USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of genealogy and biography of the state of Pennsylvania with a compendium of history. A record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Volume I > Part 28
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Mr. Bailey was a member of the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He never took any part in politics, but was a firm supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. He was a member of the select council for four years,-a position entirely un- sought by him,-and was also a school director. He was married in 1867 to Miss Martha E. Dalzell, a daughter of James Dalzell. Mrs. Bailey died in 1883, leaving three children, all now living.
THOMAS STEEL BIGELOW.
Thomas Stcel Bigelow, a corporate lawyer and prominent citizen ' of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, is a native of his home city, and was born
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on Fourth avenue, which at that time was one of the principal residence thoroughfares of the city. He comes of good ancestry on both sides of the house. His father. Edward Manning Bigelow, died when Thomas was only eight years old, but the son was furnished with all the advan- tages of education, which he utilized to the highest degree. He was studious and ambitions from early boyhood, and took rather to books than to the pranks that are usual with boys of his age. He obtained his earlier education in the second ward school, where so many boys were educated to future usefulness in their city and to high positions of trust and honor. He next entered Dr. Williams' Academy on Dia- mond street, where he finished his literary training.
Mr. Bigelow had already formed a liking for the law, and had read with avidity all books that came in his way, and when he was ready to begin his preparation for the profession he entered the office of George Shiras, who has since come to fame by being elevated to the supreme bench of the United States. Securing admission to the bar, he began practice, and, by hard application and perseverance through all the ups and downs of that early period of his career, he came gradually into his share of the legal business of the city, and, before long, "Tom" Bigelow, as he was called, was mentioned as one of the leading lawyers and a careful and scrupulous practitioner.
In politics Mr. Bigelow has rather unselfishly aided the aspira- tions of others than sought office himself. But he accepted at the hands of his friends the office of city attorney, which he held with credit and dignity for nine years. Throughout this period he had the reputa- tion of being one of the most tactful, as well as able, men that ever were incumbent of the position. The office gained him honor, and his conduct while in it increased his great popularity with the people.
He resigned the city attorneyship to devote his attention to the
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street railway business. It may be said that he has done more to de- velop rapid transit systems in western Pennsylvania than any other man. He was a close friend of the late William J. Burns, and he pre- pared the assembly bill under which the West End traction line was chartered, going to Harrisburg for the purpose. The Pittsburg Trac- tion owes its inception to him. He first conceived the idea of convert- ing the old Pittsburg and Oakland horse-car line into an up-to-date cable road. It was a knotty problem to solve, but he had the temper and genius to do it, and lie has thie satisfaction of knowing that this was the forerunner of most of the rapid transit lines in this part of the country. When the company was finally organized Mr. Bigclow was elected vice president and was one of the principal stockholders.
Mr. Bigelow's Republican tendencies have brought him out, within the last few years, somewhat into the arena of politics. He was one of the principal supporters of Matthew Stanley Quay for re-election. And it was partly through his activity at Harrisburg that the famous "Rip- per Bill" for the chartering of second class cities was passed. Mr. Bigelow has never married, but resides with his sister on North High- land avenue, West End. He is a member of the East Liberty Presby- terian church, and one of the financial pillars, having contributed liber- ally to the building of the present handsome church edifice.
JOHN PHILLIPS.
John Phillips, coal operator, iron manufacturer and prominent busi- ness man of Sharon, Pennsylvania, was born in Union county, that state, October 1, 1829. Ile is a son of Samuel Phillips, who was a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, where he was born April
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1, 1805, and married Susanna Winey, of Union county, the same state. In 1836 the family removed from Union county to the farm in Hickory township, Mercer county, whereon Sammel resided until his death. September 1. 1888, and where his wife died July 2, 1884, aged seventy-five years and seven months.
John Phillips grew to manhood on the old homestead and entered the employ of General Pierce, with whom he remained three years, prin- cipally engaged in attending to the coal-shipping interests of that gen- tleman. He then spent a couple of years in farming, and in 1854 formed a partnership with General Pierce, under the firm style of J. Phillips & Company. for the purpose of mining and shipping coal. In 1855 he opened the coal beds on his father's farm and managed the mining and shipping interests of the firm until 1861-2, when he sold out to his partner, and in 1863 he leased coal lands on the farms of the late John Eberhart and Samuel Fry and developed the same. The firm of Phillips, McMaster & Company, later J. Phillips & Company, mined coal on these farms and vicinity until 1887, when they retired from the business. From 1864 to 1883 Mr. Phillips was interested in the Sharps- ville Railroad, and was one of the organizers of the Spearman Iron Company, at Sharpsville, and has since been connected with that insti- tution. Mr. Phillips has been a stockholder, vice president and director in the Sharon National Bank from its organization in 1875 until 1902. when it was sold to the newly organized Sharon Savings & Trust Com- pany, of which institution Mr. Phillips is a large stockholder, one of its honored vice presidents and a director, as well as being one of the pro- moters and directors of the hospital, and president of Oakwood Ceme- tery Association. He is always ready to give of his means and use his influence for the advancement and good of the town and community
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and help his fellowmen, doing many noble acts and deeds of charity in a quiet way.
On May 13, 1858, he was married to Miss Emma, daughter of John and Susanna ( Berlin) Eberhart, early settlers of Hickory town- ship. Mercer county. Mrs. Phillips was a native of that county, and became the mother of three children, namely: Florence E., who mar- ried W. G. Henderson, of Sharon; Sadie M., who married John C. Owsley; and Charles F., of Sharon, who married Mary McClure. The mother of these children died October 20, 1885, aged forty-nine years and three months. Although a life-long member of the Lutheran church, she united with the Methodist Episcopal church a short time before her death, to which body her husband belongs. Mr. Phillips is a Democrat in politics, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
ENOCH FILER.
Enoch Filer, coal dealer and operator, was born in England, Jan- uary 15, 1833. He is a son of Thomas and Ann ( Barber) Filer, who lived and died in England. Enoch Filer came from England to Mer- cer county, Pennsylvania, in March. 1852, and began working at the coal business, which he had followed in his native land. In 1859 he sank the first large shaft on the farm of John Hofius, Hickory town- ship, this being the introduction of that class of mining in Mercer county. and the first in which machinery was used for hoisting the coal. He subsequently sank a shaft for Kimberly, Forker & Company, and also one for Pierce, Scott & Allen. He afterward spent a couple of years in the oil region, where he was engaged in the coal business for him- self. In 1866 he returned to Mercer county, purchased an interest in the original shaft on the Hofmus farm, and soon afterward went into
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partnership with Samuel Kimberly. under the style of Kimberly & Filer. Soon afterward he was connected in the coal business with James West- erman, whose estate is still a part of the company. Mr. Filer is to-day the oldest and most prominent coal operator in Mercer county, and has been very successful in business.
His various properties may be detailed as follows: Ormsby Works No. 1. by Enoch Filer. for J. W. Ormsby & Pierce, on the farm of John Hofius in 1859, continued until 1871, the first shaft in which ma- chinery was used for hoisting coal; Keel Ridge No. 1, shaft sunk by Enoch Filer for Kimberly & Forker on the Titus farm, four miles from Sharpsville in 1863, the former owners of which were Samuel Kimberly and Henry Forker. ownership changed to Kimberly Forker & Company, but property was abandoned in December, 1874: Mount Pleasant Shaft, sunk on land of Enoch Filer by Kimberly & Filer in 1869, with average daily capacity of three hundred tons: Snyder Bank, on Snyder farm. opened by Kimberly, Filer & Company, in 1873: Congressional Bank, sunk on the Love farm by Spearman, Ulp. Kimberly & Filer in 1874, reached by the Sharpsville railroad branch to Bethel.
On May 21, 1853, Mr. Filer was married to Elizabeth Lawton, a native of England, by whom he has had six children, namely : John F., Enoch L .. Frank P., Henry J .. Walter G. and Clara. Politically Mr. Filer is a Democrat. Fraternally he is a Mason, and the entire family belong to the Episcopal church. He is one of the enterprising. progres- sive business men of the Shenango valley.
JOHN DAUB.
For many years the most influential citizen of Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, was the stanch German-American John Daub. His prominence
Johns Douce P.
7ra. John Daub
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in circles of trade and business was not his sole title to distinction, for he was true to all the trusts reposed in the keeping of American citizen- ship, was beloved by all his associates for his strict integrity, and best of all was honored for his noble manhood and kindness of heart displayed before his family and friends. And in this last respect we see one of the sweetest and happiest points of his career, for in the charming bonhomie and the inspiring and helpful trust between him and his de- voted wife lies the mainspring of his success, and in the following brief biography this dual relationship must be constantly held in mind, for their ways were one till death separated them.
Jolin Daub was the son of John and Sophia (Feltbusch) Daub, the former a shoemaker in the sense in which that term is used in the German country, that is, an artist in the manufacture of all articles of footwear. The family residence was in the town of Obergleen, for- merly in Hesse-Darmstadt, and that was the birthplace of the son John on the 22d of August, 1826. He attended the "Volkschule" of his native village up to his twelfth year, and was then withdrawn in order to enter the schools at Frankfort on the Main. He completed the excellent course at this school, and then, as the tastes of himself and the family ran to mercantile pursuits, began his novitiate in a grocery store in Frankfort, remaining there until 1848. While here he formed the acquaintance of Miss Emilie Rudolph, who at the age of fifteen had been sent to Frankfort to obtain a business training, in accordance with the general custom of preparing girls as well as boys for their life work. She was the daughter of John and Christina ( Stolzenbach) Rudolph, and her father was a manufacturer and dealer in broadcloths in Homburg. The similarity of tastes and aspirations soon ripened the acquaintance of these young people into affection, and on March 18, 1848, they began life's journey together. Immediately after the wedding
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they took an extensive trip through Germany and England, and from the latter country embarked for America, reaching New York harbor after a voyage of thirty-five days, which would have been tedious to any but a young bridal couple.
On their arrival in this land of promise Mr. and Mrs. Daub at once came to Pittsburg, which they reached after what was in those days a rather hazardous journey over the mountains, and they reached their destination just in time to witness the ebullition of patriotic enthusiasm to which the American populace gives vent on the glorious Fourth of July. They at once established a small grocery, and in the meantime Mr. Daub set himself to the task of learning the English language in the night schools. Ably seconded by his good wife, he managed his business so well that in the second year he was obliged to enlarge his quarters and hire help, and at the beginning of the Civil war it is said that he had the largest grocery trade in Pittsburg. During that strife he supplied the subsistence committee, the sanitary committee, the soldiers' home and the hospitals about the city. In 1882 he sold his grocery to his sons and retired permanently from that line of activity. These sons were Emil D. and Theodore G., and the other children were: Johanna T. was the wife of Eugene Schmidt, a promi- nent musician of Pittsburg, and Mrs. Schmidt died in 1873; Frederick Charles died July 8, 1872, just as he had reached maturity; Jolin, Jr., married and at his death left four children: Emilia died in infancy ; and Sophia was the wife of J. T. Capel, who died the 15th of June, 1898. Altogether there are ten grandchildren.
After his retirement Mr. Daub devoted himself to other interests till his death. He was one of the original stockholders of the Third National Bank of Pittsburg, which was organized in October, 1863, and at the time of his death be was not only the oldest director in point
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of service, but in all the meetings of the board his seat had been seldom vacant. He was also a director of the Allemannia Fire Insurance Com- pany from 1877; he was likewise director of the old Pittsburg Gas Company and of the Pittsburg Insurance Company. He was a stanch Republican in politics, was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Masonic fraternity, and belonged to the German Lutheran church. Mr. Daub was for many years vice-president of the old Pittsburg Gas Company. of which David Hostetter was president. He left a very fine estate Villa Meinheim, an estate of five acres on Homewood avenue, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the East End of the fashionable section of Pittsburg.
It was with genuine grief that the citizens of Pittsburg learned of the death of this noble man on the IIth of November, 1902, and many are the tributes which have been paid to his memory by friends and associates. Ogden Russell, the cashier of the Third National Bank. voiced the sentiments of many business man when he said he was "a man of keen insight and powers of observation, conservative in judg- ment, unsullied in integrity. His opinions were of great value to all his business associates." "He was very near to me and a valued asso- ciate of many years," was one of the expressions of William Stein- meyer, the president of the AAllemannia Insurance Company.
Mrs. Daub, who for over half a century concerned herself with every matter of her husband's welfare and was in the best sense a "help- mate," and who now survives revered and beloved of all in her age, has given us the best insight into her husband's character and career in the following words: "We came from two families of merchants and natural storekeepers, and consequently were very successful in business. My husband was an exceedingly kind-hearted man both in business and in private life, and was never known to annoy the poor but honest debtor,
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and he constantly studied the comfort of his wife and family." Truly, one who all the world might say was a man,-a loving husband, a devoted father, a true friend, a loyal citizen, and one who feared God and did what was right.
JUDGE JAMES M. GALBREATH.
Judge James M. Galbreath, who in November, 1902, was elected to the bench of the common pleas court of Butler county, and who for about twenty years has been a member of the county bar, maintaining a leading position in the ranks of the legal fraternity here, is a native of Winfield township. Butler county, Pennsylvania, born September 27, 1852.
His father, Robert Galbreath, was also born in the Keystone state, and during his business career carried on general farming and stock- raising. He was extensively interested in the latter department of labor. and did much to improve the grade of stock raised in his portion of the state. His specialty was fine sheep, and many excellent specimens of high-grade sheep, cattle and horses were always to be found upon his place. A man of strong convictions, he never faltered in support of his honest convictions, and in ante-bellum days fearlessly announced him- self as an opponent of the institution of slavery and did much to pro- mote an abolition sentiment. He voted with the Whig party until the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery, when he joined its ranks and remained one of its stalwart advocates until his death, which occurred in 1871. His widow, who is still living at the age of seventy-six years, bore the maiden name of Isabella Mc- Cafferty, and was of Irish parentage. To them were born nine chil- dren, of whom three are yet living.
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Upon the home farm Judge Galbreath was reared, and in the com- mon schools pursued his education until he attained his eighteenth year, when he enjoyed the privilege of more advanced educational training in the Slate Lick Academy, in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. His preparatory work was further supplemented by a year's study in the Witherspoon Institute, of Butler, Pennsylvania, and he then entered upon his collegiate work, matriculating in Princeton University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1880. In the meantime he had made choice of the law as a life work, and at the end of his college course began reading in the office and under the direction of W. D. Brundon, a leading member of the Butler county bar, and two years later, on the 6th of March, 1882, he was admitted to the bar and began practice. His success came soon, because his equipment was unusually good. He had been prepared by careful preliminary training, and in con- nection with those qualities indispensable to the lawyer-a keen, rapid, logical mind, plus the business sense, and a ready capacity for hard work, -he brought to the starting point of his legal career certain rarer gifts -eloquence of language and a strong personality. An earnest, digni- fied manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law and the ability accurately to apply its principles are the factors in his effectiveness as an advocate.
On the 18th of May, 1882, shortly following his admission to the bar, the Judge was united in marriage to Miss Sallie E. Mitchell, a daughter of John Mitchell, of Butler, Pennsylvania, and they now have three children, Edith, Irene and John Galbreath, the family circle re- maining unbroken by the hand of death.
In all matters pertaining to the progress and general welfare of his community Judge. Galbreath takes a deep and co-operative interest. The cause of education has found in him a special friend, and he has
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labored effectively for the improvement of the school system of Butler county. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has been an unfaltering advocate of the principles of the Republican party, but has had no desire for office, nor has he ever consented to become a candidate for official preferment outside the strict path of his profession. In June, 1902, however, at the earnest solicitation of many friends, he accepted the nomination for the position of judge of the common pleas court, and the election indicated the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens. He brings to the bench the highest qualifications for this responsible office in the state government. Hle is a man of unimpeach- able character, of strong intellectual endowments, patience, urbanity and industry, and therefore is well qualified for the position which he is now filling.
WILLIAM J. BRENNEN.
William J. Brennen, one of the most brilliant lawyers of Pitts- burg and prominently identified with trades unionism in western Penn- sylvania, is of Irish descent, and the son of John Brennen and Teressa Gallagher, daughter of William Gallagher, who came from county Mayo, Ireland. John Brennen, who was born in Pittsburg in 1820, was a millwright by trade and was continuously employed by the firm of Jones and Laughlin from 1853 to 1880. At the time of his death, in 1881, he was the oldest machinist in Pittsburg. He was careful and painstaking, a master of all the details of his trade, and was regarded as one of the best informed men in his line in the city. He was inter- ested in the cause of public education, serving on some of the school boards of his city.
William J. Brennen is one of ten children, nine of whom are liv-
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ing at present. He was born in Pittsburg. September 5. 1850, and his career of a little over a half century contains many lessons for the aspiring young American. Until his eleventh year he attended the pub- lic and private schools. At this early age he went to work for Jones and Laughlin as a "pull up" in the bar-mill heating furnace: was then an assistant to the machinists and in rolling cold-rolled iron, remaining in this position through the Civil war, where so much work was done for the government. He was fifteen years old at the close of the war, and he then decided to gratify his thirst for further knowledge and be- came a student in a private school conducted by the Christian Brother- hood. He was compelled to enter at the bottom of the class, but in six monthis was at the head. He next apprenticed himself to learn the ma- chinist's trade in the rolling mill of Jones and Laughlin, and continued there as a journeyman until 1872. At the completion of his apprentice- ship the company rewarded his skill by presenting him with a complete kit of tools. He was employed in a number of cities as an expert, but finally returned to Pittsburg. One of his acts on his return is especially deserving of mention. He realized that many of the young men in the mills were situated as he had been, without an opportunity of gaining knowledge except by private study outside of working hours, and he accordingly organized and taught a class of about his own age. He was then about twenty years of age. He, also, was employing every spare hour in reading, and gave special attention to mechanical drawing.
In 1880 Mr. Brennen came to what proved the turning point of his career. In that year he ran for alderman of the twenty-fourth ward, but was counted out at the election. He contested the count. and the court decided in his favor, and from 1881 to 1885 he filled the office with credit to himself and his party. But the point of special importance in this connection is that, during the contest before the election judges,
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he managed the affair so coolly, showed such cleverness and fluency of speech, that his attorney urged him to read law. The suggestion was all he needed, for all his inclinations lay in that direction, and he became a student with J. K. P. Duff, of Pittsburg, and was admitted to the bar in 1883. Mr. Duff then took him into partnership, under the name of Duff and Brennen, but in 1888 the senior member retired, leav- ing his young partner to carry on the business alone. Mr. Brennen now has an extensive practice in civil, criminal and patent law cases, and also represents many building and loan associations, as well as large cor- porations. He is a director of the T. Campbell Glass Company of Pitts- burg and of the Blair Land Company.
Mr. Brennen has always been a loyal Democrat, and has attained considerable local prominence in politics, although his residence in Re- publican districts has prevented him from sharing the honors of office as often as his friends have wished. In 1876 he was chosen delegate to the Democratic national convention, and was the youngest member of that body. In 1878 he was a member of the common council from the twenty-fourth ward, and was on the gas and lighting and the re- trenchment and reform committees. While in council he had a resolu- tion adopted authorizing evening sessions of the council; also an ordi- nance requiring city streets to be cleaned by contract, which was in force for four years, until repealed by political influence ; as a member of the gas lighting committee he exerted himself to secure the passage of a bill providing gasoline lamps for streets where gas was not avail- able, and this ordinance is still in force. In 1878 he ran for the legis- lature, but in this case his political complexion defeated him. In 1882 he was elected Democratic county chairman, and was in that position till 1895. He was appointed clerk of the committee on labor at the na- tional capital in 1883, serving for two years. He was an unsuccessful
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