USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 1 > Part 51
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to meet its growing demands. At this factory, the weaving of tiekings has always been the main branch of the busi- ness, with the exception of a brief interval during the war, when, from the unusual demand created by government contracts, the proprietor found it desirable to turn his atten- tion to the making of blankets, and entered into their manufacture ; but, on the cessation of this temporary need of those goods, he returned once more to his legitimate trade, and has since then made tickings a specialty. This establishment was the first in this country to engage in the manufacture of that article, and, naturally, the experience acquired by the proprietor has gained him a great reputa- tion in the market for the superior quality of his goods. Although the business has been much increased, its locality has never been changed, a fact somewhat remarkable in this country, and especially so in this age of constant move- ment .. The concern has, since his taking possession of it, gradually but surely progressed, and is now in a most flourishing condition, standing on a firm and solid basis, and enjoying a reputation for fair and honorable dealing equal to any in the country. He was at one time a Director in the Germantown Bank, and at present is a Director in the Fire Insurance Association ; also Director of the Broad Top Improvement Company. His success in life he considers in some degree due to the fact that he has never used tobacco in any form, and that he has always abjured liquor. On the 15th of September, 1836, he was married to Anna Lord, of Cedar Grove, and has had by that union a family of thirteen children, eight of whom are still living ; one son having lost his life during the war.
AYWOOD, BENJAMIN, Manufacturer, was born at Southwell, near Nottingham, England. Ilis father and grandfather had both been manufactu- rers of hardware, and at the age of twelve years he was apprenticed to a blacksmith, with whom he served his time. When twenty-four, he emi- grated to the United States, landing at New York, in 1829. Not succeeding in finding work, he went to Philadelphia and thence, on foot, to Reading, where he was advised to try his fortune in Pottsville. After working there for a short time as journeyman, he contrived to commence busi- ness, in a small way, on his own account. The system of mining coal below the water level being introduced about this time, his keen foresight showed him the future mechani- cal needs of Pottsville, and he went to Philadelphia, in . 1833, where he purchased a steam engine, and some other machinery, for his shop. This engine was put up by George W. Snyder, and was the first employed in Schuyl- kill county. In 1835, his sound judgment led to his for- mation of the well known firm of Haywood & Snyder, Pottsville (his small machine shop being removed from
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Port Carbon for that purpose), established for building steam engines, mining and other machinery. In 1845, the firm erected an extensive machine shop and foundry, at Danville, Pennsylvania. At that place, and in Pottsville, they con- structed the machinery for the Montour Iron Company ; the Phoenix Iron Company ; for Peter Cooper, of Trenton, New Jersey ; and for Bevan, Humphreys & Co., of Allentown, Pennsylvania. They made the first set of rolls for the manufacture of T rails, in the United States, and con- structed (1845) the first apparatus for sawing hot iron. Aside from this business, they were heavily engaged in col mining operations, as Milnes, Haywood & Co. The main burden of this large business fell on the subject of this sketch, who, in 1850, disposed of all his different interests and went to California; but was at first unsuccessful. He had shipped a large number of frame houses to San Fran- cisco; but they proved unsalable, and did not realize the cost of freight. With customary energy, he engaged in the lumber business, erecting for that purpose a steam engine and saw mill, near Sonora-the first put up in California, outside of San Francisco. He was again unfortunate and returned to San Francisco, without means. Borrowing a little money from one of his apprentice boys, he started as a blacksmith ; subsequently, adding the making of iron shut- ters, fire-proof doors, and bank vaults. . In this he was highly successful, and while there, had many offers of posi- tions of trust and responsibility, but declined them all. He became intimate with General William T. Sherman, and Governor Geary, of Pennsylvania, remaining a firm friend of the latter till his death. Ile organized the Mechanics Institute, of San Francisco-now the most flourishing one on the Pacific coast-and was its president till his departure. After an absence of five years, he decided to settle in Potts- ville, and disposed of his business in the West at a hand- some profit. Ilis return to his old field of action was a perfect ovation ; the old workmen of Haywood & Snyder thet him at the depot and escorted him into the town in triumphal procession. He then' purchased an interest in the Palo Alto Rolling Mill, at that time a small concern. It was first carried on by the firm of Haywood, Lce & Co. ; then by Benjamin Haywood & Co. ; ,and still later, by Benjamin Haywood alone, who has been its sole proprietor for a number of years past ; and the establishment has grown into vast proportions. The capacity of the works is 20,000 tons, annually ; the number of hands employed, 500, with a monthly pay roll of $20,000; and the yearly amount of business from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000. These works are continued, especially during the present depression, with the benevolent intention of giving employment to the men, as the proprietor is independently wealthy from other sources. In 1862, he superintended the erection of the works of the Allentown Rolling Mill Company, and was its president for some years. Ile also built, in 1865, the Lochiel Iron Works, at Harrisburg, by express desire of Simon Cameron. He is a man of almost universal powers
and attainments ; possessed of a large brain, a firm deter- mined will, unusual activity and energy, an extensive know- ledge of men and things, he seems to perform his work of all kinds by a species of intuition, and is certainly one of the most extraordinary men in the State. He has been active in politics (though uniformly declining office), and was a member of the old Whig or Home Industry party, but has since joined the Republicans. He was one of the commissioners for organizing the Union Pacific Railroad, with Colonel Thomas A. Scott and J. Edgar Thomson. Ilis sound judgment and clear insight of the merits of a case have long pointed him out as a leader in his party, and one whose opinion it was well to obtain before deciding upon any important measure. He has been frequently summoned to Washington to aid with his counsel, on criti- cal occasions, when serious matters concerning the politico- industrial interests and welfare of the country were at stake ; and has been intimate with most of the eminent statesmen of the day, including several of our Presidents. He belongs to the Methodist Church, and has been, for forty-two years, an accredited minister of that body. In 1829, there was no church in Pottsville; but with others he labored wherever he had opportunity, and sowed some of the first religious seeds in the town. An ardent advocate of temperance, he is ever ready, by word or purse, to advance the cause. His mind being stored with correct information on most subjects, he is competent, at a moment's notice, to preach an impres- sive sermon, deliver a powerful temperance lecture, or make a telling political stump speech. He is a kind friend to the colored people ; a generous benefactor to the working man and the poor. During the war, he was selected by Gover- nor Curtin to visit the Pennsylvania troops, and look to their comforts; and by authority, re-clothed many regi- ments, one of them being the Fourth Pennsylvania Volun- teers, of which Governor Hartranft was colonel. IIe was also Chairman of the Investigating Committee, in the Girard clothing troubles, resulting in the complete vindication of A. G. Curtin. He is an entirely self-made man-the archi- tect of his own fortune-and though his early education was much neglected, has a wide knowledge of books and is well read on most subjects. ITis most congenial studies are the Bible and the poets, of which Shakspeare is his favorite. In 1830, he was married to a daughter of Daniel Rhein-the first friend he found in this country, and a fine specimen of an honorable, godly man-who died at the age of ninety. Ilis domestic relations have been peculiarly happy, and his marriage was somewhat tinged by ro- mance, it being by his wife's father's directions that he settled in Pottsville. Ile has had five children, by this union-two sons and three daughters-of whom, two daughters only are living. One of them is married to Hugh W. Adams, a patriotic and active Union officer, who served under General Grant, at Vicksburg, gaining an honorable military record. He is now engaged in the wholesale dry goods business, at Lexington, Ken-
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tucky, and in high commercial standing. The other is the wife of Thomas F. Wright, a successful iron and blast furnace proprietor, in New York State, and a worthy and excellent gentleman.
HIEAFER,. PETER WENRICHI, Geologist and Mining Engineer, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, in 1819. Ile is a son of Henry Sheafer, of the same county, who was the leading coal operator of that section, being the first to open and bring to light the valuable mines of Lykens Valley, and also prominent in originating the " Lykens Valley Railroad ;" he was also a railroad construc- tor. His son was educated at Oxford, New York, and im -. mediately after leaving school, joined the party assembled by Professor Rodgers to make the geological survey of the State of Pennsylvania. He became one of the assistants to Professor Whelpley, of New Haven, and had charge of the anthracite coal district of the State. He remained at this occupation until, by the failure of the Legislature to provide for its prosecution, it was for the time abandoned. In 1850, by his exertions at Harrisburg, he secured an appropriation from the State, and aided in completing the survey in con- nection with Professor Lesley, of Philadelphia. Since 1848, he has been a resident of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, as geolo- gist and engineer, having charge of large coal estates, which still occupy his attention. He has largely aided in the exploration and subsequent survey of numerous coal lands, and in the formation of large companies for operating the same. Ilis observations have been made over a large extent of territory ; from the Carolinas at the South, through the several States, and various; provinces of the " Dominion." He is no politician, nor would he accept any office in the gift of the people; but takes a deep interest in the prosperity and future glory of the Republic. During the war of the Rebellion, he aided the Union cause liberally and energeti- cally. Ile was married, in 1848, to Harriet M. Whitcomb, of Rochester, New York, and has a family of three sons and one daughter. One of his sons is now in the University of Pennsylvania, pursuing the scientific course, and will adopt the profession of his father.
ETHERILL, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JOHN MACOMB, Soldier, was born in Philadelphia, February 1th, 1828. He is the son of Dr. William and Isabella ( Macomb) Wetherill, and grandson of Samuel Wetherill, the first person to manufacture white lead and other chemicals in the United States; his son continuing the business and being the leading manufacturer in that line for many years
thereafter. His great-grandfather, Samuel Wetherill, was a member of the Society of Friends; but when the Revolu- tionary war opened, discarded the particular tenets of that society in regard to non-resistance, and took up arms on behalf of the patriotic cause, deeming it proper in certain cases to act in defence of the right. He was the founder of the sect of the Free Quakers (sometimes called " Fight- ing Quakers ") ; and aided by others, erected the meeting- house at the south-west corner of Fifth and Arch streets, now occupied by the Apprentices' Library, and to the building fund of which both Washington and Lafayette contributed. John Macomb received a liberal education at the University of Pennsylvania. At the age of eighteen he removed to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the business of managing coal lands and mines, in Schuyl- kill county ; the family being the owners of a large number of tracts in this section, he was selected to look after their interests ; it was probably the most important property in the county. When he first arrived there, it was entirely unde- veloped ; the theories of mining were crude and the princi- ples of practical mining had not been applied or even dis- covered. The undulating character of the veins and the basins which they formed were not known. While these lands were under his management, the theories which had been broached respecting them were practically proved and applied. In their investigation, he was prominent and indefatigable. Much credit, therefore, is due to him for the successful and grand results since obtained. He was always enterprising and courageous in making experiments, costing much time, labor and free expenditure of means. He has always taken an active part in politics, and holds Demo- cratic principles. In I857, he was the candidate of his party for State Senator in his district, but owing to a division in its ranks, he was defeated by Robert M. Palmer. Since he attained his majority, he has always been connected with the militia ; entering a volunteer company as private, and being elected successively as Major, Lieutenant Colonel, and Colonel. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he imme- diately joined the army, upon the first call made by the President for volunteers. On the 19th of April, 1861, he was mustered into the service as aide-de-camp and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General with the rank of captain, and was attached to Keim's division of Patterson's command. This was a three-months' service, at the expiration of which he entered the Send Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry, as Major, serving with them for three years and one month ; seeing much active service during its entire connection with the " Army of the Potomac," his regiment forming a part of the Sixth Army Corps. A short time previous to the battle of Gettysburg (June 14th, 1863), he received promo- tion to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel for his very gallant and meritorious services. He served in the battles of York - town, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, the seven days' fight before Richmond, Malvern, Chantilly, Antietam, Williamsport, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Mine
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Run, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Fort Stevens, and was in the campaign on the Shenandoah under Sheridan. His courage and general course during the war obtained for him the high opinion of his superior officers ; especially at the battle of Cold Harbor, where Colonel Bassett was wounded, and the command of the regiment devolved upon him. He was mustered out of the service, September 16th, 1864, at the expiration of his term, having done his duty bravely and nobly, and shown himself a fearless soldier and a gallant officer. On his return home, he resumed the management of his estates, which were sold to the Reading Railroad Company in 1871, though he continued to superintend then until July Ist, 1873. He was chosen a delegate to the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia in 1872 and 1873, and gave a good account of his stewardship. In that body, he served as a member of the committee on Manu- factures, Mining and Commerce. He proved himself to be a very useful member in shaping legislation for the benefit of the coal interest. He is mentioned prominently as the Democratic candidate for Congress at the next election, 1874. IIe has ever been a useful, honorable and consistent member of his party ; seeking no remuneration, but laboring in its ranks from conscientious and patriotic motives, never having held any public office, save in the instance already referred to. Ilis disinterested patriotism in the cause of his country, and his efforts for the advancement of his party stamp him as a man of generous and unselfish impulses.
3 EADE, MAJOR GENERAL GEORGE GOR- DON, Soldier, was born in Cadiz, Spain, of American parents, December 31st, 1815, and brought to Philadelphia while an infant. He was educated at Georgetown, District of Columbia, and at West Point, where he graduated, June 30th, 1835, entering the army as Brevet Second Lientenant of Artillery. Ile served in Florida, and was made Second Lieutenant, December 31st, 1835, and resigned. He was re-appointed, May 19th, 1842, as Second Lieutenant of Topographical Engineers, and served in Mexico; was pro- moted to be First Lieutenant, and returned to the United States ; was employed on river and harbor improvements, and again served in Florida, under General Twiggs. He was made First Lieutenant, in 1851, and Captain, in 1856, in charge of the survey of the great lakes. He was ap- pointed Brigadier General of Volunteers, in 1861, and served under Generals McDowell and Mcclellan, in 1862; was raised to Major in the regular army, June 8th, i862, and severely wounded at New Market Cross Roads. IIe returned to Philadelphia, but rejoined the army, August 13th, 1862, and was attached to General Pope's command ; assumed the command of the Pennsylvania Reserves, and was slightly wounded at Antietam; held the temporary command of General Hooker's Corps, when that general
was wounded, and was made General of Volunteers in November, 1862. At Chancellorsville he had command of the 5th Army Corps, covering Hooker's retreat across the Rappahannock ; was ordered, June 28th, 1863, to assume command of the Army of the Potomac, and, three days later, fought the decisive battle of Gettysburg, defeating General Lee. He returned home on furlough in January, 1864, but rejoined the army in the following February, when the Senate confirmed his appointment as Brigadier- General, to date from July 3rd, 1863. He participated in many minor battles, including those of the Wiklerness, and at the conclusion of the campaign was made Major General. In 1868, he was appointed to the command of the Third Military District. He was married, December 31st, 1840, to Margaretta Sergeant ; and died, November 6th, 1872, in Philadelphia, his funeral ceremonies being conducted with great pomp.
ROZER, JOHN PRICE, Manufacturer and Phil- anthropist, was born in Springfield, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, January 13th, 1793, his father's family occupying the same house where the celebrated Benjamin West, the greatest American painter, first entered the world. Hle was the son of John C. and Sarah (Price) Crozer, and grandson of James C. Crozer, who, with his four brothers, in the early part of the eighteenth century, emigrated from Ireland. His grandfather, James C. Crozer, married into an English family, residents of Springfield township, and his son and grandchildren were all natives of that locality. The parents of John Price were persons of unusual culture, and were able to add to the knowledge their son gained in the inferior schools of the neighborhood. Beside this he had imbibed a taste for self-culture, which led him to devote his leisure hours, after the day's labor on the farm was over, to reading and study. His Christian mother early directed her children's attention to religious subjects, and he and his sister having been baptized by Rev. Dr. Staughton, in April, 1807, united with the First Baptist Church in Philadelphia.' Owing to the disability of his father, he managed the farm for several years previous to attaining his majority, after which he was given an interest in its productions until his father's death, January 8th, IS16. He subsequently continued the management of the place until the death of his mother, which occurred in 1817, and he then rented it on his own account, working it for three years thereafter. In the spring of 1820, he procured a tenant, to whom he sold his stock and implements, and in April of the same year, made an extended tour on horse- back to Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, returning in August to reside with his brother-in-law, John Lewis, until June 25th, 1821, when, in partnership with G. G. Leiper, who had purchased and taken possession of the old homestead, he commenced running a merchant and saw mill on Ridley
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Creek, about three miles above Chester. However, in the | ings, machinery and goods of about $50,000; but he following autumn, the firm was dissolved by mutual con- sent, and he withdrew with the loss only of his labor and the interest on his capital invested. After mature considera- tion, he determined to engage in cotton spinning, and having rented the second and third, with part of the first, floors of G. G. Leiper's mill, he invested his whole capital of about $3700 in the new enterprise, to which John Lewis added $2000. The demand for new machinery largely exceeded the supply of funds ; so he purchased about $4000 worth of old machinery in the fall and commenced opera- tions in February, 1822. The unforeseen obstacle of an overstocked market having interposed, he was obliged to sell at a sacrifice. Ruin seemed impending, but he was temporarily relieved by a loan of $600 secured by his brother-in-law, Lewis, and he energetically and indus- triously struggled on, and fortune finally smiled upon him. In the fall of 1824, he purchased Mattson's paper mill, with ISo acres of land on the west bank of Chester Creek, for $7330, and having mortgaged it for $4000 to Thomas Wood- ward, he borrowed the balance on the security of his brother-in-law Lewis. In the spring of 1825 he took pos- session of his new property, which he named " West Branch," and having made the necessary alterations, removed his machinery and commenced operations in the following August. Although meeting with more success, he still con- ducted his business with rigid economy. In 1828, he erected a building intended as a place of worship and school for the children of his operatives. In 1835, by the insolvency and death of his chief customer, he lost $6500, which was about half the value of his entire estate. Re- covering from this shock, with borrowed funds, he pur- chased twenty power-looms, and commenced weaving, thus becoming the consumer of his own yarns. He subsequently purchased another paper mill at the junction of the West Branch and Chester Creek, where he erected a new factory, and having transferred 'his residence thither in November, 1339, named it Crozerville. In the early part of February, 1842, financial difficulties obliged manufacturers to reduce wages, and in March there was a general strike of opera- tives, which continued for twelve weeks. Though many indignities were offered by the excited populace, he stood firm, and when they finally yielded, he freely forgave them all. Notwithstanding the great depression, he kept his mills running, and in January, 1843, all his looms resumed. In
February of this year, he was severely injured by being
thrown from his sleigh, which confined him to the house for three months, and even for nearly six months from the date of his injury he was unable to attend to his duties as a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Delaware
. pling effects of this injury. By the great flood of August County ; for a long time, in fact, he experienced the crip-
5th, 1843, his new stone factory at Knowlton (76 by 36 feet), together with portions of the mills at West Branch and Crozerville, were demolished, involving a loss in build-
speedily repaired the damaged mills and resumed opera- tions. He had long been an earnest advocate of the temperance cause, and now manifested a great interest in the Bible and Tract Societies of Delaware county, giving them his time, influence and money. Amid the cares of business he also found leisure to minister to the temporal and spiritual wants of the sick among his people. He pur- chased the Flower estate, consisting of 65 acres, situated on Chester Creek, about two miles from Chester, in February, I845, and, having named it Upland, commenced the erec: tion of his first mill there. He now withdrew from his membership in the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, and united with the congregation at Marcus Hook, April 12th, 1845. To afford his children the requisite educational advantages, he secured a competent governess in the autumn of that year, and subsequently sent them to the best schools that the city of Philadelphia afforded. On January Ist, IS47, he received his son, Samuel O., into part- nership with him, and removed to his new residence at
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