USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 1 > Part 27
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HAMBERS, COLONEL ANDREW R., Mer- chant, was born at Trenton, New Jersey, Decem- ber 27th, 1804. He was the youngest son of Captain Chambers, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, who fought under General Washington at the battle of Trenton. When Andrew was fifteen years of age, he was placed in the establishment of Jesse Walton, at Frankford, Pennsylvania, to learn the tanning business; and having been fully instructed in the various branches of that craft, upon attaining his majority, he con- cluded to locate in Philadelphia, and opened a leather ware- house. In 1826, he established himself on Fifth street below Walnut, next door to the African Church, from which he removed to (old) No. 29, and subsequently thence to (old) No. 67 Chestnut street, in the first store ever erected in the city possessing a granite front. Here, by industry, perseverance and close attention to his business concerns for the period of twenty-two years, he acquired a fortune of over a quarter of a million dollars, and on January Ist, 1848, disposed of the warehouse to his two nephews, who continue the establishment under the firm of Chambers & Cattell. Ile was emphatically one of the old style of Philadelphia merchants; enterprising, conservative, of ster- ling integrity, firmness of purpose, and at all times with- standing financially the various storms, panics and com- mercial distresses which arose and continued during his many years of active business life, particularly those oc- curring in 1837, 1841, and later. He was a high minded and conscientious man, especially noted not only for his probity as a merchant, but for his universally benevolent disposition. Although the youngest of eight children, yet he acted more like a parent to his brothers and sisters, and their children, by giving them all a helping hand to enable them to pass through the battle of life; by kind words and sound advice; and also by those substantial means which are needed by every one, young and old, at various times and seasons. He took an earnest part in the " Commercial Room" of the Philadelphia Exchange, having served as an active member for over forty years. He was likewise, for many years, a Director of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, under the presidencies of Patton, Taggart, Mercer and Lewis. In politics, he was an old line Whig, and as sach was elected to and served in the City Councils from
died December 3d, 1871, in the sixty-seventh year of his age, leaving a large estate to heirs and relations, beside making many liberal bequests for benevolent and religious purposes.
COTT, COLONEL THOMAS ALEXANDER, First Vice President of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company, was born in the township of Lou- don, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, December 28:4, 1824. Ilis education was only that afforded by the village school, with its solitary master, and embraced only his earliest childhood. When but ten years of age, he lost his father, and then went to reside with his eldest sister, whose husband kept a country store near Waynesboro', where he remained eighteen months ; subsequently he lived a short time with his brother, James D. Scott, who was likewise in business at Bridgeport, in the same county : and passing from these, he was employed by Metcalfe & Ritchie, merchants, of Mercersburg. In all these situations, though so young, his industry, energy and perseverance won the respect and confidence of his employers. Ilis brother-in-law, Major James Patton, had been appointed Collector of Tolls on the State Rail- road, at Columbia, Pennsylvania, and the latter gave him a position in his office as clerk, where he remained for some years, and then was offered a berth in the extensive for- warding establishment and commission warehouse of Leech & Co., in the same town, where he gave every satisfaction to his employers. In 1847, he came to Philadelphia, as chief clerk under A. Boyd Cummings, Collector (of Tolls) at the eastern end of the Pennsylvania Public Works, where he remained for three years, till finally, he entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, in IS50, and was appointed the General Agent of the Eastern or Mountain Division of that corporation. When the Western Division of the road was opened, he was called upon to act as Superintendent of the latter, and continued in this posi- tion until the ill health of General Lombaert compelled the latter to resign, when the entire control of the road was placed in his hands. In 1859, at the death of Hon. Wil- liam B. Foster, Vice President of the Company, he was elected to the vacancy, which he filled until elected Presi- dent, 1874. It was during the early days of the Rebellion, when all was confusion in the matter of transportation of men and war material, that Governor Curtin of Pennsyl- vania sought his advice and aid. He repaired to Harris- burg, and brought order out of chaos. With marvellous skill he unravelled the tangled condition of affairs, and soon had everything in admirable working order. The re- markable facility with which he solved the difficult prob- lem involved in the rapid movement of large masses of men, attracted the attention of Secretary Cameron, who re- quested him to go to the National Seat of Government.
1845 to 1850. When the Whig party was dissolved, he united with the Republicans. During the recent Rebel- lion, he was a firm supporter of the Government, and be- came a member of the Union League from its inception, and throughout his entire life continued an active, influen- tal and prominent member of the same. Ilis title of Colonel was derived from his having been appointed by Governor Johnston his Aide-de-Camp; he also served on the staff of General Bennett, with the rank of Colonel. For many years he was a constant attendant upon the ser- vices of Calvary Presbyterian Church, and was noted for his repeated benefactions and unobtrusive charities. He | He went to Washington, and was at once appointed As-
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sistant Secretary of War, in charge of military transportation. With his advent came order and success. He had the office put in telegraphic communication with every camp, depôt and railway station in the loyal States, when supplies were sent wherever needed at the right time, and in proper quantities, so that the administration was relieved of an immense amount of labor and trouble. For months he labored day and night at this arduous calling, until he was recalled to Philadelphia` to attend to the duties of his offi- cial position in the railroad company. His singular ability to comprehend what was needed, and his promptitude in supplying that need, together with his knowledge of men, enabling him to select efficient assistants, contributed to his great success. Prior to his return to Philadelphia, he received the thanks of the Government, as expressed in the following letter :
Washington, D. C., War Department, June 1, 1862.
DEAR SIR : In taking leave of you, in consequence of your resignation of the office of Assistant Secretary of War, it is proper for me to express my entire satisfaction with the manner in which you have discharged your duties during the whole period of our official relations. Those duties have been confidential and responsible, requiring energy, prudence and discretion, and it gives me pleasure to say that to me you have proved to be in every particular an able and faithful assistant. Yours truly,
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
COLONEL THOMAS A. SCOTT.
Again, when it was necessary, after the battle of Gettys- burg, to transport two entire army corps from the seaboard to Tennessee, President Lincoln sent for him to superintend the great task, and gave him plenary powers. In less than ten days, twenty thousand men, with all their trains, sup- plies and material, reinforced the Army of the Cumberland, having passed over a route exceeding one thousand miles in extent. Such a movement has never been excelled in the annals of any war. But not only in matters of trans- portation is he celebrated : he has effected remarkable changes in the financial conditions of railway companies, When the Union Pacific Railroad was involved in trouble, he was summoned to its relief, and became the head of that corporation. By the use of his name, and through his earnest labors and popularity, confidence was restored, its securities advanced in value, and its success was assured. This was his personal work, being entirely unassociated with the interests of the Pennsylvania Railroad, yet it changed the fortunes of over one thousand miles of road. The " Pennsylvania Company," the corporation which manages the entire network of railway west of Pittsburgh, owned or leased and operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and embracing some three or four thousand miles of road, an amount which is continually increasing from month to month, is also directed by his powerful mind. So also those great Western enterprises, now in course of survey and construction across the continent, receive the
benefit of his counsel and advice ; and he likewise inspires, with his sympathy, confidence and co-operation, the suc- cesses of another great corporation, the " Southern Railway Security Company," presided over by James Roosevelt, which proposes to reorganize various Southern lines, in order that they may be worked together harmoniously and effectively, infusing into them a new life, their existence having been almost annihilated by the disasters of the late civil war. The new route between Baltimore and Wash- ington received its most powerful impetus at the hands of Colonel Scott and his associates, and the old monopoly of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad ceased to exist from the moment that the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad, under his patronage, was inaugurated. He is emphatically a self-made man. His energy, foresight, thoroughness of action and ability to overcome all obstacles, are proverbial. Nothing that he undertakes is a failure ; from the very moment that he grasps an enterprise-be it regarded by the world as a chimera, or, at best, but of doubtful expediency-from that moment it acquires a life, a character and a success.
. EWKUMET, COLONEL JOHN, Architect and Fire Brick . Manufacturer, was born in Eich, Grand Duchy of Hesse Darmstadt, in the autumn ' of 1827. His father was a Government officer before his removal to the United States, and held several important positions of trust. He was also quite celebrated as an architect, and while a resident in this country designed and erected some very fine buildings. His son, John, received his primary education in his native town, which he completed in the cities of Darmstadt and Worms. His special studies were those pertaining to architecture, and, having passed a successful examination, he was assigned by the Government as an Assistant Archi- tect to the city of Mayence. A few weeks after accepting this position, he became identified, in common with many other students, in the " Republican movement of 1848," and, on the failure of the popular revolutionary schemes, was obliged to make his escape from the country. He took passage in a sailing ship, which had the misfortune to be stranded on the coast, and subsequently totally wrecked. By this accident he lost all his means. He made his way, however, to New York, and upon landing, repaired at once to Philadelphia, which city he had selected as his future residence before leaving his native land. Here he was obliged to seek employment in the humblest capacity, as he was entirely without resources and a stranger in a strange land. He finally effected an engagement as a far- mer's hand, and labored faithfully in this capacity for some time. He was next employed as a bricklayer, and in this occupation soon made known his capacities as an architect. In eighteen months thereafter he founded the " Fire-brick Works " in the District of Richmond, but after remaining
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there a while, found the location unsuitable, and finally, in 1856, erected the establishment at the corner of Vine and Twenty-third streets, where he prosecuted his calling with diligence and success. At the outbreak of the Rebellion, he became very much interested in the struggles of the period, and when the rebels invaded the State of Pennsyl- vania, after the second battle of Bull Run, he raised a regi- ment of infantry, by request of Governor Curtin. Putting himself at their head, he was active in leading his men for- ward to the defence of his adopted State. On the declara- tion of peace, he returned to his avocation, but his health was completely shattered. He therefore sailed for Europe, hoping that by relaxation from all business details, as well as other impediments to a perfect quietude, he might recu- perate his bodily health. On his return to the United States, he associated with him in business his brother, Philip. Shortly afterwards his health completely failed him, and he became seriously ill from softening of the brain, which eventually had a fatal termination, May 8th, 1869. Ile married, in 1852, Caroline Kurtz, who survives him with one daughter. In politics, he was an ardent Re- publican, although he was no politician, never desiring or seeking any public office. In business, he was noted for his strict integrity, and for his custom of exacting the same from all those with whom he dealt. .. Socially, he won a host of warm and devoted friends.
EMPLE, BENJAMIN L., Lawyer, was born No- vember 16th, 1842, at Templeville, Queen Anne county, Eastern Shore of Maryland. His ances- tors were English, and the family is quite nume- rous and prominent in the State of Maryland. His father was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and filled various offices in his native county. After ac- quiring a common English education in the schools of his vicinity, he spent two years in Fairfield Seminary, Herkimer county, New York, and, in 1858, entered the Sophomore class of Union College. He pursued his studies in that institution until 1860, when he left on account of the Rebel- lion in the Southern States, which suspended the college. In 1862, he removed to Philadelphia, and commenced the study of law in the office of David Panl Brown. After spending nine months in this office, he entered that of George M. Wharton, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1864. Ile has ever been a diligent student, and by appli- cation and industry has achieved a good position and grati- fying success in his chosen profession. He has been active in politics, and is highly esteemed as a leader in his party. In 1868, he was a zealous supporter of Furman Sheppard for the position of District Attorney for the city and county of Philadelphia. In 1869, he was a candidate for Select Council for the Tenth Ward, but was defeated by William B. Ilanna. At the Reading Convention, in 1872, though
not a candidate for any office, he received several compli- mentary votes for the nomination of Auditor General of the State. In the same year, he was chosen to represent the Third Senatorial District in the Constitutional Convention of Pennsylvania, and proved himself an active and efficient member of that body. He is also an active member of the Americus Club, and Chairman of the Democratic City Exe- cutive Committee, having been reelected September 5th, 1873. Ile has been a member of the Democratic State Central Committee.
ONG, ZACHARIAII II., Farmer and Politician, was born June 30th, 1819, in Jacksonville, Le- high county, Pennsylvania, his parents being Henry Long, who emigrated from Norristown at the age of twenty, and Mary Magdalene Ilar- mony. Receiving a fair education at the neigh- boring schools, he removed to Schuylkill county in 1840, where he commenced business on his own account, and subsequently moved to Carbon county. In 1859, he was elected to the State Legislature, and reelected in 1863. He has held many offices of local importance, such as As. sessor of Taxes, President of the School Board of his district. In 1872, he was elected delegate to the Constitu- tional Convention of the State, in the deliberations of which body he took a prominent part. A strict member of the Lutheran Church; he is also a thorough temperance advo- cate and a consistent Christian. His marriage took place in 1849, to Miss Ahrner, of Schuylkill county. At present, and for several years past, his residence has been at Lehigh- ton, Carbon county, in which town he has been engaged in business. With an excellent constitution, inured to toil in early life, and preserved by regular habits and strict sobriety, he promises to be a useful citizen of our State for many years to come.
ARLINGTON, HENRY TOWNSEND, Journal- ist, was born in Birmingham, Chester county, Pennsylvania, September 17th, 1832. He is a son of Edward B. Darlington and Hannah Shar- ples, a grandson of Edward Darlington, member of the State Legislature from Chester county for several terms between 1800 and 1810, and a nephew of Dr. William Darlington, the distinguished botanist. Ilis family, who are members of the Society of Friends, came to this country from England soon after the arrival of Wil- liam Penn. ' Ile received the greater part of his education in the common schools of his native county during the winter months, but attended for a short time the school of A. Bohmar, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He remained with his father upon the farm until he was seventeen years Vof age, when he entered the Village Record office, at West
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Chester, as the apprentice of Henry S. Evans. His father having died in 1853, he returned to the farm, where he continued for two years, and then associated himself in partnership with Enos Prizer, also of the Record office, un- der the firm name of Prizer & Darlington. Having pur- chased the Bucks County Intelligencer of John S. Brown, they removed to Doylestown and assumed the management of that paper, February 15th, 1855. He was married Sep- tember 9th, 1857, to Susan Darlington, a daughter of Abra- ham Darlington, also of Chester county. The partnership of Prizer & Darlington continued till the death of the former, in November, 1864, when his interest was pur- chased by the surviving partner, who has since controlled the entire business, which, under his energetic and effective management, has been greatly extended and enlarged. HIe has been, as a journalist, somewhat active in politics, but has never held a public office of greater importance than Town Councilman ; he has been a frequent delegate to Republican State conventions, and has taken a leading part, as the editor and publisher of the principal Republican newspaper in the county, in all local party operations. He served . in the State militia in 1862 and 1863; at the time of the battle of Antietam, his company was interrogated by the captain as to its willingness to cross the border and participate in the engagement, and he was one of six who stepped forward, saying, they came to do their duty in any position or anywhere; in the latter year, he served two months as a private in the division of General W. F. Smith. He has been for many years the Secretary of the Bucks County Agricultural Society, and an officer of various other corporations. ile has always been foremost in promoting the local interests of his community, and, in 1869, was one of the most active promoters of the erection of water-works in Doylestown. By the energetic prosecution of his busi- ness, he has acquired a fair estate; he lives upon a small farm in the eastern part of Doylestown, but devotes most of his time to office duties. He is widely known as a man of the strictest integrity, great geniality and true benevo- lence.
EESE, M. MESIER, Merchant, was born in Philadelphia, in 1833. Hle comes of an old English stock, his father, George B. Reese, the late well-known merchant, being of British de- scent, while his mother's, Mary Mesier's, ances- tors were of Iluguenot lineage. Educated in the best schools of his native city in his childhood, he was sent in early youth to Yale College, where he graduated with high honor. After graduation, he made the tour of Europe, and, upon his return to Philadelphia, entered into his father's establishment as an importer of English goods, where he remained until after his parent's death ; he ulti- mately succeeded to the business. From early life he has always taken a deep interest in the Protestant Episcopal
Church. The Church of the Messiah, at the corner of Broad and Federal streets, Philadelphia, has been built principally through his efforts. He is a fine musician, gives his services gratuitously to the church as organist, and de- votes much time and energy to encourage and promote the study of music, especially church music. He has trained a choir of young and fresh voices to a degree of perfection which has elicited high praise from those best able to judge of their merit. As a member of the Masonic fraternity, he has made his mark, being a prominent member of Mozart Lodge-a lodge principally composed of musicians. He is an extensive property holder on South Broad street, and has done much for the improvement of that section of the city. Though persistent in refusing to accept political office, he is a liberal supporter of those men and measures his judg- ment approves. He is a generous friend, a good citizen and enjoys a happy home, surrounded with an affectionate family. He married Miss Burch, and the union has been favored with five children.
OPE, THOMAS PYM, Merchant, was born about the year 1767, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where his father possessed valuable lands inheri- ted through his ancestor, Oliver Cope, one of the first purchasers from William Penn. On his mother's side, he was descended from the Pyms, who claim as an ancestor the celebrated parliamentarian, John Pym, who was contemporaneous with Strafford and the Cromwells. His early education was conducted in the schools of his neighborhood, where he acquired a compe- tent knowledge of English, German and Latin. His mind, naturally well balanced, was well disciplined for the work to which he devoted his life, and the foundation was solidly laid for the fine literary taste which subsequently adorned it. In 1785, he was sent to Philadelphia, to prepare him- self for mercantile life, and entered the counting house of his uncle, Thomas Mendenhall, where he devoted himself industriously to the attainment of proficiency in his business. His evening hours were given to the improvement of his mind. His habits of financial management were formed at an early day; he had received no aid from his father, and when it was offered him, after his arrival in the city, was declined with thanks, and returned as unnecessary. On his becoming of age, he was admitted into the firm, and was so successful as to be able, in 1790, to erect the store- house at the corner of Second street and Jones' (then Pewter-platter) alley; in which and the adjoining building he conducted his business with such signal ability that the reputation of the house was assured. In this locality he conducted a large business in foreign importations, beside giving his efforts to encourage domestic manufactures, es- pecially in hosiery, which, at that time, was the staple pro- duction of Germantown, and also in domestic cottons and
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mixed cloths, which were then conspicuous for excellence. In 1793, the yellow fever visited Philadelphia, and great numbers of the citizens fled to avoid the contagion ; but as he was possessed of great courage and benevolence, he re- mained, though he did not escape from an attack of the epidemic. In 1797, when the scourge again made its ap- pearance, he tarried in the city, and accepted from the Mayor the office of Almoner, and ministered directly to those suffering from destitution, in consequence of the sus- pension of business. In 1807, he commenced building a ship, with a view to opening an extensive trade with Liver- pool. His first vessel was named for his native county, the " Lancaster," of 290 tons. Previous to this date, he had engaged in the valuable trade opened to our merchants by the French Revolution, and the destruction of British and French shipping. Ilis trade was peculiarly hazardous, but his operations were cautiously conducted and were gene- rally successful. His whole career as an importing mer- chant was characterized by uniform discretion and steady success. He was generally his own insurer, and so self- reliant was he that, on the breaking out of the war of 1812, he refused to insure beyond the ordinary risks, and thus saved largely in the profits. Although no politician, his interest in the city and State led him to accept offices to which he had been nominated and elected. In 1807, in times of high party excitement, he was elected to the Leg- islature on the Conservative ticket, and commanded, by his fidelity and strict integrity, the respect of that body and the public. He had already served in the City Councils, and was one of the minority who advocated and urged the introduction of Schuylkill water into the city. This measure encountered a formidable opposition in and out of Coun- cils, but his firmness, and the confidence reposed in his judgment, overcame all opposition, and the purchase of Lemon Hill and adjacent properties was effected as essen- tial to the success of the water supply. Though repeatedly urged to become a candidate for Congress, when it was a high honor to be a member of that body, he steadily de- clined the earnest solicitations of his friends. He served, however, in 1837-38 as a member for amending the State Constitution, and with his conservative, but progressive views, exerted a salutary influence upon its proceedings. In 1810, he removed his place of business to Walnut street wharf, where his grandsons still conduct the Liverpool line of packets formed by him in 1821. This was the pioneer line between Philadelphia and any European port, and not only uever failed while under his care, but still con- tinues with the prospect of a future as bright as the past. Ile was one of the originators of the Mercantile Library, and gave his earnest advocacy to the Chesapeake & Dela- ware Canal, and also to the Pennsylvania Railroad. Ile filled also the position of President of the Board of Trade; and was President of the Overseers of the Poor, and of the Colonization Society of Pennsylvania. Much of his time outside of business hours was employed in arbitration.
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