USA > Pennsylvania > Portraits of the heads of state departments and portraits and sketches of members of the legislature of Pennsylvania, 1893-1894 > Part 10
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102
House of Representatives.
J JOHN O. TAXIS, who is one of the members of the House from the Twenty-eighth district of Philadelphia, was born in the Tenth ward in that city April 10, 1853. He applied himself closely to the acquirement of his educa- tion in the public schools of his city while he had the opportunity. At thir- teen years of age force of circumstances compelled him to work for his liveli- hood. His first venture in the business world was as office boy in Frederick Steeb's banking house. He served in that capacity for three years. From the banking house he entered the Union National Bank as a clerk, and so well did he perform his duties that he was promoted to the highest clerkship in the institution. He remained in the bank for five years, when he connected himself as clerk with the Royal In- surance Company. He performed his duties faithfully and efficiently and was promoted to the highly honorable position of cashier. He remained in the employ of this great company fourteen years before he severed his connection with it to go into business for himself. He then embarked in the real estate and general in- surance business and has successfully continued it at Thirty-first street and Girard avenue, Philadelphia. Mr. Taxis identified himself with politics in 1874 and has since been one of the hardest and most sagacious workers in the Republi- can party. He has represented his party in city and state conventions. In 1884 he was elected a member of common council of Philadelphia by a majority exceed- ing that of any other candidate. He was re-elected three times in succession and always ran ahead of his ticket. He was prominently identified with many im- provements. inaugurated and pushed to completion while he served in the city legislature. He was in the forefront in the advocacy of all measures calculated to advance the interests of Philadelphia and gave his active support to the admis- sion into that city of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, the Reading railroad ter- minal and the Belt line. Mr. Taxis is a large stockholder in and is also secretary of the West End Electric Company, which has proved a great benefit to the people of the northwestern portion of Philadelphia. On September 7 of last year he was nominated unanimously for the House and elected by a large majority at the suc- ceeding election. As a member of the House he served on the Committees on Municipal Corporations, Retrenchment and Reform, Public Buildings and Geo- logical Survey. Mr. Taxis' experience in councils has been an invaluable benefit to him, and he has made a good legislator and stands high with his fellow-men- bers in that body. .
103
House of Representatives.
W TILLIAM NICKELL, who," with John O. Taxis, represents the Twenty-eighth district, Philadelphia, was born in Gordonville, Lancaster county, October 16, 1852. His father was a farmer and cattle dealer, and when the subject of this sketch was two years old his family moved to Philadel- phia, taking up a residence in the Fif- teenth ward. His father died when he was nine years old, leaving a wife and three children, of which William was the eldest. This deprived the family of its main support at a time when it was most needed and naturally re- stricted the advantages the children would have enjoyed if their father had lived. William attended the public schools two years longer, leaving the Lincoln Grammar school, at Twentieth and Fairmount avenue, to contribute to the family support by becoming an errand boy. When sixteen years of age he con- nected himself with passenger railway companies, acting as driver, conductor and " finally becoming a stable boss. For the past thirteen years he has been a travelling salesman and is president of the Pennsylvania Division of the Travelling Protective Association of America and of the Salesmen's Association of Philadelphia, which he helped to organize six years ago. Mr. Nickell is a zealous and enthusi- astic Republican and has been a member of the State Republican Committee for the past two years. He is serving his fourth term as a member of the ward com- mittee and for two years has been chairman of the Committee on Organization. In 1892 Mr. Nickell was elected to the Legislature. Although serving his first tern, he is one of the most active and best equipped members and parliamentarians of that body. He is a ready debater and is always in his seat. He a member of the Committees on Banks, Counties and Townships, Public Buildings, Public Health and Sanitation and Manufactures. Mr. Nickell introduced and championed in committee, and on the floor of the House, bills prohibiting the employment of any but American citizens on the erection, enlargement and improvement of any building to which state funds are appropriated ; making it unlawful to utter or accept promissory notes to which a voluntary confession of judgment is attached ; to prevent the adulteration of vinegar and deception in its sale ; also a resolution requesting the Senators and Representatives in Congress to vote and use their in- fluence against the passage by Congress of a bill offered by Congressman Tucker of Virginia, providing for the taxing of commercial travelers.
104
House of Representatives.
C
W TILLIAM T. ZIEGLER, of Adams county, was born in Gettysburg, October, 1840. He removed to Phila- delphia with his parents in 1846, and in August, 1851, he apprenticed himself to Alfred Lowe, a hatter, under whom he served four years, learning the trade of silk hat body making. During his apprenticeship Mr. Ziegler attended night schools, this being the only ad- vantage he ever had of acquiring an education. He afterward served eight- een months under instruction with Joseph Fariara & Son, hatters, Phil- adelphia. In 1858 he returned to Gettysburg and served three years at carriage painting. Mr. Ziegler, in August, 1861, enlisted in company F, Eighty-seventh regiment Pennsylvania volunteers for three years, and was with his command in every battle and skirmish in which it engaged until June 23, 1864. Ou that day, in a fierce charge of the Confederates, he was compelled to surrender, with several hundred others from the front line, at the Weldon railroad, near Petersburg, Va. He was taken to Richmond, Va., and thence to Andersonville prison, and on July 10, 1864. he entered the north gate of that most infamous of all rebel prison pens, where he was destined to remain until April 28, 1865, when he was turned loose with the last prisoners held by the Rebels, at Baldwin junction, Florida. Since 1870 he has successfully conducted the largest livery establishment in Southern Pennsyl- vania. He makes the Gettysburg battlefield a specialty, and is thoroughly fami- , liar with all the details of the famous battle. Mr. Ziegler is serving his second term in the House, an honor accorded to no other Representative from Adams since the adoption of the new constitution, and is a member of the Committees on Appropriations, Municipal Corporations, Railroads and Judiciary Local. His popularity at home is attested by the fact that he has passed the chairs in Cayugas Tribe I. O. R. M., Gettysburg Lodge I. O. O. F., Good Samaritan Lodge A. F. & A. M., and Good Samaritan Chapter R. A. M. He is a Past Commander of Post No. 9, G. A. R .; has served two terms as Colonel Commander Union Veteran Legion. Mr. Ziegler has also served as school director from a Republican ward, and was, when elected to the Legislature, a member of the town council.
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105
House of Representatives.
N ICHOLAS G. WILSON, the Repub- ' lican representative from Adams county, was born on the 6th day of October, 1832, in Menallen township, that county. His father was a teamster and hauled emigrants and goods from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, Pa. His great grand-parents came from Ireland and were among the first settlers in Adams county, having settled where the town of Bendersville is located, in the year 1735. They belonged to the religious sect known as Orthodox Quakers. Representative Wilson re- ceived his education in the public schools of Menallen township from 1840 to 1848, when he commenced learning the black- smith trade. He worked at that busi- ness about seven years, and afterwards ran a stationary engine. In July, 1862, he eulisted in company G, One hundred and thirty-eighth regiment Pennsylvania volunteers as First Sergeant and served in the Army of the Potomac until the ninth day of July, 1864, when he was se- verely wounded in the right hand at the battle of Monocacy, Md., by a Rebel sharpshooter. After partially recovering from the wound he was sent to Cham- bersburg, Pa., on detached duty and remained there until the close of the war. He was appointed superintendent of the Gettysburg, Pa., National Cemetery by the Secretary of War (General Belknap), on the 1st of July, 1873, and served in that capacity until the 1st of October, 1887. Then he resigned to take charge of the grounds of the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association, which position he still holds. He served three years in the Gettysburg town council and three years as president of the Gettysburg school board, having resigned that position when elected to the present Legislature. Although a republican he was elected in a county which has been giving a Democratic majority of about 500. His majority was 14 while that of his Democratic colleague was 305. He served on the Public Buildings, Military, Pensions and Gratuities, Counties and Townships and Bureau of Statistics Committees.
106
House of Representatives.
C
HARLES A. MUEHLBRONNER, one of the Representatives from the First district, Allegheny, was born in the city of Philadelphia May 10, 1856. At an early age his parents located in Lagrange, Ohio, where his father en- listed in the Union army as a cavalry- man. After the war the family removed to Allegheny city and engaged in the milk business in the Seventh ward, where Charles delivered milk for some years, after which he obtained a position as clerk in a grocery store. A few years later he started in the produce business - for himself. At that time Mr. Muehl- bronner was appointed tax collector for the Seventh ward, which position he held for three years. He was a member of the board of comptrollers and held the office of common councilman at the same time for two terms. Subsequently he was elected to select council. After having served one-half of his term of four years he was elected a member of the House of Representatives, and is now serv- ing his second term.
Mr. Muehlbronner is actively engaged in the produce business, being manager of the Iron City Produce Company of Pittsburg. He was educated in the com- mon schools and takes a common sense view of all things political. Mr. Muehl- bronner has been in public service continuously for fifteen years and has never been defeated in any office for which he has been a candidate, a proof of his popu- larity and the trust imposed in him by those who know him best.
Mr. Muehlbronner is a member of Masonic fraternity, Knights of Pythias, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Young Men's Republican Tariff Club of Pittsburg. He is a man of fine appearance, of suave manners and excellent business qualifications. His family consists of a wife and six children -- two sons and four daughters.
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107
House of Representatives.
FMANUEL WERTHEIMER, of the First Allegheny district, is a mem- - ber of the vast business interests of the firm of Guckenheimer & Bros., the Alle- gheny distillers, and one of the most substantial and generally respected He- brew citizens in the State of Pennsylva- nia. He was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, October 16, 1834, and came to the United States in 1850. In 1857 he became connected with the Gucken- heimer firm, in which he has since risen to the chief place. Under his judi- cious management the Guckenheimer distillery at Freeport, Pa., has devel- oped into the largest and finest on the American continent, and its product is famed the world over. Mr. Wertheimer is a resident of the Third ward, Alle- gheny, and has represented that ward in councils for thirteen years, serving in the common branch from 1879 to 1889, and since then in the select council. He is chairman of the Finance Committee and exercises a powerful influence for good in determining the economic policy of the administration of that city. His trained business faculty and clear insight into affairs of legislation make him an excep- tionally valuable Representative of the people. In addition to supervising the city business of the Guckenheimer firm, Mr. Wertheimer manages the distillery at Freeport, and is president of the bank at that place. In 1892 Mr. Wertheimer was elected to the Legislature. Although serving his first term he has a clever insight into legislative matters and is one of the most active, popular and best- equipped members of the House. He is a member of the Committee on Banks, Municipal Corporations, Railroads, Centennial Affairs and Vice and Immorality. He is also a member of the sub-committee to investigate the affairs of the World's Fair Commission. Mr. Wertheimer is a genial, courteous gentleman, liberal in his views and philanthropical of disposition. In politics he is a Republican and for many years he has been one of the foremost leaders of his party in Western Pennsylvania. The Concordia Club in Allegheny owes much to Mr. Wertheimer's inspiration, and he is never behind hand in contributing to deserving charities and seconding public enterprises.
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108
House of Representatives.
W ILLIAM T. MARSHALL was born in Allegheny City, Pa., February 13, 1858. His father was at that time , a blacksmith, but later went into the grocery business, in which the subject of this sketch was engaged with him for several years. Both of Mr. Mar- shall's parents were born in England, but emigrated to America while young. They were married in Allegheny City. Mr. Marshall was educated in the com- mon schools of Allegheny City and the Western University of Pennsylvania. He read law under the direction of Hon. Thomas M. Bayne, and was admitted to practice at the bar in Allegheny county in 1880. He is now in the natural gas business, being connected with the People's Natural Gas Company of Pitts- burg. Mr. Marshall was deputy col- lector of customs at the port of Pitts- burg, Pa., under Collector John F. Dravo, during the terms of Presidents Gar- field and Arthur, from 1881 until the advent of a Democratic administration re- tired him to private life in 1885. He was the first delegate from the Second Legis- lative district of Allegheny, as now constituted, to the Republican State Conven- tion of 1887, which nominated Hart for State Treasurer and Williams for the Su- preme Court, and was the first Representative elected to the Legislature from that
district in 1888. He was re-elected by a handsome majority in 1890, and again re-elected from the same district in 1892. He served on the Appropriations Com- mittee during the session of 1889, was second member on that committee during the session of 1S91, and was appointed chairman of the Committee for the Colum- bian session, 1893, filling the position to the satisfaction of everybody. This re- quired hard work early and late, but the work was thoroughly done. He is also a member of the Committees on Corporations, Judiciary Local, Rules and Library. Among the important bills introduced by Mr. Marshall during the session of 1893 were a general mining law for the bituminous region ; to repeal the act prohibit- ing the consolidation of competing pipe lines ; the general appropriation bill and to legalize Sunday newspapers. He has been one of the most popular and zealous members of the House for three sessions, and has made a very enviable record in every respect.
109
House of Representatives.
W ILLIAM JOHN McDONALD, one of the very popular young members of the House, was born in Alle- gheny City, Pa., December 28, 1858, where his father was a general contrac- tor. The elder McDonald was a Repub- lican from the organization of that party, and was a member of the Repub- lican County Committee of Allegheny county for about twenty years. The subject of this sketch very naturally drifted into political work and has been one of the best known workers in the party in his district. As a contractor Mr. McDonald's father built inany of the large buildings in Pittsburg. He was superintendent of construction of the Allegheny county work-house and also of the Allegheny City poor-house. He was appointed, in 1858, on the staff of Governor Pollock, with the rauk of
lieutenant-colonel. William John McDonald was educated in the public schools and the old Second ward high school of Allegheny City. He also graduated from Duff's Business and Commercial College in 1876. The next year he entered the office of the prothonotary of Allegheny county as paper boy and the year following was promoted to docket clerk of the court of common pleas No. 1, which responsi- ble position he held for ten years. During this term he read law under the direc- tion of Hon. Thomas M. Marshall and James S. Young, Esq., and was admitted to practice at the bar of Allegheny county in 1883. Mr. McDonald represented the Second ward in the Allegheny City council for the years 1887, 1888, 1889 and 1890. He was appointed, in the last named year, as Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania by President Harrison. He was a delegate to the Republican State Convention in 1890 and was elected a member of the Gen- eral Assembly of Pennsylvania in November, 1892. from the Second legislative dis- trict of Allegheny county by a flattering majority. He is second man or secretary of the General Judiciary Committee and is a member of the Committees on Ways and Means, Railroads, Elections and Vice and Immorality. Mr. McDonald is a member of Mckinley Lodge No. 318, F. & A. M., of Allegheny Council, Duquense Chapter, Pittsburg Commandery No. 1 Knights Templar, Pittsburg Consistory- thirty-second degree Masons -- Syria Temple Nobles of Mystic Shrine and of the Jr. O. U. A. M. He is also a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association.
110
House of Representatives.
M MICHAEL B. LEMON, who is serv- ing his fourth term in the House of Representatives from Allegheny county, was born in the adjoining county- Westmoreland-in June, 1844. He was educated in the common and private schools of the state. He has a credit- able war record of which he is justly proud. Mr. Lemon enlisted in the gal- lant One hundred and Fifty-fifth Penn- sylvania volunteers, commanded by Colonel Pearson. He was severely wounded in 1864, at the battle of the Wilderness, and was discharged by reason of his wounds. Of the One hun- dred and Fifth-fifth it is of record that the last man killed during the war was Private Harrison, of company I, in the skirmish line in front of Richmond. Mr. Lemon is one of the most active as well as popular members of the Grand Army of the Republic, being connected for many years with one of the largest Posts of Pittsburg. He is also a member of Union Veteran Legion No. 1. the oldest organ- ization of the kind in the United States. He is serving his second term on the Soldiers' Orphan School Commission of Pennsylvania, an evidence that his com- rade in arms and the state officials place implicit confidence in his ability and in- tegrity. At his home Mr. Lemon has been honored with the presidency of the South school board, Second ward, Pittsburg, for four consecutive years. He was a delegate to the State Republican Convention in 1855 and has filled other offices of trust with marked credit and ability. He is by occupation a travelling sales- man, and has the essential qualities about him which make up an active business man, an alert legislator and a social, agreeable gentleman. Mr. Lemon has intro- duced a large number of bills, among them one appropriating $15,000 for the Ladies' G. A. R. Home at Hawkins' station, and another making an appropria- tion of $10,000 to the Newsboy's Home, Pittsburg. He is a tireless committe worker and is one of the most active members of the House Committees on Appro- priations, Corporations and Legislative Apportionment. Mr. Lemon is chairman of the House Military Committee.
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111
House of Representatives.
A RCHIBALD MACKRELL, who, with representative Lemon, repre- sents the Third district of Allegheny county, was born in Pittsburg, August 26, 1858. After having received the benefits of a common school education he learned steel hammering, which busi- ness he has followed ever since. He has a position in the Labella steel works in Allegheny City, in which he has been employed the past six years. His can- didacy for a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives was his first political venture, and as he had no op- position for the nomination he had more luck than is possessed by aspirants for political positions generally. His elec- tion was almost as easily accomplished as his nomination, as he triumphed at LEVYTYPE LO PHILA the polls by a large majority. Althoughi this is Mr. Mackrell's first term in the House he has attached to himself numerous warm personal friends, who wish him many returns to the Legislature. He was appointed by Speaker Thompson on the Committees on Corporations, City Passenger Railways, Education and Printing, to all of which he gave the closest attention possible. He introduced a number of bills, among them the bill enlarging the jurisdiction of justices of the peace and alder- men by allowing them to charge a fee for the filing and copying of claim deeds.
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112
House of Representatives.
JOHN KEARNS, who for two terms has enjoyed the distinction of being the solitary Democrat of the Allegheny county delegation, is one of the most hard-working and popular members of the House of Representatives. He was born May 10, 1856, and received his edu- cation in the public schools. He has been engaged in Pittsburg's great iron and steel industry for the past twenty years. At the election of November, 1892, Mr. Kearns was returned without opposition. He is a member of the Committees of Municipal Corporations, City Passenger Railways, Ways and Means and Banks. On all of these bodies he is recognized as a force, because of his clear ideas and close application to business. Mr. Kearns does not pose as an orator, but when necessary makes a succinct and logical statement to the House that seldom fails to effect its object. He has given particular attention to the legisla- tive needs of the workers who form a large portion of his constituency. Early in the session he introduced a bill aimed at Pinkertonism and similar evils, and at the proper time secured a special order for its consideration in the House, making an argument which secured its passage practically without opposition. Mr. Kearns has also been making a plucky and determined struggle for the modifica- tion or repeal of the law prohibiting the manufacture and sale of oleomargerine, and hopes yet to see his efforts crowned with success. He has several other measures of considerable importance which have been progressing favorably. Mr. Kearns has always taken an active part in the politics of Pittsburg, where his hosts of friends have rendered him a powerful factor in local struggles. At the Capitol his qualities of earnestness, candor and honesty have obtained for him the respect of his colleagues, and for a minority member have given him a wide in- fluence for general legislation.
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113
House of Representatives. '
SAMUEL MARTIN LAFFERTY,
the senior member of the Allegheny county delegation, is a native of Elder's Ridge, Indiana county, and is in the sixtieth year of his age. He was edu- cation in the common schools of the State and is now extensively engaged in the live stock business. Mr. Lafferty is serving his sixth consecutive term in the House of Representatives, which is of itself proof of his popularity among his constituants whose wishes and busi- ness interests have at all times been his first consideration during his legislative career. At the organization of the pre- sent session he was honored by the members of the Allegheny delegation with the nomination for Speaker of the House, a position which he is capable of filling with credit and ability. Mr. Lafferty is chairman of the Allegheny delegation and has always taken a deep interest in Jegislation affecting Pittsburg and Western Pennsylvania. He is chairman of the House Committee on Munici- pal Corporations and a member of the Committees on Insurance, Iron and Coal, and Vice and Immorality.
Mr. Lafferty was a boatman on the Pennsylvania canal, running on section boats from Pittsburg to Philadelphia, from 1847 to 1852. Iu 1879, he was elected a member of select council, Pittsburg, at the expiration of his term he was re-elected, serving until 1883, when he resigned to enter the Legislature. He is a firm be- liever in the doctrine of John Wesley, and with his wife and son, worship at the Emery Methodist Episcopal church, Pittsburg. For many years he has been ac- tively engaged in politics, always looking after the interests of the Republican party. He is a prominent member of the Masonic Faternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and other secret orders. He stands high in the Odd Fellows and has occupied all the important positions in its circles.
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