USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, personal and genealogical with portraits, Volume II > Part 5
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THOMAS J. LEWIS, paymaster for . the W. Deweese-Wood company (Ameri- can sheet steel company), was born in Wales, in 1871, being a son of Thomas E. and Rachel Lewis. The Lewis fam- ily moved to America when the subject of this sketch was less than three years old, settling first at Johnstown, later at Irwin Station, and finally at Mckeesport. Thomas J. Lewis attended school at Irwin Station and Mckeesport, where he was a newsboy while attending school, and at thirteen left his books to become messenger boy for the Baltimore & Ohio railroad company. Shortly afterwards he left this company to enter the employ of the Deweese-Wood company, now the American sheet steel company, as office boy. In the employ of this concern he was promoted to
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clerk, then assistant paymaster, and, in 1903, succeeded George Falkenstein as paymaster, a position for which his long and faith- ful service had amply qualified him. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Knights of Malta, the Royal Arcanum, the Youghiogheny lodge of Masons, and of Mckeesport lodge, No. 136, B. P. O. Elks. He belongs to the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a republican. Mr. Lewis' home is in Mckeesport, in the sixth ward.
LEO F. O'BRIEN, of Mckeesport, Pa., a successful merchant tailor, was born in Newcastle, Pa., in 1870, and is a son of the late Col. Edward O'Brien and of his wife, Theresa. Mr. O'Brien attended the parochial school of his native town, and completed his education by a course in the local high school. On leaving school, he began to carry news- papers for a stationery and news store, and eighteen months later began with a wholesale grocery establishment. One year afterwards he went to Bradford, and there began to learn tailoring, spending nine and one-half years there at that trade. He returned to Newcastle for one year, and then came to Mckeesport, where for three years he was man- ager of a tailoring establishment. When that concern went out of business, Mr. O'Brien engaged in merchant tailoring at the corner of Smithfield and Sixth streets, Pittsburg, and there prospered for two years. In March, 1900, he opened his present merchant tailor- ing establishment at No. 219 Fifth Ave., Mckeesport, and is now one of the most prosperous business men in his line in the city. Mr. O'Brien is a prominent member of the great American fra- ternity, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; is a trustee of the local lodge, and active in the interests of this society. He is also a member of C. M. B. A., of A. O. H., and of St. Peter's Roman Catholic church of Mckeesport. Mr. O'Brien's father was a member of the Pennsylvania infantry during the Mexican war, and later was distinguished as colonel of the 134th Pennsylvania volunteers in the great struggle between the States. Mr. O'Brien is an honorary member of the regiment commanded by his father.
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CHALMERS M. LAWSON, of Mckeesport, Pa., was born in Clarion county, Pa., July 28, 1862, educated in the public schools, and was engaged in the oil business throughout western Penn- sylvania until 1887, when he opened a pool and billiard room at. Carnegie, Pa. He removed to Mckeesport eleven years ago, since which time he has been inter- ested in a number of other enterprises, being at present manager of the Hileman- James company, 404 Frick building, Pitts- burg, Pa .; also director in the Farmers' manufacturing company; also a member of the firm of Lawson & Sowden, dealers in automobiles and bicycles, and the Pittsburg casket company, No. 1024 Fifth Ave., Pittsburg, Pa.
EMERY E. DEXTER, photographer, has been successfully engaged in that business in Mckeesport since 1895. In that year he purchased the photograph gallery of J. W. Fennell, on Fifth avenue, carried on the business there until April 1, 1903, when he moved his studio to its present well-equipped quarters at No. 517 Walnut St. He has met with marked success as a photographer, and some fifteen beautiful and costly prizes won in national and State conventions give evi- dence of his skill in this art. Mr. Dexter was born at Bower Hill, Washington Co., Pa., in 1870, moved to Carnegie at an early age, with his parents, Lyman and Martha, and was educated there in the public schools. As a boy, he served some time in a glass factory, then came to Mckeesport, and was employed from 1884 to 1895 in the Buttwell department of the National tube company's works. In politics Mr. Dexter is a repub- lican. He is a prominent and enthusiastic Mason, being a member of Lodge No. 583, Chapter No. 282, Commandery No. 59, and Syria temple, of Pittsburg. He also belongs to the Knights of Malta and Knights of the Mystic Chain. He is married and, with his wife and two sons, lives in the seventh ward. Mrs. Dexter was formerly Miss Mary L. Harmer, of Wellsville, Ohio.
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GEORGE E. HITCHENS, of McKees- port, Pa., a well-known steel blower, was born at La Salle, Ill., in 1874, and is the son of the late Thomas A. Hitchens and his wife, Julia. Young Hitchens attended the public schools of his native State and completed his educational training in the high schools of La Salle. In 1890 he removed to Mckeesport and secured employment as a measurer of tubing with the National tube company. Two years later he became shipping clerk for the same concern, and, in 1894, went with the Pittsburg steel works as foreman of the metal yards, and grad- ually worked his way up to his present position of blower. He was married, in 1895, to Grace Tate, of Mckeesport, Pa., and they have three children, Olive, Walter and George. Mr. Hitchens is an ardent member of the prohibition party, and has done much to advance the cause of temperance by his able and persistent efforts against the liquor traffic. He is prominently identified with the Methodist church, and is a member of the Woodmen of the World. Mr. Hitchens is a man of integrity and probity of character, and commands the respect of all who know him.
WILLIAM JAMES GERMAN, a prominent real estate broker of McKees- port, was born in Versailles township, Allegheny Co., Pa., June 4, 1870, son of William S. and Katherine German. He was educated at first in the public and parochial schools of Mckeesport, and then took a business course in Holy Ghost college, Pittsburg. He began his business career as clerk in the purchasing department of the National tube works company, at Mckeesport, and was advanced to positions in the order and receiving departments. In 1890 Mr. German was appointed chief of the registration and money order department of the Mckeesport postoffice under Postmaster Elmer M. Soles, and held this position four years and four months. In 1895 he went into the real estate business with the firm of Gilbert F. Myer & Co., remained with
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this concern two years, and then, in 1897, started a new business, under the firm name of Blair & German, with offices in the People's bank building. This partnership lasted until July 1, 1901, when Mr. Blair withdrew, and Mr. German has successfully managed the business alone since that time. Mr. German was married, in 1899, to Miss Elizabeth Ruth Haley, of Philadelphia, and has one son, William F. Mr. German is a member of Mckeesport lodge, No. 136, B. P. O. Elks, and of the Americus club, of Pittsburg. In politics he is a republican. He and his family reside in the seventh ward, Mckeesport.
ARTHUR J. RICHARDS, of Mckees- port, Pa., secretary of the city board of health, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1864, being a son of David and Lydia Richards. He accompanied his family to Mckeesport when only six years of age, there attended school, and when eleven years old secured employment in the tube department of the iron mills of the National tube company. Later he went with Barnes Bros.' laundry, and was in charge of their Mckeesport branch for nearly twelve years. In 1901 Mr. Rich- ards was appointed meat and milk inspector of Mckeesport, and after serving six months he resigned to engage in the wholesale milk and cream business in Pittsburg. In 1903 he was elected to his present position of secretary of the board of health of Mckees- port. He is a republican in politics, and, in 1897, was elected to the select council for a term of four years, the third year of which he served as president of that body. In 1902 he was appointed a member of the board of health, and resigned that office to accept his present position. Mr. Richards is prominently connected with a number of fraternal orders, holding membership in the Masons, the Junior Order of American Mechanics, the Knights of the Maccabees, the Woodmen of the World, and others. He is also a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He was married to Alberta Dougherty, of Mckeesport, and they have had three children, Walter G., Hazel L. (deceased) and Annie E. Mr. Richards is widely known in Mckeesport, and his popularity is attested by the number of positions of importance which his con- stituents have given him.
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GEORGE DUNCAN, master mechanic, was born in Scotland in 1864, being a son of George and Mary Duncan. He began his education in Scotland, came to Mckeesport with his parents in his eighth year, and finished his schooling there. Leaving school at twelve, he spent three years in the Buttwell mill of the National tube works company, a sim- ilar time in the Lapwell mill department, and then began to learn the machinists' trade. After serving his time, he worked as journeyman for a number of years, and was given charge of the machine shops in March, 1890, and held this position until 1893, when he was promoted to superinten- dent of the Buttwell mill. Here he remained until May, 1901, when he was made master mechanic. Mr. Duncan was married, in 1888, to Miss Anna M. Held, daughter of Louis and Catherine Bangart Held, of Mckeesport, and has one daughter, Anne Sinclair. In politics he is a republican. He is a member of Lodge No. 375, F. and A. M. ; Titus lodge, No. 207, Knights of Pythias, and belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian church. His home is in the second ward, Mckeesport.
THEODORE BOLLJE, of Mckees- port, Pa., street commissioner, was born in Baldwin township, Allegheny Co., Pa., June 16, 1853, being a son of Herman B. and Elizabeth Bollje, both deceased. His mother was the first president of the ladies' aid society of the Evangelical German Lutheran church, and was a woman known for her many deeds of charity and benevolence. He was edu- cated in the schools conducted by the German Lutheran church, and on leav- ing his studies, secured employment with the W. Deweese- Wood company, starting in their mill and con- tinuing with them for eighteen years, filling all stations from the lowest to the highest, that of a roller. Then he engaged in the confectionery business in the Hartman block, on Fifth avenue, for a short time, and later went to the National tube company as a
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shearer. He remained in that position until he was elected to his present office of street commissioner, and is making a fine record in that important place. He is a republican in politics, and has his residence in the first ward, where his family have resided since 1858. Mr. Bollje is a Mason of prominence, holding membership in the Commandery and the Shrine, and is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
JOHN W. FISHER, of Mckeesport, Pa., manager of the Atlantic refining company, of Mckeesport, Pa., was born in Cumberland, Md., in 1851, and is the son of John W. and Matilda Fisher. Mr. Fisher attended the schools of his native town until 1867, when he accompanied his parents to Pittsburg, and there resumed his studies in the eleventh ward school. He went into a foundry, learned that business, and later went to work with his father, who had charge of a machine shop at Mt. Savage, for the
Cumberland & Pennsylvania railroad. He lived on a farm near Cumberland for three years, later returned to Pittsburg, continued his schooling, and worked in a machine shop during his vacations. After attaining his majority, he was with the Westinghouse air brake company and the Mackintosh-Hemphill company for twelve years, and from 1875 to 1879 was deputy sheriff of Baltimore county, Md. For one year he was a traveling salesman from Pitts- burg for E. T. Burroughs, in the wire screen business, then went with the Standard oil company at Pittsburg as a salesman for the Pittsburg district, and later spent twelve months in the office of that company. In 1891 Mr. Fisher was placed in charge of the Atlantic refining company at Mckeesport, and has since ably filled that important position. He was married, in 1872, to Elanora Walters, of Baltimore, and they have three children, John W., Jr., Robert E. and C. R. Mr. Fisher is a member of the republican party and the Methodist church, and is one of the leading men of the city where he makes his home.
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P. J. MORRESSEY, chief of police at Mckeesport, was born in Trenton, N. J., in 1862, and attended the public schools until he reached the age of fourteen, when he gave up his studies to go to work as water boy in a rolling mill. At seventeen he had become a rougher, and he then went into the heating depart- ment. His first work was at Bethlehem, and in 1879 he came to Mckeesport, where he worked in the National rolling mills until the strike of 1882. He then took an extended western trip, stopping at Pueblo, Col., and at other places, and in 1887 returned to McKees- port and resumed his work in the mills. He became a member of the Mckeesport police force in 1897, starting as a patrolman, and in 1899 was made chief, in which position he has since served, and shown himself an efficient man for the place. Chief Morressey is a member of St. Peter's Roman Catholic church. He was married, in 1887, to Miss Kate Murry, of Bethlehem, Pa., and has two chil- dren, Josephine and Peter.
WVM. HENRY RICHARDS, superin- tendent of the works of the United States tin plate company at Demmler, has risen to his present responsible place by long and faithful service in other positions. Mr. Richards was born in England in 1858, son of William and Sarah Richards; lived there until his fourteenth year, attending school, and then came with his parents to Leechburg, Pa., where he finished his education. Going into the tin and sheet iron mills at Leechburg, he worked on the cold rolls four years; then came to Demmler, where he was a roller until 1882, when he went to Apollo, Pa., and worked a short time as a sheet roller there. His next position was at Canonsburg, where he had charge of the cold rolls three years, and later went to sheet rolling in a larger mill. Being promoted to assistant superintendent, he held that position four years, and then accepted a position to superintend the erec- tion of a new tin plate mill at New Kensington, Pa. He built a
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mill there, got it into shape, and was superintendent eight years, resigning at the end of that time, in December, 1902, to accept his present position at Demmler. Mr. Richards was married, in 1870, to Miss Anna Lewis, daughter of Mark and Sarah Lewis, of Demmler. Mr. and Mrs. Richards have four children, William, Mark J., Roy W. and Bertha M. In politics Mr. Richards is a republican, and has served in the city council of New Kensington. In religious belief he is a Methodist. He is a member of F. and A. M., Royal Arcanum, B. P. O. Elks, and Maccabees.
CHARLES ARTHURS, heater for the National tube company, at McKees- port, was born in England in 1861, and came to America in 1868 with his par- ents, Joseph and Ann Arthurs. The family settled near Huntingdon, in the Broad Top mountains, and moved about two years later to Irwin, Westmoreland county. Charles Arthurs attended the public schools, then engaged in coal min- ing for a time, and in 1878 started on a two-year tour through the west. Return- ing to Pennsylvania, he worked as a coal miner at Carnegie until 1883, and then went to Mckeesport to begin his long service with the National tube company, as second helper. He was promoted two years later to first helper, was for eight years extra heater, and has been heater since then. Ever since he became of age, Mr. Arthurs has taken an active interest in politics. He was for a number of years a member of the repub- lican county committee, different times represented the sixth ward as a delegate to the county convention, and in 1891, when Mckees- port was incorporated into a city, he was elected as a member of the common council from the sixth ward for a two-year term. He was elected to the school board in 1898, and in 1903 was honored by a re-election. He is a member of Lodge No. 571, I. O. O. F .; Sons of St. George, No. 50, and Independent Order of Heptasophs, No. 81. He is a member of the Coursin Street Methodist church. Mr. Arthurs was married, in 1880, to Mary M. Willard, daughter of Henry Willard, of Carnegie. They have had seven children: Joseph H., Charles, Jr. (deceased), Thomas W., Alfred, Sarah E., Violet W. and Robert J. B. (deceased).
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JABEZ J. HILL, son of Hiram Hill, of Mckeesport, and probably the best- known barber of that city, was born in England in 1874. He came to America with his parents in 1880, the family locat- ing at Mckeesport, and was educated in the public schools there. Upon leaving school, he spent six months in a saw- mill, and was then employed in various capacities in the National tube works for four years. In 1890 he learned the bar- ber trade, and in 1893 started in the busi- ness for himself at No. 1215 Fifth Ave., where he has since been located, and keeps a popular shop. In political belief he is a republican, and takes an active interest in the local affairs of his party. In the last election he was a candi- date for councilman in the sixth ward, and was elected, receiving 509 votes. Mr. Hill is a member of the Sons of St. George, No. 152, and of Lodge No. 136, B. P. O. Elks.
JOHN FRANCIS CALHOUN, attor- ney and solicitor for East Mckeesport, was born in Lincoln township, Allegheny Co., Pa., in 1862, son of Alexander and Sarah Lincoln. He attended first the district schools, then Mckeesport acad- emy, and Curry university, of Pittsburg, and finally studied law at the Ann Arbor law school, in Michigan. Graduating from that institution in 1890, Mr. Calhoun came to Mckeesport, where for two years he practiced alone, and then formed a partnership with Mr. G. A. Johnson, which has continued to date. He also has an office in Mckeesport. In political belief he is a republican, and has served on the McKees- port school board, representing the tenth ward, for the past nine years. In the practice of his profession, Mr. Calhoun has met with unusual success. He was for seven years solicitor for Reynoldton, until that borough was made a part of Mckeesport, was solicitor for Port Vue nine years, and is at present solicitor for East Mckeesport. He is a member of Royal Arcanum, No. 105, and Junior O. U. A. M., Hero council, No. 666. He belongs to the
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Methodist church. Mr. Calhoun was married, in 1884, to Miss Sarah M. Dias, daughter of Alfred Dias, of Elizabeth township, Allegheny county, and has one son, Noel A. Mr. Calhoun is an excellent marksman, devoted to the sport, and has for six years held all records for trap shooting for the western half of Allegheny county.
JOHN N. DERSAM, a prominent Mckeesport merchant, and chairman of the select council of that city, was born at Coal Valley, Allegheny Co., Pa., Nov. 17, 1866, and attended the district schools there until his ninth year. Mov- ing then with his parents to Dravos- burg, Allegheny county, he attended school there two years, and then, the family having moved to Mckeesport, he worked for a year and a half on the ferry- boat "Nora." Mr. Dersam was then employed by the National tube com- pany, and after this in the heating department of the National roll- ing mills, and then, in company with his father, he made a four-year tour of the western and southwestern part of the United States. He returned to Mckeesport in 1885, and on March 19, 1886, began his business career as a hatter and men's furnisher at No. 131 Fifth Ave. He has successfully engaged in this business since then, being located, since 1887, at No. 145 Fifth Ave. Mr. Dersam's political career has been a brilliant one. In 1891 he was elected to represent the second ward in the common council, held this position two years, and then moved into the fifth ward. Here he was elected to the common council, in 1894, and served four years. Then, in 1897, he was elected to the select council, being the youngest man ever chosen to that office in the history of Mckeesport. His services in this body have won him two re-elec- tions, and he was chosen chairman of the select council without opposition. His present term expires in 1905. Mr. Dersam was married, Jan. 5, 1886, to Miss Kate Nagel, daughter of Louis Nagel, of Mckeesport. Mr. Dersam is a member of the following lodges: Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, the Masonic order, and the Jr. O. U. A. M. and is a member of the German Lutheran church.
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CHARLES F. DELONG, son of James L. and Mary E. DeLong, and a prominent insurance man of Pittsburg and Mckeesport, was born in Mckees- port in 1874. He attended the public schools, then the Cheltenham military school, in Philadelphia, and finished his education at the University of Pennsyl- vania. He studied medicine while attending the university, but, owing to an accident, was compelled to change his plans, and, in 1894, he engaged in the insurance business. He opened an office at first at 508 Walnut St., and in April, 1902, moved to his present commodious quarters at 509 Market St. He has also, since March, 1902, had an office at 341 Fourth Ave., Pittsburg. Mr. DeLong is a member of Mckeesport lodge, No. 136, B. P. O. E .; Lodge No. 238, R. A., and Lodge No. 364, I, O. O. F. He is also a prominent clubman, being a member of the Houston club, Phila- delphia; the Americus club, Automobile club and Keystone club, Pittsburg, and the Quaker club, Mckeesport. Politically, he is a republican, and in religion a Methodist. Mr. DeLong was mar- ried, Oct. 21, 1896, to Miss Bertha F. Allebrand, daughter of John A. and Rachel Allebrand, and has two children, Eleanor V. and John A. The family reside in Mckeesport, in the second ward.
MICHAEL GROSS, a well-known Mckeesport merchant, and councilman from the tenth ward, was born in Mifflin township, Allegheny Co., Pa., in August, 1849, son of Peter and Margaret Gross. He received a common-school education in the district schools, after which for a number of years he was interested in the coal business, and in steamboating on the Ohio river. Mr. Gross is prominent in local political affairs. During the first administration of President Cleve- land he was appointed postmaster of what was then known as Reynoldton, now tenth ward, Mckeesport. He kept a grocery in Reynoldton nine years, and then moved to his present location, 317-319 Atlantic Ave., Mckeesport, where he does
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a large business in general merchandise. In Reynoldton Mr. Gross was one of the foremost citizens and was burgess at the time it became the tenth ward. He has since then represented the ward for five years in the select council of Mckeesport. Mr. Gross was married, in 1872, to Miss Margaret Elizabeth Elster, of Mifflin township, and has had by this marriage six children, Minnie, Frederick W., Elizabeth, George, Henry and Grover. Mrs. Gross and the eldest daughter, Minnie, are now deceased. Mr. Gross is president of one of the largest breweries in Allegheny county. It is at present undergoing completion, and will be called the Tube City brewing company.
SAMUEL L. WIGGINS, M. D., of Mckeesport, Pa., a prominent general practitioner of medicine, was born in Indiana county, Pa., in 1849, a son of James and Eliza Wiggins. He first attended the district schools and com- pleted his classical training at the Elder- ton academy, of Armstrong county. He read medicine at home, later attended Jefferson medical college, of Philadelphia, and was graduated from that famous school of medicine in 1873, with the degree of doctor of medicine. Dr. Wig- gins began his professional career at Livermore, and two years later removed to Black Lick, where he practiced with much suc- cess for ten years. He spent one year at Philadelphia, taking post- ยท graduate courses, and in 1886 came to Mckeesport, where he has since practiced. Dr. Wiggins maintains offices at No. 224 Sixth Ave., and has a splendid clientele. He is quite prominent in Masonic circles, having taken the Knight Templar and thirty- second degrees and being a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church, and a member of the board of sessions of that institution. His political affiliations are with the democrats, and he is an ardent supporter of the doctrines of that great party. Dr. Wiggins stands high among the physicians of Mckeesport, and is held in high esteem by his entire acquaint- anceship.
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