up the study of law under the late Judge Henry D. Maxwell, who directed his reading until he was admitted to the bar, October 7, 1865, within five months after he had attained his majority. No dreary novitiate awaited him. Almost at once he gained prominence as a lawyer, and has since maintained a leading position at the bar of the Lehigh Valley.
A few years after entering upon prac- tice he was appointed borough solicitor of Easton, and served in that position in a most capable manner. Northampton county having became a separate judicial district in accordance with a provision of the constitution of 1873, and a vacancy
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occurring on the bench of the district, nancial reasons caused the suspension of Mr. Kirkpatrick was appointed in April, 1874, President Judge of the Third Judicial District, by Governor Hart- ranft, upon the unanimous recommenda- tion of the board of Northampton county. This was indeed a tribute to his personal worth and legal attainments, for he had not then reached the age of thirty years. At the ensuing election he received the Republican nomination for the office, and although the usual Democratic majority was thirty-six hundred, he succeeded in reducing the opposition vote so that his opponent received a majority of only three hundred. On the expiration of his term of service by the appointment of the governor, Judge Kirkpatrick resumed the active practice of his profession and rapidly acquired a large and important clientage. He was retained as counsel, either for the prosecution or defense, in nearly all the important cases tried in the courts of the district, and his power at the bar was soon widely recognized by the profession and the general public. His practice extended to the courts of neighboring districts and to the Federal courts as well. He has been remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and provident care with which he prepares his cases. His legal learning, his analy- tical mind, and the readiness with which he grasps the points in an argument, all combine to make him one of the most capable lawyers at the bar of Easton, Pennsylvania.
the department. Although his time has been assiduously employed in the pur- suit of his chosen profession, he has giv- en some attention to politics, remaining ever a staunch and unfaltering advocate of Republican principles. Frequently he has served as a delegate to the State conventions of his party, and in 1882 was elected to preside over the temporary or- ganization. In 1884 he was elected one of the delegates from his district to the Republican National Convention in Chi- cago, and upon the accession of Governor Beaver to the highest office within the gift of the Commonwealth, on the 18th of January, 1887, Judge Kirkpatrick was appointed by him to the position of At- torney General of Pennsylvania, and the courts of Northampton county in that year ordered that official record be made of the fact of their gratification of the public honor thus bestowed upon their colleague. Judge Kirkpatrick assumed the office on the date mentioned, and brought to the important duties which devolved upon him not only thorough preparation for his work, but also a well defined determination to introduce need- ed reforms in the administration of the office. It had grown to be the custom for the chief to leave the work of the po- sition largely to his deputy. This course Judge Kirkpatrick no longer honored, but gave his personal supervision to all of the important cases in which the Commonwealth was concerned, and in his preparation of them showed signal care. The result proved of great ad- vantage to the public service, and he won notable victories for the Common- wealth. Patiently persevering, possessed of an analytical mind, and one that is readily receptive and retentive of the fundamental principles and intricacies of the law, gifted with a spirited devotion
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