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 36
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J. Kennedy Irwin, M. D., was born in Washington county, Penn- sylvania, September 18, 1862, but shortly afterward removed to Alle- gheny county and has since resided there. He attended the common schools of Allegheny county, and later St. Vincent College at Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where he graduated in the classical course in 1882. re- ceiving the degree of Master of Arts. He then entered the Illinois State Pharmaceutical College, and was graduated in pharmacy in 1884, after which he attended Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, and grad- uated from that institution in 1888 with the degree of M. D. For the following four years he practiced in Philadelphia with Professor L. Web- ster Fox, a prominent lecturer on ophthalmology, and at the end of that time came to Pittsburg, where he has taken an eminent position among the leading physicians of the city. His residence is at Ben Avon, and his offce in the Smith building, and he devotes the major portion of his time to diseases of the eye. Dr. Irwin is a member of the Philadelphia County Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Alumni of Jefferson Medical College, and is medical examiner for the New York Life Insurance Company and chief medical director of the Order of Unity.
June 10, 1891, Dr. Irwin was married to Margaret, daughter of Richard M. and Pauline ( Miller ) Webb, her father having been a prom- inent leather manufacturer of Jersey City, New Jersey. They had two children, James 11 .. Jr .. and Richard Webb Irwin. Mrs. Irwin died on July 4, 1896, and is sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends.
JOHN S. LAMBIE.
In the genealogical record as well as the personal career of this distinguished member of the Pittsburg bar there are many salient
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points of interest which challenge the attention of the biographist and the student, and it is a privilege to offer in this work even an epitome of the records.
John Sioussa Lambie, who is of pure Scotch and French extrac- tion, is a native of the city of Pittsburg, where he has attained so notable prestige as a citizen and as a member of the legal profession, which he has honored and dignified by his services. He was born on the ist of November. 1843. being the son of William and Aimee (Sioussa ) Lambie, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of the city of Washington, their marriage being solemnized in the national capital on the 24th of March. 1840. William Lambie was reared and educated in Scotland, where he learned the trade of stone-cutting. He emigrated to America in 1830. locating in Pittsburg, where he was en- gaged in the stone and marble business until his death. which occurred in 1858. He became one of the leading contractors in his line, and was known as a man of ability and sterling character. In politics he was an old-line Whig and in religion was identified with the Cove- nanters or Reformed Presbyterian church, which had its origin in Scotland. as is a matter of historical record. His wife still survives, maintaining her home in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and having attained the venerable age of more than fourscore years. Of her eight sons and three daughters, five of the former and one of the latter are still living.
In the paternal iine the ancestry is traced back to the stanchest and most loyal of Scottish stock, and it is a matter of record that when Mary Queen of Scots came from France to England she took refuge in the home of Andrew Lambic, from whom John S. Lambic is directly descended. His grandfather in the maternal line was Jean Pierre Sioussa, who was born in France, where he was educated for the priest- hood of the Roman Catholic church. Ile, however, withdrew from
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ecclesiastical study and enlisted in the French navy, in which he took an active part in the memorable battle of the Nile, under Napoleon, who at that time effected the subjugation of Egypt. Monsieur Sioussa eventually came to America, landing in New York city, where he re- ceived his discharge from the French navy, and thence he proceeded to the city of Washington, where he was engaged as gardener at the executive mansion, under President Madison. When, during the war of 1812. the British effected the capture of the federal capital. Presi- dent Madison and his family had taken refuge in the town of Bladens- burg, Maryland, leaving Mr. Sioussa in charge of the White House. and when the British troops entered the city and practically effected the destruction of the executive mansion Sioussa succeeded in rescuing the only piece of furniture saved from the White House, the same being the painting of Washington, executed by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Mr. Lambie now has in his possession the letter written by President Madison thanking Mr. Sioussa for his successful effort in saving this valuable production. The president also gave Mr. Sioussa and his two sons positions in the Bank of the United States, where they continued to serve until the bank was abolished. under General Jackson as presi- dent. when they found positions in the Bank of the Metropolis, with which they continued to be connected until the close of their lives. Jean Pierre Sioussa died in the year 1854. and his sons survived him several years.
John S. Lambie secured his early educational discipline in the public schools of his native city, being graduated in the Central high school as a member of the class of 1862. He then began reading law under effective direction, his preceptor being Hon. Thomas M. Marshall, of Pittsburg, and he was thus engaged in his technical work of prepara- tion for the legal profession until 1865. In the meantime, as a mem-
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ber of the Pennsylvania militia, Mr. Lambie responded to the call of Governor Curtin, in 1862, and went to the front with the Fifteenth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under command of Colonel J. B. Clark, arriving at the seat of war just after the battle of Antietam and remaining several months on guard duty. In 1864 Mr. Lambie enlisted a second time, becoming a member of the One Hundred and Ninety-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under his old colonel. J. B. Clark, and he was thereafter in service for a period of four months, at the expiration of which the war closed and he received his honorable discharge.
Mr. Lambie returned to Pittsburg and was admitted to the bar of the state in 1865. He became associated in the active practice of his profession with A. M. Brown, a nephew of his former preceptor, Judge Marshall, and this alliance continued for the long period of thirty- six years, within which the firm built up a large and important business, retaining a representative clientage and attaining a commanding posi- tion at the bar of this section of the state. Mr. Lambie still con- tinues in active practice, and his position as a lawyer and a citizen is so unequivocal and so advanced as to render supererogatory any further statement in this connection. He has ever been a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies of the Republican party, having cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, but he has felt that his profession offered at all times the fullest scope for his efforts and undivided attention, and has been signally free from political am- bition of a personal nature. His interest in all that conserves the prosperity and advancement of his home city has ever been of in- sistent order, and his is the distinction of having served for twenty- six consecutive years as a member of the city council, and he has now served three terms as president of that body. He has been a delegate
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to the various conventions of his party, and has been an able ex- ponent of Republican principles and policies. He is one of the leading members of the Eighth United Presbyterian church, of Pittsburg, of which he has been an officer for thirty-three years, while for seven years he served as superintendent of its Sunday-school. Fraternally he is identified with Post No. 3. Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is past commander.
In 1865 Mr. Lambie was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Cun- ningham, a daughter of John Cunningham. She died in 1869, leav- ing one daughter. Elizabeth, who is now the wife of Dr. Edward Wig- gins, of Philadelphia. On the 21st of July. 1870. Mr. Lambic was married to Miss Anna Robertson. She was born in the city of Pitts- burg, being the daughter of Thomas Robertson, one of the prominent citizens of the place. Of this second union have been born three sons and four daughters, namely: Jeannette, Aimee, Annie ( deceased). Marguerite, Charles, John and Thomas.
In conclusion we enter the following appreciative characterization of Mr. Lambie, the same having been given by Mr. E. S. Morrow. assistant comptroller of the city of Pittsburg: "I have known Mr. Lambie for over forty years and know him to be a man of exceedingly correct habits of life, in all its relations, having none of the vices, great or smali. He was the originator of the children's day, or flower day. in the public schools, involving the custom, which has been for many years observed in Pittsburg, of having each child bring a plant or flowers with which to decorate the graves of the soldiers on Memorial Day. Hle is also noted for carrying out his views and as being unyielding and uncompromising in his course when his conscience renders approval. and he never swerves from what he considers just and fair."
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GEORGE C. HETZEL.
George C. Hetzel, the founder and present head of the extensive manufacturing corporation, the George C. Hetzel Company, of Chester. Pennsylvania, is familiarly known in all parts of the United States in connection with the manufacture of worsteds and woolen goods for men's wear. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. January 3. 1858, the eldest son of John G. and Caroline Hetzel. His father was born in 1830, in Wurtemberg, Germany, where he was reared and acquired a common school education. Upon attaining young manhood he came to this country and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he continued to reside for the remainder of his life. Politically he was a firm adherent of the Democratic party, and in his religious views was a loyal supporter of the tenets of the Lutheran church. In 1856 he married Miss Caroline Naegele, a native of Germany, and four sons and two daughters were born to them. Mr. Iletzel's death occurred in the forty-sixth year of his age.
George C. Hetzel attended the public schools of Philadelphia, where he obtained a good practical education. Upon reaching the age of six- teen years he left school in order to accept a clerkship in the office of the United States Plate Glass Insurance Company of Philadelphia, and he remained an employe of that corporation for five years. In 1879 he entered into partnership with B. W. Greer, in his present manufacturing business under the style of B. W. Greer & Hetzel, and the plant, which consisted of thirty-two Bridesburg looms, on which ginghams and shirting cheviots were woven, was located at Sixteenth and Reed streets, Philadelphia. Their business increased so rapidly that in 1881 it was found necessary to increase their facilities, so they removed to Eight- eenth street and Washington avenue, and added extra looms and began
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the manufacture of the finest shirtings and madras cloth at that time made in this country. This branch of the business proving very re- munerative, it was again found necessary to increase the size of their plant, and in 1883 they removed their machinery to the new mill just then completed by William Arrott at Thirteenth and Carpenter streets, pur- chased more machinery, making in all one hundred and thirty-two looms. After a varied experience in producing all kinds of cotton goods the business was gradually changed to the manufacture of men's wear, worsteds and woolens. In order to manufacture these articles they had to dispose of their old machinery, and purchase Knowles' fancy looms, to which were added the necessary finishing and dyeing machinery.
In 1888 Mr. Hetzel purchased his partner's share of the business. and shortly afterward admitted Job Smith and George W. AAtherholt into partnership under the firm name of George C. Hetzel & Company. Both the new partners had been employes of the old firm, and under the new arrangement Mr. Smith superintended the works and Mr. Ather- holt acted in the capacity of bookkeeper. In 1890 Charles G. Hetzel and, a few years later, William E. Hetzel, were admitted to the firm. In 1890 the firm removed their plant to the new mills erected for them at the corner of Front and Broomall streets, in the city of Chester. where they occupy an entire square. The main building, which is three stories high, fifty by one hundred and ninety-two feet. contains the warp-dressing, designing, winding, spooling and finishing departments. the offices and packing rooms; they have also dye houses one hundred and thirty-two by fifty-three feet and sixty-four by fifty-three feet ; boiler and engine houses, fifty-four by sixty feet : machine shop. seven- teen by seventeen feet : dryer house, sixteen by sixty-two feet ; a drug house, eighteen by thirty-six feet, and a one-story weave shed, one
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hundred and eighty-six by one hundred and eight feet in dimensions, with a glass roof. These buildings are built of brick. furnished through- out with automatic sprinklers, electric lighting, water filters and supplied . with all the requisite modern improvements. The power for running the machinery is supplied by a two hundred and fifty horsepower Green automatic cut-off engine and four one hundred horsepower horizontal boilers and one two hundred and fifty horsepower upright boiler. The goods manufactured by the present firm in 1879 aggregated twenty thousand dollars in value, but under their efficient management and their upright and conscientious business dealings, the yearly product of their mills has steadily increased until it now amounts to over one million dollars annually. The mills are in constant operation, and give employment to between three and four hundred people in the manufacture of fancy worsted men's suitings and trouserings and women's suitings and cloakings. In February, 1901. the business was incorporated under the laws of the state of Pennsylvania as the "George C. Hetzel Company."
In addition to this extensive manufacturing business, Mr. Iletzel is also actively interested in many other enterprises both in this city and elsewhere. He is a director of the Chester National Bank. He was one of the incorporators and served as director in the Philadelphia Bourse, and he is a member of the Union League Club and the Art Club of Philadelphia. In his politics he is a stanch adherent of the policy of the Republican party, and in his religion he adheres to the doctrines of the Presbyterian church, being a member of the board of trustees of the church of that denomination in Ridley Park. where he has made his home for many years. He is a member of the council of the borough of Ridley Park and was chief burgess for three years ending March 1, 1903.
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BYRON W. KING, A. M., PH. D.
Byron Wesley King possesses talent which has placed his name high among the leading elocutionists of the cast, and he has won fame as a teacher, lecturer and entertainer throughout all the states of the union. His ability as an elocutionist is remarkable. since he has con- quered by personal effort alone an early defect in speech which would have debarred an ordinary man from public life, and to-day he directs in person an educational institution which gives instruction annually to more than one thousand pupils.
Professor King was born in Westmoreland county. Pennsylvania. and is a son of David J. King, a resident of Greensburg, this state, and who is a representative of that class of highly respected citizens who owe their honorable standing in society and remarkable success in business to their own unaided efforts. David J. King was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania. November 6, 1820, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Neff) King. His paternal grandfather was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and reared a large family, but after the birth of his son John he removed to Somerset county. this state. John King. the father of David J. King, was a farmer by occupation, was a Whig in his political views and was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. For his wife he chose Elizabeth Neff, the daughter of Nicholas Neff, who was of Ger- man descent and was a farmer of Somerset county. To this marriage were born two sons and one daughter.
David J. King attended the subscription schools of Somerset county until he was fifteen years of age, and at that early age entered upon his business career, with the humble ambition of winning hon- orable success and a comfortable home. His capital at that time con-
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sisted principally of two strong arms, a willingness to work and a firm determination to succeed, and, although he was forced to encounter many obstacles in his path to success, he was never disheartened in his hard struggle for a competence. Working as a farm laborer until 1839. he then removed to Westmoreland county, where for fifteen years he farmed on rented land. on the expiration of which period he was able to purchase a desirable property of one hundred and fifty-seven acres in Hempfield township. By devoting his entire time and energies to this property he succeeded in making it one of the best improved and most valuable farms in that section of the county. In 1888 he removed to Greensburg, where he has ever since made his home.
In 1848 Mr. King was united in marriage to Mary Ann Simpson, a daughter of William Simpson, who resided near Mount Pleasant. Pennsylvania. This union was blessed with twelve children, the follow- ing named of whom are still living: Rebecca, the wife of David Music. of Adamsburg. Pennsylvania : David B., who is a graduate of Lafayette College, where he was afterward professor of Latin for some years, and is now a prominent member of the New York city bar and a very successful lawyer : Fannie, the wife of Joseph W. Stoner: Theodore, of Richland county, Ohio; Theophilus, a resident of Alpsville, Pennsyl- vania: Byron W .: Frank .A., of Greensburg, Pennsylvania; Maryetta King: and John H., a resident of Paintersville. David J. King has been identified with the Democratic party since 1863. and has held the township offices of tax collector. assessor and school director, in all of which his executive ability, sound judgment and intelligent action made him successful and popular. For many years he was a deacon in the Mount Pleasant Presbyterian church, and since his removal to Greensburg has been a member of that denomination at that place. He is one who has ever had the courage to act upon his honest convictions,
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and although he is deliberate in forming conclusions he is firm in their defense.
Professor Byron King acquired his primary education in the public schools of his native locality, and at the age of thirteen years entered Mount Pleasant College, where he was graduated in 1877. receiving the honors of his class. During his boyhood he was so badly troubled with an impediment in his speech that it was impossible for him to recite, and he was then obliged to write his lessons, but by making a special study of the causes and remedies for stammering he succeeded in effecting a wonderful cure in his own case, while as a teacher he has won pronounced success in curing vocal defects. Some years prior to his graduation Mr. King began teaching in Mount Pleasant College, and after receiving his diploma he was made professor of mathematics in Jefferson College, while subsequently he became a teacher of elo- cution in Washington College and for one year professor of Latin and Greek in Mount Pleasant Academy. The following four years he spent in travel, after which he taught in sixty different schools in the central states. As an instructor he possesses marked ability and has held a number of important positions, having been professor of Latin and Greek in the Western Pennsylvania Classical and Scientific Institute, professor of higher mathematics and elocution in the Jefferson academy : and a professor in Washington and Waynesburg colleges, Wooster University, St. Joseph's Academy and Curry Institute : was a special teacher of elocution and Delsarte philosophy in Rogersville Seminary. Marysville College and the University of Tennessee : was special lecturer at Martyn College of Oratory, at Washington, D. C .; and was in- structor at Bay View Chautauqua. Mr. King received training in elocu- tion under private teachers in Boston. New York and Philadelphia, and in 1883 he opened the King's School of Oratory in Pittsburg, which is
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now the largest of its kind in the United States. The studies in this institution are often prolonged over three years, and in the outset they embrace Shakespeare, physiology, hygiene, English literature, literary analysis and the philosophy of expression, and at the present time the graduates of King's School are occupying prominent places in the pulpit, at the bar, on the lecture platform, the lyceum stage, and are among the most successful of actors. Professor King is president of the faculty and is a teacher of Latin. Greek, voice culture, theory of speech and Shakespeare, dramatic work and Delsarte philosophy.
On the 29th of November, 1883. Professor King was united in marriage to Inez E., daughter of Chester .A. and Olive Todd, of Chautauqua county, New York, and they have three children, Olive May. Beatrice and Byron, Jr. Mrs. King has won fame and popularity as a reader and has proved to her husband an able co-worker, acting as instructor in special departments of elocutionary work, teacher of stage action and dramatic selections for ladies, and a teacher of esthetic physical culture. Delsarte gymnastics, poses, attitudes and movement. She is a lady of unusual culture and refinement, and is proving a valu- able assistant to her husband in his life work.
Professor King is in constant demand as an elocutionist, and wherever he appears he carries his audience by storm. As a writer he is also widely known, and among other works he is the author of "Practice of Speech and Successful Selections," a treatise on voice action and general elocution, which has been introduced into three hundred or more colleges, academies and high schools and is used by many of the most noted teachers of elocution in America. It is de- signed tor self-instruction, but is equally available as a text-book. It is one of the most practical works of the kind published. and is recom- mended by Franklin K. Surgent, director of the Conservatory of Dra-
.
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matic Art in New York city; Dion Boucicault, late of the Lyceum Theater School, and many others of note. Professor King is a broad- minded, progressive man and public-spirited citizen, and in all life's, relations is found true to the duties of professional and social life which the day may bring forth.
IV. HORACE ROSE.
The data relative to Mr. Rose's ancestry was lost by the destruction of his papers in the Johnstown Flood in 1889, and the statement here given by him is one from memory, unverified by any official or semi- official paper :
"On my paternal side I am of the seventh generation of Ameri- cans. The first of my family came from England and settled in Vir- ginia. There were four brothers who crossed the ocean at the same time and subsequently divided off and formed four branches of the Rose family : one of which located in George; one in the Western Reserve following the Revolution ; one in Maryland ; and the other, the line from which I come, at an early date removed from Virginia to Maryland. thence into what was then Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and located along the region of the Bloody Run. What part my ancestors took in the American Revolution I am unable to state. My great-grandfather. Allen Rose, was a member of the first grand jury in the county of Bed- ford. My grandfather. William Rose, resided in the vicinity of Bloody Run until the close of the eighteenth century. My father, Allen Rose. was born in Bedford county and served in Harrison's campaign in the northwest as a private soklier. Upon his return he located in Somerset county, where he married my mother. Elizabeth Fream. In 1828 he moved to Cambria county and located at Johnstown, where he resided
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until the date of his death in 1851. He was a builder and contractor by occupation.
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