USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 1 > Part 12
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for any position of trust and responsibility in which there might be need of superior talent-a fact too obvious to escape the notice of his fellow citizens. When, therefore, the Corn Exchange Bank became a chartered institution, he was chosen a member of the first Board of Directors, then presided over by Hon. A. G. Cattell. On that gen- tleman retiring from active duty early in 1870, the adminis- tration of the affairs of the Bank was intrusted to him, and on Mr. Cattell's formal resignation of the office of President at the end of that year, he was unanimously elected to succeed "him. His efficiency in that position is demon- strated by the following brief statement of the affairs of the Corn Exchange National Bank. It was opened in 1859, with a capital stock of $128,000, and deposits amounting to '$102,000. In 1871, the capital stock was increased to $500,000, and now (1873) the deposits amount to $3,300,000, and the surplus fund to $200,000. Than these figures there could be no more eloquent testimony to the ability with which he has filled the position of President.
UDLOW, JAME'S R., Lawyer, and Judge of Court of Common' Pleas, Philadelphia, was born at Albany, New York, May 3d, 1825. He is a son of Res. John Ludlow, D. D., L.L.D., for nearly twenty years Provost of the University of Penn- sylvania. He was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, from which institution he graduated, with distinction, in July, 1843. Having made choice of the legal profession, he entered in the same month the office of Hon. Wm. M. Meredith, President of the Constitutional Convention of Pennsylvania of 1873, and for many years the leading lawyer in the State. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1846, and for eleven years engaged in a general practice. During this time he manifested an active interest in politics, acting with, and occupying a prominent position in, the old Democratic party of the city. At one time he was Chairman of its Executive Committee, and was a dele- gate to the State Conventions. In October, 1857, he was elected a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Philadelphia, ., This court has an extensive juris- diction. The_ members of,its bench are ex-officio Judges of the Orphans' Court, Register's Court, the Quarter Se ;- sions, and the Oyer & Terminer of the city. It also has general jurisdiction in equity. As a civil Judge, he has decided a number of important cases in Equity, in the Orphans' Court, and in contested elections. These cases are reported in the books. Among them may be mentioned that of the Chestnut and Walnut Street Railroad, in which a motion was made for an injunction, and more recently the well-known St. Clement's Church case, in which certain members of the congregation were in litigation with the rector, Dr. Batterson ; also the contested election cases of Ewing as. Thompson, and the celebrated contests
STEST
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of 1868. These are but illustrations of the important issues in which he has been called upon to pronounce judgment, and which cover a wide range of law. In the criminal court, with his colleague, Judge Allison, he has tried almost every murder case of note coming before the courts during the last fifteen years, including those of Berger, Twitchell, Gottlieb Williams, Eaton and Hanlon. He sentenced to death Williams and Hanlon, both of whom were executed. He also tried Mara and Dougherty, the would-be assassins of Detective Brooks, amid difficulties of a serious nature, and fulfilled his duty in a manner that gave the liveliest satisfaction to all the law-abiding citizens of Philadelphia. In all, he has administered the law in over six thousand cases. His whole career is singu- larly honorable. Since his elevation to the bench, nearly sixteen years ago, his course has been such as to reflect not only the highest credit upon himself, but lustre upon a judiciary, whose record no State in the Union can excel. He has always shown himself a learned jurist and an in- corruptible judge. Bringing to the consideration of every case a mind stored with legal knowledge, unquestionable impartiality, an inflexible determination to execute the law and to uphold its majesty, his decisions have ever been received with the greatest consideration, both by the bar and by the community generally. Gifted with nice dis- crimination, and a man of scrupulous conscientiousness, he has always striven his utmost to discover and defend the right in civil suits-some of his written opinions being, therefore, models of judicial acumen and carefulness. In criminal jurisdiction he has always manifested marked judgment, being stern and severe in his sentences when he deemed the convict's crimes and the public welfare demanded sternness and severity, and merciful toward the erring whom there was hope of reclaiming. In his private relations, he is highly esteemed as a gentleman of wide culture and true refinement. Simple and unosten- tatious in his life, he yet exerts a large influence for good, and is an earnest supporter of all schemes for the social advancement of the community.
offices were entrusted to him. From constable, in 1846, he became Justice of the Peace in 1850, and later, for three years, Sheriff of Luzerne county. As an " Old line Henry Clay Whig," he was subsequently elected.a member of the State Legislature. When the Rebellion broke out, he sided ardently with the supporters of the Union, and for several years occupied the responsible post of Pay- master of the United States Army, in the performance of the duties of which office he traversed the whole country, from Maine to Mexico. Although residing in a Demo- cratic district, he always polled heavy Republican majori- ties. In 1872, when delegates were to be chosen for the Constitutional Convention of the State, he was nominated as a " Liberal Republican " on the Democratic ticket, while his son was nominated as delegate from the same district on the regular Republican ticket. Both were elected, and both have contributed materially to the delib- erations of the body of which they are highly honored members. In 1838, he married Elizabeth Burdick, and of the union five children survive, two sons and three daughters. The family are attached to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
UANE, WILLIAM J., Lawyer, was born on May 9th, 1780, at Clonmel, in the county of Tipperary, Ireland. He was the eldest son of William and Catherine Duane. The earliest event his memory could recall was the Par- liamentary election of May, 1784, held at Covent Garden, to which he was taken by his father, and there placed upon the pedestal of a column, from which he viewed the scene, that owing to the warmth of the con- test was rather hot, and that ended in the defeat of Fox, the stormy debate of which is memorable in history. Twc years subsequently, his father accepted a position to gc to Calcutta, to undertake the publication of a newspaper, and his family returned to Clonmel, to await the success or non-success of the enterprise, which was to determine their removal to India. While at Clonmel, the subject of our sketch was placed for fifteen months under the tuition of the Rev. Dr. Carey, which proved, owing to circam- stances, to be the only schooling he received; but an enquiring mind, coupled with an ardent desire to learn in after years, fully supplied the deficiencies of his early education. His father, after a brief success, was sud- denly arrested in Calcutta, on account of an article which appeared in his paper, offensive to the Government ; and after a short detention at Fort William, was sent back to England, his entire property in India being confiscated. He then became Parliamentary reporter for a newspaper called the General Advertiser, now the world-renowned Times ; and his son frequently accompanied him to the gallery of the House of Commons, and up to the day of
ALMER, GIDEON W., Farmer and Politician, was born in the town of Hopkinton, Rhode Island, April 18th, 1818, of Gideon Palmer and Clarissa Watkins, the former of English, the latter of Welsh descent. In 1836, he removed to Pennsylvania, where, for a while, he followed teaching; but as his tastes led him rather to agricultural pursuits, he subsequently gave his attention to farming, in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, actively interesting himself meanwhile in the various political questions of the day. The measures of the old Whig party were those which received his support; and he soon manifested such an influence in the councils of that organization, that various | his death spoke glowingly of the intellectual treat afforded
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by the debates, and of the great orators, Pitt, Fox, Burke, | tegrity and honesty of purpose. After his admission to the and Sheridan, it had been his privilege to listen to and whose eloquence has never been equalled. It was not until the year 1796, that he concluded to return to his native country, and having settled in Philadelphia he became the editor of a newspaper, entitled the True American. During the year 1798 Mrs. Duane died, but not of the yellow fever, then the scourge of the city, and by which both father and son were attacked. In September of the same year, Benjamin Franklin Bache, the first publisher of the Aurora newspaper, died of the fever, and William Duane became the editor, with his son as d'erk in the office, which led to the latter's marriage on the 31st day of December, 1805, with Deborah Bache, sixth child of Richard and Sarah Bache, the daughter of Benja- min Franklin. This union was in all respects a happy one, and terminated by her death, in February, 1863. Shortly after his marriage he entered into partnership with William Levis, a paper merchant. While engaged in this business his name was forged to the amount of seven hundred dol- lars, but although the offender was detected, he preferred to bear the loss rather than to deliver him to justice, which act of mercy was followed by the reformation of the man, who in time restored the sum in full. In the year 1809, he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Repre- sentatives upon the Republican ticket, afterwards called the Democratic. Then in his thirtieth year, and only be- ginning his legislative career, he yet became so prominent as to be chosen Chairman of the Committee of the Roads and Inland Navigation, and of the large Committee raised to consider that part of the Governor's message
relating to the case of "Gideon Olmstead," then an exciting question before the Legislature. Ile also in this same year wrote a work called the Law of Nations Investigated in a Popular Manner, addressed to the Far- mers of the United States. About this time the schism in the Republican party commenced, which divided it into two sections, the Old and New School Democrats, and at the election which followed. in 1810, his name for the Assembly was defeated by a majority of several hundred. He then published in one work his letters upon Internal Improvement of the Commonwealth. In the war of 1812, he was Adjutant of a military body called the State Fenci- ble Legion, afterwards Captain of the Republican Greens. The decease of Richard Bache, in 1811, having brought Mrs. Duane an inheritance, her husband relinquished business and devoted himself to the law, the study of which he commenced in the office of Joseph Hopkinson, afterwards known as Judge of the United States District Court. In 1813, he was re-elected to the Legislature, and in June, 1815, was admitted to the bar. His system of practice by some few members was considered umpro- fessional, but the carpers were in the minority and by no means of the highest grade, and it is an undisputed fact that said system won for him the wide-spread reputation for in-
bar he became Solicitor for the Guardians of the Poor, the Female Hospital Society, and the Carpenters' Company of Philadelphia, also in later years Counsellor of the Hiber- nian Society. In 1816, he again took a part in politics, but as his party was in point of numbers the weakest he was defeated. In 1819, he became Secretary of the Board of School Directors, and in the autumn of the same year was placed on the ticket for the Assembly and elected by a vote which attested the confidence of the people. In Decem- ber, he was appointed Chairman of the Committee of the House of Representatives on Banks, followed by the Chairmanship of a Select Committee relating to Domestic Economy and General Stagnation of Business. During Joseph Hiester's term as Governor of Pennsylvania, he filled the office of Attorney of the Mayor's Court of the City of Philadelphia, and held the same for three years. In 1824, he was nominated for Congress, but declined. The care of a large family induced him to withdraw from the political arena; but, in 1828, he again became in- terested in politics, and was earnest in his support of Jack- son, whose entire ticket having been elected, the Mayoralty was tendered to him, as in some measure a recognition of his valuable services, but it was firmly declined, and Mr. Dallas, being elected Mayor, appointed him City Solicitor, but although much gratified he refused. In 1829, he was chosen member of the Select Council of Philadelphia, and, in 1831, nominated Commissioner, under the Treaty with Denmark. In the same year Mr. Girard died, and having been his Solicitor, he wrote the will and was named in the will as one of the five Execu- tors. Director of the Bank of the United States, he, in 1832, accepted the appointment of Secretary of the Treas- ury, which office he held until the fall of 1833, when he was dismissed and Roder B. Taney, then Attorney-General of the United States, appointed. His removal from office was consequent upon certain contentions and differences of opinion. Against all attacks he was vindicated, it being clearly proven that his unwillingness to place his conscience and will beneath the feet of the President in- censed one party, while the other antagonized him because he was opposed to the Bank of the United States upon constitutional grounds. After his return from Washington he did not entirely resume his profession, only appearing in the Orphans' Court occasionally for some old client. The last office of a public character held by him was that of Chairman of the Girard College Committee. For many years prior to his death he suffered with an internal com- plaint of a most painful nature. During the last year of his life he left his house but once, and then to register his vote at the Presidential election of 1864. He expired on the 26th day of September, 1865, having reached his eighty-fifth year, and was interred in North Laurel Hill Cemetery. Of his personal character little need be said, as the distinction shown him among men is sufficient proof
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of the high estimation accorded him by the public. He [ city could then boast. These are still (1873) standing was a hearty advocate of virtue, upholding by his life and doctrines morality and truth. Both in public and private he was accorded the esteem and affection due a just man.
at the corner of Broad and Cherry streets. The structure has three fronts, and it is here that the immense business of the firm is transacted: the most precise order and thorough system prevail in all the interior arrangements. The warehouses are the property of the senior member of the firm. In 1862, the style of the house was changed
RAIG, HUGH, Grain Dealer, was born in Cole- to Hugh Craig & Co., and on March 11th, 1866, Hugh Craig, Jr.,-the son of the subject of this sketch,-was admitted as a partner, he having on that day attained his sixteenth year. On May Ist, 1873, his father retired from the active business life he had pursued for thirty-seven years, leaving his son to manage affairs, who promises most amply to sustain his father's reputation for ability and activity. Having commenced his mercantile career at so early and unusual an age, he has enjoyed the benefit of his father's experience, and inheriting all his energy and clearness of perception, will certainly achieve success. The style of the house is now Hugh Craig's Son. Its founder has never taken any active part in politics, nor would he ever accept of any public office, excepting that he has, at various times, been elected by Councils a Direc- tor of the Pennsylvania Railroad, to represent the interest of the City of Philadelphia in that corporation. In 1839, he was elected a Director of the Delaware Mutual Insur- ance Company, and has held this position ever since that date. Hle was one of the originators of the Corn Exchange National Bank, and has been, for many years, a member of its Board of Directors. He is also a prominent member of the Ilibernia Society. In all the positions he has filled, as well as during the whole course of his mercantile career, he has ever displayed activity, intelligence, energy, and perseverance ; while his clear and practical judgment has not only contributed to his success, but his advice is regarded, by those who have consulted him, as being exceedingly valuable, and of great weight in the several financial institutions with which he is connected. He is enterprising, public-spirited, and ever ready to lend a helping hand to those needing it. Large heartedness -- so proverbial with his nationality-is a prominent trait in his character, and his generosity does not wait for, but seeks opportunities for displaying itself. These qualities, and the most sterling integrity of character, have won for him the affection and esteem of all who enjoy the pleasure of his acquaintance.
raine, Ireland, June 17th, 1816. His father was devoted to agricultural pursuits, but the son was possessed of more ambitious views, and having acquired a liberal education at one of the town schools, determined to seek his fortune in the New World. In 1833, on the day after he landed in Philadelphia, he entered the store of Robert Fleming, dealer in flour and grain, at Market and Seventeenth streets, and literally began at the foot of the ladder, with the firm determination to reach the topmost round. Ilis opportunities of learning the business in all its details could not have been better than this establishment afforded, as his patron's trade was very extensive, the latter event- ually retiring from mercantile pursuits with a fortune of a million and a half. In 1836, before attaining his majority, he embarked in business on his own account, with Thomas Bellas as his partner, under the name and style of Craig, Bellas, & Co., their warehouse being located at the North- west corner of Broad and Cherry streets. In "'1845, the firm was changed to Craig & Bellas. The prosperity of these firms was chiefly due to the untiring industry and practical talents of the senior partner. Ile established his reputa- tion among business men, and preserved it unsullied dur- ing many severe ordeals, and no man, in this branch of trade, has risen more rapidly or deservedly. In 1846, a fire destroyed, among several others, the warehouse of the firm, and a large amount of property was consumed. Consignors of produce had no legal claim against the loss, but nevertheless they acted, on this occasion, in a highly liberal and honorable manner. They immediately issued a circular inviting "all those who had claims against the firm for produce destroyed by the late fire, to present the same at once for payment." This was no vain offer. Every dollar of the claims was promptly paid on demand. This honorable proceeding proved, as it de- served, of invaluable benefit to the firm, and ensured to it a future career of increased patronage and prosperity. Such a course demonstrated the entire soundness and in- tegrity of the house, and inspired the business community with the greatest confidence in its operations. . Their conduct presented a very bold contrast to the line of policy pursued under similar circumstances by other produce houses, who refused to acknowledge the claims of . consignors ; litigation followed, and as a conse- quence their business was very much diminished. The energy of the firm was now displayed by the immediate erection of the most spacious warehouses of which the and purchased the property at the Southwest corner of
IPPINCOTT, JOSHUA B., Publisher, was born in Burlington county, New Jersey. His ances. tors were members of the Society of Friends. Between the years 1827 and 1830, he came to Philadelphia, and at a very early age obtained a situation in a small bookstore. Not many years afterwards he commenced business on his own account,
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Fourth and Race streets, which he still owns. There he to use it, and in accordance therewith he has consistently mnet such ordeals by drawing on his own resources. These are sterling qualities to have in the man at the helm at such times. Many of the publications emanating from the establishment, such as, The Biographical Dictionary, The Gazetteer of the World, Allibone's Dictionary of Authors, and the re-issue of Chambers' Encyclopedia, have been large enterprises, requiring years of preparation and large outlay of capital before any return has been obtained. The Biographical Dictionary occupied over twenty years of steady labor, and a moderate fortune was spent upon it be- fore a dollar was realized from its sales. Among other works from their press may be mentioned elegant editions of the writings of Prescott, Irving, Scott, Dickens, Bulwer, Thackeray, Macaulay, Addison, and other famous authors, while six monthly magazines and over two thousand other publications bear the imprint of the firm. He has always manifested a deep interest in the welfare of the city, and his business policy has always comprehended a strenuous endeavor, by his enterprises, to attract trade to Philadelphia, and to retain it. In the same spirit he has liberally invested his capital in whatever schemes promised to assist in the development of its resources and prosperity. He has been for a number of years director in many of our largest in- stitutions, and takes a warm and active personal concern in their operations. He is skilful in argument, holds decided opinions about men and things, which he does not hesitate to express, though always with courtesy, and is very ear- nest and determined in following the judgment based upon his convictions. His presence is genial, his manners are frank and simple, at once inspiring the stranger with con- fidence ; while his animated conversation impresses one with the live and deep interest he takes in the affairs of his time. continued until 1850, and by his genius and energy made a fortune; but instead of retiring from business he had the enterprise to purchase the stock and goodwill of Grigg, Elliott, & Co., at that time the largest book jobbing honse in the country, then occupying premises in Fourth street, above Market. At this location, under the firm name of J. B. Lippincott & Co., he remained until 1863. From the time when the establishment passed into the hands of its new owner, very important changes were intro- duced into its management ; the list of publications issued from it was largely increased, the standard of excellence greatly improved, and as a consequence its previous pros- perity was considerably extended and strengthened. About 1859 or 1860, foreseeing from certain indications a re- moval of the location of the great mercantile houses, he purchased a large lot on Market street, above Seventh, running through to Filbert, for the firm's future premises. In 1862, during the darkest period of the Rebellion, in pecuniary matters at least, the very commodious and hand- some store in which the business is now carried on was built. Those who remember with distinctness the dis- astrous condition of commercial affairs at this time, the great and imminent peril of the nation, will recognize and appreciate the enterprise that could contemplate, and the courage that could carry forward to completion, the erec- tion of so costly a pile. This was the commencement of that movement which has caused the neighborhood to become the centre of the jobbing trade of the city. The firm having passed successfully through the trying period of depression consequent upon the outbreak of the war, in which its losses were enormous, removed, in 1863, to the new building, which they still occupy. Ever vigilant in the interests of the concern, his wise foresight in pro- viding such ample facilities for its operations has been abundantly demonstrated in its vastly increased and ever- increasing business. In 1871, the large building fronting AILEY, JOSEPH T., Jeweler, was born at Poughkeepsie, New York, December 16th, 1806, He was of English ancestry ; the founders of the American family came from England prior to the Revolution, and settled in Danbury, Connecticut. In that place their descendants have continued to live and die since 1697. He was educated in his native place, and at the age of sixteen was apprenticed to Peter P. Hages, a silversmith. When he had completed his term of apprenticeship, he removed to Philadelphia. That was in the, year 1827. He procured employment in the store of Thibault & Brother, at the corner of Fifth and Chestnut (streets. Five years later he entered into a co-partnership under the title of, Bailey & Kitchen, and carried on busi- ness in a store located on the site whereon the present on Filbert street was erected for the manufacturing depart- ments of the house; and with its erection was completed his plan of concentrating all its branches substantially under one roof. As now existing the establishment-which is one of the largest in the country, is complete in all its appointments, and possesses a trade that extends to every State in the Union-illustrates how much may be accom- plished in the lifetime of one man by enterprise and. energy, and presents a striking contrast to the modest beginning made at Fourth and Race streets. Its history is full of inspiration for young men. Its founder has been highly favored by nature, however, being endowed with an active and comprehensive mind, singularly keen perception, and the most untiring energy. Through many disastrous crises he has guided the financial affairs of the Post-Office stands. There he continued in business until [his death, which occurred in Matanzas, Cuba, on March 12th, 1854. He was a very successful business man, and established the flourishing concern now known as the house
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