USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of contemporary biography of Pennsylvania, Vol. I > Part 59
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the pathetic and able preacher, the eminent educa- tor, the sagacious and enterprising manager of the publishing interests of our Church, and the scrupu- lously faithful Treasurer of our Missionary Society.
2. That we deplore his absence, and especially the loss of his wise counsels, in the Board of Man- agement, and of his tireless vigilance, which he ever exercised, over our financial interests.
3. That, in this supreme moment of bercave- ment, we prayerfully turn to his Lord and ours, and implore divine assistance to emulate his gentleness of spirit, his fidelity to friendship, and his unwav- ering devotion to the doctrines and discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and, cheered by the modesty and strength of his piety, to share, at last, with him the same heaven.
4. That we deeply sympathize with his afflicted family in the loss of a husband so true, and a father so affectionate; and that a copy of this action be transmitted to them.
The funeral services over the remains of Dr. Nelson were held at St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church, in Fourth avenue, New York city, on the afternoon of Saturday, February 22. The atten- dance was large. Prominent among the mourners were the three hundred employees of the Book Con- cern, ranging from the hoary veteran down to the youthful apprentice, and including about one hun- dred women. Many leading lights of Methodism also were present, and hundreds of others who had known and loved the one they now mourned. The pall-bearers were John M. Phillips and Fletcher Harper, representing the Book Concern and Book Trade; Rev. Drs. Crawford and Fletcher, represent- ing Presiding Elders' Districts; A. V. Stout and Judge Fancher, representing St. Paul's Church; John B. Cornell and Rev. J. B. Mccullough, repre- senting the Board of Managers of the Missionary Society ; Rev. Drs. Newman and Goodsell, repre- senting the Church-at-large, and James J. Taft and George J. Ferry, representing the Book Concern. Among those who took part in the religious exer- cises were the Rev. Dr. Foss, President of the Wesleyan University, the Rev. Dr. Hurst, President of Drew Theological Seminary, Rev. Dr. Curry, Editor of the National Repository, Rev. Dr. Reid, Secretary of the Missionary Society, Rev. Dr. C. H. Fowler, Rev. Dr. J. M. Buckley, Rev. Drs. Tiffany, Dunn and Gilder, and Bishops Harris and Simpson. Bishop Harris made an appropriate address, feel- ingly presenting in an effective word-picture (from which many facts here stated are taken), the life work of the deceased. Bishop Simpson followed with an eloquent description of his character, in the course of which he said :
"In the first place, our brother was a man of great natural energy of character. He was not very demonstrative, and not given to acts of excitement or exceeding rashness. * He was calm and
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quiet, and had reserved force, and yet beneath it all there was an immense power of vital energy.
*
*
Working among machinery in boyhood * * * hc lost his arm. Before that time he had desired an education, but had been unable to obtain it; and one of his first remarks after losing his arm was, that now his friends would be obliged to send him to school. He longed for an education, and was determined to have it. And the energy of his boy- hood continued with him all through his manhood - a quiet, persistent, unflinching, indomitable energy- and this led him to success in all the departments of life in which he labored. The next characteristic was his great purity of character. He was simple, frank and earnest as a child. He was tender and affectionate in his family; a loving husband, a devoted father, a genial and reliable friend. He was pure in all of his associations, and his moral power gave him immense influence over the hearts of men. He was exact and methodical in all his movements. He devoted himself very *
early * * to the cause of education, and year by year he labored for the growth of the Seminary of which he was the Principal, * ing arrangement after arrangement, adding building after building, determined to carry out the concep- tion and plan he had of giving the very best educa- tion to the youth of that section of the country. Systematic and methodical in all his plans and arrangements-though he never seemed in a hurry -he was doing an immense work, as much as two men ordinarily performed, although * *
*
* complet-
* * He possessed and manifested a tenderness and a sympathy which bound him to all with whom he came in contact, cspecially the thou- sands of young men and women whom he educated. * *
* partly
crippled. *
* Wherever they may be, the name of Dr. Nelson is embalined in their memories. They felt he was a thorough teacher as well as a sincere friend, and he imprinted on their hearts the image of the Master-God. * *
* As a preacher he was very clear, exact and precise in his statements. * *
* There was a rich pathos and a depth of emotion frequently connected with his utterances which deeply moved the hearts of his audience. * * * It was his systematic and exact business habits, however, which led his brethren and the Church-at-large to select him for the position which he was filling at the time of his death. * *
* He endeared himself * * to all associated with him."
At the conclusion of the services the remains were taken to Wilkes-Barre, to the home of his son- in-law, Mr. George S. Bennett, and from thence to Kingston, one mile distant, where twenty-cight years of his life had been spent and much of his success achieved. The obsequies at Kingston were largely attended, for throughout the Wyoming Valley and the surrounding regions the death of this good and useful man was mourned as a per- sonal loss, and everything that could possibly be done to honor the departed, and to show the high esteem in which he was held, was done. The prin- cipal places of business at Kingston were closed ; the Seminary chapel and church edifice heavily
draped, and the flag at half-mast. The floral offer- ings were said to be the most rarc and beautiful ever scen in Kingston. The pall-bearers here werc the Revs. M. Swallow, J. Lc Bar, W. L. Thorp, HI. II. Dresser, J. Madison, F. L. Ililler, and Messrs. A. J. Pringle and A. Goodwin. Many other prominent citizens, lay and clerical, were present to show their respect. At the services Rev. G. R. Hair, Dr. J. E. Smith, Rev. Mr. II. Wheeler and Rev. Dr. Copeland made addresses. The last named, Principal of the Wyoming Seminary, speak- ing in behalf of that institution, said :
"Next after the family, the Wyoming Seminary mourns the loss of Dr. Nelson. Next to his own wife and children was the Seminary the object of his affections. * * * The Seminary was the crea- tion of his own hand. It was thirty-four years ago, when he was a young man but twenty-six years of age, that, by request of the Wyoming Conference, he entered upon the work of building up here a Christian school. He entered upon the work with all the zeal of his young manhood, and with all the ardor of an earnest Christian nature. The first stones were laid in the days of small things, but twenty-eight years of unceasing and tireless labor resulted in one of the largest and best Seminaries in the Church. Here, indeed, is his life work. How- ever great the work he may have accomplished in New York and elsewhere, his great work was done here. He spent his best years here, and all these years were remarkable for persistent energy and an indomitable will. He had a courage that knew no defeat. Fire once and again laid in ashes a portion of the buildings, but his courage could not be con- sumed. Before the fires have gone out new build- ings were projected. From time to time, as larger accommodations were needed by the increase of students, money was obtained and the buildings enlarged. Every stone, every brick and every stick of timber was put into its place by his guiding hand. The impress of his thought and hand is upon all. In yonder cemetery, in which we shall soon lay his cold form, is a family monument of granite, but a more enduring monument to the memory of Dr. Nelson is the Wyoming Seminary. In the death of Dr. Nelson the Board of Trustees has sustained a great loss. To him more than to any other man they looked to give direction to the affairs of the Seminary. His long experience had given him a clear insight into all that was necessary to a successful institution of learning. I do not forget in this connection the wise counsels and material aid given by such men as Mr. Swetland and Hon. Ziba Bennett, both of sainted memory ; nor do I forget Mr. Pettebone among the living ; yet it is true that all the trustees spontaneously felt that Dr. Nelson's hand should be upon the helm, and when they knew that it was there, they were sure of success."
It may be truthfully said of Dr. Nelson that as an educator he had few equals, and perhaps no supe- riors, in his chosen field. His pupils, all-told, num- bered no less than eight thousand. In acknowl- edgment of his liberal scholarship, and of his success
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in the line of his profession, Union College con- ferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts, and Dickinson College that of Doctor of Divinity. Dr. Nelson married, in 1841, Miss Jane Scott Eddy, daughter of Col. Asa Eddy, of Milford, Otsego Co., N. Y. Mrs. Nelson was a lady whose Christian character and culture fitted her in an eminent degree for the sphere of life to which she was called by this union. The only living child of Dr. and Mrs. Nelson is a daughter, Mrs. George S. Bennett, of Wilkes-Barre.
ZIBA BENNETT.
HON. ZIBA BENNETT, for sixty years actively identified with the mercantile and banking interests of Wilkes-Barre, at one time an Associate Judge of Lucerne County and also a member of the Legisla- ture of Pennsylvania, was born at Weston, Connec- ticut, November 10, 1800, and died at Wilkes-Barre, November 4, 1878. While he was a child his father, Platt Bennett, a farmer of liberal education and large means, removed from Connecticut, of which he also was a native, to Westchester County, New York, whence, after a brief stay, he removed to New- town, now Elmira, Chemung County in the same State. Ziba's educational advantages were similar to those generally enjoyed by boys in the beginning of the present century, but notwithstanding their limited nature he profited by them far more than the aver- age of his fellows. His superior intelligence, excel- lent moral character and good manners, made him noticeable even when a mere boy, and particularly attracted the attention of the late Matthias Hollen- back, a worthy merchant (afterwards Judge) of Wilkes-Barre, who had at that time a branch store at Elmira. Mr. Hollenback easily persuaded the young lad's father that Ziba was better adapted to a mercantile career than to farming, and shortly after entering his "teens" Ziba was given the position of junior clerk in Mr. Hollenback's branch store. In 1815 he was transferred to the main store at Wilkes- Barre, then situated on South Main street. He ar- rived at Wilkes-Barre June 15th and immediately entered upon his duties. He proved a valuable ac- quisition in every way, being apt, obliging, and conscientious ; and besides becoming a prime favor- ite with the general public, so impressed his em- ployer that he was rapidly advanced from the posi- tion of a subordinate to that of chief clerk of the establishment. In 1821 Mr. Hollenback admitted his son, George M. Hollenback, to partnership, and the business was removed to new quarters at the corner
of River and Market streets. In the following year Mr. Bennett became the partner of young Mr. Hol- lenback and their business relations were maintained until 1826, when Mr. Bennett purchased the proper- ty of Stephen Tuttle on North Main street, and branched out for himself as a merchant. By close ap- plication to business and carefulness in its manage- ment he speedily placed his venture on a sound footing, and although at an age when few men have even fully decided what to do for a living he took his place among the leading business men of his town. He continued thus engaged up to the time of his death, when he was the head of the great hard- ware house of Z. Bennett & Co., and the oldest mer- chant in Luzerne County. Mr. Bennett's perceptions were unusually clear and his judgment always sound ; and in spite of the fact that he was one of the most cautious of men he so readily discerned the avenues to wealth and so boldly entered them that he succeeded in amassing a large fortune. It has been said of him that he was one of the most popular, successful and upright merchants that ever graced the mercantile circles of the Wyoming Val- ley. The young merchant made his entry into pub- lic life during President Jackson's first term, when he was nominated for the State Legislature from Luzerne County, which then comprised what are now the counties of Wyoming and Lackawanna. Being elected to the office he discharged his duties with the same fidelity to the interest of his constitu- ents and of the State, as he would have exercised in the management of his commercial affairs. But he had no taste for politics, and when his term had ex- pired he set his face against renomination and also declined every subsequent invitation to enter the political arena, including several offers of a nomin- ation to Congress. In 1844 he was chosen Associate Judge of Luzerne County and served the full term. On the bench he had as colleagues the late Judge John N. Conyngham and other able and upright men, yet he fell in nowise behind the most eminent of his companions in any of those qualities which are everywhere the distinguishing characteristics of those who maintain the dignity of the judicial office and the spotlessness of the ermine. Although not caring for public honors and avoiding prominence so far as lay in his power, he was by no means in- different to public affairs; on the contrary, he was unselfishly interested in every question that con- cerned the people, and while not caring to appear at the front in dealing with them he was not infre- quently active in determining them one way or the other. Judge Bennett possessed the public confi- dence to a degree seldom exceeded. Every trust confided to him was administered with religious ex-
Ziba Bennett
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actitude, and never with an eye to his personal ad- vantage. His careful and methodical business habits were carried into his public life with the hap- piest effect upon the affairs transacted. During his remarkably long and successful business career Mr. Bennett was identified with many enterprises in the Wyoming Valley. He was one of the founders of the Wyoming Bank, an institution which owes its prosperity and unblemished record largely to his personal supervision of its affairs. Of this institu- tion he was a director from its organization until his death, and its President for nearly ten years. He was also for some years President of the Wilkes- Barre Bridge Company aud of the Hollenback Cem- etery Association. In 1862 he founded and became the senior partner of the banking house of Bennett, Phelps & Co., of Wilkes-Barre, his associates being John C. Phelps and George S. Bennett. Of this banking firm as well as of the hardware firm of Z. Bennett & Co., he remained the head until his death. Mr. Bennett became a professing member of the Methodist Church at the age of twenty-one, and im- mediately proceeded to identify himself with its work. For over half a century he was a useful and prominent officer in the church. As a young man he was a chorister. A large part of his labors, at a later period, were in connection with the First Methodist Episcopal Sabbath-school, which he suc- ceeded in making one of the most flourishing in Wilkes-Barre. His zeal in religious work was un- flagging, and as Steward and Trustee of the First Methodist Episcopal Church he was able to give it frce rein. He was a truly religious man, and it is not too much to say that his whole life was sweetened, ennobled and rounded out by his sincere Christian- ity. He was in active sympathy with all reforms, and was particularly interested in the cause of tem- perance, which he believed to be a starting point towards the higher moral state. He was one of the originators of the first organized movement against intemperance in Luzerne County, and lived to see many beneficial results follow its inauguration. In 1872 he was elected by the Layman's Convention to the General Conference, held at Brooklyn, N. Y., and was thus the first lay delegate to that body from the Wyoming Conference. His connection with the Church, established in the early days of Methodism in the Wyoming Valley, was lovingly maintained till the closing hours of his life. He gave liberally of his ample fortune to sustain religious and chari- table work, and not the least worthy of his kind deeds was his unfailing hospitality to all engaged in Christian work. He assisted in founding the Luzerne County Bible Society, was a liberal contrib- utor to its funds, and was for some years its Treas-
urer. In the work of public education he was warm- ly interested and in order to bring the advantages of higher education closer to the people with whom his lot was cast, he aided in establishing the Wyo- ming Seminary at Kingston, was one of its Trustees for many years, and founded its ample and exten- sive library, which was named in his honor. He held other positions of honor and trust besides those named, and in all was able, prudent and faithful in the discharge of the duties devolving upon him. One of his most marked characteristics was his kind, conciliatory disposition. He resolutely avoided all wrangling and contention and never took part in or countenanced disputes on any subject. The wealth he acquired was obtained honestly and was used generously to promote the welfare of humanity. This old, widely known and greatly esteemed citi- zen died after a long illness, which he combated with a powerful will when his physical forces, never robust, were unable to resist its inroads. Judge Bennett was twice married. His first wife, whom he married November 25, 1825, was Miss Hannah F. Slocum, the eldest daughter of the late Joseph Slo- cum, of Wilkes-Barre. This most estimable Chris- tian lady died February 5, 1855, leaving behind a precious memory, fragrant of noble virtues and good deeds. The two surviving children of this marriage are George S. Bennett, who married a daughter of the Rev. Dr. Reuben Nelson, of Kings- ton, Pa., and Mrs. John C. Phelps, of Wilkes- Barre. Judge Bennett's second wife, who survived him, was Miss Priscilla E. Lee (daughter of the late James Lee, of Wilkes-Barre), whose generous and noble deeds have made her name familiar and hon- ored among all American Methodists.
NATHAN H. HEFT.
NATHAN HOPKINS HEFT, a prominent man- ufacturer and inventor, was born at Carverton, Lu- zerne Co., Pa., November 28, 1845. Both his parents were born in the same county; his father, Samuel Heft, at Carverton, and his mother, Rebecca (Wilson) Heft, a daughter of Mary Blair Wilson, of New Hope, N. J., near Dallas. Samuel Heft was the son of Daniel Heft, born near Germantown, Pa. The Hefts have beeu farmers and mechanics for several geueratious, and in early life the subject of this sketch had ample opportunity to familiarize himself with the mysteries of husbandry. His edu- cation was not neglected, for after mastering the rudiments at the district school he was sent to the excellent Normal or High School at Wyoming,
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where he remained one term, and at the age of fif- teen he set out to make his own way in life. Going to Pittson, Pa., he obtained his first regular employ- ment as clerk in the store of Messrs. Law & McMil- lan, his salary being twenty-five dollars a month. Young as he was he developed, under trial, a great deal of energy and "push," and, not satisfied with executing the ordinary routine work of his position, he busied himself in the interests of his employers, who rewarded his zeal and intelligent co-operation by increasing his compensation fifteen dollars a month. He left Messrs. Law & McMillan at the close of two years' service to go into the Co-opera- tive Store in the same town. Hcre he had remark- able success, due entirely to his personal qualities, for although he was the youngest clerk in the store, and began in the most subordinate position and on the lowest salary paid, he soon worked his way up to the position of Assistant General Manager, and within two years was in charge of ten clerks and in receipt of a salary largely in excess of that paid to the most expert among them. Accepting a favor- able offer to take charge of the store of Williamson and Waddell, at Oliphant, Pa., he removed thither in 1870, and for the ensuing year was thus engaged. He then opened a store of his own at Oliphant. Shortly afterwards he found a more promising opening at Parsons, Luzerne Co., and sold out his store at Oliphant to open a larger one in the first named placed. Unfortunately for the success of the last venture, the great strike which occurred in 1872 not only killed all liis trade but absolutely swept away all he possessed, and he found himself obliged to begin anew the great battle for fortune. His nature was one not easily depressed, and, although the blow he received was a severe one, he began without delay to remedy its ill effects. In order to obtain necessary capital for further effort he accepted the position of Superintendent of Brod- erick & Co's mines, afterwards the West End mines, in a place known as "Valley," New Jersey. The salary of this position was fifty dollars a month. To Mr. Heft's active mind the opportunity here presented was one to be made the most of, and accordingly he applied himself to the task of mas- tering every detail of the mining business. To accomplish this he personally performed work in every department, taking a hand with the men under him as occasion demanded; and thus, while still attending closely to his duties as Superinten- dent, becoming familiar with the many details which can only be learned through their actual per- formance. There was method and determination in his plan and it was eminently successful. He became a valued officer of the company, and when
he resigned his position with it, after twelve years of faithful service, he was receiving a large salary and was the possessor of a comfortable home. His remarkable skill in the management of men was demonstrated by the fact that, during the long period of his connection with these mines, only one strike occurred, and this was satisfactorily termi- nated at the end of two days. Mr. Heft acquired stock in this mining company and has been a mem- ber of its Board of Directors for several years. While connected with the mines he invented and patented a valuable lubricator, known as "Heft's Lubricating Oil Cup," which has wide fame and is largely used throughout the country. Mr. Heft also made a decided improvement in the "Air Com- pressor," the improvement having for its object the prevention of moisture in the reservoir. He is also the inventor and patentee of the Mining Cartridge used for blasting purposes. In 1883 Mr. Heft be- came connected with the firm of O. A. Jenks & Co., of Binghamton, N. Y., and for a short time traveled in its interests. Upon closing his business connec- tion with this house he removed to Easton, Pa., and built the Heft Lubricating Oil Works, of which he is sole proprietor. His management of these works has been successful and they now rank among the most flourishing industries of the town. By his great enterprise and energy Mr. Heft has placed himself among the foremost business men of Easton. He was a director in the Northampton County Na- tional Bank of Easton, which position he resigned, and in 1888 was elected President of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Institute, which his zeal and energy have largely helped to make one of the leading institutions of its kind in the State of Pennsylvania. In all respects Mr. Heft may legitimately lay claim to the high title of "self-made man." His advan- tages have been entirely of his own making and at times he has been severely dealt with by fortune. Notwithstanding all reverses he has progressed steadily upwards, his goal being "at the top," where he has found the "room " prophesied for those who have the courage to presevere and the wisdom to profit by experience. Mr. Heft has al- ways had a definite object in view in all his under- takings, never believing that business success is the outcome of mere chance, or what is generally termed "luck." Holding to the idea that legitimate success in any honorable calling is to be attained by close and earnest effort, supplemented by honesty and economy, he has lived and acted accordingly ; keep- ing steadily in view the fact that money gets money, and that in order to become prosperous, one must study the art of accumulating capital by avoiding extravagance and recklessness. While his promi-
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