USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume I > Part 39
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JOHN A. MARTIN, alderman from the sixth ward, Pittsburg, was born in Pittsburg in 1870. His father, John Martin, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, and died in Pittsburg in 1899, at the age of fifty-eight. John A. Martin was reared and educated in Pittsburg, graduating from Duff's business college in 1887. He also studied law for a little over a year in the office of Blakeley, McElroy & Smith. Mr. Martin was for three years assistant agent of the Pennsylvania railroad company, at Homestead, and, returning to the sixth ward, he opened a small cigar and confec-
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tionery store. This store he kept for about a year and a half and has since that time devoted his attention entirely to politics. In 1896 he was candidate for councilman on the democratic ticket and was defeated by only seventeen votes. The following year he was again a candidate for the same office, and was this time elected with a plurality of 236. His first five-year term over, Mr. Martin became a candidate for re-election, and in February, 1902, received a handsome plurality of over 600 as a testimonial to his faithful services in the past. Mr. Martin belongs to the Hepta- sophs and is a member of the Catholic church:
GEORGE M. FOSTER, cashier in the office of the treasurer of Allegheny county, was born on a farm in Scott township, Allegheny Co., Pa., in Febru- ary, 1854. He attended the schools of Scott township and the Dickson-Dunbar academy in Carnegie, and upon leaving school, at the age of twenty, learned the carpenters' trade and was a contracting carpenter until 1884. He then accepted a clerkship under David McGunnegle, at that time clerk of courts, where he remained two years, and then entered the treasurer's office, where he rose to the position of cashier, an office which he has held eight years. That Mr. Foster has for twelve years been a member of the school board of his township is evi- dence of his interest in public affairs. He is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, Knights of Pythias, Knights of the Golden Eagle, Royal Arcanum, and belongs to the Presbyterian church. Mr. Foster was married, in 1883, to Lizzie J. Collins, daughter of Samuel Collins (deceased), and to them have been born five children, as follows: Jean Ross, Bessie Collins, Louise Glenn, Harriet Bilmore and Matilda Georgia.
E. N. RANDOLPH, chief clerk in the office of the controller of Allegheny county, was born in Versailles township, Allegheny Co., Pa., in 1856, and was reared in Allegheny county and educated in the public schools, where he received a common education. He came to Pittsburg in 1868 and quit school the following year. He was first employed as an errand boy, and then became a florist, in which capacity his diligence and native ability won him the confi-
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dence of his employers, so that at the age of twenty he becaine superintendent of one of the largest commercial florist concerns in Pittsburg. He continued at this vocation until 1885, when he became one of the force in the controller's office, and now holds the position of chief clerk. Mr. Randolph has for years taken an active part in republican politics and has been prominently identi- fied with the political campaigns of his party. In 1891 he was elected secretary of the republican state league clubs, and four times re-elected to the same position. He was also at one time secretary of the Allegheny county republican committee, and was in 1895-96 journal clerk of the Pennsylvania house of representatives. He was also formierly for two years president of the Pittsburg athletic club, at that time an important organization. Mr. Randolph is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in religion affiliates with the Presbyterian church.
JAMES D. CALLERY, president of the Pittsburg railway company, is widely known as one of the most successful busi- ness men of Western Pennsylvania. He was born in Pittsburg in 1857, and re- ceived his primary education in the Pitts- burg schools, afterwards attending Notre Dame college, near South Bend, Ind., from which noted institution he graduated in 1874. School days being over, he at once entered upon his business career, working for his father, a large leather dealer. Mr. Callery has always been in- terested in this firm, which was incorporated in 1900 as the James Callery company. The elder Mr. Callery was also president of the Pittsburg & Western railroad company, whose line is now owned by the Baltimore & Ohio. He died in 1889. James D. Callery, the subject of this sketch, became president of the Second Avenue railway of Pittsburg in 1888. This line, at that time a horse-car line, was afterwards merged into the United Traction company, of which Mr. Callery became president in 1896. In January, 1902, the Pittsburg railway company was organized, taking in the United Traction company and also the street railway lines in Allegheny county, except the Pittsburg and Connellsville line, which termi- nated at Mckeesport. Mr. Callery is a member of the Roman Catholic church and a republican in politics.
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WILLIAM D. KING, M. D., one of the leading physicians of Pittsburg, was born in that city, Sept. 9, 1861, and is a son of Calvin and Rachel (Chambers) King. Dr. Calvin King has been for over half a century a prominent Pittsburg dentist. Dr. William D. King's family came originally from England. His great-grandfather, Courtland King, crossed the Monongahela river at Elizabeth, and settled on a farm near Library, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying at the age of sixty-two. Among his children were: John, grandfather of William D .; Elijah, who resided at Indianapolis, and Isaac, who made his home at Library. John King came to Library in infancy, and resided with his parents until he becanie twenty-eight years old, married Jane Stewart and settled on a farm near the old homestead. In 1836 he moved to Forward, where he purchased the farm of John Stoner, lived there until 1873, and then took up his residence in Central block. His life of ninety-two years was one of constant usefulness. In religion he was a rigid Baptist, although cherishing at the same time a broad Christian charity, while in politics he was a whig, and afterwards an abolitionist. He was a man of wide culture, a reader and a thinker. John King was the father of the following children : Dr. James L., of Pittsburg; Mary L., who died in 1877; Dr. William H., of Monongahela; John, of Spring Valley, Minn. ; Dr. Courtland, of Pittsburg; Jane, wife of James Morn, who died in 1854; Dr. Calvin, of Pittsburg; Samuel J., of Forward township; Robert; Harvey, an infant child; Dr. Milton S., of Pittsburg, and Allie M., now Mrs. Devore. Dr. William H. King, third child of John and Jane King, was born in Allegheny county, April 17, 1823; graduated from Ohio college of dentistry, and practiced for some years in Lancaster, Ohio. On Aug. 22, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, 155th Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, under Capt. John Markell; was twice promoted for bravery in the service, and was mustered out as first lieutenant. He was a republican in politics, and in religious belief a Baptist. He was married, May 4, 1871, to Jane Carpenter. Dr. William D. King, subject of this article, graduated from Hahnemann medical college, Philadelphia, in 1884, and has been engaged in the practice of his profession in Pittsburg since then. Here his native ability, coupled with a studious disposition and faithful attention to his practice, has won him distinction as a homœopathic physician. There is possibly no physician in Allegheny county who has the distinction of having so large a general practice as Dr. King. He is obstetrician of the city hospital and chief of the dispensary staff, is a member of the State
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homeopathic society and of the American institute of homœopathy. He is a Baptist in religion, and in politics a republican. Dr. King was married, in 1891, to Nancy Tripp, daughter of Col. Alonzo Tripp, superintendent of a South Carolina railroad.
WILLIAM ROBINSON, alderman from the thirty-seventh ward, Pittsburg, was born in Allegheny city, Pa., Aug. 27, 1864, and came to the thirty-seventh ward when seven years old. Here he was raised and was given a limited education in the public schools, which ended in his fifteenth year. After this he worked at various employments until he became of age, when he became agent and ward correspondent for a number of Pittsburg papers. Thus he spent about ten years of his life and in the meantime, about 1887, he became interested in the real estate business, in which he has since been successfully engaged. In 1887 he was elected alderman from the thirty-seventh ward, and served one five-year term. He then devoted himself for several years to his business interests, and in September, 1898, was appointed alderman to fill a vacancy. At the regular election, in February, 1899, he was elected to the position on the republican ticket. In 1890 and 1892 he was a candidate for legislative honors, but failed to obtain the nomination. Mr. Robinson is known as a man temperate in habits, methodical and energetic in business affairs. He is charitable in word as well as in deed and has won the respect of all those who have had the pleasure of coming into close touch with him in a business or social way. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, a Knight Templar and Shriner.
CHARLES J. RUHLANDT, register of deeds, Pittsburg, was born in Pittsburg, on the South Side, July 27, 1860, and there reared and educated in the cominon schools. When nine years old he worked two months in a glass factory, and returning to school, continued until 1873, when he left for good to work in a glass factory on the South Side. From 1880 to 1885 he was associated with his brother, J. W. Ruhlandt, in a hotel on the South Side, and from 1885 to 1896 was engaged in the café business. During this time, from 1886 to 1888, he was also employed in the prothon-
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otary's office. In 1896 Mr. Ruhlandt was appointed street inspector, serving in this capacity a year, and was then for two years otherwise engaged in the city service. In February, 1899, he was appointed assistant superintendent of streets, serving in this position five months, and was then appointed to his present office, in which he has given good satisfaction. In November, 1901, after being out of office two months, Mr. Ruhlandt was reappointed, and is now serving under this appointment. Mr. Ruhlandt is a member of the B. P. O. E., Junior Order of United American Mechanics and the Maccabees.
HENRY CHARLES EVERT, of Pittsburg, Pa., a prominent lawyer and senior member of the firm of H. C. Evert & Co., patent attorneys, of Pitts- burg and Washington, D. C., was born in Pittsburg, Sept. 13, 1869, son of Henry and Marie (Nahmacher) Evert. His father was born on Nov. 1, 1825, came to Pittsburg at an early age and there was well known as a wholesale liquor dealer and an importer of wines. He was prom- inently identified with the commercial interests of the city and died on Jan. 9, 1871. Henry C. Evert was educated in the rudimentary courses in the public schools of Pittsburg, and Holy Ghost college and later attended the Western university. He then matriculated at the law department of Georgetown university, where he was graduated in 1890 with the degree of bachelor of laws. He con- tinued his studies there, devoting his time to post-graduate work, and in 1891 received the degree of master of laws. He was admitted to the bar on June 21, 1891, and to the supreme court of Pennsylvania on Jan. 5, 1895, being at that time the youngest man to achieve that honor. Mr. Evert practices in the superior court, the supreme court of the District of Columbia, the court of appeals and many other high tribunals. His present firm was established at Washington in 1890, and later extended to Pittsburg. His associate in this firm is Mr. A. M. Wilson, of Washington, D. C., a well-known solicitor of patents of the national capital, with offices at No. 616 Ninth St., opposite the patent office. Mr. Evert is a member of the Odd Fellows, the chamber of commerce and the Second Presbyterian church and resides in the twentieth ward.
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WILLIAM B. ARMSTRONG, alderman from the twenty-third ward, Pittsburg, was born in Pittsburg, July 12, 1854. He moved with his parents to Chicago when six years old, and remained there ten years, attending the public schools. Returning to Pittsburg, Mr. Armstrong went to work in a tan-yard and followed this voca- tion successfully for about twenty years, part of the time running a tan- yard of his own. He gave up this business in 1888, and spent two years in the grocery business at Scottdale, Westmoreland county. Returning to Pittsburg, Mr. Armstrong became assistant superintendent of the Second Avenue traction company, and was so engaged until 1900, when he was elected alderman for a five- year term, on the republican ticket. Alderman Armstrong is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a miem- ber of the Maccabees, Woodmen of the World, Royal Arcanum, I. O. O. F. and its Encampment branch. In religious belief he affiliates with the United Presbyterian church.
FRANK ORBIN, superintendent of the bureau of electricity of the city of Pittsburg, was born in Butler county, Pa., in 1871. His father being a Methodist minister, and thus transferred from place to place, Mr. Orbin spent his youth at various points in western Pennsylvania. After the usual prepa- ration, he entered the Pennsylvania state college, graduating from the mechanical engineering department in 1893, and then gained a year's practical experience in the Westinghouse plant at Pittsburg. After this he took a post-graduate course in physics and electricity at Johns Hopkins university. Thus thoroughly prepared, he entered the employ of the city of Pittsburg in 1895 as an inspector in the bureau of electricity, his duty being to inspect all electrical work done in the city. Mr. Orbin was advanced from this position in 1901 to be chief inspector, and in May, 1902, was made superin- tendent of the bureau. Mr. Orbin is a member of the Engineers' society of western Pennsylvania, and the American institute of electrical engineers, In religious belief he is a Methodist and in politics a republican. He resides in the nineteenth ward, Pitts- burg.
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JAMES V. McMASTERS, alderman of the city of Pittsburg and police magistrate, was born in Pittsburg, Dec. 24, 1854, and there raised and educated. When eighteen years old he entered the office of the county prothonotary, and remained there three years. Mr. McMasters was after this employed, up to 1877, in the office of his father, who was at that time alderman from the fifth ward. He next entered the employ of James Getty, a whole- sale liquor dealer, and remained there eight years. In February, 1885, Mr. McMasters was elected alderman from the second ward and has since been three times re-elected. He is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M., B. P. O. E. and American Eagles.
JACOB JOHN VOEGTLY, of Pitts- burg, Pa., a prominent young attorney, with offices in the Syndicate block at No. 518 Fourth Ave., was born in Allegheny city, Jan. 1, 1875, son of Nicholas H. and Mary (Steiner) Voegtly. The Voegtly family is one of the most prominent in Allegheny county and is of Swiss origin. Nicholas Voegtly, Jr., the grandfather of Jacob John, having settled in Pittsburg in 1822, was the first member of the family to locate in America. He owned a large NICHOLAS H. VOEGTLY. tract of land in Allegheny county, front- ing on the Allegheny river, which is now included in the fourth, eighth, third and seventh wards of Alle- gheny city. He was a member of the legislature and also served as councilman of Allegheny city. He married Maria Rickenbach and their children were: Mary, widow of Henry Gerwig, now residing in Allegheny city; Henrietta (deceased) ; Elizabeth (deceased), who married Jacob Kopp; Susan (deceased), who married John Habermehl, and Nicholas H. Nicholas H. Voegtly was born in Allegheny city, Nov. 23, 1834, and spent his entire life in that city. He was an active citizen of that corporation and for thirty-five years was engaged in the lumber business. He represented the third ward of Allegheny city in the council for sixteen years, served several terms in the legislature and was mayor of Allegheny city for a short period immediately preceding his death. He was a director in the German National and the Third National banks and was also financially interested in other banking institutions. He was a director of three bridge companies and was secretary and
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treasurer of the Sixteenth Street bridge company. He was closely identified with the Voegtly Presbyterian church of Allegheny city, the building site of which was donated by his father. Nicholas H. Voegtly was married to Mary Steiner and they had the following children: William N., Charles, Frank L., Edwin B., Annie, wife of Edward E. Eggers; Helen S., Robert, Florence R., Emma M., Nicholas H., Jr., Jacob J., Flora E., Gertrude O. and Oscar, who died in childhood. Jacob J. Voegtly was educated in the public schools of Allegheny city, entering the high school in 1891, later attended the Park institute and in September, 1893, matriculated at the the Washington and Jefferson college, where he was graduated in June, 1897. He then entered the law department of the University of Pennsylvania, where he remained for two years, later read law in the offices of W. B. Rodgers and J. H. Johnston, and in December, 1900, was admitted to the bar. Since then he has engaged in the practice of law at Pittsburg, where he is a mem- ber of all courts and stands well among the younger element of the legal fraternity.
ROBERT DUNN LAYTON, immigrant inspector, post of Pittsburg, was born in Butler county, Pa., in 1847, and when two years old moved with his parents to West End, Pittsburg. Five years later the family moved to the city, and there Mr. Layton was reared, and attended the public schools. Later he continued his studies at Westminster college, New Wilmington, Pa., but left that institution in February, 1864, to enter the Union army, enlist- ing as a private in Company E, 13th Pennsylvania cavalry. He served with this regiment until mustered out in the early summer of 1865, and was honorably discharged in Philadelphia some time later. During the war Mr. Layton took part in all the principal battles and arduous campaigns in which his company was engaged. He was never wounded, never in the hospital, never had a fur- lough, and never asked for a pension. Just before the surrender of Joe Johnston, in April, 1865, Mr. Layton was captured and held prisoner for four days in a barn, and then, with twenty-five others, escaped and rejoined his regiment. After receiving his discharge at Philadelphia, he returned to Pittsburg and learned the tool- makers' trade, which had been his father's trade. He worked at this until 1882, when he was elected secretary and treasurer of the national organization of the Knights of Labor. He was twice re-elected to this position, and then, at the convention held at . Cincinnati in 1885, resigned and went into the insurance business
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in Pittsburg, in which he was engaged for three years. At the suggestion of Senator Quay, Mr. Layton was sent to Indiana to assist the state republican committee in arranging for speakers and planning the republican campaign. He was occupied thus until the succeeding election in November, 1888. He returned to Pitts- burg, closed up his insurance business, and in June, 1889, was appointed by President Harrison as immigrant inspector at the post of Pittsburg, he being the first to hold that office at Pittsburg. In June, 1893, Mr. Layton was removed by President Cleveland, returning to the insurance business for several years. In Febru- ary, 1898, he was again appointed to office, stationed at New York for a time as boarding officer, and in May, 1898, was appointed to his old place as immigrant inspector at Pittsburg. In performance of the duties of this office, Mr. Layton acts as Chinese inspector, and as such has transported more people than all the other interior posts put together, a record which testifies to exceptional watchful- ness and attention to duty. Mr. Layton is a member of Post No. 3. G. A. R., and belongs to no church.
FRANCIS J. TORRANCE. Among the "Captains of Industry," whose com- manding ability and eminent success have made their names familiar wherever the English tongue is spoken, Francis John Torrance, first vice-president of the Standard sanitary manufacturing com- pany, president of the Western Pennsyl- vania exposition society, president of the select council, and connected in many ways with numerous other positions of honor, trust and responsibility, stands out as one of the most remarkable men of this great industrial metropolis of America. He was born in the third ward, city of Allegheny, on June 27, 1859, and is still a resi- dent of the city of his birth. Mr. Torrance is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, the son of Francis Torrance, one of the earlier and best- known of the business men of Allegheny county, who came to America from the north of Ireland in 1850, when thirty years of age, and located in Allegheny county. He was one of the large family of Francis Torrance, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who was a well-to-do farmer of County Donegal, in the north of Ireland. The father of Francis J. was a man of sterling
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worth and honesty, and soon took a leading part in the develop- ment of his adopted county. He was one of the founders of the Standard manufacturing company, of which he was president many years, and was the manager of the Schenley estate for over thirty years. He held many positions of local importance, which shows the confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens. He was a member of the Allegheny city select council and of the school board for eighteen years, a trustee of the Baptist church of Allegheny and president of the board. Francis J. was given a good education. He attended the public schools of Allegheny city and graduated from the third ward school in 1874. He took a course at Newell institute and completed his school education at the Western Univer- sity of Pennsylvania. He entered upon his remarkable business career in connection with his father, first as a clerk and then as superintendent of the Standard manufacturing company, which position he held until the death of his father, at the age of seventy years, in 1886. After his father's death, the son was appointed treasurer and general manager of the company in Pittsburg, and is at present the first vice-president, with offices in the Arrott build- ing. This company has one of the finest and most extensive enameling works in the world, located in Allegheny city. Over 1,000 men are employed, and branch offices are located in New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Chicago, Buffalo, San Francisco and Montreal. Mr. Torrance is also president of the Washington street railway company, president of the Riverside land company, presi- dent of the Pittsburg natatorium company, and president of the Western Pennsylvania exposition society, whose latest and most successful session (1902) closed in a blaze of musical glory under Sousa, Creatore and Damrosch. Few men have risen to such prominence at such an early age as Mr. Torrance. Genial, kind, easily approached, courteous to old and young, rich and poor alike, he is first and foremost in every good work, whether of business, social, religious, benevolent, educational or civic importance. He is a steam engine so far as the accomplishment of hard work is concerned, but does it so easily and good-naturedly that the cares and struggles of business have failed to furrow his ruddy, almost boyish face, and he bids fair to grow younger instead of older-look- ing with the advancing years. Mr. Torrance married Miss Mary R. Dibert, daughter of David and Lydia (Griffith) Dibert, of Johns- town, Nov. 6, 1884. They have but one child, a daughter, Jane. Mr. Torrance is a member of the Americus club, Pittsburg, and was its president for two years. He is also a member of the
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Duquesne club, of the Press club and of the Fulton club, New York city; also the Stollers and the Pennsylvania society, New York city. He is president of the Allegheny select council, and is chairman ex-officio of all the standing committees of said council. In 1895 he was appointed by Governor Hastings commissioner of public charities of Pennsylvania, and was elected president of the State board of charities in 1902. Mr. Torrance has been prominently mentioned for governor of Pennsylvania. Commanding the con- fidence and respect of all classes of his fellow-citizens as he does, he could be elected to any office of trust and honor to which he might aspire.
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