USA > Pennsylvania > Prominent and progressive Pennsylvanians of the nineteenth century. Volume III > Part 13
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FRANK A. HARTRANFT.
All Saints' Evangelical Lutheran Church of Philadelphia, and for eight years was an Elder in that congregation and Superintendent of the Sunday-School. He has frequently served as Delegate from that church to the Philadelphia Conference and to the Synod of East Pennsylvania, and once as a Delegate representing the Synod of East Pennsylvania, to the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States of America. At this session, held at Lebanon in 1891, he figured prominently, making the motion to indefinitely postpone the consideration of the printing of books of worship with or without the liturgical service. As this motion prevailed it settled the question of "The Common Service" in the General Synod in favor of the service. Mr. Hartranft was a member of the original committee, representing Pennsylvania, that organized the Luther League of America, and was Secretary of the first convention of that organization, which met at Pittsburg. He is a member of the Deaconess Board of the Lutheran Church, President of the Lutheran Mission Society of Philadelphia, and Corresponding Secretary of the Lutheran Social Union of Philadelphia. Mr. Hartranft has also been identified with the charitable and beneficial orders of our city, and is an active member of the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, Knights of the Golden Eagle and Knights of Malta.
Mr. Hartranft and Isabelle S. Cummings were married in Phila- delphia on June 27, 1878. They have three children, Helen C., Frank A., Jr., and Paul S.
III .- II
LINN HARTRANFT.
HEN the present National Administration took hold of the ship of State it found it advantageous, to carry out its political policy, to make various changes in the offices under its direct control and management. One of the most important of these, in so far as it concerns Philadelphia and the State of Pennsylvania, was that made in the office of United States Appraiser of the Port of Philadelphia. On April 5, 1897, President Mckinley sent in to the Senate for this post the name of Linn Hartranft, and without hesitation his appointment was accepted and confirmed. Mr. Hartranft, as United States Appraiser, has given the office a most admirable administration. His entire political career has been a bright one, and the appointment to his present office was not only in recognition of the services which he had rendered the Republican party, but because of his natural abilities and the high order of his mental and personal attainments.
LINN HARTRANFT was born in Norristown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1862. His father was the late Major-General John F. Hartranft, who was Governor of Pennsylvania from 1873 to 1879. His mother was Sallie Douglas Sebring, daughter of Judge Sebring of Easton. The Hartranft family has been known in Penn- sylvania for more than one hundred and sixty years, its founder, Tobias Hartranft, landing and settling in America in 1734. Linn Hartranft was educated in the private schools of Harrisburg and Philadelphia, finally entering the University of Pennsylvania. He was then connected in business with his father. During his business career he marked out a line of progress which promised for him a notable success. Although he had never held any public office before his appointment as Appraiser, he naturally, both by inheritance and
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association, took a deep interest in politics, and became a well-known campaigner and worker in the Republican party. His oratory in behalf of the Republican interests stamped him as a man of bright attainments, and few men of his age have acquired as wide a reputa- tion as a speaker. The field of his labors has extended over Con- necticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.
Mr. Hartranft, in business, won the recognition of the financial and commercial leaders of the city for his ability as a manager, and he speedily advanced to the position of a man of mark. It was more par- ticularly, however, as a Republican leader that Mr. Hartranft, in spite of his youth, came into prominence. The Republican National Com- mittee recognized in him a promising factor in the development of the party's success, and under its auspices he spoke in a number of States, through various campaigns. His most prolific services have been rendered since the death of his father, and particularly in 1890, when he began to travel outside of Pennsylvania in behalf of the Republican organization. In the Ohio campaign of 1891 he became well known to Major Mckinley, and during a part of the fall of 1896 he was con- stantly employed by the National Committee in Indiana and Illinois, sometimes being called upon to make several speeches a day. His candidacy, when he was named for the important office of United States Appraiser, was warmly endorsed by several members of the National Committee, who were appreciative of Mr. Hartranft's services to the party, and cognizant of his business abilities.
Ever since the Gubernatorial contest in Pennsylvania in 1890, Mr. Hartranft has not missed a campaign, but has been on the stump through all the political contests, contributing to the dissemination of his party's principles. In the Hastings campaign in Pennsylvania, in 1894, he was particularly interested, and he then came into great prominence as one of the most active workers and expounders of Republican principles. In 1892, also, he was active in his work in behalf of the Presidential candidacy of his party, and when, in 1896, William McKinley was named for the Presidency of the United States, Linn Hartranft went to work in his interest and was heard in many cities and counties. His services in the West during the last Presi- dential campaign were of a valuable nature, and among the letters
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endorsing his application for his present position were some not only from the members of the National Committee, but from the committees of several States and from Governor Hastings and Senators Quay and Penrose.
When Mr. Hartranft was made United States Appraiser of the Port of Philadelphia his appointment was recognized as a most deserv- ing one, and his friends, personal as well as political, joined in express- ing their gratification at his well-earned advancement. Mr. Hartranft has never married, and to-day his chief interests are centered in the administration of his office, to which he gives his greatest attention, introducing from time to time improvements and new features of management of a nature calculated to benefit the entire city as well as his department. Mr. Hartranft continues to take an interest in the political affairs of the Nation as well as of Philadelphia and Pennsyl- vania, and he is generally regarded as one of the most prominent and progressive of the younger members of the Republican organization.
Human Dans
HERMAN HAUPT.
H
ERMAN HAUPT was born in Philadelphia, March 26, 1817. His father was Jacob Haupt, a merchant, who died when Herman was twelve years of age, leaving an encumbered estate, which threw upon the mother the support of a family of three sons and two daugh-
ters. Although but twelve years of age, Herman paid for his own tuition by services in the school. When he was thirteen years of age, John B. Sterigere, a Member of Congress, a connection of the family, secured him a cadetship at West Point. Being too young at the time, the appointment was made to date from the next year, and Cadet Haupt entered in June, 1831, at the age of fourteen years. Graduat- ing in 1835, his intention was to remain in the Army, but while on furlough in Philadelphia he was offered the position of Assistant Engineer under Henry R. Campbell, who had charge of the construc- tion of some roads in the vicinity of Philadelphia. He accepted, and in the winter of 1835 was engaged in the survey of a railroad from Norristown to Allentown, and, in the spring of 1836, in the location of the Norristown and Valley Railroad. When the latter was completed the upper division was assigned him. John P. Baily, Chief Engineer of the Eastern Division of Pennsylvania, offered him an appointment in the service of the State of Pennsylvania as Principal Assistant to locate a railroad across the South Mountain. Mr. Campbell told Mr. Haupt that the compensation would be twice as much as he was authorized to offer, so it would not be right to insist on remaining in his service.
The location of the Gettysburg Railroad was made in 1836. In 1837 Mr. Haupt united with the Lutheran Church, of which Rev. Ben- jamin Keller was Pastor, and, in 1838, married the latter's daughter,
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who traveled with him in life's journey for fifty-three years, and died, April 11, 1891. The family numbered seven sons and four daughters, of whom six sons and two daughters are still living. One of the sons, who has gained a high reputation, is Prof. Lewis M. Haupt, now a member of the Nicaragua Canal Commission ; another son, Charles Edgar, is Rector of the Church of the Messiah, in St. Paul, and a third son, Alexander James Dulyshere, is Pastor of the Memorial Lutheran Church in the same city. The Gettysburg Railroad was suspended in 1839 by a change in administration, and Mr. Haupt's next position was that of Principal Assistant on the York and Wrightsville Railroad. He then commenced investigation of the subject of the distribution of strains in truss bridges, which resulted in the publication of the "General Theory of Bridge Constructing" in 1852. This work practically revolutionized bridge constructing throughout the world. It elicited strong expressions of commendation from Robert Stevenson and his associates in England, and was adopted generally as a text- book in engineering schools. After completing the York and Wrights- ville Railroad, about 1841, Mr. Haupt accepted the position of Professor of Mathematics and Civil Engineering in Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg.
In 1847 the location of the Pennsylvania Railroad was com- menced. After the Juniata Division from Lewistown to Harrisburg had been located, John Edgar Thomson, then Chief Engineer, made a critical examination of the line, and found the location of the upper portion so defective that, although contractors had commenced work, an entirely new location was required. In this emergency he was advised to send for Mr. Haupt, who re-located the whole line with great improvement and reduction of expense. He was then ordered to report to Mr. Thomson at the principal office in Harrisburg, to assume the duties of Assistant to the Chief Engineer. When the first sixty miles of the Pennsylvania Railroad approached completion, Mr. Thomson informed him that he had been selected for the position of Superintendent. There were State roads on both sides, operated by officers who were unfriendly to the new road, as were also the Canal Commissions. This as well as inside opposition to Mr. Haupt finally culminated in charges of insubordination, neglect of duty and
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disrespect to the Board. Demanding the privilege of appearing before the Board in his own defense, the charges were clearly refuted and the defense of General Superintendent Haupt was seen in so clear a light that, by vote of the Board, it was ordered to be transcribed upon the minutes. When his official course had been completely vindicated, Mr. Haupt tendered his resignation, which was repeatedly declined. He then severed his connection with the company by accepting the position of Chief Engineer of the Southern Railroad of Mississippi, at double his former salary. After six months he was recalled to take the position of Chief Engineer of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and com- pleted the Mountain Division with the Alleghany Tunnel, opening the line through to Pittsburg. About the same time (1855) he was elected by the City Councils of Philadelphia a Director of the company.
In the spring of 1862 a new bureau of the War Department was organized, charged with the construction and operation of the military railroads of the United States. Mr. Haupt was appointed Chief of this bureau, with the rank of Colonel and Aide to General McDowell, then in command of the Army for the protection of the Capital. He was subsequently promoted Brigadier-General for meritorious services. The corps organized by General Haupt accompanied General Sher- man in his march to the sea, and, by the rapid reconstruction of roads and bridges and transfers of troops, rendered success possible. Mr. Haupt has held many of the most prominent positions in his pro- fession, and has been a prolific writer on engineering subjects.
LEWIS M. HAUPT.
T has been truly said that the best history is biography, x-X- and in engineering as well as in science the most valu- able record of ideas is to be found in the lives of the men who held them. In presenting, therefore, this brief sketch of one of the busiest of these workers, Prof. Lewis M. Haupt, whose activity as an engineer perhaps entitles him to be called the successor of Captain Eads, there is given a goodly fragment of the history of progress.
LEWIS M. HAUPT was born at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on March 21, 1844. His father, Gen. Herman Haupt, was at that time Professor of Mathematics at Pennsylvania College, and shortly after- ward, becoming connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad, he removed his family to Harrisburg and subsequently to Philadelphia. Professor Haupt's boyhood was spent in an atmosphere of science and engineering. He attended the Philadelphia public schools for a short time, and later the famous old Germantown Academy came in for a share of his educational training. Owing to his delicate health, out-of-door exercise was recommended for him in place of the school- room. At the age of fourteen his father removed to Massachusetts to survey and construct the Hoosac Tunnel Line, from Troy to Green- field, and it was on this work that Professor Haupt began his practical experience as level rodman. During the severest winter weather his time was spent at the Greenfield and Cambridge High Schools, and later at the Lawrence Scientific School, where he began a course of studies preparatory to entering the University of Pennsylvania. After a short and special course at the latter institution he was appointed by President Lincoln to the cadetship at West Point, in the fall of 1863. Four years later Professor Haupt was graduated and immediately
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assigned to duty in the United States Corps of Engineers. His first work in the service was with a party then conducting the triangulation of Lake Superior. In February, 1869, he was transferred to the Mexi- can border to act as aid on the staff of Gen. E. R. S. Canby and his successor, General Reynolds. He resigned that position in September of the same year, and it was here the formative period may be said to have terminated and the application to the problems of civil life to have begun. He next accepted a position as Assistant Engineer and To- pographer in charge of the survey of Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. He was engaged in this work for several years, collating the data for an elaborate contour map, and locating and constructing the drives, drains and other engineering features of this peerless pleasure-ground. In 1872 he again entered the public service, being appointed to the post of Assistant Examiner, United States Patent Office, Department of Engineering. He resigned his position in a few months, however, in order to accept the Professorship of Civil Engineering at the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, and for twenty years he discharged the duties incident to that position with the same fidelity and ability that had always characterized his work. Up to the time of his joining that great institution of learning, his life had been spent in gaining expe- rience. The position offered to him such opportunities that he could make good use of it, both as a student and as an instructor. His long summer vacations were spent in practical engineering work. He held the appointments of Engineer on the Fourth Lighthouse District in charge of surveys for range lights in the Delaware River, and Assist- ant in the United States Coast and Geodetic Surveys, being in charge of the geodesy of Pennsylvania. He was one of the Commissioners in the Lake Erie and Ohio River ship canal. He was also the Asso- ciate Judge to report on the transportation features of the Paris Exposition. While connected with the coast survey he made a critical examination of all the old maps and harbors with a view to noting the changes of channels and bars. This study resulted in the discovery of a law which governed the formation of ocean bars and led to sug- gestions for their prevention and removal and for the improvement of harbors. His discoveries in physical hydrography and his invention of a system of harbor improvements were esteemed of such moment
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that the American Philosophical Society awarded him the Gold Medal of the Magellanic Premium, an honor so rare that only twice in a century has any paper been submitted that has been considered worthy of it. Professor Haupt's interest in waterways and water transportation became so absorbing that, in 1893, he resigned from the University in order to devote all his time to the subject. He was the first President of the Engineers' Club of Philadelphia, and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Phil- osophical Society, Franklin Institute, the Geographical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Consult- ing Engineer for the Trades League of Philadelphia, and Chairman of the Colombia-Cauca Arbitration Committee, selected by the State Department to settle the dispute as to the amount of indemnity between the contending parties.
In July, 1897, he was appointed by the President one of the three members of the Nicaragua Canal Commission, to determine a proper route and the feasibility and cost of this important commercial high- way for all nations. He is the author of many books, publications, serials and contributions to the scientific literature of the day.
Allt Kleister
WILLIAM H. HEISLER.
IN its finances and in the institutions cognate thereto the country possesses one of the greatest factors of its strength; and Pennsylvania, in the sisterhood of States, is noted for the numerical strength and the skillful management of its banks and similar fiduciary institu- tions. From the earliest days of banking until the present time, when the system has reached such a state of perfection and has attained so high an eminence in economic science, there have been identified with it some of the brightest men of the Commonwealth, and this is particu- larly true of that period embraced within the last twenty years or so. In the presidency of a bank, by time and custom, is centered the chief interests of the institution. Philadelphia's financial leaders comprise some of the brightest men of the State, and among them William H. Heisler, the subject of this sketch and President of the Manufacturers' National Bank, of Philadelphia, is prominent. Mr. Heisler is thor- oughly familiar with the management of financial affairs and has a complete knowledge of banks and banking, having been identified therewith since 1863, and since 1866 with the financial institutions of Philadelphia. His business career tells an interesting story of pro- gress and enterprise and indicated his fitness for the honorable position which he now occupies in Philadelphia affairs.
WILLIAM H. HEISLER was born in Pemberton, New Jersey, where his father was a prominent merchant, on November 19, 1842. In the State of New Jersey his parents had resided for a long time, and some of his earliest ancestors had been located there; but upon removing to Philadelphia later in life, Mr. Heisler at once identified himself with Pennsylvania's interests and became, in the course of years, one of its most active and interested citizens. His father was Jacob Heisler and
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his mother was Sarah Heisler, whose maiden name was Malmsbury, of the Malmsbury family of England. From his father's ancestors Mr. Heisler inherits a strain of German blood. He was sent to the country school at Pemberton, New Jersey, and received his entire edu- cation there. His first entrance into the business world was made in 1859, when he was seventeen years of age. He entered a drug store to learn the details of the Pharmacopoeia, and remained there until 1863. In that year he entered the Mount Holly National Bank, at Mount Holly, New Jersey, and remained there for three years, during which time he obtained a large acquaintance with the details of the banking business and fitted himself for a course in after life which was to bring him success. In 1866 he removed to Philadelphia, where he saw a wider field for his advancement; and, to facilitate that end, he obtained a post in the Seventh National Bank of Philadelphia and speedily acquired a reputation in banking circles for his excellent business methods and close attention to the affairs of office which came under his jurisdiction. He was made the Cashier of the bank in 1871, and continued as such for a period of seventeen years, in that capacity greatly aiding to establish the institution upon a more comprehensive basis, at the same time increasing his own knowledge of banking and adding to his own already excellent reputation.
In 1888 he was made Cashier and Vice-President of the Manu- facturers' National Bank. This promotion was the natural outcome of his close attention to the business which he had selected as the vehicle for his ambitious energy and varied talents. He served as Cashier and Vice-President of the Manufacturers' National Bank until 1893, but, in the meantime, he had been marked for still greater honors, and, the stockholders and officials seeing in him a most able man to repre- sent the combined interests and conduct them, elected him President in 1893, which position he now holds, and has held ever since. In the Manufacturers' National Bank Mr. Heisler finds his chief interests, but he is identified with other corporate bodies in an important capacity. He is a Director in the Schlichter Jute Cordage Company and he is also the Treasurer, handling a capital of five hundred thousand dollars. He is a Director of the Seaside Park Association and is Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Seamen's Friend Society. He is Treasurer of the
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Philadelphia Layman's Association and, in the charitable work con- ducted by the latter organization, takes an active personal interest.
Mr. Heisler is married, his wife being Lizzie J. Yard, daughter of Edmund S. Yard, of Philadelphia. They have two children, Grace A. Heisler and William H. Heisler, Jr. The daughter is a graduate of the Women's College of Baltimore.
DAVID FORD HENRY.
HERE is no name better known or more deservedly respected in the business circles which center about Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, than that of David F. Henry, the subject of this biographical sketch. Besides being the builder of a palatial hostelry bearing his name, he is identified with several of the greatest corporations in his native city, directs a business of his own, and takes an active part in the promotion and management of a number of important financial institutions and commercial organizations. In fact, in a variety of ways he is a thoroughly representative and progressive citizen of the Keystone State.
DAVID FORD HENRY was born in Pittsburg on the 22d day of May, 1836. His grandparents on his father's side were prominent among the early settlers in the eastern part of this State, and, later, they moved to Virginia, where his father was born in 1792. The latter migrated to Pittsburg in 1827, where he was married to Anna Patter- son, whose ancestry dates back to the first settlement in Western Pennsylvania, her family being among the pioneers of Pittsburg. Mr. Henry received the rudiments of his education at the public schools of Pittsburg, and, when duly fitted, he entered the Allegheny University, where he finished a very thorough course with honors. He made his first step in the world of business in 1856, as a clerk, and gradually worked his way upwards until he became a merchant of considerable prominence and then a manufacturer of note, not only in his own State, but throughout the country. Early in the sixties, at the time of the Indian outbreak and massacres on the frontier of Minnesota, he volunteered, with other citizens, and went to the succor of the settlers. He had previously spent about ten years of his early manhood in that
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State in mercantile pursuits. It has been, however, as a promoter of business enterprises directly affecting the advancement of Pittsburg and the surrounding territory that Mr. Henry has won a high place in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. He was the promoter of the first electric street railway operated in Pittsburg, and for a number of years acted as its President and General Manager. This line was known as the Federal Street and Pleasant Valley Passenger Railway Company. He originated the Central District and Printing Telegraph Company (Bell Telephone Company), and now holds the position of Vice-Presi- dent and General Manager of the same. Conspicuous among his multifarious duties is that of President of the Pittsburg Terra Cotta Lumber Company (Fire-Proofing Company), whose business has devel- oped to such an extent that it not only embraces every State in the Union, but covers a number of countries in Europe. Mr. Henry was the original promoter of this corporation, which now operates works in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with offices in New York, Pittsburg and Chicago. He organized the Henry Auction and Storage Company of Pittsburg and is now its Chairman. He devised and superintended the building of the iron bridge across the Allegheny River at Ninth Street, Pittsburg, of which he is now President. He is a Director of the Central Accident Insurance Company in that city and is a Director in the Commercial National Bank and other institutions of like charac- ter. His chief interests at present comprise telephone, railway, fire- proofing, auction, storage and banking enterprises.
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