USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of contemporary biography of Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 32
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ycar, until the deficiency from year to year culmi- nated in 1879, when it reached the enormous sum of about ten millions of floating debt, represented by the dishonest warrants of the city. This "pay as you go act," was brought about to prevent for- ever this discreditable management of the city's finances. For many years past Mr. Bardsley was Chairman of the Committee of Finance, as well as of other important committees, and figured more prominently than any other in preparing and hav- ing passed the necessary legislation in Councils to put in practical operation the new charter of the city commonly known as the "Bullitt Bill." By means of this legislation the change from the old to the new was effected and put into operation with- out a single jar. During his career as Councilman his suggestions and advice were received with more readiness, perhaps, than those of any other member. In recognition of valiant and faithful services, the people of Philadelphia proffered and elected him to the position of City Treasurer, and he assumed his responsibiliteith the good-will and confidence of all, the position affording him op- portunity for much-needed rest.
WILLIAM W. HARDING.
The history of the Philadelphia Inquirer is largely the life of William W. Harding, who was for over thirty years its editor and proprietor. He was born at No. 208 Chestnut Street, in Philadelphia, on November 1, 1830, and was a son of the late Jesper Harding, who, in 1829, established the Pennsylvania Inquirer, which for over a quarter of a century he conducted with signal ability as a first class news- paper. William White Harding was named after the celebrated Bishop, William White, and was a twin brother of James Barclay Harding, who died October 30, 1865, about two years after having suc- cessfully established the Evening Telegraph news- paper of Philadelphia. After receiving a careful education, he obtained a position in the book pub- lishing house of George S. Appleton, where he acquired his first business experience. In 1849 Mr. Harding entered the establishment of his father, Jesper Harding, a few years later being associated with him under the firm name of "Jesper Harding & Son", in the publication of the Pennsylvania In- quirer, in connection with which the firm were ex- tensively engaged in the printing of Bibles, over two million copies with the Harding imprint hav- ing been sold. In 1859 the father withdrew from the firm, and William W. Harding assumed the sole
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control of the business. In April, 1860, he changed the shape of the Inquirer from the large blanket sheet to its present quarto form, and the name to that of the Philadelphia Inquirer, by which name it has ever since been known. The war afforded wide op- portunities, and such advantages were taken of them by William W. Harding, that the Inpuirer un- der his guidance achieved a National reputation and enjoyed an immense circulation, not only at home, but with the armies in the field. This was not only due to its extraordinary expenditures for news ser- vice at Washiington and with the armies, but to the earnest yet independent support of the Government, as is shown in the following letter from the then Sec- retary of War, Edwin M. Stanton :
" WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, January 14, 1868.
My dear Sir :- Please accept my thanks for your friendly telegram just received. I appreciate your kindness highly. From no one have I received in my official labors more disinterested and highly prized support than from yourself. Its remembrance will always be cherished with pleasure. Wishing you every success in life, I am and shall ever be, Truly yours,
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. To W. W. HARDING, Esq."
Mr. Harding introduced many improvements in printing machinery, the Inquirer being among the earliest newspapers in the United States to print from stereotype plates, now extensively used, the wear and tear of the presses upon movable type be- ing done away with, heavy daily editions being printed clearly and legibly. In 1836 he put into successful operation in Philadelphia the first Bul- lock press. The Inquirer paper mills were estab- lished at Manayunk, Philadelphia, in 1864, and supplied material for his various publications. At the Centennial Exhibition, in 1876, he was awarded a medal and diploma for paper making, printing and binding, being the only exhibitor at whose establish- ment the paper was made, printed and bound in book form. Mr. Harding's business career was one of push and activity. He was connected with nume- rous corporations and institutions, to each of which he gave the same care and attention which marked the management of the Inquirer, his aim being to con- duct it in such a manner as to retain for it the respect of the community and to render it a benefit to the pub- lic. Failing health induced Mr. Harding, in March, 1889, to form the Inquirer into a Publishing Com- pany, under the name of "The Inquirer Company," in which he retained a large interest. Mr. James Elverson becoming interested, assumed the active management as President of the company. Less
than three months afterwards, on May 15, 1889, Mr. Harding's active career of nearly thirty-four years as a newspaper proprietor was ended by deatlı. William W. Harding was more than a newspaper editor and proprietor; his energies were too active to be confined within a single channel. A man of keen intelligence and shrewd business instincts, he always had in view or in hand some new project of profit and utility. His was that peculiar flexibility of mind which is perhaps the most salient and re- markable of the American character. Personally, Mr: Harding was an estimable gentleman, always kind and courteous in his manner. He had a host of friends, and such was the tenor of his life that he both enjoyed and deserved the esteem of all who knew him.
MICHAEL NISBET.
MICHAEL NISBET, an eminent Freemason, was born in Philadelphia, September 28, 1829. He was of Scotch ancestry, his father, Michael Nisbet, hav- ing been born in Scotland. He also long occupied eminent positions in the Order of Freemasons, reaching and creditably filling the important and honorable offices of Grand Master and Grand Secre- tary of the Grand Lodge, and Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania. The elder Nisbet was the first Grand High Priest after the separation of the Grand Chapter from the Grand Lodge in 1824. Michael Nisbet, the younger, ob- tained all his early instruction before he was four- teen years of age. However, in this limited time for study he applied himself thoroughly from the beginning and gained the best results from it that were possible. He was taught the rudiments in a school for little children, kept by a Quaker woman, in Philadelphia ; and went thence to the Zane Street public school, and here, after but a little time wherein to inform himself, his period of study was cut short by the death of his father, who left behind him a widow and several children, with very little provision for their support. The young man now had to begin his active life's work for himself. His first situation was in the office of Frederick J. Sylvester, an exchange, broker, and here he re- mained two years. He then entered the silk house of Ashurst & Remington, remaining with this firm, however, only until a more desirable opening should present itself. This occurred in the whole- sale tobacco house of Thomas Webster, Jr., where young Nisbet remained during the next seven years. He was not altogether pleased with this business,
Michael@ Visti Salut Secretary
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nor satisfied that he had found in it his life's em- ployment; and he accordingly relinquished his connection with the tobacco firm and entered the conveyancing office of Andrew D. Cash, who at that time stood at the head of his profession in Philadelphia. With Mr. Cash he found congenial employment and he entered into his new business with all the ardor of an enthusiastic temperament. Being quick to learn, he soon gained a thorough understanding of the profession in which he was destined ultimately to excel; in fact, the time came when his employer and preceptor informed him in flattering terms that he could teach him nothing more in his business. Mr. Nisbet determined to engage in business for himself and opened an office of his own on November 1, 1855. He soon became widely known, and achieved a lasting reputation as a conveyancer, both for ability and fair-dealing. For the past fifteen years he has occupied offices on Walnut Street, above Eighth, where his signs have become landmarks. It is, however, as a Freemason that Michael Nisbet has achieved fame, while toil- ing persistently and acceptably for the good of others. He first joined the Masonic fraternity on October 13, 1851, being initiated on that occasion in Rising Star Lodge, No. 126. From the first he manifested a profound interest in the mysteries and ceremonials of Freemasonry, his taste in this direction being doubtless inherited. So closely and assiduously did he devote himself to the further- ance of the welfare of his Lodge that on the 27th of December, 1853, he was elected to the position of Junior Warden, and two years later was made Mas- ter of his Lodge, in which capacity he continued to serve during the year 1856. He took the Mark Master's degree on September 14, 1852, in the Girard Mark Lodge No. 214. Withdrawing from that Mark Lodge in November, 1857, he became a member of the Excelsior Mark Lodge on December 15, 1857. He was elected Secretary of that Lodge at the close of the succeeding year, and filled that po- sition for six years. On April 17, 1856, he joined Oriental Chapter, and was elected Scribe thereof in December of that year. He was chosen King in December, 1857, and elevated to the office of High Priest in the succeeding year. Next he was chosen Secretary, being elected to that post in December, 1859. He was continued in it for four years ; then he was made Treasurer-an office which he still fills,-having been elected thereto for twenty-six consecutive years. Mr. Nisbet was elected to the dignity of Knight Templar on February 29, 1869, in Kadosh Commandery, No. 29. He was chosen Recorder by the brother knights in the following month, the place being pressed upon him to enable
the incumbent Recorder to accept other and higher honors. In March, 1871, Mr. Nisbet was elected Captain-General. In 1872 he was made General- issimo; and became Eminent Commander of his Commandery in 1873. He entered the Philadelphia Council No. 11 of the Royal Super-Excellent and Select Master Masons, and subsequently served as Treasurer of that Council for three years. In the supreme branches of the Masonic Order the highest honors were conferred upon and worthily borne by Mr. Nisbet. He was elected Grand Scribe of the Grand Chapter in 1865 and again in 1866. He served as Grand King in the years 1867 and 1868; and was chosen Grand High Priest in 1869 and 1870. In the Grand Lodge he was for several years a member of the Financial Committee, one of the most important committees of the body. He was chosen Junior Grand Warden 'in December, 1873, and re-elected in December, 1874. After filling the post of Senior Grand Warden in 1876 and 1877, he was elected Deputy Grand Master at the close of 1877. The following year he became acting Grand Master in consequence of the Grand Master remov- ing from the jurisdiction from ill-health. In De- cember, 1878, Mr. Nisbet was elected Grand Master, and was re-clected to that position in the following year. He was made Grand Secretary in December, 1880, and still holds that position. Few men in this generation have been more closely identified with Masonry than Mr. Nisbet. To the Order he has given much of the time of the best years of his life, and his ripe wisdom and experience he exer- cises without stint for the benefit of Masonry. Single-hearted in his devotion to the Order and disinterested in his labors in its behalf, he has sur- rounded himself with a host of warm friends throughout the State of Pennsylvania; indeed, all the leading Masons of the Commonwealth know him and hold him in high esteem, equally for his past invaluable services and as their accomplished, hard-working and ever-obliging Grand Secretary.
FREDERICK FRALEY.
HON. FREDERICK FRALEY, LL.D., a distin- guished citizen of Philadelphia, President of The National Board of Trade, President of the American Philosophical Society, etc., etc., was born in Phila- delphia, May 28, 1804. His parents were John Urban Fraley and Elizabeth Laskey. His father's anecstors were natives of Switzerland and his mother's were English. After a good English and classical education, at the age of sixteen
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he entered Thomas Cooper's hardware house and received a thorough mercantile education. As early as 1824 he became actively interested in public affairs, and aided in the founding of the Franklin Institute, of which he became a life member and for many years was its Treasurer. He was elected a member of City Councils in 1834 and three years later, as Chairman of the Finance Committee, he had the honor of saving the eity from insolveney. It was during the year 1837, when financial troubles were numerous and the suspension of specie payments took place, that Mr. Fraley's wisdom was exerted to rescue the city from its embarrassments. He proposed that the city should issue debt certificates in small denomi- nations, to pass as currency, and he had the meas- ure adopted and a serious financial blow to the city was avoided. He was an early advocate for light- ing the city by gas, and a leading spirit in estab- lishing the gas works, in which for many years he served as Trustee. He prepared the plan for keep- ing the city accounts prior to consolidation. At the age of thirty-three he was elected to the State Senate, where he took an active part in framing the laws called for by the amended constitution. He , was active in having the city of Philadelphia con- solidated, drawing up the first section in the act of consolidation, which he has humorously said was more difficult than all the rest of it; and the sections concerning the administration of the finances are his work. He was also a leader in introducing the paid fire department, having been as a young man a most active volunteer fireman. In 1873 he was elected Treasurer of the Centennial Board of Fi- nance, and the enormous duty of adjusting the af- fairs of that office and arranging for the accumula- tion of the vast amount of funds needed for the erection of the Centennial buildings, was most satisfactorily fulfilled. He has participated exten- sively in commercial and charitable works and is an authority on all financial movements, past and present. He has been connected with the School of Instruction for the Blind, the Apprentices, Phil- adelphia and Mercantile Libraries, besides being President of the Western Saving Fund at Tenth and Walnut Streets. He was elected President of the Philadelphia Board of Trade upon the death of John Welsh. The Philadelphia Board of Trade is one of the prominent commercial chambers in the country. It was organized in October, 1833, and has had but five Presidents, viz : Thomas B. Cope, Thomas B. Hoopes, Samuel C. Morton, John Welsh and Frederick Fraley. Mr. Fraley has been the representative of the Philadelphia Board of Trade at commercial conventions held in other
cities. He was chosen President of the National Board of Trade when it was established in 1868, and has been re-elected every year for twenty-one years, being one of the principal leaders in all its movements of importance. As President of the American Philosophical Society, since 1880, he took a leading part in commemorating the Centen- nial of the Constitutional foundation of the United States Government in 1887; the Philosophical So- ciety being the oldest of the learned societies, and joined with it the Pennsylvania Historical Society, the University and others. In 1880 Mr. Fraley re- ceived the degree of LL.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. Next to Dr. Henry J. Morton, Mr. Fraley is the oldest Trustee of the University and he has been for many years the Chairman of the Committee on Arts. He takes a prominent part in all matters relating to its progress and is, at eighty- five, accounted among the youngest men, when plans are presented for widening the scope or in- - ereasing the usefulness of the University. He also takes an active part at the meetings of contributors to the Pennsylvania Hospital. In social life he has always been a conspicuous figure. He was one of the founders of the Union Club, the organization which afterwards grew into the Union League of Philadelphia, and whose winter parties took the place of the old Wistar Club when that organization was disbanded during the war. The survivors of the Union Club dine at the Union League House once a year, in December, and now number only ten or twelve members. In the celebrated Farmers' Club Mr. Fraley stands third in seniority, George Blight, one of the founders, and Judge Craig Bid- dle being the two others remaining of the club's early membership. 'The Farmers' Club is a club of twelve members only, entertaining at its monthly dinners given by each member in turn, throughout the year, a number of distinguished guests from all parts of the United States. Mr. Fraley is looked to in city affairs as a leader when important matters are to be urged upon Councils, and in the autumn of 1889, though just returned from the Louisville, Kentucky, meeting of the National Board of Trade, where he had made a comprehensive address on the tariff, he went before Councils to present the petition for the Belt Line Railway ordinance. His connection for many years, as President of the Schuylkill Navigation Company, with the coal carrying traffic of the city, makes his opinion of matters upon transportation eagerly sought, and in this, as in affairs of National finance and treasury, his judgment is regarded as eminent. In every detail of public or private business Mr. Fraley is an example of the business man. He seldom fails to
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preside over the Philosophical Society's evening meetings or the Board of Trade's afternoon meet- ings. He leaves his house promptly at nine o'clock each morning and after bank hours is always ready for social enjoyment with his family or friends, being especially fond of a good game of whist and taking a keen interest in all current literature. Mr. Fraley has been for many years a member of St. James Episcopal Church, which he served a long time in the vestry, and is in his religious views a notably broad Churchman.
HENRY WINSOR.
HENRY WINSOR, President of the Boston and Philadelphia Steamship Company since its incorpo- ration, seventeen years ago, was born in the little seaside town of Duxbury, Plymouth County, Mass- achusetts, December 31, 1803, and died October 9, 1889, at his residence, 2016 De Lancy Place, Phil- adelphia, after an illness of about six months. He was of an old New England family, his father being Thomas, son of Joshua Winsor, and his mother, Wealthea, daughter of Seth Sprague, who for years was a member of the Senate of Massachusetts. The great power, business ability and solidity of character of Mr. Winsor were probably inherited from his grandfathers, who possessed these attri- butes in a remarkable degree. At the age of six- teen, after obtaining such an education as the limited facilities of his native town afforded, he went to Boston and entered the counting-room of Joseph Ballister, a commission merchant, where he learned bookkeeping and much else appertaining to commerce, which subsequently proved useful in the career he was destined to follow. For four years he remained in Mr. Ballister's office and then was given a position in the office of his father, who had opened a business house in Boston. He con- tinued with him and with his uncles, P. and S. Sprague, who afterward became interested in his business, until his father's death, which occurred in 1832. He then began business on his own account, but owing to speculation in " Eastern lands " hav- ing been infected with the "fever " which then raged, he was unsuccessful. In 1836, having been thrown out of regular business, he made a voyage to Pernambuco, as supercargo, and afterwards made a trip in the same capacity to Rio Janeiro. Under the National Bankrupt Law of 1841, he served, by appointment of Judge Sprague, of the United States District Court for Massachusetts, as assignee of many insolvent estates, which employed
him for three years settling them. Mr. Winsor then re-entered active business in 1850, when he be- came a member of the house of Phineas Sprague & Co., but two years later withdrew to take charge, in Philadelphia, of a steamship line which that firm, in conjunction with Sprague, Soule & Co., were about to establish between that city and Bos- ton. In 1872 the owners of the steamships having increased in number, they were incorporated under the title of the Boston and Philadelphia Steamship Company. A line between Philadelphia and Provi- dence was established by the same company, and this was followed, in 1882, by another to Fall River. On the organization of the company. Mr. Winsor was elected to its Presidency, which office he con- tinued to occupy until his death. When the first of these lines of steamers was organized, in 1852, there were but two boats employed, the "City of Boston" and the "City of New York." The in- creasing trade compelled an increase of the com- pany's facilities, and the line now numbers steam- ships of the latest design, including the " Spartan," " Norman," "Saxon," "Parthian " and "Indian " of from 1200 to 1500 tons capacity each. The Providence Line, begun in 1872, was established with two ships, and its business has likewise de- manded a corresponding increase in facilities. The success which has attended these lines is mainly due to the efforts and ability of Mr. Winsor. In 1862 one of his sons, William D., and subse- quently another, James D., became his partners in business, under the style of Henry Winsor & Co. Under their management, as general agents, the affairs of the company have been prosperously con- ducted up to the present time. Although promi- nent in many commercial movements in Philadel- phia, and identified with institutions that do much towards the promotion of commerce, it is possibly by his connection with the Board of Trade, of which he was one of the Vice-Presidents, that Mr. Winsor will be best remembered. He was one of the most active members of the Board for many years, and was for a long time Chairman of its Committee on Foreign and Coastwise Commerce. To that Committee all questions of maritime inter- ests have been submitted, and they received his careful attention and deepest thought. In the councils of the Board he took a profound interest, and, notwithstanding his advanced years, he gave the details of the work his earnest thought. He was much interested in the improvement of the harbor, and worked hand in hand with his fellow- members on the Board to that end, giving them the advantage of his good and wise judgment and his useful and long experience. All the movements
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that have looked towards harbor improvements have had his earnest sympathy and support. After the death of Mayor Henry, Mr. Wiusor was ap- pointed on the Harbor Commission, which went into effect in 1879. It is said of him that, although not a member of the Commission at its formation, he was largely instrumental, by his arguments and influence, in securing the necessary legislation by City Councils that provided for its appointmeut. Shortly after his appointment on the Commission he was chosen as its President, a position he ably filled until early in 1888, when he insisted upon his resignation being accepted by reason of his advanc- ing years. Iu addition to his conuection with the Board of Trade, Mr. Wiusor was also a member of the Maritime and Commercial Exchanges, aud a Director of the Bank of North America, the Insur- ance Company of North America, Westmoreland Coal Compauy, Logan Irou and Steel Company, Craue Iron Company, Delaware Avenue Market Compauy, and a Mauager of the Western Savings Fund Associatiou. He was also prominently iden- tified with the Centennial Board of Finance, upon whose shoulders rested many of the responsibilities of the great Exposition of 1876, and to whose efforts much of its success was due. There was oue phase of Mr. Winsor's life that was not generally known, and that was as au author. In 1861 a modest, un- assuming volume, eutitled "Montrose, and other Biographical Sketches," was issued anonymously from the press of Sonle & Williams, in Boston. In this volume of three hundred and sixty-seveu pages he made it evident that, had he not been successful in business, a probable profitable literary career was open for him. He exhibited much grace of style, elegance of diction and erudite knowledge. Some of the sketches, which include studies of Le Tour in Boston, Samnel Johnson, " Beau" Brum- mell, and James Graham, Marquis of Montrose, were published originally in "Littell's Living Age." The greater part of the book is taken up with the lat- ter sketch. Mr. Winsor also wrote a large number of sketches, etc., which, owing to his modesty in those matters, he never collected in book form. Mr. Wiusor, in 1832, married Mary Ann, daughter of James Davis. She died in 1881, in consequence of an accident, in which she was thrown from her carriage in Boston. Four children, a daughter and three sons, survive him, two of the latter having been engaged with him in business. It was Mr. Winsor's habit to visit the place of his nativity every year, makiug the voyage on one of the com- pany's steamers, but in 1888, having recovered from an illness, he visited the Sulphur Springs in- stead. In May, 1889, he was stricken with paraly-
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