USA > Pennsylvania > Prominent and progressive Pennsylvanians of the nineteenth century. Volume III > Part 30
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I.L. Steinmetz
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JACOB L. STEINMETZ.
Seminary, receiving from the latter institution the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then entered the University of Michigan, where he gradu- ated with high honors and received the degrees of Master of Arts and Bachelor of Laws. His career at the Bar and the note of leadership that it was to strike was foreshadowed in a measure by his success as a college debater. The college debating society has always been the training ground of our public speakers, and it was in the debates of the Webster Literary Society of the University that Mr. Steinmetz won his spurs, being finally elected President of that organization. After studying law in the office of the late Isaac E. Heister, he was admitted to the Bar and at once entered upon the practice of his pro- fession. Resisting the temptation of a man of such promise to engage in the larger field of practice, he determined to make the future of Lancaster his own. He was soon rewarded with a.large and lucrative clientage, being retained as counsellor and advocate in some of the most important cases in local and Federal courts. He is pre-eminent as an attorney for the tobacco interests, and has been constantly engaged in insurance cases of the greatest importance. His ability and integrity have won for him a place in the front rank of his profession.
In January, 1894, Mr. Steinmetz formed a partnership with Wil- liam H. Keller, who graduated with honors from the Law School of the Columbian University, Washington, D. C., having previously gradu- ated with the highest honors from Franklin and Marshall College. Mr. Steinmetz has found time from his practice to devote to finance, politics and society, and has travelled extensively in America and Europe. Being owner of a large amount of real estate in the city and County of Lancaster, he has naturally been identified with many of the leading industries of that region, and is held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens. In 1890 he was elected President of the People's National Bank. In 1892 The People's Trust, Savings and Deposit Company was organized and he was elected its first President. These financial institutions are in a flourishing condition and of great import- ance to the commercial interests of their locality. Mr. Steinmetz is alsoPresident of the Clay and Hinkletown Turnpike Company and was President of the Citizens' Electric Light, Heat and Power Company.
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JACOB L. STEINMETZ.
His latest enterprise is "The Cocalico," at Ephrata, a splendid summer and winter resort, where he has introduced the famous medicinal table and drinking water from the Ephrata Mountain Springs, of which he is the sole owner.
In politics he has always been a Democrat of strong personal independence and has twice held office with signal ability, having served a term in the Legislature and been elected City Solicitor of Lancaster in 1881. He has, moreover, been an important factor in several conventions. In 1871 he was the Democratic candidate for Congress in Lancaster County, and, in 1876, a Delegate to the Demo- cratic National Convention at St. Louis.
On February 5, 1890, Mr. Steinmetz married Mary Virginia Hawthorn, of Virginia, the daughter of James Clemson Hawthorn, a relative of Justice Wilson, a signer of the Declaration of Indepen- dence, and the first associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court appointed from the State of Pennsylvania, and Mary L. Haw- thorn, both of whom were natives of Lancaster County, who removed to Virginia prior to the War. On November 16, 1890, their union was blessed by the birth of an only child, called Hawthorn, in honor of his maternal grandparents.
John S Stevens
JOHN S. STEVENS.
W ITHOUT a chapter devoted to the iron trade, a review of Pennsylvania's progress would be incomplete. Not only in the procuring of the ore, but in the develop- ment of the metal into shape for practical use and in its distribution to the four quarters of the globe, pre-eminence must be given to the sons of the. Keystone State. Through his general capability, enterprising efforts and keen knowl- edge of the requirements of the iron trade, the subject of this sketch, John S. Stevens, has been a most prominent factor in build- ing up the immense traffic in what has become one of the greatest resources of the Commonwealth. A native of Philadelphia and a man of his own making-moving up, step by step, from the forge to the factory, finally reaching the high elevation of manufacturer and dis- tributer-he occupies a most worthy and conspicuous place in the commercial circles of the chief city of the State.
JOHN S. STEVENS was born in Philadelphia, August 13, 1834, his parents being Adam C. and Hannah Stevens. He was educated in the public schools of the city and graduated from the Philadelphia High School in February, 1850. He learned the business of blacksmithing and building-iron work with his uncle, John Steward, of the firm of Steward & O'Hara, and became a thorough expert at his trade. In 1855 he entered into partnership with his uncle, and the firm of Stew- ard & Stevens continued until the death of Mr. Steward in 1881. From a small business the enlargement was rapid and substantial until the firm ranked with the largest in their line in the country. They contracted for and furnished the iron-work upon many of the most imposing structures in Philadelphia, prominent among which may be numbered the Masonic Temple, the new Post Office, the
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Academy of Fine Arts, the Philadelphia Record Building and the bank- ing house of Drexel & Company. On January 1, 1887, Mr. Stevens admitted his two sons, William W. and R. Steward Stevens, to part- nership, the firm name being changed to John S. Stevens & Sons, whose fame has traveled throughout the country.
Mr. Stevens has been identified in every movement looking toward the advancement of Philadelphia as a municipality and is interested in several corporations and financial institutions. He has been willing to aid in the elevation of the American mechanic and has accomplished much in that direction. He was identified with the formation of the Builders' Exchange of Philadelphia and was its first President, holding that office for two consecutive years. During his administration the Trade School of the Master Builders' Exchange was organized, and to this worthy institution he still gives much of his attention. It has done and is still doing much to instruct and elevate the young men who are desirous of learning useful trades in the building business. He was elected First Vice-President of the National Association of Builders at its initial convention, held at Chicago in 1887, and became President of the association at the next convention, held at Cincinnati in 1888. He is an Honorary Member of the Builders' Institute of London, Building Trades Club of New York, Association of Builders of Boston, Builders' Exchange of Baltimore, Building Trades Club of Chicago, and other trade organ- izations of the country. In 1894, after his retirement from business, he was elected a member of the Public Buildings Commission in Phila- delphia, and continues to give much time to that important work. He was an active member of the Committee of One Hundred and rendered valuable aid in their crusade for better municipal govern- ment.
Mr. Stevens has traveled extensively, not only in America, but throughout Europe, having made several trips abroad. On October 7, 1890, on his return home from an eighteen months' tour, spent mostly in Syria, Egypt and Turkey, he was tendered a magnificent reception and banquet by his fellow-members of the Builders' Exchange. During the War of the Rebellion he enlisted as a private in Company A, Forty-seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania State Troops,
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JOHN S. STEVENS.
serving under Col. Alexander Murphy until honorably discharged. He was also selected First Lieutenant of Company C, Third Regiment of Pennsylvania, and proved a very popular and efficient officer.
He has taken a prominent part and is widely known in Masonic circles, being an active member of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and President of its Board of Trustees. He is also an Honorary Member of several lodges in foreign lands, among them being Old Mother Kilwinning Lodge, No. o, of Scotland, and Sabot Lodge, of Cairo, Egypt. He is a member of the Union League and several other clubs, in all of which he takes a particular interest, being of an essentially social turn of mind.
CHARLES H. STINSON.
N the conduct of the affairs of the various communities making up the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, many men have gained deserved and lasting renown through their high intelligence, earnest zeal and thor- ough executive ability. Prominent among these is Charles H. Stinson, the subject of this sketch, whose life work has indelibly stamped its impression upon the history of Norristown, one of the centers marking the wonderful strides in progress made by the Keystone State during the last half-century.
CHARLES HENDERSON STINSON was born at Norriton Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1825. He is of Scotch- Irish descent, his father being Robert Stinson, a prominent farmer, who served as Justice of the Peace for many years in Norriton Township, and was a member of the Legislature in 1835. His mother was for- merly Elizabeth Porter, a daughter of Stephen Porter, who was the youngest brother of Gen. Andrew Porter, of Revolutionary fame, and who had his home in the same township. He received his early edu- cation in the public schools in the Township of Norriton, and later attended a boarding-school kept by John McNair in Abington Town- ship. He then entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle, where he gradu- ated in 1845. His constitution at that time was anything but robust, and, for the benefit of his health, he spent a year in foot-travel over the mountainous parts of Pennsylvania. He commenced the study of law with his brother, George. W. Stinson, in Norristown, and remained in his office until the latter's death in 1848. He continued his law studies under the preceptorship of Addison May, and was admitted to the Bar on May 22, 1849. Since then he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in his native city.
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CHARLES H. STINSON.
Mr. Stinson served as private in the Gettysburg campaign in 1863, and was an ardent supporter of the Union cause throughout the War of the Rebellion. Of a retiring disposition, he refused the nomination of the Republican party of Montgomery, Chester and Delaware counties, for the State Senate, in 1864. Three years later, however, his friends pressed him to accept the Senatorial nomination, and he was duly elected and served for three years as the colleague of Doctor Worthington, of West Chester. He also served on the General Judi- ciary and Improvement committees in 1868 and 1869. At the adjourn- ment of the latter session he was elected Speaker, and re-elected at the opening of the session in 1870. He exercised the functions of that office with dignity and marked ability, leaving a worthy record of his brief but active political career. He afterwards declined further acceptance of Senatorial honors, and also refused a promotion as additional Law Judge of the courts of Bucks and Montgomery coun- ties, tendered him by Governor John W. Geary, in 1871, using his influence instead to have A. J. Olmstead, now Presiding Judge of Potter County, appointed to the position.
Mr. Stinson was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Norristown, acting as the first Solicitor for that institution, a position which he still holds. In 1879 the County Commissioners of Montgomery County appointed him one of the Trustees of the Hospital for the Insane for the Southeastern District of Pennsyl- vania, which position he still occupies. Upon the death of General Hartranft, who had been President of the Board, he was elected President and has since continued to hold that position. In the organization of the hospital he was instrumental in placing female physicians on the same plane with the male physicians, giving to each individual control over their respective departments. This was the first departure from the old hospital management in the country, thus separating the business management from the profes- sional duties of the physicians, and allowing the medical men to attend solely to the patients in the line of their profession. In April, 1882, Governor Hoyt appointed Mr. Stinson President Judge of the Thirty-eighth Judicial District to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Henry P. Ross. On the Bench he distinguished
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CHARLES H. STINSON.
himself by his urbanity and by the firm and impartial manner in which he discharged the business of the courts until the fol- lowing January. He was the unanimous nominee of the Republican party for the office of Judge in the fall of 1882, but, the party being in the minority in the county, he failed to secure the election. Upon the organization of the Norristown Hall Association, in 1873, Mr. Stinson was elected President and has been annually elected to that position ever since. A large and commodious building, containing the Post Office, stores and an auditorium, was erected, and proved so profitable as an investment that the property has ever since paid a dividend on its original stock of $50,000, and there is now no debt of any kind against it. He was appointed Solicitor for the Twenty-fourth District by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and still holds that position. He took charge of various cases in the building of the Schuylkill Valley Railroad, and the extension of branches through Montgomery County. He is active, public- spirited and diligent in the pursuit of his profession, and, when a Senator, was instrumental in the passage of many measures of local benefit.
Mr. Stinson has one son, C. Henry Stinson, who is a member of the Montgomery County Bar, and his only daughter, Mary Emily Stinson, is the wife of Lieut. William H. Bean, of the Second United States Cavalry, located at Fort Wingate, New Mexico.
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Bry . Jecer
BENJAMIN F. TELLER.
K NOWLEDGE of the real estate affairs of Pennsylvania, to be of value, requires thorough application, wide experience and intelligent investigation. Such are the qualifications possessed by the subject of this sketch, Benjamin Franklin Teller, who has, through his energy and faithfulness, reached an eminent position in the real estate world. He has also acquired marked prominence as a citizen of unusual progressiveness in his native city, and hardly a day passes but witnesses some worthy deed of charity at his hands. He is a leading member and officer in many of the prominent social, educational and benevolent organizations of Philadelphia, and his name is conspicuous as that of an honored humanitarian.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TELLER was born, July 22, 1853, in the city of Philadelphia, where his father was engaged in the tobacco business for over forty years. His parents, Raphael and Louisa (Mayer) Teller, came to this country from Germany early in the century. Their children were reared in a happy home and received their early educa- tion in the public schools of Philadelphia. After passing through the primary grades, Mr. Teller entered the Central High School, graduat- ing in 1871. He then entered the real estate and conveyancing offices of W. Frederick Snyder, who had formerly been connected with Daniel M. Fox, at one time Mayor of Philadelphia and a prominent man in real estate affairs. Mr. Teller remained with Mr. Snyder for five years and more, during which time he lost no opportunity of mastering the details of the business. He was a close student and a punctual attendant at all real estate lectures delivered by E. Spencer Miller at the University of Pennsylvania, which was then located in the old building on the site of the present Post Office. In fact, these
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BENJAMIN F. TELLER.
lectures formed the foundation for his present thorough knowledge of real estate and conveyancing. He had, as his special preceptor at this time, Henry Clay, ex-Receiver of Taxes, and now a member of Select Councils, who was then Chief Clerk for Mr. Snyder.
In January, 1876, Mr. Teller decided to branch out for himself, and opened an office at the corner of Fifth and Chestnut streets, in what was then known as the Brown Building. A few months later, Mayer Sulzberger, now Judge of the Common Pleas Court No. 2, of the City of Philadelphia, opened offices on the northeast corner of Fourth and Chestnut streets, where Mr. Teller joined him, the two occupying the entire floor. Mr. Sulzberger was then a rising young lawyer, while Mr. Teller also had youth, energy and a growing busi- ness on his side. Their field increased so rapidly and with such bright outlook for continued prosperity that they soon found it necessary to secure more commodious quarters. The offices were removed to the northeast corner of Sixth and Chestnut streets, where the firm of Benjamin F. Teller & Brother, now occupying the second floor of the Ledger Building, was formed in 1884, Joseph R. Teller being admitted to the firm in that year and the title changed accordingly. From a small and somewhat obscure beginning, this firm has grown to be one of the largest and most influential in the State, employing many assist- ants and transacting a business representing millions of dollars annu- ally. In addition to its real estate department, the firm has charge of many estates and gives attention to the practice of general real estate law, the latter being in charge of Oscar B. Teller and his assistants. In real estate circles, Benjamin F. Teller's sound and thorough business acumen is unquestioned, and his firm's large and increasing patronage affords undeniable proof of the public's confidence in his guiding hand.
Besides devoting his attention to his varied and numerous busi- ness interests, Mr. Teller is prominent in many educational, charitable and social movements. He has been Secretary of the Jewish Foster Home and Orphan Asylum, located in Germantown, since 1877; Treasurer of the Mercantile Club, located on Broad Street, since December, 1876; Secretary of the Hebrew Charity Ball Association, since September, 1877; and, on the reorganization of the Jewish
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Maternity Association in January, 1891, was elected Treasurer and has held that office ever since. He has been President of the Jewish Exponent Publishing Company since its organization in April, 1877. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Jewish Chautau- qua Society. As a member of the Board of Directors of the Con- gregation Rodeph Shalom, worshipping at Broad and Mt. Vernon streets, he was elected Treasurer in April, 1884, serving in that capacity until October, 1896, when he was honored with election to the Presidency, since which event he has been instrumental in introducing several new features, increasing largely the scope and usefulness of this well-known religious institution. With the advent of the present year he was elected Treasurer of the Sabato Morais Memorial Fund, the object of which is the raising of a sum to endow a chair in the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City. He is ever ready to help the needy, aid the weak and relieve the suffering, being a member or contributor to a large number of sectarian as well as non-sectarian charitable organizations.
Mr. Teller was married on May 8, 1878, to Jennie Silberman, daughter of the late Simon Silberman, for many years President of the Congregation Keneseth Israel, of North Broad Street, and a prominent merchant of Philadelphia. They have one child, Louise Silberman Teller, and live at No. 1727 Spring Garden Street, Phila- delphia.
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JOSEPH R. TELLER.
T HE development of real estate interests through the State for a number of years past has employed the services of some of the brightest and most progressive men of the Commonwealth. The firm of Benjamin F. Teller & Brother is one of the best known in the country, and JOSEPH RAPHAEL TELLER, who has charge of some of the most important business of his firm, is ranked among the highest authorities on real estate in the country. He is a man of thoroughly progressive tendencies and one to whom property and its develop- ment have been a life study. The subject of this sketch is a son of Raphael Teller, an old-time Third Street merchant of prominence and head of the wholesale leaf tobacco firm of Teller Brothers. His mother was Louisa Mayer, and he was born in Philadelphia on Febru- ary 7, 1863. His elementary education was received in the public schools, but symptoms of failing health appearing in early youth, removal from the city was considered advisable, and he was accordingly entered for the academic course in a popular educational institution in the interior of the State. After about two years of close application to study, no improvement in health resulting, it became necessary that he should withdraw from all sedentary occupation, and at the age of eighteen he entered, as clerk, the large tobacco warehouse of his father at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, remaining about one year. He then returned to Philadelphia, assisting in a clerical capacity in the conveyancing business of his brother, Benjamin F. Teller. Displaying in this position untiring industry and general aptitude for business, with special talent for organization and management, his advancement was rapid, and at the close of the second year of service he was ad- mitted to a limited partnership, and one year later, in 1884, at the age
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of twenty-two, was received as a full partner, the new firm adopting the title of Benjamin F. Teller & Brother. In addition to the exten- sive business of conveyancing, that of buying, selling and renting real estate had assumed large and steadily increasing proportions under the able management of the junior partner, who evidenced a wonder- ful capacity for the work. At this writing, the business of the house is one of the most extensive in the United States in its line.
The marked success attending the business career of Mr. Teller is largely attributable to the singleness of purpose attending his efforts, his devotion to the one specialty of real estate to the exclu- sion of all other branches of industry having rendered his knowledge of property values in Philadelphia and vicinity most extensive and accurate. In fact, there are but few buildings of which he is unable to appraise the value off-hand. In this connection it is a notable fact that notwithstanding the arduous duties attending the management of his large business, he yet finds time to exercise a close supervision over the publication of Tellers' Real Estate Register, which, in addition to full descriptive lists of the great number of properties held by the firm for sale or rent, contains a wealth of other matter bearing upon real estate and kindred subjects. To-day, at the age of thirty-five, possess- ing all the qualities of a successful man of affairs, and with experience ripened in the most exacting of business schools, Mr. Teller still con- tinues that habit of close application and attention to details through which his first success was achieved. In fact, the details of the great business now under his control are as familiar to him as were those of the comparatively small transactions of the house in former years.
Prominent among the qualifications generally recognized as nec- essary to the successful conduct of important affairs are equanimity, courtesy and firmness, and these are possessed by Mr. Teller in an eminent degree. Under the most aggravating circumstances he is never flurried, and all who approach him either socially or on business can rely upon a courteous reception. At the same time, when he arrives at a decision, his views are rarely changed. Of kindly dispo- sition, his relations with employés and others with whom he comes in close contact are most pleasant, and although averse to undue pub- licity, he is identified with many public and private charities as well as
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civic organizations. Mr. Teller was married, on January 20, 1887, to Frances Silberman, daughter of the late Simon Silberman, who during his lifetime was connected with several important business in- terests. He has one child, a daughter, aged eight, and to his beauti- ful home and the society of his charming family his few leisure hours are devoted.
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EDGAR A. TENNIS.
E ;DGAR A. TENNIS was born at Thompsontown, Juniata County, Pennsylvania, October 23, 1856. At that time Juniata and the surrounding counties had by no means reached that state of prosperous condition which now places the district among the most progres- sive in the State, but they afforded a great opportunity for develop- ment. Edgar A. Tennis, born and raised there, has been a resident of Thompsontown all his life. He grew up with the county, and that he is at the front and head of its interests is but natural. His father was Israel Tennis, and his mother Susan Criley Tennis. The name Tennis was originally Von Tennis, the paternal ancestry having branched from Holland and settled in America. Edgar A. Tennis' early education was received at the common and normal schools of his native town. For several years he was President of the Delaware Literary Society and was for five years its Secretary. This society has been in exist- ence for thirty-five years and has done much for the students of the town. At the age of eighteen Mr. Tennis received his first railroad contract from the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and so great a suc- cess did he make of his work that he decided to follow the business of contractor, and has since been actively engaged in railroad construc- tion, both steam and electric, until the present time.
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