USA > Pennsylvania > Prominent and progressive Pennsylvanians of the nineteenth century. Volume I > Part 16
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"I have succeeded in life," says Mr. Elverson, "because I was determined to win and to use only honorable means to do so."
CONSTANTINE J. ERDMAN.
WO terms in Congress and a long and varied service at the Bar of Lehigh County outlines the public and professional career of Constantine J. Erdman, the subject of this biography. Mr. Erdman comes of a well known Pennsylvania family, and his acces- sion to such duties as those of representing the people of his district in the legislative halls at Washington was but the natural outcome of his evident talents and progressive temperament. He is an able legislator and in the public forum has won his reputa- tion as an orator and debater.
CONSTANTINE J. ERDMAN was born in Centre Valley, Upper Saucon Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1846. His parents were Enos and Anna Erdman, who were mem- bers of families that had been known in Pennsylvania history for several generations. Johannes Erdman, the original ancestor, arrived in 1734, from Pfungstadt, and his descendants attained notability in the various pursuits of commerce and industry many years after. Jacob Erdman, the grandfather, represented his dis- trict in the Twenty-ninth Congress, and Enos Erdman, the father of the subject of this biography, was a prominent man in Lehigh County, having been for many years President of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society, and holding the office of President of the Allentown and Coopersburg Turnpike Company. Mr. Erdman's early education was received in the common schools of the district, and when he had finished the course here he went to Quakertown and there attended a classical school. He next entered Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, in 1861, and, after a four years' course, graduated, in 1865, equipped with a thorough education and a
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determination to fit himself for admission to the Bar. He read law thoroughly, and, in 1867, was admitted to the Bar of Lehigh County, having since practiced there. As a lawyer Mr. Erdman came into prominent notice, and shortly after his admission estab- lished the law firm of Erdman & Oliver and afterwards of Erdman & Diefenderfer. He attained considerable prominence in his dis- trict through his legal practice and soon acquired a reputation as one of the brightest members of the Lehigh County Bar. His first partner, J. H. Oliver, was one of the foremost lawyers of eastern Pennsylvania, while his later partner was equally well known. In conjunction with these prominent members of the Bar Mr. Erdman conducted some of the most widely known cases in that section of the State. It was only natural that within a few years he should come into political notice, and his nomination, in 1874, for the office of District Attorney was the outcome of his progress as a lawyer and his interest in the public welfare. He was elected to this office and filled it to the complete satisfac- tion of the political fraternity, the legal profession and the public at large. From the office of District Attorney to Congress was a long step, but one which Mr. Erdman took in the natural course of his progress. He was elected to the Fifty-third Congress as a Democrat, receiving 28,175 votes against 17,270 votes cast for his opponent. During all this session he rendered unexcelled service to his constituency and in recognition of his worth was re-elected to the Fifty-fourth Congress. At the conclusion of his legislative duties, which ended with his second term, he returned to Allentown to re-enter the practice of law, and was greeted by the entire city with great goodwill and appreciation. Both his terms were marked by a faithful adherence to public duty, and his course in all important questions was straightforward, undeviating and able.
In addition to his political and legal duties Mr. Erdman has taken quite an interest in business and financial matters in his section of the State. He is President of the Coplay Cement Com- pany and has, for twenty-five years, been President of the Allen Insurance Company. Mr. Erdman has always taken a large interest in educational affairs, and is now Trustee of the well known' I .- 14.
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Muhlenberg College. He is actively identified with its management and is deeply concerned in its welfare. One of Congressman Erdman's most notable performances at Washington was his pre- paration and advocacy of the Erdman Labor-Arbitration Bill, which . he succeeded in having passed in the House in the Fifty-third and Fifty-fourth Congresses. This bill was approved by labor organi- zations and by both party platforms, and serves as a monument to its author's humane disposition and far-seeing judgment. He was largely instrumental during the sessions of the Fifty-fourth Congress in retarding and checking what he considered a dangerous flow of pension legislation by special bills, and, in fact, through his entire term of service gave the greatest satisfaction to the constituency he represented.
In 1875 Congressman Erdman was married to Mary A. Schall, and as a result of this union two children were born, Max S. and M. Constance. In the practice of law as well as in the active participation in the political affairs of his county he is to-day chiefly interested, and by reason of his long term of public service and his high standing as a member of the Lehigh County Bar, he is numbered among the most prominent men of the Commonwealth.
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CHARLES A. FAGAN.
T HE possibilities of the legal profession for individual distinction, and the honors it offers to men of bright minds, are among the assertive reasons why this special field of endeavor contains so many men of uncommon gifts. Among the many lawyers who add lustre to the fraternity in this country, both on the Bench and at the Bar, the Keystone State, in proportion, is more largely represented than any other State. Western Pennsylvania is par- ticularly notable in this respect, and during the past half century has contributed to the profession some of its most successful mem- bers. Among those who have lately earned notice is Charles A. Fagan, who, although a young man, has already gained an important position.
CHARLES ALOYSIUS FAGAN comes of an Irish family, the early members of which settled in Northwestern Pennsylvania in 1798. His grandfather, James B. Fagan, was a civil engineer at Erie, where his father, Thomas J. Fagan, was born in 1832. The latter went to Pittsburg in 1839 to reside with relatives, and he remained there until he died, in 1896. His first employment was as a coal- boat pilot, and afterwards, upon the introduction of steam into river navigation, he became a steamboat captain, subsequently engaging in the coal-shipping business, as a member of the firm of Barrett & Fagan. In 1858 he was married to Miss Mary McLaughlin, daughter of Bernard Mclaughlin, a well known con- tractor of Pittsburg. As a result of this union, Charles A. Fagan was born on July 1, 1859. He is the eldest of a family of five boys. He was educated at St. Mary's Academy and Ewalt Col- lege, and finally the Pittsburg Catholic College. After graduating
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from the latter institution, he entered the office of the District Attorney of Allegheny County, who was then Major E. A. Mon- tooth. There he gained a high reputation as an authority upon indictment pleading. Mr. Fagan was admitted to the Bar in 1886, and, within a short time, took front rank among the younger practitioners. He served as Deputy District Attorney with notable credit, under the administrations of Judge W. D. Porter and the late Richard H. Johnston. In 1894 he was appointed Assistant District Attorney of Allegheny County, by Governor Pattison, to fill the unexpired term of John C. Haymaker, who had resigned to accept the District Attorneyship.
In politics, Mr. Fagan is a Democrat of the old school, and one who had frequently been honored by his party. In 1892 he was the Democratic Presidential Elector of the Twenty-second Con- gressional District, and, after the party's success in that year, was strongly urged for appointment as United States District Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He was elected Chair- man of the Democratic County Committee of Allegheny County in 1894, and was re-elected without opposition the following year. He resigned before the expiration of his term, because he could not endorse certain planks of the Chicago platform. During his conduct of party affairs in his county, he established a diligent and capable organization, and attracted the best element in the party to share in its councils. Under his leadership Judge Chris- topher Magee, of Allegheny County, was nominated by the Demo- cratic State Convention of 1895 as one of the candidates for Judge of the Superior Court. At the Democratic State Convention, held at Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1896, Mr. Fagan was unanimously elected a Delegate-at-Large to the Democratic National Convention, in Chicago, but, as he was opposed to many of the planks contained in the Chicago platform, when he returned home from the latter convention, he resigned from his political positions, and temporarily retired from active politics. He now devotes his entire attention to the practice of his profession, having a profitable law business of a general character, which his energy and erudition have won for him.
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Aside from his professional abilities, Mr. Fagan possesses the qualities which go far toward making the successful business man, and the combination of his legal qualifications, and his knowledge of commercial and financial affairs have made him a valuable counselor. He is Attorney for the Iron City Brewing Company, the Aliquippa Steel Company, the Epping-Carpenter Manufactur- ing Company, and the Ohio River Improvement Company. Mr. Fagan has also charge of the law business of the Pennsylvania Storage Company, of Pittsburg; of the Pittsburg and Tennessee Copper Company, and a number of other large corporations. He is one of the successful attorneys of Pittsburg. Politically, he has still a large influence and following, although, owing to his differ- ent views of party principles from those held by the Chicago Con- vention, he for a time retired from any active participation therein.
On February 9, 1887, Mr. Fagan was married to Miss Mary A. Kane, daughter of P. C. Kane, a retired merchant of Pittsburg. He is the father of three children, and resides on North Highland Avenue, in the east end of Pittsburg. His home is a handsome one, and of recent construction. Mr. Fagan is a man of decided domestic habits. However, he is socially very popular. He has a few club connections, which occupy a portion of his spare time, being a member of Duquesne Club, the Columbus Club, and the Duquesne County and Athletic Club.
JOSEPH C. FERGUSON.
T HE several professional and business occupations which engage the time and efforts of a large num- ber of the leading men of the Commonwealth have various high offices connected with them which seems to embody the goal of the highest ambitions of those who strive for success in these branches. For instance, there are Professorships in medicine, honorable offices in politics, financial gain in commerce, and honors upon the Bench after the Bar.
From the study and practice of the statutes to their adminis- tration is a long step and one which entails many years of earnest effort and unremitting labor. Nevertheless, it is a step which has been taken from time to time by those men who have had no other incentive nor encouragement than their own ability and energy. Hon. Joseph C. Ferguson, Judge of the Orphans' Court of Philadelphia, was admitted to the Bar in 1861, and, in 1887, he had reached that office which was the aim of many of his brother attorneys, for he was in that year appointed, and subsequently elected to a seat upon the Bench. In that eminent position he has demonstrated his worth in many ways and has left no room for doubt that his selection to the Judgeship was in every way just and deservable.
JOSEPH C. FERGUSON was born in the old district of Ken- sington, in the city of Philadelphia, September 22, 1840. His father was James Ferguson, who was one of the pioneers as a manufacturer of cotton and woolen goods in that district. He was one of the most notable men in Kensington in his day and full of progress and ambition. He was born in County Tyrone, 204
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Ireland, and came to this country when a boy. The son, Joseph, was educated in the public schools and, being an apt scholar, went through the entire course from the primary to the Central High School. When a youth he was of a studious disposition and gave his entire attention to whatever he had in hand. On leaving the High School he entered the office of Stephen Benton to study law. Ever since his earlier school days he had felt animated with a desire to become a member of the legal profes- sion, and, as he advanced in years, that still seemed to offer the most advantages to a young man possessed of the necessary abilities. He earnestly applied himself to his studies in the office of Mr. Benton and was admitted to the Bar in October, 1861, just at the time when he arrived at full age. Up until that time he had given every promise of attaining brilliant success. He therefore began the profession of law with the intention of devoting himself to it entirely, and within a few years he had won recognition as one of the brightest young men at the Bar.
Judge Ferguson had never held any office save that of School Director, and owing to his acquaintance with the details of school management, he was made a member of the Board of Public Education and was, ably serving in that office when appointed Judge of the Orphans' Court, on the 6th day of May, 1887. As a lawyer, Judge Ferguson had attained considerable prominence and his rare judgment and keen ability, coupled with his remark- able knowledge of the history of cases, brought him into favorable notice, which culminated in his appointment to the Bench. In that capacity he more thoroughly than ever demonstrated his fitness and equipment for the highest class of legal work, and this was followed by immediate public recognition. In the fall of 1887 he was elected to the Orphans' Court for the full term of ten years, which will expire in January, 1898. In August, 1897, he was re-nominated by the Republican party for another term of ten years, receiving in the Convention the unanimous vote of the 981 delegates. A month later his candidacy was unanimously endorsed by the Democrats, thus assuring his re-election at the polls by a practically united vote of the people.
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During his incumbency of the Judgeship of the Orphans' Court, Judge Ferguson had added considerably to his reputation for ability, learning and integrity. In civil cases he has demonstrated a possession of a vast scope of knowledge and some of his rulings have established precedents of authority. Throughout his entire career, in fact, Judge Ferguson has been animated by the single desire to perform his duties to the best of his ability and to make himself a useful member of the community at large. As he is still a hale and hearty man it is likely that the Judge will per- form many more important services before his public career is ended. Aside from his natural interest in educational affairs and in the school system of Philadelphia, Judge Ferguson has never been identified with any interests save those of the law, in which he has served for a period of thirty-six years as a practitioner and Judge. Few men have had a longer or more honored career behind them than this distinguished Philadelphian.
On March 3, 1863, Judge Ferguson was first married. His wife was Sophia Cramp, daughter of William Cramp, the founder of the great ship building company which has since won such international distinction. He was married a second time, his wife being Charity M. Walter, daughter of Wilmer W. Walter, of Phila- delphia. Judge Ferguson has an interesting family, and he takes great delight in spending his leisure time among his children. These are William Cramp Ferguson, Stephen Benton Ferguson, Joseph C. Ferguson, Jr., Sophia Ferguson Mohr, Lincoln Ferguson, Emily W. Ferguson, Walter B. Ferguson and Edwin Paul Fergu- son. Judge Ferguson is identified with all movements tending to improve the public good and his name has been numbered with those citizens who have from time to time indicated their interest in the Commonwealth by important measures. In the Republican Convention of 1897, the distinguished lawyer, Samuel B. Huey, who placed Judge Ferguson in re-nomination, paid an uncommonly high tribute to the jurist's skill, ability and learning, and reviewed his career upon the Bench in a manner that aroused positive enthusiasm among the delegates, the majority of whom were mem- bers of the Bar.
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Ellicott Fischer
ELLICOTT FISHER.
ALONG with William Penn, the father of this great Commonwealth, there came on the " Welcome" a number of sturdy Britons, who, locating on what afterwards constituted the soil of Pennsylvania, gave to the growth of the State some of the sturdiest tillers of the soil, moulders of iron and artisans of every trade, as well as those who attained a distinction in their chosen professions or business occupations. All the way back to those early Colonial days Ellicott Fisher, one of the best known iron men in Pennsylvania, can trace his ancestry, and in "Wakefield," Germantown, where he was born, raised, and lived all his life, is situated his family seat, one of the most beautiful places of the kind in Philadelphia.
ELLICOTT FISHER was born in "Wakefield," Germantown, Philadelphia, May 3, 1840, and in the place of his birth he has resided since. Mr. Fisher is a Philadelphian through and through, and in the beautiful suburb of Germantown he is one of the most popular residents. His forefathers came over with Wil- liam Penn in 1682, in the good ship "Welcome," and ever since that time his ancestors have been identified with the prosperity and progress of the Commonwealth. Mr. Fisher's genealogical history on American soil begins with John Fisher, the next direct in line being Joshua Fisher; after him came Thomas Fisher, and then William Logan Fisher. The fifth of the name was Thomas Rodman Fisher. Ellicott Fisher's grandmother was Mary Rodman, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and his mother was Letitia Harvey Ellicott, of Ellicott Mills, Maryland. Mr. Fisher's early education was received in the schools at Germantown, and he was prepared
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for college, in 1858, at Germantown Academy. After a thorough course here, he later attended a course of lectures at the Penn- sylvania University, and when he entered the work-a-day world he was thoroughly equipped in point of educational advantages. His entrance into the business world was made as a clerk in an office at Duncannon, Perry County, Pennsylvania, after which he was connected with the Duncannon Iron Company, which had an office in Philadelphia at 122 Race Street. In this capacity he remained for several years, giving the affairs of the Duncannon Iron Company every attention and care, and the increase in that organization's business was due largely to Mr. Fisher's indefatiga- ble efforts. However, his talents in this direction were to be given a wider scope, and, in 1861, his father instructed him to organize and operate woolen mills on their property in Germantown, which he did, the enterprise meeting with great success. At that time water power was used, but innumerable improvements have since been made. Through all the operations of this concern Mr. Fisher has exercised his abilities in a managerial capacity, among other things having entire charge of the real estate interests of the family, which were very large.
Mr. Fisher's father was an invalid, and the son had to super- vise all the details of the work after the mills in Germantown had been started. At an early age he was obliged to look after the real estate matters, and even when still attending school he had a large part of his father's business under his care. Such a trust imposed upon a man so young could not fail to have developed his business judgment and his inborn abilities, and Mr. Fisher justified every confidence his father placed in him. Before Mr. Fisher had fairly reached his majority he had charge of the woolen mills operated by his father, and likewise managed the farm and garden of the establishment, collecting rents, and was generally the head of the family in every sense. Notwithstanding this, he found time to indulge in outdoor sports to a considerable extent, including cricket, fox hunting, and similar pastimes. In a word, Mr. Fisher had the aspirations and tendencies, along with the ideal temperament, of a country gentlemen. He has lived at
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"Wakefield," where he was born, his entire life, and both socially and as a citizen of energetic purpose he is widely known and admired. In the business world Mr. Fisher has won the greatest recognition in the capacity of Director of the Bloomsburg Iron Company, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania; as Director of the Duncan- non Iron Company, Perry County, Pennsylvania; and as President of the Ellicott Fisher Company, Limited, No. 343 South Front Street. In the latter office he finds his chief interests at present, and is among the best known iron merchants in the eastern part of the State. He still retains his Directorship in the Duncannon Iron Company, and is largely interested in real estate in German- town. The Ellicott Fisher Company, Limited, is the oldest organi- zation of the kind in Philadelphia, and in the management of its affairs, and the direction of its business policy, Mr. Fisher, as President, has advanced it rapidly through a number of progressive stages to its present high standing in the industrial and commer- cial world.
Mr. Fisher has never married. He is a social favorite, and belongs to a large number of organizations, both in Germantown and the city proper. In all that concerns the welfare of his birth- place he takes a very warm interest, and plays an active part. In short, he is a fully representative type of the Pennsylvania gentleman and merchant.
GEORGE S. FLEMING.
A MONG the familiar and honored names in the his- tory of western Pennsylvania appears that of the Fleming family. Its members have greatly aided in the State's progress and prosperity, and for several generations back have been identified with the leading business and professional interests of the community. In the city of Pittsburg George S. Fleming is recognized not only for his sterling integrity, but as a lineal descendant of a repre- sentative family which has given to its city and State some of the best known and most representative citizens. The political history of the State in its details must include some mention of the service rendered by the Fleming family, and the subject of this biography enjoys not a little of the accompanying honor.
GEORGE S. FLEMING was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, December 4, 1861. His father was Joseph Fleming, a well known Pennsylvanian, who, over fifty years ago, had established for him- self a reputation of being one of the most enterprising merchants of Allegheny County. His mother's maiden name was Eliza Smith. She was also American born and descended from a family well known and highly respected in their community. The son was educated in the public schools of Sewickley. His entrance into the business field was made as a drug clerk in his father's store, in 1876. Here he thoroughly mastered all the details of the profession and, having also taken a complete course in phar- macy, graduated therein. He is now one of the best known drug- gists in western Pennsylvania. Mr. Fleming has given his entire attention during his business life to the affairs of the firm of Joseph Fleming & Son. His excellent business ability, however.
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led him to take an interest in the conduct of the Diamond National Bank, in recognition of which he has been made a Director, serv- ing in a similar capacity with the Phoenix Brewing Company. It is owing probably to Mr. Fleming's activity and energy in his chosen business field that the firm of Joseph Fleming & Son is one of the most successful wholesale and retail drug houses in Pennsylvania. Several specialties which come under their proprie- torship have attained a reputation and popularity second to none. The house, founded over fifty years ago by his father, has steadily maintained the reputation of being the most successful and enter- prising of its kind in Allegheny County. To-day, Mr. Fleming's indomitable energy fits him for the handling of a business of over half a million dollars annually, and it is steadily gaining.
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