USA > Pennsylvania > Prominent and progressive Pennsylvanians of the nineteenth century. Volume II > Part 9
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SAMUEL M. CLEMENT.
to New England, others to Haddonfield, New Jersey. The latter place became the home, for generations, of the Clement family, which was prominently identified with New Jersey state affairs during the last century. Samuel Clement, the grandfather of Samuel M. Clement, was married in 1786 to Mary Foster, by a license from Wm. Livingston, Governor of New Jersey. He was an intimate friend and associate of Mayors Swift and Wharton, of Philadelphia. Josiah Foster, the great-grandfather of Samuel M. Clement, on the maternal side, was known in his time as one of New Jersey's most prominent judges.
SAMUEL MITCHELL CLEMENT, son of Robert Wharton Clement, was born October 23, 1838, in the city of Philadelphia, was educated in the public schools, and entered business life in 1859 as a manu- facturer, taking up shortly afterwards, for the most part, affairs public and political. For a time he held minor places; was a Director and President of the Ninth Sectional School Board, and was elected Police Magistrate, for first term, February 17, 1885, as a Republican, by nearly 20,000 majority. He was re-elected Magis- trate for a second term on February 18, 1890, and was appointed Committing Police Magistrate at the City Hall by Mayor Edwin H. Fitler, and re-appointed by his successor, Mayor Edwin S. Stuart, June 7, 1892. He was alternate to the Republican National Convention at Minneapolis which re-nominated Benjamin Harrison for President of the United States.
Mr. Clement was nominated for Sheriff by the Republican County Convention, Wednesday, September 20, 1893, having 874 votes out of 893. He had been strongly endorsed by all the lead- ing newspapers, and, as well, by hundreds of prominent men in professional, financial and industrial life. He was elected Tuesday, November 7, 1893, by a vote of 103,777, and a majority of 52,769 over his Democratic competitor-the largest majority ever given a Sheriff in the annals of the city of Philadelphia. Retiring from the office of Magistrate, December 31, 1893, he took the oath of office as Sheriff before Judges Finletter, Gordon and Reed, and assumed the functions of office January 1, 1894. He was elected Chairman of the Republican City Campaign Committee January
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14, 1895, having been the Treasurer of that organization for five years previous, and he was re-elected Chairman for the years 1896 and 1897. A leading daily journal said of him, when elected Chairman of the Committee: "The election of Sheriff Clement to the office of President of the Republican City Committee will be generally approved. He possesses the full and unreserved con- fidence of the Republican masses, and of the entire community. He unites character with practical experience, and his guidance and influence will be in the right direction. He will be a judicious and successful leader." Under his direction the Sheriff's offices were moved to the new City Hall from the old ones in Indepen- dence Hall, on September 27, 1895, he being the last official to hold office in the historical building.
In October, 1895, Sheriff Clement was one of the escort of the Liberty Bell on its journey to the Atlanta Exposition. His retirement from office occurred December 31, 1896, and he was loudly praised for an admirable term.
Mr. Clement is Ruling Elder in a prominent Presbyterian Church. He was one of the founders and First Vice-President of the First Penny Savings Bank of Philadelphia; he is Past Master, and for thirty years has been a member of Melita Lodge, F. A. M., 295. He was Master of the Lodge at the time of the dedica- tion of the new Temple in Philadelphia, and was Representative of his Lodge to the Grand Lodge of Masons in the State of Penn- sylvania. Mr. Clement was the first Knight Templar knighted in Mary Commandery after its institution. He is also a member of Jerusalem Chapter, and an Odd Fellow of the State of Pennsyl- vania. Mr. Clement is Treasurer of the Union Republican Club, and for more than twenty years has been a Member of the Repub- lican City Campaign Committee, representing his, the Ninthi Ward. He is also a member of the Union League Club, of Philadelphia.
On January 1, 1897, he formed the law, real estate and insur- ance firm of Samuel M. Clement & Sons, and in its affairs his activities are now centred. Mr. Clement lias been a successful man in every walk of life, and his city is well proud of him.
JOHN H. CRANKSHAW.
IN no field of commercial enterprise has there been greater progress indicated during the century than in that of industrial insurance, and, identified with the man- agement and development of the business of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for a number of years, John Hamilton Crankshaw, the subject of this biography, has been one of the most important factors in bringing about this prosperity.
JOHN HAMILTON CRANKSHAW was born at Chorley, Lanca- shire, England, February 23, 1845. His parents were James Crankshaw and Ellen Smalley, and on the paternal side the family was well known in England's trade life. His grandfather, John Crankshaw, married Margaret Weir, of Ireland, whose family was of Scotch-Irish descent. He died in 1881, aged eighty-seven years, leaving to the world six children, all of whom attained success in various walks of life. James, the second child, and the father, John H., who was born in Lancashire, England, in 1818, came to Norristown, Pennsylvania, in 1882, where the latter died in 1891, aged seventy-three. The son, John, was reared in his native township in England, and, owing to the conditions pre- vailing, received but a meagre education. At the age of seven he obtained employment as a helper to his father at calico printing. When fourteen years old he entered the bleaching and finishing establishment of Mortfield Works, at Bolton, working for several years through all the branches of his trade, a great deal of the time in a room with the temperature registering 130 to 160 degrees. But he was faithful and progressive, and, at the age of twenty-one, was made Foreman of his department, three years later being 106
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JOHN H. CRANKSHAW.
offered the management of the entire works. I11 1874 lie accepted the position of Assistant Superintendent of the Prudential Life Insurance Company, of London, England, and had special charge of several English towns, mccting with unusual success in his new field. Upon the solicitation of Brice Collard, of New York City, who had just solved the problem of industrial insurance in the United States, Mr. Crankshaw, in 1880, gave up his position in England and came to America to assume charge of the business of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in Northi Philadelphia.
When he took the office he had a force of only seven men, but, after fifteen years of effectual and unremitting work, he had succeeded in organizing and building up a business in his district that required the services of five hundred men, and had increased from nothing to three hundred thousand policy holders with an annual premium of one and a quarter million dollars. This is, indeed, a remarkable record and it expresses, as nothing else could, Mr. Crankslaw's forcefulness of character. The remarkable increase in the business of industrial insurance under his charge, since 1880, has established a record in that field. Mr. Crankshaw resided in Philadelphia up to 1883, and he then removed to his present handsome residence, on DeKalb Street, Norristown. This removal was necessitated by the increase in the number of his responsibilities, the latest progressive step of which was his appoint- ment, in June, 1895, to the post of Chief Supervisor of the territory embracing the States of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and southern New Jersey, which are now under his complete jurisdic- tion. An instance of the esteem in which Mr. Crankshaw is held by the Metropolitan Company was furnished at the memorable meeting of the Company's superintendents, in New York City, January 12, 1895, when he was presented with a loving cup in behalf of the officers and directors. The insurance field is, to him, a familiar one and it has been the scene of his greatest advance- ment and still continues to furnish his chief interest.
On June 17, 1870, Mr. Crankshaw married Saralı Southworth, who was a daughter of William Wilson, of Leyland, and who died January 22, 1883, aged forty-two years, leaving tlirce children,
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who are still living: Frederick Weir Crankshaw, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, who is now in New York City; Florence, now the wife of Dr. George W. Mays, of Phila- delphia, and Arthur H., attending the Pennsylvania Military Academy, at Chester, Pennsylvania. On Christmas Day, 1883, Mr. Crankshaw wedded, for his second wife, Mary A. Crankshaw, daughter of Joseph Crankshaw, of Philadelphia. Since becoming a resident of the United States, Mr. Crankshaw has supported the Republican party. He has been a member of the Norristown Council since 1891, and is now serving his second term, having served as President in 1896 and 1897. He is an active member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church. While residing in England he served for some time as a local minister in the Primitive Methodist Church, with which he united in 1867. Mr. Crankshaw is prominent in Masonic circles, being a Scottish Rite or a Thirty-second Degree Mason, and holding membership in Montgomery Lodge, No. 19; Columbia Chapter, No. 91, Royal Arch Masons; and Corinthian Commandery, No. 53, Knights Templar, and Philadelphia Consistory, Ancient and Accepted Scot- tish Rite. He is a Past Master, Past High Priest and Past Com- mander in the Masonic fraternity. He is also a member of the Hepana Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men; Lu Lu Temple, A. A. O. W., of the Mystic Shrine; Alfred the Great Lodge of the Order of the Sons of St. George, and Apollo Senate, Order of Sparta.
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JOHN WELSH CROSKEY.
NE of the most marked features of the times is 0 the constant tendency toward specialization. The whole trend of modern progress seems to be rapidly resolving itself down to the maxim, "Do one thing and do it well." Whether it be in the productive or in the professional world, the men who have achieved success have done so by concentrating their energies upon one line of endeavor. This is especially noticeable in the professions. The subject of this biography, John Welsh Croskey, M.D., enjoys a wide reputation for a thorough knowledge of the eye, throat and nose, to which lie has devoted special attention.
JOHN WELSH CROSKEY was born on the 26th day of January, 1858, in the family residence on historic Rittenhouse Square, where he continued to reside until his marriage. He comes of one of the oldest and best known families of his native city and one which has always been foremost in the social world. He is the son of Henry Croskey, who was particularly prominent in local railway affairs. His mother, Ann Croskey, was the daughter of Matthew Dunnohew, of Scotch descent, and Ann Robeson, of the Robesons, one of Delaware's oldest and most respected families. Dr. Croskey's father was the son of George Duncan Croskey and Eliza Croskey, the daughter of John Ashmead, a captain in the Continental Army during the Revolution.
His early school days were spent at Dr. Faires' excellent institution and at the Eastburn Academy, in Philadelphia. He applied himself diligently to his studies and was graduated from the latter with distinction. He has since been a prominent men1- ber and President of the Alumni Association of his Alma Mater.
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JOHN WELSH CROSKEY.
In 1874 he entered the employ of MacKeown, Bower, Ellis & Com- pany, chemists, and there laid the foundation for that knowledge of drugs which is so essential to the success of a physician and which has, in later life, stood him in such good stead. He remained here until 1881, when he formed a partnership with John Dixon, under the firm name of Dixon & Croskey, and they started in business as brokers and importers of drugs. Too close appli- cation to business, however, broke down Dr. Croskey's health, and two years later he retired from the business, and, having purchased a country residence at Swarthmore, he moved there and devoted himself to the study of medicine, besides rounding up his fund of general academic and classical knowledge by a year's special course at Swarthmore College. With this most excellent preparation he entered the Medico-Chirurgical College, in Philadelphia, where he pursued his studies with such diligence and thoroughness that upon his graduation, in 1889, he stood among the highest in his class, and won the distinction of an honorable mention for the Faculty gold medal for the best average on the final examinations. His thesis on original medical research was characteristically able and won for him a gold medal from the Faculty. He also carried off the prize offered by his preceptor, the late Dr. H. Ernest Goodman, for superior excellence in surgery. A certificate of proficiency in anatomy was also awarded him by the Philadelphia School of Anatomy. Upon his graduation, so good a record had he made as a student and so thoroughly had he won the confidence of his pre- ceptors that he was elected to the highly honorable post of Chief of the Surgical Clinic of the Medico-Chirurgical, and later the positions in the Adjunct Faculty of Lecturer on Minor and Opera- tive Surgery and Demonstrator in Bandaging.
During all this time he had been acquiring a large and rapidly growing general practice. Recognizing, however, the trend of the times toward specialization, he began to devote his talents espe- cially to the eye, throat and nose. This branch of medical practice he followed with such success that to-day he stands high in the fore- most rank of American specialists. So widely and favorably known had Dr. Croskey become by the time of the death of Dr. P. D. Key-
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JOHN WELSH CROSKEY.
ser, who had for twenty-five years been attending surgeon at the famous Wills' Eye Hospital, that on the 15th of April, 1897, he was selected to fill this important position. Some idea of the extent of the responsibilities of the place may be gathered from a statement of the fact that almost fourteen thousand cases were treated and over a thousand operations conducted at the hospital during 1896.
Dr. Croskey is a member of the Masonic Order, the St. George Society, the Pennsylvania Historical Society and a Director and the Secretary of the Physicians' and Dentists' Building Company, whose handsome structure at 1831 and 1833 Chestnut Street, Philadel- phia, was erected from plans suggested by Dr. Croskey.
He was married, on the 15th day of December, 1880, to Elisabeth Estes Browning, daughter of Cooper and Jane Mary Browning, of Camden, New Jersey. Two sons, Henry Browning and John Welsh, Jr., and two daughters, Mary Elisabeth and Marion Langley, have blessed the union.
Aside from his social diversions his entire time is now devoted to liis profession. Himself a native of Philadelphia, he is a living refutation of the old proverb, "A prophet is not without honor save in his own country," for it is in the city of his birth that he has achieved such distinguished success, though he is known the country over, both on account of his eminent abilities and as the inventor of some of the most improved instruments now in use by the profession.
KNOWLES CROSKEY.
F the many Philadelphians who have returned to 0 their native city after having won reputations and carved out enviable careers in other parts of the country is Knowles Croskey, the son of one of the Quaker City's oldest and most honored families. After having conquered the esteem of the business and social circles in Richmond, Virginia, and in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, he has returned to the city of his birth to engage in the real estate business, and to take his part in aiding the development of Phila- delphia.
KNOWLES CROSKEY was born on the 3d day of April, 1853, at the historic old Croskey residence, located on aristocratic Rit- tenhouse Square, Philadelphia. His family is one of the oldest and best known in his native city, in which it has always held a prominent position. In the upbuilding of the Quaker City none mor efficiently strove for its advancement to its present proud position, or contributed more towards this end. Knowles Croskey is the son of Henry Croskey, who was at one time very active in local affairs, having taken an especial interest in street railway matters when the present system was in its infancy. Henry Croskey was the son of George Duncan Croskey and Eliza Cros- key, the latter of whom was the daughter of Captain John Ashmead, who commanded the frigate "Eagle" in the Revolutionary War. Ann Croskey, the mother of Knowles Croskey, was the daughter of Matthew Dunnohew, the descendant of an old and aristocratic Scotch family, who had married Ann Robeson, a member of the Robeson family which has long been famous in the annals of Delaware.
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KNOWLES CROSKEY.
Knowles Croskey's early education was had at Uryhouse School, and, after acquiring a good insight into the rudiments, he became a student at the Rittenhouse Academy. Upon his com- pletion of the course at this latter institution lie entered the Friends' Central High School, where he continued, with unabated determination, in his quest of knowledge. After leaving the Friends' School lie matriculated at the Eastburn Academy, of which he is now the oldest living alumnus. His first entrance into the commercial world was in 1875, when he became a member of the firm of Sloat, Croskey & Company, of Richmond, Virginia. In 1887 he accepted a place as manager of the William Smith Balmoral Latch Ncedle Works, located at Phoenixville, Pennsyl- vania, and, in 1895, returned to Philadelphia, where he has since been engaged in extensive real estate operations. While Mr. Croskey was located in Phoenixville, although his residence there was comparatively short, his genial qualities and attractive per- sonality made him many friends, while his strict attention to business won him the confidence of the community. The esteem in which he was held by his fellow citizens is shown by his election to the post of Councilman from the Fifth Ward of that city as a Republican. Since its organization as a separate Ward, the Fifth has always been strongly Democratic, and for Mr. Croskey, a pronounced Republican, to be elected by such a con- stituency proves him to be well thought of by the voters, irre- spective of party. Mr. Croskey was, while a member of Council, Chairman of the Street Committee, a member of the Electric Light, Water and Finance committees, as well as Superintendent of the Police Department. The active part which he took in the political affairs of Chester County led to his selection as a member of tlie Republican County Committee, in which post he served liis party with as much zeal and fidelity as he had looked after the interests of his Ward while a member of the Phoenixville Council.
Since his return to Philadelphia Mr. Croskey has taken a foremost place among thie real estate dealers and operators of the city, and it is to this branch of the city's development that lie is at present devoting the bulk of his attention. He is a volunteer II-S
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in the Pennsylvania Weather Service, and has the finest equipped private observatory in the State. His prominence in scientific circles, and his activity especially in weather observations, has led to his selection as Secretary of the Pennsylvania Meteorological Society, which was organized on September 14, 1892, for the advancement of the interests of the Pennsylvania State Weather Service and its corps of co-operators. The State at first appro- priated sufficient funds for the maintenance of the service so that it could be conducted in a creditable manner, and one satisfactory to those who gave their time and labor for its advancement. The usual appropriation for the continuance of the service was, how- ever, at one time vetoed by the Governor. This was a serious blow, but, with the aid of the Chief of the United States Weather Bureau, and the volunteer aid of those interested in the investi- gations pursued by the Society, it has since continued its work. His election as Secretary of such a body is, in itself, a very high honor, and one of which he may feel justly proud.
Mr. Croskey was married on the 20th day of December, 1877, to Leilah, daughter of George B. and Sarah Sloat, of Richmond, Virginia. She died August 9, 1883. In 1886 he was united in marriage with Kate C., daughter of William and Sarah Smith, of Leicester, England. He has two children, Ralph and Helen Croskey.
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JAMES A. DALE.
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T HE business interests of Pennsylvania have engaged, during the past half century, the attention of men who, by nature and by the inheritance of fine parental qualities, have been eminently fitted to participate in the most important affairs of city and country. That the commerce of Pennsylvania has made such rapid strides is due to the active interest taken by such men in the investment of capital and the co-operation of their labor. James A. Dale, of York, Pennsylvania, is President of a number of the leading commercial and financial institutions of that city, and, since 1861, has been active in business and political life.
JAMES A. DALE was born March 9, 1845, in Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. His parents were Alpheus and Catharine A. Dale; from his father's ancestors he inherited English blood, and, from the maternal side of the house, German. He received his early education in the public schools of Shippens- burg and Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, both of which he attended until, in September, 1861, he was appointed a Clerk in the Post- Office at Mechanicsburg, remaining there exactly one year. This was his entrance into the business world, and it was made under very favorable auspices, for the young man had many friends, and he gave promise of developing into one of the most progres- sive residents of that section of the State. When the war broke out, however, Mr. Dale's patriotic spirit led him to enlist, and, accordingly, he cast his lot with Company F, of the First Penn- sylvania Militia, to meet the fortunes of war. He enlisted with his father, although he was but seventeen years old, and he was dis- charged a few days after the battle of Antietam. After the Con-
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JAMES A. DALE.
fedcrates had been driven across the Potomac, and the aspect of the conflict had apparently changed, he went back into the business world and entered the drug store of Dr. J. B. Herring, Mechanics- burg, in October, 1862. There he remained for six years, learning the drug business in all its details, and being finally accepted as a partner of Mr. Herring to conduct with him a large drug trade. In 1868 he removed to York, and became the senior member of Dale & Hart, druggists of that city. This firm he established in October, 1868, and successfully managed it until March, 1887, , winning recognition as one of the foremost wholesale and retail druggists in the State of Pennsylvania. In March, 1887, the firm was merged into Dale, Hart & Company, and it is now in opera- tion, being one of the largest of its kind in the State. Mr. Dale is pre-eminently a business man, and during his entire career he has given his chief attention to the matters connected with the commercial and financial interests of the Commonwealth. Not only was he active in the affairs of his drug firm, but he became President of the York Match Company, which organization con- ducted the industry for ten years, when the plant was sold to the Diamond Match Company, of Chicago, for four hundred dollars per share, the par value having been one hundred dollars. This transfer, with its accompanying financial gain, was characteristic of Mr. Dale's thorough-going business methods, and served to place him on a still higher plane in the estimation and faith of his business associates. The sale was made February 22, 1892.
Mr. Dale's interests in financial affairs led him to take an active part in their administration in York county, and he has been for some time President of the York County National Bank. He is also President of the York City Market Company. He is President of the York Hotel Company, of the Eureka Oil Can Company, and he is Vice-President of the York Opera House Association. Indeed, few men in that prosperous Pennsylvania city are more actively identified with its general interests and its advancement than James A. Dale. On July 15, 1896, Governor Hastings appointed Mr. Dale State Fish Commissioner, and he is at present serving in this capacity. While he is active in public
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affairs he has never been a candidate for public office, and he has determined that he never will. The appointment of State Fish Commissioner was wholly unsolicited, and is without remuneration, being entirely honorary. His only interest in politics is in the desire to see the people's interests fairly carried out upon a busi- 11ess-like basis, and not to the advantage of any selfish or indi- vidual considerations. He gives but little attention at the present time to the drug business, for his chief activities are demanded by the bank and other corporations with which he is connected. He surrenders a considerable portion of his time and services to the Republican party, with the politics of which he has always been identified, although in a non-participating sense. He is an active leader of the Republican affairs in that district, and his influenee has been felt a number of times on the side of progress and honesty. Mr. Dale has never married, and devotes his entire attention to his business interests and matters political. He is, in every sense of the word, a progressive Pennsylvanian, and one who deserves all his success.
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