USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 1 > Part 65
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LEMMER, ADAM JACOBY, late Lieutenant- Colonel Fourth United States Infantry, Brevet Brigadier-General United States Army, was born in Frederick township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, January 24th, 1829. 1Ie was the youngest son of Adam Slemmer, at that time a member of the State Legislature. His ancestors were of the nobility of Hungary, but the immediate branch of the family from which he is descended emigrated from Basle, Switzerland, about 1740, and settled in Philadelphia.
During the Revolutionary War the family warmly espoused the patriotic cause, and his grandfather, Jacob C. Slemmer, at the age of sixteen-having been rejected the previous year on account of his youth-entered the army, and served throughout the struggle, being one of the soldiers de- tailed to guard the Hessian prisoners taken at the battle of Trenton. When he himself was four years of age his family removed to Norristown, where he received his education. After leaving school he commenced the study of pharmacy under the supervision of an elder brother, with a view of becoming an apothecary, but being tendered a cadetship accepted the same, and at the close of the summer cam- paign of 1846 was received as a member of the class. Of necessity, he entered at the foot, the 106th ; but by his close application to study, his determination to excel, and his uniform correct deportment, he so advanced that at the close of his academic course he stood twelfth in the list of graduates, ranking among the honored men of his class. He was appointed brevet Second Lieutenant, Ist Artillery, and reported for duty, in September, 1850, at Tampa, Florida, and was soon thereafter promoted to full grade of Second Lieutenant, serving subsequently at San Diego, Fort Yuma, and other military posts in California. In 1855, he was commissioned First Lieutenant, and joined his company at Fort Moultrie, South Carolina, where he remained, however, but a short time, having been assigned -at the request of the Commandant of the West Point Academy-to a Professorship in that institution. He served, in this last capacity, for four years, first in ethics and English studies, and afterwards in mathematics. While thus engaged, he was married, August 20th, 1857, to Caro- line Lane, daughter of Rev. John Reynolds, an Episcopal clergyman. Leaving the academy, he rejoined his com- pany, and remained with it until he succeeded to its com- mand, being stationed at Barrancas Barracks, Florida, in the autumn of 1860. It was here that his military character was to receive its severest test, for this was the eve of the outbreak of the Rebellion. Finding the barracks unten- able he abandoned them, first spiking the guns of Bar- rancas and Fort McRea, and with his handful of men- aided by supplies and transports with a detail of landsmen procured from the United States Navy-yard at Pensacola- he armed Fort Pickens, then in an unfinished state, and with his little band helt that important post for many weeks, until re-inforced by Colonel Harvey Brown, in April, 1861, having been so isolated as to be ignorant of the ac- tions of the Government, and deprived of news of all kinds. Being ordered to New York with his command, they were received at that city with an ovation ; and each was presented by the Chamber of Commerce of that city with a commemorative medal. The Corporation of Phila- delphia likewise tendered the hospitalities of that city. After passing a short time at his father's house seeking the rest he so much needed, he was promoted two grades, being now Major of 16th Infantry. In the summer of 1861, he
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was assigned to duty as Inspector-General, under General Rosencrans, in Western Virginia. The effects of his fatigue at .Fort Pickens were not then wholly relieved, and expo- sure in the field caused him to be stricken down with typhoid fever, and, at one time, his life was in imminent peril; but he recovered, and before perfectly convalescent was on duty. Ile recruited a battalion of men for his regiment, at Chicago, and, in May, 1862, with them re- joined the army iu Tennessee. From this period he marched and fought with Buell's command, until at the head of his men at the battle of Stone River, December, 1862, he was severely wounded in the knee. For gallantry in this action he was appointed Brigadier-General United States Volunteers. Ilis wound was so serious that ampu- tation was feared; but ultimately the limb was saved. Meanwhile, by direct command of President Lincoln, and at the urgent request of General Scott, he was made Brevet Brigadier-General of the United States Army for his gallant services at Fort Pickens. Ile next served as a member of the Board, ultimately becoming its presiding officer, to examine sick and convalescent officers; and subsequently as a member of the Board to examine disbanded volunteer officers who sought commissions in the regular army. He was eminently qualified for these positions, and was thus retained by the War Department, though he requested more active service in the field. After the close of the war, he was placed in command at Sackett's Harbor, New York, and subsequently at Fort Laramie. He was a strict discip- linarian, but kind withal, and everywhere enjoyed the re- spect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact ; even the Indian looked upon him as more than an ordinary officer. ITis last official act was a conference with hostile Indians, some distance from Fort Laramie, October 6th, 1868. He returned to the fort, and feeling indisposed re- tired early. During the night he suddenly expired, owing to a stoppage of the mitral valve of the heart. In the General Orders of Colonel Deye, announcing his death, his many brave deeds and services are appropriately recited, thus concluding : " during the eighteen years of honorable service, he stood far above the temptations of the hour, and exhibited in the discharge of his duties economy and intel- ligence; also great zeal and uncompromising faithfulness, which was no less honorable to the army than to himself."
OMBERGER, JACOB C., Banker, was born at Middletown, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, December 16th, 1817. He is of German descent, his ancestors having emigrated from Baden- Baden, Germany, and is the only son of a poor but upright and respected wagon-builder. When fourteen years of age he entered a store at Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, where he remained for some time ; thence le removed to Shippensburg, in Cumberland county, where is made in vain.
he continued in the mercantile business until I845, when receiving a clerkship in the Bank of Middletown, he re- turned to his native town. He occupied this position until 1851, when having been elected Assistant Clerk of the Senate of Pennsylvania, he proceeded to Harrisburg and entered upon the duties of his office, which were so faith- fully and acceptably performed as to place him, by a unani- mous vote, in the same post the following year. During this session, of 1852, he was instrumental in procuring a charter for the " Mechanics' Bank of Harrisburg." This institution was organized in May of that year, and he was elected its cashier, and served in that capacity until the ex- piration of its charter, in 1867. The success of the bank, of which he was the leading spirit, was unprecedented. Regular dividends were declared semi-annually, which paid a large interest to the stockholders, and when-at the ex- piration of the charter-he was appointed to wind up the affairs the shareholders received, in addition to the large dividends previously mentioned, about two hundred dollars for each share, the par value being only fifty dollars. Having effected a final settlement of the bank's affairs, he commenced a private banking business on his own account, under the same name, and has continued it ever since, and with the same success that attended the operations of the chartered institution. He was appointed by Governor Cur- tin one of the Trustees of the State Lunatic Hospital, and subsequently re-appointed by Governor Geary, his term of service being about ten years. He was a Delegate to the National Convention at Chicago which nominated General Grant for the Presidency, and supported him at his first election; but, in 1872, when Horace Greeley was a candi- date in opposition, he ranged himself on the side of the latter. During the same year he was induced to allow his name to be used as a candidate for the Legislature by those opposed to President Grant's policy, but although defeated (the district gave Grant about 4000 majority) he ran largely ahead of his ticket. ITis business qualifications being fully recognized by a large proportion of the citizens, they have selected him at various times as executor and administrator of a great many estates, some of them being of considerable magnitude, and he has settled them to the great advantage of those interested, being gifted with remarkable prudence and foresight. He has acquired, by his industry, an ample competency, although unaided by any advantages of early education or means. Ilis character for integrity and up- rightness is unimpeachable, and he occupies in the commu- nity where he is best known a position that commands the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. He is of a very benevolent disposition, being kind to all, especially to those who are not blessed with any portion of this world's goods. Ile is ever ready to lend a helping hand to those who are worthy to receive aid, and his unobtrusiveness in his charities is proverbial. He is emphatically the poor man's friend, and no appeal from the suffering or distressed
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EDWARD, JAMES, Cotton Manufacturer, was | IIis active energy and enterprise have achieved for him a marked success, and he stands as a fair example of a self- educated and self-made man. In 1870, he was elected a member of the City Council of Chester, and re- elected in 1873, and has taken an active part in promoting various enterprises of the city. He was married in February, 1847. born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, Eng- land, December 14th, 1823. He lost his mother when he was but six years of age, and though he was denied many advantages of early educa- tion, yet he was not to be deterred from the ac- quirement of that knowledge so essential to his future suc- cess in life. When he was eight years old, he was regularly apprenticed to learn the weaving trade, and in process of time he patiently mastered all the minutice of the business, ICKINSON, MAHLON HALL, Chief Commis- sioner of Highways of Philadelphia, was born in the (old) District of the Northern Liberties, Phila- delphia county, Pennsylvania, August 11th, 1814. He is a son of Nathan and Martha Dickinson, the former of whom was a grain and flour mer- chant; after his death the business was continued by the latter, upon whom devolved the care of rearing and edu- cating five children. ITis ancestors on both sides were among the first settlers in Pennsylvania, having left their homes in England to seek another clime where they might worship according to the dictates of their own conscience. Ile was educated in private schools and seminaries of his native city, principally in those under the control of the Society of Friends. On leaving school, his mother appren- ticed him to learn the trade of bricklayer and mason, and after his term of service expired he conducted the building business in Philadelphia, in association with John Horton, under the firm name of Horton & Dickinson, being em- ployed by the leading merchants and business men of the city in the construction of edifices. After the senior men- ber retired, he continued alone until 1860, when, having amassed a competency, he relinquished his occupation in favor of some younger men who had faithfully served him ; having erected during the time he conducted the business some of the most substantial edifices in the city, which now stand to attest the good and substantial quality of the ma- terial and workmanship employed in their construction. Having ever been an active and earnest business man, he had but little time to devote to public matters ; yet, at an early age, as he had attached himself to a fire company, he gave much of his leisure hours to the interests of the old Volunteer Fire Department. In connection with his early and constant friend, William S. Stokley (now the Mayor of Philadelphia), he represented the " Harmony Fire Com- pany " in the " Fire Association " for many years. He has held the position of President of the " Harmony " from 1850 to the present date. He was also one of the Trustees of the Fire Insurance Company, known as the " Fire As- sociation," for many years, and at the time that institution changed its organization (in consequence of the disband- ment of the volunteer department) he was one of the first members of the old Board of Trustees that was elected Director in the reconstructed company. He never took any active part in political matters until the effort was made and became an excellent operative. Ile worked in the mills of Thomas Mellor & Brother, in his native town, until 1845, when he emigrated to the United States. IIe first found employment in the mills of Joseph Ripka, at Manayunk, Pennsylvania, and at the end of five months became his foreman. Early in 1847, he removed to Up- land, Delaware county, where he was engaged in the same position in the mills of John P. Crozer & Son, remaining with this firm until 1851, when he accepted an offer from James Campbell of Chester, Pennsylvania, who engaged his services to put into operation the first looms ever run in that city. These were put up in the old jail building. IIere he continued until 1853, having, by his economy and industry, laid by his first thousand dollars, and become an American citizen by naturalization. Ile now returned to Manayunk, and rented a room in the building now known as the Sciota Mills, and engaged in the , manufacture of carpet yarns on his own account. Here he remained until 1859, when he commenced operating Daniel Nippes' Mill, on Mill Creek, for the production of carpet yarn, knit goods and jeans. Early in 1864, he removed to the Good Intent Mills, in West Philadelphia, where he manufactured twilled jeans until the summer of 1866, when he purchased the " Sunnyside Mills," in Chester, Pennsylvania, which he filled with the most approved machinery, and began running December 16th, 1866, with a force of fifty hands. Ile lere manufactured cottonades, cassimeres, doeskins, etc. The building was fifty-five by one hundred feet, two stories high, to which, in 1867, he added a two-story picker- house thirty by twenty feet, and continued to enlarge the structures each successive year, as the undertaking proved very successful. On July Ist, 1871, he admitted his son into partnership with him. His business increased, and prospered exceedingly . until January 4th, 1873, when the warehouse was destroyed by fire ; and this disaster was fol- lowed, on March 17th of the same year, by the heavier loss of a building used as a picker-house, warping and beam- ing room. Nothing daunted . by these untoward accidents, he at once prepared to erect new buildings of increased dimensions and capacity, making the ones most liable to combustion fire-proof, and filling the same with all the necessary appliances of the most approved workmanship, and at the close of the year all the works were found to be in perfect running order. On New Year's day, 1874, he recommenced operations, with over one hundred hands. to extend slavery into the new Territories. Recalling the
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sentiments which had been instilled into his mind, and the | During the ensuing seven months he visited as many of early training he had received among " Friends," and also the prisons and almshouses as he could reach, and at the ensuing session of the Legislature laid before that body his report, showing the existence of abuses, and urging a re- inedy for them. These representations drew the attention of the Governor and Legislature more closely to the sub- ject. He had many private interviews with both the Exe- cutive and many members of both Houses, enlisting their sympathies in the cause, and urging upon them the neces- sity of creating a Board to take charge of all the public charities, and to supervise the prisons and almshouses of the State. From a majority of these he received words of encouragement, and he now felt that the work so long de- layed was about to be accomplished, and that the time and money he had expended in the good cause were not lost. On March Ist, 1868, he was appointed Chief Commissioner of the Highways of the City, and though his time was now more circumscribed, still he occupied all his leisure, includ- ing the usual summer vacation allowed to city officials, which enabled him at the close of 1869 to submit to the Governor a more detailed Report of the state of things, in- cluding other points not embraced in his first communica- tion. The Governor alluded to the subject in his Annual Message, and in accordance with the recommendation of the Visitor, an act was passed establishing an additional Insane Asylum for the northeastern section of the State. The objects for which he had so long labored having been, to a great extent, accomplished, and the whole subject having been placed under the supervision of a responsible Board who are specially charged with the duty of carrying out these much-needed reforms, his visits are now confined to those locations only where it is probable that his services may assist in alleviating the hardships these unfortunates may have to endure. He still retains the office of Chief Commissioner of Highways, having been constantly re- elected annually since 1868, without opposition, and having held the position longer than any other incumbent since the consolidation of the city. In religious opinion, he adheres to that of the Society of Friends, but is liberal in his views. acting upon the impulses of his own heart, he entered the political arena, and was among the first in Philadelphia city to unite in the formation of the nucleus of the present Re- publican party. He was one of twelve delegates elected, early in 1856, to represent the city in the National Conven- tion to nominate a candidate for President, and the strength of the party then may be judged from the fact that the highest number of votes polled was but 159! He was then, as now, a resident of the Sixteenth Ward, and assisted in organizing a Republican Club in that ward, and a full ticket was nominated, being the first ward in the city to place a ticket of the new party in the field. After the no- mination of General Fremont by the Philadelphia National Convention, a joint electoral ticket was agreed upon by the Old Line Whigs-who had nominated Millard Fillmore -and Republicans, when Mahlon H. Dickinson was chosen as Elector for the Third Congressional District. From this time forward he has continued to work actively in the ranks of the Republican party ; for several years he was a mem- ber of the Republican State Central Committee; and on the deccase of Hon. John Covode, was made Chairman of that body to fill the vacancy. In 1858, he represented the Sixteenth Ward in Councils, and, in 1859, was elected by Councils-under a then recent Act of Assembly-a mem- ber of the Board of Guardians of the Poor. Great abuses had for many years existed in the management of this de- partment, and this change was made in its organization in order to effect a reformation, which, after much labor and perseverance on the part of the new member, was accom- plished to the entire satisfaction of the public. He con- tinued a member of the Board for five years, devoting a large portion of his time to its interests, and previous to his retirement from the same was its presiding officer. He has also been one of the Managers of the Pennsylvania Train- ing School at Media for sixteen years, and has given that institution a share of his attention. He has been for many years a member of the " Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons," and, as one of the Visiting Committee to the Eastern Penitentiary, faithfully discharged his duties up to 1867, when his attention was drawn to a wider field of action. Through the efforts of this Society the notice of the public was directed to the great abuses which existed, NGERSOLL, JOSEPH REED, Lawyer and States- man, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 14th, 1786. He was the third son of Jared and Elizabeth Ingersoll. Both his father and grandfather were eminent lawyers of their day, the former having been a member of that Con- vention presided over by George Washington, and which framed the Constitution of the United States. His early school days were passed in the city of his birth, under the best teachers in every department which it could then afford. He entered the College of New Jersey, at Princeton, in the and more especially to the cruel treatment and neglect of the insane poor, who for want of proper accommodation were confined in prison cells or Poor-house basements. After much difficulty, an Act of Assembly was procured which authorized the Governor to appoint a person to visit these several institutions, but " that this work should be done without expense to the Commonwealth." Governor Geary appointed Mahlon H. Dickinson, in May, 1867, as the visitor in question, and he accepted the commission without hesitation, although he was obliged to serve with- out compensation, beside bearing his own expenses. ; year 1800, and graduated with the highest honors of his
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class in 1804. In this class were many men who after- wards attained high public eminence. He was a most earnest and indefatigable student, ambitious, from the first, of that distinction which he succeeded in winning, and he often mentioned the fact-which in itself was no small in- centive to his application and industry during his collegiate course-that almost every letter which he received from his father closed with the words, "remember the honors." IIe commenced the study of law in his father's office, and, after the usual course of reading, was admitted to the bar June 2d, 1807. Ilis practice soon became large and lucrative. In less than seven years after the last-named date he aver- aged fifty cases at each term of the District Court and Com- mon Pleas of the County, beside a very considerable prac- tice in the Supreme Court of the State, and the Federal. Few men at the bar ever enjoyed so varied as well as so important a line of practice. Ilis reputation for faithful at- tention to the business entrusted to him, his popular man- ners, his pleasing address, his readiness and eloquence-all these combined to secure him numerous and valuable clients. He was an ardent student, not only in the line of his profession, but he delved into other domains of know- ledge. He prepared all his cases thoroughly, not only by research into authority, but by making himself acquainted with whatever subjects were incidental and auxiliary. He seemed equally conversant with medical jurisprudence, me- chanics and chemistry in patent cases, and on general mat- ters in geography and commerce. He always took copious notes of the subjects of which he read, as a means of im- pressing the various points on his memory; and he kept a diary for many years of the most important cases in which he had served as counsel. Ilis character at the bar was eminently dignified. He thoroughly identified himself with the cause of his client and threw his whole soul into it. His style of oratory was graceful, earnest, and at times im- passioned. He ever secured the attention of the jury. To the Court he was as faithful as to his client, communicating to the Bench all the light, on any question, to be derived from books. He retired from practice about 1841, or soon after. In October, 1832, he was elected a member of Se- lect Council of the (old) city of Philadelphia, and was im- mediately chosen its President, which position he continued to hold annually until 1835. In 1834, he was elected a member of the Twenty-fourth Congress, took his seat in December, 1835, and served until March 3d, 1837, mean- while declining a re-election. In 1841, however, he was again induced to enter political life, and was elected to and served successively in the Twenty-seventh, Twenty- eighth, and Twenty-ninth Congresses. He took an active part in the proceedings, and some of his efforts were of an elaborate character. He was a member of the Committee on Ways and Means for six years, and during his last term was Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. His course throughont was undoubtedly consistent with Whig prin- ciples, which he always maintained and advocated. After
his retirement from Congress, President Fillmore, with whom he had served in that body, and who knew his abili- ties, tendered him a seat in the Cabinet as Secretary of the Navy, but this honor he declined. In the spring of 1852, he was nominated and confirmed by the Senate as Ameri- can Minister to the British Court. He remained abroad one year, during which time he negotiated two treaties of considerable importance. During his long professional life he contributed much to polite literature. He also prepared many gentlemen for the bar, having been preceptor to over fifty, and these he aided, in numerous instances, by every means in his power, both during their tutelage and after their admission to the bar, and always manifested a deep interest in their success. Personally and socially, he was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. His manners were elegant and refined; his conversation easy and inte- resting. His house was the seat of open and liberal hospi- tality; his board the constant scene of intellectual enjoy- ment. His charity was munificent and unbounded ; he con- sidered it a duty and privilege to give. Unfortunate in the loss of his wife and children, the greater part of his latter years were passed in childless widowhood. Ile was long a communicant member of the Episcopal Church, and for many years a Warden of St. Peter's Church. He died February 20tl1, 1868.
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