USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume I > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50
CORNELIUS F. FORD, captain of Station No. 5, Pittsburg police force, is a native of the eleventh ward, Pittsburg, and has been on the police force of that city since 1889. Captain Ford was born in March, 1854; received a common- school education, and at sixteen years of age went to work for a wholesale liquor firm. He was employed by this firm about two years, and then, for several years, held a position in a rolling mill. In 1889 he resigned to accept an appoint- ment as patrolman, serving in this capac- ity until 1901, when he was promoted to the position of captain. Captain Ford is a republican in politics. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church.
109
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
THEODORE RAYBERT MCLAIN. chief clerk to the collector of delinquent taxes, city of Pittsburg, was born at Johnstown, Pa., in 1874. Moving in infancy to Punxsutawney, Pa., with his parents, he lived there the first seven years of his life, the family moving then to Greensborough, N. C., where they remained until 1884. Coming with his U.S. V. parents to Pittsburg, Mr. McLain attended the public schools, and, in 1891, graduated from the high school. He then entered the office of collector of delinquent taxes as clerk, and was, in 1899, promoted to the posi- tion of chief clerk in that office, the position which he now holds. In politics he is a republican. He is a member of the Sixth Pres- byterian church. Mr. McLain became a private in Company E, 14th regiment, Pennsylvania national guard, in 1889, and served ten years, passing through all the grades until he attained the position of first lieutenant. In the Spanish-American war he accompanied his regiment as second lieutenant of Company B, and was mustered out at Summerville, S. C., Feb. 28, 1899, with the rank of regimental adjutant.
JOHN K. DORRINGTON, a retired coal man, of Pittsburg, was born, Jan. 10, 1828, on a farm near Carnegie, Alle- gheny Co., Pa. ; came to Pittsburg in infancy, and was there reared and given a primary education in the ward school. Afterwards he spent two years at Frank- fort academy. In 1849 he took the over- land route to California, where lie worked for three years in the gold mines. In the fall of 1852 he returned to Pittsburg by the Nicaragua route. In 1855 he was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Hezlep, of Allegheny city; went to Minnesota, and settled on a farm near St. Peter, on the Minnesota river. In 1862 a fierce rebellion broke out among the Sioux Indians at Fort Ridgely, near New Ulm. He shouldered his gun, and with some of his neighbors started for New Ulm, where the frontier settlers were concentrating to give
110
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
battle to the Indians. The next day after the arrival at New Ulm, the Indians surrounded the town, and the battle commenced, last- ing forty hours. The Indians were defeated, the town saved from devastation, and the women and children from massacre. In 1864 he sold his property in Minnesota, returned to Pittsburg, and went into the river coal business, continuing in the same for thirty-two years. In 1896 he retired from active business.
EDWARD STANLEY CORLETT, superintendent of East Liberty station, Pittsburg postoffice, was born on the Isle of Man in 1870, and in infancy came to America with his parents. The family located first at Elizabeth, Allegheny county, then moved to a farm near Homestead, and afterwards to Home- stead. The subject of this sketch received a common-school education in the Home- stead schools, and when ten years old, went to work in a glass factory. He spent two years in the glass factory, two years on a farm, and then became timekeeper and weigh-master in the open hearth department of the Carnegie steel company's plant at Homestead. He gave up this position in 1890, and, coming to Pittsburg, spent a year in the night school of the Iron City busi- ness college. He took the civil service examination, and was appointed as messenger in the registry department of the Pittsburg postoffice. Mr. Corlett has been employed in the postal service ever since, and has risen rapidly to his present important position. In 1892 he was made special delivery clerk, and as such had charge of all the city special delivery service. In 1898 he became weigh- master, and about a year later, when the present postmaster, George L. Holliday, came into office, Mr. Corlett was made super- intendent of Station C, on the South Side. Here he remained until July, 1902. when he was transferred to his present place, which, in point of business, ranks above all other stations in the city. Mr. Corlett is a Mason, and belongs to the Blue lodge. He is a member of the East End board of trade.
111
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
PATRICK DOLAN, president of Dis- trict No. 5, United Mine Workers of Pennsylvania, was born of Scotch-Irish parents, at Court Bridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1858, and came to America in 1886, locating at McDonald, Pa. Mr. Dolan began working in the mines in Scotland when only eight years old, and, on coming to McDonald, continued to work as a miner until 1896, when he was elected president of District No. 5. In this capacity he has served so faithfully and shown such a fitness for the position, that he has been re-elected each year-in 1901 and 1902-without opposition. On Dec. 12, 1901, at a convention of the American Federation of Labor held at Scranton, Pa., Mr. Dolan was elected, without opposition, as one of the two delegates from America to the meeting of the British trades congress, which was held in England in September, 1902. Mr. Dolan is a member of Lodge No. 11, B. P. O. E., of Pittsburg ; Fort Pitt conclave, Independent Order of Heptasophs, Old Glory chapter, American Insurance Union, Knights of Maccabees and Ancient Order of Hibernians. He belongs to the Roman Catholic church, and in political belief he is a republican.
JEREMIAH CARNEY, of Pittsburg, Pa., a successful lawyer, with offices on Diamond street, was born in Allegheny city, Pa., Dec. 12, 1870, son of John J. and Jane (Evans) Carney, both residing at South Side, Pittsburg. Mr. Carney was educated in the thorough public schools of Pittsburg and at Curry univer- sity. Then he read law in the offices of Walter Lyon, a prominent lawyer and former lieutenant-governor of Pennsyl- vania, and was admitted to the bar on Sept. 17, 1892. Since then Mr. Carney has practiced in Pittsburg with much success, is a member of all courts, and holds a position of honor and respectability among the attorneys of Allegheny county. He was married in Allegheny city, Feb. 25, 1896, to Emma Whitney, and their home life is a
112
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
pleasant one. Mr. Carney is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and of the Knights of Pythias. He is a resident of Knoxville, Pa., and is serving his second term as a councilman of that borough.
WILLIAM MONROE BENHAM, an attorney of Pittsburg, Pa., was born on April 8, 1866, in Auburn, N. Y., a son of De Witt C. and Cynthia A. Benham. His forefathers were early settlers on this continent, his ancestor, John Benham, coming to America from England in 1630 on the ship "Mary and John," and mak- ing his home in New England. Mr. Benham received his preliminary educa- tion in the public schools of New Brighton, Beaver Co., Pa., and was grad- uated from Geneva college, Pa., in the class of 1887, being awarded the, general excellency prize for the highest grade of any student in the institution during that year. Having pursued the classical course, the degree of bachelor of arts was conferred upon him. In the autumn of 1889 he entered the law department of Columbia university, New York city, where he remained during the prescribed time of three years, being gradu- ated therefrom in June, 1892, with the degree of bachelor of laws cum laude. At the commencement exercises the committee on awards presented him with the first prize of $250 for greatest knowledge and highest attainments in his law studies. While at Columbia, Mr. Benham read law in the office of Carter, Hughes & Kellogg, of New York city, and at a general term of the supreme court of the State of New York, held in the city of New York on Dec. 7, 1891, was admitted to practice in the several courts of that State. During his first year at Columbia, he was elected president of his class, consisting of 250 members, and upon the resignation of Dr. Theodore Dwight as warden of the law department, in June, 1891, he was selected by his classmates to present to Dr. Dwight a handsomely embossed memorial. Mr. Benham, after receiving his diploma from Columbia, in June, 1892, returned to Pittsburg, where, in September of that year, he took the prescribed examination and was admitted to the Allegheny county bar. He at once commenced the practice of his profession in Pittsburg, and in due time was admitted to practice in the supreme and
113
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
superior courts of Pennsylvania and in the United States circuit and district courts. He has met with success in his profession, having a large clientage both in the civil and criminal courts, besides representing a number of corporations. Mr. Benham enjoys the trial of cases, and before a jury is a forcible and effect- ive speaker. Mr. Benham belongs to several organizations. He is a member of the Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order, and in the year of 1901 was elected supreme senator of the order, the highest office in the country. He belongs to the Masonic frater- nity, being a member of Crescent lodge, No. 576, of Pittsburg, and also of Pennsylvania consistory, which gives him the thirty-second degree in Masonry. He is also a member of Pittsburg lodge, No. 11, B. P. O. Elks, the Allegheny county bar association and the University club. Politically, Mr. Benham is a republican, and has for years performed effective work on the stump for his party. He has held several offices in his party, having been president of his district organization, member of the county committee, and is at present on the twentieth ward committee and one of the three committeemen from that ward. He has been a delegate to various republican conventions, and has presided over a number of them and upon several occasions has placed in nomination certain candi- dates for office. Mr. Benham is called upon very frequently to deliver public addresses of various kinds, as he is a fluent and eloquent speaker.
JOHN WILLOCK BROWN, of Pitts- burg, Pa., a rising young attorney, was born on the South Side, Pittsburg, Oct. 4, 1879, a son of James and Mary Elizabeth (Willock) Brown. His father is a native of Allegheny county, and was for several years prominent as a business man of the South Side. In October, 1897, he, with his father and family, removed to Wil- kinsburg, Pa., where he and his father engaged in the real estate business and became well known as successful real estate brokers. His mother is a native of Allegheny county and a member of the Willock family, which is very prominent and influential in the county. John Willock Brown was educated in the schools of Pittsburg, having attended the twenty-eighth ward and the Pittsburg high school, graduating
1-8
114
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
from the latter institution in 1897. During the following year his attention was devoted to post-graduate study. In September, 1899, he began the study of the law in the office of Brown & Stewart, prominent attorneys of Pittsburg, and also attended the Pittsburg law school, where he was graduated with the class of 1902. Sub- sequently he was admitted to the bar of his native county and State, and since has devoted his talents and energies to his profes- sion, in which he has met with considerable encouragement and achieved a splendid standing among the younger attorneys of Allegheny county.
WILLIAM KAUFMAN, of Pittsburg, Pa., a successful practitioner of law, with offices at No. 413 Fourth Ave., was born at No. 16 Cedar Ave., Allegheny city, Pa., Nov. 9, 1871, son of Simon and Sibilla (Marks) Kaufman, the former a native of Germany, who settled in Pitts- burg in 1849, and for many years was suc- cessfully engaged in the manufacture of clothing. He died in Allegheny city, May 10, 1900, and is survived by his wife, who is also a native of Germany, and now resides in Allegheny city. William Kaufman was educated in the elementary branches in the schools of Allegheny city, graduating from the high school in 1887, and subsequently spent two years at the Western University of Pennsylvania. He then matriculated in the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and was graduated from that sterling institution in 1891. He took a special course at Harvard law school, was admitted to the bar of Allegheny county, September, 1892, and since has continuously practiced in Pitts- burg, where he is a member of all courts and of the Allegheny county bar association. Mr. Kaufman has rapidly established him- self in the practice of his profession, and now stands well among the attorneys of Pittsburg. He is recognized as an able and care- ful counselor and an active and aggressive advocate, and enjoys a fine practice. He is a member of Allegheny lodge, No. 223, F. and A. M .; Park lodge, No. 973, I. O. O. F., and Hope lodge, No. 243, K. of P. Mr. Kaufman served as president of the Con- cordia club of Allegheny city for two years, and is now a member of the governing council of that organization.
115
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
ANDREW WATSON FORSYTH, of Pittsburg, Pa., a well-known attorney- at-law, was born in St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 14, 1874, son of William R. and Jeannette (Black) Forsyth. His father was born about 1849, and died at Pitts- burg in 1885, and his mother was born in Allegheny county, and died at Pitts- burg in 1897. Andrew W. Forsyth accompanied his parents to Pittsburg when a mere infant, and was reared and educated in that city, attending the graded and high schools and the Western university. He is a graduate of both the classical and law depart- ments of the Western university-from the former in 1897 and from the latter in 1900. Since then Mr. Forsyth has practiced his profession at Pittsburg, where he is a member of all courts and enjoys a lucrative practice.
ALBERT P. MEYER, one of the younger attorneys of the Allegheny county bar, is certainly one who is worthy of mention in these volumes. Shakes- peare has said that "Some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them." Whatever degree of greatness Albert P. Meyer may have reached, has been achieved by untiring industry and the exercise of superior judgment. He is the son of William C. and Sophia Meyer, and was born at Sharpsburg, Pa., Oct. 26, 1876. His early education was obtained in the public schools of his native town, and after a brief term in the preparatory school of the city of Pittsburg, he began the study of law in the office of ex-Governor Stone. On June 8, 1901, he was admitted to practice at the bar of Allegheny county, and since that time he has been engaged in the active practice of his chosen profession. He was married, June 21, 1902, at Lisbon, Ohio, to Miss Ella G. Miller, a resident of the city of Cleveland. His offices are at No. 202 Bake- well building.
116
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
GEORGE L. ROBERTS, of Pittsburg, Pa., a distinguished attorney, with offices in the Park building, was born in Rushford, Allegany Co., N. Y., Jan. 7, 1852, son of Benjamin Titus and Ellen (Stow) Roberts. He acquired his early education in the schools of Buffalo, and later graduated at the University of Rochester, New York. Then he removed to South America, where for five years he was in the employ of the Argentine government. Subsequently he returned to the United States and read law in the offices of Wallace Brown and M. F. Elliott, of Bradford, Mckean Co., Pa., where he was admitted to the bar in 1880. He practiced in that county with much success until 1895, when he removed to Pitts- burg, was admitted to the Allegheny county bar, and since has been continuously in the practice at Pittsburg and in West Vir- ginia. He was admitted to the bar of West Virginia in 1895, and
GEORGE L. ROBERTS.
CHARLES G. CARTER.
DAVID E MITCHELL.
devotes a considerable part of his time to practice in that State. He is a member of all courts, the Allegheny county and the Penn- sylvania State bar associations, and is senior member of the prom- inent law firm of Roberts & Carter. He is president of the Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua railway company, and is a member of the cham- ber of commerce and of the Pittsburg country club. Mr. Roberts was married at Wilcox, Pa., Jan. 8, 1888, to Winnifred, daughter of John L. and Mary Murphy, and their home life is happy and halcyon. Charles Gibbs Carter, member of the law firm of Roberts & Carter, was born at Titusville, Pa., April 14, 1867, son of Col. John J. and Emma (Gibbs) Carter. He was educated in the public schools of Titusville and at Phillips academy, of Andover, Mass., where he was graduated in 1887. Subsequently he matriculated at Yale university and was graduated from that
1
117
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
famous college in 1891, with the degree of bachelor of arts. He then studied law in the office of Mortimer F. Elliott, of Wellsboro, Tioga Co., Pa., and at the University of Virginia, and was admitted to the bar of Tioga county in 1893, to the bar of Allegheny county in 1894, and also to the bar of West Virginia the same year. He is a member of all courts in Pennsylvania and West Virginia and practices in both States. Mr. Carter is a member of the Duquesne, Union, Pittsburg law, Yale and Automobile clubs, and is also a member of the Pittsburg chamber of commerce. He was married in Pittsburg, Jan. 6, 1900, to Elizabeth, daughter of George P. and Hannah B. (Fahnestock) McBride, and they have had two daugh- ters, Emma and Mary, the former dying in infancy. Mr. Carter is one of Pittsburg's prominent citizens and resides in the twentieth ward. David E. Mitchell, an associate member of the law firm of Roberts & Carter, was born in Titusville, Pa , Jan. 15, 1876, son of Claude and Dora (Eaton) Mitchell, the former being cashier of the Bradford National bank, of Bradford, Pa., and the latter dying on Aug. 15, 1895. Mr. Mitchell was educated in the rudimentary branches in the graded and high schools of Bradford and completed his classical training at Harvard university, where he was gradu- ated in 1897 with the degree of bachelor of arts. He then entered Harvard law school, was there graduated in 1899 with the degree of bachelor of laws, and was admitted to the bar of Allegheny county in 1900. Since that time Mr. Mitchell has been continu- ously in the practice at Pittsburg, where he is a member of several courts and enjoys a fine law business.
.
ARTHUR D. RODGERS, of Pitts- burg, Pa., a well-known young attorney, with offices at No. 222 Bakewell building, was born in that city, May 8, 1875, son of Hugh H. and Martha (MacGinnis) Rodgers, both now residing at McKee's Rocks, Pa. His father has retired from active life, but during his business career was prominent as a mechanical engineer, and is well known in McKee's Rocks and that section of the county. His parents had six children, viz .: John H. (de- ceased), George G., Robert G., Hugh H., Isabel and Arthur D. Mr. Rodgers' ancestors, both paternal and maternal, were members of the colonial families of America, and
-
118
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
both of his grandfathers were soldiers in the patriot army during the American Revolution. Arthur D. Rodgers acquired his clas- sical education in the schools of Pittsburg and under the tuition of Rev. Charles Hogue, an Episcopal clergyman. Then he read law in the office of Thomas Patterson, a leading attorney of Pittsburg, and attended the Pittsburg law school, where he was graduated, in 1901, with the degree of bachelor of laws. Mr. Rodgers entered upon the practice of his profession shortly after graduating, and has met with much success in the law. He is a bright and ener- getic young man, and is destined to succeed well in his vocation.
JOHN MORRISON HUNTER, of Pittsburg, Pa., a distinguished attorney- at-law, was born in Cowanshannock town- ship, Armstrong Co., Pa., Sept. 19, 1850, son of James and Susan (Kinley) Hunter, both natives of Westmoreland county, Pa. James Hunter, father of the sub- ject, was a son of James Hunter, a native of Ireland, and was born on Dec. 18, 1818. He spent his entire life in the Keystone State, and was prosperously engaged in farming and blacksmithing. Susan Kinley was descended from the Cunninghams on the maternal side, her mother having been Mary Cunningham and a member of a prominent family. John M. Hunter acquired his education in the common schools of Indiana. county, and at the academies at Covode, Indiana and Elder's Ridge, Pa. He then read law in the office of Edward S. Golden, of Kittanning, Pa., and was admitted to the bar of Armstrong county, Nov. 23, 1873, where he practiced with much success for a number of years. In October, 1888, Mr. Hunter was admitted to the Alle- gheny county bar, and since has practiced continuously in Pitts- burg, where he has achieved high standing as an attorney and is regarded as one of the ablest members of the Allegheny county bar. Mr. Hunter is a member of all courts and controls a magnifi- cent practice. He was married in Armstrong county, Pa., July 4, 1892, to Belle, daughter of Frank and Mary Powell, of Armstrong county, Pa., and they have had four children, James B., Mary G., A. Marion and Grace V. Mr. Hunter and his family are members of the First Presbyterian church of Oakmont, of which organiza- tion he has been a trustee for fifteen years.
3
119
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
CHRISTIAN F. OYER, alderman from the eleventh ward, Pittsburg, was born, Sept. 16, 1850, within a block of where he now has his office. His parents were both natives of Prussia, who came to America early in the past century. His father, Christian Oyer, was for many years engaged in the manufacture of cigars and chewing tobacco. Christian F. Oyer, the subject of this sketch, attended school until he reached the age of fifteen, when his father's death made it necessary for him to go to work. He worked at his father's trade as a journeyman until 1875, and then went into business for himself. In 1895 he was elected alderman, in which capacity he so pleased his constituents that they re-elected him in 1900. Since giving up the tobacco business, Alderinan Oyer has devoted his attention to real estate and insurance. From 1893 to 1899 he served on the school board, representing the eleventh ward, his father having also been a school director for nine years. Alderman Oyer is a member of the Heptasophs, Jr. O. U. A. M., Knights of Pythias and Improved Order of Red Men. In religious belief he is a Lutheran, and in politics an ardent republican.
STEPHEN J. TOOLE, alderman from the first ward, Pittsburg, was born in New Orleans, La., in 1859, but came to Pittsburg in infancy, and was there reared and educated. He attended school until he reached the age of thirteen, selling papers on the streets after school hours, and later was employed for five years, folding papers in the office of the Pittsburg Daily Chronicle. After this he went into a boiler factory, and there learned the sheet iron workers' trade, being engaged at this vocation until 1885, when he became a professional baseball player. Mr. Toole was a well-known baseball player for five years, was a member of the American association, and played on the clubs of Brooklyn, Kansas City and Rochester. Giving up baseball, he entered the
120
MEMOIRS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
public service as wharfmaster of Pittsburg, and held this position until February, 1893. In February, 1892, he was appointed alder- man by Governor Pattison, and was elected to the office a year afterwards. His well-deserved popularity next won him re-election in 1898. Mr. Toole is worthy past president junior of the Pitts- burg Aerie, No. 76, Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is a member of the Catholic church.
ANDREW S. MILLER, of Pittsburg, Pa., a distinguished attorney-at-law, with offices at No. 409 Grant St., was born in Chartiers township, Washington Co., Pa., April 8, 1844, son of Thomas and Annie (Reed) Miller. Mr. Miller re- ceived his early education in the com- mon schools of Washington county, later attended the academy at Hickory, Pa., and was graduated from Washington and Jefferson college in 1869. Then he attended the Columbia law school of New York city, subsequently read law in the office of Maj. A. M. Brown, of Pittsburg, and was admitted to the bar of Allegheny county in 1873. He has been in continuous practice in Pittsburg since that time, and is now one of the oldest and ablest practitioners of the county. He controls a splendid practice and is a member of all courts. Mr. Miller has been a member of the Bellevue school board for four years, two years of which time he served as its president. He was also a member of Bellevue council for three years, and held the position of director of the poor for Allegheny county for two years. In 1862 Mr. Miller enlisted in the 123d Pennsylvania volunteers, participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Antietam, Chancellorsville and other important engagements, and was mustered out in August, 1863. He is now a member of the John B. Clark post, No. 162, of the Grand Army of the Republic, and takes an active interest in its affairs. He was married in Allegheny city, April 15, 1873, to Elizabeth A. Reed, and they have three sons: Thomas A., a prom- inent physician of Bellevue; Harry A., clerk in the Union National bank of Pittsburg, and Frank B., a student of Washington and Jefferson college. Mr. Miller and his family are members of the United Presbyterian church, in which organization Mr. Miller holds the position of an elder.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.