USA > Pennsylvania > Portraits of the heads of state departments and portraits and sketches of members of the legislature of Pennsylvania, 1893-1894 > Part 18
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Mr. Quinnan was elected a member of the House of Representatives in 1892 over Frank T. Okell, his Republican competitor, by a vote of 3,062 to 3,039. He takes an active part in the proceedings of the Legislature and is one of the most energetic. members of the Committees on Vice and Immorality, Judicial Apportionment and Retrenchment and Reform. He introduced the bill providing for the appointment of a board of railroad commissioners, which was adversely reported by the Rail- road Committee. Mr. Quinnan also introduced a number of other bills, the most important of which are those providing for the appointment of peace officers in this commonwealth, commonly known as the anti-Pinkerton bill, and the measure providing for the election of the officers of the fire department in cities of the third class. Mr. Quinnan lost a leg by a railroad accident when five years old. He is a plain, logical speaker, and has always been listened to with marked attention when discussing legislation on the floor of the House.
192
House of Representatives.
FRANK T. OKELL was born in Scranton on November 15, 1866. When he attained the proper age he was sent by his parents to the public schools of Scranton, and after gratifying progress in them went to the military in- stitute at Bordenton, New Jersey, where he spent three years. After the completion of his studies at Bordenton he was appointed by Congressman Scranton a cadet to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and in that institution put in three years, when he returned to his native city to take up the study of law. He entered the law office of Judge Knapp, and was admitted to the bar of Lackawanna county in November, 1890, and is now a practicing attorney in the city of Scranton. Before being admitted LEVYTYFE CO PHILA to the bar he taught school for one term. From 1888 until the spring of the present year he served as secretary of the school board in Scranton, and had the distinction of being the youngest person who ever held that important position on the board. He was also secretary of the Republican county committee for two years. Mr. Okell did not take his seat in the House until near the close of the session, when, by a decision of the Committee on Elections, he succeeded Hon. John P. Quinnan, Democrat.
193
House of Representatives.
W ILLIAM K. BECK, of Lacka- wanna county, was born at Lock- port, Northampton county, August 13, 1849. His parents came of the old Ger- maan stock who settled along the Lehigh prior to the revolutionary war, and his father and mother were born in the early part of this century near the spot where William himself saw the first light of the world. His father for many years was a merchant and hotel keeper at Lockport, and at the sante same time successfully prosecuted the lumber business and was the owner of . several fine farms in the vicinity. He afterward became a contractor of rail- roads, and this business he profitably carried on in many states of the Union. The senior Mr. Beck was always a Re- publican and cast his vote for Harri- son and Tyler in 1841. He came from sturdy people, who were known for their longevity, and when he died was more than eighty years old. His wife attained nearly the same age. The son, William K. Beck, was educated in the common schools of Easton, for a short while in a private school and finally spent two years and a half at the Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, Luzerne county. About twenty-two years ago he located in Moscow, Lackawanna county, where he engaged in the business of merchant and lumber manufacturer (which he is still prosecuting), and to which he has added the elec- tric light business. He was twice a candidate for Representative in his district, being defeated the first time. At the last election he received nearly 500 majority. When M. S. Quay was a candidate for State Treasurer in 1885, Mr. Beck was one of the eleven delegates representing Lackawanna and Luzerne counties in the State convention, and was the only one who cast his vote for Mr. Quay. He has been a member of the Lackawanna County Republican Committee for eight years and has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his party in that county. In the House he is serving on the following committees : Manufactures, Corpora- tions, Railroads, Mines and Mining, Coal and Iron and Banks. He introduced the bill for the incorporation and government of cities of third class and providing for the annexation thereto of adjoining territory.
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194
House of Representatives.
MICHAEL T. BURKE, who is serv- ing his second term as a represen - tative from Lackawanna county, was born in Ireland, December 8,1848. When eighteen months old he was brought to this country by his parents, who located in Carbondale, where Mr. Burke has lived almost continuously. He was educated in the common schools and in the De LaSalle Institute, of New York. His first work was at slate picking on the coal breakers, and he kept working in and about the mines until he went through all the grades of the business, and finally became a practical miner. He then learned the blacksmithing trade, which he followed until disabled by an injury. Being of temperate habits, he gathered around him a dozen other LE VÝTƯỚC GO ANI- young men and organized the first Father Matthew Total Abstinence and Beneficial Society in the State of Pennsylvania, which has since resulted in the formation of the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America, of which he is still a member. He has frequently represented the diocese of Scranton in the union; of a studious nature, he advanced until he became a reporter on one of the Boston papers. Returning to Carbondale, he commenced school teaching, and at the same time studied law. In 1877 he connected himself with the Knights of Labor, and in that body became a prominent member. He represented Lackawanna county at the first state convention of the organization held in Harrisburg, April, 1887, and was presented with a silk United States flag by G. M. W. Hon. T. V. Powderly, in accordance with a resolution passed by the convention. In 1892 he represented the diocese of Scranton in the total abstinence convention held in Indianapolis. He was supervisor of Carbondale township for one term, auditor of Carbondale city for three years and city treasurer for three years. In the House of Representatives Mr. Burke is a very attentive member and takes an active interest in legislative affairs. By his prominence in the Knights of Labor, he is considered by them one of their best representatives on the floor of the House. He served on the fol- lowing committees: Appropriation, Banks, Mines and Mining and Compare Bills, Governor's inauguration and centennial affairs 1891.
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House of Representatives.
GEORGE FORREST, of the city dis- trict, Lancaster, is literally a self- made man and, as a citizen, is deserv- ing of all credit. He was born on Manor street, Lancaster, January 2, 1852, and was educated in the public schools of that city. He then learned the art of printing under the late Stuart A. Wylie, who in his day was one of the best and most artistic printers in Pennsylvania. When quite a young man Mr. Forrest went to New Haven, Conn., where he held a responsible posi- ble in the office of the late E. M. Reed, then vice-president and superintendent of the New York, New Haven and Hart- ford Railroad Company. Returning to Lancaster he became associated with his brother. Henry, in the tobacco busi- ness. The latter died in March, 1882. Mr. Forrest is now, and has been since 1882, a tobacco inspector for the firm of F. C. Linde, Hamilton & Co., of New York, the most extensive tobacco inspecting firm in the world. He gives employment to hundreds of people of Lancaster.
Mr. Forrest's father, who is still living at the advanced age of seventy-three years, was for a long time a manufacturer of the old-fashioned powder-horns at one time so popular with hunters-making them out of horn. Mr. Forrest is an active and enthusiastic Democrat and in 1892 was elected to the Legislature in a district which usually goes Republican. by about 700 majority, his opponent being Walter W. Franklin, who served in the House in 1889 and 1891. Mr. Forrest is popular with his employés and every one with whom he comes in contact. He is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, has done much good in the community in which he lives and enjoys the respect of all who know him. He takes a keen interest in the affairs of the House and is a member of the most important com- mittees. Mr. Forrest is a member of the Lancaster school board.
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House of Representatives.
M ILTON EBY, a popular and wealthy farmer of Paradise township, Lan- caster county, was born on October 16, 1850. He was born and raised on the farm on which he now lives, and is a staunch Republican. All his life has been spent on this farm, with the ex- ception of considerable time devoted to his duties as a public official. At an early age he was sent to the district school for a few months each term. He assisted his father in growing tobacco until eighteen years of age, when he was sent to the Union High School, near his home. One year was sufficient, as he became disgusted with it, and again took up the duties on the farm. Upon the death of his father he took charge of the large farm and began buying and selling live stock, in which he was re- markably successful, and succeeded in establishing a reputation as a business man. At the urgent solicitation of his friends he was made prison inspector in 1887, and served for three years. It was while filling this position that he became well known as a man of sound judg- ment and an all-around capable man. In 1891 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives, where he succeeded in having a number of important measures passed, which secured his re-election for the following term. Among the most important bills in which Mr. Eby was interested in 1891 was the one pro- viding for an appropriation of $143,000 to the Millersville State Normal School, and it was at this time that he made himself felt in the Legislature. The ap- propriation was intended for the completion of two large buildings in course of erection at this institution. Mr. Eby is chairman of the Committee on Accounts and a member of the Committee on Vice and Immorality, Ways and Means and Pensions and Gratuities, in all of which he took an active part and was among the most punctual members.
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197
House of Representatives.
M ILTON HEIDELBAUGH, a prom- inent citizen "of Bart township Lancaster county, was born April 19, 1843. His father was a farmer and a life-long resident of southern Lancaster county. Mr. Heidelbaugh's family is of the Presbyterian faith. His education was obtained in the public schools, ex- cept two years when he attended the Maple Grove Academy. After he left school he began to look around for some congenial employment. Not particu- larly in love with farming, he tried teaching school and taught quite suc- cessfully for three terms. He then en- gaged in the general merchandise busi- ness, and the next twenty years find him thus engaged at Nickel Mines, where, by his courteous and affable manner and strict attention to business, he soon built up a large trade. He has lately sold his store and removed his family to Lancaster, whigh affords better advantages for edu- cating his children and more convenient for his present business, that of manu- facturing hard wood and lumber. He was considered an authority on all local matters and served as school director for nine years, discharging his duties in that capacity faithfully and judiciously. He is a prominent and enthusiactic member of the Octoraro Presbyterian church, here, as elsewhere, he is found exerting a bene- ficial influence, and being of a kind disposition, the poor and needy know where to come and not come in vain. His judgment is sound and can be relied on, and not easily swayed by public opinion. He takes an active interest in politics, being a staunch Republican. He was elected by his party to the House of Representa- tives in 1885 and again in 1892, and is serving on the Committees of Manufacturing, Centennial Affairs, Vice and Immorality, Fish and Game. He manifests a deep interest, and by his cool and collected manner commands universal respect and esteen.
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198
House of Representatives.
PHILIP A. PYLE, the well-known
druggist, was born in Mount Joy, Lancaster county, on July 16, 1842. At an early age lie entered the Mount Joy Academy, which was at that time one of the foremost schools of the state, and sent out men who have since become famous. After leaving this institution he served an apprenticeship in the drug business and afterwards read medicine with Dr. J. L. Zeigler, but after prepar- ing himself to enter college, an accident befel his preceptor in the drug business, which resulted fatally, and Mr. Pyle, by the advice of his friends, purchased the drug store and entered the business, which he has conducted successfully for a period of thirty years. He is at present a member of the State and County Pharmaceutical societies, and has acquired and maintained a reputa- tion in his business for exactness and care that is proverbial, from its inception to the winding up of its affairs. Mr. Pyle was treasurer of the Mount Joy Build- ing and Loan Association. He is a member of the borough industrial committee was a member of the school board for twelve consecutive years. He was the prime mover in having the new high school building erected, which is the finest in the county. He is a member of Post 478, G. A. R., having been a private in company E, Tenth regiment Pennsylvania militia and a man of intelligence, sound judgment and unquestionable integrity ; one who has the courage of his convictions and who can always be depended upon. Mr. Pyle is a director in the Union National Bank at Mount Joy and has been treasurer of the borough fire department. He was never , married but is one of the most popular and influential citizens of Mount Joy.
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House of Representatives.
A UGUSTUS G. SEYFERT was born in Berks county, Pa., April 26, 1852. Two years later his parents moved to Bowmansville, Lancaster county, where Mr. Seyfert's boyhood days were spent, most of the time in the village school. In 1868 his mother died and soon after he left his old home and started life on the farm of ex-Re- corder Martin, a leading politician of East Earl township. Mr. Seyfert's edu- cation was obtained in the public schools and several sessions at the Mil- lersville Normal School. The country literary society was the best practical school to fit him for his legislative du- ties and made his popularity in his county so conspicuous as a lyceum ora- tor. In 1872 Mr. Seyfert began teach- ing and taught in the public schools of Lancaster county for many years. He was recognized as one of the most successful and progressive teachers in the county. In 1886 Mr. Seyfert was elected president of the New Holland teacher's institute district, comprising nearly a hundred schools, and has been unanimously re-elected every year since. In 1889 he conceived the idea of holding an open air educa- tional meeting at Rutland Park, a pic-nic resort on the Welsh mountain. The project was an immense success from the start, a result of his executive ability, and has already done a marvelous amount of good to promote school sentiment in favor of popular education. In 1890 Mr. Seyfert was nominated by the Republi- cans from the northern district for Assembly, receiving the largest popular vote of any candidate ever elected from the county. He became familiar with legislative doings and as a member of the Committee on Education took a prominent part in shaping the legislation in behalf of education during the session. The author of the Reed resolution, endorsing Speaker Reed's course as patriotic and to the best interest of good government, and the eloquent plea for single legislative districts, made him a conspicnous and brilliant member. In 1892 Mr. Seyfert was re-nomi- nated and re-elected with practically no opposition. He was assigned the chair- manship of Federal Relations and also appointed on the Committees on Education, Judiciary Local, Library and Compare Bills. The experience of one session made him one of the most active and useful members of the House. Among the bills he introduced where those to provide for closer supervision of the public school, to pay school directors for attending the triennial conventions, to extend the mimi- num school term to seven months and to change Labor Day from Monday to Sat- urday. In educational matters he is recognized as a leader. Mr. Seyfert took great interest in the bill to appropriate $5,000 to complete the Revolutionary monument at Ephrata. He showed an intelligent knowledge of every bill on the file and was always ready to defend his measures and point out the defects in others. His progressive ideas on all subjects pertaining to the public schools is not only a credit to himself but to the intelligence of his constituents whom he so well represents, and in years hence his reputation as a promoter and defender of popular education will compare well with that of Stevens from his own county as the eloquent champion of legislation to advance our public schools to the best in the country.
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House of Representatives.
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JOHN S. WILSON, of Columbia, Lancaster county, who was born De- cember 29, 1863, is very popular with the young men of his borough, where he has spent most of his life. He re- ceived a thorough education in the pub- lic schools of his native borough and also at Canandaugua, N. Y. He always showed much interest in all athletic sports and devoted much time to per- fecting himself in these recreations. His father being a man of considerable means, his son John was allowed to fol- low his own inclinations, which soon carried him out of the schoolroom and into the far away west, finally locating in New Mexico, where, after roving about, he associated himself with a ranchman and took up the life of a cattle ranger. He became very fond of this life, but at the earnest solicitation of lis parents and friends he returned to his home at Columbia in 1883. He entered his father's hardware store and devoted considerable time to this business, but outdoor life suited him better, and baseball, fishing, hunting. horse racing and like sports soon won most of his time, which he devoted to them in the past few years. At the last' election he was nominated by the Republican party for the House of Representatives and elected as a member. Mr. Wilson has taken little part in the discussion of bills, but introduced a bill repealing an act providing for the election of a county solicitor by a vote of the people and extending the term of tax collectors of borough and townships from one to three years. Another bill providing for the same passed before Mr. Wilson's bill was reached. He is a member of the following committees: Compare Bills, City Passenger Railways, In- surance, Judicial Apportionments and Coal and Iron. He had R. S. Conklin, of Columbia, appointed as message clerk.
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201
House of Representatives.
ALGERNON LUTHER MARTIN, one of the Representatives from Lawrence county, was born in North Beaver, that county, on August 26, 1844. He received his education in the common schools, at Mount Jackson High school and at Poland College in Ohio. He is now engaged in farming, and has been all his life more or less interested in that pursuit. He has always taken a deep interest in the public school system of the state and in the schools of his native town, and for a period of eight years served as school director in the townships of Little Beaver and North Beaver. He was elected to the office of road supervisor in his native township and served in that capacity for a period of two years. During 1891 and 1892 he was a member of the Republican County Committee of Lawrence county. In 1892 he was nominated for the office of Representative and elected by the handsome vote of 4.339, as against 2,317 cast for his highest competitor on the Democratic ticket. In the session of 1893 he was appointed by Speaker Thompson on the Committee on Agriculture, Vice and Immorality, Counties and Townships, Pensions and Gratuities and Manufactures. He intro- duced a bill at this session prohibiting the furnishing of liquor by sale, gift or otherwise on Decoration day, and made one of the most gallant fights to have it adopted as the law of the land that was made upon any bill during the session of 1893; but the sentiment of the House was against this measure and it was defeated on second reading. He offered the amendment to the Nesbit road bill requiring the state to appropriate three million dollars annually for the construction and improvement of the highways of the commonwealth, and succeeded in having it inserted in the face of the most strenuous opposition. He is thoroughly in favor of the equalization of taxation and was an able champion of the Niles revenue bill. Mr. Martin is a forcible and eloquent speaker, and whenever he addresses the House receives respectful consideration and attention. He has the courage of his convictions upon all questions, and in all that he says and does places himself honestly and fearlessly on the record. The sincerity of his speech is evidenced by the sincerity of his conduct. He took high ranks among the members of the House of Representatives of the session of 1893 as an all round useful member.
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House of Representatives.
H ENRY WORTHINGTON GRIGSBY was born in Shenango township, Lawrence county, on the 30th day of September, 1855. His ancestors on his mother's side came from Ireland and were among the earliest settlers of Law- rence county, his grandmother having resided in that county for a period of two years before seeing a white woman. On the father's side they were among the pioneers of Virginia, and came from Winchester to Pennsylvania. Mr. Grigsby went through the common and high school of Newcastle, graduated at the One Study College there and in 1876 entered the Bethany College of West Virginia, taking a classical course and graduating in 1879. He is a farmer, stone contractor and engaged in the real estate business in Newcastle. In 1892 he was elected a Representative of his native county on the Republican ticket, receiving the largest vote of any man on the ticket. He is on the Committees on Education, Compare Bills, Insurance, Public Buildings, Mines and Mining. The first bill introduced by him was one making Lawrence county a separate judicial district. Second a free text-book bill, providing for a convention of the county, city and borough superintendents of the commonwealth, they to select from their number a commission composed of three members. This commission to select a series of text-books from those now in use if satisfactory, or to adopt new ones. After adopting a system the books to be published by the state as other state printing is now done; the state superin- tendent of public printing and the commission to fix the price of publishing the books. The system to be adopted within four years and furnished to the pupils free of cost. The sum of $30,000 is appropriated for the purpose of purchasing copy rights. Third, an act to make the carrying on of the business of a detective without a license a misdemeanor, said license to be granted by the court of quarter sessions of the county within which the principal office is to be located. Applica- tion for appointment to be signed by at least twenty-five good citizens certifying to moral character of applicant and a bond to be given in the sum of $2,000. Fourth, an act providing for a state board of surveyors to be composed of three members to be appointed by the Governor, to formulate rules providing for uniformity of practice among surveyors of the state. Any person wishing to fol- low occupation of surveying must be examined by this commission.
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House of Representatives.
THOMAS WALKER, who in part represents Lebanon county, was born in Jonestown, of that county, May 5, 1828. He was educated in the schools of that village, and subsequently filled the position of teacher for several win- ters. He learned cabinet-making, but spent a large portion of his life travel- ing for liquor firms. It is thirty years since he began this business, and when the Legislature is not in session still follows it. He was United States assist- ant assessor for over six years. Mr. Walker was an officer of the Senate thirty years ago, when the late George Dawson Coleman was a member of that body. He was a messenger, which office was then known as postmaster. He has been congressional, senatorial and judi- cial conferee from his county and has rep- resented it as a delegate in state con- ventions of the Republican party, of which he has always been an ardent mem- ber. He also held the office of mercantile appraiser of Lebanon county. At the last primary election ten candidates were contesting for the nomination for men- ber of the House, and he had the highest vote. He was first elected to the Legis- lature in 1890, and two years afterward was honored with a re-election. At the session of 1893 he was a member of the Judiciary Local, Agricultural, Centennial. Judicial, Apportionment and Accounts Committees. His father was born in Mont- gomery county, Pa., and was married at Jonestown in 1814. His paternal ances- tors were from England. Representative Walker enjoys the reputation of having faithfully performed his legislative duties.
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