USA > Pennsylvania > Prominent and progressive Pennsylvanians of the nineteenth century. Volume II > Part 23
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It is particularly as a Pennsylvanian, however, that Mr. Lewis is known in the business communities of the country. The development of the central section of Pennsylvania owes much to him, and he is considered one of the factors in bringing many enterprises to a successful conclusion.
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WILTON MONROE LINDSEY.
IN the government of the State of Pennsylvania it is pre- eminently necessary that men of merit, public worth and wide acquaintance with the necessities and requirements of legislative affairs should play a leading part. From time to time in the Senate and Legislature of the State prominent members of the legal profession have served with honor and distinction, and it is undoubtedly owing to the presence of men learned in the law that the statutes framed for the Government of the people of this vast Commonwealth have been so desirable from every point of view. The subject of this biography, W. M. Lindsey, has made for himself a splendid record both as a practitioner at the Bar and as a framer of laws for the Keystone State.
WILTON MONROE LINDSEY was born in Pine Grove Town- ship, Warren County, on June 8, 1841. His parents were Joseph and Catherine Lindsey, his father being of Irish descent and his mother of Welsh and German. He was one of eleven children, of whom there are now but five living. His youth was spent on his father's farm, where he attended the neighboring district school. However, he did not have the opportunities there which he sought, and having virtually outgrown the district school he became possessed of the desire to acquire a more extensive educa- tion, and when he reached the age of seventeen he entered the Randolph Academy, at Randolph, New York. Here he remained for several terms until he acquired that education for which he so earnestly longed. In 1862, when the call came for volunteers to defend the Union, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty- fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, of which regiment Col. H. L.
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Brown, of Erie, was commander. In 1863 he was discharged on account of ill health, and returned home. In the fall of 1863, hav- ing in a measure recovered his health, he returned to his studies, entering the State Normal School at Edinboro. By his own per- severance and efforts he remained there until October 1, 1865, when he was appointed Superintendent of Common Schools of Warren County, succeeding Charles W. Stone. He was elected for a three years' term on June 1, 1866, and was again elected on June 1, 1869. While acting as County Superintendent he com- menced the study of law, finally deciding to devote the whole of his time to it; and to that end he resigned his position as County Superintendent on December 1, 1871. He secured an opening in the office of Hon. S. P. Johnson, who had just finished serving as Presiding Judge of the Warren County Bench. Mr. Lindsey completed his studies in this office, and was admitted to the Bar in March, 1872, entering into partnership with Mr. Johnson, a combination which existed until recently. He commenced a very active practice and figured, generally with success, in some of the most notable cases of the day. In the firm's business at that time were some large land litigations, and these brought Mr. Lindsey a wide acquaintance with such legal subjects. He not only practiced in the Warren County Court, but in those of the adjoining counties as well, and in the Circuit and District courts of the United States.
It was in 1876 that Mr. Lindsey was prevailed upon by his fellow citizens to accept some evidence of the appreciation in which he was held, which was the nomination for the State Legislature. He was elected and served honorably and with distinction. Many of the most prominent measures which finally became laws were either of his drafting or else had his warm support. He was one of the Committee appointed to investigate the great railroad riots of 1877, giving valuable service as Chairman. The Committee proceeded to Pittsburg, then to Scranton, Reading and Philadel- phia, taking, in all places, a large amount of testimony relating to the riots. Mr. Lindsey's legal acumen and his good judgment pointed him out as the man to conduct the examination of wit-
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nesses, and he did it so thoroughly that a report was published by the State, making a volume of 1,000 pages. The year previous to Mr. Lindsey's election the new State Constitution was adopted, and he gave it careful study, participating in debate on all sub- jects pertaining to constitutional questions. As it was necessary that the statutes should conform to the Constitution Mr. Lind- sey's attention was closely given to legislation to carry into effect the new Constitution, and he soon became a recognized authority on all matters pertaining thereto. During Mr. Lindsey's term the State Hospital at North Warren was built, largely through his efforts, for in those days it was a very difficult matter to have large appropriations passed. While Mr. Lindsey was serving in the Legislature James O. Parmlee was admitted to the law firm, which then became known under the name of Johnson, Lindsey & Parmlee. Since that time Mr. Johnson has retired, and Mr. Lindsey's son, Edward Lindsey, has been admitted, the firm now being known as Lindsey & Parmlee. It has to-day one of the largest and most profitable practices in that part of the State, and is held in high estimation by the people of Warren and surrounding districts.
On December 26, 1866, Mr. Lindsey was married to Miss Emma Sherman, of Thetford, Vermont, and four children were the result of the union. Only one is now living, Edward, who was educated at Phillips' Exeter Academy and Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, and after a law course was admitted to the Bar, now being a member of the firm of which his father is head.
A. BROWER LONGAKER.
T HE history of the Bar of three counties-Montgomery, Northampton and Lehigh-is prominently marked by the career of A. Brower Longaker, who, though a native of the former county, has participated in the legal affairs of all three to a large extent. Judge Longaker has had an extensive term of public service, and has acquired the reputation of being one of the brightest men in Pennsylvania's legal galaxy.
A. BROWER LONGAKER was born in Lower Providence Town- ship, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, April 21, 1828. He and his twin sister, Elizabeth, were the seventh by birth in a family of eleven, his father and mother being Henry Longaker and Cath- arine Brower. His great-great-grandfather, Jacob Longenecker, came from Switzerland, near Lake Constance, in 1733, and settled near Parkerford, Chester County. In 1746 he purchased two hun- dred and seventy-four acres of land. He died in 1796. Jacob, the grandfather, anglicized the name to its present spelling, and the Longeneckers of Lancaster County are of the same ancestry. Judge Longaker's schooling was received near his birthplace, and, in 1841, by the change of residence of his parents, he became a pupil of the Washington Hall Academy at the Trappe. In 1847 he entered the Sophomore Class of Franklin and Marshall College, from which he went to Union College, at Schenectady, New York, entering the Junior Class in 1848, and graduating in the class of 1850. He was one of the class orators and one of about twenty-three out of eighty who were entitled to admission in the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. While studying he also taught public school, and after his graduation obtained a situation in Philadelphia as teacher. While in college he took
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special courses in medicine and law, and continued these after graduation. In 1852 he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, but changed from medicine to law in order to gratify the wishes of his father, going to Balston Spa, New York, to enter the State and National Law School there. He graduated in 1853, and was admitted to the Courts of New York. Being desirous of obtaining early admission to practice in his own State, he entered the law school of Washington McCartney, Presi- dent Judge of the courts of Lehigh and Northampton counties. In August, 1853, he was admitted to practice in Northampton County courts, and was soon after given the same privilege in Montgomery County, locating at Norristown. In 1855 he repre- sented Montgomery County as a Delegate in the Democratic State Convention. The same year he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. His was such an admi- rable term that he was re-elected in 1856 and 1857, and in 1858 was elected Speaker of the House. In October of the same year he was appointed Notary Public for a term of three years, and, in 1861, was elected Secretary of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society, being re-elected annually thereafter until January, 1869. Judge Longaker was elected a Director of the Bank of Montgomery County, and was re-elected annually until 1869, when he removed from Norristown to Allentown to enter upon his judicial term. In March, 1867, he was appointed and confirmed Collector in the Fifth Congressional Revenue District, which he resigned on account of the judgeship, to take effect December 1, 1868. During the war Judge Longaker served in the independent cavalry company of the State militia, organized in September, 1862. He was also a private in Company H, mus- tered in July, 1863, and upon the organization of the Forty-first Regiment of emergency militia, he was elected Regimental Quar- termaster, to serve during the pleasure of the President. When the regiments, which were encamped near Chambersburg, were formed into brigades, he was promoted to be the Acting Commis- sary of the brigade, commanded by Col. James Nagle, and so con- tinued throughout the campaign.
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Judge Longaker was honored, in October, 1868, with the election as President Judge of the Third Judicial District, com- posed of the counties of Lehigh and Northampton, for a term of ten years. When this term had expired he resumed the practice of law in Allentown. In 1889 he located in Easton, and, in May, 1893, he returned to his native county, where he resumed prac- tice at Norristown.
Soon after Judge Longaker's admission to the courts he . gained recognition as one of the most promising members of the legal fraternity. During the Legislative session of 1856, as a member of the Judiciary, and in 1857 as Chairman of the Com- mittee on Corporations, he was one of the most active members of the House. Before the Civil War Judge Longaker largely figured in the Government of his State. When, in 1858, he was elected Speaker, he had a majority of forty, having been nominated by the caucus of his party by a majority of fifty-three, and although one of the youngest who had presided over the House in many years, his rulings were generally accepted without appeal. During his term on the Bench he acquired a great reputation for clean analysis and rare judgment.
Judge Longaker married Mary Moore Slingluff, daughter of William H. Slingluff, formerly President of the Montgomery National Bank, and Mary Knorr Slingluff, on December 8, 1859. The children are Leila Kurtz, wife of H. K. Kurtz, a Philadel- phia business man of the firm of W. W. Kurtz & Company ; Rosalie and Norris S. He has three grandchildren, W. Wesley Kurtz, Leila Kurtz and Henry K. Kurtz. After an active and thoroughly progressive career, Judge Longaker enjoys the reputation of being one of the foremost members of the Montgomery County Bar, and from his office at Norristown his legal connections extend to a large part of the State.
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ANTON LUTZ.
0 F the many industries which have been fostered and developed in Pennsylvania during the years imme- diately preceding the century's end, one of the largest and, in point of employment, one of those most closely identified with the interests of a large number of people in and around Allegheny City, is the brewing business conducted by the Lutz Company. The name of Lutz is pre-eminently the one most conspicuously associated with the art of brewing in and around Pittsburg and Allegheny. It is a name that has long exemplified the highest type of a conservative and well established enterprise of this nature, and the product marketed by the company has, from its earliest beginning up to the present day, been but one uniform standard which exemplifies the highest degree of purity and general excellence. The firm of D. Lutz & Son is known throughout the western part of Pennsylvania, not alone for its immense establishment and the large number of people to whom it gives employment, but for its part in affairs which partake of that public spirit which tends to encourage the advancement of a community and the progress of a people. ANTON LUTZ, the subject of this biography, is one of the most familiar figures in his section of the State.
The Lutz brewing plant was established on its present site, in 1853, by the late Damas Lutz, the father of Anton Lutz, who is the President of the Lutz Company. Under the latter's pro- gressive management the affairs of the firm have been carried on to a most successful stage; and not alone financially have benefits been reaped, but in the way of industrial improvements, and by the addition of many features of excellence introduced into the
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art of brewing in this country, from Germany and Bavaria. Anton Lutz is of German parentage, his father and mother having been born in Wittenberg, Germany. They came to America at a com- paratively early age, and their son, Anton, was born in Pittsburg in 1853, the same year that his father established his plant in Allegheny. He received but a common school education, and afterwards, to better fit himself, he took a course in a commercial college, where he mastered the details of financial and business operations to such a complete degree that, when he did enter upon active participation in the affairs of his father's establishment, he was eminently fitted for its successful conduct. At an early age he was admitted to partnership with his father, and in his capacity as an active member of the firm introduced many improvements which redounded greatly to its advantage. Under his manage- ment, and in view of the solid foundation laid out by his father, the already large and prosperous business rapidly increased until its products to-day are sent into over eighteen States and Ter- ritories.
In 1892 Damas Lutz died, and thereupon the entire manage- ment of the affairs of the estate and of the business of the estab- lishment devolved upon Anton Lutz, the son, who by that time was thoroughly able to take entire charge. The care of the multifarious details of so large an institution was quite an onerous burden, and, as an attractive proposition was made to Mr. Lutz in the interests of the business, he decided to merge it into a new corporation, and, accordingly, in 1894, the re-organization was per- fected, and the firm became known as the D. Lutz & Son Brewing Company. Anton Lutz was elected President of the new organi- zation, in recognition of his ability and his thorough knowledge of the affairs of the concern, and that office he now holds to the complete satisfaction of every one interested in the affairs of the firm. Under the new arrangement of affairs the business has steadily advanced and increased in its proportions. The vast busi- ness interests in which Mr. Lutz takes so prominent a part as manager demand his entire time, and, aside from that, he has figured but little in public or business life. He has, however,
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been closely identified with the general affairs of his own com- munity, filling many positions of trust and responsibility in Alle- gheny. He is a Director in the Third National Bank of that city, and his counsels and advice are always warmly welcomed by his associates in the administration of that institution's affairs.
Like many other men of his calibre who occupy their entire time in giving that close attention to the details of business which their magnitude demands, Mr. Lutz is a man who, after business hours, enjoys most thoroughly the comforts of home. He lives a quiet, unostentatious life, and does not care to occupy any more prominent position in his community than that which is now his own. He is married and has one son living, two children having died when in their infancy. As a consequence of his retiring dis- position Mr. Lutz has acquired a reputation for love of quiet in so far as social matters are concerned; but, on the other hand, he is recognized in the business community as one of the most pro- gressive and wide-awake men. Many another man endowed with the same qualities and ambitious temperament as those possessed by Mr. Lutz would probably have entered into busy political life, but he seems rather to prefer the activities of commerce and indus- try to those of politics. Consequently he gives his entire time and attention to the affairs of his firm.
In business circles Mr. Lutz is looked upon as a singularly progressive and successful man. He is known alike for his clear insight into the details continually arising from the operations of the company of which he is President, and for his close attention to the same. He is a man of considerable philanthropy, and scarcely any one in Pittsburg or Allegheny can claim a larger acquaintance, one that includes all classes of men, nor a larger circle of both business and social friends. In a word, he exem- plifies in himself the perfect type of the self-made man of this era.
JOHN M. MACK.
HE electric arc lighting service of Philadelphia is equal, if not superior, to that of any other large American city. Not only upon every main thoroughfare in the more closely built portions of the city and throughout the crowded sections where the homes of the poor are found, but upon the streets and avenues of the best residential neighborhoods and the finely macadamized roads reaching far into the suburban sections, the most excellent service is maintained. The many lighting systems and the vast power plant necessary are owned and operated by private corporations who furnish the light to the city under con- tract. One of the most prominent and progressive men in the management of these corporations is John M. Mack, President of the Southern Electric Light and Power Company, which lights the portion of Philadelphia lying below South Street and between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers.
JOHN M. MACK was born in Philadelphia, August 15, 1852. His parents, James and Mary Mack, were of Irish descent, and it was from this Celtic stock that the son inherited those eminent qualities of perseverance and determination which have ever been shown in the conduct of every undertaking in which he has been engaged. In fact, earnest and steadfast adherence to well defined plans until his projects have been carried to a successful termina- tion has ever characterized Mr. Mack's business life. Never daunted by temporary obstacles nor discouraged by apparently insuperable difficulties, he has always pursued his purpose with a definiteness of design that could have none but a successful termination. Mr. Mack's education was a thoroughly practical
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one, acquired in the parochial and public schools of Philadelphia, in which he made as enviable a mark as a scholar as he has since made in corporation circles. After acquiring the best education that he could there obtain, Mr. Mack decided, in 1876, to enter the field of contracting. That Mr. Mack has won a high place in the estimation of the business men of the city is evidenced by the posi- tion he holds in the various corporations with which he is connected, being President of the Mack Paving Company, the Pennsylvania Asphalt Company and the Southern Electric Light and Power Company, of Philadelphia, and active in the Directorate of the Mack Manufacturing Company, of Pittsburg. Indeed, with the exception of the latter corporation, Mr. Mack is the founder and the largest stockholder and principal owner in all of them. Besides these companies he has extensive interests in the West as far as Cleveland, Ohio, and large plants in Pittsburg and Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Despite his many business transactions with the municipal government, Mr. Mack has never taken a prominent part in politics and has steadfastly refused to accept public office of any kind, though his personal popularity and his high business standing have placed many distinctions within his reach.
Mr. Mack was married to Miss Mary F. Powers, of Philadel- phia, on the 23d day of November, 1881. They had eight children, seven of whom are living.
One of the latest corporations formed by Mr. Mack is the Southern Electric Light and Power Company, which holds impor- tant lighting contracts with the city of Philadelphia. In the spring of 1895 the erection of their plant was begun on a commanding position overlooking the Schuylkill River, with practically unlimited space for building and every natural advantage. With knowledge acquired by many years of experience in the service, the managers of the company went to work determined to build the best lighting plant in the world and competitive preliminary plans were sub- mitted by many leading engineers. Every part of the work as it progressed passed under the experienced eye and was pushed forward to completion by the indomitable energy of the projectors. The plant, as built, is arranged for almost indefinite extension
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without alteration of the work already done. The main building is 204 feet in length and 174 feet in width, and is of steel throughout. The entire outer walls of building and chimney are of selected stretcher brick laid in dark mortar, and the general effect, while neat and pleasing, is massive and substantial, plainly showing the purpose for which the building was designed. Prob- ably the most striking features of the mechanical equipments of the plant are its remarkable simplicity, completeness and thorough interchangeability. Steam is supplied for the plant by twenty boilers of 150 horse-power each. Four pairs of cross compound engines of Corliss type, with the total capacity of 3,500 horse- power, drive the dynamos. The engines are of massive design, equipped with every modern device for safety and close regulation. The weight of each engine is 230,000 pounds, the driving wheels alone weighing 70,000 pounds each. The shafting weighs 125,000 pounds. Each dynamo has an independent clutch and can be thrown on or off without interfering with any other machine. Any dynamo in the plant can be driven by any engine in the plant without the shafting carrying the weight of engine belts and pul- leys not in use. Altogether, the plant is thoroughly modern, as complete as it could possibly be built and in every way character- istic of the President of the company.
Mr. Mack resides on South Broad Street, and also has a very fine country residence near Torresdale, the estate comprising over 160 acres, his residence, Oaklands, being one of the most attractive in that region of palatial country homes.
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Chas M. mackey
CHARLES W. MACKEY.
HARLES W. MACKEY is one of Pennsylvania's sons who have carried their business talents beyond the borders of their own State and have made for themselves a success that was even more than national. He was born in Franklin, Pennsylvania, November 19, 1842, and, while tracing his descent to Scotch- Irish stock that had written the name of Mackey in history's pages from the time of Robert Bruce, was prouder still of the deeds of his ancestors who helped make American history. He received an academic education, and at an early age entered a printing office, learned the trade, and while still in his teens made his first business venture as editor and publisher of a newspaper. At eighteen he entered the law office of his brother-in-law, Charles E. Taylor, who later became President Judge of the Venango District. Fort Sumter's shot was still echoing over the country when young Mackey joined the "Venango Grays," afterwards Company C, Tenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps. He was elected First Lieutenant, and, with two excep- tions, was in every battle in which the Army of the Potomac was engaged, from Dranesville to Gettysburg. He was honorably dis- charged July 11, 1863, and in August following was appointed Special Agent of the United States Treasury, and assigned to the district of Eastern Virginia and North Carolina. During his term he received and disbursed large sums and faithfully conducted the business, receiving strong testimonials from his superiors. He held this post until August 1, 1865, when he resigned and returned to Franklin, entering the law firm of Taylor & Gilfillan. He was admitted to the Bar August 29, 1865, and to membership
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