USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 1 > Part 45
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city, and to organize a society now known as St. Luke's Lutheran Church. In 1873, he proposed to the congrega- tion that they should erect another chapel beside Trinity Church to be used for every-day services ; to remodel and refit the basement of the main church building for Sunday- school purposes; also, to dispose of the old organ, and to purchase a new and more powerful instrument. To all these propositions the congregation responded favorably, and the work has been completed. The cost of the organ alone was $6000. During his pastorate of nine years, 822 new communicants have been added to the congregation, which has also developed great spiritual life, and benevolent influence, making it one of the most powerful for good in the Commonwealth. The congregation is by far the largest in the city, as is also the church edifice ; and the attendance on the services is so general that the building is always filled. In 1869, he was elected Secretary of the Synod of Pennsylvania; in 1870, a Trustee of Muhlenberg College, at Allentown ; and during the past six years he has been chosen one of the delegates to represent the Synod of Penn- sylvania in the General Council of the Lutheran Church of America. He received his degree of I). D. from Union College, his Alma Mater, July Ist, 1873. Some six leading sermons, delivered by him on various occasions, have been published for general sale. In addition to these, he has prepared and published a Catechism on the Reformation, designed for Sunday-schools; also a pamphlet, explaining, in questions and answers, the order of service in use by Lutheran congregations. For a number of years past, he has been a stated contributor to the columns of the Lutheran Missionary. His sermons are preached without notes, and are characterized by their fluency of expression, soundness of doctrine and incisive character. He is very energetic in his pastoral duties, attending over one hundred families.
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United States Mint, which position he resigned in 1805, and retired to Burlington, New Jersey, where he died, October 24th, 1821. He was very charitable during his life time, and his large estate was bequeathed almost en- tirely to benevolent objects; among which was the gift of 13,000 acres of land to the corporation of Philadelphia for the support of the poor; and over 3000 acres to the Penn- sylvania Hospital, the income to be applied for the care of foreigne:s.
URRAY, LINDLEY, the celebrated Grammarian, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1745. IIe was de- scended from an eminent Quaker family, and received his primary education in Philadelphia, at the Academy under the control of that Society. He removed with his father to New York, in 1753, and after attending school for a while there, entered a counting-house, with a view of learning the mercantile business. But he soon abandoned this pursuit, and re- paired to Burlington, New Jersey, again to study, having a strong passion for literature. On his return to New York, in addition to the continuance of his classical studies, he entered a lawyer's office, where he was a fellow-student of the celebrated John Jay. Soon after attaining his majority, he was admitted to practice at the bar, and became very successful in his profession. At the commencement of the Revolutionary war, his health being poor, he retired to the country, where he passed four years, and becoming impover- ished, returned to the city, but as his profession had ceased to be lucrative, he engaged in mercantile pursuits, and was so successful in this as to be able to retire, possessed of an ample fortune, soon after the establishment of American independence. Impaired health, however, caused him to go to England with his family, where he remained, and ultimately died, February 16th, 1826. ITis celebrated Readers, Grammar, Spelling-Book, and reading books in the French and English languages, have been published by millions, so that he is known wherever the English lan- guage is spoken.
ORTON, SAMUEL GEORGE, M. D., Physician, was born in Philadelphia, in 1799. His father (lied when he was quite young, and his mother, a Friend, placed him in an academy under the control of that Society. Thence he passed to a counting-house, but having no taste for business, was allowed to study medicine. He became a student in the office of the celebrated Dr. Joseph Parrish, and even- tually graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. Soon after, he sailed for Europe on a visit to his uncle ; passed two years in Edinburgh, attending the lectures of that famous school, and one year in Paris, where he was
similarly occupied. He returned, in 1824, and commenced practice. Prior to his departure for Europe he had been elected a member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, and he now took an active interest in the same. Geology and craniology were his favorite pursuits. HIe was made Professor of Anatomy in the Pennsylvania Medical College, in 1839, where he continued four years. Ile also, for several years, was one of the physicians and clinical teachers of the Alm; House Hospital. He is the author of: 1. Analysis of Tabular Spar from Bucks County, 1827 ; 2. A Synopsis of the Organic Remains of the Cretaceous Group of the United States, 1834; 3. Illus- trations of Pulmonary Consumption, etc., 1834 ; 4. An Illustrated System of Human Anatomy, etc., 1849; His Crania Americana was published in 1839; followed, in IS44, by the Crania zEgyptiaca. His magnificent collec- tion of 918 human specimens-the finest in the world-was purchased by the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadel- phia. He died at Philadelphia, May 15th, 1851.
IDDLE, NICIIOLAS, President of the United States Bank, was born in Philadelphia, January 8th, 1786. IIe was a son of Charles Biddle, a Revolutionary patriot, who had been Vice-Presi- dent of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania during the period that Dr. Franklin was Presi- dent. He himself at the age of thirteen had completed his preparatory studies in the University of Pennsylvania, and two years later graduated at Princeton, New Jersey, taking the first honors of his class. He studied law for three years, but being too young to be admitted attorney, went as an attaché to the legation to France, being General Armstrong's Secretary, in 1804, and while in Paris witnessed the corona- tion of Napoleon. On his return to the United States, in 1807, he was admitted to the bar, and also engaged in lite- rary pursuits. Ile was a member of the State Legislature, in ISIo, and there advocated a system of education which was not adopted till 1836. During the War of 1812 he was a State Senator, and supported the measures of the national administration for carrying on the contest. He and all his brothers were in the service of the country, in the public councils, the army, navy and militia. He was twice nominated for Congress but defeated by the Federal candidates. In ISI9, he was nominated a Government Director of the United States Bank, and, in 1823, succeeded Mr. Cheves as President, and continued until the expiration of its charter. He was also chosen President of the " United States Bank of Pennsylvania," which became insolvent shortly afterwards. Ile retired to his country seat in broken health, and shortly afterwards died, February 27th, 1844, of a disease of the heart. He it was who had the famous bank controversy with President Andrew Jackson.
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ANN, COLONEL WILLIAM B., Lawyer and | in the District Attorney's office, six being passed as As- Politician, was born in Burlington county, New Jersey, on Nov. 27th, 1816. He is the son of Rev. Wm. Mann, A. M., a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who came of a good old Saxon stock, pretty thoroughly crossed with Celtic blood. Ile was born in Burlington county, New Jersey, but, his parents dying while he was almost an infant, he was taken at the age of five years to Troy, New York, where he grew up, and became an expert in the art of printing. Marrying at an early age and returning to his native place, his talents soon began to attract attention. IIe now undertook the conduct of Mount Holly Academy, and at the same time devoting himself to the study of the classics, ultimately be- came a polished and graceful scholar. In 1821, he moved to Philadelphia, where he resided for nearly half a century, teaching a classical school founded by himself, and per- forming ministerial functions, to which he was ordained at an early age. He died on July 6th, 1867, having lived to see his son's success, and many of his pupils occupying prominent positions, official, professional and otherwise, Ile was widely regretted. The mother of Colonel Mann was a lady of great personal worth and benevolence, who was highly esteemed in all the relations of life. Her maiden name was Alice Benson, her son receiving the latter for his middle name. She died in 1848. Coming with his parents to Philadelphia, in 1821, Colonel Mann has always lived in the Northern Liberties. He grew to manhood un- der excellent educational advantages, having access to his father's academy, and receiving his personal supervision. Hle perfected his studies by assisting as a teacher in the institution. While thus occupied, he was also studying for the legal profession in the office of the IIon. Charles Naylor, then a member of Congress from the Third Pennsylvania District. He was admitted to the bar in 1838; in the same yea married, and at once commenced practice. Ile may be said to have been a hereditary Whig, his father having been one before him. He was nominated on that ticket for Mayor of the district in which he resided when only twenty- eight years old, but, though running far ahead of his ticket, he was not elected. In 1850, he received the appointment of Assistant District Attorney from William B. Reed, whom he had ably represented in a famous contested election case, and, in 1853, entered upon a second term with the same gentleman. In 1856, he himself received the nomina- tion for the chief position by both the " American " and " Republican " Conventions, and by a union of the votes of both these parties was elected, running 3000 ahead of any other candidate on the fusion ticket. Three years later, he was re-elected on what was called the People's ticket. In 1862, he was nominated by the Republican party and elected for a third term. Three years subsequently he was again elected, and by over 10,000 majority, the highest on his ticket. In 1872, he was once more returned to the posi- tion, having thus served the public for nearly twenty years
sistant and fourteen as chief. During all this time he has personally attended, and with distinguished ability, to its duties, except for a few months while he was in the army, a special act of the Legislature being then passed to allow him to appoint a deputy. On the outbreak of the war, he was largely instrumental in raising the Second Regiment of Pennsylvania Reserves, of which he was elected Colonel. In November, 1861, he sent in his resignation, and returned to the urgent duties of his profession at home. He may be described as an embodiment of the genius of Young Ame- rica. Bold and resolute, a master of that art above all arts, oratory, he is just the leader to attract the masses. A poet, a scholar, a gymnast, and athelete, a natural ruler, he to- day wields more personal influence than any other states- man in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. By his never- questioned ability and indefatigable industry, he has secured wealth. His children are, Charles N., a rising lawyer; Emma, married to F. F. Brightly ; Harold, now a student at Princeton; another daughter, Alice, died just on the threshold of womanhood.
OTTS, HENRY, Ironfounder, was born in Potts- town, Pennsylvania, August 5th, 1797. He was intimately connected with the history of his native place, being the son of Joseph and Sarah Potts, and the great grand-son of John Potts, the founder of Pottstown. He obtained his education in the place of his birth and in Philadelphia, and having com- pleted it, commenced his business life by entering the counting-house of Robert Smith, of the latter city, where he early manifested the business capacity which marked his subsequent career. On giving up that position, he engaged with an uncle in the iron business, in the same city. From that time forward he was closely identified with the iron interest of the State; his first step in that direction being the commencement of the manufacture of iron at the Old Glasgow Forge, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, which he prosecuted with much success. In 1834, he, in conjunc- tion with" John P. Rutter, built the Isabella Furnace, in Chester county, an:1, in 1846, he started a fresh enterprise, by building, in partnership with the Hon. David Potts, jr., of Warwick Furnace, Chester county, the Pottsgrove Iron Works, at Pottstown, which they carried on successfully for eleven years, till April Ist, 1857, when he retired from the business, leaving it to his sons, Henry Potts, jr., George II. Potts, Joseph Potts, jr., and his son-in-law, Edward S. Davies. He was married, October Sth, 1819, to Isabella, daughter of Daniel O. Hitner, of Marble Hall, Montgomery county. As a representative man, he has done, perhaps, more than his share towards advancing the interests of his native State, and especially of his native town, of which he was a distinguished citizen by name, birth and services
Tilham B Mann
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rendered. He was for a number of years Secretary and | one term, under Governor Mckean. He was educated in Treasurer of the Pottstown Bridge Company; several times President of the Town Council, of the Borough of Potts- town, and a member of the Board of Managers of the Potts- town Gas Works. In October, 1857, he was elected Presi- dent of the Pottstown Bank, then newly organized, a position which he retained till the day of his death, August 31st, 1861. In politics, though disinterested, he was sincere. Originally a Whig, he acted with that party till 1844, when he joined the Freesoilers, steadily supporting their principles until they were merged into those of the Republicans, which latter he adopted and advocated till his decease.
OULSON, ZACHARIAII, Printer and Journalist, was born in Philadelphia, September 5th, 1761. IIis father was a Dane by birth, and left Copen- hagen, in 1749, with his father for North America. Zachariah Poulson, the elder, and his uncle learned the art of printing, and his namesake followed in his footsteps, served an apprenticeship with Joseph Cruikshank, in Market street, and became eminent in the same. Ile was for many years elected printer by the Senate of Pennsylvania ; he also printed the Minutes of the Convention appointed to revise the State Constitu- tion, in 1789. Among other works, he printed and pub- lished : Proud's History of Pennsylvania, 1797-'98. IIe also issued, Poulson's Town and Country Almanac, from 1789 to ISO1 inclusive. On the Ist of October, ISoo, he commenced the publication of Poulson's American Daily Advertiser, having purchased the fixtures and " good will " of Claypoole's paper of the same name-which he continued without intermission for nearly forty years, its last issue being December 28th, 1839. It was the first daily paper issued in the United States. He was a most benevolent man, and untiring in doing good. He was one of the founders, and at his death the President, of the " Philadel- phia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons; " for some time a Manager of the Pennsylvania Hospital ; for nearly fifty-nine years connected with the Library Company of Philadelphia, twenty-one years as Librarian, six years as Treasurer, and thirty-two years as Director. He died July 3Ist, 1844, and his remains repose in the family burial ground at Germantown.
ICHARDS, GEORGE, Merchant and Senator, was born in West Hanover Township, Mont- gomery county, Pennsylvania, June 17th, 1788. Ilis ancestors were of German Lutheran descent, and identified with the early history of this coun- try. His father was a member of Congress during Jefferson's administration ; a member of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania, and a State Senator
his native place, and on attaining his majority, went to Philadelphia, where he entered the counting-room of a mercantile establishment as a clerk, and was interested as such and part owner for several years. In 1811, he made a mercantile voyage, or what was then termed an adventure, to the island of Cuba, as supercargo and part owner, land- ing at Santiago de Cuba. During the same year, he made a second expedition to the island of Porto Rico, which proved successful, and his return voyage was equally favor- able. In the spring of 1812, he made his third voyage, in which he came near losing his life. This time he sailed to La Guayra, the seaport of Caraccas, the capital of Vene- zuela, South America. On the 15th of March, he proceeded to Caraccas, in time to witness the memorable earthquake in that city, which took place the day following his arrival. He was an eye-witness of all the horrors of the scene; he saw the earth open and close before him, burying thousands in the gulf; but, by an apparent miracle, escaped himself with life, though the violent concussion threw him on his knees. IIis love -of adventure, unconquered by this im- minent peril, led him, on his return home, to volunteer into the service of the United States, and during the war of 1812 he marched to Fort Deposit, He returned from the army in 1815, and settled in New Jersey, where he em- barked in the iron business, and carried it on until the year 1820. In that year he was married, and has had a family of four children, all of whom are living. He was much interested in political matters, and, in 1846, was elected to the Senate. IIe was connected with the Lutheran Church from the age of seventeen years till the day of his death, which occurred August 19th, 1873. His eldest son, Mark L. Richards, occupies a prominent place in the community as a business man ; has filled many important positions of trust in Pottstown and Montgomery county, and still con- tinues to do so.
ECK, PAUL, JR., 'Merchant and Philanthropist, was born in Philadelphia, about 1760, His father was of German birth, of an ancient and influential family of Nuremberg. At the age of fourteen he was, in accordance with the custom of the day, apprenticed to learn the mercantile business. Before his service expired the Revolutionary war broke out ; he was enrolled in the first battalion of in- fantry, and marched as far as Lancaster. He made many friends while in the army, and renewed their acquaintance in after years. At the close of the war, he entered into mercantile life with James Caldwell, but the firm terminated with the death of the latter, in 1787. Though he was pos- sessed of but four thousand pounds, Pennsylvania currency, at the close of his first year's business, in ten years it had increased to sixty thousand pounds, and fifty years later to
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one and a quarter millions of dollars. Though averse to public office, he accepted and held for many years the position of Port Warden. He was very instrumental in the carrying into execution the canal connecting the waters of Delaware and Chesapeake bays. He was also a promoter of art and literature, being among the founders of the Academy of Fine Arts, and contributing to the success and permanency of the Historical Society, the Apprentices' and Mercantile Libraries. He was treasurer of Christ Church Hospital for many years ; president of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, and manager of the American Sunday School Union for eighteen years. Though a consistent Churchman he was liberal to all creeds, prominent among his benefac- tions being the gift of a lot of ground and $10,000 to St. Paul's Methodist Church. He died December 22d, 1844.
AILEY EDWARD, Iron Manufacturer, ete., was born in Chester county, May 15th, 1825. His parents were English and Welsh. IIe was edu- cated at the Westtown school, Chester county. On leaving school he engaged with Samuel Harris as clerk in a country store, near Catskill Mountain House, with whom he spent two years, and then returned home to Chester county, In 1850, he joined his father and brothers in the business of manufacturing iron plates, which they were carrying on in Berks county, at the Pine Iron Works, under the name of Joseph Bailey & Sons, and remained in that concern till the spring of 1857. IIe then removed to Pottstown, entering into partnership with II. Potts & Co., the name of the firm being changed at the time to that of Potts & Bailey. After continuing five years a member of that firm, he sold out his interest in the estab- lishment to the other partners and joined the firm of E. G. Brooke & Co., engaged in the manufacture of nails. This partnership, however, only lasted eighteen months, and, at the end of that time, he again sold out his interest to the other partners. He returned to Pottstown and established the firm of E. Bailey & Co. (in 1864), for the manufacture of plate iron. In January of the same year, the Pottstown Iron Company was organized, in which he and two of his brothers were largely interested. He was chosen treasurer of the company and held that position, as well as that of general manager, until December, IS68. Ile was then ab- sent for about one year, but, on his return, resumed an active share in the business. In the various positions he has occupied, during his busy life, his energy and business ability have been remarkable, contributing essentially to the success of every enterprise with which he has been con- nected. He has evinced much interest in the growth of Pottstown, and has built there some thirty to forty houses, adding in this manner, as well as by his general business transactions, much to the welfare of the town.
ETERS, RICHARD, Judge of the United States District Court, was born at Belmont (now Fair- mount Park), in June, 1744. He graduated A. B. in the University of Pennsylvania at the age of seventeen. Having adopted the law as his profession, and being thoroughly conversant with the German language, his country practice was ex- tended and lucrative. Ilis uncle was Secretary of the Colonial Government, and also connected with the land department, and here the young attorney became familiar with the land titles of the Province, which laid the founda- tion of his reputation in after years, for the great knowledge he possessed of the land laws of the State. When the Revolution broke out, though his interests lay on the royalist side, he did not hesitate a moment in embracing the patriot cause. He volunteered in company with his neighbors, and was chosen their captain. His military career was brief, and in 1777 he was made Commissioner of War. Ile resigned in 1781, and was thereafter elected member of Congress. When Washington was made Presi- dent, he named his friend and associate, Richard Peters, Judge of the United States Court for the District of Penn- sylvania. At this date he was a member of the State Legislative Assembly and its Speaker. He accepted the office and held it to the close of his life, a period of thirty - six years. IIe died at Belmont, August 22d, 1828. Soon after the war, he visited England, and paved the way for the courteous and friendly reception of the venerable Bishop White and his colleagues, who sought consecration at the hands of the British Church.
HYSICK, PIIILIP SYNG, M. D., " the father of American Surgery," was born in Philadelphia, July 7th, 1768. His father was Keeper of the Great Seal of Pennsylvania, and after the Revo- lution, Agent of the Penn Estates. Being pos- sessed of considerable means he was enabled to give his son a good education. At eleven years of age he was placed under the care of Robert Proud in the Friends' Academy, by whom he was prepared for the University. Ile graduated in the class of 1785, and at once entered the office of Dr. Adam Kuhn, a pupil of the renowned Linnaeus ; while reading with him, he attended the medical department of his Alma Mater. He did not graduate, but in November, 1788, proceeded to London, where he be- came a pupil of the celebrated Dr. John Hunter. He was made House Surgeon at St. George's Hospital, January ist, 1790, and his proficiency was so great that in one year's time he earned the diploma of the Royal College of Surgeons. He went to Edinburgh in May, 1791, and the following year took his degree of M. D. at the University in that city. On his return to Philadelphia
John Larkin &
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he was elected Physician to the City Yellow Fever Hos- pital. In 1794 he was appointed one of the surgeons of the Pennsylvania Hospital, and shortly after, Physician to the Alms House Infirmary. In 1798, after his re- covery from the seourge, he was made for the second time Resident Physician of the Yellow Fever Hospital at Bush Ilill. In 1805 he was elected to the newly created Chair of Surgery in the University of Pennsyl- vania, and in 1819 was transferred to the Professorship of Anatomy in the same Institution, where he continued until 1831, when his failing health compelled him to re- sign. Upon his retirement he was created Emeritus Professor .of Surgery and Anatomy. His private practice was very large, and he was celebrated as a Consulting Physician. He performed the great operation for lithotomy on Chief-Justice Marshall, from which the latter, though well advanced in years, recovered. His last surgical operation was upon the eye (as was also his first), only a few months before his death, which took place December 15th, 1837. He married in 1800, Elizabeth Emlen, a daughter of a distinguished minister of the. Society of Friends.
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