USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 1 > Part 19
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Geo. L AsPrimendo
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USSER, WILLIAM, Merchant, was born in Lan- caster, Pennsylvania, August 17th 1789, his an- cestors being original German settlers of that region. He had but indifferent educational ad- vantages, and in July, 1803, went to seek his fortune in Philadelphia, then regarded as the commercial metropolis of the nation. IIe there entered the employment of his brother-in-law, John Linger, who was engaged in the hide and leather business at No. 137 Market street, and who was the surviving partner of the firm of Caspar Linger & Sons, who were, to a great degree, the founders of that branch of trade in Philadelphia, they hav- ing first introduced the practice of buying hides from the importers and retailing them to the tanners, the latter having previously bought direct from the importers, paying in leather. In their employ he applied himself assiduously to mastering the details of the business, and won their confi- dence to such an extent as to be entrusted with responsible duties. On the breaking out of the war, in 1812, he did not hesitate temporarily to sacrifice his brilliant prospects to serve his country. Volunteers being called for to defend Philadelphia, then threatened with attack, he enlisted on the Ist of January, and served at Camp Dupont until the close of the war. On being released from his military du- ties, he returned to his former employer, and, in 1814, was taken into partnership, the new firin being styled John Linger & Co. The new member devoted his energies to the business, which speedily developed into greatly ex- tended proportions, being aided by the effect of the war. In 1829, John Linger, sr., retired from the firm, which was continued under the name of John Linger, jr., & Co., until 1836, when Jolm Linger, jr., retired, and A. H. Bryant en- tered the house, which adopted the designation of William Musser & Co. In 1845, A. H. Bryant retired, and the fol- lowing year A. Ruth, of Lancaster, and later Richard M. Greiner were admitted, the firm name undergoing no further change to the present day. The business of the house steadily grew in volume and prosperity until the year 1848, when various losses and embarassments led to a suspension of payments. The reputation which the senior partner had acquired for integrity, judgment, and enterprise, induced the creditors of the firm unhesitatingly to grant the exten- sion of the time of payment asked for. Their confidence was fully justified, as the last cent of indebtedness was paid in 1853. Since that period, the house has enjoyed uninter- rupted prosperity, and at present is without a superior in the branch of business to which it is devoted. In 1859, he retired, with an ample fortune, from active participation in trade, having been engaged in this business for half a cen- tury. IIis business prominence and recognized capacity have caused him to be much sought after as a member of varions incorporated enterprises. He has, accordingly, been made director of a number of such institutions, but has steadily declined frequent solicitations to become president of coal and railroad companies, and also of one of the prin-
cipal moneyed corporations of Philadelphia. IIe is a mer- chant of the old school, and is satisfied to remain as such. Desirous only of extending and consolidating his business upon the soundest and most conservative principles, he has always shrunk from publicity in any other connection, financial or political. From early life he has been a steady supporter of the Lutheran church, and was one of the founders of St. John's church, Philadelphia, and has long been president of its board of trustees. He has also been appointed trustee for a number of large estates, and has discharged his duties, in that respect, to the satisfaction of all interested. In his eighty-fourth year, he retains his mental faculties unimpaired, and exhibits his usual activity of mind and body. He has had no children, but has adopted several, who are a comfort to his declining years. He enjoys the rewards of a well-spent life, the esteem of the community, and the warm attachment of a large circle of friends.
OOPER, WILLIAM II., M. D., Physician, was born in Worcester county, Maryland, August 7th, 1824. When he was about eleven years of age, his parents removed to Philadelphia, where he has since resided. He received his primary education in the Academical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, presided over by that able scholar and strict disciplinarian, the late Rev. Samuel W. Crawford, D. D. The thoroughness with which his studies were pursued in this preparatory school enabled him, at the proper time, to pass his examination for entrance into the Collegiate Department of the same institution. After four years of close application to the prescribed studies, he gra- duated A. B. in 1842, and received the degree of A. M. in 1845. Having determined to embrace the medical pro- fession he commenced his studies under the preceptorship of Drs. William E. Horner and Henry H. Smith, the former being, at the time, Professor of Surgery and the chief of the surgical clinic. After attending the usual courses of lec- tures in this school, his Alma Mater conferred on him a third diploma, that of Doctor of Medicine, in March, IS48. Still desirous of further training in his profession, he sailed for Europe, and repairing to Paris, passed eighteen months in close study and application, storing his mind with the sound learning there inculcated, and witnessing, in the hospitals and dispensaries, the many skilful operations per- formed by the first surgeons of the world. Soon after his return to the United States, he was elected a physician of the Philadelphia Dispensary, with which institution he was connected three years. During his term of service the city of Philadelphia was visited by the yellow fever. The disease was introduced from one of the West India Islands by the " Mandarin," a vessel which had managed to pass the Quarantine without careful inspection. The epidemic pre-
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vailed to some extent in the southeastern part of the city, particularly in those streets contiguous to the Delaware River. The majority of the cases were in his district, and his attention was particularly directed towards their treat- ment by this charitable institution, as the greater part of the persons attacked were those in an humble sphere of life. On his retirement from this arduous position, he devoted himself to the practice of his profession, giving obstetrics his special attention. His success has been remarkable, and for the past fifteen years he has been one of the leading accoucheurs of the city. During the war of the Rebellion he acted as surgeon in cases of emergency.
ELLINGS, NATHAN, Merchant, was born on August 14th, 1826, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, of which place also his parents, John and Phoebe Hellings, were natives. After a few years passed at a local school, he went to work on his father's farm. He, however, was not formed of the stuff of which farmers are made. Of a bold, self-reliant, enter- prising character, the monotonous drudgery of agricultural life was necessarily distasteful to him. Conscious of greater possibilities, he one day stuck his fork energetically into the ground, and emphatically declared that that should be his last day's labor on a farm. Neither threats nor persua- sions could move him from this resolution. Having secured the reluctant consent of his parents; he became apprentice to the blacksmith trade in the neighboring village of Browns- burgh. A year's experience of this pursuit, " however, only showed that it was equally uncongenial to his disposi- tion. The fact was evident also to William Brown, founder of the village, who had taken a strong interest in him, and now strongly urged him to seek, in the neighboring city, a more suitable occupation, requiring head rather than hand work. This friendly advice had much weight with him, and at the age of seventeen he started in search of that fortune that awaited him in Philadelphia. The ex- cellent reputation he brought with him secured him imme- diate employment as clerk with Joseph Downing, dealer in agricultural produce. Though still a youth in years, his application, shrewdness and honesty soon placed him in virtual control of the entire business. . In less than a year, however, he accepted a similar position with Thomas Palmer in the same trade, on Delaware avenue. With him he remained until 1849, when he had attained his twenty- third year. The news of the discovery of gold in California had at this time reached the Atlantic seaboard, and he at once resolved to join the motley throng that crowded every avenue to that modern El Dorado. With a prudent fore- sight, he determined to take with him an assorted stock of goods, and also a small sail-boat designed to transport pas- sengers between vessels in San Francisco harbor and the beach. In February of the above year, he sailed from
Dock street wharf on board the ship " Levant," and after a wearisome voyage of one hundred and thirty-five days round Cape Horn, the vessel put into Valparaiso, Chili. For the previous month all on board had been placed on a merely nominal allowance of water and food, and had been reduced to the last extremity of starvation. The much-needed supplies having been embarked, the ship once more put to sea, and after a further delay of seventy- nine days, finally cast anchor in the harbor of San Fran- cisco. Ile immediately opened a general store on the beach. During his six weeks' residence here he met with the suc- cess his judicious foresight and bold enterprise richly me- rited. His boat, too, manned by hired labor, added not a little to his fast-accumulating profits. On the arrival of the rainy season, his adventurous spirit readily disposed him to lend a favorable ear to the persuasions of his friends to dispose of his merchandise still on hand and join them in a projected expedition to the " Diggings." Their objective point was down the St. Joachin Valley, and known to the miners by the name of the " Chinese Diggings." His party of ten were the first Caucasian visitors to this section. Soon thousands flocked thither from all sides; a local govern- ment was organized, appropriate laws hastily enacted, claims carefully measured out, and the diggings found to be among the richest in the State. After a day's laborious toil at the cradle it was often highly refreshing to find that his indi- vidual share of the profits amounted to $100, in bright yel- low gold dust. Eight months were profitably spent at this place, and then as the richer placers were gradually ex- hausted, the spirit of restlessness inherent in the miner drove the dissatisfied party in different directions, in tireless search of more lucrative fields of labor. For the next nine months his career was one of constant change, travel and adventure. The waters of the Calavaras, Tolumna, Trinity, Sacramento, Feather, Big and Little Bule rivers were, in turn, prospected. At one time, he was one of a crowd, and at another, he had but a single companion. Rivers, swamps, trackless woods, and craggy mountains were traversed. Hardships and privations of all kinds were added to dangers from grizzly bears, wild Indians-then numerous in Cali- fornia-and still more savage white desperadoes, whose reckless deeds of violence and cruelty were a curse to the land. These were met, each in its turn, and successfully overcome, but even still more dreaded were the insidious influences of the miasmatic vapors arising from the swamps and streams of the newly-opened country. At one time he lay sick, nearly unto death, on the banks of a solitary stream, abandoned by the companions of his journey, whose time, worth to them $25 per day, was too valuable to be lost nursing a chance acquaintance. When, at length, he had painfully dragged his tortured limbs to the miserable hut of an adventurous doctor, thirteen dollars per day was considered a moderate charge for scant medicine and wretched board during the thirty days of his enforced stay. Whatever came to his hand during his two years' residence
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in the country, that he did with all his power, and what- ever he touched turned out successfully. Whether as a storekeeper on the beach, a miner among the mountains, a farm superintendent in the Sacramento valley, a speculator in farm produce for the San Francisco market, a sail-boat skipper in the bay and its debouching streams, or a hotel proprietor in the city, fortune uniformly smiled on his en- ergetic efforts. Sacramento City, Marysville, Stockton, Vallejo and San Francisco were alike favorable to his enterprise. As founder of the Isthmus House, in the last named city, he began that career of success which has uni- formly attended its subsequent proprietors. Rigidly ab- staining from gambling and drinking, the besetting sins of the successful miner, his career was laborious, enterprising, economical, and therefore successful. After eight months' proprietorship of the Isthmus House, he found that the toils and privations of the past two years had seriously af- fected his health. Satisfied with the pecuniary results of his labors, he determined immediately to sell out his inter- ests in the business and return to Philadelphia. With him to resolve was to execute, and in October, 1852, he eni- barked on board the bark " Gipsy," for Panama. After a series of mishaps, he finally reached New Orleans. Making a brief sojourn only in the Crescent City, he took boat for Wheeling, West Virginia, and thence crossing the Alleghany Mountains, arrived in Philadelphia after an absence of nearly three years. Shortly after his arrival, he purchased the business of Thomas Palmer, his former employer. The same success that had attended his past undertakings fol- lowed him in his new enterprise. In this his progress was materially aided by the unwearied exertions of his younger brother, Tunis Hellings, whose services, at first as assist- ant and afterwards, in 1859, as partner, he fortunately secured. The labors of the brothers were equally harmo- nious and indefatigable. Close observation of the market, extensive knowledge of the state of the crops in every sec- tion of the country, constant industry and unimpeachable integrity, have long since placed them in the front rank of operators in their line. Some years since he found that an uninterrupted continuation of his labors was not unlikely to seriously impair his health. With characteristic pru- dence and promptitude, he resolved partly to relax his attentions, and purchased a beautiful villa residence, appropriately called " Shady Side," pleasantly situated on a lake-like curve of the Delaware, about twenty- one miles from Philadelphia. In this charming retreat, made brighter by the company of his amiable and at- tractive wife and four promising children, with just enough business on hand to occupy his mind, at the meridian of life, he wisely enjoys a fortune to which few attain even at the close of their days. Frequent visits to his office in the city still keep up his connection with the mercantile community, and give to his trade the advantage of his valuable experience. Among the representative men of the city, few hold a more honorable place.
REASE, ORLANDO, Merchant, was born in London, England, December 21st, 1823. Alfred Crease, his father, was a manufacturer of chemi- cals, and came to Philadelphia in the year 1830, where he continued to carry on the same busi- ness. Ilis son having received a sound primary education at Bethlehem, left school at fourteen years of age, and was apprenticed to James P. Morse, an upholsterer, in whose employ he continued uutil 1846. In that year he entered the store of William McCallum, carpet dealer, in a subordinate position. The house at that time had only a small retail trade, but by judicious business management, and especially in consequence of the uncommon ability lie manifested as a salesman, it rapidly increased its connec- tions until it is now the heaviest wholesale carpet house in Philadelphia. He continues to give it close attention, and there is every prospect of a still larger extension of its trade. While thus earnest in the pursuit of business, he does not deny himself those pleasures of liberality and be- nevolence in which only the wealthy can indulge. A member of St. David's Church (Protestant Episcopal), Manayunk, he takes a warm interest in its Sunday school, and generally in the extension of religion. Fond of music, he leads the choir at St. David's, and has bought for it an organ from his own means. His interest in Biblical study led him to spend six months in the Holy Land, in 1871, in company with the Rev. Drs. March and Newton, and the Rev. Mr. Claxton, and he often surprised his companions with the accuracy of his topographical knowledge of the sacred places. In the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he holds high rank, as a member of the Bishop White Prayer Book Society, and is conspicuous for energetic de- votion to the excellent objects of that association.
LLIS, THOMAS S., Auctioneer, was born in Phil- adelphia, November 24th, 1815. After receiv- ing a limited education, he was removed from school, and in the eleventh year of his age placed in the auction store of M. & S. Thomas, then located on Chestnut street, below Third street, with which house he has ever since been connected, through all its changes and locations. Step by step he ascended through all the many grades of the business, his energy and perseverance overcoming every obstacle, and solving the many difficulties, arising during the course of a long and eventful business life, with discernment and im- partiality. From being the smallest boy in the house and occupying the most humble position, he eventually became a co-partner, the name and style of the house having been changed to Moses Thomas & Sons. Upon the death of the senior partner, which occurred August 25th, 1865, the sur- viving members of the firm, the subject of this sketch thus becoming the senior partner, John D. Thomas, who died in
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January, 1867, and N. A. Jennings, continued the same business, and, at the particular request of the deceased, without change of style. The immense and varied grades of auction sales carried on by these gentlemen, embracing as they do the highest order of property, require the super- vision of an active, thorough, and honorable business man. Of such a standing is the present senior member, who ex- ercises all his varied talents in bringing all parts of the business to a satisfactory conclusion. The heavy sales of real estate, stocks, bonds, mortgages, ground rents and loans, are held each week at the Merchants' Exchange, while those of furniture, books, coins, etc., are made in the spacious upper and lower rooms in the building occupied by the firm on South Fourth street; in addition, many sales are conducted at private residences. He has been an active member of the old Volunteer Fire Department, attached to the Fame Hose Company, and served as the Treasurer of that organization for nearly thirty years. He has also been for several years a Director of the Franklin Fire Insurance Company, one of the largest and staunchest of our city un- derwriters. At the present time he is also connected with the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company in the ca- pacity of Director. Prior to and during the existence of the Fair held in Philadelphia for the benefit of the United States Sanitary Commission, in 1864, he was chosen Chair- man of the Committee of Auctioneers, which body, by their subscriptions and donations, aided materially in rendering that undertaking a great success. He has been recently honored by being assigned the same position for a similar committee in reference to the approaching International Exposition to be held in Philadelphia on the occasion of the Centennial Anniversary of American Independence. He was married in 1841.
ENRY, THOMAS CHARLTON, Merchant, was born in Philadelphia, April 20th, 1828. He is the son of John S. Henry, and grandson of Alex- ander Henry, both honored citizens in their day. Educated in his native city, he commenced his business career in the dry goods trade ; but soon withdrew from this to enter into the wool business, which he commenced at the age of twenty-two, on Front. street, under the firm name of T. C. Henry & Co., and for seven- teen years was amongst the most extensive dealers in that staple. In 1867, he retired from this connection and be- came interested in the lumber business, which he conducted with equal skill for several years. In the month of June, 1871, the Philadelphia Warehouse Company was first or- ganized, and G. I .. Borie, brother of the Secretary of the Navy, was elected its temporary President. The arrange- ment, however, was not intended to be permanent. Such `an enterprise required at its head a man gifted not only with rare executive ability, but possessed of a wide repu- la partnership being formed by him in 1819 with Jesse
tation among business circles for integrity, financial skill, and energy. It was not until the following October that their choice was definitely made. The subject of this sketch, who had just returned from a visit to Europe, had hitherto taken no part or interest in the organization of the new company, yet he was at once invited by the Directors to become its first active President. From that date he has had the management of the organization, and the success that has marked its career is due in a great measure to the wisdom of the Directors in their choice of its President. He is likewise President of the Saving Fund Society of Germantown, and a Director of the North American In- surance Company. In 1849, he married Mary E., daughter of John P. Jackson, one of the most prominent citizens of Newark, New Jersey. During the war, he was prominent among those who stood by the Administration, and con- tributed liberally of his labor and means for the preserva- tion of the Union. On the organization of the Germantown branch of the Union League, he was selected its first Chairman, a position he held until the close of the war. He has always been a zealous adherent of the Presbyterian body, and is widely known as one of the active supporters of that church in Germantown, where he has always made his home. His private life has been an example of unob- trusive usefulness and benevolence. Although never like his distinguished brother, Mayor Henry, the recipient of municipal honors, his character has not failed to win for him many admirers and warm personal friends.
ICHARDS, BENJAMIN W., Merchant and Auc tioneer, was born at Batsto Iron Works, Burling- ton county, New Jersey, in the year 1797. Ilis father, William Richards, was the proprietor of the extensive furnace and forges at that place; a man of wealth and social influence in the State, an extensive land owner, and able therefore to give his son every educational advantage. The latter, in his early boy- hood, studied under Rev. Mr. Dunham, of New Brunswick, where, having acquired a solid primary education, he entered the college at Princeton, and graduated with dis- tinguished honors in his nineteenth year. At that time, influenced by the preaching and instruction of Rev. Dr. Alexander, he contemplated entering the ministry. Ilis student life had, however, affected his health, and he was ordered to discontinue mental exertion, and to travel. Accordingly he made a Western and a Southern tour, re- turning in 1818 with health fully restored. Thus disen- gaged from the anticipation of a clerical life, he determined to embark in mercantile pursuits. He had not received any mercantile training, but, having capital, a connection was sought for him with one possessing the necessary knowledge. The opportunity was found in Philadelphia.
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Godley. The firm existed for three years, when, having married the daughter of Joshua Lippincott, of the firm of J. & W. Lippincott & Co., Auctioneers and Commis- sion Merchants, he retired in order to enter that house as a partner. It was then one of the largest and most suc- cessful auction and commission establishments of Phila- delphia, and one with a history. Prior to the Revolution, the office of " Vendue Master " was a proprietary franchise conferred by the Colonial executive authority upon special favorites. When the proprietary authority was abolished, numerous persons availed themselves of the absence of all laws regulating auctions and auctioneers. These voluntary vendue masters being found injurious to the public inter- ests, their sales proving convenient means for the disposal of stolen property and interfering with the regular course of trade, regulations, and afterwards laws, were passed pro- viding for the licensing of a certain number of auctioneers in the city and county of Philadelphia. Now the business is open to any who will pay the license fee and make. the required returns. The firm of J. & W. Lippincott & Co., superseded by that of Lippincott & Richards, originated in the oldest of these post-revolutionary auction houses. In 1797, Peter Benson was a regularly licensed Vendue Mas- ter. Two years later, he admitted Samuel Yorke as a partner. In 1802, he himself retired, and Joshua Lippin- cott joined the firm, which then traded under the title of Yorke & Lippincott. When the former died, he was suc- ceeded by Joshua IIumes. In 1822, Joshua and William Lippincott carried on the business. Then our subject joined them. Shortly afterward, William Lippincott re- tiring, the firm became Lippincott & Richards. When the former retired, the latter associated with him, about 1836, Joseph Bispham, and the firm continued to be known as Richards & Bispham until the death of the senior partner, in 1852. Having received a fine education, and possessing great natural talents, he early excited an influ- ence in public affairs. He was nominated for the Legis- lature as early as 1821, upon an independent ticket, but was defeated. `A few years afterwards he was elected to the State Senate, and in 1827 to the House of Representa- tives of the State, by the Democratic party. He was sub- sequently elected a member of the Select Council of the city. The ability and public spirit he manifested in these positions gained him the confidence of the community ; and on the resignation of George M. Dallas, in 1829, he was elected Mayor of Philadelphia. During the next year he was succeeded by Mr. Milnor; but in the two following he was elected. President Jackson had previously recognized his sterling integrity and financial ability by appointing him a Government Director of the Bank of the United States, and of the United States Mint. On the expiration of his third mayoral term, he visited Europe. So struck was he by the cemetery of Pere la Chaise, at Paris, that on Iris return he commenced, with the cooperation of some of his friends, a series of articles in the newspaper press upon
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