USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 1 > Part 64
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of Ilomœopathy in Allentown. Unfortunately for his | upon his duties. So well were the latter performed, that scheme, but fortunately for the country at large, the funds of the academy were in the hands of one who secretly un- dermined it and caused its financial ruin. He thereupon commenced the practice of medicine again in Philadelphia, and labored diligently for the payment of all his pecuniary losses. In 1864, he accepted the chair of Institutes and Practice, and at a later day that of Materia Medica, in the Pennsylvania College, which he resigned in 1871. Of his ability as a physician and teacher it is unnecessary to speak. IIis kindness to, and his interest in, his pupils are well known and appreciated ; and many among them can bear grateful witness to his unostentatious beneficence. IIe has always been a laborious and systematic student. His in- dustry, though he has now arrived at an age when men are usually disposed to rest, is undiminished. He retires to rest between nine and ten at night; rises at three o'clock, and from that hour until ten in the morning devotes him- self to preparing for the press the history of the labors of his past life. His Provings have been very numerous, and are among the most valuable of the contributions to the Pharmacopaia of Homeopathy. In addition to his duties as physician, he has published a collection of the results, provings, and cures obtained in the homoeopathic schools. Ile is an industrious writer in his profession ; and some of his productions have been translated into other languages. Space will not allow of a list of the many works he has given to the world. One of these, his Domestic Physician, has, since 1835, attained fourteen editions in this country, two in Great Britain, thirteen in Germany, besides being translated into the French, Spanish, Italian, Danish, Hun- garian, Russian, Swedish, and other languages. The British Quarterly Journal of Homeopathy remarks : " Dr. Hering's Guide we have always considered the best and most original of domestic works." At present, he is engaged in publishing a practical work on Analytical Therapeutics.
in the course of two years all the creditors were paid in full, and the balance of the funds and property returned to the firm. In 1824, he became one of the partners in the house of Lewis Veron & Co., importers of hardware, cutlery and fancy goods, and in which he remained until 1835, doing a very successful business. He then disposed of his interests in the same, with the intention of going into a similar business on his sole account ; but on January Ist, 1836, he was elected Treasurer of the County of Philadel- phia for one year, and immediately entered upon the duties of his office. In December, 1836, the Legislature changed the law, extending his tenure of the office until June, 1837, and providing that the Treasurer thereafter should be elected for a term of two years. Before the expiration of this period, he was re-elected for two years. He had al- ways taken an active part in politics, being an earnest ad- vocate of Whig principles, and was chosen by the Councils of the (old) City of Philadelphia a member of the Board of Guardians of the Poor for the three years ending in 1839. After the term of his treasuryship expired, he was offered the post of Second Cashier of the United States Bank, which he declined. Resolving to devote his future years to agricultural pursuits, he removed to his farm in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, near the Neshaminy creek, and there resided for the next twelve years. During this time he was much interested in the political affairs of the county, and continued a prominent leader on the Whig side ; he was also a member of every State Convention held in Harrisburg from 1843 to 1852, besides advocating the election of both Generals Harrison and Taylor to the Presidency. By both the latter he was offered a post under the Federal Govern- ment, at Washington, but declined acceptance. In 1852, he disposed of his farm in Bucks county, and removed to Washington city, with the intention of becoming engaged in the banking business, but an unlooked for interruption occurred in his arrangements, and, finally, after a short residence there, he returned to Pennsylvania, and for six months thereafter resided at Bristol. In the spring of 1852, he removed to Burlington, New Jersey, erected a house, and designed making it his permanent residence. He took an active interest in the railroads of the State, particularly in the Camden & Amboy Railroad and Transportation Company, and its various connections and tributaries ; served as a Director in several of these lateral roads for a number of years, and was intimate with all the leading men of the joint companies. In 1854, the Legislature of New Jersey chartered the " Burlington Bank." He was one of the corporators of this institution, and was largely interested in the stock. The bank went into operation in 1855, at which time he was elected a member of the Board of Directors, and the latter body chose him as their President. He held the latter position for seven years, having the en- tire management of the institution, and superintending its
OUTHI, GEORGE W., Merchant and Financier, was born in the city of Philadelphia, February 22d, 1799. His education was that usually ob- tained in the common schools of the day, the school-house being the old hall of the German Society, on Seventh street, south of Market, then called High street. After completing his studies, he was placed with a firm engaged in the importation of cutlery, plated goods, French china, etc., where he served a regular apprenticeship to the business, becoming thoroughly con- versant with the various details of business life. . After he had attained his majority he continued with the same house in the capacity of clerk for about a year, when, owing to financial difficulties the firm failed to meet their engage- nients, and were compelled to make an assignment. He was chosen one of the assignees, and immediately entered Faffairs without receiving any remuneration whatever. Hia
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health having become impaired, he removed, in the autumn of 1862, to Philadelphia, where he has .since resided, at- tending to his private affairs, and taking no part in politics, except that of voting at every election.
and two iron foundries. IIe employs from seventy-five to one hundred and ten men, and the amount of goods manu- factured amounts to about $1,500,000 per annum. The articles thus fabricated are almost exclusively made here, and are those principally of his own invention, he owning the patents. He has been emphatically a leader in his line, having originally invented and then developed the first and most important machines used by book-binders and blank- book manufacturers. IIe takes a sincere and profound pleasure in stating that James McCormick, a well-known and able lawyer, extended to him a helping hand, at the right time, when reverses suddenly came upon him; which aid enabled him to liquidate all his indebtedness, and placed him on the road to prosperity. He has served as a member of the City Council for seven years most acceptably, and for six years has filled the chair as presiding officer of that body. IIe belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and is one of the Trustees of the congregation. He has been a great traveller, and has visited not only the entire Union, including the States on the Pacific Coast, but also many countries of Europe. He was married, in 1840, to Caroline, daughter of Charles Hutter, a prominent politician of the Lehigh Valley.
ICKOK, WILLIAM ORVILLE, Inventor and Manufacturer, was born in Genesee county, Western New York, October 6th, 1815. He is the son of John II. Hickok, a school teacher , by profession and an excellent and respected citizen of New England by birth, with an ancestry dating back to the days of Cromwell and the Commonwealth. The son received his elementary education at the district school and finished at the academy. At the age of fourteen years he went to Lewistown, Pennsylvania, where he entered a country store and remained four years. He next learned the book binding trade, in the same town, and served'an apprenticeship of three years. In 1836, he removed to Chambersburg, and was engaged with his father in the manufacture of blank books, beside doing some publishing. In 1839, he proceeded to Harrisburg, where he associated himself with - Cantine, the firm being known as Hickok & Cantine, publishers and 'blank book manufacturers. About 1848, he began to construct machinery for book INLETTER, THOMAS KNIGHIT, Lawyer and Judge, is the son of Thomas and Margaret ( Dick- son) Finletter. The family is originally of Scotch extraction, but settled in Ireland, becoming what is known as Scotch-Irishmen. His father enti- grated to America about the year 1812, and estab- lished himself in business as a manufacturer of cotton and woollen goods in Philadelphia, in which city Thomas Knight Finletter was born. He received his preliminary education in Philadelphia, subsequently went to Lafayette College, at Easton, and finally removed to the University of Pennsyl- vania, where he graduated about the year 1844. Ile then commenced to study law under the Hon. William A. Porter, afterwards., Judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and was admitted to the bar in 1846. In 1849, he became a member of the State Legislature, and served during two sessions. While in the Legislature, and during the session of 1849, he introduced a bill, known as the "ten hours bill," for regulating the hours of labor in factories, and the age at which children should be admitted to work in the same. This most important measure he advocated strongly and persistently, and it became law during the same session. From 1849 to 1854, l.e also served as School Director for the district of the Northern Liberties. In 1860, he was ap- pointed Assistant City Solicitor, assigned to the department of the Guardians of the Poor, which position he held until 1865, in which year he resumed the private practice of his profession, and continued the same until the year 1870, binders, and gradually became engaged in the machinery business. IIe always had a taste for mechanics; and, being possessed of an inventive faculty, found that after all this was his true forte and proper sphere. When he first started in business, at the age of twenty-one, he was not possessed of a dollar in capital, but by industry, energy, perseverance and the practice of a severe economy, he gradually saved and laid by some means, so that when he embarked in the building of machinery he was possessed of a small amount of capital. He started his shop in a single room of no very large dimensions, and confined his attention to the manu- facture of ruling-machines and minor articles, and gradually increased his products. He continued to succeed, though he met with one reverse. However, this was surmounted, and now he sends his goods-among them quite a number of his own invention, and which he has patented-to all parts of the world. Ifis principal products are ruling- machines and ruling-pens. IIe has also invented a port- able cider mill, which has proved quite successful, as it is the first one that was ever put in the market or entered at a fair. A large number have been manufactured and sold, and are in constant use during the season. In 1836, as already stated, he started without a dollar of capital; he has now, in 1874, about $200,000 invested in his business, all the fruits of his own exertions. His factory is of brick ; a fine building four stories high covers about two acres of ground, and is fitted up with all the modern improvements. There are also on the premises a machine shop, wood shop, [ when he was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas,
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including, the Courts of Oyer and Terminer and Quarter | remarkable energy in whatever he undertook, and the events Sessions, and the Orphans' Court. Shortly after his pro- of his life abound in illustrations of the success with which he achieved seemingly impossible things by mere force of character. The production of Norma, Leonora, and Notre Dame in Philadelphia, under his auspices, was in cach case far beyond all rivalry, and marked the man as a pheno- menon in his way. The " Union League Brigade " for service in the fieldl-at the time of the deepest gloom during the War of the Rebellion-was largely indebted to his efforts for its existence. Throughout his life he was thoroughly identified with the growth and prosperity of the city of his birth. He died in June, 1865. motion to the judicial bench, he received the degree of Doctor of Laws from the Jefferson College of Philadelphia. He was married, in 1859, to Martha M., daughter of Archi- bald MeIlroy, a prominent citizen and manufacturer of Philadelphia, and some time alderman of that city. A sound and capable jurist, clear, emphatic, and condensed in his judicial utterances, manifesting always a stern deter- mination to repress and punish wrong-especially such as has been matter of complaint among the community with regard to public officers-independent and courageous in liis disregard of party influence, his judicial career has been eminently satisfactory to his fellow citizens.
RY, JOSEPH REESE, Banker, Author, Music and Art Connoisseur, was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the year 1812. Ile was a son of William Fry, who was for many years the publisher of The National Gazette, a daily evening paper which for a long time en- joyed a high and deserved reputation for its solid editorials, sterling opinions, and the particular prominence given to foreign politics. In connection with this paper, Joseph R. Fry, like his brother William HI., acquired a penchant for literary and art pursuits, which adhered to him through life. He had received a liberal education, and graduated in the Collegiate Department of the University of Pennsyl- vania, in the class of 1830. He was a most accomplished scholar, well versed in several languages, and was especially familiar with the history and literature of music, and wrote with facility and taste. He translated and adapted Bellini's great lyrical tragedy of Norma from the Italian for the celebrated Wood (English) Opera Troupe, and with his brothers, William and Edward, superintended its produc- tion in admirable style. He was the author of the libretto of Leonora, of which his brother William composed the music. The first representation of this opera on any stage was at the (old) Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, in the summer of 1845, and a large number of amateurs, moving in the upper and fashionable circles of the city, had volunteered their services for the season of its performance. HIe was also the author of the libretto of the opera of Notre Dame, the music of which was also of his brother's com- position. This latter work was produced under his direc- tion at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia, in the summer of 1864, the proceeds being given to the fund then being raised by the great fair for the benefit of the United States Sanitary Commission. It was brought out in the most magnificent style, the chorus numbering one hundred and fifty, a double orchestra of seventy performers, a full brass band on the stage near the foot-lights, and a cathedral organ and chime of bells in the rear. He was a mm of truly
R ELKER, RUDOLPH FREDERICK, Merchant, was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, February 17th, IS20. Ile is the son of Frederick Kelker, formerly of Lebanon, who removed from that place to Harrisburg, in 1805, and opened the first hardware store ever established in the latter locality. Ile was a respected citizen, a self-made man, prominent in every good work for the then small commu- nity, and a benefactor to the poor. ITis son was educated at the York High School, afterwards Marshall College. At the age of fifteen he was placed in the store which had pre- viously belonged to his father, and he eventually became one of the proprietors ; but ill health compelled him, after two years, to relinquish mercantile pursuits, when he re- moved to his father's farm, and occupied himself in attend- ing to it and to his father's affairs, he having made a fortune. In 1842, he engaged again in business with - Oglesby, and so continued until 1846, when, on the death of his partner, he associated his two brothers, Emanuel M. and Henry A. Kelker, with him, and the partnership so formed lasted until 1851, when he retired from the same, after dis- posing of his interests to these brothers. Inheriting from his father the desire to engage in philanthropic labors, he early took an interest in the causes affecting the welfare of the masses. In 1837, he espoused the temperance cause, and was one of the six who started the first Total Abstinence Society in the county ; in this field his labors have been very effective. Ile commenced work in the Sunday-school in 1836; was for many years a teacher, and Superintendent from 1850 to 1870, and still continues to labor with energy in this fieldl. He was elected an officer in the church ; from 1841 to 1849, he served as Deacon, and from the latter date to the present has been a ruling Elder. He has often represented the Reformed Dutch Church in the classis and synods. He is a good theologian ; has read much in sound works, and is a close student. He is a strenuous op- ponent of the ritualism which has divided the Church of late; wields great power in the religious body, and his labors are constant and effective in opposing this ritualistic
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tendency. He is a worthy descendant of an ancestry origi- nally from Switzerland, and whose family have been mem- bers of the Reformed Church for three and a half centuries. In 1865, he was elected one of the Directors of the Poor. The Harrisburg Alms-house had been for a number of years most wretchedly mismanaged. In 1866, he directed his attention to the matter, and determined to re-organize the institution. By persistent efforts, he obtained the ne- cessary authority from the Legislature, though many ob- stacles presented themselves. A new building was erected, . a model in its way, and large sums of money were received as donations, which were applied to its furtherance, and by his able efforts he brought the house into a splendid prac- tical working condition. IIe is justly entitled to be called the parent of this institution, which stands as a monument to his memory and philanthropy. He served for six years on the Board of Managers, which has brought it to its pre- sent high standing and prosperity, when he was compelled by ill, health to retire from active participancy in the good work, although he yet maintains a careful watch over its interests. He has been for many years a Trustee of the State Lunatic Asylum ; and is foremost with heart and purse in any cause designed to alleviate the miseries of the poor, the helpless and the sick. He is emphatically the poor man's friend and adviser; his whole time and means arc in constant daily use for their benefit, and all in the most quiet, unpretentious manner. His house has become a sort of Bureau of Beneficence ; his daily dream is how to aid the poor and distressed. In politic; he is a Republican ; but although he has been offered numerous positions of trust and honor, he has invariably declined them all ; and his whole life is devoted to doing good in the manner al- ready described. He is very enlightened upon the past and present religious and political issues ; a sound reasoner, and the holder of liberal and broad views. He was an ardent supporter of the Union when the flag was insulted. He has been a Trustee of Marshall College for many years past. In his temperance record, there should not be over- looked the great service he rendered the cause by his ar- raignment, in 1372, of the State against Dauphin county in the matter of " licenses for the sale of ardent spirits." ITis report, which is embodied in the presentment of the Grand Jury, shows that the State received $6635 in money for license to sell liquor in taverns, restaurants, and stores-of which the county received not one cent-yet the citizens of the county were obliged to pay in taxes to support the vic- tims of this traffic who had taken refuge in the Poor-house, or were incarcerated in the jail, the sum of over $60,000; this was the direct result, not to speak of the broken health, the loss of property and the ruin of soul to the victims. The report made a great stir throughout the State, and 50,- 000 copies were demanded for circulation, beside being copied into all the leading papers ; and it has likewise fur- nished a text for many a sermon delivered from the pulpit. Ile is also one of the founders of the City Hospital, which
was established in 1873. He was married, in 1844, to Mary A., daughter of Colonel Willian Reily, of Harrisburg, and has two sons living.
AMERLY, C. ERNEST, M. D., Physician and Druggist, was born in the (old) District of South- wark, Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania, May 12th, 1822, and is of German parentage. His educational advantages were somewhat limited, yet he received thorough tuition in the English branches, and made considerable progress in both Latin and Greek. When he reached the age of seventeen, he entered the employ of the well-known firm of Michael Reed & Son, dry-goods merchants, but remained with them only a short period, as his tastes did not accord.with this line of business, but harmonized entirely with the study of medicine and its kindred sciences. His first step was to enter the drug store of Francis Greene, and there he gave his whole attention to acquainting himself with the apothe- cary's art in the compounding of medicaments, as prescribed by the physician. He remained at his post, faithfully adopt- ing and carrying out the instructions of his preceptor, until the War with Mexico broke out, when he accepted a posi- tion as Dispensing Apothecary with Dr. James M. Green, who was attached as surgeon to one of the vessels con- posing the squadron engaged in the blockade of Vera Cruz, and where he remained until the city was captured. He returned to the United States on December 24th, 1845, and forthwith commenced the study of medicine under Dr. James M. Green as his preceptor, meanwhile attending the lectures delivered at the Pennsylvania Medical College, from which institution he graduated in the spring of 1847. HIe at once opened his office and commenced the practice of his profession, meeting with a liberal and lucrative patron- age. Being a laborious, patient, and at the same time a scientific practitioner, he has been singularly successful, and has been able to accumulate a handsome competence. Ilis political bias is altogether in favor of the old Jeffersonian Democratic school, and he has always upheld its principles, though during his twelve years of service in the City Coun- cils he has cast party prejudice behind him, believing him- self the representative not of those who elected him only, but also of the entire district, his whole aim being to secure the prosperity and welfare of the people of the city. He is in full sympathy with all reforms which tend to develop the better nature of mankind and secure their rights, and he ever desires to wield his influence to encourage the indus- tries, utilize the capital, and increase the productions and manufactures of the city. His religious faith is that in which he was educated by his parents, who were worthy members of the German Lutheran Church, although he possesses no sectarian feeling whatever, being eminently liberal towards those differing from his own convictions, believing that others should follow the faith in which they
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have been reared, and discountenancing the spirit of proselytism which obtains so largely at the present time. His domestic life was passed in bachelorhood until he attained the prime of life; at the age of forty-six, he found in Elizabeth Coffin a congenial friend and companion. Ilis mother is still living, at the age of seventy-four, and her presence adds much to the happiness of his home circle.
ALSEY, JOB FOSTER, D. D., Clergyman, was born in Schenectady, New York, July 12th, 1800. Ilis father, Luther Halsey, was a captain in the Revolutionary army, and afterwards prepared his four sons for college. Job Foster entered Union College in 1817, and graduated in 1819. He then, after studying theology under the direction of his elder brother, was licensed to preach, in 1820; afterwards spend- ing two or more years in the Theological Seminary at Princeton, New Jersey, his brother, Dr. Luther Halsey, being then Professor of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy in Princeton College. IIe was ordained and installed in the Old Tennent Church, in Monmouth county, New Jersey, in 1826. After an agency to carry forward the movement of the Nassau IIall Bible Society to supply the State of New Jersey with Bibles (of which movement he was the originator), he removed to Albany, New York, where he became the agent of the several societies of the Church over twelve counties in the Sate of New York for one year. Then he removed to Pittsburgh, where he restored and built up the First Presbyterian Church, Allegheny City. His health failing, he went to Marion College, Missouri, where becoming intimate with Dr. Nelson, he persuaded him to write his well-known work, Nelson on Infidelity. Thence, still being unable to perform the duties of the ministry, he went to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and continued there as Principal of a Seminary for Young Ladies until IS51, when, his health returning, he took charge of the Presbyterian Church in Mont Clair, New Jersey, until 1856, when he accepted a call from the First Presbyterian Church, Norris- town, Pennsylvania, of which he still (1874) remains in charge.
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