USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume II > Part 9
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When the need of an assured supply of coke became apparent, and the United States Government began urging all steel manufacturers to build by-product coke ovens to supply much needed toluyl and ammon- ium sulphate for ammunition purposes, the firm entered into negotia- tions with the Rainey estate, the result of which was an agreement made June 11, 1918, for the organization of the Rainey-Wood Coke Company, to be located just north of the blast furnaces at Swedeland. Under this agreement, the Rainey estate furnishes the coal, and the steel company takes the coke, gas and tar. A contract with the government was signed and the construction of the plant was being pushed with all possible speed when the armistice was signed. By August 26, 1919, however, the plant was ready to produce coke. This plant has coked as high as 2,000 tons of coal in a day, and the yield of coke and by-products has fulfilled, and in some cases exceeded, expectations. The sulphate of ammonia is sold principally to manufacturers of commercial fertilizers, and the gas and tar are burned at Ivy Rock, supplying about half the fuel used there. Ledyard Heckscher, as president; Howard Wood, Jr., as a director and assistant treasurer, represent the Wood interests in the Rainey-Wood Coke Company, while Roy Rainey, as a director, and Scott Stewart as vice-president and treasurer, represent the Rainey interests.
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Thus in the course of five generations, the Alan Wood Iron and Steel Company has developed from the "smithy" near Hickorytown, established by James Wood in 1792, and from the "Hammer Hollow" forge established by him before 1806. The directors of the corporation are: Richard G. Wood, Jonathan R. Jones, William W. Lukens, Thomas D. Wood, Clement B. Wood, Howard Wood, Jr., Alan D. Wood, Rich- ard G. Wood, Jr., Ledyard Heckscher, Stevens Heckscher, and Gustave A. Heckscher. The officers, elected in January, 1920, were: Richard G. Wood, chairman of the board ; Jonathan R. Jones, vice-chairman of the board; William W. Lukens, president; Ledyard Heckscher, vice-presi- dent; Howard Wood, Jr., vice-president and treasurer ; Alan D. Wood, assistant treasurer ; John W. Logan, secretary ; and A. Markley Harry, assistant treasurer and assistant secretary. In January, 1922, William W. Lukens resigned as president of Alan Wood Iron and Steel Com- pany, and Richard G. Wood, who had previously served as president from 1911 to 1920, resigned as chairman of the board and was elected president of the company. Likewise, Jonathan R. Jones resigned as vice-chairman of the board and was elected vice-president. The man- agers and superintendents of the company's plants are: Richard G. Wood, Jr., manager of the steel works department; John E. Mountain, superintendent of the steel works department; Gustave A. Hecksher, manager of the blast furnace department; Glenn Hanna, superintendent of the blast furnaces ; William A. Cooper, manager of the Schuylkill Iron Works and J. Wood department; and Vincent P. Wood, superintendent of the J. Wood department.
Alan Wood married Ann Hunter Dewees, February 22, 1825, and they were the parents of six children: Walter Dewees, of whom fur- ther ; Thomas; James H .; Alan, Jr .; George W .; and Howard, of whom further.
(V) Walter Dewees Wood, son of Alan and Ann Hunter (Dewees) Wood, born in Philadelphia, April 19, 1826, died January 2, 1899. He assumed the management of the Delaware Iron Works under the direc- tion of his father, as has already been stated, when he was eighteen years of age, going to Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, when he was twenty- five, where, in association with his father-in-law, Richard B. Gilpin, he built the sheet iron mill known as the Mckeesport Iron Works. Return- ing to the Delaware Iron Works in 1857, he took charge there for four years, and then went back to Mckeesport, where he founded the busi- ness out of which grew the W. Dewees Wood Company. To him chiefly belongs the credit of perfecting the process of manufacturing planished iron, which eventually surpassed the famous Russian iron. Other inter- ests of W. Dewees Wood were the Wellsville Plate and Sheet Iron Company, at Wellsville, Ohio, which he founded in 1880, and the Wood- son Company, on the Monongahela river, a few miles above Elizabeth. This was under construction when the firm sold out in 1900. He mar- ried, in 1848, Rosalind Gilpin, and they were the parents of four sons and three daughters, among whom was Thomas Dewees.
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(VI) Thomas Dewees Wood, son of Walter Dewees and Rosalind (Gilpin) Wood, was educated at Swarthmore College, and the Uni- versity of Pittsburgh, finishing at Cornell University, after which he entered the Mckeesport plant, where he spent several years. He went to California for twelve years, then returned to Pennsylvania, locating at Bryn Mawr, where he is living retired, although he has interests in a number of organizations, being director in several. Thomas Dewees Wood married Mary Craige, and they were the parents of five children: Lindsay ; Ruth G., who married Edward R. Neilson; Eleanor R., who married Francis Zara; Lillian W., who married William S. Febiger; and Vincent Porter.
(VII) Vincent Porter Wood, son of Thomas Dewees and Mary (Craige) Wood, was born in Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, September 21, 1892, and received his preparatory education in Santa Barbara, Califor- nia. He then entered Mckenzie Academy, from which he was gradu- ated in 1911. When his academic course was completed, he at once began his business career as weigh master in association with the Alan Wood Iron and Steel Company. He was promoted through all three grades, in the capacity of weigh master, and is now general superintend- ent of the J. Wood department.
Politically Mr. Wood gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party, and his religious affiliation is with the Episcopal church. He is also a member of Merion Cricket Club. On June 12, 1912, in New York City, Vincent Porter Wood married Eleanor Sharwood, daughter of Edward R. and Julia (Evans) Sharwood, and they are the parents of six children: Mary Craige, Eleanor S., Thomas D., Marion K., Natalie, and Julia.
(V) Howard Wood, son of Alan and Ann Hunter (Dewees) Wood, was born in Philadelphia, February 8, 1846. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, when he was eighteen years of age, he began business at the Schuylkill Iron Works, and upon the election of his older brother, Alan, Jr., to Congress, in 1876, assumed entire charge of the mill. When the firm was incorporated in 1885, he was made president, and this executive office he continued to hold to the time of his death, July 1, 1911. Under his leadership the company built the Steel Works and acquired blast furnaces by merging with the Heck- scher interests. In 1869 he married Mary Biddle, and they became the parents of five sons (three of whom are now associated with the com- pany) and four daughters: Biddle; Alan (3); Howard, Jr., of whom further ; Clement B .; Owen B., died at the age of two years; Helen B .; Rachel B .; Marion B .; and Dorothy, who died at the age of two months.
(VI) Howard Wood, Jr., son of Howard and Mary (Biddle) Wood, was born in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1876, and received his preparatory education in the Dehancy Private School in Philadelphia. He then entered Harvard University, from which he was graduated in 1898, with the degrees Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. When his college course was completed, he began his business career in 1898, as a foreman in the Alan Wood Iron and Steel Com-
Forward Word
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pany. In 1911 he became assistant manager of the company's Schuyl- kill Iron Works ; in 1918 he was made secretary and assistant treasurer ; and in 1920 he was elected vice-president and treasurer, which offices he has continued to hold to the present time (1922). In addition to his interests and responsibilities in the Alan Wood Iron and Steel Company, Mr. Wood is interested in the Tradesmen's National Bank, of Consho- hocken, Pennsylvania, and is a member of the board of directors of the Great Valley Mills, at Paoli, Pennsylvania. Politically he gives his support to the Republican party, and he has been a member of the Philadelphia City Troop for ten years. His religious affiliation and that of his family, is with the Episcopal church, of Conshohocken, which he serves as vestryman. His clubs are : The Union League, Merion Cricket, Gulf Mills Golf, and White Marsh Valley Hunt. On November 7, 1914, Mr. Wood married Phebe L. Wilmer, of Queen Anne county, Maryland, daughter of Harry and Alice (Emory) Wilmer, and they are the par- ents of three children : Alice Grey, Howard (3), and Harry Wilmer.
HILARY MISSIMER LESSIG-With the exception of six years, the entire life of Hilary Missimer Lessig, to the present time, has been passed in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and it may truly be said that through the years the community has been wiser and richer because of his having been one of its citizens. As president and general manager of the Satter Brass Boiler Plant, a concern which has so successfully met its labor problems that in the year 1922 fifty per cent. of its employees had been with the firm for twenty years, he has made a notable contribution to the economic history of the section, and enriched the lives of many workmen. But Mr. Lessig's big work and interest is the public schools, and few men in Pennsylvania have done more than he for the development of that institution or for the stimulation and encouragement of the young people of his community.
(I) Mr. Lessig is the great-great-grandson of George Lessig, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, and came to America in 1748, settling at Pottsgrove, now Pottstown. George Lessig had sons, George, Peter, Charles, and Johan, and it is through the last named, Johan, that the descent of the branch of the family to which Mr. Lessig belongs is traced.
(II) Johan Lessig, son of George Lessig, was born in Bavaria, March 5, 1745, and died at Pottstown, Pennsylvania, September 10, 1781. He was a good citizen and a patriot, serving during the Revolu- tionary War as a private in the Seventh Company of the Fourth Bat- talion, Philadelphia County Militia. He was the father of sons, among whom was Michael, of whom further.
(III) Michael Lessig, son of Johan Lessig, was born at Pottstown, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1785, and died in the place of his birth, April 6, 1869. He married, and among his children was Johann Christian, of whom further.
(IV) Johann Christian Lessig, son of Michael Lessig, was born at Pottstown, Pennsylvania, November 23, 1817, and died December 9,
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1893. He married, at Pottstown, May 22, 1839, Julian Sprague, who was born December 4, 1819, and died December 13, 1893, the day of her husband's burial. Among their children was Adam, of whom further. (V) Adam Lessig, son of Johann Christian and Julian (Sprague) Lessig, born October 21, 1841, died November 1, 1912. He served during the Civil War as a private in Company C, Fourth Pennsylvania Infan- try. Having received an injury in the knee, he was sent home ill, later losing his leg as a result of the injury. He was a brickmaker, railroader, and merchant. He was active in the public affairs of Pottstown, and for nine years served as a member of the City Council. He married, at Pottstown, January 1, 1863, Sally Jenkins, born July 8, 1841, died March 13, 1893, of English parentage, and they were the parents of Hilary Missimer, of whom further.
(VI) Hilary Missimer Lessig, son of Adam and Sally (Jenkins) Lessig, was born at Pottstown, Pennsylvania, April 4, 1867, and with the exception of the years 1904-1910 has lived continuously at Potts- town. His home is Pottstown. His interests are the interests of Potts- town. He believes in his community and believes, too, that everyone should give freely of his time and money to make his community the best possible place in which to live. He received his education in the public schools of his native city, completing the high school course, and then attending the spring term at the State Normal School. He then engaged in teaching, taking charge of a district school for one term of ten months, during which time he had twenty-two pupils regularly and prepared several for State Normal School. It was during this time that he became deeply interested in the school system of the county. Taking a deep interest in each individual pupil, he saw clearly that the advantages provided were sadly deficient and that a better school system was neces- sary if there was to be economic advancement for that section of the State. "The schools must develop better citizens, and in order that they may accomplish that work they must be greatly improved," was his con- clusion, and he has worked unceasingly toward that end.
After one term of teaching, however, he entered the employ of Satter Brothers as clerk in their boiler plant, and was later transferred from one department to another, working continuously to make himself more valuable to his employers. When he had become thoroughly familiar with all the various departments of the work shops, he was put into the executive departments, as office boy, as estimator, as time keeper, etc., until he was as familiar with the executive side of the business as with the operating side. When the business was incorporated in 1884 he was one of the incorporators, with Jacob C., Henry S., Ferdinand, and Philip Satter, the last named being the original founder of the business in 1869. Mr. Lessig was made secretary of the corporation and at once became active in its management. The incorporators worked themselves and employed twelve men then, but since that time the business has steadily grown. In 1886 larger quarters were required and the plant was removed to its present location. Mr. Lessig has seen every build- ing of the present plant erected, and has had a part in the purchase and
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installation of every bit of machinery now used there. The equipment has always been kept up-to-date and at the present time is using the very latest machinery. A notable feature of the business is its method of meeting the problems which arise in connection with the conflicting interests of capital and labor. The plant is conducted on the open shop plan, and throughout its history has never had labor troubles. A shop committee of five employees meets with the management and discusses matters of mutual interest to capital and labor. A splendid spirit of cooperation prevails in the plant, and as a result of the partnership which has been formed between capital and labor each works for the interest of the other as well as for himself. More than eighty per cent. of the employees have been with the firm for five years or more, and fifty per cent. of the total number of employees have been associated with the business for more than twenty years. That is a record of which any concern may well be proud. Mr. Lessig takes a personal interest in each employee and does not permit piece work. The employ- ees take a personal pride in the quality and the quantity of work accom- plished. In 1920, when the plant was very busy, a special bonus was given. The plant did not advertise until 1921, and then only in the interests of the dealers who were handling their product. The plant has never been idle. During the depression which occurred in the early part of 1922, four weeks were utilized in overhauling the plant, and the men were kept busy during the entire time. In 1919 Mr. Lessig purchased the interests of the Satter estate, and since that time has been president as well as general manager. He immediately built additions, doubling the capacity of the plant, which was then engaged in war work, and which registered one hundred per cent. in all of the Liberty Loan drives.
Mr. Lessig was engaged in designing and constructing equipment for powder plants, often working night and day to meet the demand. He was the representative of his district in all war organizations, and his wife and daughters were very active in the work of the Red Cross.
Mr. Lessig's big work and interest, however, has been in the public schools. Few men in Pennsylvania have had as much to do with the advancement of education in the State as has Mr. Lessig. He says: "It is the inherent right of every child to expect and to demand from the State the very best facilities educationally that the State can afford." On February 21, 1893, Mr. Lessig was elected a member of the local school board. Since that time he has served continuously. For eight years he served as secretary, one year as treasurer, and for fifteen years he has served as president, thirteen of the fifteen being continuous. He is a member of the Montgomery County School Development Associa- tion, and of the State Association of School Directors, having been active in both for many years, and a member of the legislative committee of the latter organization. No educational legislation has been enacted in the State for a long time that has not passed through his committee, and he has proposed much of the beneficial legislation for schools. As president of the State Board he was brought in close contact with students. Serious breaches of discipline were brought before him. He
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was always kindly, pointed out to the youth his duty as a member of society, and the results of his admonitions were always satisfactory. He was interested in better architecture for school buildings and freely advocated better buildings when he spoke to groups of students. Chil- dren carried suggestions of progress to their homes and helped to make the community more progressive. The standards of teachers were raised. His thought was continuously in the interest of the young men and the young women. to provide them the advantages which would enable them to become more useful citizens. He is an ardent advocate of vocational training in schools that shall give the best possible foundation to boys and girls for making themselves masters of crafts. He encourages high school graduates to enter the shops, where they become valuable employees and administrators. He is an advocate of higher pay for teachers, and believes that schools should be conducted on business principles. Opposing elaborate and exorbitant expenditures, the tax rates were kept down and the efficiency of the schools increased during his administration. He has kept partisan politics out of the school. The board has always discussed school matters freely, and consistently followed the principle that the good and the best interests of the youth of the district should be the chief aim of the school board. Mr. Lessig has at times been the subject of attack, by those having partisan political interests to serve, but he has never deviated from controlling aim-to give youth the best educational advantages that can be had. He has been a large contributor to the school library, and one of his most effec- tive methods of stimulating interest has been the giving of annual prizes to the high school student who, during the term, has overcome the greatest difficulties. This has encouraged many who found it difficult to secure an education. In one case a girl, after completing her house- hold duties, walked four miles and then traveled by trolley six miles each day. Another to whom a prize was given was a girl whose parents wished to disown her because of her wish to secure an education. Still another was a boy who had all of the housework to do, but still managed to attend school. Many more cases could be cited, all stimulated and encouraged by Mr. Lessig's offer and his steady helpfulness. The public school, in Mr. Lessig's opinion, is the one big American institution.
Politically, Mr. Lessig gives his support to the Democratic party, in the interests of which he is active as a citizen, but in local affairs he con- siders the character of the individual to be of more importance than his political affiliation. In State and National affairs he is a loyal Demo- crat. He is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of Mana- tawny Lodge, No. 24, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Pottstown Lodge, No. 864, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Strichter Lodge, No. 254, Free and Accepted Masons, in which order he is also a member of Pottstown Chapter, No. 271, Royal Arch Masons; Nativity Commandery, No. 71, Knights Templar, having held all offices in the above three bodies; Rajah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Reading; and of Philadelphia Consistory (thirty-sec- ond degree). He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical
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Engineers; Manufacturers' Club of Philadelphia; Colonial Club of Pottstown; Brookside Country Club; Rotary Club, in which he is a junior officer and very active; Young Men's Christian Association, in which he is very active. He is also a member of the Masonic Home Association ; president of the board of managers of the Homoeopathic Hospital ; member of the board of managers of the Pottstown Library ; member of the original board of directors of the Pottstown Building and Loan Association. He believes in helping people to save, because a bank account or the ownership of property makes them better and more contented citizens. Mr. Lessig's own school experience as a boy was not easy. Poor facilities and indifferent teaching presented diffi- culties that were not easily overcome. When ten years of age he was still in the primary school, and though quick in mathematics and good at reading charts, etc., did not graduate until he was eighteen years of age, having then made up the losses of his earlier years. Doubtless this experience has had much to do with his active efforts to secure for others better opportunities. He has been very active in the reconstructive work following the World War, and has done much to aid service men in getting back to their civil occupations. He is one of the owners of Ring- ing Rocks, a place of great natural beauty which is a place of recreation for many, thus touching the interests of the people in the way of pleasure and amusement as well as educationally, economically, and in civic associations.
Mr. Lessig married Sarah Towner Riegner, daughter of L. Absalom Riegner, a roller mill man. Mrs. Lessig was a graduate of the Potts- town High School, class of 1884, and a teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Lessig are the parents of four children, all of whom attended the public schools : I. Sarah Ruth, graduated from the High School in 1909, and from Irving College in 1911; married W. O. Whitney. 2. Mary Edith, graduated from High School in 1913, and from Beechwood School, at Jenkintown, in 1915. 3. Daniel Keppner, graduated from High School in 1915, spent one year in Lehigh University, and graduated from a medical college in 1922. 4. Ann, graduated from High School in 1917, and from Beech- wood School in 1919. All of the daughters have been engaged in teaching.
MONTGOMERY EVANS-The Evans family, of which Montgom- ery Evans, a leading attorney of the Norristown bar, is a distinguished representative, is descended from Elystan Glodrydd through his second son Idnerth, who originally settled in Carmarthenshire, Wales. John Evans, gentleman, a lineal descendant, having performed military serv- ice during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, in aiding to suppress the Irish rebellion, obtained a grant of land and emigrated from Carmarthenshire, Wales, to Limerick, Ireland, where he was living in and before 1628. He married Ellen De Verdon and died on January 1, 1632, leaving two sons and three daughters. George, the eldest son, represented Limerick in Parliament for many years and died in 1707. John, the younger son, was a colonel in the English army and married. He had three sons:
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Simon, the oldest, buried at Fanningstown, County Limerick, Ireland ; William, of further mention; and John, the youngest, buried at Bally- grenane, in the same county.
William Evans, son of John Evans, came to America with his wife, Anne, with the Welsh emigration that sailed in 1698 on the ship "Rob- ert and Elizabeth," arriving in Philadelphia on July 17th, that same year. Having temporarily settled in Gwynedd, Pennsylvania, while prospecting for land, he subsequently purchased two tracts aggregating seven hundred acres in Manatawny, afterwards Limerick township, and there settled permanently. Here William Evans' death soon occurred, and his wife survived him but a few years, dying in 1720. Their chil- dren were: William; Owen, of further mention; George; Elizabeth; and David.
Owen Evans, second son of William and Anne Evans, was born in 1699. For many years he was a justice of the peace and at one time a member of the Colonial assembly. He married, on August 14, 1721, in Christ Church, Philadelphia, Mary Davis, daughter of William and Mary Davis. They were the parents of eight children, one of whom was David, of further mention.
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