USA > Pennsylvania > Prominent and progressive Pennsylvanians of the nineteenth century. Volume I > Part 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
In 1875 Mr. Fouse was made a Mason in Zeredatha Lodge, No. 131, Free and Accepted Masons, in Jersey City, after which he joined Mount Vernon Chapter.
AEFrancis &La
·
ALEXANDER M. FOX.
E ARLY in the days of Pennsylvania's history, at a time before its large cities had reached, in point of population and industrial enterprise, one-third their present importance, and when Philadelphia itself was sub-divided into several sections, each having its own presiding official, there were a number of men, who, by their progressive spirit and energetic efforts to improve the prevailing conditions, became known as "city fathers." One of these men, whose name is familiar to every Philadelphian, is Alexander M. Fox, a Pennsylvanian of the purest stock.
ALEXANDER M. Fox was born October 7, 1824, in the County of Philadelphia, District of Northern Liberties, and was educated in the private schools of that section. He was named for his grandfather, Alexander Mack, of Germantown, the pioneer elder of the Dunkard Church. His father was John Fox, also a Dunkard elder and preacher, born in Germantown in 1786. His mother was Catharine Fisher, born in Germantown in the year 1789. His grandfather was Emmanuel Fox, who was the first manufac- turer of Germantown lampblack in this country, the business being continued by his father, John Fox. His father was also a builder, and laid out and constructed all the tan yards in the County of Philadelphia. He was one of the preachers of the Dunkard Society for forty years, and treasurer for seventy years. Alexander M. Fox's parents and grandparents were born in Ger- mantown, Philadelphia County. He was married February 22, 1849, to Mary Hall, of Pendall Hall, near Cedar Grove, Philadel- phia County. She was the daughter of Richard Hall, born in Burnley, England, in 1786, and Betty Whitaker, born in Royton,
225
226
ALEXANDER M. FOX.
England, in 1791, and was a granddaughter of Henry Whitaker, one of the first manufacturers of this country. Alexander M. Fox has three children, all born in Philadelphia, Amelia H., William M., and Alexander M., Jr., still living. He was brought up by his parents in the Dunkard Church, and, while not a member, he still retains a strong feeling for the society. Since his marriage, he has connected himself with the Episcopal Church, with his wife and children.
Alexander M. Fox served his apprenticeship at Second and Poplar streets, learning the business of grocer with David Adams. When twenty-one years of age he started in the trade for himself at 925 North Second Street, and remained there for twenty-five years, when he retired, turning his business over to one of his faitliful employés. During his entire career he has taken an active part in all important improvements going on in the city, county and State, and has been identified with several important interests, such as railroads, banks, trust companies and gas works. He was a Director in the National Bank of the Northern Liberties for some years ; a Director in the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for twenty-seven years, still continuing as such; was President and Director of Second and Third Street Passenger Railroad Company for some twenty years; and President and Trustee of the Northern Liberties Gas Company for forty-two years, still being its Presi- dent. He has also served as Trustee of the Northern Savings Fund and Safe Deposit Company; Director of the Industrial Trust, Title and Savings Company; Director of the Fire Insurance Com- pany of the County of Philadelphia; and he helped, further, to organize the Consolidation, Union, Eighth National, Second National and Tenth National Banks. He is a Director of the Philadelphia Branch of the American Surety Company; Director of the Union Traction Company, of Philadelphia; of the Frankford and South- wark; of the Fifth and Sixth Street Passenger Railway Company; of the Philadelphia and Trenton Railroad Company, and other corporations.
Mr. Fox served as Councilman in both the Select and Com- mon branches for five years, from 1864 to 1869. During the
227
ALEXANDER M. FOX.
Civil War he was one of the most active and determined Union men in his city, and at the time of the organization of the Union League, in 1863, he became one of its members, which he still is.
Mr. Fox took an active part in the organization of the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company, using his influence with the members of the Board of Commissioners of the District of the Northern Liberties to subscribe to the stock, which they did to the extent of ten thousand shares. He was elected a Director originally by the City Councils, March, 1871, to represent the city's interests as a stockholder. On the purchase by the railroad company of the stock held by the city, Mr. Fox was continued as Director by the vote of the stockholders, and he has held the position con- tinuously to the present time. Since the death of George B. Roberts, the President of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Mr. Fox is the only Director living that was elected as early as the year 1871, Mr. Roberts being first elected a director in the year 1869.
AUSTIN O. FURST.
OR some men Nature selects a vocation, while others resist natural tendencies, and erringly follow per- sonal inclination ; but when the head acts in harmony with the heart, determination with quali- fication, when genius is added to talent, an influence is exercised which is wide in its scope, powerful in its results. No sphere of life illustrates this truth more accurately or more forcibly than the profession of Law. That one, who, with mental strength, untiring zeal and application, a conscience sensitive yet firm, a heart pure and sympathetic, enters this domain of responsi- bility, as well as of opportunity, many triumphs and honors await -even the judicial mantle. The State of Pennsylvania has elevated many of her distinguished jurists to the Bench, but the election of Austin O. Furst, late President Judge of the Forty-ninth Judic- ial District, composed of Centre and Huntingdon counties, was a worthy recognition of natural ability, judicial learning and high personal characteristics. 1
AUSTIN O. FURST was born in 1834, near Salona, in the por- tion of Centre County from which Clinton County was subse- quently formed. His parents, John and Barbara Furst, were descendants of that sturdy and courageous stock which had fear- lessly penetrated the wilds of Central Pennsylvania at the dawn of the century, and his father, having cleared a considerable tract of land in Lamar Township, applied himself to agricultural pur- suits. Blessed with a large family, these pious parents planted the tree of life within that home, as well as the tree of knowl- edge, for not only did they sacrifice themselves to educate their children, but labored to have them obey the Word of God.
228
A. Q. Just.
*
229
AUSTIN O. FURST.
After a preparatory course in the public schools of the vicinity, the subject of our sketch entered the Academy at Salona, where his industry and learning were early manifested. Under the per- sonal direction of the President, Prof. H. M. McGuire, subsequently one of Philadelphia's most highly honored instructors, he was prepared for Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and was graduated from that institution in 1854, with the honors of his class. Subsequently, he entered Dickinson College at Car- lisle, to complete his scientific and classical course, but illness compelled him to relinquish his studies, and to return home. Every faculty and natural instinct of his being appealed to the law, and, accordingly, he entered the law office of his brother, Cline G. Furst, at Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, and was admitted to the Bar of Clinton County in 1860. Immediately thereafter he removed to Bellefonte, was admitted to the Courts of Centre County on January 28, 1861, and has ever continued to reside in that charming town of hospitable people and beautiful homes.
Judge Furst has been twice married. His first wife was Mary Frances Sanderson, of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. His present wife was Caroline Watson Chamberlin, of Milton, Pennsylvania. His children are: William S. Furst, of Philadelphia ; John S. Furst, of Williamsport ; Jane W. Furst, James C. Furst and Walter B. Furst, of Bellefonte. As a man of character, integrity and honor, he early associated himself with the moral and intellectual forces of society. He became identified with the Presbyterian Church, at Bellefonte, and has served continuously as an Elder since 1863. Ever interested in the education of the youth of the town, his zeal and efforts were readily recognized, and for nine years subse- quent to 1865 he was President of the School Board of Bellefonte.
His sole pursuit has been his chosen profession. In thought, word and action, his life has been devoted to an exhaustive study of the theory and practice of law and equity. Gifted with a reten- tive memory, possessing an analytical and a discriminating mind, careful in his premises, sound in his legal conclusions, a constant student of language and literature, endowed with persuasive orator- ical faculties, he achieved many triumphs among the fellow mein-
230
AUSTIN O. FURST.
bers of the Bar, and, in November, 1884, was elected President Judge of the Forty-ninth Judicial District, and served the full term of ten years, ending January 1, 1895. As Judge, he exer- cised a pronounced independence of character; he rigidly enforced the law restraining the sale of spirituous liquors, introduced many reforms in the administration of justice in his district, and estab- lished precedents for facilitating the disposition of causes. Atten- tive during argument of counsel, quick of perception, skilful in discrimination, persistent in research, conservative in decision, yet progressive in thought, at all times conscientious in his conclu- sions, Judge Furst's oral decisions were always scholarly, able and sound, while his many and important written opinions, to quote a critic, "rank high in the judicial literature of the State." At the expiration of his term of office, he resumed the active practice of the law at Bellefonte and elsewhere, having as associate in Huntingdon, John D. Dorris, under the firm name of Furst & Dorris, and in Philadelphia, his eldest son, under the firm name of A. O. & W. S. Furst. Within the entire domain of equity and law, civil, criminal and Orphans' Court, has he labored, frequently as counsel in actions of ejectment, so as to be regarded one of the leading land lawyers of the State, again appearing before State and national legislative committees, in theological controversies, in Presbyterian assemblages and in the courts of the United States ; in all issues, arguing with consummate skill, wide learning and signal success.
A. E .Francis & Cc
PhilipChanett
PHILIP C. GARRETT.
D ESCENDED from two lines of ancestors, both of whom trace their American origin back to the days of William Penn, Philip C. Garrett is fully representative of the highest type of citizenship in the Keystone State.
PHILIP C. GARRETT was born in Philadelphia, November I, 1834. His father was Thomas C. Garrett, who was descended from William Garrett, and his mother was Frances Biddle Garrett, who was descended from William Biddle. This parentage united two of the oldest families in the country. Both the maternal and paternal branches of Mr. Garrett's family came to Philadelphia with William Penn in 1682. The son, Philip, began his education at the Friends' Infant School in Philadelphia in about 1837, when but three years old, and he continued in a course of study until 1851, when he graduated at Haverford College. He then went with Hacker, Lea & Company, dry-goods commission merchants of Philadelphia. In 1854 he entered into partnership with Richard D. Wood, as Wood & Garrett, manufacturers of cotton goods. This firm was continued for twelve years and met with excellent success, and after the war, about 1868, Mr. Garrett united with his brother, John B. Garrett, forming the firm of P. C. and J. B. Garrett, also manufacturers of cotton goods, which continued in the trade until 1872. The following year Mr. Garrett united with David N. Lord, under the firm name of Philip C. Garrett & Com- pany, continuing until 1878, altogether a period of more than twenty-five years, during which he was connected with some of the largest manufacturing interests of his city and State. When he retired he became interested in philanthropic and financial I .- 16.
231
232
PHILIP C. GARRETT.
organizations, and was connected with some of the leading cor- porations of the latter class in Philadelphia.
Mr. Garrett is now a Director of the Provident Life and Trust Company, in the affairs of which famous organization he takes an active interest, and also of the Germantown Trust Company, the Ger- mantown Saving Fund, and the Mortgage Trust Company of Penn- sylvania. He is a Director in the York Haven Paper Company, a large manufacturing corporation, the Mine Hill Railroad Com- pany, and a number of others. Not alone in the administration of financial affairs is Mr. Garrett recognized as a prominent figure in his community, but through his connection with some of the leading public institutions of his State, as well. He was offered the Independent Republican nomination for Governor of Pennsyl- vania in the campaign which elected Robert E. Pattison for his first term; but this he refused. Mr. Garrett preferred that parti- cipation in the political affairs of the State which came through an active interest and such quiet and disinterested services as he might render voluntarily, rather than any candidacy which could be bestowed upon him by his party.
Mr. Garrett has served as President of the State Board of Charities, and he was the first Chairman of the State Lunacy Commission. Mr. Garrett was appointed by President Harrison a member of the Board of Indian Commissioners of the United States, and by Secretary Hoke Smith a special Commissioner to the Seneca Indians. In 1885 Mr. Garrett was President of the National Conference of Charities at Washington. His interests in the political affairs of Philadelphia have, perhaps, been best indi- cated by his Chairmanship of the Committee of One Hundred from 1881 to 1883, which office he held until the Committee's dissolution.
On May 18, 1865, Mr. Garrett was married to Elizabeth W. Cope, daughter of Alfred Cope, granddaughter of Thomas P. Cope, Sr., and a sister of Professor Edward Drinker Cope. The result of this union has been two children: Miss Frances Biddle Garrett and Alfred Cope Garrett, Ph.D., an instructor at Harvard College. Mr. Garrett's chief interests to-day are found in the various philan- thropies which have claimed his attention for many years, and
233
PHILIP C. GARRETT.
which still occupy much of his time and thought. He is Presi- dent of the Indian Rights Association, which has been most influential in bringing about recent modifications in the treatment of the Indians. He is no less interested in educational matters, having at one time been a Director of Public Schools in his sec- tion, and is now President of the Public Education Association, President of the Board of Trustees of Bryn Mawr College, and for about thirty years a Manager of Haverford College. He was one of the founders, and is a Vice-President, of the Society for Organizing Charity, and is a member of several learned bodies, such as the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society, in which latter he is a member of the Finance Committee. His connection with the United States Board of Indian Commissioners is of large inter- est to him, and his participation in the higher order of public affairs was indicated in his work with the international arbitra- tion conferences.
JOSEPH M. GAZZAM.
IN the history of Pennsylvania during the past quar- ter of a century the name of Joseph M. Gazzam appears quite frequently in connection with affairs of State, as well as with other matters of pith and moment. Mr. Gazzam has been for a long time identified with many interests in Pennsylvania, and both as a professional and public man he has displayed those sterling qualities which have gained him a place among the leading Pennsylvanians of his day. Mr. Gazzam, in addition to the important field which he has covered professionally, has quite a high position in the State socially, and he is an active member of many societies and institutions. In the State Senate he has served with distinction, representing the best interests of his con- stituents most admirably. Many extensive and diversified business affairs have his care, yet he always finds time for public work ; his influence is exerted in many public movements.
JOSEPH M. GAZZAM was born at Pittsburg, December 2, 1842. He was the second son of Edward D. and Elizabeth Antoinette Gazzam. His parents were both highly connected and prominent Pennsylvanians, and Mr. Gazzam has inherited, through them, characteristic traits of many generations of distinguished ancestors. His father was a noted physician of Pittsburg, and was widely known as a lawyer as well. He was for many years an important factor in politics. In 1848 he was the Free Soil candidate for Governor, and, in 1856, he was elected to the State Senate. His grandfather, William Gazzam, was a distinguished journalist dur- ing the latter half of the Eighteenth Century, who, because of his inborn love of liberty and in his belief in the independence of the
234
AEFrancisa">
gayyam
= MM .
235
JOSEPH M. GAZZAM.
American Colonies, was compelled to leave England and seek refuge in America, whose cause he had espoused. In 1792 he settled in Philadelphia, and later went to Carlisle, and finally to Pittsburg, where he died in 18II. He served as Collector of the Port under President Madison. Mr. Gazzam's maternal ancestry was no less distinguished. His mother, Elizabeth Antoinette Gazzam, was the daughter of Constantine Antoine de Beelen, and granddaughter of Baron Frederic Eugene Francois Beelen Bert- holff, Austrian Minister to this country in 1783-87.
After having received a public school education, Joseph M. Gazzam took a thorough course at the Western University of Pennsylvania. Leaving there, he entered the law office of David Reed, of Pittsburg, where he studied with energy and application. Completing this course, he was admitted to the Bar of Allegheny County in 1864, to the State Supreme Court in 1867, and to the United States Supreme Court in 1870. During his residence in Pittsburg Mr. Gazzam received many honors, and became one of the best known men in that part of the State. He served several terms as a member of the Common Council of that city, and also as a member of the State Senate, representing the Forty-third District. His name was also conspicuously mentioned in connec- tion with the Mayoralty of Pittsburg and as a candidate for Lieutenant-Governor of the State. Releasing his business and professional interests in that city, however, Mr. Gazzam entered into more important connections in Philadelphia, and his commo- dious offices, located on the eighth floor of the big Girard Build- ing, Broad and Chestnut streets, now-a-days, present at all times a remarkable activity, and speak volumes for the executive ability of Mr. Gazzam.
Mr. Gazzam came to Philadelphia on November 6, 1879, hav- ing voted in Pittsburg on that day prior to leaving for a perma- nent residence in the Quaker City. His ability, skill and learning immediately won recognition in his new field. He is controlling officer of a number of well known organizations and corporations, and he conducts their affairs with fidelity, foresight and rare good judgment. Among the institutions with which he is prominently
236
JOSEPH M. GAZZAM.
identified is the Philadelphia Finance Company, of which he is President. He is also President of the Kenilworth Inn Company and the Kenilworth Land Company, of Asheville, North Carolina, and of the Etowah Iron Company. He is Vice-President of the Quaker City National Bank, the Auer Light Company, of South America, Central Coal and Coke Company, Bloomington Coal and Coke Company, Ames-Bonner Brush Company, Dent's Run Coal Company and Deer Creek Coal Company, in addition to which he is a Director of the Spring Garden Insurance Company, the Bergen County (New Jersey) Traction Company, and a number of other corporations.
Notwithstanding his diversified business interests and the wide range of his professional work, Mr. Gazzam is yet able to devote considerable attention to literary pursuits and social life. He is particularly welcome in clubdom, and partakes of the enjoyable features furnished by several organizations with much appreciation. He has been thrice elected President of the Pennsylvania Club, and but a short time since was elected by the Board of Directors of the Union League one of the one hundred author- ized life members of that famous organization. He is also a Life Member of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, of the Fairmount Park Art Association, and of the Pennsylvania Hor- ticultural Society. Then, too, he is a member of the American Academy of Political and Social Sciences, University Archæo- logical Association, Citizens' Municipal Association, Lawyers' Club, the Germantown and the Philadelphia Cricket clubs, the Powelton Club and the Fish Protective Association, having been once the President of the last named organization.
-
AFrancs&CK
Chas Bruger
o
o
9
O
CHARLES GEYER.
EW prominent citizens of the western portion of the State have come to their present high posi- tions in the estimation of their fellow citizens by a more steadily consistent course than that trav- eled by Charles Geyer, Mayor of Allegheny, and a highly regarded and eminently successful business man of that city. Born in the place in which he is now such a conspicuous figure, his whole life has been spent in furthering its interests and in assisting in bringing it to its present prosperous condition. That his efforts in this direction have met with the approval of his fellow citizens is indicated in the honorable position he now occupies.
CHARLES GEYER was born on the IIth day of May, 1849, in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, in the Eleventh Ward, where he now resides. His residence in this neighborhood has not been contin- uous, but he returned to it, the last time, in 1883, and for a period of fourteen years has been an important factor in its affairs. His father was Michael Geyer, and his mother Catherine Beckert, both of whom came to this country in 1845, from their native Alsace, Germany, from which fair spot have come so many sturdy and industrious emigrants who have given up the ties of their native land to settle in the Keystone State. The annals of Penn- sylvania contain many pages devoted to the achievements of these hardy people and of their children and descendants; and inany high places in social, political and commercial circles have been won by them through the exercise of those traits of perseverance and discernment which have ever been among the most conspicuous characteristics of the race. The father and mother of the subject
237
238
CHARLES GEYER.
of this biography, on landing on the free soil of America, joined many of their fellow countrymen who have settled in the western portion of the State, and became residents of Allegheny, where Charles Geyer was born. They knew that America's institutions gave equal opportunities to all, but it is doubtful if they ever dared hope that, in so few years, one of their children would be elevated to the highest position within the gift of the people of his native city, and would attain such a prominent place in the commercial world. But they did all in their power to equip their son for the battle of life, and saw to it that he was given opportunities of taking a thorough course in the city's public schools. This he did in the educational institutions of Allegheny, rounding out the course of instruction they afforded by a year spent in study at one of the best private schools in the city.
His education completed, the first years of his young manhood were spent in assisting his father in the large market gardening interests which his industry and strict attention to business had built up. In this capacity he was able to relieve the elder Geyer of many of the burdens of the business. Turning his attention from bucolic pursuits to the mercantile world, however, in 1872, he went into the grocery and feed business as senior member of the firm of Geyer & Friz. Here he first gave sign of that remarkable fitness for commercial transactions that has since gained him a foremost place among the prominently successful men of Allegheny. For several years, until 1878, he gave his entire attention to building up his business and, devoting himself to one line of endeavor only, soon grasped success with a steady hand and made his house one of the best known in the city. In the latter year he began to look about for other fields in which to extend his interests and finally entered the ice trade, still devoting, however, a considerable share of his time and attention to his grocery and feed establishment. In the next few years his interests in the ice business had grown to such proportions that, in 1883, he was forced to relinquish mercantile pursuits and devote the whole of his time to the duties that fell to him as President of the Erie Ice Company and Vice-President of the Chautauqua Lake
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.