USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Lives of the eminent dead and biographical notices of prominent living citizens of Montgomery County, Pa. > Part 22
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The gallant names of Slemmer and Anderson (the hero of Sum- ter) were soon on every loyal tongue in the free North. The Cham- ber of Commerce passed complimentary resolutions in behalf of these two brave men, and ordered handsome bronze medals to be struck in their honor, to be presented to them and their men. The medal designed for and conveyed to Lieutenant Slemmer contained a medallion likeness, with "Adam J. Slemmer" on the obverse, and on the reverse a chained Cerberus, with collar engraved " U. S.," symbolizing these brave men as chained to an empty fort-
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GEN. ADAM J. SLEMMER.
ress ; and the inscription, "The Chamber of Commerce, New York, honors valor, forbearance and fidelity. Fort Pickens, 1861." This medal was six inches in diameter. There was a second one struck also, in commemoration of the victory of patient endurance at Pickens, with this inscription, "The Chamber of Commerce of New York honors the defenders of Fort Pickens-far off, but faith- ful." These medals were distributed among the heroes, number- ing fifty-three, including two officers.
This demonstration of gratitude by citizens of New York was fol- lowed by a public reception to Lieutenant Slemmer by the city authorities of Philadelphia. He soon arrived home at Norristown.
After passing a short time at his father's house, seeking the rest so much needed, he was promoted two grades, being now Major of the Sixteenth Infantry. In the summer of 1861 he was assigned to duty as Inspector General under General Rosecrans, in West Vir- ginia. The effects of his fatigue at Fort Pickens were not then wholly relieved, and exposure in the field caused him to be stricken down with typhoid fever, his life at one time being in imminent peril. He recovered, however, and before perfectly convalescent was on duty. He recruited a battalion of men at Chicago for his regiment, and in May, 1862, with them rejoined the army in Ten- nessee. From this period he marched and fought with Buell's com- mand, until at the head of his men at the battle of Stone River, in December, 1862, he was severely wounded in the knee. For gal- lantry in this action he was appointed Brigadier General of United States Volunteers. His wound was so serious that amputation was feared, but the limb was ultimately saved. Meanwhile, by direct command of President Lincoln, and at the urgent request of Gen- eral Scott, he was made brevet Brigadier General of the United States Army for his gallant services at Fort Pickens. He next served as a member of the Board, ultimately becoming its presiding officer, to examine sick and convalescent officers, and subsequently as a member of the Board to examine disbanded volunteer officers who sought commissions in the 'regular army. He was eminently qualified for these positions, and was thus retained by the War De- partment, though he requested more active service in the field. After the close of the war he was placed in command at Sackett's Harbor, New York, and subsequently at Fort Laramie.
He was a strict disciplinarian, but kind withal, and everywhere enjoyed the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact; even the Indian looking upon him as more than an ordi-
A
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JAMES W. SCHRACK.
nary officer. His last official act was a conference with hostile In- dians some distance from Fort Laramie, October 6th, 1868. He returned to the fort, and feeling indisposed retired early. During the night he suddenly expired, owing to a stoppage of the mitral valve of the heart. In the general orders of Colonel Deye an- nouncing his death, his many brave deeds and services are recited, thus concluding: "During the eighteen years of honorable service he stood far above the temptations of the hour, and exhibited, in the discharge of his duties, economy and intelligence; also great zeal and uncompromising faithfulness, which were no less honora- ble to the army than to himself."
His remains were brought to Norristown, Pennsylvania, and from the residence of his father conveyed to Montgomery Cemetery, fol- lowed by a large concourse of sorrowing friends, both civil and mili- tary.
In personal appearance General Slemmer was rather under medium stature, lightly built, dark hair, and fair complexion. Over his re- mains is erected a neat marble cross, entwined by a heavy wreath of laurel leaves, to symbolize victory.
JAMES W. SCHRACK.
After my death I wish no other herald, No other speaker of my living actions, To keep mine honor from corruption .- Shakspeare.
James Winnard Schrack, son of Lewis and Phebe Schrack, was born in Norristown, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, January 25th, 1813. His father was the well known proprietor of the stage line between Norristown and Philadelphia in early times before railroads were thought of. He was a descendant of Jacob Schrack, who arrived from Germany in 1717, settling on two hundred and fifty acres of land at what is known as Trappe, in Upper Providence township, and who, at the age of 63 years, died in 1742, being 38 years old when he emigrated and settled here.
James W. Schrack's mother was a Griffith, and of Welsh ex- traction.
He received a common school education at Norristown Acad- emy, and was trained to mercantile life in the dry goods and gro-
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JAMES W. SCHRACK.
cery store of John Bean, who had married his sister. Through nearly the whole subsequent period of his life he followed the busi- ness of a dry goods merchant in the place of his nativity. On the 13th of January, 1835, he was married to Lydia, daughter of Fred- erick Setzler, of Lawrenceville, Chester county, Pennsylvania, from which union there were born eight children, five of whom are living. In 1836 he became the junior member of the firm of Bean & Schrack, who did business for a number of years at the southwest corner of Main and Barbadoes streets. In 1845 Mr. Schrack commenced the dry goods business alone at the northwest corner of Main and De- Kalb streets, where he remained engaged until the close of his life, associating Mr. A. A. Yeakle with him in 1854, after which the business was conducted under the firm name of Schrack & Yeakle until the time of his death.
He was a man of great business activity and energy, known in mercantile circles for promptness and integrity. At thetime of his death he was the oldest merchant of the borough, having been almost continuously in the dry goods trade for nearly forty years. Being a strict business man he never sought office, but his fellow- citizens in 1855 elected him one year to Town Council. He was nevertheless, constantly alive to matters of public interest in the town.
For nearly all his adult life he was a communicant, and during his later years a very active member of St. John's Episcopal Church and a warm friend of its former beloved rector, Rev. Nathan Stem, D. D. He labored constantly in the Sunday school, and for some years served in the vestry as Senior Warden. He also, as deputy, represented the parish in the diocesan convention.
His kindness of heart and generosity were often indulged beyond his financial ability. He was quick to observe wrong and condemn, but very forgiving in temper. He was a great lover of home and family, and took a deep interest in the education and welfare of his. children, some of whom are good scholars and engaged in business.
In person Mr. Schrack was of medium height, light complexion, and of good appearance. Some years ago he erected on Airy street, opposite St. John's church, a handsome residence, which he occu- pied until March 22d, 1876, when he departed this life in the 64th year of his age. His remains are interred at Montgomery Ceme- tery. Mrs. Schrack still (1878) occupies the mansion.
From an obituary in the Episcopal Recorder we copy the follow- ing;
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CHRISTIAN MEEH.
"We mourn with those who are afflicted by this bereavement, and feel that we have lost a friend and supporter of every good work and enterprise having for its object the preservation and spread of the true gospel of the word of God. As a member of the Pro- testant Episcopal Church, Mr. Schrack was earnest, zealous, and heartily in sympathy with the movements which the evangelical portion made to preserve it from innovations and teachings not in harmony with its traditions as a Protestant body."
CHRISTIAN MEEH.
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich .- Proverbs X, 4.
Among the active business men of Norristown forty years ago no one more earnestly and worthily pressed his way upward than he whose name stands at the head of this page. He was born at Knitt- lingen, Wurtemberg, November 17th, 1812. Receiving a good primary education in his native town, and being of an enterprising turn, he, so early as his fourteenth year, resolved to emigrate to America, where he had an uncle named Christian Brown living at Harrisburg, with whom he apprenticed himself to learn the busi- ness of a baker. After ending his apprenticeship, and becoming master of the trade, he removed to Philadelphia and worked till he had accumulated a small start in life, when he looked about for a place to establish himself in business. This was about 1833 or 1834, in his twenty-first or twenty-second year. While residing in Phila- delphia he formed the acquaintance of Justina, daughter of John and Clarissa Zeller, also German people from Wurtemberg, and soon after, on the 22d of March, 1835, they were married. In that year the railroad to Norristown was opened to the public, and popu- lation began to gather here. Mr. Meeh and his wife ascertaining that there was an opening (there being but one baker in the town, the late Frederick Naile), came to Norristown, and located on Washington street above DeKalb.
Here their activity, enterprise and industry, brought them busi- ness, and they succeeded to a very large daily sale of bread and cakes, being posted as to all the latest improvements in cater- ing to popular tastes. About 1839 or 1840, having made some money, and finding their bakery inadequate to the increasing daily
16
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CHRISTIAN MEEH.
business, impelled also by the same enterprise to which reference has been made, he resolved to procure a better locality. Accord- ingly the old Rising Sun tavern property, which for nearly three- fourths of a century had stood on Main street near Swede, becom- ing dilapidated, was held for sale by John Freedley, Esq., and Mr. Meeh bought it for the site of an establishment. Removing part of the hotel building, he erected in 1840 or 1841 the spacious store, No. 12 East Main street, now occupied by Theodore E. Meeh, his eldest son. Not long after building this large brick dwelling, store, bakery, and confectionery, he also purchased of Mr. Freedley the lot in his rear, some fifty feet on Lafayette street, extending to Mid- dle alley, on which latter avenue he erected a commodious brick stable, and afterwards an ice-house. At this time he went into the manufacture of all kinds of confectionery and fancy cakes, employ- ing additional hands and several teams to wholesale them all over the surrounding country. This branch, in addition to his bakery, was pushed vigorously for several years, doing a large business and accu- mulating means rapidly. A short time afterwards he improved the Lafayette street front of the stable lot by erecting thereon a row of brick dwellings two and a half stories high, which still belong to the estate. About 1850 Mr. Meeh purchased the forty feet west of his bakery, and in 1851 put up three fine store-houses and a fourth store-room, affording space in the second story for a ball- room and ice-cream saloon for the use of parties and other assem- blies, besides large, airy rooms fitted up in the third story for pho- tographic uses. At this time a considerable family of children were growing up, and employed between school hours in the bakery, confectionery, and in waiting on customers. As may be supposed, in this tidy, well ordered, industrious family, children were no in- cumbrance, but all workers in the domestic hive. As a natural result their means increased rapidly, and another lot was bought and a large building erected on DeKalb street opposite the basin, then recently constructed. This property was intended for an ice cream and mead garden, but the enterprise did not meet his expectations. Shortly after the buildings were refitted and furnished as a boarding- school, and so occupied for a period. It was known for a number of years as the "Adelphian Institute" and the " Keswick Institute." This property, never remunerative, was finally sold.
During the speculative fever that annually broke out in Norris- town, farms and lots changed hands rapidly, and Mr. Meeh fre- quently bought and sold as occasion offered. Once he purchased
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CHRISTIAN MEEH.
"what was called the "Darrah" or "Phipps" farm, east of Jefferson- ville, selling it out in parcels, realizing a profit on what he sold, but retaining some of it till the time of his death.
When the business revulsion of 1857 overtook us, out of excess of his good nature, Mr. Meeli became surety for one of his friends for several thousand dollars, which he had to meet and discharge on his friend's behalf. Shortly after this his health, never very robust, began to give way. He took a trip West with a view of reinvigor- ating his system, but years of overapplication to business and ad- 'vancing age had done their work, and he gradually sank under a complication of disorders, dying June 26th, 1870, in the 58th year of his age. He was attended to the grave by the Masons and Odd Fellows, of both of which organizations he was a member, and his remains lie in the family vault at Montgomery Cemetery.
The Meeh family, who have always been Lutherans, are connected by blood relationship with that of Henry Lehman, President of the Town Council, Mrs. L. being a sister of Mr. Meeh. Another sis- ter is intermarried with Jacob Shandein, cloth merchant, of Phila- delphia. John Cantz, baker, of Norristown, is also a nephew of Mr. Meeh.
The children of Christian Frederick and Justina Meeh are: Cla- rissa, who was intermarried first with Noah Brower (who died of sickness contracted in the army), and afterwards with George Heeb- ner. She died not very long after her second marriage, leaving no children. The second daughter, Henrietta, is the wife of Jacob F. Quillman, Esq., elsewhere recorded. Matilda was intermarried with William Neiman, merchant, now deceased, and they had one child. Theodore E., the eldest son, is married to Emma, daughter of Charles and Catharine Slingluff, of Norristown ; they have several children. The fifth, Mina, is the wife of Jonathan M. Hart, and they have one son. The sixth is C. Washington, who, like Theodore, was trained to the father's business; he is married to Eliza Heddle- son, and they have one child. The next is Amelia, married to I. Newton McCarter, of Bridgeport; they have one child. The eighth, and youngest daughter, is Emma, who lives with her mother, as also William C., the youngest son. These children all received a fair education, some of the daughters at the seminaries of the town. "There were also several children who died in infancy.
In person Christian Meeh was about medium height, light hair and complexion, slightly built, spare in flesh, but very active, and of re- markably pleasant, courteous manners. He was kind, obliging,
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HON. THOMAS BURNSIDE.
and good natured ; scarcely had an enemy while he lived, and died universally respected. His estate, which was considerable, still (1878) remains undivided, Jacob F. Quillman and Theodore being. the executors of the will.
HON. THOMAS BURNSIDE.
Methinks it was but yesterday that I exchanged my childish sports for manly exer -- cises; and now I am resigning them both for the sleep of death .- Hervey.
Some years ago the author "interviewed " several of our "oldest inhabitants," including Mrs. Betsy Thomson, Zadok Thomas, John Boyer, and Mrs. Martha Huddleson, to learn what might linger in their memory as to the olden time. One of them stated that be- fore the commencement of the present century there resided a short time on Main street, near Stony creek, a Scotsman named William Burnside, who adhered to the old Continental costume of looped-up hat, straight coat, buckskin breeches, with long stockings, and large silver shoe buckles. He had recently arrived from the old country, and stayed here a short time only before locating, as he afterwards did, near Fairview, in Lower Providence township. Here he had several sons born to him, among them Thomas, the subject of this memorial, and Francis, who held a number of county offices. James, a son of the latter, was clerk of the courts in 1860, and Thomas, another son, is at present a teacher in the asylum for the blind in Philadelphia.
When quite a young man Thomas Burnside the elder was thrown from a horse and had a limb broken. The tedious hours of his confinement were therefore spent in reading, and shortly after he entered upon the study of the law, which was soon mastered, and he admitted to the bar February 13th, 1804. He did not long remain here, but went to Centre county, where he attained a leading prac- tice. He was a man of great penetration, quickness, incorruptible integrity, and withal social and genial in his habits, and as a con- sequence rose rapidly in popular esteem. He was soon married to Miss Mary Fleming, of Bellefonte, and early elected to the Legisla- ture, where he continued several years. In 1811 he was chosen to-
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HON. THOMAS BURNSIDE.
the Senate. In 1814 he was elected a member of the Fourteenth Congress, representing his district from 1815 to 1817. In 1818 he was appointed President Judge of the Eleventh district, composed of the counties of Wayne, Pike, and Luzerne. This position he re- signed some time after, and was elected again to the Senate, of which body he was chosen Speaker in 1825. While in the Legis- lature, as chairman of a committee to whom the subject had been referred, he made a report and presented a bill to abolish capital punishment, which, however, failed on its passage.
In 1841, on the death of Judge Fox, Governor Porter appointed him President Judge of the Bucks and Montgomery district, which he held till January 2d, 1845, when the same executive transferred him to a vacant seat on the bench of the Supreme Court, which position he filled at the time of his death a few years thereafter.
As a Judge, Thomas Burnside was considered one of the most clear-headed and upright men that ever sat on our bench. Though thought deficient in dignity and courtly demeanor, his integrity and accurate judgment were never called in question. Of his incorrupti- bility the following anecdote is related : As he was passing from his lodgings to the court-house, while Judge of our court, some litigant approached him with a few words touching his own case, which had been before him, at which Judge B. turned upon the person with a withering look, repelling his salutation in language a little too rough to be repeated here, but sufficient to send the foolish suitor " to grass," to use a sporting phrase. When off the bench he was noted for wit and rough jollity, making him one of the pleasantest com- panions imaginable. It was on this known familiarity, no doubt, that the man presumed when he found that the Judge understood, if he did not himself, the distinction between a man while acting as a magistrate and as a private citizen.
Judge Burnside left several children, who reside at Bellefonte in very respectable life. In person he was of medium height, promi- nent nose and eyes, receding chin and forehead, dark complexion, and rather noted for his want of comeliness of features. His kind- liness and blunt honesty, however, made ample amends for his lack of personal beauty.
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JOHN M'KAY.
JOHN McKAY.
It shall be well with them that fear God .- Ecclesiastics VIII, 17.
Teach me to feel another's woe, To hide that fault I see .- Pope.
Since the death of Robert Hamill, in 1838, the longest known and most universally respected merchant of Norristown was John McKay, who came to the town when quite young,. and resided here until the time of his death, which took place in 1873, in his 73d year. He was born in Philadelphia in 1800, and when fourteen or fifteen years of age entered the store of Isaac Thomas, on the Bethlehem turnpike road, in Upper Dub- lin township. After remaining there till his nineteenth year he came to Norristown and obtained a situation with Jonathan Thomas, a brother of his first employer, who kept store at the southwest corner of Main and Swede streets. Here he also remained several years, until Thomas died, when David Thomas. and his son, Dr. George W. Thomas, took the store-house and associated with them Mr. Mckay. This arrangement lasted two or three years, at the conclusion of which time the latter withdrew and formed a partnership with Lewis Ramsey.
The new firm arranged with the Hiester family of Reading : (who had purchased the property late of Hon. Levi Pawling), to build them a store-house on the northwest corner of Main and Swede streets. During the erection of this building, which has recently been razed to make way for Albertson's banking- house, they did business in a small frame structure with a shed. roof resting against the dwelling of Samuel Jacoby, near Main. and Strawberry streets. This was about 1830 or 1831. After moving into the new store-house they did a leading business. almost from the start, continuing for several years to keep full lines of dry goods, groceries, and hardware, until March, 1839,, when Ramsey lost his health, sold out his interest in the con- cern to S. Porter Stinson, and some time late that year died ... The new firm of Mckay & Stinson continued until 1869.
Previous to associating with Ramsey, Mr. Mckay was mar- ried on the 28th of November, 1828, to Eliza Bennett, daugh- ter of Dr. Isaac and Martha Huddleson. The offspring of this
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JOHN M'KAY.
union were three children: Sarah T., who died in 1869, greatly lamented; Thomas; and Elizabeth H., married to Richard T. Stewart, attorney-at-law, who have three daughters, Ada, Lida, and Mary.
On the 12th of August, 1835, Eliza, the wife of John McKay, when a young mother of thirty years, was taken away by death from her husband and three infant children, leaving her little ones to the tender solicitude of their father, who then gave a home to his widowed sister, Mrs. Brown. She for many years, and until her death, was a mother to the motherless.
In 1840 or 1841 Mr. McKay built himself a handsome brick mansion adjoining the store, where he resided till his death.
The new firm of Mckay & Stinson continued to do a lead- ing business at the old place, its members remaining continu- ously till 1869, a period of thirty years, when Mr. McKay sold the store-house, and the stock was closed out at public sale, both partners retiring on a competence. About 1871 or 1872 Mr. McKay made a will devising his property for the benefit of his surviving children and grandchildren, making his late partner and friend, S. P. Stinson, executor and trustee.
At a very early day Mr. McKay was confirmed a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, and during his whole after life he was one of its most faithful and efficient members. He was one of the vestry of St. John's, and Warden for many years, being all that time regarded as the rector's most capable ad- viser and assistant. He was besides nearly as long and con- stantly a member of the Board of Trustees. No one loved the Episcopal church, its teachings, worship and temporalities. more than he; in fact, it is thought that certain personal labors he was so fond of doing about the sacred edifice after he re- tired from business, superinduced pneumonia, of which he died.
It only remains now to bear testimony to his high character as a man, merchant, and christian. He possessed a remarka- bly quiet, equable temperament, and probably never had a bit- ter personal enemy, for he was incapable of giving voluntary offence to any one. As a churchman, he was orthodox, with- out disputation or bigotry; as a merchant, he possessed re- markable judgment, great suavity, and quiet, ready address;
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JOHN M'KAY.
as a salesman, pleasant bon-mots were the spicing always thrown in with the goods. Nothing could disturb his equa- nimity and patience, or tire his habitual industry. He was a man of inflexible integrity, and very kind to the poor, as was shown by his suffering a decrepit and pious old couple (mem- bers of another church), who had many years occupied one of his tenement houses, to remain free of rent after they had be- come too old, poor and infirm to pay for their old home.
In person Mr. McKay was rather under medium height, light, florid complexion, well proportioned, with a quick, grace- ful step, indicating a mind of force and decision. Being a quiet business man, he never sought office, but rather avoided it. Once, however, in 1834 or 1835, he was elected to Town Coun- cil, but soon resigned; and a few years before his death, with- out any agency of his own, he was nominated for School Di- rector against Andrew H. Baker, so long known in Norristown as a popular school-man and a Democrat. The election re- sulted in a tie between them, and it afterwards transpired that Mr. Baker, as most people do, voted the ticket whole, and of course for himself; while Mr. McKay voted all the Republi- can ticket, but substituted the name of "Andrew H. Baker" for the name of "John McKay." On the tie being settled by lot, Mr. Baker drew it, showing plainly that his opponent was never born for political distinction.
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