USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of contemporary biography of Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 45
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
218
CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
deviated from his early faith in the principles of the Democratic party. As a consistent and able sup- porter of those principles, he was put forward in 1888 as the Democratic nominee for Congress from the Twenty-fourth District of Pennsylvania. IIc entered the canvass with the same earnestness that has always characterized his public efforts. Not only did he rally a number of able orators to his support, but he personally visited all parts of the district aud addressed large assemblages of his fel- low-citizens day after day for a month or more. It was acknowledged on all sides that he conducted one of the most vigorous and spirited coutests ever waged in the district, but the opposition was too, large in numbers and too firmly entrenched in party fealty to be overcome. Mr. Wampler bore his de- feat philosophically ; and all who know him are aware that even had it been overwhelming it could neither swerve him from his devotion to the honest political views he entertains nor engender in his heart any great bitterness of feeling towards his "political opponents. In various unofficial but pub- lic capacities Mr. Wampler has been more than or- dinarily prominent in Mckeesport. On the occa- sion of the reunion of the Third Brigade, McCall's Division, held at Mckeesport July, 1875, and spoken of and known as "the Soldiers' Dinner on the Diamond"-fifteen hundred plates being laid for veteran soldiers and their families on tables erected on the public square-Mr. Wampler was a most efficient but unobtrusive Director and also Treas- urer. In 1876 he took a prominent part in organiz- ing and conducting the Centennial celebration on the Fourth of July, and was Chairman and Treas- urer of the Committee having the affair in charge. To his efforts were largely attributable the enthusi- astic carrying out of the very patriotic programme arranged for the occasion under his supervision. Five thousand strangers visited Mckeesport on that day and witnessed the exercises, and the observance was such a complete success, however considered, that it has passed into local history as "McKees- port's greatest gala day." Although not a lawyer and making no pretense to legal knowledge, Mr. Wampler possesses a practical acquaintance with the principles and forms of law, which, used in con- junction with a sound judgment and in the light of no inconsiderable public experience, has at times proved of the highest service not only to his own affairs, but in those of the borough. This was nota- bly the case in 1879, when he was called upon with others to aid in adjusting a legal difficulty with James H. McCreery, in which the borough was a defendant (No. 455, October Term). This adjust- ment was happily effected and on January 9, 1880,
| he and his associates were enabled to report all matters at variance between the parties settled and forever dismissed. "During the great strike of employees of the National Tube Works in March, 1886, he was one of the five prominent citizens who by request atteuded a meeting of workingmen at the Opera House and met the management of the National Tube Works at their offices, that both sides of the labor question might be understood. His conduct and speech upon these occasions," says the local authority, here quoted, " marked him the man he had always been, fearless in the expression of his convictions, a friend of honest, reasonable workingmen, and careful of those having capital in- vested. Occupying, as he has at different times in his life, the position of employer and employee, Mr. Wampler was deemed a competent and just judge, and as such acquitted himself." Mr. Wampler's thorough acquaintance with the origin, growth and capabilities of the manufacturing and mercantile business of Mckeesport is probably unexcelled by that of any resident of the city. It was called into play in a practical way in 1888, when at a meeting of the citizens, Mr. Wampler was placed on a com- mittee of five appointed to compile for publication a work on the city's advantages and resources, which it was designed to circulate extensively to aid in drawing attention to them. The result of this com- mittee's labors, in which he took a leading part, is the industrial pamphlet entitled : "Mckeesport-its Industries, Advantages, Resources and Prospects," which is a valuable public document and a credit to those concerned in its production. Of late years Mr. Wampler has been a large investor in real estate and is now one of the most extensive operators in that line in McKeesport. He is a valued member of the Mckeesport Board of Trade, and has been its Treasurer since 1887. His sound judgment in mon- etary affairs has given him prominence in financial circles and has caused his election on the Board of Directors of several leading banking institutions. Among these may be named the Peoples' Savings Bank, in which he was a Director during 1877 and 1878; and the First National Bank of Mckeesport, in which he is at present a Director. Mr. Wampler is a member of Encampment No. 1, Union Veteran Legion-an organization composed of Union sol- diers who were honorably discharged after three years' service or by reason of wounds received in battle. He is also a member of the Masonic Order, and of one or two local social and benevolent organi- zations. His record both in private and public life is that of an honorable, high-minded citizen, patri- otic in purpose and pure in motive and conduct. Through integrity, industry and perseverance, com-
g &Engraving L. F. T.
1 J. Fleming
219
CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
bined with rare excellence of judgment, he has not only achieved success in his various undertakings but has also earned the esteem of his friends and of the publie generally. He wears his honors and cn- joys his fortune with that temperance of spirit which almost invariably distinguishes the man of superior intelligence, and in the consciousness of duty well performed he takes his highest pride. He married, on June 27, 1867, Miss Jane, daughter of David and May Davis of Turtle Crcck, Pa., and has two sons-Frank Cook Wampler and Ralph Davis Wampler. The first named, now (1889) in his twenty-first year, has already taken his place beside his father in the arena of business and has proven an intelligent, capable and trustworthy assistant. Mr. Wampler's biography would not be complete did we not again refer to his Congressional cam- paign. Before and during his canvass, being liberal in his views with reference to questions which were agitating the public mind, Mr. Wampler engendered the displeasure of a Baptist minister, Wm. Codville, who attacked him publicly. In defending himself the subject of our sketch increased the ire of the divine, who claimed his character and reputation as a citizen and minister of the gospel had been as- sailed, in an article which appeared in the Daily News in November, 1888, over the signature "W. P. Wampler." Codville brought suit, placing the dam- ages at $30,000, and soon after, through his attorneys, demanded a retraction which Mr. Wampler pointed- ly refused to make, saying : "The only explanation or retraction of any nature I will make will be inch by inch before the court, and if my counsel defends me as ably as I have known him to defend some of my neighbors, I will abide by such a verdict as is rendered by the jury." In a few days the ease was adjusted without trial or retraction, Mr. Wampler surrendering none of the manly dignity which throughout his life has characterized his privatc and public acts.
DAVID FLEMING.
HON. DAVID FLEMING, lawyer, born in Wash- ington County, Pennsylvania, July 17, 1812, is one of a family of eleven children, and the son of Samuel and Sarah (Beckett) Fleming. His father was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and was a farmer by occupa- tion. A few weeks after his birth, the family re- moved to Dauphin County, where his father had purchased a large farm, about twelve miles east of Harrisburg, on which he managed to rear his chil- dren respectably, giving them all a good common
school education. David was thus brought up la- boring on the farm during the summer, and attend- ing school during the winter months ; lie was also taught Latin by a good elassical scholar wlio resi- ded in the neighborhood. When seventeen years of age lie commenced teaching school ; and so contin- ued for several years, alternating with attending school himself at the Harrisburg Academy and else- where, until he had acquired a fair academical edu- cation. He subsequently organized a select school in Baltimore County, Maryland, teaching Latin, Greek, and the higher branches of mathematics, being himself the hardest student in the academy. His health becoming somewhat impaired, he ac- ceptcd a position as clerk for Dr. D. N. L. Reutter, who had a contract for furnishing ties for the Bal- timore & Port Deposit Railroad, then being con- structed ; and when this was completed, remained with his employer, and became interested in a con- tract for furnishing yellow pine timber to the Wash- ington Navy Yard; having charge of the shipment of it from North Carolina, which he did by vessels he chartered in New York, going himself as super- cargo in several. He passed over a year in this operation, and acquired an excellent insight into business matters. He made quite a number of voyages, and on more than one occasion was ex- posed to the perils of the sea, and saved both ship. and eargo by his wisdom and prudence. On the conclusion of the undertaking he returned to Har- risburg in 1838, and the Legislature being in special session under the then new constitution, he com- menced reporting the proceedings for the public press, and corresponded daily for four Philadelphia journals, including the United States Gazette. So he continucd for several years, besides assisting to edit a local paper. During this period he devoted his leisure hours to general study ; and, in 1839, entered the law office of William McClure, as a student ; was admitted to the bar at Harrisburg in November, 1841, and ever since practiced his profession in that city. He closed his connection as newspaper correspondent in 1847, when he was elected Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, and served during that session. He was renominated by the Whigs in 1848 ; but owing to a tie in that body, and by the accidental absence of one of his friends, the Democratic candidate succeeded by a majority of one. In 1854 he was elected District Attorney, and served for the term of three years, declining a re- election. In 1863 he was elected to the State Senate and served for three years in that body, being Chair- man of the Committee on the Judiciary during his second year. He was chosen Speaker in the clos- ing session of his term, and discharged the duties of
220
CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
the position to the satisfaction of all, and with great credit to himself. During his residence in Harrisburg he had been concerned in nearly all of the principal business enterprises of the city. He was one of the small number who organized and erected the Harris- burg Car Works ; and he subsequently obtained its charter as the Harrisburg Car Manufacturing Com- pany, which has grown into one of the largest and most prosperous enterprises of its kind in the country. He had ever since been a stock- holder and member of the board, as also of the Foundry and Machine Company, which originated from the same enterprise, and he was for many years, prior to and at the time of his death, President of both boards. He was Secretary of the board when the Harrisburg Gas Works were built, and for sev- eral years after. He was also a member of the board and counsel for the Lochiel Iron Company, and assisted in the organization of its successor, the Lochiel Iron Mill Company. He was for many years the counsel, and also a Director of the Harrisburg National Bank, and was one of the corporators in organizing the First National Bank of Harrisburg, and, until the time of his decease, was a member of its Board of Directors. He assisted to organize the Keystone Life Insurance Company and the Cash Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Harrisburg, serving for several years as a Director and counsel for the same. He was a Director of the Inland Tel- egraph Company, and afterwards of the United States Telegraph Company until its consolidation with the Western Union Company's Lines ; and was counsel for the latter, as well as for the Atlantic and Ohio and the Pacific and Atlantie Telegraph Com- panies, the Columbia Oil Company, and many other large corporations in several important suits involv- ing the taxation of these corporations by the State. He helped to organize, and for many years was the Secretary and Treasurer of the Harrisburg City Pas- senger Railway Company. He took an active and large pecuniary interest in the Citizens' Gas and Gas- eous Fuel Company at a time when it was financially embarrassed; aided in extricating it from its difficul- ties, and in reorganizing it successfully as the Peoples' Gas and Gaseous Fuel Company. He was its coun- sel, and President of its Board of Directors at and for many years prior to his decease. He also aided in organizing the Harrisburg Steam Heat and Power Company, and continuously thereafter occupied a place in its Board of Managers. He was a Director for many years in the Susquehanna Mutual Fire In- surance Company of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and manifested his continued and unabated interest in the welfare and prosperity of thecity, by subscribing liberally, shortly before his death, to the stock of the
Peoples' Bridge Company, which is now constructing a magnificent open iron bridge across the Susque- hanna. His activity was not limited to business and secular enterprises, but exerted itself in charitable and religious channels as well. He gave liberally to all benevolent projects, and aided them also by his connsel. He was one of the Trustees of the Home for the Friendless, in the organization and manage- ment of which his wife has always been deeply inter- estcd. He was for nearly fifty years a faithful and con- sistent memberof "The English Presbyterian Congre- gation of Harrisburg," (the first Presbyterian Church in the city) more generally known as the Market Square Presbyterian Church, and for nearly the whole of this time was an efficient and successful teacher in its Sabbath-school. Few ministers were more fa- miliar with the teachings and history of the Bible, and the Shorter and Larger Catechism of the West- minster Assembly than was hc. He was for about forty years a member of the Board of Trustees of his church, and served therein as President, Seere- tary and Treasurer. His legal practice was not strictly confined to Dauphin County, but he was often employed in other parts of the State, including both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. He had also regularly practiced in the Supreme Court of the Common- wealth since 1843, and the reported decisions of that tribunal will show that he was concerned in a large proportion of the cases removed from the courts of his county-many of them involving principles of great importance-and also in cases removed from other counties. During the time the Bankrupt Law was in operation he attended to bankruptey practice in the two Federal Courts. He was urged by his friends to become a candidate for President-Judge of his district, and also as Repre- sentative in Congress-to either position he could have been elected-but invariably declined, prefer- ring the labors and independence of professional life to the honors and responsibilities of the bench, or legislative duties at Washington. From all these statements it is apparent that he was a laborious, useful and enterprising citizen ; and when it is taken into consideration that from the age of seventeen, when he left home, until his father's death in 1851, (at the great age of ninety years), he never called upon him for any pecuniary assistance, he may em- phatically be termed a self-made man. While a newspaper correspondent, he earned as high as $54.00 per week, and from the date of his admission to the bar he enjoyed a lucrative and increasing patronage. In 1870 he associated with him S. J. M. McCarrell, who was a student in his office. This association continued until the time of his decease. He was married January 1, 1852, to Susan, (who
Sophie Foolching & Engr.p.m.
221
CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
still survives him) youngest daugliter of Charles Mowry, one of the first Canal Commissioners of Pennsylvania. His children were Charles Mowry, who died in 1883, just at the threshold of a promis- ing and successful career as a member of the Dauphin County bar ; Sarah, the wife of Joshua W. Sharpe, Esq., of the Chambersburg bar; David, Jr., the Cashier and financial Manager of the Foundry and Machine Department of The Harrisburg Car Manufacturing Company ; George Richmond, a member of the Harrisburg bar, and Mary, who died in infancy. The end of Mr. Fleming's busy, useful and successful life came January 14, A.D., 1890; not unexpectedly, for he had been in failing health for some months. Although his arduous labors had brought him large wealth, his treasures were not all of earth, and his going hence was peaceful and beautiful as the sunset of a perfect day. He is missed in the business world, in professional life, in the church, in the Sabbath-school, and in the family home, and the world is better because he lived in it.
CHARLES MCCANDLESS.
JUDGE CHARLES MOCANDLESS, a distin- guished lawyer of Butler, was born in Center town- ship, Butler County, Pennsylvania, on the 27th day of November, 1834. His father was a farmer, and his early youth was spent on the farm. George McCandless, his paternal grandfather, was a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and emigrated to Penn- sylvania when only nineteen years of age. He found employment with Nathan Fish, a well-to-do farmer of an old family in the Cumberland Valley, near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and about the year 1794 married his daughter Mary, or " Polly," as she was familiarly called. Two years later they came with the first settlers of this county and located in Center township, Butler County, where they lived a long and prosperous life. They had a family of three sons and six daughters, the eldest son, Jolin, being the father of Judge McCandless. In 1824 John McCandless married Jemima Reaves Sullivan, a womau of rare beauty and unusual strengtlı of character and mind. She is remembered as a wo- man of superior judgment and happy disposition. Johh McCandless was a prosperous farmer, esteemed by the citizens of the county, who elected him to the office of County Commissioner, and subsequent- ly made him Associate Judge of the County Courts. Living on a farm adjoining that of his fathers, John McCandless became the father of three sons and six
daughters, Charles being their fifth child. His ma- ternal grandfather, Charles Sullivan, was a native of the James River valley, Northumberland County, Virginia. Peter Sullivan, one of his ancestors, located here about the year 1700, and married Miss Craven, and had four children. The third child, Charles, in 1757 married Jemima Reaves, to whom there was born five children, the second born on the 27th of March, 1760, being Charles, the maternal grandfather of Judge McCandless. Charles Sullivan was a sol- dier from Virginia in the Revolutionary army, and while in Chester County, Pennsylvania, became ac- quainted with Miss Susannah Johnston, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Johnston, who became his wife while he was serving under General Washing- ton, during that terrible winter of suffering at Val- lcy Forge. The Johnstous were Quakers, and dis- pensed free-hearted hospitality to many weary and famishing soldiers whe were euduring the hardships at Valley Forge. In 1785 Bishop Asbury, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, married Charles Sul- livan and Miss Johnston. They emigrated to West- ern Penusylvauia and were among the first settlers of Butler County. Their family consisted of eleven children, the seventhi being Jemima Reaves, the mother of Judge McCandless. When twenty years of age, and in the winter of '54-'55, Charles Mc- Candless became a school teacher. In a log school house, having rude slab seats, and where he had re- ceived what education he then possessed, he taught the district school. Though a mere youth, the sturdy farmers had confidence in his ability to suc- cced. They were not disappointed, as he made a marked success, and taught a second term. Having reached his majority, and desiring to prepare for a long-cherished career, he came to Butler iu the spring of 1856 and began the study of higher mathc- matics and languages, at the Witherspoon Institute. Alwaysa studeut, he now applied his mind vigorously and made rapid progress. His room and classmate was Senator Mitchell, of Oregon. Hisuncle, Charles C. Sullivan, one of the leading lawyers of the State, invited him to become a student in his office. From the age of fifteen years his mind had been steadily fixed on the profession of law, having ambitious ideas suggested by the success of his uncle. On the 14th day of Juue, 1858, he was admitted to the bar. It was a memorable eveut-the beginning of a career for which he had so studiously applied him- self. As a student he was persevering, and being a thorough elementary lawyer, he was fitted for a prominent place at the bar. Recognizing his abil- ity, his uncle at once made him an equal partner, and he entered into active practice. Early in the year 1860 his uucle died, leaving a large business to
222
CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
be managed by him. With renewed industry and painstaking care, he mastered the situation, not only holding the business, but commanding addi- tional practice. Being in love with his profession, he was constantly a student, and was soon recog- nized as a leader of the bar. Ile was married on the 16th day of October, 1860, to Miss Catharine Zimmerman, a young lady possessed of beauty and culture, well educated in both English and German, daughter of a thrifty German family. She is a woman admirably suited to share his good fortune . and grace his home. Their children were Caro- line, Mary B., Catharine, Louisa, and Charles, the only son, who died in infancy. Mary B. married Frederick Lee, who died about two years after mar- riage, leaving a son, Charles McCandless Lee, named for his grandfather, who with his mother were mem- bers of his grandfather's family for about five years. This little grandson, having the sweet disposition of his mother, was endeared to every member of the family, and especially his grandfather. In his re- cent death one of the tenderest ties of Judge Mc- Candless' life was broken. Caroline became the wife of Edward P. Greely, of Nashua, Iowa, a pro- moter of railroads and distinguished citizen of his State. Catharine married John G. Jennings, an ex- tensive producer of petroleum in the Pennsylvania fields. During September, 1862, Judge McCandless became Major of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Mi- litia, which in response to a call issued by Governor Curtin, went, in company with thirty other militia regiments, from Pennsylvania and New York, to within supporting distance of Mcclellan's army at the battle of Antietam, and remained until Lee had retreated over the Potomac. All danger of an inva- sion having passed, the regiment was mustered out of service. This same year he received the Repub- lican nomination in Butler County for State Senator, and then secured the district nomination and was elected. While serving in that body, and though but twenty-eight years old, he was a member of the Finance and Judiciary Committees of the Senate. He was an active worker in committee, and one of the watchful and careful leaders on the floor of the Senate. In the Republican caucus he was within one vote of being nominated for Speaker of the Senate at the time Senator Terrell of Susquehannah, was nominated, and subsequently elected in the spring of 1864. In 1872 he was a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention which nominated General Grant and Henry Wilson. Gov. Hartranft, in 1874, appointed him Law Judge of the several courts in the Seventeenth Judicial District of Pennsylvania. With dignity and ability he discharged the various duties of his office, and was considered by the mem-
bers of the bar and the people an able and just Judge, having the reputation of never expressing an opinion without mature and honest deliberation. About a year after his appointment, the Republicans in the Judicial District composed of Butler and Lawrence Counties, realizing that a candidate of undoubted ability and strength was necessary for the success of the party, placed him in nomination. However, the tidal wave of Democracy that swept the country during that year, defeated the Republican party in the State and that district. In February, 1878, President Hayes appointed Judge McCandless Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New Mexico. During the follow- ing summer he went to Santa Fé to study the people and inform himself regarding the territory. He assumed his duties and held the sunimer courts. To reach his destination he traveled two hundred and forty miles by stage coach, as New Mexico was then without railroads. There being no schools for advanced pupils short of St. Louis, four days from Santa Fé, and three of his daughters having com- pleted their preparatory course, he concluded that it was impracticable to remove his family from But- ler to New Mexico, and determined to resign. In October, 1878,-his resignation being tendered to take effect in November, and while in Washington, -he ealled upon President Hayes and Attorney- General Devens, who expressed gratification at his satisfactory administration, and urged him to with- draw his resignation. Having determined on his course, he returned to Butler, and with renewed energy resumed the practice of law. For the past thirty years his practice has been, as it is now, the leading and most lucrative in the county, except, however, when on the bench. Though a political leader, carefully guarding the interests of the Re- publican party, to which he has always been devoted, he observed rigid rules regarding his professional duties, never permitting other affairs to seriously disturb his practice, holding fast the maxim that " the law is a jealous mistress." He is not a spec- ialist, but is equally at home in all the courts. The oil developments in Butler and surrounding coun- ties have been attended with a vast amount of liti- gation, the result oftentimes of the sudden and mar- velous inerease in the value of land. There are but few small spots on our earth yielding such a flow of wealth ; the annual output in Butler County reach- ing in value as high as ten millions of dollars. Many of the cases incident to this industry were of . great importance, and Judge McCandless was almost invariably concerned. His name is associated with all the leading cases in Butler County, and many of those in adjoining counties, reported for the Su- preme Court from the year 1865 to the present time.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.