USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of contemporary biography of Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 31
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in all his experience, varied as it has been, no part- ner in any of the firms in which he has been in- terested has ever failed. His relatives, both Hor- tons and Davidges, who constitute a somewhat numerous family, are nearly all interested in the tanning business, and are all successful and highly respected. The name of Horton is permanently identified with this great industry, and like the sta- ple with which it is connected, is known in all the marts of the world. Mr. Horton and his associates have shown great justice to and likewise taken both interest and pride in advancing and aiding a large number of young men who have proved efficient in business. Many of them now hold lucrative posi- tions or are engaged in business for themselves, and their success is one of the present joys of their kindly benefactors. Mr. Horton married, in 1867, Miss Hattie C. Lee, of Tompkins County, New York, daughter of Dr. William Lee. They have had two children, both girls. Cora, the first born, died at the age of six years. Myra, the surviving daugh- ter, is the wife of Mr. Louis Schoellkopf, son of Mr. J. F. Schoellkopf, of Buffalo, New York, where she resides with her husband.
JOHN T. EVERHART.
JOHN T. EVERHART, a prominent and wealthy citizen of Pittston, and proprietor of extensive coal fields at that place, was born at Chester, Pennsyl- vania, September 14, 1818, and died at his family residence in West Pittston, Saturday, April 27, 1889. Mr. Everhart was of the fifth generation of his family in this country. The founder of the family, Zachariah Everhart, was a native of Saxony, Germany, and came to America in 1689, settling in Pennsylvania less than nine years after the founding of the colony by William Penn. His son, Christian Everhart, born the year of his father's arrival, be- came a man of considerable local prominence. Christian Everhart was the father of nine children, two of whom died at a tender age, while the sum of the years attained by the remaining seven was five hundred and seventy-four-an average for each of eighty-two years. James, the third son of Christian, and the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1760 and died in 1852. Hale and vigor- ous from his earliest days, he enlisted in the ranks of the patriots at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, and served with honor throughout the long and unequal struggle which won independence for his native land. He was the father of three sons,
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CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
William, John and James, all of whom rose to prominence. The last named, who was the youngest son, and who was born in 1789, was the father of the subject of this sketch. He was an officer in the American forces during the War of 1812, and served with distinction until its close, when he withdrew from military life and engaged in mercantile affairs in Chester County, Pennsylvania. One of his enter- prises at that early day was the taking of a shipload of bark to England, there exchanging it for mer- chandise. In 1820 he removed to Berks County, and became largely interested in agricultural pursuits and to a considerable extent also in the iron trade.
- He married, in 1817, Miss Mary M. Templin-the only child of Isaac and Catharine Templin-by whom he became the father of eight children. John Templin Everhart, the subject of this sketch, was the eldest of the children of this family. He re- ceived a good education and quite early in life en- gaged in business pursuits, in which he was moder- ately successful from the beginning. In 1851 he went to Pittston to examine the coal fields in that vicinity and, in connection with his father, made some purchases of coal lands. In 1853 he removed to Pittston, to superintend the large landed inter- ests of the family, previously purchased by himself and father in what is now known as "the anthracite region." This locality was attracting considerable attention about that period as a field for investment, and the so-called " experts " of a number of mining companies had been over it in the interests of the corporations they represented. Having in mind immediate and profitable returns, these experts re- ported favorably only when the indications were of the most satisfactory nature. Lands which gave no promise of quick results, or upon which considerable money would have to be expended before paying results were attained, were unhesitatingly con- demned. These condemned lands were in the mar- ket at a low figure and they attracted the attention of Mr. Everhart immediately upon his arrival at Pittston. A careful examination of them convinced him that, at the prevailing prices, they were not only cheap but also a desirable investment. Full of con- fidence in the future value of the lands, he visited his friends and relatives in Berks and Chester Coun- ties and used his best powers of persuasion to have them invest. He proved his own faith in the future of the Pittston fields by investing in them himself to the full extent of his means, and this, too, despite all that was said and hinted as to the unprofitable- ness of the venture. The result was more favorable than could have been foreseen or even hoped. "He always dealt on his own examination of the lands offered him, and decided on his own judgment of
their value." Acting in this way he built up a large fortune, indeed, became the wealthiest man in the community. "In his business affairs," writes one who knew him well, " he was the soul of honor and integrity. He took no advantage of any man's poverty or distress to rob him of acent or do him a wrong. Amidst all the labors, mental and physical, he was called upon to endure in the conduct of his vast business affairs, and they were many, he was always possessed of the most cquable condition of mind, never fretful, never worrying, always hopeful of and expecting the best. He was a pleasant companion, full of anecdotes which he told in excellent style, and no one who enjoyed his acquaintance and confidence ever found a more genial companion." Mr. Ever- hart was a man of fine personal appearance. He had none of the uncouthness of speech or exterior so often natural to or affected by men who have risen to eminence by or through their own exertions ; on the contrary lie paid careful attention to his ap- parel; and, having by years of diligent study, read- ing and observation, gained a vast store of useful and solid information, he was ready in speech on all occasions. His bearing and manners were those of the democratic American business man; devoid of assumption, yet never without the quiet dignity which is the natural outgrowth of self-respect and a consciousness of duty well performed. John T. Everhart was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Theresa A. Maguire, whom he married the 25th of October, 1841, the daughter of John Maguire of Philadelphia, by whom he had one son, James, born the 28th of January, 1843, and dicd at the age of twenty-one years. His wife died the 4th of Feb- ruary, 1843. The second wife, who survives him, was a Miss Mary Leidy, the daughter of Jacob Leidy, of Philadelphia, whom he married the 12th of May, 1853, and by whom he had two sons and three daughters, viz .- George Washington Everhart, Mrs. Clara Llewellyn, John Franklin Everhart, Mrs. Mary Holden and Lizzie May Gill, Jr. In the domestic relations lie was most exemplary-an af- fectionate husband and indulgent parent, delight- ing in the pure joys of the family circle and loved and venerated by all his household. He was always deeply interested in the affairs of Pittston, and in that community was known and admired as a pub- lic-spirited citizen of blameless ambitions and gen- erous impulses. His death, the immediate cause of which was Bright's disease, was felt as a personal loss by his fellow-citizens generally; and his funeral was attended by a large concourse of people-apart from his relatives and friends-whose sincere grief was a marked tribute to his high personal character and worth as a man.
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CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
THOMAS McGOVERN.
THE RIGHT REVEREND THOMAS MOGOV- ERN, D.D., Seeond Bishop of Harrisburg, Pennsyl- vania, was born of Edward and Margaret McGov- ern, in the Parish of Swanlinbar, County Cavan, Ireland, A.D., 1832. His parents emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1833, and his father became a part- ner with his brother, John McGovern, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who came to America in 1813, served in the war against Great Britain, and after its con- clusion followed contracting on canals and rail- roads. After the suspension of such improvements, consequent upon the collapse of the United States Bank, Edward McGovern purchased a large tract of land in Albany Township, Bradford County, Penn- sylvania, and moved his family there in the fall of 1842. Ceaseless toil, constant privations, and the hospitality of a howling wilderness were then the resources of pioneer life. He had some money saved from his ventures in contracting, but money is not bread where there is no supply ; and, in the first stage of existence in the forest, is of as little use as it would have been to Adam and Eve when they left the Garden of Eden. A round-log house and four acres of cleared land were the home and the hope of the new settlers. The balance of the land was the domain of deer, bears, panthers and wolves. Yet the maternal genius of the native forest extends with royal magnificence unstinted hospitality toits sovereign ; but if he wishes to levy contributions on his subjects he must subdue the turbulent members of his empire. Every member of the family were from necessity, toilers. Little do the young of this generation realize the hard- ships of such pioneer life, and the prosperous of this day hardly ever acknowledge the deep debt of gratitude they owe to such heroic and unheralded manhood. The family consisted of John, Patrick, Bridget, Thomas, (the subject of this sketch), Ber- nard, Francis and Annie-all living yet except Bridget and Francis, the latter dying when quite young. John and Patrick received a primary edu- cation in an academy in Lebanon, Pennsylvania ; Patrick subsequently passing a few terms in an academy in Catawissa, Columbia County, Pennsyl- vania. Bridget was educated in a convent school in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. These facts are given in order to explain how the younger members of the family had any means of learning the most rud- imentary principles of education in the wild woods. In the long winter evenings, when the monarch pines were bending and moaning in the storm, and the wood choppers' day of toil was done, the little school gathered around the open hearth, as large as
a lime-kiln, and in the light of the big log fire peered into learning's shallow fountains,-spelling, reading, reciting, writing, figuring, till drooping eyelids told that school was out. Then followed night prayers and the beads were told-the father leading and the whole family responding; then all went to rest to renew their strength for the toils of the coming day. The father and mother were de- vout Catholics. In their young days the penal laws against Catholics were most galling in Ireland. A premium was offered for the arrest of a Catholic school-master ; the priest was outlawed, as a felon, and his liberty was circumscribed by the mercy or forebearance of his Protestant neighbors. Catho- lics were compelled to forego the advantages of education, or frequent schools whichi taught that their faith was idolatry, and that the church which carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to all the nations that were then Christian, was the Scarlet Woman of the Apocalypse. This they refused to believe, and sooner than expose their conscience to the danger of apostasy, they were content, as best they could, to steal the forbidden fruit. Their education, in consequence, was necessarily limited, yet the love they bore to learning was not diminished. The parents did not occupy professors' chairs, but they were the prefects of discipline, and the motive pow- ers of the little university. Books were few and in consequence more thoroughly mastered. The sys- tem was primitive and made the work the more la- borious. As time went on the professional school- master came on the stage. His confidence in him- self and assurance in his qualifications, where none were able to question his claims to superiority, were usually of no mean proportions. Looking back from this day, there was nothing small about him except his salary and learning. His descriptions of large towns he saw, the great academies in which he studied, and the wonders of science that were taught therein, were listened to with astonishment. He was paid by subscription, and he boarded around with the subscribers. This arrangement was re- garded as an honor by the parents and a pleasure by the scholars. It insured special favors for them during that week from the teacher, and the love their parents bore towards the learned secured for them during that time a more elaborate bill of fare. The school term rarely lasted more than three months in the year. In this primitive state of socie- ty there were no amusements or distractions im- ported ready made from without. Other diversions of a more useful character, such as singing schools, debating societies, spelling schools, etc., took their place. The subject of this sketch was not as quick and bright in his studies as were his brothers and
Thomas Mcgovern, Bp, of Harrisburg.
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CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
sisters. He developed very slowly. This may have been owing to the defective system, which then con- sisted too much in dry rules and formularies. He looked upon these as exceedingly arbitrary, and would not submit to them without restraint till he saw the reasons why they claimed his submission. He was not, however, skeptical, in the common sense of the term ; on the contrary, he had a great veneration and confidence in men who were able to write books. He was particularly fond of physics, popularly called, natural philosophy, and the prob- lems in the department thereof denominated mc- chanics afforded an extensive field for the exercise of a mind like his, which was naturally rigid and logical, rather than discursive and imaginative in its conclusions. He was passionately fond of ma- chinery, and any hours he could steal from other em- ployments were devoted to this pleasant and favorite study. He never was considered a speedy messen- ger to go to the mill for a grist, for the pleasure he enjoyed in examining the machinery was sure to ex- tend long beyond the appointed time for his return. Theoretical knowledge will not long remain at rest within the lines of its own province, but frets and chafes for freedom of action in the domain of prac- tical life. This was particularly so in his case. He quickly learned to use the tools of the artisan, and his success in repairing, making and inventing suclı instruments as were needed in that primitive state of society, soon acquired for him, by common con- sent, the title-genius. When enough of the forest was cleared away to make a farm, and a house and other buildings erected to constitute a home, he was sent to St. Joseph's College, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, where lie pursued his studies for two years. In September, 1855, he went to Mt. St. Ma- ry's College, Emmittsburg, Maryland, continued his studies for four years and graduated a B. A. at the Commencement of 1859. Among his classmates were young men of high order of talent, particu- larly M. A. Corrigan, the present Most Rev. Arch- bishop of New York. In 1861 he received the degree of A. M. He made a portion of his theolog- ical studies in Mt. St. Mary's Seminary, after he had graduated in the college. His first Rector, then iu the Seminary, is now the Most Rev. William Henry Elder, D.D., Archbishop of Cincinnati-a man of holy life and a model of saintly virtues. Bishop McGovern always regarded Mt. St. Mary's as his Alma Mater, not only because she honored him with her collegiate diplomas, but also called him to im- portant offices of trust during his sojourn in the college. "The Old Mountain," as the college is fa- miliarly called by the students, resides in the sanc- · tuary of his dearest recollections, and in his trials iu
after life, the memory of that home of deep and fervent piety, where practical reason ostracised fanaticism, suggests to him the words of the Psalm- ist, "Lervavi oculos meos in Montes unde veniet auxilium mihi." He concluded his theological course in the seminary of St. Charles Borromeo, Eighteenth and Race Streets, Philadelphia; since removed to the large and imposing buildings at Overbrook Station. He was ordained priest, December 27, 1861, by the Right Reverend James F. Wood, D.D., afterward Archbishop of Philadelphia. He was assigned to the charge of Pottstown and Douglasville after his ordination, and was subsequently called as assist- ant in St. Michael's Church, Second and Master Streets, Philadelphia, and later to St. Philip's Church, Second and Queen Streets. The former church had been burned, the latter pillaged and profaned by religious fanaticism against the Catho- lic church in 1844. Even after nineteen years it re- quired great prudence and self-denial on the part of the priests of these parishes to perform the duties of their ministry without fanning into life the smoul- dering embers of religious hate. In June, 1864, he was sent to Bellefonte, Centre County, and to attend the stations attached to it. His mission embraced Centre, Juniata and Mifflin Counties. He labored on this mission for six years, built a new church in Snow Shoe, improved the church in Bellefonte, or- ganized Sodalities, Beneficial and Temperance Socie- ties to arouse the zeal and fervor of Catholic piety. In 1868 the diocese of Harrisburg was organized by the Holy See, and on July 12 the Right Reverend Jeremiah F. Shanahan, D.D., was consecrated its first Bishop. The Rev. Thomas McGovern's spirit- ual allegiance was made to him. He remained in Bellefonte till December, 1870, when he was ap- pointed to St. Patrick's Church, York, York Coun- ty. Here his energy and zeal again found a large field of labor. In July, 1873, he was transferred to Danville, Montour County. This had been a large and flourishing parish while iron rails carried the commerce and travel of the country. He at once set to work. to make improvements, such as the growing demands of religion required, but the fiuan- cial crisis of the same year frustrated many of his foudest hopes. Yet hc struggled faithfully during the long years of depressiou in that town, aud if he did not accomplish all his soul craved for, he left after him monuments that will make his memory enduring. To recreate his body and mind he made a very extensive tour through Europe, Africa and Asia in 1881-'82. He traveled over twenty-three thousand miles. He made the tour of Palestine and Syria on horseback, and lodged under tents for thirty-eiglit nights. Rt. Rev. J. F. Shanahau,
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CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
D.D., dying September 24, 1886, Rev. Thomas McGovern was appointed his successor by Pope Leo XIII., January 15, 1888, and was consecrated in the Pro-Cathedral in Harrisburg, March 11, 1888, by Rt. Rev. William O'Hara, D.D., of Scranton, as- sisted by Rt. Rev. Richard Gilmour, D.D., of Cleve- land, Ohio, and Rt. Rev. John A. Watterson, D.D., of Columbus, Ohio. Other eminent prelates and distinguished clergymen honored the occasion by their presence. Bishop McGovern is a gentleman of wide and generous impulses. In religion he aims to be charitable like his divine Master. He is a Catholic from deep convictions and holds him- self in honor bound to defend thiem. The following character is given him by D. H. B. Brower, Esq., in his History of Danville : " Rev. Thomas McGov- ern is a man of marked ability, energy and execu- tive power. As a controvertialist he is a dangerous opponent, and seems to be armed at every point to battle for the church and defend the faith he pos- sesses. Yet he is liberal and generous, courteous and pleasant to all, and holds an honorable place in the respect of the community at large."
JOHN BARDSLEY.
JOHN BARDSLEY, City Treasurer of Phila- delphia, was born September 5, 1836, near Man- chester, England, and came to this country in 1842 with his father, James Bardsley, and family. There were three daughters and three sons, John, the subject of this sketch, being the eldest. James Bardsley settled in Wilmington, Delaware, and went into the carriage making business. He was obliged to leave England " between night and morning" on account of too active participation in anti-government measures agitated by a party called "Chartists." In 1846 he was induced to return to England by his former employers, Messrs. Platt Bros. & Co., of Oldham, England, who did a very large business in manufacturing machinery for cot- ton and woolen mills. They wished Mr. Bardsley to take his former position with them as Superin- tendent, and offered him such liberal inducements that he finally accepted. All the former political trouble was over in England, Parliament having enacted laws to accomplish the very reforms which were agitated and asked for by the "Chartists." The family sailed from Pliiladelphia in November, 1846, on the packet ship " Thomas T. Cope," ocean steamers being then unknown. A few days after leaving Capes of Delaware, during a terrible storm at sea, lightning struck the mainmast of the ship,
and passing down into the hold, set fire to the cargo, which was largely composed of hemp and tallow. All passengers were called on deck, the hatches battened down and every effort made to smother the fire, but without avail. For six days and seven nights they were on that burning ship. Every mast had been cut away ; the rudder broke and drifted, leaving them completely at the mercy of the wind and waves, while the fire smouldering and burning in the hold of the vessel, compelled passengers and crew to remain constantly on deck exposed to the fury of the elements. On the seventh day a ship loaded with coal, bound for St. Johns, Newfoundland, hove in sight and rescued all on board. There were one hundred and twenty pas- sengers and forty to fifty seamen on the ill-fated vessel. They were all transferred to the hold of the coal vessel, where, there being no accommoda- tions for passengers, they were obliged to lie on planks laid upon the coal. One life was lost the night the ship was struck by lightning, by reason of the great haste in getting the passengers on deck and closing the hatchways. The mother of two little girls, having brought one on deck and discov- ering that the other had been left behind, was not permitted to return for her. After remaining on board the coal vessel a week without making over fifty miles in the face of head winds, they were again rescued by a passing emigrant ship and taken to Boston. James Bardsley returned with his family to Wilmington, Delaware, and resumed his former business, the members of the family decid- ing to make no further efforts to return to their na- tive land. Neither Mr. Bardsley nor any member of his family ever attempted the voyage again. In 1849 James Bardsley removed with his family to Philadelphia, and established works for the manu- facture of machinery, heaters, ranges, etc., near Twenty-first and Lombard Streets, in which he re- mained until his death in 1852. John Bardsley's op- portunities for education were very limited. He was taken from school at ten years of age, and put to work in his father's shop in Wilmington, where he remained until his father died. Although he was deprived of the usual educational opportunities, he was ambitious to learn, and took advantage of the night schools of Philadelphia, and, appreciating the fact that "all the world's a college," was enabled to offset the disadvantages of his boyhood, becom- ing a thorough business man, practical double-en- try bookkeeper, and thoroughly conversant with all the methods of conducting business on a large scale. At the time of his father's death this son was about sixteen years old. He continued his father's business in his mother's name until her
John Bardsley
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CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
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death in 1862, and then continued it in his own name until 1866, when he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law Mathew Hall, under the firm name of Bardsley & Hall. This business was con- tinued until 1872, when he sold his interest to Mr. Hall, since which time he has given his attention to his worsted and woolen mills, which he established in 1860 on his own account, located in German- town, and known as the "Bradford Mills." On January 1, 1866, he took his seat as member of the Common Council from the Seventh Ward, and was five times re-elected. In 1876 he removed to his present residence No. 2916 North Sixteenth Street, and immediately upon his removal was elected a member of the Common Council from the Twenty- eighth Ward ; was re-elected every two years from 1876 until 1888, and resigned January 1, 1889, to fill the position of City Treasurer of Philadelphia, which he now holds, having been elected in Novem- ber, 1888, on the Republican ticket, defeating the Democratic candidate, John S. Davis, by a majority of nearly eight thousand. In 1862 he married Miss Emily Boyd, of Germantown, To them was born a daughter, Lizzie, in 1863. His wife died in 1864. He married again, in 1872, Miss Mary K. Pierce, who is still living. One daughter, Mabel, was born to them in 1873. His daughter Lizzie was married to Charles B. Paettyman, of Dover, Delaware, on January 17, 1889. Mr. Bardsley has always been a Republican of strong convictions, casting his first vote for John C. Fremont in 1856. Upon entering Councils in 1866 he at once established himself as the friend of the tax-payer ; indeed, so strong and vigorous was his opposition to every act that was against the interest of the tax-payers, that he soon became known as the "Watch Dog of the Treas- ury," which worthy title has ever since remained familiar to those acquainted with his political per- sonality, in his loyalty to the city of Philadelphia. Every measure of improvement that has passed Councils during the last twenty years bears the im- press of Mr. Bardsley's convictions. He was the originator of the Act of Assembly passed June, 1879, commonly known as the "pay as you go" act, rendering it impossible for the Councils of Phila- delphia to spend a greater sum of money in any one year than they received, thus forcing upon them the wise system of living within their income. Since the enactment of this law, in 1879, the city of Philadelphia has never had a single dollar of float- ing indebtedness, while previous to this time it was the practice of Councils to make a low tax rate to please the tax-payers, and large appropriations to please " the boys," these two ideas never coming together by from one to three million dollars per
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