USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 1 > Part 31
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ORTON, REV. HENRY JACKSON, D. D., Cler- gyman, was born September 28th, 1807, at the (then out of town) residence of his father, adja- cent to'the city of New York; Morton street now indicates the locality. He was one of a family of seven sons, two daughters intervening; chil- dren of Major General Jacob Morton, who had married Catherine Ludlow, both of the city of New York. General Morton was an intimate friend of Alexander Hamilton and other distinguished men of his day. He was an eminent lawyer for many years in that city, and there held judicial station with John Wells and Samuel Jones, afterwards Chancellor of the State. He was Major General of the State Militia from 1812 to 1836, the period of his death. Dr. Morton received his primary education in New York city, and afterwards passed some years in academies at Stratford, Connecticut, and Jamaica, Long Island, finally preparing for college at a classical school in his native city. He matriculated at Columbia College, then under the presidency of the erudite and talented Rev. Dr. Samuel Harris, whence he graduated with credit in 1827. After the close of his collegiate course, he read law for a brief period, which formed a judicious and important prepara- tion for that higher vocation which he contemplated. In this connection, with the profession upon which he finally settled -- though none other had been seriously thought of- may be noticed his remarkable talent for drawing. This was of early development, and had attracted the favorable attention of senior friends who were acknowledged artists. Among the latter may be mentioned Professor S. F. B. Morse, Inman, Cole, and others whose auguries of emi- nence for their younger friend, of making their art his vocation, were as gratifying as disinterested. His not doing so suggests something of analogy to the incident mentioned as to Murray, afterwards Lord Mansfield, who, when about devoting himself to the law, bade farewell to the Muse in numbers, which drew from Pope a tribute, expressed in the line,
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Ilaving decided to consecrate his talents to the sacred work of the ministry, he entered the General Theologieal Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the sub- urban village of Chelsea, New York, whence he graduated, in 1830, as Bachelor of Divinity, and in July of the same year, was admitted to the Diaconate by Bishop Hobart. Immediately after his ordination, he officiated in a church at Bloomingdale, a few miles beyond the city limits, during the absence of the Rector, the Reverend Dr. William Rich- mond, who was in Eurpoe. Towards the close of 1830, he received and accepted a call to become Assistant Minister of St. James' Church, Philadelphia, which church had then recently been detached from the parish of Christ Church, which still retained as its remaining " Chapel of Ease " the * present church of St. Peter's. This call was to fill a vacancy caused by the Rev. Francis L. Hawkes' withdrawal and removal to another sphere of duty. In 1831, he was or- dained Priest by the venerable Bishop White, and continued for some years faithfully in the discharge of his duties, until, in 1836, his health became somewhat impaired. By the considerate kindness of the vestry and the congregation, he was afforded a season of relaxation, and visited England, Scotland, and Italy, reaching home after a year's absence. Upon his return, he found that he had been elected Rector of the Parish, and, in 1837, fully assumed this position, in which he still remains, showing a connection with one and the same parish for over forty years. The early time of life at which he identified himself with Philadelphia, and the more matured age of the distinguished men in divinity, law, medicine and commerce, render a sketch of his career most interesting. Among the earliest of his parishioners may be named the gallant heroes Commodores Hull and Bainbridge, who had known him as a mere youth, when partaking of his father's hospitalities in New York. Other honored and conspicuous men in law and medicine, such as Dallas, Hopkins, Binney, Sergeant, Rawle, Biddle, of the former, and Drs. Physic, Chapman, Jackson, Dewees, Hartshorne, of the latter, placed themselves under his pastoral charge; of all these but one survives, the vener- able Horace Binney. The first St. James' Church was ereeted by the Parish of Christ Church, as its second " Chapel of Ease," in 1807-9, at the northeast corner of Seventh street and St. James (now Commeree) street, where it re- mained till the advaneing tide of traffie, and the removal of the greater part of the parishioners westward, made a change necessary. The present edifice at Walnut and Twenty- second streets is sufficiently central to answer the desired end, beside affording a favorable field for city missions, and without the probability of disturbance by business ap- proaches. There are sittings for nearly one thousand per- sons, and its congregation requires all its accommodations ; it 'contains many whom the Rector baptized, and the de- seendants of many whom he has committed to the ground. The relation of pastor and friend, cemented by reciprocal regard and early association, results, as might be expected,
in a happy unanimity. He was elected a member of the Standing Committee (or Council of Advice) of the Diocese of Pennsylvania many years ago, and has been its President for more than twenty years. Ile received his degree of " D. D." from the University of Pennsylvania, of which institution he is the senior trustee. He is also trustee of the Protestant Episcopal Academy ; and serves as a mem- ber of the Board of Managers of the Episcopal Hospital, Church-Home, and Philadelphia Dispensary; likewise a member of the National Academy of Arts and Design, in New York. Ile was married, in 1831, to HIelen, daughter of Henry McFarlan, of New York. She died in 1849, leaving a son and three daughters ; the former is the well- known scientist and lecturer, Professor Henry Morton, Secretary of the Franklin Institute, and editor of its journal.
SHMEAD, JOHN E., Merchant, was born in Philadelphia, November 27th, 1827. He is the son of John (sixth) and Ann Lehman Ashmead. On his father's side he is descended from an old English family, and his mother traces her birth from an ancient German source. Many descendants of the former branch, according to reliable and authentic records, were in prominent positions as military and eivil officers for generations, taking an active part in the formation of the original government, and in the eon- duct of affairs subsequently. The history of this branch is very interesting. Seven generations back one of the original settlers of Pennsylvania was John Ashmead, a native of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, where he was born in 1648. He married Mary Courier, daughter of William Courier, of the same place, October 14th, 1677, and his first child, a son, born July 12th, 1679, was named John (the second one of that name). At or about this period, William Penn had received a grant of land from King Charles the Second, in compensation for debts due by the Crown to his father, Admiral Penn, and was preparing to colonize the Province. Prior to Penn's advent to the New World, he sold various traets of land to those anxious to settle in the Colony, and among the rest, John Ashmead became a purehaser. Accompanied by his wife and young son, he left England and landed in the infant Colony, in the year 1682, some six months prior to the arrival of the proprietor, William Penn. He settled in that part of the present Montgomery county, termed " Cheltenham," seeking to perpetuate the name of his birth-place by bestowing it upon his new residence. He died October 21st, 1688; his widow on the following day; both were buried at the Friends' Meeting House, Abingdon. John Ashmead the second, at the age of twenty-four-sometime during the year 1703-was united in marriage to Sarah, daughter of Samuel Sellers, of Darby, Chester (now Delaware) county, Pennsylvania. About the year 1710, the family removed
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to Germantown, where he died, October 7th, 1742. Here | mer-General of the Revenmes and Lands of the Manor of Samuel Ashmead, son of John (second), was born, March 4th, 1710. He was a Justice of the Peace, a high distinc- tion in those days, was subsequently elected to and served as a member of the Provincial Assembly ; and, at a more mature age, when the tyranny of the British King, and the adverse action of his Parliament to the best interests of the Colonies, had created great dissatisfaction among the in- habitants, he, with several others, was selected as a Com- mittee of Correspondence to draw the Colonies together in consultation. After a long life of usefulness and honor, he died March 19th, 1794, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. Jacob Ashmead, son of Samuel, was born in Ger- mantown, May 30th, 1742, and became in later years a captain in the First Battalion of Continental troops, raised by Congress. He served and fought with much distinction under General Washington in all of his battles. IIe died July 10th, 1814. John Ashmead (third), the first son of John Ashmead (second), was born in Germantown, May 12th, 1706. He married Ann, daughter of James Rush, of Byberry, Pennsylvania, August 29th, 1734. She was a paternal aunt of Dr. Benjamin Rush, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. John Ashmead (third) died July 30th, 1750. Captain John Ashmead (fourth), son of the foregoing, was born in Germantown, September 29th, 1738. IIe was an East India merchant and captain, having made one hundred successful voyages to Europe and the East Indies. He was an eminently religious man, never indulged in profane language himself, and would not permit any one on board his ship to use it. Whenever compelled to act on the defensive, he never called in the aid of cruisers to protect him, but fought his own ships, and always came off victorious. Captain Ashmead married Mary Mifflin, a niece of General Thomas Mifflin, and re- sided, when not at sea, in Philadelphia. He had the honor of representing one of the Original States in the great Federal procession of 1788. Ile died June 6th, 1818, in the eightieth year of his age. His son, John Ashmead (fifth), was born in Philadelphia, in the year 1762, and died February 16th, 1803. Ilis wife was Arabella King Ryves, daughter of Henry Ryves, Commissary in the American Revolutionary Army. John Ashmead (sixth), son of the last named, was born 19th November, 1783. In early life he was a commission merchant. He married Ann Lehman, October 27th, 1806. In the year 1822, he received from Governor Heister a commission as Auc- tioneer. In later years he paid much attention to real estate and lands. He died February 9th, 1857. Just prior to the battle of Germantown, the British army encamped in Ashmead's road, now School House lane. The Ash- meads were all on the Whig side in those troublous times. Later members of this family have held high offices of honor and trust, several having been foreign Ministers, Congressmen, etc. On the maternal side, the subject of this sketch is descended from John George Lehman, Far-
Tribigen, in the Electorate of Saxony. Ilis son, Philip Theodore Lehman, emigrated to America, and became Secretary to William Penn. He was distinguished as a man of letters and learning. While acting as Secretary to the Proprietor, he wrote the celebrated letter to the Indians of Canada, dated June 23d, 1692, the original of which is framed and displayed at the Capitol in Harrisburg. God- fried Lehman was born in Germany, October 9th, 1688, and came to this country at an early date, settling in Ger- mantown. He died in the year 1756, and was buried in his own garden. Just one hundred years after, in May, 1856, there was found, four feet below the surface of the ground, in the rear of Charles Weiss' coal yard, in German- town, a flat marble stone, indicating where his ashes then - reposed. Further search being made, his bones were un- covered, and Benjamin Lehman conveyed the remains to the Tunkers' burial-ground, where they were re-interred. This proceeding attracted much attention at the time. Christian Lehman, son of Godfried, was born November 7th, 1714. Ile was a man of considerable accomplish ments in reference to both times and country, being con- versant with the Hebrew, Greek and Latin languages, and also speaking fluently German and English. He cultivated the higher Mathematics and Astronomy with remarkable success. Possessed of an ample fortune, he was enabled to devote himself to the pursuit of science and literature. He died December 28th, 1774. IIis son, Dr. George Lehman, was born in Germantown, August 20, 1753. IIe served seven years as Surgeon in the American Revolu- tionary Army. IIe was with General Washington at Valley Forge, Staten Island, Perth Amboy, etc. He was finally captured on the " Fair American," taken to Eng- land, and confined in the celebrated Dartmoor prison for two years, whence he was liberated when peace was de- clared. He died at Philadelphia, March 14th, 1793, in his fortieth year. His nephew, William Lehman, was born September 10th, 1779. Ile was a man of literary tastes, carefully and religiously educated, who passed with credit through the University of Pennsylvania. At the age of thirty-five, he was elected to represent (in part) the city of Philadelphia in the State Legislature, and was annually returned as a member of that body, fifteen years in all, until his death, which took place at Harrisburg, in his fiftieth year. By his Will, dated 26th July, 1827, he be- queathed to the Athenaeum of Philadelphia ten thousand dollars, for the construction of a suitable building. Ann, the daughter of Dr. George Lehman, and mother of John E. Ashmead, was born in Philadelphia, January 13th, 1788. She is yet living, in her eighty-sixth year, with her mental faculties unimpaired. He himself, after receiving private literary and classical instruction, entered the Philadelphia High School, and, after the usual course of study, gradu- ated from that institution July 15th, 1845. A few weeks thereafter, he entered upon his business career in the
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mercantile house of Smith & Way, jobbers of dry goods, in order to gain a knowledge of the business. By strict and persevering attention to his duties, he soon rose to the position of chief salesman, which he filled for eight years. His services were then engaged by the dry goods commis- sion house of Tredick, Stokes & Co., where he secured the same standing and success. For the past six years, he has conducted the domestic business of the dry goods commis- sion house of Lewis & Co., completing nineteen years of connection with the dry goods commission business. He was one of the original members of the First Regiment of Gray Reserves, of Philadelphia, no one having a better record as a soldier. As such he served with that command in their different campaigns during the war. "He is now attached to Company. D (Old Guard), of the First Regiment of National Guards of Pennsylvania, of which he is a con- stituent and very prominent member. He is an old and active member of the Mercantile Beneficial' Association ; and also holds a membership in the Fountain Society. He is also one of the original members of the Gettysburg Memorial Association.
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ERCH, JOHN, Merchant, was born October 16th, 1829, in Allen township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. Ilis ancestors immigrated from the Palatinate in the interval: between 1725 and 1735, in which period of time a large and desir- able element was being infused into the popula- tion of the Province from the agricultural districts of Rhineland. The Lerchs first settled in the Slaungton Valley, whence John Lerch, a son of Anthony Lerch, removed to a farm in Allen township, in the year 1773. Jolin Lerch's son, Joseph, was the father of the subject of this sketch. Excepting a few months, which were spent in Easton, at the academy of Kirkpatrick & Horn, he passed his boyhood on his father's farm, availing himself of such opportunities for mental improvement as the common schools of the neighborhood then offered. In the summer of 1844, he was placed in the store of George Weber & Son, at Krei- dersville, a busy little settlement lying half a mile from the homestead. Ilence, in the fall of 1846, he removed to ICKLEY, MORTIMER H., Druggist, was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, November 8th, 1831. He is the son of Jacob Bickley ; and his parents are of German descent. His grand- parents emigrated to America about a century ago, and settled in Philadelphia. The family trace their lineage back to William the Conqueror. Being left fatherless when a mere child, his grandfather assumed the parental office. He attended the common schools of his native county, and subsequently studied at a select school at Norristown, Pennsylvania, being in the intervals engaged in agricultural pursuits. These failed to present attractions enough to induce him to adopt them for his avocation in Bethlehem, at that time a town with a population of some- what a little over 1000 souls, nearly all Moravians. There, in the employ and under the judicious guidance of the late James A. Rice, an enterprising and energetic young mer- chant, he received a mercantile training of more than ordi- nary excellence, and such as eventually proved to him of incalculable benefit. Bringing into this school of discipline great natural abilities, he soon became a valuable assistant, and on the sudden decease of his employer, in 1850, hie was called upon to conduct the business on behalf of the heirs, until the settlement of the estate. This he did with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his employers. Thereupon, in 1851, he associated himself with Rufus A. ! life, and he accordingly entered the drug store of Samuel
Grider, for the purpose of general merchandising, and with limited means, but an inexhaustible fund of en- ergy, entered upon his novitiate as a man of business. The firm of Grider & Lerch dissolved in February, 1857. Before this, in August, 1855, he had married Sarah E., a daughter of Joseph B. Jones, of Bethlehem township, by whom he had three sons, two of whom died in early child- hood. In the spring of 1857, he set out in business on his own account, and by dint of new energy and " push," suc- ceeded in soon establishing and then enlarging a trade, which year after year grew under his hands, far beyond his expectations, until eventually it exceeded that of any simi- lar house in that section of the country. When, in Feb- ruary, 1865, he gave an interest in his concern to Joseph A. Rice, a son of his former employer, he laid the founda- tion of the present widely-known mercantile house of John Lerch & Co., popularly called " The Bee Hive," which, in the fall of 1871, occupied the handsome and commodious store on Main street, erected in order to meet the wants of their rapidly growing trade. As a merchant, he has always enjoyed a reputation for the strictest integrity, and hence has the full confidence of those with whom he is brought into business relations. As a citizen, he is eminently public-spirited and progressive, manifesting a lively interest in the prosperity of the home of his adoption, and aiding her institutions and worthy charities from a liberal hand. In the late war of the rebellion, he not only on two occa- sions-in September of 1862 and in June of 1863- shouldered his musket to meet the invader, but constantly and generously contributed from his means towards the relief of such as were sufferers in the hour of their country's peril through their efforts to compass safety. Modesty, frankness, benevolence and a love of justice, are leading features in his character. He is a prominent mem- ber of "Christ" Reformed Church, of the borough of Bethlehem. His successful career as a merchant is a result of his unwavering faith in the ultimate triumph of industry, energy, prudence and probity.
John Lerch
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Simes, at Twelfth and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia, in June, 1849. After remaining some two years as an appren- tice, he accepted a situation in the store of J. M. Allen, in Chester, Pennsylvania ; and having entered upon the regu- lar course, at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, gradu- ated there in 1854. Having associated with his employer, January Ist, 1856, the business was conducted by the new firm of Allen & Bickley, until January Ist, 1859, when he became sole proprietor: ITis energetic management so in- creased his business that it necessitated enlarged accommo- dations, and he accordingly erected a handsome structure at Fourth and Market streets; it is 103 by 26 feet, five stories in height, surmounted by a mansard roof, and was occupied November 20th, 1869. IIe is a public spirited and liberal man, has served his city in councils, and has been a warm friend of public enterprise and improvement. He was one of the originators of the Pennsylvania Military Academy, at Chester, as well as of the Chester Rural Cemetery Company, and is in the Board of Managers of each institution. He has been a Director of the First National Bank of Chester since 1870. He married Rebecca, daughter of Samuel Weaver, late Prothonotary of the courts of Delaware county.
LLISON, WILLIAM C., Car-builder and Tube- manufacturer, was born in Chester county, Penn- sylvania, in the year 1817, and is of Quaker parentage. 'When he was six years of age he lost his father, and ten years later his only sur- viving parent died, thus leaving him entirely dependent upon his own resources. Being possessed of indomitable industry and perseverance, he started on his own account, when but nineteen years old, in the business of a wheelwright and wagon builder, in Philadelphia. Hardly had he established himself in this calling ere the great financial crisis of 1837 occurred, which left its mark upon the business community for several years thereafter, paralyzing all kinds of industries, and carrying down in the wreck many a theretofore staunch and thriving firm. He bore up nevertheless until 1841, when he too gave way ; but his failure may be said to have been a blessing in disguise, as it brought forth the latent strength and capacity of his nature, although it left him penniless. Arising from this (lisaster, with determined energy he was soon actively en- gaged, and was enabled to discharge all his former indebt- edness, thus giving an evidence of the sterling quality of honesty which has ever actuated him in his business pur- suits. In 1851, he formed a business connection with John Murphy, and the firm of Murphy & Allison erected very extensive shops on Market street, west of Nineteenth street, where they were largely engaged in building cars for the various railroads centering in Philadelphia; especially for the Pennsylvania Railroad, then in course of construction
and equipment. In 1856, they purchased what is now known as the " Girard Tube Works," and commenced the manufacture of pipes for gas, water, and steam purposes, in addition to their former business ; and their productions soon gained a high reputation for excellence, and the demand became so great as to necessitate an enlargement of the works. They now added to their manufactures at the Car Works, the building of City Passenger Railway cars, of which they constructed a very large number. In May, 1863, the Car Works were destroyed by fire, but in less than a fortnight after they had extemporized another building in which their employees completed their unfinished contracts. This was during the rebellion, which period was one of marked activity among mechanics, especially car-builders. The firm was dissolved, November 28th, 1866, by the death of the senior partner, and the surviving member purchased the other's interest from the heirs. He had been previously engaged in adapting one of the buildings of the new works for the manufacture of lap-welded iron tubes, which was commenced in April, 1867. In July, 1868, he associated two of his sons with him, constituting the firm of W. C. Allison & Sons, whose property " The Junction Car Works and Flue Mill " comprises ten acres of ground, half of which is covered with buildings; and is situate in West Philadelphia, between the tracks of the West Chester and Philadelphia, and the " Connecting Railway," the works being placed in communication with private sidings and turn outs. Here seven hundred men are constantly em- ployed, and the manufactures amount to about two million dollars yearly. The senior partner is a Director of the Third National Bank, of which he is a considerable share- holder.
UNGLISON, ROBLEY, Physician and Professor, was born January 4th, 179S, at Keswick, Cum- berlandshire, England. His mother was very remarkable for her intellectual powers, and she bestowed unusual care in the training of her son. Ile commenced the study of medicine in his seventeenth year, at first in his native town, and after- wards in London, Edinburgh and Paris. Having passed his examination at the Royal College of Surgeons in the first named city, he was admitted to practice in 1819. In 1824, he graduated by examination at the University of Erlangen, Germany, and in the same year commenced lecturing on practical midwifery. By this time he had already acquired an unusual reputation for a man of his age by various contributions to the periodical press, and his name reached the ears of F. W. Walker, who had been sent to England by Ex- President Thomas Jefferson, to select professors for the University of Virginia. An offer having been made to him, he accepted the same, and left London in October, 1824. His connection with this in- stitution extended over a period of nine years, during
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