USA > Pennsylvania > Cambria County > History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 39
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Daniel J. Morrell and his associates secured control of the Kelly patent, while John F. Winslow of Troy, New York, and
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his associates, obtained the right to use the Bessemer process in America. However, when it came to operate the machinery of the respective patents it was found there was an interference not only between Bessemer and Kelly, but in an improvement on the Bessemer process which was patented by Robert F. Mushet, of England. To make the process entirely successful a combination of these three patents was made in 1866, whereby Mr. Winslow and John A. Griswold were the owners of seven- tenths of the right. and Daniel J. Morrell, in trust, for the Kelly interest held the other three-tenths.
CONVERTER
OF AMERICA
Kelly Steel Converter, 1858.
The first Bessemer steel made in America was produced by William F. Durfee, at Wyandotte, Michigan, in September 1864, and the first steel rail was rolled at the North Chicago mill, May 24, 1865. Mr. George Fritz of Johnstown was present on the latter occasion. However, the first lot of steel rails rolled to fill an order were made at the Cambria works in August, 1867.
The Open Hearth process was introduced in Cambria, and the first output was in October, 1879. Mr. Geer without the use of technical terms concisely defines the distinction thus: In Bessemer steel the carbon in the pig metal is eliminated by
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forcing a blast of cold air through the hot metal in the con- verter, but as some carbon is necessary, it is resupplied in proper proportions by adding manganiferous pig metal, or ferro- manganese while it is in a state of fusion. Open Hearth steel is a product of pig metal containing any percentage of carbon that may be desired. It is obtained by melting the metal on the hearth of the furnace by means of the flame passing over the bath. thereby eliminating the carbon, which is then re-car- bonized as may be desired. It requires much more time to make the latter, but it is of a finer quality. It is a competitor of wrought iron and other kinds of steel, and is used in the con- struction of ships, buildings and all kinds of tools. The latter process was made successful in 1864, by Dr. Charles William and Frederick Siemens, natives of Hanover, but citizens of England, in conjunction with Emile and Pierre Martin of the Sireuil works in France. In March, 1907, Cambria has four 20-ton and fifteen 50-ton capacity open hearth furnaces in operation, with two additional 50-ton furnaces in course of construction.
The ingots for the first steel rails rolled at Cambria works were made at Harrisburg. They were hammered into blooms under a five ton hammer. George Fritz, the chief mechanical engineer, became convinced that was not the proper method to treat steel, and devised a set of blooming rolls which he placed in a 21-inch rail train. It was a great advance in the primary days of the introduction of Bessemer steel. In conjunction with the train of rolls, he invented the driving rollers in the tables and the hydraulic pusher for turning over and moving the ingots. These two features constitute the Fritz Blooming Mill patent, which was instantly adopted in all the Bessemer works in this country and is now used. Mr. Fritz also constructed the con- verting mill according to his own ideas for the manufacture of steel. He built vertical disconnected blowing engines, and ar- ranged the converting building under one roof, without any dividing wall between the melting and casting houses.
The first steel blow was made at Cambria on July 10, 1871, when Robert W. Hunt had charge of the Bessemer plant. George Fritz died August 5, 1873, in the prime of his success- ful life. In the following September Mr. Hunt left Cambria and became engaged at Troy, New York. John E. Fry suc- ceeded Mr. Hunt, and Daniel N. Jones was made chief mechani- cal engineer, vice Fritz. Captain William R. Jones then became connected with the Edgar Thomson works at Braddocks, where
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he has made a brilliant record in the manufacture of steel, and especially in his invention of the "mixer," in order to use the hot metal as it came from the blast furnaces to the steel works.
On the death of George Fritz the "London Engineering" said :
"It is not much to say that Mr. George Fritz, and his brother, Mr. John Fritz, have created the American rail mill, and established the success of the manufacturer, chiefly in their radically new system of arranging and working three-high rolls, but largely, also, in every detail of plant-in heating apparatus, in adaptation of power in finishing machinery and in general arrangement; they have put their mark on every feature, not only of the rail mill, but of the American rolling mills at large." * * * One of his remarkable talents was "his nov- elties always worked well at the first trial."
Great rivalry existed between the Cambria and the Edgar Thomson works in the seventies. The record breaker for the output in Cambria Bessemer plant on March 21, 1876, was 297 gross tons in twenty-four hours; 1475 in a week and 6051 tons in a month. About the same time the latter had an output of 265 in a day and 5403 gross tons in a month.
Mr. Hunt and Mr. Fry were the joint patentees of the prin- ciple of filling an ingot mould from the bottom, the steel being poured into the top of an adjoining mould.
There was also intense rivalry in the output of the blast furnaces. The largest daily output in those days was 750 tons from one furnace, but such records are not entirely satisfactory, as better results can be obtained by a continued and settled out- put of 550 tons daily.
The miners' strike in the panic of 1873 was the most seri- ous labor dispute that ever occurred at the Cambria works. The distress throughout the country was severe, but there was lit- tle discontent here until the spring of '74. On March 17 the miners met in their hall in the Fronheiser building, on the cor- ner of Clinton and Railroad streets, and decided to cease work, as their wages were too low. Their demand was for a sliding scale, to receive one cent for each dollar on the market price for rails ; this meant an increase of one mill. In 1873 iron rails had sold for $83 per ton, but at the time of the strike the price had fallen to $60.
On the 26th, John Siney, president of the Miners' Union for
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the state, arrived in the city, and upon consultation appointed a committee to call upon Mr. Morrell. The latter declined to treat with the committee in its collective capacity, but agreed to do so as individuals, and with all of the employees. A large meet- ing was held, Mr. Siney spoke and advised a settlement, but if the strike was forced he would be the last one to say quit. On April 6 Mr. Morrell issued a circular to the employees stating the financial situation. as well as the depression in the iron and steel trade ; that the company would continue to operate its mills if it had the co-operation of its employees, and all those who were satisfied to work should report at once, and those declining to accept the situation would be regarded as withdrawing from the service. The steel works were started that day, but on the morning of the 7th work was suspended owing to a large num- ber of the employees in the blooming mill, who belonged to vari- ous unions, leaving their work. However, their places were soon filled, but the majority of the miners took their tools from the mines.
On April 21 the mill was in fair operation, having sixteen puddling and eight heating furnaces active. This caused serious difficulty between the workmen and the strikers. On the 21st Michael Smith, who was subsequently convicted of the murder of John Minnahan, but escaped a few days before the day of his execution, went to the mill while he was under the influence of liquor, and became very abusive. Being requested to leave, he drew a dirk, which he threatened to use, but withdrew. On the 22d William Walton, a roller from the Pennsylvania Steel Works at Harrisburg, came here to work, and while sitting on the porch in front of the Merchants' Hotel about 9:15 p. m. was struck by a large stone thrown from the street, which fractured his skull. On the next day Mr. Morrell offered a re- ward of one thousand dollars for information leading to the ar- rest and conviction of the person who threw it, but he was not discovered.
On May 8 Mr. Siney, at a meeting in the Union hall, recom- mended the miners to go to work in a body if they considered they were defeated. This proposition was submitted to Mr. Morrell, who directed that all who desired work should apply to James Morley, the superintendent, who would assign them to such places as were vacant, at the old rate of wages. These con- ditions were not satisfactory to a large portion of those who were discontented. The places of the absentees were being
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filled, and on June 1 notice was posted that the rate of pay would be increased to ten mills, instead of nine mills under the old scale.
A serious disturbance took place on June 3 on Washing- ton street, near Park Place. Revolvers were fired, but no one was severely injured.
Public and private interests were becoming demoralized throughout the town. Under these conditions, and in face of great distress in the country, George T. Swank, editor of the Tribune, advised the discontented men of the impropriety of their actions, and recommended that they return to their employ- ment. This was unpopular, of course, and brought the question into politics. On June 12 a meeting was held on "The Point" to consider financial and political affairs. A large assembly had gathered, and upon the organization resolutions were adopted principally upon financial affairs, except the sixth paragraph, which was as follows: "Resolved, That in the appointment of George T. Swank as postmaster, the wishes of the people have been disregarded and violated, and that while their votes are solicited for certain candidates they cannot be heard in matters of great interest to themselves; therefore, we will repudiate at the polls the political aspirations of those who were instru- mental in procuring so obnoxious an appointment." Mr. Swank was appointed and served for twelve years.
The situation continued to be serious. On June 20 two large cinders were thrown through the window of a dwelling on Union street, one of them striking the wife of the occupier. On the 25th the Mill mine was entered, the cars were wrecked and the miners' tools broken. On July 18 the Miners' Union an- nounced the disbanding of the local union, and soon thereafter the rollers, the puddlers and other trade unions also disbanded. Since that date there has been no substantial effort to reorgan- ize these unions, nor has the policy of the company changed in reference thereto as provided by the rules of the company adopt- ed in 1862.
THE GAUTIER STEEL COMPANY, LIMITED.
The Gautier Department of the Cambria Steel Company occupied the ground bounded by the Conemaugh river and Cen- ter street, on the east by the Woodvale bridge, and on the west by the Cambria railroad bridge, near the Pennsylvania R. R. station.
It was the successor of a plant for the manufacture of steel
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products, conducted by Josiah H. Gautier and associates in Jer- sey City, New Jersey, transferred to Johnstown in 1878. For the first three years it was a distinct subsidiary institution of the Cambria Iron Company, and was organized under the law appli- cable to limited partnerships with the above title. The firm began its legal existence May 1, 1878, and was to continue for twenty
Daniel Johnson Morrell.
years, unless sooner dissolved. At that time the capital was $300,000. Its object was to manufacture "wire rods, wire spring steel, wagon tires, steel carriage springs, hay rake teeth, mowing machine fingers, bars and other shapes and ar- ticles of iron and steel."
In May, 1879, the capital was increased to a total of $500,-
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000, with these members of the firm and distribution: Daniel J. Morrell, $249,800; George Webb, $100; Daniel N. Jones, $100; Josiah H. Gautier, $200,000; Thomas B. Gautier, $25,000; Dud- ley G. Gautier, $25,000.
In July, 1881, it was decided to dissolve the limited part- nership, whereupon, Daniel J. Morrell, Powell Stackhouse and W. S. Robinson were delegated liquidating trustees, who pro- ceeded to close the current accounts and on December 12, 1881, the firm was legally dissolved. Thereafter it became the property and a department of the Cambria Iron Company.
The Gautier Department was entirely destroyed in the great flood of May 31, 1889, when the lower mill and steel works were greatly damaged. On February 23, 1890, the Cambria Iron Company leased a mill in Cumberland, Maryland, and operated it until the Gautier mills were rebuilt.
Hon. Daniel J. Morrell died at his home in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on Thursday morning, August 20, 1885, at the age of sixty-four years and twelve days. His career was thus told by James M. Swank :
"Daniel Johnson Morrell was a descendant of one of three brothers, who in early colonial days emigrated from Old Eng- land to New England. From these three brothers there prob- ably descended all the Morrells and Morrills in the United States today. David Morrell, grandfather of Daniel J. Mor- rell, made his home in Maine considerably over a century ago, and here, in a settlement of Friends, or Quakers, in the town, or township, of Berwick, and county of York, was born, one hun- dred and two years ago, on the farm on which he died eleven years ago, Thaddeus Morrell. When about twenty-three years old he married a neighbor's daughter, Susannah Ayres. They were married on February 17, 1806, and were buried on the same day, June 10, 1874. Ten children were given to this Quaker couple, of whom eight grew to manhood and woman- hood. Daniel was the seventh child. He was born on the farm on August 8, 1821.
"The childhood and youth of Mr. Morrell were attended by such vicissitudes as are experienced by most boys whose lot has been cast in pioneer homes. His immediate ancestors were true pioneers, whose scanty fortunes had been carved from prime- val forests and gleaned from the virgin soil amid many hard- ships and at the risk of life itself. His father's family wore homespun, woven from threads of flax and wool which had made acquaintance with the family spinning-wheel. When old enough Daniel was taught to assist in the labors of the farm, and when the winter school was in session he was a regular attend-
Vol. I-28
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ant. But the entire time spent by him in the school-room did not exceed two years. The education thus acquired was, of course, limited to the most elementary studies. The only addi- tional 'schooling' he ever received was obtained in a course of study at a commercial college after his entrance upon a business life. His religious training was such as prevails among the Friends.
"Those citizens of York county who were not engaged in farming sixty-odd years ago found profitable and needed em- ployment in some form of manufacturing industry. If they did not make iron the first settlers of York county did make it. Dur- ing the Revolution the colonists had great difficulty in procur- ing iron, and extraordinary efforts were made to supply the want. Many Catalan forges were erected, by means of which malleable iron was obtained directly from the ore by a single fusion. One of these forges stood two miles from the farm of David Morrell, and from the farm itself was taken the ore from which the iron was made. The grandmother of the boy Daniel used to delight to tell him how the iron was made by the Catalan process in the forge that had long been abandoned. Years afterward, in a distant state, he successfully embarked in the manufacture of iron and steel on the largest scale and by the most improved modern processes.
"In 1837, when in his sixteenth year, Mr. Morrell left home and went to Philadelphia, to which city his older brother David had preceded him. David was engaged in the wholesale dry- goods trade as a member of the firm of Trotter, Morrell & Co., which occupied the building now designated as No. 32 North Fourth street. With this firm Mr. Morrell was employed as a clerk for five years, until 1842, when the firm dissolved, and he embarked in the same business for himself, in the same build- ing, his brother David being associated with him. The business of this firm was conducted with energy, but with some eccen- tricity on the part of David. the elder brother, which finally led to its dissolution. In 1845 Mr. Morrell joined Oliver Martin, a dealer in fancy dry goods, at No. 28 North Fourth street, first as clerk and afterwards as a partner, the firm name being Martin, Morrell & Co. In 1854 Mr. Martin died and Mr. Morrell became executor of his estate. Notwithstanding the death of Mr. Martin the business of the firm continued, and Mr. Morrell's duties kept him constantly engaged until 1855, when his mercantile career ended. He retired with a small capital, to assume the management of the Cambria Iron Works, at Johnstown, which had been established in 1853 for the manu- facture of iron rails, and which in 1855 passed into the hands of Wood, Morrell & Co., as lessees. This position he retained for nearly twenty-nine years, until January, 1884, when failing health obliged him to retire from all active business.
"Down to 1871 the production of the Cambria Iron Works
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was iron rails solely, in the manufacture of which they had acquired an excellent reputation; but long prior to this year the time had arrived when it became apparent that rails made of steel by the pneumatic process must ultimately displace those made of iron, on account of their greater durability. Mr. Morrell early perceived the coming revolution, and it was largely through his efforts and persistence that the directors of his company were among the first in this country to enter upon the business of manufacturing Bessemer rails. The company com- menced their manufacture in 1871.
"During the early part of his mercantile career he frequent- ly visited the Western and Southern states as collector, and in this way he obtained a knowledge of the extent and resources of the country which he could not otherwise have acquired. He was a regular attendant for several years upon the lectures of the Franklin Institute, and the time thus spent in a scientific atmosphere was most profitably employed. Attaching himself to the Whig party he became an ardent admirer of its great leader, Henry Clay, and from his speeches he obtained a knowl- edge of the policy of governmental protection to American in- dustry, of which policy he subsequently became one of the most prominent exponents in the country.
"Since 1855 Mr. Morrell has resided continuously in Johns- town and taken an active interest in its growth and prosperity. He might have kept himself aloof from its people and manifested no interest in their welfare, but he chose to regard himself as one of its number and to throw his influence in the scale in be- half of local improvements and an enlarged public spirit. Dur- ing the Rebellion he greatly aided the cause of the country by encouraging the enlistment of volunteers. Almost every able- bodied employe at the Works was at some period of the war an enlisted Union soldier. When the war closed his great ability, his patriotism, his intelligent and influential advocacy of the Protective policy, and his many sterling qualities of head and heart were recognized by the people of the congressional district in which he resided, who twice elected him their re- presentative in congress-first in 1866, by a majority of 1,219, and again in 1868, by a majority of 1,094. In 1870 he was a can- didate for re-election, but was beaten by eleven votes through the defection of a faction of the Republican party in Huntingdon county.
"In his first speech in congress Mr. Morrell uttered the following noble plea for labor: 'The American workingman must live in a honse, not a hut; he must wear decent clothes and eat wholesome and nourishing food. He is an integral part of the municipality, the state, and the nation ; subject to no fet- ters of class or caste; neither pauper, nor peasant, nor serf. but a free American citizen. He has the ballot, and if it were possible it would be dangerous to degrade him. The country
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stands pledged to give him education, political power, and a higher form of life than foreign nations accord their laborers, and he must be sustained by higher rates of wages than those of Europe. Our industries operated by American citizens must be freed from foreign interference and organized into a distinct American system, which will exact some temporary sacrifices, but result in general prosperity and true national independence. In maintaining diversified industries we utilize every talent, pro- vide a field for every capacity, and bind together the whole people in mutual dependence and support, assuring the strength and security of our Republic.' No better definition of the Protective policy of this country was ever written.
"Upon the organization of the first Congress to which Mr. Morrell was elected, the Fortieth, he was made Chairman of the Standing Committee on Manufactures and a member of the Standing Committee on Freedmen's Affairs. He retained his Chairmanship of the Committee on Manufactures during the Forty-first Congress, and was also a member of the Standing Committee of the Pacific Railroad and of the Select Committee on the Decline of American Commerce. The feature, however, of his Congressional career with which his name will longest be associated is his introduction on the 9th of March, 1870, of a hill to provide for the celebration at Philadelphia of the hun- dredth anniversary of American Independence. This bill be- came a law mainly through his persistent advocacy of its pro- priety and justice, and through the happy effect produced on Congress and the country by his admirably-conceived speech of the 14th of December, 1870. in favor of its passage. Upon the organization of the Centennial Commission, provided for in this act of Congress. the services of Mr. Morrell in securing its creation. and his superior business and executive qualifications, were recognized by his selection as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Commission.
"In January, 1878, Mr. Morrell was appointed a Commis- sioner to the Paris Exposition. On Tuesday evening, May 7, 1878, he was tendered a farewell dinner at the Continental Ho- tel in Philadelphia by leading citizens of the State, inchiding Hon. J. F. Hartranft, Hon. William S. Stokley, Hon. Morton McMichael, Gen. Robert Patterson, Thomas A. Scott, Henry C. Carey, A. J. Drexel, A. E. Borie, and many others almost equal- ly distinguished. Over one hundred gentlemen sat down to the dinner, which was tendered him 'as a complimentary testimon- ial on the eve of his departure to Europe as a Commissioner from the United States to the International Industrial Exposi- tion at Paris, and in recognition of the services rendered by him to the Centennial Exhibition while he was a member of Con- gress, and afterwards while filling the ardnous and responsible position of Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Centen- nial Commission during the whole period of its existence.' Gov-
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ernor Hartranft presided at the dinner. On May 9, 1878, Mr. Morrell sailed for Europe, returning on the 14th of October, 1878.
"On the 6th of March, 1879, Mr. Morrell was elected Presi- dent of the American Iron and Steel Association. He resigned the office on December 15, 1884, his resignation being accepted and his successor chosen on January 6, 1885. His official retire- ment from the management of the Cambria Iron Works took place on January 15, 1884.
"In 1845 Mr. Morrell married Susan L., daughter of Powell Stackhouse, a member of the Society of Friends. His wife and a daughter survive him. The latter is the wife of Mr. Philip E. Chapin, the General Manager of the Cambria Iron Works. He was never blessed with any other children.
"The funeral of Mr. Morrell took place on Monday, August 24th, and was attended by an immense concourse of his old neighbors and employes. Many friends from a distance were also present. He was buried at Johnstown, amid the scenes of his industrial triumphs and among a people who loved him and will miss him. Peace to his ashes !"
George A. Bates, son-in-law of Mr. Morrell, was his assist- ant for a few years prior to his death, which occurred in Sep- tember, 1877. When Mr. Morrell withdrew from the active management of the works, on January 15, 1884, Philip E. Chap- in, also his son-in-law, succeeded him as general manager. .
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