USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Allegheny in Allegheny County > Recollections of seventy years and historical gleanings of Allegheny, Pennsylvania > Part 20
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On the dissolution of the partnership, he bought out Mr. Irwin, and carried on the business for himself for a number of years.
In politics he was an old-line Whig, and was the ardent ad- vocate of the principles of that party, especially the doctrine of a protective tariff. The drifting of his old party friends, however, towards Native Americanism, induced him to cease acting with them as long as they advocated doctrines so preju- dicial to citizens of foreign birth. Without having expressed any feeling, or pronounced any views, in favor of the Democracy, he was taken up as their candidate for mayor without effort or solicitation on his part ; indeed, he was rather opposed to it, feel-
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ing assured that no one could be elected by them on strictly party grounds ; he was therefore by no means sanguine of suc- cess. But the high estimation in which he was held by his old ! party friends, gained for him their hearty co-operation, and in- sured his election.
To this feeling may be justly attributed his election to the office of county commissioner in 1871.
These important trusts he discharged with rare fidelity, and in a most acceptable and efficient manner. His social and un- assuming nature won for him a wide-spread popularity, and his executive ability and general business qualifications are freely acknowledged by his fellow-citizens. He was married, in 1835, to Miss Rebecca Wicklim. On the breaking out of the war he had five children living, - four sons and one daughter. His eldest son, Lewis, at the commencement of hostilities, was residing in Hartsville, Tenn., and was compelled, much against his inclination, to do service in the Home Guards : he, however, fled North with his family on the first opportunity. His other three sons joined the Union army. John became a member of Company K, Thirty-eighth Regiment, Ninth Pennsylvania Re- serves ; he was taken prisoner at the battle of James River, Va. ; was exchanged and transferred to a Missouri battery, com- missioned lieutenant ; he was severely wounded in action, from the effects of which he died, and was buried at Vicksburg, Miss. William joined the Two Hundred and Twelfth Regiment, and was a member of Company L. Silas belonged to Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment. Their merits as gallant soldiers were fully attested upon the several battle-fields in which their regiments were engaged.
In all the relations of life, Mr. Strickrath proved himself true to his professions, always courteous in his manners, but firm in what he deemed right, doing justice to all. He placed himself squarely on the doctrines of our national creed, that "all men are created equal," and repudiated all political distinctions based upon the accident of birth.
There are few men who possess more fully the confidence and esteem of their fellow-men. His chief characteristics are those of honesty and integrity, and a conscientious discharge
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of the duties of life. He received an ordinary German educa- tion in his native land, and since he became an American citi- zen, has acquired a pretty fair knowledge of an English one. He is versed not only in the common topics of the day, but may be also regarded as well read in history and politics. His career presents a record which proves conclusively that the only road to success in life is pre-eminently that of unceasing industry and undeviating integrity.
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SIMON DRUM.
SIMON DRUM was elected mayor of Allegheny in 1861, 1862, and also in 1868 and 1869. He was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., in 1824, and was brought up on his father's farm. In 1834 he went with his parents to the State of Ohio, and in 1835 to Wheeling, W. Va. Here he remained until 1840, when he came to Allegheny, and was apprenticed to Brown & Carothers, to learn the carpenter-trade.
He was married in 1846 to Miss Elizabeth Workman. In 1852 he commenced business on his own account on the north- east corner of Cedar Avenue and Avery Street.
The undertaking, however, proved unfortunate ; as his shops, together with his implements of trade, lumber, etc., were en- tirely destroyed by fire on three different occasions during the same year. These repeated disasters having greatly discour- aged him, he removed with his family to Indianapolis, Ind. : here he remained for a year, when he again returned to Alle- gheny, and recommenced his former business, which he con- tinued until 1859. He was elected to the Common Council from the Third Ward in 1856, 1857, 1858, 1859, and 1865. He was chosen president of the same in the latter year. In 1866 he was chosen to represent the First Ward in the select branch.
On the breaking out of the war, inspired with becoming patriotic zeal, he resigned his position as mayor, with a view to entering the army. He forthwith commenced to recruit for the nine-months' service, Company H of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment, Rev. J. B. Clark, colonel, commanding. He was commissioned captain of Company H, and mustered into the service, Aug. 9, 1862, and mustered out with the com- pany, May 12, 1863, having served the full term for which the regiment was recruited. The gallantry of the regiment during its service was fully attested in many well-contested battle-
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fields. In 1864 he went into the hardware business on Ohio Street ; sold out his interest in 1868, and bought a planing- mill. In 1873 he recommenced the hardware trade, and con- tinued in the same until 1876, when he again sold out, and is now engaged as general agent of the Ben Franklin Insurance Company. His military record is that of a brave and gallant soldier, and he is esteemed as one of our best citizens.
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ALEXANDER C. ALEXANDER.
ALEXANDER C. ALEXANDER was elected mayor of Allegheny in 1863 and 1864. His parents settled in Allegheny County at Buffington's Ferry, on the Allegheny River, in 1801. On the 3Ist December, 1802, the subject of our sketch was born. His parents subsequently removed to Pittsburg, and located on the east side of Fifth Street (now Fifth Avenue), between Wood and Smithfield Streets. At this point his father commenced the business of nail-making. The site of the old factory is now covered by Masonic Hall. Here the son was taught the art and mystery of the trade of nail-making, and continued to assist in conducting the business until his marriage in 1827. He after- wards was employed as chief nail-cutter in the Juniata Iron Works, on the north-west corner of Penn and Cecil Alley, car- ried on by Smith, Roger, & McDowell, subsequently by Tur- bett, Roger, & McDowell. On the suspension of the latter firm in 1844, he removed to Allegheny, and engaged in the grocery- trade on Ohio Street. This he abandoned in a short time, having received the appointment of general tax-collector for the city, which position he held for over eleven years. He served for several years in the council of the city, and his liberal and progressive views gave him an influence in that body that was always exerted for the promotion of improve- ments and the advancement of good government.
During his administration as mayor, his health began to fail: , he continued an invalid until his death, which occurred on the twenty-eighth day of May, 1868. He acquired an ordinary edu- cation, and was always acknowledged as a gentleman of worth and ability, and was much admired for his integrity and correct business qualifications.
In all the relations of life he proved himself a man of sterling worth, faithfully discharging the duties committed to his care, wise in counsel, and firm in his friendship.
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A. P. CALLOW.
A. P. CALLOW.
A. P. CALLOW was elected mayor of Allegheny for the term covering the years from 1870 to 1872, and was re-elected for a second term in 1873, and died during the same year.
His occupation was that of a printer, and he was formerly engaged as pressman on "The Gazette " and "Commercial Journal."
On the breaking out of the war, moved by becoming patriot- ism, he enlisted as a private in the three-months' service in Company C, Thirteenth Regiment, commanded by Col. Thomas A. Rowley. He was mustered in with the company, April 25, 1861, and mustered out Aug. 6, 1861. Previous to the aban- donment of the Thirteenth, it had been determined to organize a new regiment for three years, which in a short time had the requisite number of men in camp. The regiment, although among the first recruited, was not recognized by the State authorities, nor its officers commissioned, until a large number of the three-years' regiments had been placed in service. The number was consequently changed to One Hundred and Second. He was a member of Company F, and was mustered into service with the regiment, Aug. 16, 1861. For gallantry and meritorious conduct he was promoted to adjutant of the regiment, July 1, 1863. He was severely wounded in the battles of Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862, and Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864, from the effects of which he partially recovered. He was mustered out with the regiment, Sept. 3, 1864, their term of service having expired.
Adjutant Callow was subsequently seriously injured in a rail- road disaster, which occurred on the P. R.R. on a western- bound train, near New Florence : from the effects of these injuries he was rendered a cripple for life, and was compelled to use crutches during the balance of his days. He acquired
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a liberal education, and was considered a gentleman of superior natural ability, courteous and affable in his manner towards all, endowed in an eminent degree with those moral and social qualities which rendered intercourse with him agreeable, and his friendship desirable. He carved out his own fortune, and his success as a civil and military officer is due to his courage and indomitable zeal and energy. He died in 1873, highly respected and lamented ; and his remains lay in state at City Hall amid demonstrations of profound sorrow and regret.
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THOMAS MEGRAW.
THOMAS MEGRAW.
THOMAS MEGRAW was elected mayor of Allegheny for the term covering the years 1878, 1879, 1880, to expire in April, 1881. He was born in the village of Grange, county Down, Ireland, on the 27th June, 1835. His parents emigrated to the United States while he was quite a youth, and settled in the Fourth Ward of the city of Allegheny in 1842. He was educated in our public schools, and was by trade a stone-cutter.
At the commencement of the late civil war he enlisted in Company A, Capt. J. Heron Foster, of the One Hundred and Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by Col. Thomas A. Rowley, and was mustered into the service, Aug. 29, 1861, as first sergeant ; was wounded at Fisher's Hill, Sept. 22, and at Cedar Creek, Va., October 19, 1864, and was yet an invalid confined in hospital when the regiment was mustered out of service.
On his return from the army he was enrolled as a veteran, and was elected street-commissioner of his adopted city for many years, the duties of which he faithfully discharged. Upon his retirement from his official position as street-commissioner in 1874, he entered into partnership with his brother John, who was extensively engaged in the business of general contractor. During his association with his brother, he accumulated a com- petence. In consequence, however, of failing health, superin- duced by the inhalation of the dust and sharp particles of stone to which he was exposed whilst engaged in the occupation of stone-cutting, he retired from active business life to a farm in Beaver County. Returning to Allegheny in the autumn of 1877, he received the Republican nomination, and was elected mayor of the city in the following year.
The three years of his administration were remarkable for the peace and quiet of the city. His skill as a mechanic was
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of the highest order: his record for gallantry as a soldier adorns the pages of his country's history. As a citizen he was highly respected for his courteous and affable manners, as well as for his stern and unyielding integrity as a magistrate. He was married Aug. 19, 1868, to Miss Harriet Gray, who was born in the Fifth Ward, Pittsburg, Oct. 2, 1848. They have no chil- dren living. He died at his home on Perrysville Avenue, after a painful and lingering illness, which he bore with patience and Christian fortitude, on the twenty-second day of August, 1882, and was laid to rest in Union Dale Cemetery, where his loving friends and comrades may indulge in the melancholy pleasure upon the return of each succeeding Decoration Day, of strew- ing his grave with flowers as an outward evidence of the inward truth, " Though dead, he is not forgotten."
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JAMES ANDERSON.
JAMES ANDERSON.
JAMES ANDERSON, iron-manufacturer and philanthropist, was born in Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Penn., Aug. 3, 1785. His parents removed to Allegheny County in 1801. In early life he was engaged extensively with his brother-in-law, Richard Gray, in the manufacture of brick, subsequently in the manu- facture of iron.
He was one of the projectors of the first iron-mill erected within the limits of the city of Allegheny. It was built on the west side of Darragh Street, extending from Robinson Street to the Allegheny River, near the Columbus-outlet lock of the Pennsylvania Canal. It was finished and commenced operations in 1827 by the projectors, Messrs. Sylvanus Lothrop, James Anderson, and Henry Blake. The latter having disposed of his interest to William Stewart, the new firm continued the business until 1834, when they sold out to Messrs. John Bissell, William Morrison, and Edward W. Stephens. He subse- quently became involuntarily engaged a second time in the iron- business. The iron-mills erected and operated by the Messrs. Lippincott on the north-east and south-west corners of Thir- teenth and Etna (formerly Walnut) Streets, Pittsburg, were pur- chased by Messrs. King, Higby, and Anderson, the latter being a son of the subject of this sketch. The firm having become financially involved, and Col. Anderson being largely on their business paper, he was compelled against his inclination to assume again the rôle of an iron-master. He operated these works for about five years, and having during that time made good the losses incurred by the failure of the late firm, he then sold out his entire interest to Messrs. Graff, Lindsay, & Co.
In order to establish his two sons in business, he was induced to purchase an interest in the machine-works of J. H. Jenks in Allegheny. This unfortunately, however, proved a total loss,
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owing to complications and misunderstandings between the parties. His next venture was the manufacture of paper at Canton, O. This also not proving remunerative, he sold out, and retired from the more active pursuits of life. For the last years of his life he devoted his entire time and talents to the various bridge, banking, and benevolent institutions, in whose management he was from time to time engaged.
He was one of the corporators and managers of the Ex- change Bank, also of the Western Pennsylvania Hospital, and House of Refuge, and was president of the Board of Directors of the latter for many years.
He was also one of the founders of the old Allegheny Bridge, in the management of which he continued up to the time of his death. In the bridges on the Monongahela he was largely concerned, and was for many years president of the Manches- ter Savings Bank.
For twenty-three years he occupied the office of Inspector of the Western Penitentiary, having been appointed in 1832, and served until 1855, when he retired. He was re-appointed in 1859, and continued to act until 1867. He held the respon- sible position of president for fifteen years.
Well-executed portraits of this philanthropist adorn the halls of the Western Penitentiary, Western Pennsylvania Hos- pital, and Pennsylvania Reform School at Morganza, Washing- ton County, Penn.
On the breaking out of the war with England in 1812, he joined the North-western army, under Gen. Harrison. During his service he acquired among his comrades a reputation for soldierly conduct of a highly commendable character.
Col. Anderson, having acquired considerable property on the north side of Ohio Lane (now Pennsylvania Avenue), erected a substantial and commodious mansion on the avenue, between Manhattan and Chartiers Streets, Allegheny, where he resided from 1830 up to the time of his decease.
He was the architect of his own fortune. In public as in private life, he was firm and true to his professions. His suc- cess in life was the result of a determined and earnest purpose, prompt to act, and just in his business relations, zealous in
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carrying out his promises, and a faithful discharge of his obli- gations, with a determination to do right, regardless of conse- quences.
His strong sense of personal loyalty to the demands of duty is forcibly illustrated in his career. To it he devoted the ener- gies of his life; to accomplish it he spared no labor ; always kind and affable in his intercourse with all, he was ever zealous in his endeavors to do good, and advance the cause of religion. His excellent qualities won the confidence and respect of all his acquaintances. He evinced a deep interest in the cause of education, and the intellectual improvement of the youth of our city. Generous to a fault, he was active in the promotion of all charitable and benevolent enterprises, always ready to aid and support the efforts made for the mitigation of suffering, and good of humanity.
As an evidence of his praiseworthy intentions in this direc- tion, we note the fact that he donated to the city of Allegheny over fifteen hundred volumes of religious, scientific, and his- torical standard works, and over four hundred similar volumes to the authorities of the borough of Manchester, in order to establish public libraries for the youth whose opportunities for obtaining useful reading-matter were somewhat limited. Un- fortunately, the contents of these works not proving suitable to the taste of the youthful patrons, the two benevolent pro- jects were suffered to die out. The volumes donated to the city of Allegheny form a part of the present valuable library : those donated to the borough of Manchester were sold to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. For these, and his other benevolent acts, his fellow-citizens remember him with grati- tude.
He was married on the 6th June, 1811, to Miss Ann Miller, who died in May, 1859. His own death occurred March II, 1869. There were three children living at the time of his death, two sons and a daughter; viz., William G. Anderson (since deceased), Henry L. Anderson, and Isabella Burnett. Henry resides at Fair Oaks, on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne, and Chicago Railway, and the latter at Philadelphia.
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CHARLES AVERY.
CHARLES AVERY, the distinguished philanthropist and subject of this brief sketch, was born in the county of West Chester, New York, Dec. 10, 1784. In early youth he determined to seek his fortune in the metropolis of his native State. With this object in view, and having completed his arrangements, he left his rural home full of hope, and arrived in New York, a stranger in a strange land. His exemplary moral deportment, however, soon gained him friends, who assisted him in the furtherance of his wishes by obtaining for him a situation in a drug-house, in which he served faithfully as an apprentice until he became master of the business. Having honorably and creditably completed his engagement, and being endowed with the full vigor of youth, though with a limited education, he gave evidence of no ordinary ability. By a systematic course of reading, and embracing every opportunity to attend night- school, he added much to his mental culture. Generous in all his dealings with his fellow-men, possessor of a happy and genial disposition, he rapidly acquired friends, and advanced steadily in the estimation of those who were fortunate enough to obtain the knowledge of his moral worth.
He determined to seek his fortune in the West, and came to Pittsburg, Aug. 28, 1812, and at once commenced the drug- business with Mr. Van Zandt, and subsequently with the late James S. Stevenson (at one time a representative in Congress from this district), who was then engaged in the manufacture of white and red lead, in which Mr. Avery also subsequently became interested. This partnership continued until the death of Mr. Stevenson, when Mr. George Ogden became a partner in the lead and drug business.
For a number of years Mr. Avery was a partner in the Eagle Cotton Mill, in connection with John and Thomas Arbuckle,
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Josiah King, and J. M. Pennock. To the cotton-business may be justly attributed the foundation of his ample wealth. His investment in the copper regions of Lake Superior was highly profitable. He was among the few who were willing to credit the wonderful wealth concealed in the upper peninsula of Michigan, and was, with Messrs. Howe, Hussey, and others, con- sidered a pioneer in its development, they sinking the first shaft for copper in all that vast region.
He prospered in an eminent degree in all his undertakings, and was classed among the enterprising and solid men of the city of his adoption. His wealth was acquired by an honorable and legitimate method. Averse to speculation, a greedy and selfish speculator he could never tolerate. He persevered in a conscientious discharge of the duties he owed to the Church, to the State, and to his fellow-men. In every relation of life he received the approval of all, and "though dead, the mem- ory of his good deeds liveth." Prudent and careful in all his business transactions, he avoided running in debt, or overbur- dening himself with complications ; and he was always esteemed a genial, social, and happy man. In early life he espoused the cause of religion, and connected himself with the " Methodist- Episcopal Church." At this time an important and influential element entered into his youthful and earnest life, by his con- version and self-dedication to the cause of Christianity. He had grave doubts as to his duty and the best interest of the church, whether to enter it as a regularly ordained minister, or serve it to the best of his ability in connection with his business vocations, in the capacity of a "local preacher." After counselling with his friends and his own heart, he deter- mined to adopt the latter.
It is the pleasing duty of the living to record the deeds, and cherish the memory, of those whose death we mourn, and whose acts of benevolence and Christian unselfishness we ac- knowledge and admire. Mr. Avery accumulated his own fortune. It was here he acquired his wealth, and it was here he dispensed it with a liberal hand ; here he proclaimed the doctrine of salvation, and pointed the way to obtain it ; here he died, and is lamented. The leading and ruling idea of his
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whole life was, that he was only the steward of God's bounty, and, as a faithful trustee, he was accountable to him for its proper disposition, which he held should inure to the welfare of his fellow-man and the glory of God. He was not one who would ever violate his own judgment, or honest convictions, nor was he one of those who defer their charities and inten- tions until death separates them from their wealth, and thus condone for life's neglects by a posthumous benevolence. On the contrary, he was the dispenser of his own charities, fru- gal, temperate, and unselfish in his habits in order that he might dispense the more to the needy. His benevolence was as much a part of his daily life as was his religion. He was a liberal and constant giver to the poor, without regard to color, nationality, or denomination. Modest and retiring in his habits and disposition, he avoided notoriety ; and his philan- thropy was so quietly exercised, that it was only known through its comprehensiveness and bounty. He was devoted to the doctrine of free grace for all, and the advocate of the rights of the laity in the matter of church government. His views in regard to the latter induced him to withdraw from the Methodist- Episcopal Church, and become prominently identified with the movement to establish the Methodist-Protestant Church, in which he was engaged up to the time of his death.
On the question of slavery, he always espoused the cause of the oppressed and much-abused black race, and became thor- oughly anti-slavery in sentiment and practice. His generous heart required no outward prompting to duty in the premises : he was intuitively the defender of the cause of the despised and friendless negroes. It was sufficient for him to know they were poor, uneducated, degraded, and socially ostracised, to excite his sympathy and earnest efforts in their behalf. Confiding in the justice of the cause, he committed himself to the work of ameliorating their condition. To the black people of his own section, his benevolence was most liberal ; acknowledging them as men, and socially equal in all respects, at a time, too, when it was unsafe to do so. In order to test his convictions by actual experiment, he caused to be erected on his own ground in the Fourth Ward, Allegheny, exclusively at his
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