USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Volume I > Part 43
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achieved than by the late Samuel P. whom he ever ascribed a large share in Harbison, for many years head of the famous house now known as Harbison- Walker Refractories Company. For more than a quarter of a century Mr. Harbison, distinguished as he was in the world of business, was equally eminent in the field of educational and charitable endeavor, and today it may truly be said of him, both as manufacturer and phil- anthropist, that his works follow him.
Samuel P. Harbison was born Septem- ber 26, 1840, in Bakerstown, Pennsyl- vania, and was the son of James and Martha (Pollock) Harbison, the latter a native of New Castle, Pennsylvania. James Harbison was a farmer, and the son received his early education at Bak- erstown, becoming, at the age of sixteen, an instructor in a school at that place. At the end of a year he went to Alle- gheny, and taught first a school at Min- ersville, and later one situated on Mar- shall avenue, Allegheny. Later, being extremely desirous of more liberal edu- cational advantages than he had yet en- joyed, he attended Jefferson College, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and the Eld- ersridge Academy, Indiana county, Penn- sylvania, where he obtained a thorough business training.
his success. As a business man he was in many respects a model. To thorough capacity he united personal qualities which secured him the respect of all with whom he came in contact-especially that of his employees, who were always singularly devoted to his interests, while he, in turn, ever treated them with the utmost justice and consideration, dis- playing the sincerest concern for their welfare. In 1901 the firm was incorpor- ated under the name of Harbison-Walker Refractories Company, and is now the most extensive of its kind in the country, operating twenty-seven plants in Penn- sylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Ala- bama, Wisconsin and Georgia. It is a monument to the business genius of Sam- uel P. Harbison.
One cause of Mr. Harbison's success lay in his thorough knowledge of the branch of manufacturing to which he de- voted himself. He was an authority on all matters relating to clays-especially those used in the manufacture of fire bricks and for the lining of high tempera- ture furnaces. Among business men he was noted for his fidelity to his own high ideals, all his transactions being con- ducted in accordance with the strictest principles of rectitude.
With this equipment Mr. Harbison en- tered his chosen field of endeavor, ob- For a long period Mr. Harbison was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Allegheny, but about twenty- five years before his death he withdrew from that body and united with the Mc- Clure Avenue Presbyterian Church, in which he held the office of elder. Early in life he became a liberal contributor to the support and work of the church, for many years giving ten per cent. of his income, and, as his fortune grew, in- creasing this from time to time until it included all his income above his living expenses. He gave liberally to the West- ern Theological Seminary and to Grove taining a position as bookkeeper with Colonel William A. Herron, then clerk of courts. This position he held for a num- ber of years, at the same time employed his evenings in keeping the books of the Star Fire Brick Company. In 1873 he became a member of this firm, the style being changed to Reed & Harbison. Two years later the firm of Harbison & Walk- er was formed, and under this name a large and flourishing business was con- ducted for many years, built up mainly by the great industry and energy and the remarkable executive ability of Mr. Har- bison, together with his partners, to City College. He belonged to the board
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of directors of both these institutions, and on that of the former served as chair- man. He was also chairman of the board of trustees of the Young Men's Christian Association, and a member of three committees of the Presbyterian General Assembly. He was a director of the Alle- gheny General Hospital, the Western Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane at Dixmont, the Presbyterian Hospital and the Pennsylvania National Bank. He gave the land on which the Brighton Road Presbyterian Church was built, and also assisted the Theological Seminary of the West, Omaha, Nebraska.
It might truly be said of Mr. Harbison that he was a man universal. His sym- pathy for humanity was so broad that it knew no distinction of race, creed or col- or, and the uplifting of the negro was a cause especially near his heart. He was active in the Board of Freedmen of the Presbyterian Church, and contributed largely to industrial schools throughout the South. In addition to this he founded Harbison College, at Abbeville, North Carolina, an institution for the instruc- tion of the negro race. To enumerate all the benefactions of this true friend of humanity would be impossible, for,-such was his abhorrence of ostentation-his charity ever sought to veil itself from the public gaze, but the record of his life testifies that he was one who kindled hope in the hearts of the despairing, cour- age in the souls of the conquered, and re- vived beauty, joy and love in the lives of those whom misery and sin had crushed. Harbison College today carries on the far-reaching work made possible by the endowment bestowed by its founder.
Mr. Harbison married, February 1, 1870, Emma J., daughter of William Boyd, of the firm of William Boyd & Sons, building contractors, and they be- came the parents of one daughter, Fanny, who died in her fourteenth year, and two sons : William Albert, and Ralph W. name, and one that will be long remem-
Mrs. Harbison was in all respects an ideal helpmate to her husband, sharing his spirit of benevolence, and now, in her widowhood, she continues the charitable work in which they were so long united. Of the sons, it is sufficient to say that they have proved themselves worthy of such a father, inheriting both his talents and his zeal in the service of humanity.
Although a man of delicate constitu- tion, Mr. Harbison was possessed of an extremely energetic temperament, and this, together with his naturally active mind and strong will power, served him well, enabling him to accomplish more than many men of greater physical vigor. He passed away May 10, 1905, mourned by all classes of the community, to which he had so long presented an example of every virtue. Among the many tributes to his memory was the following from one of the Pittsburgh papers, which said, editorially, in part :
"Samuel P. Harbison was a fine type of a busi- ness mian, citizen and Christian. From the be- ginning of his business career he was successful, and by his ability, energy and high integrity came to the head of a great industrial establishment. Much of his success was due to the fair and con- siderate treatment he accorded his employees. He was a man of the best impulses, with deep re- ligious convictions, which, combined with a broad charity, led him to strictly comply with the scrip- tural injunction to give one-tenth of his income to good works. He possessed many traits of char- acter which endeared him to his associates, and he will be sorely missed in the religious, business and social circles of the community."
Samuel P. Harbison increased the ma- terial prosperity of Pittsburgh and added greatly to her commercial prestige, but he also, by his work, influence and ex- ample, uplifted her toiling masses, re- formed her criminals and brought relief and happiness to those of her citizens who labored under the burden of suffer- ing and misfortune. As manufacturer and business man he has left an honored
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bered, but his noblest and most endur- ing title is that of "one who loved his fellow-men."
HEYL, Rev. Francis,
Clergyman, Missionary.
From the Grand Duchy of Baden, Ger- many, came the American ancestor of the Heyls of Philadelphia. The family were early converts to the Protestant faith, and in this country were members of the early Moravian church.
The head of the first family that came to Pennsylvania in this branch was John Thomas Heyl, who with his wife Katrina lived in the village of Vabesbach, near Saisheim, Baden, on the river Main. There all their children were born, and there the mother and wife Katrina died, August 20, 1738. In 1739, John Thomas Heyl with his sons Heinrich, aged forty, and George Thomas, aged thirty-seven, with the families of Heinrich and George T., sailed for America in the ship Friend- ship. There were also on board about sixty other families of German Protest- ants, all seekers for a home in the New World, where men were not persecuted for conscience's sake. They landed at Philadelphia, September 3, 1739, but the aged emigrant did not long survive the voyage. He affiliated with the Moravian church of Philadelphia, and was buried in the old Moravian burying ground at the corner of Franklin and Wood streets.
many, January 13, 1706. He followed his trade in his native province for eleven years, then with his aged father and elder brother came to Pennsylvania, following the example of many of his countrymen already settled there. He and his wife became members of the Moravian church in Philadelphia, and are buried with the father in the burying ground at the corner of Franklin and Wood streets. On the baptismal record of the church the baptisms of five of his children are entered ; one child, Philip, born less than two weeks after their arrival in Phila- delphia, is not recorded. They probably had other children born in Germany, but of them there is no record.
John, the fourth American born child of George Thomas and Susannalı (Steir- heim) Heyl, was born in Philadelphia, July 18, 1750, and was baptized in the Moravian church the following day. He became a baker, owning his own bakery, and during the winter at Valley Forge had a contract with the government to furnish bread to Washington's soldiers. He married, at the German Reformed Church in Philadelphia, September 18, 1771, Mary, daughter of Adam Stricker, a blacksmith of the Northern Liberties, Philadelphia. They had sons John and Philip.
John, son of John and Mary (Stricker) Heyl, was born in Philadelphia, in 1775, died at 447 North Sixth street, in 1848. He was a manufacturer of brushes, hav- ing a plant at 330 North Second street, retiring from business at the age of fifty years. He served a regular apprentice- ship, which was shortened, however, by the payment of a sum of money by his mother in 1791, thus allowing him to be- gin business for himself when quite young. He was a member of the Lu- theran church at Sixth and Race streets, under the pastorate of Dr. Philip Mayer, the first English Lutheran minister in
George Thomas, son of John Thomas and Katrina Heyl, was born at Saisheim, Baden, August 2, 1702, and was chris- tened in the Moravian church at Kam- bach. He learned the tailor's trade, and on coming of age, in accordance with an ancient German custom made a journey away from home to the outside world to gain experience and knowledge. On his return he betrothed, January 4, 1728, and married, May 25 following, Susannah Steirheim, born at Bischoffsheim, Ger- Philadelphia. He married, in 1812, Eliza-
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beth Christian, born in 1783, died at their home, 447 North Sixth street, in 1867. She was the daughter of Valentine Chris- tian. who served all through the Revolu- tionary War, and was rewarded with a grant of land along the Susquehanna river. Children of John and Elizabeth (Christian) Heyl: 1. Theodore Chris- tian, born at the home, on Second street, in 1814, died at his home on South Eigh- teenth street, 1861; a partner with his brother Francis; he married Julia Smith. 2. Francis, of whom further. 3. John Stricker, born on Second street, 1820, died on Marshall street, in November, 1895; a dry goods merchant, on Second street, but retired when comparatively a young man ; he married Margaret Brauti- gan, of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, who died at the Marshall street home, in January 19II. 4. Caroline, born at the Sixth street home, in November, 1825, died at 23 Upsal street, Germantown, January, 1896; unmarried.
Francis, son of John and Elizabeth (Christian) Heyl, was born September 2, 1815, at 330 North Second street, Phil- adelphia, died at 1535 Pine street, Decem- ber 28, 1892. He was educated in the famous Hitchcock private school in Phil- adelphia, and began business life at the age of seventeen years as clerk in a hard- ware store. Eight years later, in 1840, he established in the same business for him- self on Market street, between Second and Third streets. Although reared in the Lutheran faith, he later became a consistent faithful member of the Presby- terian church. Originally a Democrat, he became a Republican during the Civil War, and ever afterward adhered to that party. He married Catherine Reed, born on Second street, near Market, in 1817, died at their home, 1535 Pine street, March 26, 1886, daughter of Michael Reed, a dry goods merchant then living on Franklin Square. Children of Francis Heyl: 1. Henry Moore, died in infancy.
2. Edward James, born January 8, 1843, died March 26, 1911, in Philadelphia; graduate of Law Department of Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, and a practicing at- torney. 3. Martha Reed, born Septem- ber, 1844; unmarried. 4. Francis, of whom further. 5. Albert G., born Octo- ber, 1847, died August, 1895 ; graduate of Medical Department of University of Pennsylvania, class of 1870; studied abroad in universities and hospitals of Vienna, Heidelburg and London, for fourteen years ; eye surgeon at Episcopal Hospital, Philadelphia, and for twenty- two years in practice at 1535 Pine street. 6. James W., born August, 1849, died in Germantown in 1852. 7. Frederick, born January, 1859, in Germantown, died there, 1860. 8. Elizabeth C., born. April, 1860; unmarried.
Rev. Francis Heyl, fourth child of Francis and Catherine (Reed) Heyl, was born at the corner of North Ninth and Sergeant streets, Philadelphia, December 26, 1845. (Sergeant street is now known as Winter street.) When five years of age his parents moved to the corner of Penn and Main streets, Germantown, later his father erecting the home at the corner of Wayne avenue and Walnut lane. He attended the public school and Germantown Academy, being graduated from the latter with the class of 1860. He then entered the University of Penn- sylvania, whence he was graduated Bachelor of Arts, class of 1864. Choos- ing the ministry as his profession, he pur- sued the study of divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary, whence he was graduated, class of 1867. He then de- voted his life to the cause of Christ in foreign lands, taking up work in North- ern India under the direction of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. He spent fourteen years in this self-sacri- ficing work in India, when his health broke under the severe labor and strain of a missionary's work in that climate,
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and in 1881 he returned to Philadelphia. He spent three years recruiting his health, although frequently occupying different pulpits. He then accepted the pastorate of old Ben Salem Presbyterian Church, in Bucks county. While there he organized Edington Presbyterian Church, of which he became pastor, con- tinuing until 1891. He spent two years in Philadelphia, residing at 1535 Pine street, and in 1893 became pastor of the Presbyterian church at Gladwine, Penn- sylvania, remaining until 1895. His health again failing him, he retired from the active ministry, taking up his resi- dence at his present home, 23 West Upsal street, Germantown.
While out of active work, Rev. Heyl has not lost one whit of his love or in- terest, but often fills neighboring pulpits and aids his ministerial brethren when- ever possible. His life has been given to the cause of his Master that lie embraced in his youth, and although the fourteen years spent under Indian skies robbed him of youth and health, he does not re- gret the service so rendered, but only the inability to continue there.
He is a Republican in politics, identi- fied with the reform element of his party, and a worker for municipal righteous- ness. Among his holdings of real estate in Philadelphia is a parcel on Callowhill street, that descended to him from his great-grandmother, Mary (Stricker) Heyl, her father, Adam Stricker, the Ger- mantown blacksmith, having purchased it from John, son of William Penn, the name of the former appearing on the original deed. On this land Mr. Heyl has erected a substantial building. Rev. Mr. Heyl has never married.
SMITH, Howard Russell,
Dentist, Musician.
Prominent amonng the professional men of Washington, Pennsylvania, is Dr. aminations, he resigned his government
Howard Russell Smith, a dentist, who, although one of the younger practition- ers, has firmly established himself in pub- lic favor. Ile was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, March 21, 1875, son of Ed- mund Rush (sheriff of Washington county for three terms in the carly 70's) and Susan Harriett (Zediker) Smith, both deceased.
Dr. Smith's early schooling was ob- tained in the public schools of Washing- ton, continuing through the high school, from whence he was graduated in 1893, ranking second in scholastic honors. The following year he entered the prepara- tory department of Washington and Jef- ferson College, later known as Washing- ton and Jefferson Academy. He soon ad- vanced into the freshiman class of the college, but at the end of his junior year financial difficulties compelled him to temporarily abandon the idea of complet- ing his college course. He at once se- cured a position in the Washington Tin Plate Mill, then shortly after, passing the civil service examination, secured a posi- tion in the Washington post office as let- ter carrier, which same he held for six years. So satisfactorily did he attend to his duties as letter carrier that he was permitted during the last three years of his employment by the government to at- tend the Pittsburgh Dental College, now the Dental Department of the University of Pittsburgh. His double duties as let- ter carrier in Washington and dental stu- dent in Pittsburgh, were by most ener- getic work crowned with success, and in May, 1903, he was graduated with the degree D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Sur- gery), standing well toward the head of a class of nearly fifty. He did not begin active practice of his profession, however, until the following October, when having passed successfully both the Pennsyl- vania and West Virginia State Board ex-
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position and opened an office in Wash- ington.
Throughout both his college courses Dr. Smith was noted for his ease and grace in speaking, an attribute which al- ways brought him an important place on programmes at social functions. His standing in college was recognized to the extent that he was honored with various class and fraternal offices and during his senior year he had the honor to be chosen permanent class president. In addition to ranking high in his studies, he was active in athletics, and in 1895 and 1897 held the intercollegiate bicycle champion- ship of Western Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, likewise holding the open championship of Washington county for five years until he retired and ceased to defend his title. On December 21, 1912, as a further test of popularity and "get- to-it-iveness" he carried off a handsome prize of a $1,000 automobile in a sub- scription contest put on by one of the local newspapers.
Dr. Smith is a member of a dental Greek letter society of the University of Pitt Alumni Association, and of the Washington Board of Trade. In his pro- fession he has become exceedingly well known as a dentist of exceptional ability, a conscientious operator who always has the best interest of his patient at heart. His practice is consequently large and steadily growing. Always a student, he keeps abreast with the times, and is a firm believer and advocate of modern methods of dentistry, having patented several original ideas for the comfort of the pub- lic and the convenience of the dental and medical professions, which have met with their hearty approval. One of the doc- tor's chief sources of relaxation from business cares is music, he being a vocal- ist and pianist of no mean ability. He has composed and published several vocal and instrumental selections of merit. He also enjoys cabinet making, having made
for himself a complete set of mission of- fice furniture and several very excep- tional pieces that adorn his residence. An enthusiastic motorist, he is an active ad- vocate of "good roads."
Dr. Smith was married, on July 16, 1902, to Miss Elvia E. McMahan, daugh- ter of James N. and Mary S. (Buffing- ton) McMahan, of Los Angeles, Califor- nia, their union being blessed with the following three children: Esther Alleen, Dorothy Elvia, and Russell McMahan. Both Dr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Second Presbyterian Church, in all departments of which they are actively interested. In politics he is a progressive Republican, and is deeply interested in all public affairs.
PARKE, Thomas Albert,
Merchant, Manufacturer.
Every great city is, to a certain extent, the creation of her merchants and manu- facturers, but of Pittsburgh this is true to a preeminent degree, and among those who have contributed largely toward making her the "Workshop of the World" must be numbered the late Thomas Al- bert Parke, of the widely known firm of Logan-Gregg Hardware Company, and for many years closely identified with the leading interests of the Iron City.
Thomas Albert Parke was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, April 14, 1849. His father, Thomas C. Parke, was the son of John Parke, one of the early settlers of Pittsburgh and a member of the Pittsburgh Blues during the War of 1812. Thomas A. Parke was reared and received his early education in Wells- burg, West Virginia. When thirteen years of age he came to Pittsburgh and entered the employ of his uncle, Edward Gregg, in the hardware house of Logan, Gregg & Company (now the Logan- Gregg Hardware Company). In this posi- tion his industry and energy, his courage
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and fidelity to principle, insured his speedy success, and in 1867 he became a partner in the firm. Upon the death of Mr. Gregg, in April, 1890, Mr. Parke be- came general manager of the business and continued as such until his death. Of this firm Mr. Parke was a presiding genius, building it up and maintaining it by his force of character, sound judgment and wisely aggressive methods. As a business man he was, indeed, in many re- spects, a model. He would have no suc- cess which had not for its basis truth and honor, and no amount of gain could lure him from the undeviating line of rectitude His unvarying justice and kindliness toward his employees caused him to be greatly beloved by them and won for him their most loyal support.
The vigorous, compelling nature of Mr. Parke and his keen, practical mind in- sured the success of every undertaking to which he gave his vitalizing energy. He was a director of the Allegheny In- surance Company, the People's Natural Gas Pipeage Company and the People's Savings Bank of Pittsburgh. He was president of the board of trustees of the Presbyterian Hospital of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, and was one of the original committee to settle upon the plans for the Carnegie Library. In politics Mr. Parke was a Republican, and a man of great in- fluence in the councils of the party. In 1885 he was elected to represent the Sec- ond Ward in the Common Council of Al- legheny City, and in 1887 became presi- dent of the council and held that office until death. As a citizen with exalted ideas of good government and civic vir- tue he stood in the front rank, and no project which, in his judgment, tended to advance the welfare of Pittsburgh lacked his hearty cooperation. Widely, but unostentatiously charitable, he was ever ready to respond to any deserving call made upon him. He was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church of
Pittsburgh, and president and treasurer of the board of trustees and in charge of the church finances. In later years Mr. Parke was connected with the North Presbyterian Church of Allegheny, and served as a member of the building com- mittee when the church was rebuilt. Realizing that he would not pass this way again, he made wise use of his op- portunities and his wealth, conforming his life to the loftiest standards of recti- tude. The countenance and bearing of Mr. Parke were indicative of his noble nature, his commanding abilities and his genial disposition. Few men have been more beloved and his friends, who were numberless, were to be found in all classes of the community. Mr. Parke was a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Parke married, June 1, 1871, Le- titia, youngest daughter of the late Rev. W. D. Howard, D.D., for many years pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. By his marriage Mr. Parke gained the life companionship of a charming and congenial woman, one fit- ted by native refinement, a bright mind and thorough education for her exacting duties as a leader of Pittsburgh society, duties which she discharged with the most perfect grace and winning tactful- ness. Withal Mrs. Parke was an accon- plished homemaker, and her husband, who was never so happy as at his own fireside, surrounded by the beings he loved best on earth, ever found in her a helpmate truly ideal. The death of Mrs. Parke occurred April 2, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Parke were the parents of one son : William Howard Parke, of the Logan- Gregg Hardware Company, one of the city's prominent and aggressive business men. He was born August 22, 1876, in Pittsburgh, and attended the public schools, and after supplementing this with a course in private schools, at six- teen years of age entered his father's business. In order to gain a thorough
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