USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 1 > Part 49
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HARTON, ROBERT, Mayor of Philadelphia, during fifteen terms, was born in the District of Southwark, Philadelphia, January 12th, 1757. IIe was no student, but at fourteen years of age, at his own request, was bound apprentice to a hatter. But he soon tired of this, and his inden- tures being cancelled, he entered the counting house of his brother Charles, though he passed much of his time in sporting, and became president of the famous fox-hunting club of Gloucester, New Jersey. In 1796, he was com- missioned by the Governor one of the aldermen of the city, and it was while he held this position that he became so celebrated for bravery and resolution. The mayor of the city being in. infirm health at the time of the "Sailor's Riots," in 1796, conferred upon Alderman Wharton all his authority for preserving the peace. The battle field was Dock street wharf; the rioters were several hundred in number ; the alderman's posse about eighty ; and yet the latter routed the former, taking over one hundred prisoners. In 1798, he was elected mayor, and shortly after he had at- tained this position, the great riot in the Walnut street
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prison occured, in the midst of the yellow fever then and there raging. With the aid of a few determined men he suppressed the same. He also, subsequently, took an active part in putting down the disgraceful riots at St. Mary's church, preserving the peace and enforcing obedience to the laws. In 1798, he joined the first City Troop, was their captain until ISIo, then colonel of the Cavalry Regiment, and subsequently general of the First Brigade. He was a Federalist in politics, and a Democratie Governor being elected, his commission-by a new law-was revoked. The war of 1812 broke out ; he again, at the age of fifty- seven, joined the First City Troop as a private, and served throughout the campaign, until October, 1814, when, being again elected Mayor of Philadelphia, he left Camp Dupont, to resume his former post. He was elected chicf magis- trate of the city fifteen times, and his administration was so efficient, that, in after years, the " good old days of Mayor Wharton " became a proverb. His wife was Sarah Chan- cellor, sister of the late William Chancellor. He died in IS34, retaining to the last the esteem of his fellow-citizens.
ENNYPACKER, ELIJA F., Financier . and Philanthropist, was born in Chester county, Penn- sylvania, November 29th, 1804. IIe is the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Pennypacker of- the same county, the latter of whom has reached, the advanced age of ninety-five years. The primo- genitor of this family in America was Heinrich Penne- bäcker, a native of the Low Countries, who emigrated to this country prior to 1702, but the name has since been changed to its present orthography. His father was a prosperous farmer, and gave his son an education in the schools of the neighborhood, which was subsequently com- pleted with John Gomere at Burlington, New Jersey. Ile then passed some years as a teacher and student. He left Burlington in 1827, and engaged in farming, land survey- ing, and conveyancing in Phoenixville and the vicinity. In I831, he was elected to the Legislature by the Anti-Masonic party, and served in that body in the sessions of 1831-'32- '34 and '35. The bill for the incorporation of the Reading Railroad Company was originally presented by him and was under his charge, as chairman of the committee, till its signature by the Governor. During the memorable ses- sions of 1835-'36, he took deep interest and an active part in promoting education and internal improvement. His .financial abilities were early developed, and in 1835-'36, --- the time of the expiration of the United States Bank charter-he was chairman of the Bank committee and as- certained that the bank would not apply for a charter any- where. They had offers from other commonwealths, but preferred one from the Legislature of Pennsylvania. These facts he derived from Nicholas Biddle, and, with others, ob- tained from that gentleman a proposition forming the basis
upon which the United States Bank charter, as desired, was framed and granted. He was the personal friend of Governor J. Ritner and Thaddeus Stevens ; at the request of the latter he consented to accept the position of Secre- tary to the Board of Canal Commissioners, to which he was elected in 1836-'37, and, by desire of the Governor, be- came a member of the board in 1838. At that time it con- sisted of Thaddeus Stevens, John Dickey, and himself, and was the most responsible political position in the State with the exception of that of Governor, as the greater part of the general improvements were owned by the Commonwealth, and controlled by the board. When it became clear that a great battle was pending between freedom and slavery, he at once relinquished his flattering prospects of political pre- ferment, and withdrew to private life, in order to ally him- self heart and soul with the then detested party of aboli- tion, of which, in spite of his modesty and retiring nature, he became a conspicuous and shining light, laboring ener- getically and efficiently in the cause until emancipation was effected. IIc was, for many years, president of the local anti-slavery society of his neighborhood, and was also presi- dent of the Chester county and Pennsylvania State Anti- Slavery societies. Soon- after his withdrawal from public life, he joined the Society of Friends, but at first his views on the slavery'question were decmed much too radical to meet their approbation, and it was not till after events had thoroughly imbned that body with anti-slavery sentiments, that his strong opinions in favor of the negro were fully appreciated. He became one of the most prominent mana- gers of the under-ground railway, and his house, near Phoenixville, was one of the principal stations on the road. The greater part of the fugitives passing through the south- ern portions of the State stopped there, and were received by himself and his family with genuine hospitality and hu- manity. Few men in the country have done more to aid these unfortunates than himself. He is very active in mat- ters pertaining to his church, taking deep interest in all benevolent and charitable institutions connected with that body. He is also a firm and uncompromising advocate of temperance, and is regarded as a pillar of the cause.
OODRUFF, COLONEL JONAH, President of the " Woodruff Sleeping and Parlor Coach Com- pany," was born in Watertown, Jefferson county, New York, April 21st, 1859. His father, Simeon Woodruff, with his wife (who is still living), moved into Watertown on an ox-sled, and were among its earliest settlers, as their eldest son was the first male child born in, the town, where now stands the city of Watertown. Leaving school in IS19, he assisted his father mpon the farm for several years, and meanwhile studied portrait painting with different artists. Proving an apt scholar, he engaged in his profession in Watertown,
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and soon acquired an enviable reputation ; his portraits of leading citizens of Jefferson county are looked upon as valuable treasures, and are preserved with great care. In 1838 he took an active part in the Canadian Rebel- lion, holding a colonel's commission in the patriot army, and participating in the battle of the " Windmill," near Prescott, on the St. Lawrence. Though at the time he be- lieved himself engaged in a good cause, he does not revert with any degree of pride to this important incident. He and his brother were the first to build and operate sleeping cars-his brother having obtained the first patents, granted December 2d, 1856. The " Pennsylvania " and the " Pitts- burgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago " were the first railroads that permanently adopted the sleeping cars of T. T, Woodruff & Co .; but others soon followed, and they became a public necessity. "The Central Transportation Company," char- tered by the Pennsylvania Legislature, was subsequently formed, different patents merged into it, and Colonel Wood- ruff elected general manager. IIe devoted all his energies to the promotion of that enterprise ; and having invented " The Silver Palace Car," gave a grand opening excursion to leading railroad men and editors, with their families, in the summer of 1866. The train, consisting of twelve cars of singular elegance, started from New York, passed through Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to Chicago, and returned, the excursionists having spent about a week of unalloyed plea- sure. He travelled in one year in sleeping cars 131,765 miles, and has probably more practical knowledge of their operation than any other living man. He continued with the "Central Transportation Company " as vice president and general superintendent until the majority of the stockholders voted to lease its franchises. Finding his opposition of no avail, he resigned, and entirely separated himself from an organization which he had placed upon a successful and substantial basis. Having sold all his patents to the " Cen- tral Transportation Company," they went with the lease. Nothing daunted, however, he determined to improve on what was then believed to be the perfection of sleeping cars, and in the face of over one hundred patents, invented a sleeping car on a new and improved plan, avoiding any in- fringement of any former patent, which is as superior in general utility to his " Silver Palace Car " as that was to all earlier inventions. He was at once sued for infringement by the lessee of the "Central Transportation Company " before a United States District Court; but after a full and careful investigation by the able patent lawyers of the plain- tiff, which satisfied them of their inability to make out a case, it was withdrawn. The " Woodruff Sleeping and Parlor Coach Company " was chartered by the Legislature of Pennsylvania in 1870, and it is now building and run- ning a large number of his improved cars on some of the best roads in the country. The symmetry and activity of his slender figure is well preserved. He is modest and re- tiring to a fault ; but once drawn into companionship, he is never at a loss, his native wit suggests many a brilliant
sally, and renders him a valuable addition to any social gathering. Hle dispenses a generous hospitality, is a strong friend, and awakens strong friendships. His mother, who is now (1873) ninety-seven years of age, though entering Watertown on an ox sled, left it in a " Silver Palace Car," and now resides with her widowed daughter upon the farm of Colonel Woodruff at Vineland, New Jersey, where he has provided for them every comfort that filial and fraternal love could suggest. Thither he often repairs for quict recreation, and to enjoy their society. He delights to spend his time among his grapes, of which he raises 40,000 pounds of the choicest varieties per annum. He also produces large quantities of peaches, pears, and other varieties of choice fruits. He is never happier than when extending to his friends the hospitalities of his Vineland mansion. In attaining to his present position, he has evinced a determina- tion equalled by few, and has surmounted obstacles that would have utterly crushed many.
OOD, ROBERT, Ornamental Iron-founder, was born in the old district of Spring Garden, Phila- delphia, July 4th, 1813. At an early age, he was apprenticed to a blacksmith in Southwark, with whom he served his full time. In 1839, he com- menced business for himself, on a portion of the site now occupied by his present establishment, working at his own forge with the assistance of one boy. His first ef- forts were chiefly confined to the manufacture of iron rail- ings, into which he introduced a degree of art and taste previously unknown in that branch of industry, at the same time combining elegance with economy. This was suc- ceeded by the manufacture of all kinds of ornamental and decorative work in iron, and now the show-rooms, at No. 1136 Ridge avenne, present the appearance of a museum from the endless variety of objects there placed on exhibi- tion. The most remarkable feature in his biography is the .
conception of the idea that he could cast bronze statuary, similar to that produced in the foundries of Europe. Once satisfied on this point, he set to work with his customary energy to put his idea into operation. Skilled workmen were obtained, the necessary furnaces erected, and his experience as a worker in iron brought to bear on the sub- ject. The result of the first casting was a complete suc- cess, and spread his reputation far and wide, producing orders from all parts of the country. New York, Brooklyn, Newport, West Point, Pittsfield, Washington, Philadelphia, Gettysburg, Carlisle, and many other cities, are all in pos- session of specimens of his castings, and he is represented in the West Indies and the republics of South America by samples of his ornamental and decorative art in other de- partments of his business. The senlptor of to-day is no longer under the necessity of sending his models to be cast in the royal foundries of Munich, but can have them repro-
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years, retained vivid recollections of the early days and frontier life, and had not forgotten the Indian dialects, which she had acquired when young. Of a large family of children, Cornelius was the fairest and most talented. When seventeen years of age he graduated at the Western University of Pennsylvania, and then entered the office of Judge Ross, under whose preceptorship he became tho- roughly versed in the law, and was admitted to the bar at the earliest possible period allowed by the rules of court. He was even elected a member of Assembly before he was old enough to be eligible ; but such was his personal popu- larity that he was suffered to take his seat, and was unmo- lested in its occupancy. At the age of twenty-one he was married to Mary, daughter of Dr. John Simpson, of Adams county, and Elizabeth Derben (Andrew), of the eastern shore of Maryland, one of the greatest heiresses of that day. Though she was but seventeen years old when she mar- ried, and only thirty-five at her death, she left behind her so honorable a record in works of charity, benevolence, and intellectual achievement, that it may, with propriety, be said of her, " Give her of the fruits of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates." To her individual efforts in the Legislature of Pennsylvania, and before she had attained the age of twenty-one years, was due the first grant of money ($5000) that was ever made by the great Commonwealth ; it was donated to the Alleghany Orphan Asylum. Her husband, when twenty-three years of age, was elected to the Senate of the State, in which he served for several terms. He was then made United States At- torney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and sub- sequently was elected to Congress, where, on June 20th, 1846, he delivered his famous Tariff speech before the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, which was, perhaps, the ablest argument ever made by a represen- tative from Pennsylvania on this subject. After being twice re-elected to Congress, he was appointed, by Gover- nor Johnston, Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, at a time when many questions of vital interest presented themselves for adjudication. IIe was also offered, by Presi- dent Taylor, the position of Minister to England, but, owing to the death of his wife a short time previous, and the care of two young daughters that consequently devolved upon him, and to whom he thenceforth devoted himself, he declined the flattering proposal. Shortly after his bereave- ment he resigned the Attorney-Generalship, its duties and emoluments, and confined himself thereafter to his profes- sion, and the society of his children. His personal popu- larity was unbounded, and he was without an enemy. He counted among his personal friends, Clay, Webster, Critten- d'en, Calhoun, Meredith, and other celebrated orators and statesmen. Ile was contemporaneous with Purviance, Johnston, Black, ex-Governor Curtin, and the other bright luminaries of the legal atmosphere of Pennsylvania. He was an eloquent speaker, an honest politician, and a gene- rous friend. His conversational powers were abundant, and
| he possessed an infinite fund of jest and humor. Ile died December 21st, 1852, leaving two daughters, Margaret Catherine, married to Dr. Jalian Rogers, son of a former Attorney-General of Delaware, of that name; and Elizabeth Simpson, who married Washington L. Bladen, lawyer, of Philadelphia, a lineal descendant of the Bladens of Bla- densburgh, Maryland.
IIITE, SAMUEL STOCKTON, D. D. S., Manu- facturer, was born June 19th, 1822, at Hulme- ville, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. He is the son of William R. and Mary (Stockton) White, of that place. His father died when he was eight years old. Soon after his mother and family removed to Burlington, New Jersey, and the for- mer started a small confectionery store, where Samuel, who was her oldest child, assisted her to carry on the business. When but ten years of age, he was able to go to Philadel- phia and purchase the necessary supplies to furnish the stock. IIere he remained until he was fourteen, when he was indentured to his uncle, Samuel W. Stockton, on Vine street, Philadelphia, to learn the dentist's practice, and also the art of manufacturing artificial teeth. On attaining his majority he commenced the practice of dentistry at the same place, and superintended his uncle's practice, but eventually removed to Race street above Eighth, where he opened an office, and practised alone until 1845. Then he took in Asahel Jones of New York, and John R. McCurdy, as partners. These two furnished a small amount of capital, while he possessed knowledge, capability, and energy. Ile still contined his practice for about a year, when, finding it was necessary to devote his whole time to the manufacture of artificial teeth, he relinquished office duties, and gave his entire attention to all the details of the manufacture, passing whole days in studying each separate process. It was his constant aim to produce the artificial to correspond as nearly as possible with the natural, and to make, from time to time, such improvements as the state of science al- lowed. This was the key of his success. He continued in Race street until 1848, when, requiring more room, he purchased a property on Arch below Sixth street, which was fitted up for a factory and sales-room. In that year he received the first premium of a gold medal, for the best ar- tificial teeth, from the " American Institute of New York." Needing further accommodation, he removed a short distance eastward, where he had purchased and erected two large buildings for the purpose. The firm opened a branch store in New York city, on Broadway, opposite the City IIall, in 1846. The Boston branch commenced in 1851; and the Chicago depot in 1858. He purchased the interest of John R. McCurdy, May Ist, 1859, for $140,000, which included the real estate. In 1861, he found it necessary to purchase the interest of the remaining partner, for which
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he paid the same price, $140,000, which also included the real estate. In October, 1357, he removed to his present location at the southeast corner of Chestnut and Twelfth streets, where, having erected a magnificent marble-fronted structure furnished with every convenience, he carries on on an extended scale the manufacture of artificial teeth, which he sends in immense quantities all over the world. Nor is he restricted to these alone; he also prepares the various articles and appliances for dentists' use. The principal cause of his success he considers to be the superior qua- lity of the goods produced, which is evidenced by his having been the recipient of over fifty first premiums (many of them gold medals) from various institutes, associations, etc., including one from each of the " World's Fairs," com- mencing with the London Exposition of 1851; the last being the Diploma of Honor accorded him at Vienna, 1873. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. In politics, he voted the Demo- cratic ticket until 1856, when he became a Republican by voting for John C. Fremont and the extinguishment of slavery. He was married, March 31st, 1845, to Sarah J. Carey, of Wilmington, Delaware.
'AN REED, HENRY, Lawyer and . Judge, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, August 31st, IS21. Ilis ancestors were natives of Holland, and settled in this country previous to the Revo- lution. His grandfather, John Van Reed, was proprietor of a grist mill on Tulpenhocken Creek, a tributary of the Schuylkill River, and furnished the American army during the War of Independence with grain and other provisions while it was lying at Valley Forge. HIe also planted grain for the support of the Hessian prisoners captured by Washington. The property owned by his grandfather still remains in the family. His father was John and his mother Catharine Van Reed, both natives of Berks county, with which section his life has been chiefly identified. His early education was obtained in the same county ; but he afterwards studied at - Litiz, Lancaster county, at Lafayette College, Easton, and finally at Dickin- son College, where he terminated his collegiate course in the year 1841. He then entered upon the study of law in the office of HIon. E. F. Gordon, of Reading, remaining under his instruction for two and a half years, when he was admitted to the bar and practised his profession at Reading. Ile pursued his calling as a barrister till 1868, when he was appointed, by Governor Young, as additional Law Judge of the Twenty-third Judicial District of Berks county until a later election. He was nominated at the end of the term for the same office, and at a later date re- ceived the nomination for President Judge. In 1872, he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention for the Eighth Judicial District, under a law passed for the
purpose of calling a convention in which the principle of minority or cumulative representation should be recognized, and honorably fulfilled the duties of his office. Ile was married, in 1851, to Harriet Gernant, also of Berks county. During his protracted career of over thirty years, as lawyer and judge, he has constantly evinced a marked ability in his profession, gaining the esteem and confidence of all classes of the community. Through life his conduct has exhibited a strong feeling of patriotism, and he can boast of never having turned a deaf car to any call of his country for its defence.
"ARTSIDE, BENJAMIN, Manufacturer, was born at Rochdale, Lancashire, England, May 26th, 1794. He was educated in his native country, where he also learned the trade of hand-loom weaving, working at the same till 1831, when he emigrated to the United States. He obtained employment at the Blockley Mills, Philadelphia, where he worked on hand-looms till 1833. He then removed to Manayunk and commenced to work for Joseph Ripka, re- maining with him till 1838. In that year he engaged in business on his own account, at Manayunk ; at first, using but one hand-loom, but afterwards, as business increased, operating four power looms. In IS40, he rented a mill, on the Wissahickon Creek, of Robert Haley, which he fitted up with appropriate machinery and power looms, carrying on the business there till 1843, when he again removed to Cardington, Delaware county, leasing a mill there for nine years. Ile introduced into it a new and complete set of machinery, and made it in every way suitable to the busi- ness he proposed to follow. He was very successful during the time he remained in that place, and only left there to continue his business in a factory which he built at Chester, in 1852. This he made one of the most complete establish- ments of the kind in the country ; it consisted of a building 90 by 38 feet and four stories in height, standing on a pro- perty of very considerable extent. Other buildings and land were purchased, in 1858-'59, from Samuel Cliff, making a total river front of 300 feet and extending from Front and Fulton streets to low-water mark. A large storehouse was erected on this property, and the combined buildings occupy a square of ground, comprised between Front street and the Delaware and Parker and Fulton streets. The engine house and dyeing and drying houses are connected with the main building. The engine used is one of sixty horse power, and all the machinery is of the newest and most ap- proved description, consisting of seventy-two power looms, with all the necessary apparatus for finishing and other pro- cesses. The mill. employs seventy-five hands, for whose accommodation twenty houses have been built by the firm. The business is very large and prosperous, and consumes 3000 pounds of wool and 1000 pounds of cotton warp per week, producing 3000 yards of manufactured article in that
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