USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 1 > Part 3
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tion, and held appointments on its Board of Directors, and also on its Military Committee, and Committee of Publica- tion. In this latter capacity he wrote many of the pamphlets and addresses issued by the League. Among the numerous products of his pen at this time we give the titles of the fol- lowing : in 1862, The First Duty of the Citizen; 1863, A Few Words for honest Pennsylvania Democrats; Bible View of Polygamy; Democratic Opinions on Slavery; in 1864, Abraham Lincoln; The Will of the People; A Demo- cratic Peace offered for the Acceptance of Pennsylvania Voters ; To the Soldiers of the Union; The Democratic Times; The Great Northern Conspiracy ; Memorial to Con- gress on the Subject of Bounties to Volunteers ; in 1865, The Record of the Democratic Party; in 1866, Address of the Union League to the Citizens 'of Pennsylvania; in 1867, The Crisis; in 1868, Democratic Frauds; How the Democrats carried Pennsylvania in 1867; Repudiation; in 1868, The New Rebellion ; Address of the Union League. Frequent articles in the North American Review, the New York Nation, and other leading periodicals of the day, also flowed from Mr. Lea's fertile pen during these years. Nor did his activity confine itself to writing merely. At a time when the drafting of citizens for soldiers caused great agita- tion in the public mind, Mr. Lea organized and carried out the system of offering bounties to volunteers, which was sub- sequently generally adopted. After the war he interested himself with equal ardor in the political questions of the day, and wrote forcibly in support of the first legislative efforts for reform in the civil service. Ilis labors in the field of social improvement led to his election as a member and shortly after- wards as President of the Philadelphia branch of the American Social Science Association. As a member of the Industrial League, organized in 1868, he has given much attention to the complicated questions of tariff and protection, throwing his influence in favor of a thoroughly protective policy on the part of the Government. With the aid of a few fellow- workers, he organized, in 1871, the Citizens' Municipal Reform Association of Philadelphia, the aim of which is and has been to secure a reform of the extravagance, incapacity, and disregard of right principles which has so long charac- terized certain departments of the city government. He still gives to this important subject a large share of attention, and the results already achieved speak much for the tact and energy with which it has been managed. Few men of the day can be found who have prosecuted such numerous and divergent lines of activity as Mr. Lea, and none who have gained higher credit in all of them, yet such has been the direction of his energies that he is least known to his fellow- citizens for that for which he is most admired abroad.
The studics to which he has devoted so much research demand a knowledge of mediaval dialects rarely found even in those who are students only ; and the subjects upon which he has sought to throw the light of clear historic in- vestigations are essentially those which most intimately con . cern the dignity and social progress of the race.
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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.
EPPLIER, CHARLES ANTHONY, retired iner- chant, was born in Philadelphia, March 25th, 1804. His mother, Catharine Allgaier, was a native of Philadelphia; his father came from Strasburg, Alsace. Both parents always mani- fested a natural pride in being able to trace their ancestry back for centuries, and particularly in the fact that their old blood had always flowed in Catholic veins. Dur- ing his infancy his parents removed to Reading. There he remained until early manhood, and received a common school education. On leaving school he was placed by his father in the counting-house of an old friend, a French importer in New York. Here his persevering industry, strict integrity, and business abilities soon won the full confidence of his employer, and the respect and esteem of his associates. Here also he imbibed many lessons of practical wisdom and experience that largely contributed to his after success. During his ten years' service in this house he made frequent voyages, as Supercargo, to New Orleans and the West Indies. This was ultimately the cause of his return to Philadelphia. He found that the climate of the tropics was gradually undermining his health ; so he abandoned the position and came to Philadelphia. In this city he associated himself as senior partner with his two brothers in the coal business. That interest was then but in its infancy, and many adverse circumstances tended greatly to check the enterprise of timid and hesitating capitalists. The Repplier Brothers united with courage and determination, rare judgment and foresight. Looking forward they grasped the great importance of the coal production of the country, and they at once adopted a course so decided and successful that their name soon assumed a ruling influence in the trade. This influence the house has retained unimpaired almost to the present day. The brothers had vicissitudes, but never succumbed in any degree to them ; difficulties were bravely met, and, by careful consideration and sturdy effort, surmounted. These sterling qualities combined with boldness in business operations brought to them wealth before they attained the meridian of life. Such a combination is comparatively rare, but when it exists success is assured to the possessor. In 1838, the subject of this sketch, who had previously taken no prominent position in politics, contenting himself with the intelligent discharge of his duties as a citizen, was solicited by the residents of North Mulberry Ward to represent them in Councils. Ile consented and was elected on the old Whig ticket. At the expiration of his term he was re-elected, and served until the riots occurred in 1844. Then, disgusted with the brutal excesses of law- breakers and the criminal passiveness of rulers, he with- drew for life from all active participation in politics. During the period of his public life he served with dis- tinction as one of the Girard Commissioners, then engaged in the erection of the noble college buildings that have since added so much to the beauty and fame of Philadel. I man, his record is wholly honorable.
phia. He retired from active business, in 1852, with a satisfactory competence. In the summer of the same year he sailed for Europe, and joined in Paris his only daughter, the late wife of Judge Bolivar D. Danels, of Baltimore. whom he had sent there to be educated. With her he made an extended tour through France, Germany, and Italy, visiting nearly all the scenes of historic interest in those lands. During his stay in Rome he formed an intimate friendship with the celebrated Dr. Kirby, Presi- dent of the Irish College, and on several occasions had the honor of a private interview with the Pope. On his return to Philadelphia he purchased the old Catholic Herald, and published it for several years. During 1855 he wrote for it a series of letters, forty in number, chiefly descriptive of Catholic art, religious institutions, churches, etc., in Continental Europe. They attracted much atten- tion and admiration, and were widely copied in both secular and religious papers throughout the country. The beauty and originality of expression, the acute observation and judicious criticism, the poetic fervor and profound religious feeling they displayed, commanded at once the interest and approval of the lettered, while former business associates were surprised to find in the shrewd, hard-work- ing merchant an art critic of consummate ability. During his absence in Europe he was elected President of . the Beneficial Saving Fund. He accepted the position and still holds it. To its management he brought long and varied business experience, and his wise and able adminis- tration of its affairs has raised it from a small beginning in a private house on Thirteenth street to a place among the most successful institutions of the kind in the city. For more than forty years he has been intimately connected with all contemporary Catholic movements, and their records give convincing evidence of the deep interest he has always manifested in their welfare. He was one of the principal projectors of St. John's Orphan Asylum, an institu- tion in which he occupied a prominent office until a very recent period. He has been one of the warmest patrons of St. Joseph's Hospital since the time of its organization, and has been its Treasurer for the last twenty-three years. In the building of the Cathedral he displayed an earnest interest, and has always promoted to the best of his ability the welfare of St. Charles' Seminary, of which he is Trustee and Secretary at the present time. With the church dignitaries of the diocese he has always enjoyed the most intimate and friendly relations ; by Archbishops Kendrick and Hughes he was made the recipient of especial confidence. Shortly after settling in Philadelphia he married Elizabeth Myers Rees, daughter of George and Elizabeth Rees, of the same city. The many posi- tions of honor and trust conferred upon him, without solicitation, afford the strongest testimony that could be given as to his public character and sterling worth as a private citizen. Whether as merchant, journalist, or gentle.
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CAPA Refiplico
Galaxy Pus. ( . Fluleia
George W. Musgrave
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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.
USGRAVE, REV. GEORGE W., D. D., LL. D., Clergyman, was born in Philadelphia, October 19th, 1804. His father, Joseph, immigrated from the north of Ireland in boyhood; and his mother, Catharine Schaumensepsel, was born in Philadelphia. As his father died in the son's infancy, his education was devolved upon his mother. He was chiefly taught at the Classical Academy, by Rev. Samuel B. Wylie, D. D., and was fitted to enter the Junior Class, at Princeton, when his health failed and he continued his studies at home. The parents were members of the Second Presbyterian Church, and their son was under the catechetical tuition of Rev. Drs. Ashbel Green and J. J. Janeway, until, after his father's death, with his mother, he joined the church at Second and Coates (Rev. James Patterson). He then studied for the ministry in Princeton Theological Seminary, and was licensed by the Baltimore Presbytery in the fall of 1828; ordained and installed over the Third Presbyterian Church of that city, in July, 1830. Side by side with Rev. Dr. William Nevins and Rev. R. J. Breckinridge, D. D., LL. D., he labored for twenty-two years, and with remarkable success. Three times his church was enlarged to accommodate the ever- enlarging congregations attracted by his piety and power. ITis influence extended beyond his congregation, and in all the Presbyteries and Synods he came to be the recog- nized leader of orthodoxy and Presbyterianism. His de- nominational sermons were mixed with history, argument, and philosophy, and were not only published at the request of those who heard them, but also republished by the Presbyterian Board. Elected a Director of the Princeton Theological Seminary in 1836, he has been uninterruptedly re-elected since. He received the degree of D. D. from the College of New Jersey, in 1845. He was made a Trustee of the college in 1859, and retains the office. The University of Indiana gave him the degree of Legum Doctor, in 1862. Ile accepted the post of Corresponding Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, in 1852, and left Baltimore. The next year he was chosen Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Domestic Mis- sions, and retained it until failing vision compelled him to resign, in 1861. Recovering from the worst symptoms, he became Pastor of the North Tenth Street Church, Phila- delphia ; and though burdened by increasing infirmities, labored with his usual energy and success to the fall of 1868. He was again made Corresponding Secretary of Domestic Missions; and during his tenure of office, $1,048,237 were received into the treasury and very many more missionaries were aided. He showed great adminis-
. trative abilities, as well as much zeal and energy. The first movements to heal the rupture of 1837, between the Old and New School branches of the Church, were vigor- ously seconded by Dr. Musgrave. In the remarkable gathering of representatives of all schools and standings,
convened in Philadelphia, in the Presbyterian National Union Convention, of November, 1867, he was a lead- ing spirit and director and counsellor. He first proposed the basis of reunion, in the precise form adopted-" the doctrinal and ecclesiastical basis of our common stand- ards," accompanied by the " Concurrent declarations." This plan was issued in a circular to the Presbyterians of the Central Presbytery of Philadelphia. Chosen Moderator of the General Assembly, at Albany, New York, May, IS68, and member and Chairman of its Committee on Reunion, the next November, the basis having been approved by more than the necessary two-thirds Presby- teries, he saw the great Union perfected at Pittsburgh at the adjourned meeting. He was at once made Chairman of the Joint Committee on Reconstruction; and the plan he reported to the first re-united General Assembly, in Philadelphia, May, 1870, was adopted. Since then, he has been engaged upon Assemblies, Synods, and Presby- teries, Boards and Committees, and, known and esteemed everywhere, has received all of the " honors" he could accept. The Cincinnati Herald and Presbyter said of him : "The only honorary degree possessed by his brethren generally, to which he has not attained, is that of 'husband of one wife""-he never married ;- " but, notwithstanding, as in the case of a more eminent servant of the Church, he has not been a whit behind the chiefest modern apostle." His commanding influence is found in his sincere piety, power in conversation, preaching, and prayer ; devotion to pure Calvinism ; thorough, yet catholic Presbyterianism ; full knowledge of ecclesiastical law and practice; faultless logical processes; mastery of parliamentary law and usage; indomitable energy, that has for years enabled him to triumph over partial blind- ness and other infirmities; and, more than all, powers of debate, rarely equalled and never excelled, of which Dr. John Hall said, at Chicago, " we are all proud of them." Since 1862, he has resided in Philadelphia, and been active and useful in the Church. He was chosen Presi- dent of the Philadelphia Presbyterian Alliance, for evan- gelistic work in the city, that was formed in 1869, and retains the post. That organization originated the Pres- byterian Hospital, chartered in 1871, and opened July Ist, 1872. He is President of its Board of Trustees, and in that capacity helped to secure the princely dona- tion of $300,000 from John A. Brown, that assured its success. It cannot be said that " his sight is not dim; " but, "his natural force is not abated." His counsel is now more sought than ever by the lowest and the highest in the Presbyterian denomination. There is no branch to which this does not apply; none that is not bene- fited by it. Surrounded and revered by a host of warm friends, it is earnestly hoped by thousands that he may be spared to the community for many years of continuing usefulness.
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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.
ANK, J. RINALDO, President of the Tobacco Trade of Philadelphia, was born in Anne Arun- del county, Maryland, on the 14th of November, 1817. His education was received in the City of Baltimore, chiefly at the Classical and Mathe- matical Academy, under the superintendence of John P. Brice, that being one of the best private schools in the State. His mercantile career commenced in 1834, at the age of seventeen, as a clerk in the flour and produce business, at which period, as no railroads were then known, all produce from the West was brought into the city by wagons, returning loaded with groceries, dry goods, and other necessaries, thus creating much animation in the busi- ness streets. Ile did not, however, remain long after this in his native State, but removed to Philadelphia, where he entered the house of Pope & Aspinwall, a branch of the firm of Howland & Aspinwall, of New York, in which house he acted in the capacity of clerk, during the winter of 1835-6. This kind of business not being suitable to his tastes, he engaged as clerk in the house of Heald, Woodward & Co., then the leading firm in the tobacco commission business. Here he acquired the knowledge which enabled . him, a few years later, to embark in the same line on his own account, and in 1846, he formed a partnership with Charles R. Danenhower with the style of Charles R. Danenhower & Co., thus commencing a trade with which he has been, for over a third of a century, identified. After the dissolution of this firm, in 1848, he associated himself with the late Henry Sailor, doing busi- ness as Sailor & Sank, continuing thus till January 1, 1858, when the present firm of J. Rinaldo Sank & Co., was inaugurated, the members of it being the subject of this sketch, Wm. M. Abbey, and Joseph Brooke. Although, during the first twelve years of his mercantile life, his name occupied the position of that of a junior partner, he was in reality the chief, as the management and conduct of the business devolved entirely on him, rendering him virtually the head of the house since its foundation, twenty- six years ago. During this lapse of time, all the old tobacco commission houses then existent have disappeared, most of their members sleeping in their graves ; the present flourishing houses of Dohan & Taitt, M. E. McDowell & Co., and many others all being of later date. For several years previous to the organization called The Tobacco Trade of Philadelphia, the formation of such a body had been contemplated, but was deferred until the passage by the National Legislature of certain laws, which in their execution would materially militate against the interests of the trade. Then it was that the merchants and manu- facturers were awakened to the urgency of uniting, with the view of protecting themselves against the action of badly advised and negligently constructed enactments. The " trade" of other cities was already represented by leagues, boards, or associations, and Philadelphia also resolved to follow their example. On the 23d of May, I
1868, a number of the houses interested in the tobacco trade met by convention and decided on forming an asso- ciation, for their mutual benefit. At this meeting the, then new, Internal Revenue Bill was discussed, its stringent provisions astonishing most of those present, and giving rise to an animated debate which led to measures being taken to have the law shorn of some of its most objectional features. At the next meeting (June 1, 1868,) a constitu tion and by-laws were adopted and officers elected, as follows : President, D. C. McCammon; Vice-President, W. H. Fuguet ; Secretary, Wm. M. Abbey ; and Treasurer, George W. Bremer, with ten directors, representing the different interests of the trade. Soon, as many as seventy firms having joined the association, it was deemed advis- able to establish a daily exchange, for which purpose the commodious premises at 129 and 131 North Front street were engaged and handsomely fitted up, their inaugura- tion, in April, 1869, being the occasion of a grand banquet, given to a numerous company of members and guests. At the first annual meeting of this body, on June 7, 1869, the following officers, who still hold their respective posi- tions, were elected : President, J. Rinaldo Sank; Vice- President, A. R. Fougeray; Treasurer, G. W. Bremer; Secretary, B. A. Van Schaick. Although the establish- ment of a daily exchange appeared in the eyes of the leaders of this movement most beneficial to the interests of the trade, the majority of the members failed to be con- vinced and the rooms were consequently abandoned, at the close of the year 1870, the subsequent meetings of the directors being held at the office of the president, No. 31 North Water street. The wisdom of maintaining such an organization is apparent, aiding, as it does, the prompt action of its members in cases of emergency, and the asso- ciation has been eminently fortunate in its selection of a president. On the 4th of March, 1873, a new bank went into operation, at the corner of Market and Strawberry streets, the directors of which are some of the most in- fluential citizens, one of their number being the subject of this notice, who may always be found at his post at the board. We are pleased to hear that the affairs of this bank have thus far been so prosperous as to warrant the erection of a new and handsome edifice, bearing on its front the title of the State Bank. In politics, he has through life consistently adhered to the Democratic party, whose estimation of his merits and influence has been fittingly evinced by his election to the office of President of the Central Association of Pennsylvania Democrats, a position not unlikely to prove the stepping-stone to one of much greater importance. Though thoroughly loyal to his party and belief, his extreme amiability of disposition. sound judgment, and vast experience in life, never induce him to restrain the expression of his opinions when proper occasions require, though never offensively or unnecessarily obtruding them. He is one of the representatives of the old school of merchants.
Dalary Fal. es Philad?
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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.
ING, HON. HENRY, Lawyer and Legislator, late of Allentown, Pennsylvania, was born in Massachusetts, in the town of Palmer, July 6, 1790. He received his early education in the local schools, and at the age of twenty com- menced the study of law in the office of Wm. H. Brainerd, of New London, Connecticut. The war with Great Britain, which commenced soon afterwards disturbed the quiet of that sea-port so much, that he re- moved to Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, in order to pursue his studies without interruption. He there entered the office of the IIon. Garrick Mallery, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1812. He immediately removed to Allen- town, where, for several years, he was the only representative of his profession. His ability soon rendered him promi- nent among the lawyers of that judicial district. In 1825, and again in 1829, he was elected to the Senate of the State, and in 1830, was chosen as Representative in Congress, which position he filled until 1834. During this period of his life his devotion to the interests of his State is abundantly testified by the official reports. As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, of the Committee on Corporations, and of the Committee to remodel the Penitentiary system, he carried through some of the most important reforms of the day. The lastmentioned subject -that of the discipline of convicts-excited his most earnest attention. Adopting the views of the Prison Dis- cipline Society of Philadelphia, he urged their measures in opposition to the plans advocated by Judge King, of Philadelphia, and others, who preferred the New York system. He succeeded, and the plans now in force were adopted, and with such general satisfaction, that the Coni- mittee sent to this country by the King of Prussia to examine this subject, visited Allentown on purpose to learn from Mr. King the details of the system. The statutes of the State owe to him some of their wisest provisions, for instance, the acts for recording releases, for payment of legacies, for preserving the lien of first mortgages, for distributing the proceeds of Sheriff's sales, for the system of judgment and mortgage indexes, and for the preserva- tion of Court records. From the outset, he took a decided stand in favor of protective tariffs, and opposed all at- tempted reductions of that passed in 1832. While in Con- gress he was the first to call attention to the large excess of Southern military students, in West Point, and by per- sistent efforts succeeded in establishing the present rule under which the cadets are selected from all the Congres- sional districts in the Union. Throughout his public . career he was distinguished by enlarged views of states- manship, unswerving integrity of purpose, and untiring energy in combating schemes of personal aggrandizement. . At the bar, he was uniformly courteous and dignified, and in private life kindly and helpful. His death occurred in Allentown, July 13, 1861, in the seventy-first year of his age.
HANDLER, JOSEPH R., Editor and Philanthro- pist, was born in Kingston, Plymouth county, Massachusetts, in the year 1792. Circumstances compelled him to labor for his own living at an early age, and his education was chiefly self- acquired. By diligence and perseverance, aided by large natural abilities and a retentive memory, he fitted himself for teaching, and opened a seminary for young ladies in Philadelphia. This occurred upwards of fifty years ago, and for many years he carried on the enterprize with marked success. While so engaged he became editor of the United States Gazette, now known as the North American. From salaried editor, he after some years passed to the proprietorship of the paper, and con- tinued to conduct it for a long period, increasing greatly its influence and substantial prosperity. He showed him. self a powerful and keen political writer, and wielded through his journal no small power in relation to public affairs. At the same time he increased the interest of the Gazette to general readers, by contributing to its columns brilliant essays and charming domestic tales, which met with high appreciation and were widely reproduced by contemporary journals in this country and in Europe. But he manifested a deep interest in public affairs beyond the limits of journalism, and his superior abilities, com- bined with his high character, led to his election to many positions of honor and trust. He was a member of the Council of the old city of Philadelphia, for fifteen years. In the convention assembled, in 1837, for the revision and amendment of the State Constitution, he held a seat, and displayed remarkable talent, and advanced liberalismn. Ilis votes recorded in that body show him even at that early day to have been a zealous advocate of principles which more recently thousands of lives and millions of treasure have been expended to establish. On the first organization of the Board of Directors of Girard College he was chosen President, and held that position for many years. In 1848, he was elected member of Congress from Philadelphia, and received the honor of re-election for two succeeding terms. In I858, he was sent as United States Minister to Naples, where he represented his country for three years, during the stormy times previous to and accom- panying the changes in the government of that Kingdom. After his return home he became interested in works of charity and in a variety of philanthrophic enterprises. Especially he devoted himself to the reform of inmates of the Philadelphia County Prison, and to the alleviation of unnecessary suffering in the jails and penitentiaries of the city. In pursuance of the first-named object his visits on the average amount to six hundred every year. In promotion of the latter he has always labored in connec- tion with the Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons. In this association he has always held a prominent position; at present he is its Vice-President, and also a member of the Editorial board
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