USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Allegheny in Allegheny County > Recollections of seventy years and historical gleanings of Allegheny, Pennsylvania > Part 26
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The father had frequently written to the son, deploring their unhappy estrangement. These letters the latter persistently refused to acknowledge. They were forwarded unopened to the
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JOHN PARK.
office from which they were mailed, without comment. There was one, however, - the last, it is supposed, that was written, - which came into the possession of his wife during the absence of her husband on a visit to the North-West on business con- nected with the quartermaster's department, marked important ; and not knowing where it could reach him, she opened it, and thus became aware for the first time of a history, which, owing to her husband's reticence, was always a mystery to her. On his return, however, and being made acquainted with what had occurred, he exhibited no gentle evidence of his disapprobation. True to his previous resolution, he continued inexorable to the last, and would not rest satisfied until he had exacted a prom- ise that the information obtained from the letter should not be followed up. Without reading it himself, he consigned the letter to the same fate as the others, carefully noting on the outside the circumstances attending its opening.
How unfortunate that this letter was not retained ! It was an acknowledgment by the father of his error ; an abject apology for his unnatural and inexorable conduct ; a piteous overture for a reconciliation which the proud and unrelenting son would have done well to consider, and would have afforded a starting- point in tracing up the lost one.
Many of the items upon which these memoirs are based are so vague and indefinite that the writer has been compelled to draw upon his imagination in order to supply what might be deemed otherwise incomprehensible to the reader. The main facts, however, are true, as they have been handed down to me by others.
Of the father's subsequent history, there is but little known. It is supposed he was lost in the harbor of Curaçoa in the West Indies, during the prevalence of the great earthquake which occurred near the close of the eighteenth century, the tidal wave of which overwhelmed and destroyed the shipping in the harbor, and the inhabitants residing near the seashore.
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
DEATH OF HON. ORMSBY PHILLIPS.
THE following papers were clipped from "The Pittsburg Dis- patch," issue of Nov. 13, 1884 :-
Hon. Ormsby Phillips, one of the owners of "The Dispatch," died at his residence on Ridge Avenue, Allegheny, yesterday morning at nine o'clock. For the past three weeks Mr. Phillips had been seriously ill; and although not entirely unexpected, his death was a severe blow to his grief-stricken family.
The deceased, with whose prominence in the community every citizen is familiar, was born at Jefferson Barracks, a few miles south of St. Louis, on Oct. 2, 1829. His father, Major Asher Phillips, served in the war of 1812; and his grandfather was Oliver Ormsby, an early settler on the South Side. At an early age, Mr. Phillips, with his parents, removed to Louisville ; and he was educated at the schools there, and at the Western University in this city. At the age of nineteen he took charge of a telegraph-office in Louisville, and soon after came to Pitts- burg. Here he was one of the coterie composed of Messrs. Robert Pitcairn, Andrew Carnegie, Henry Phillips, and David McCargo, who were employed in the first telegraph-office opened in this city. Later he formed a partnership in the iron-foundery business with John and W. J. Anderson, and subsequently engaged in the manufacture of glass in the firm of Phillips & Co. In 1862 Mr. Phillips was commissioned captain of Com- pany C, Fifteenth Regiment of State Militia, and served until the regiment was discharged. In November, 1881, he became a partner in the Dispatch Publishing Company, and filled the position of business manager until his death.
Mr. Phillips filled several important public positions during his lifetime. In 1867 he became a director in the Western Penitentiary, and served as secretary of the board until May last, when he was elected president. In this position Mr. Phil-
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DEATH OF HON. ORMSBY PHILLIPS.
lips labored assiduously for the best interests of the institution, and the impress of his unselfish efforts will live long after him. He was one of the early directors of the Morganza House of Refuge, and also served many years in the same office in connection with the Western Pennsylvania Hospital, and the Insane-Asylum at Dixmont. His traits of character and dis- position seemed to especially fit him for the work which his association with the institutions named involved. It is not sur- prising that Mr. Phillips was also prominently identified with nearly every charitable enterprise of a public nature. He seemed to throw his whole soul into such work, and his energy contributed largely to the success which invariably attended such enterprises. The Sanitary Commission Fair saw Mr. Phil- lips among its promoters. He was elected mayor of Allegheny City in 1874, as an independent candidate. His opponents were D. L. Smith, Republican, and the late Peter Farley, who was killed a short time ago on the Fort Wayne Railroad at Wood's Run, the Democratic candidate. Mr. Phillips's election was due to his personal popularity ; and for this reason it is not to be wondered at, that, during the riots of that same year, Allegheny City was remarkably free from acts of lawlessness. Since 1867 Mr. Phillips was one of the trustees of the Dollar Savings Bank. He was also a director of the Boatman's Insur- ance Company, and a vestry-man of St. Andrew's Church. In all these varied fields of labor the deceased brought the force of his own individuality prominently into play. He enjoyed the high respect and esteem of the entire community, and his loss will be keenly felt outside the circles of a grief-stricken family and a host of friends.
Mr. Phillips was married on Oct. 17, 1859, to Miss Annie S. Bakewell, daughter of the late John P. Bakewell. She with five children survive him : the latter are Messrs. Bakewell and Henry Phillips, Mrs. Sarah Phillips, wife of Professor Phillips of the Western University, and Misses Annie and Margaret Phillips. He also leaves a brother, Dr. T. A. Phillips of the East End.
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
In Memoriam.
WESTERN PENITENTIARY OF PENNSYLVANIA, ALLEGHENY, Nov. 13, 1884.
At a meeting of the Board of Inspectors held this morning, the following resolutions were adopted, and ordered to be pub- lished in the daily papers of the city : -
WHEREAS, In the wisdom of an all-ruling Providence, we, the Board of Inspectors of the Western State Penitentiary, have been called to record the death of Hon. Ormsby Phillips, who since 1867 has been an active participant in all of its councils ;
Resolved, 1st, That, in making this minute, we gladly recognize his noble qualities of head and heart, which were shown in his urbane consideration of the opinions and feelings of others, and his uniform Christian courtesy toward all made his companionship genial, helpful, and valuable.
Resolved, 2d, That in the position of secretary of our Board, an office which he filled for seventeen years, he was careful, faithful, and accurate. And his long experience and intimate knowledge of the institution admir- ably fitted him for the presidency of the Board, to which he was called last May, at the death of President T. H. Nevin.
Resolved, 3d, That in carrying forward the change from the old prison, and the responsible work of the erection of the new building, his hand never failed in the patient and judicious performance of his part of the allotted duty; and because of his familiarity with the demands of the circumstances, and his spirit of wise economy in all things pertaining thereto, we shall greatly miss his able counsels, and thus do deeply regret his loss.
Resolved, 4th, That in his death the official management of the prison has not only been bereft of much knowledge and many characteristics of mind which will be difficult to replace, but all the prisoners who knew him have lost one whom they could truly call a friend. His voice and efforts helped to throw open the dark double doors which had so long closed them in solitary confinement. His advice to them was always plain, direct, and earnest, and along the line of the acquirement of manliness, self-control, and reform.
Resolved, 5th, That whilst the State has been deprived of an upright con- servator of its interests, and these cities and this community of an exemplary citizen, it is upon his family, where his goodness and gentleness and real depths of affection and heart-life were best shown and known, that this blow has fallen heaviest; and hence to them, one and all, we wish to be permitted to convey our sincerest sorrow and sympathy in this hour of sud- den bereavement.
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WILLIAM ROBINSON, JUN.
WILLIAM ROBINSON, JUN.
ALLEGHENY, in pursuance of the Act of the General Assem- bly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, approved April 10, 1840, was created a city ; and Gen. William Robinson, jun., had the honor to be chosen its first mayor. He was born on the seventeenth day of December, 1785, in the old family mansion, on the west side of Federal Street, on out-lot No. 36, in the "Reserve Tract opposite Pittsburg."
The old homestead was removed a few years ago, and its site is now covered by substantial three-story brick buildings. He bore the reputation of being the first white male child born north of the Allegheny River.
During his life he took a prominent and active part in politics, and in every thing appertaining to the growth and prosperity of his native place. Possessed of abilities of no ordinary kind, endowed with a liberal classical education, a graduate of Princeton College, and having read a full course of law with the late James Ross, he was eminently qualified for all the duties of life ; but, unfortunately, his haughty and dictatorial manner kept his friends at a distance, and seriously interfered with his political aspirations.
In his early youth he became familiar with the aggressions of the Indians, with whom his parents had many fearful encoun- ters in defending their humble homestead. With the Chief Cornplanter and his band, who remained on the upper waters of the Allegheny, he kept up a friendly intercourse until his death.
In 1806 he unfortunately became involved in the notorious scheme of Aaron Burr for the conquest of Mexico, having been led with others to embark in the undertaking through a mistake as to the principal object to be attained. On the death of his father he inherited considerable property lying within the
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
present limits of the city of Allegheny, a part of which he laid out in lots, and called it " Buena Vista," and named its streets after the battles of the Mexican war.
Gen. Robinson for many years was interested in commer- cial and industrial pursuits. He acquired the title of general by virtue of a commission in the State Militia.
In the internal improvement of the western part of the State, his enterprise and personal influence were beneficially exerted ; and in the construction of the Ohio and Pennsylvania Railroad (now P., F. W., & C. Railway), he largely invested his means, and was chosen its first president.
He was one of the projectors of the first iron-mill in West- ern Pennsylvania, and a corporator in the first bridge erected over the Allegheny River.
He was the first president of the Exchange Bank of Pittsburg, and at one time was a member of the State Legislature.
He was elected to the select council of Allegheny continu- ously from 1849 to 1856, and was chosen its president.
He died on the twenty-fifth day of February, 1868.
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THOMAS SAMPLE.
THOMAS SAMPLE.
THOMAS SAMPLE was the next in order to assume executive honors in Allegheny. He was elected mayor in 1841. His regular business was that of a tanner and currier : his tan-yard was located on the west side of Middle Alley, between Water Alley, now Park Way, and Gay Alley. He was a man of sterling character, rather eccentric in his habits and disposi- tion, and had an ordinary education. He was for several years magistrate in the First Ward, and had his office in the tannery. He died a few years ago, on his farm near New Castle, Law- rence County, Penn.
A very singular incident occurred during his official career as magistrate, connected with the atrocious murder of a farmer, committed by a negro tramp, on the Beaver road, below Econ- omy, Beaver County. It appears the farmer was on his way to Pittsburg, driving a two-horse team : overtaking the negro on the road, he generously invited him to take a seat in the wagon. Shortly after, and before reaching Economy, the negro treach- erously murdered him, by beating out his brains with a stone, which he had previously provided for the occasion. Secreting the body under a culvert, he continued on with the team towards Allegheny. He staid over night in Sewickly, at the stone tavern. Before retiring to bed, he endeavored to remove all tell-tale evidence of his crime by casting the bloody straw in the wagon on the manure-pile. In the morning he proceeded on his way to Allegheny, and put up at the old Pennsylvania tavern, on the north-east corner of Ohio and Webster Streets, the site of which is now occupied by St. Peter's Church. Here he offered the wagon and horses for sale.
The body of the unfortunate farmer having been discovered shortly after the murder, parties living in the vicinity trailed the fugitive to Allegheny.
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
Just before dark the negro discovered that pursuers were on his track, and immediately shifted his quarters to the old tavern- stand on the corner of Federal Street and River Avenue. To this point his pursuers trailed him : but before they could arrest him, he fled to the river ; and in his attempt to cross it on the ice to the Pittsburg side, he broke through, and was drowned.
The body was recovered the next day, and deposited in the old town-house on the south-west Diamond Square, where it lay awaiting the action of the coroner. To the amazement of the authorities, the body suddenly and mysteriously disappeared.
Subsequent events pointed directly to Mr. Sample as the principal party engaged in the "taking off."
The boldness of the transaction created quite an excitement at the time ; and it continued without abatement until it leaked out that the object in surreptitiously removing the body was to skin it, and tan the hide, in order to solve the problem as to the quality of material manufactured out of the cuticle of the "genus homo." Razor-strops and watch-guards were fashioned out of the novel leather, and distributed among the curious.
Mr. Sample was considered somewhat of a genius in his way. To his insatiable disposition to solve the various problems of law, physics, and mechanics, may be attributed this seeming violation of the laws of humanity and good order.
It was generally conceded that he was actuated by no other motive than the one above indicated. In view of the high estimation in which he was held by the citizens generally, he was unmolested. He died in Mahoningtown, Lawrence County, Penn., Aug. 1I, 1876.
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WILLIAM BARCLAY FOSTER.
WILLIAM BARCLAY FOSTER.
WILLIAM BARCLAY FOSTER was the third mayor, having been elected in 1842, and again in 1843. He was one of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens of Allegheny County. His political proclivities were of the Democratic order, and he was warmly attached to his party. He was a gentleman of culture and refinement, and was much admired for the qualities of his mind as well as for the goodness of his heart.
He was born in Berkeley County, Va., Sept. 7, 1779, and died in Allegheny, July 27, 1855. He was married in Chambers- burg, Penn., to Miss Eliza Clayland Tomlinson, who was born in Wilmington, Del., Jan. 21, 1788, and died Jan. 18, 1855, six months preceding his own death. They had nine children.
One of his sons, Stephen C. Foster, gained quite a reputation as a musical composer : his beautiful and pathetic ballads are the admiration of the musical world. He lived respected and died lamented on the 13th January, 1864.
His grandfather, Alexander Foster, was a native of London- derry, Ireland ; emigrated to this country in 1728, and settled in Little Britain township, Lancaster County, Penn. James Foster, the father of the subject of our sketch, removed to Berkeley County, Va. He was a soldier in the patriot army, served through the whole of the Revolutionary war, and highly distinguished himself at the storming of Yorktown. After the close of the war the father removed with his family to Washington County, Penn., and settled near Canonsburg. He was chosen one of the first trustees of Jefferson College in 1790. The son, William B. Foster, came to Pittsburg, April 20, 1796, and went into business with Major E. Denny and Anthony Beelen in 1806, for the purpose of general merchandizing, on the north-west corner of Market and Third Streets. In 1812 he was appointed commis- sary of the Pennsylvania Brigade in the Black Hawk expedition,
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
and in 1814 and 1815 he was appointed commissary for the United-States Army, and expended over fifty-eight thousand dollars of his own means for the use of the government. He loaded the steamer " Enterprise," Capt. Henry M. Shreve, with supplies and munitions of war, for the army under Gen. Jack- son, which opportunely arrived at New Orleans, Jan. 5, 1815, three days before the battle of the 8th.
In 1814 he laid out the town of Lawrenceville from a part of his farm, and sold to the government the thirty acres on which the United-States Arsenal was erected.
In 1821 he was appointed register and recorder for Allegheny County. He was elected three times to the Legislature of Pennsylvania, first in 1824, and last in 1829.
He was appointed the first collector of tolls on the Pennsylva- nia Canal at Pittsburg, and was continued in that position for seven years.
In 1832 he was appointed to make up the statistics of the United - States Judicial District of Western Pennsylvania preparatory to a revision of the tariff.
The writer cannot recall to memory any special event that marked the period of his administration as mayor. He was always credited with the faithful performance of its duties, and enjoyed in an eminent degree the confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens.
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JONATHAN RUSH.
JONATHAN RUSH.
JONATHAN RUSH was the seventh mayor-elect of Allegheny, having been chosen in 1849. He was born in Morris County, N.J., on the twenty-second day of May, 1801, was the second son of Jacob and Susannah Rush, and a descendant of one of the oldest German families in the United States.
The subject of this sketch served an apprenticeship to the hatting business, in Morristown, N.J. On the completion of his engagements, in 1826, and moved with the marvellous and glowing tales of the Western World, he left his native place, journeyed westward, and finally settled in Pittsburg. He was employed in the hat-establishment of Mr. James Wilson.
He was married in 1829 to Miss Sarah Campbell, formerly of Offwick Valley, Huntingdon County, Penn. In 1835 he removed with his family to New Lisbon, O., but returned in the following year to Pennsylvania, and from that time (1836) dates his con- nection with the town and city of Allegheny. It was during his administration as mayor of the city, that the great fire, and firemen's riot, of the 16th July, occurred.
His fearless and determined action on that occasion was, doubtless, the means of saving a large amount of property, which otherwise would have been involved in the general ruin. His action proved him to be a man of indomitable courage. Although an ardent Whig, he seldom took part in politics. Not- withstanding this fact, he occupied a number of important po- sitions in the government of the city, having been elected treasurer, and served in that capacity during the years from 1851 to 1853; after which he was chosen assessor of water- rents, and in 1854 and 1855 was also appointed collector of water-tax.
The duties of these several positions he discharged with
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ability and fidelity, and his mild and unassuming manners pro- cured for him a host of friends.
He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Allegheny, of which he was one of the founders, and always maintained the character of a devout Christian gentleman.
He died on the thirteenth day of May, 1863.
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367
HENRY SHAFER.
HENRY SHAFER
WAS born near Pittsburg, of German parentage, during the French and English war. He was employed, in the interest of the English, at Fort Duquesne, as an expert hunter and scout, enjoyed the confidence of the officers of the fort, and was frequently complimented by them for his zeal and indomit- able courage in watching the movements of the hostile Indians, and reporting promptly to the commandant of the fort in time to checkmate them in their raids. He also contributed valuable services in supplying the fort with meat and game.
In the year 1790 he built a log cabin on the borders of a small stream which empties into the Monongahela, at a point on which was located the ship-yard where the first steamboats were built at Pittsburg, and where the viaduct of the Pittsburg, Cin- cinnati, and St. Louis Railway crosses the Monongahela. The stream is generally known as "Suke's Run."
His humble cabin was located on the north side of the run, near the site now occupied by the celebrated " Round House."
In 1794 he purchased a small farm north of the Allegheny, to which he removed. Here he lived for over ten years. This property is now occupied as a city of the dead, - " Hilldale." In the latter part of the year 1804 he disposed of his property, and took up his residence with his children, in Elizabethtown, Allegheny County, Penn.
He died at the home of one of his children, in Elizabethtown, full of years, in 1849.
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
JOHN SHAFER
WAS born in Pitt township, on the north side of Suke's Run, Aug. 18, 1794, and followed the occupation of a fisherman. He was united in marriage, in Ross township, May 15, 1817, to Miss Emily Short. They had ten children, -five sons and five daughters. One son and three daughters are still living ; viz., -
Sarah, widow of the late William P. Macky, born April 25, 1818, married June 11, 1849.
John, born Sept. 19, 1820. Emily, widow of the late A. H. English ; born April 11, 1838, married May 25, 1856. Harriet ; born March 30, 1842.
Eliza Jane ; born Jan. 24, 1820, died Dec. 1, 1842.
Mary Ann; born June 17, 1831, died Feb. 1, 1860. The other four sons died in early youth.
Mr. Shafer was highly esteemed for the probity of his char- acter. With the enterprise of youth he united the careful con- siderations of age. His life fully justifies the confidence reposed in him by his many friends. Although he had passed his three- score years and ten, he retained in a remarkable degree his mental and physical powers.
In every relation of life he proved himself a man of unswerv- ing honor and integrity. He would consent to nothing, no matter what the inducement might be, which would tend to lower himself in his own estimation, or that of others. His standing was of a higher order ; and when he believed himself right, no power on earth could divert him from the dictates of his own judgment.
He died at his residence on Beaver Avenue, city of Alle- gheny, Sept. 28, 1867. His widow survived him eight years. She was born in Ross township, on the bank of the Ohio River, Oct. 14, 1800, and died at the family residence on the 29th of May, 1875.
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MARTIN SHORT.
MARTIN SHORT.
MARTIN SHORT was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, in the year 1750. He was apprenticed at an early age to learn the blacksmith-trade. The relations between him and his master not proving of an amicable nature, he "sought other fields and pastures new." Secreting himself on board a Ger- man vessel about to sail for the United States, he made arrange- ments with the captain to work his passage to Baltimore, for which port the vessel was cleared. Arriving at that city, he was induced by the captain to remain on board in the capacity of cabin-boy, and continued as such for several voyages across the Atlantic. While thus employed, he acquired a knowledge of the German language. At the age of seventeen years, and upon a subsequent arrival of the vessel at the port of Baltimore, he left it, and obtained employment in a ship-yard, in which he was engaged until he enlisted as a soldier of the war of the Revolution.
After the close of the war he settled in Hannahstown, West- moreland County, Penn., where he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Shocky, a German girl, whom he had met and wooed on board of the vessel, during one of his voyages across the Atlantic.
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