USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 1 > Part 70
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newspaper, " the demand " for which was " so great," said the editor on the following morning, " that it exhausted an unusually large edition of our paper. Such indeed is still the demand, that we have found it necessary to republish it this morning. It was a most effective presentation of a menacing peril, and its ominous significance caused men to feel and tremble." In 1862, he drew up the memorial from the people of Philadelphia to Congress, presented in the Senate by Andrew Johnson, and in the House by John J. Crittenden, to celebrate Washington's birthday by reading his farewell address before both houses, the President, and Foreign Ministers, which was done. In 1863, in the intro- duction to Dawson's edition of the Federalist, there ap- peared a letter from him in reply to one from the editor, asking for some materials. " Had there been more students of the Federalist," he writes, " there would have been fewer intellects scathed by the delirium of secession ; the halls of Congress would not have been deserted for fields of civil strife; nor would the future historian be compelled to chronicle a gigantic and infamous rebellion, which, while it checked for a time the amazing prosperity, served only to demonstrate the still more amazing power and resources, and imperial grandeur of the United States." IIe sought earnestly by his writings to have the Federalist made a text book in our schools and colleges. The college at Williams- town and the university in New York have made it so. The war over, he defended with equal zeal, the policy of a magnanimous and just treatment of the South, in a pamphlet entitled, President Johnson and Cougress. In 1866, he visited, with his family, the principal cities and countries of Europe. His only son, a promising youth of eighteen, died at Dresden. He is a man of fine classical and literary attainments, and an accomplished writer. While in Europe, he edited a new edition of his father's Recollections of the English and French Courts, which was very favorably received. Ile returned in 1873, and is now living with his family in Philadelphia.
USII, J. MURRAY, Lawyer, second son of Rich- ard Rush, was born in Washington, July 10th, 1813. Ile received his early education in Eng- land, and graduated with distinction at Princeton College in 1831. Admitted to the Philadelphia bar in 1834, he practised with much success for many years, at one time conducting the public prosecutions with marked zeal and ability. During the memorable Philadelphia riots of 1844, his intrepidity and energy in bringing to justice the ringleaders of that atrocious con- spiracy against law and order, elicited high praise from all quarters. He was distinguished for his fervid eloquence, not only in denouncing the wrong-doer, but in asserting or defending the rights of his client, to whose cause he adhered with unyielding tenacity. His high qualities, genial dis-
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position and popular manners, talents and attainments, made him a universal favorite ; and he was frequently solicited to enter the political arena. On the 4th of July, 1852, he delivered an oration before the Democratic citizens of the Third and Fourth Congressional Districts of Pennsylvania, of which one of the newspapers remarked the next day, that " for depth of thought, extensive political research, and sound Democratic doctrine, it has seldom been equalled in this city ; and was worthy the acknowledged talents of its author, an accomplished lawyer and gentleman, and firm and unflinching Democrat." In 1859, he edited, in con- junction with his brother, as his father's executors, the Occasional Productions, of the latter, " Political, Diplomatic, and Miscellaneous," including " Washington in Domestic Life." In 1860, nearly five hundred of his fellow-citizens sought his consent to become a candidate for Mayor, ad- dressing him as " one on whose patriotism, abilities, honesty and tried Democracy, the community can rely with implicit confidence." His reply was so replete with bold, inde- pendent views, especially in denouncing the practice of rota- tion in office, which he avowed he would utterly ignore if elected, that it was thought to have cost him the nomina- tion. " With an officer's vote," he declared, " I could have nothing to do. IIe might vote as he pleased ; it would be nothing to me. But I certainly would not permit any officer to mingle as an active partizan in party politics." Such a letter, it was thought, did him more honor than if he had gained the nomination. On the breaking out of the rebellion he immediately took the strongest ground for sustaining the Government, regardless of party ; signed the memorial to President Lincoln pledging him the support of the people of Philadelphia in any measures to preserve the Union ; and though himself a large slave-holder, through his marriage to a Maryland lady, took an active and leading part in advocating the war, regardless of his personal in- terests. " As long as this war lasts," he wrote to a com- mittee of citizens, September 21st, 1861, " I will recognize no party but that of my country." He died, February 7th, 1862, in his forty-ninth year, leaving by a first marriage, one son, Richard Rush, now a Lieutenant, United States Navy, and a daughter by a second marriage.
York harbor; and was immediately detailed for duty with the Engineer Corps of United States Sappers and Miners, then being organized and instructed at West Point. In November, 1846, he was assigned to duty at the Military Academy, as Assistant Instructor of Artillery and Cavalry, which position he filled until June 1847. He was the first Instructor who taught the proficiency of drill of the Light Artillery Battery, to that degree, which enabled it to man- (euvre at a "gallop." Having been promoted to First Lieutenant of Battery M, of his regiment, he joined it near the city of Mexico, and served with it during the remainder of the Mexican war. Returning with his regiment, after the treaty of peace, he was on garrison duty at Fortress Monroe for two years, when he was detailed for duty with the Board of Artillery Officers, ordered to prepare a Manual of Instruction and Drill for the Heavy Artillery. In 1849, he was detailed as an assistant to Professor Bache, Chief of the United States Coast Survey, and served with him for one year in the office, in charge of the maps and drawings; and for one year with Captain T. I. Crane, of the Engineer Corps, in barometrical observations and verifications of alti- tudes of stations on the New England coast. In 1851, he was assigned to duty as First Lieutenant of " Sedgwick's Battery," 2nd Regiment of Artillery, at Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, where he served for two years, when he was appointed Aide-de-camp to Brigadier-General Bank- head. From this position, he resigned from the regular service, and occupied himself in civil pursuits until the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861. Forseeing the hos- tilities, before they actually occurred, he had visited Harris- burg, in February 1861, and urged upon the Governor, as well as the Military Committee of the Senate, the great im- portance of at once passing an Act to create a military force, for the defence of the State, and presented the draft of a bill for 50,000 men ; at the same time tendering his services to the Governor to assist in the organization and instruction of such a force. But the North was not yet aroused, nor could believe there would be war; and the Legislature adjourned without acting on his suggestion. A few weeks later, however, an extra session of that body was called for the purpose of putting the State in a condition to defend herself; and, at this session, the proposition which he had made nearly two months before, was reduced to the shape and form of creating that corps afterwards known as the " Pennsylvania Reserves," of about 13,000 men. The Act, as passed, provided that the Governor should name one Major-General and two Brigadier-Generals, to command the same. In pursuance thereof, the Governor immediately appointed the former chief officer, in the person of Colonel George A. McCall ; but the Executive of the Commonwealth hesitated to name the Brigadiers, although General McCall earnestly solicited him to name those whom he had selected, namely, the late Colonel Charles J. Biddle, and Richard Henry Rush. Other
JSII, RICHARD HENRY, Soldier, fifth son of Richard Rush, was born in Philadelphia, Pen- sylvania, January 14th, 1825. When eleven years old, he accompanied his father to Eng- land, and was entered at a superior preparatory school at Hampstead. Soon after his return to the United States, he was appointed to a cadetship in the Military Academy, at West Point. He graduated therefrom in June, 1846, number twenty-six, in a class of fifty-nine, and was appointed Second Lieutenant in the 2nd Regiment United States Artillery, on duty at Fort Columbus, New | parties urgently pressed these nominations, but the Gover-
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nor failed to accede to these suggestions, or indeed to make any appointment whatever, and the " Reserves" finally started for the seat of war under the Major-General alone. After the first battle of Bull Run, Richard Henry Rush- although allied by marriage to a Virginia lady, herself a large slave owner-at once offered his services to the general Government, by whom they were promptly accepted, with the request to raise a regiment of cavalry. He at once in- vited some of the most prominent of the young men of the " three months" service, Philadelphia Volunteers, to join him as officers, which they did, and all went actively to work to recruit the regiment. In a few weeks, the " Philadelphia Light Cavalry " was organized. Before receiving the carbine, pistol, and sabre, with which it was intended to have been armed, a telegram was received from General McClellan, then General-in-chief of the armies, requesting that this regiment should be armed and equipped as " Lancers." The proposition was submitted to the regi- ment, and it was at once decided to comply with the request of the General-in-chief. Hence it was, that the regiment became known as " Rush's Lancers; " on the State rolls it was called the " 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry," Colonel Rush. His previous military experience and training, and. the great assistance he received from the zeal, industry, and. untiring efforts of his Captains and Lieutenants -- amongst, whom may be named, Newhall, Morris, Starr, Wright, Clymer, Cadwalader, Whelan, Muirhead, Treichel, Furness, Mitchell, Leiper, Frazier, Whitehead, Hazeltine, and others-enabled him to bring this regiment to the highest state of efficiency and discipline in a very short time ; and when it was ordered to the " Army of the Potomac," in October, fully armed, equipped, and mounted, it was made a part of the Brigade of Regular Cavalry. His services were most active and arduous in the Peninsular, Antietam, and Fredericksburg campaigns. He was commended by General Mcclellan for his services in front of Richmond, for his reconnaissance before and at the battle of Hanover Court House; for Gaines' Mill, Malvern Hill, the retreat to Harrison's Land- ing, and for his pursuit of " Jeb Stuart " in the raid of the latter in front of Richmond. In the battle of Antietam, he charged with the Cavalry Brigade, that carried the centre bridge, defended by light artillery batteries" and infantry supports. He was twice recommended, by General Mc Clellan, for promotion to the grade of Brigadier-General. In the spring of 1863, he was ordered to special duty in the War Department, as one of the Assistants to the Provost Marshal General, then organizing and perfecting the ar- rangements for the " Draft " on the male population of the country, in order to fill up the ranks of the army. While on this duty he organized, from the partially disabled men in' hospitals, " The Veteran Reserve Corps," a force of 20,000 men, composed of veteran soldiers, capable of doing guard duty at depots, hospitals, and military prisons, thereby relieving an equal number of active troops to take the field. Upon the expiration of the three years'
enlistment of his regiment, in the autumn of 1864, he returned to civil life in Philadelphia, where he now resides.
RISWOLD, GEORGE W., Dentist and Inventor, was born in Bainbridge, Chenango county, New York, September 29th, 1820. His father, Richard Griswold, was of a New England family, a highly intelligent man, and a watchmaker by trade. He taught his business to his son, who became an adept in it by the time he had attained his eighteenth year. But as he disliked the calling, he persuaded his father to allow him to follow the bent of his inclinations, and to study dentistry. To this profession he has given much attention, and practised it for many years. He, however, has devoted much time and study to devices calculated to benefit the public, which he has patented, and which though they have not aggregated a fortune for the inventor, at least have con- tributed not only to his comfort in a pecuniary point of view, but have lightened the labors of the many, besides affording to some a remuneration consequent upon the vending of the different articles so repeatedly called for and desired by the public , generally. He has received more than twenty patents, both in this country and in Europe, for his several devices, a few of which will be presently named. His inventive faculty never seemed to be dormant, although he was practising a profession. Whenever he observed a defect'in any method or process of any nature whatever, his mind would be involuntarily engaged, and mental images conjured up which must be realized in tangible form by the aid of his hand. During these hours of relaxation from his business, he would from the chaotic mass of ideas with which his mind was filled evolve some atom which, gradu- ally taking shape and form, would grow into being, guided by his intellect and mechanical skill. About twenty years since, he removed to Pennsylvania, locating at Carbondale ; but recently he has settled at Factoryville, Wyoming county. He is an ardent lover of nature, and has paid much atten- tion to geology and mineralogy. In the course of his wanderings, he has collected and accumulated many rare fossils and 'minerals, which form one of the finest private cabinets in the country. This collection is continually in- creasing, and it is highly prized by its owner, who takes pleasure in exhibiting it to the studious and curious. Among his inventions may be recited several which are in constant use, and others which, though not immediately available, are highly ingenious : 1. A burglar-proof lock, for the use of travellers ; weight, half an ounce, portable in the pocket. This is commonly termed the " Star Lock," its object being to secure the door of the room when occupied at night, from intrusion. Over 150,000 of these locks are used in this country. 2. A duplex wrench, so arranged that each " notch" on one side of the instrument forms a separate and distinct wrench, rendering it, for most purposes, as
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valuable as an adjustable wrench. Large numbers of these are in use. 3. A metallic counter-brace; being a curved piece of metal inserted between the inner and outer leather of the counter (of a boot or shoe) to give a tone to the article and prevent its being trodden out of shape. Large numbers of these stiffeners have been used, for many years, in the manufacture of boots and shoes in New England, and are still largely employed. 4. A metallic shield for lamp chimneys, to prevent breakage by heat of the blaze. 5. A method or process for determining the relative specific gravities of particles. He has also invented a very fine rotary pump, which, however, is too expensive in its con- struction to come into general nse. His latest, patent is the " Eureka Steamer," a new method of cooking; by which the continued attention of the cook is dispensed "with. This utensil is constructed with double sides and bottom, in which water is continually contained between the fire and the article to be cooked. This, though in some respects similar to other cookers of its class, is very differently con- structed, being skilfully arranged and at the same time of great simplicity, and obtainable at a very cheap rate. He is an ardent lover of music, and has devoted much time to its ! ministration he was nominated and elected a member of study. Ile was a fair organist at sixteen years ofrage, play-, ing regularly in church, and for many years, has taught the piano and organ in alternation with the practice of his pro- fession. His ideas of music are somewhat different from those generally held by the majority of modern composers, who seem to sacrifice the very soul of harmony to striking effects, instead of rendering the chords expressive; of the sentiments which inspire the composition. He believes that to be true melody, which after its strains have ceased to flow, lingers yet in the mind of the auditor and con- tributes to his happiness.
UGII, JONATHAN H., Silver-plater and Commis- sioner of City Property, is the youngest son of Jonathan and Rebecca Hayworth Pugh, and was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 15th, 1823. His parents were worthy members of society, his father being a good .mechanic and a great-grandson of one of William Penn's associates. When he was about five years of age, his parents removed to Montgomery county, where he received his primary educa- tion, which was subsequently completed in his native city. At the age of fourteen he was regularly apprenticed to learn the trade of a silver-plater, and during the six years, or thereabouts, of his service, thoroughly mastered all the de- tails of the business. On reaching his majority, he com- menced work on his own account with a borrowed capital of one hundred dollars, and by the most devoted and untiring industry established an excellent line of business, which constantly increased, and in twenty five years of active mechanical life secured for himself an ample compe-
tence. A short time after he had opened his store, an inci- dent occurred to him, which though trifling in itself, had an important bearing upon his future career. He had purchased of Samuel J. Cresswell, a large bill of materials to be paid for at a certain time, but when the day arrived, he had not the amount necessary to liquidate it. He called upon his creditor, however, stated the position of affairs, and tendered all the cash he had at that time. Instead of reproof, which he had expected, he received a hearty compliment from his creditor, who praised him for his indefatigable industry, assuring him that he deserved encouragement for the straightforward, honorable course he was pursuing. For over a quarter of a century he continued his dealings with this gentleman, maintaining a constant friendship with him, and eventually becoming associated with him in the city government. His political bias was originally in favor of Whig principles, and when that party disbanded, he natu- rally adopted the Republican faith. In 1850, he received the nomination of Representative to the State Legislature, but, although running largely ahead of his ticket, failed in the election. During the term of Mayor Henry's first ad- City Councils, and-was subsequently re-elected. He was especially. devoted'to the best interests of the city, and during his whole termsof four years' service in that body, was always present in his seat, except on one occasion. He was ever, conservative. His individuality being well de- veloped, his active and independent course drew around him the most influential members of the council. In 1864, he was unanimously elected Commissioner of Markets, Wharves, and Landings, and during his five years' service in that position, fulfilled its duties with credit to himself, and benefit to the city, as during each successive year of his administration the revenue from these several sources was largely augmented. In 1868, when the Department of Markets, Wharves, and Landings, was united with that of City Property, he was unanimously elected Chief of the Department so consolidated, and has since been re-elected annually to the present date (1874). When the Public Buildings Commission was created for the erection of buildings on Independence square, he was a prominent member of the same; but this body was subsequently superseded by the Building Commission, for the erection of public buildings at Broad and Market streets, and his duties consequently terminated. He has been a member of the Park Commission, since its organization, and has been a faithful and active participant in all the important measures which have been taken in that body. He is President of the Fiar Hill Improvement Company, which is believed to be the most successful of all the many land companies of the city. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, as well as of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was married, in 1842, to Sarah L. Forebaugh. He has seven children-four of whom are now married and prosperous.
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HOEMAKER, JOHN L., Lawyer, was born in Upper Dublin Township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, October 7th, 1832. He is the son of Jesse Shoemaker, a retired farmer, who is yet living in Philadelphia, at the advanced age of eighty-three years, and the great-great-grandson of Peter Shoemaker, who came to this country in the year 1685 in the ship " Frances & Dorothy," from London (with his father, Peter, who erected the first house in Germantown, in 1686), and in 1697 married Margaret, the daughter of Herman Updegrave, also one of the first settlers of Ger- mantown. His paternal grandmother was a great-grand- daughter of William Walton, who emigrated to Pennsylva- nia from Byberry, near Chester, England, as early as 1675 (seven years before Penn arrived), and settled in that part of Philadelphia county since called after his old home, By- berry. She was also a great-great-granddaughter of Thomas Walmsley, who came from Yorkshire, England, to this country with William Penn, in the ship " Welcome," in 1682. His maternal ancestors were also of the earliest settlers of the country. His mother, Edith (formerly Edith Longstreth), was the daughter of Isaac Longstreth and great-granddaughter of Bartholomew Longstreth and Ann (formerly Ann Dawson), his wife, Bartholomew having emigrated from " Longstreth-dale," Yorkshire, in 1698, and settled in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, near what is now known as Hatborough. His early ancestors were compatriots, associates and friends of William Penn, and of the same faith, as were likewise their descendants; and his character and the course of his whole life have been largely moulded by the Quaker influence thrown around him. He has always adhered to his early religious train- ing, and is still a member of the religious Society of Friends. His father, Jesse Shoemaker, had but two sons, James, born in 1822, a successful farmer, still residing near the home- stead of his father, and himself. His childhood and youth were spent upon his father's farm, and attending such schools as the neighborhood afforded, until he left home to finish his education. He never had the advantages of a regular collegiate education ; but the foundations had been laid broad and deep, and a naturally quick and intuitive mind had long before decided upon a devotion of physical power and brain to that " most jealous of all mistresses "- the law. In the year 1853, he went to Philadelphia and entered the office of Charles M. Wagner, as a student-at- law. During his studies he attended the University of Pennsylvania, andl graduated in July, 1856, L.L.B., with high honor to himself and the satisfaction of his precep- tors. In October of the same year he was admitted as a practitioner in the Courts of Common Pleas, Quarter Ses- sions, and the District Courts, and in March, 1858, to the Supreme Court, the highest known in the State. He at once turned his attention especially to that branch of the profes- sion known to the bar of Philadelphia as " the civil prac- tice," embodying jury trials in the civil courts, real estate | certificate I hold as a member from the Twelfth Ward."
transactions, Decedent and Orphans' Court business, thus avoiding, as might be expected from his quiet nature he would, the turmoil, and ofttimes unpleasantness of a crimi- nal practice. With his natural ability, untiring energy, strict integrity, and conscientious faithfulness, it was not long before he had obtained an extensive and valuable business, and the confidence alike of his associates at the bar, the Court, and the community at large, which he still enjoys, being the legal adviser in many large estates and for some of the principal corporations of the city. In this connection it may be mentioned as a singular fact, that his first school teacher has since been his pupil, the latter having chosen his former scholar as his preceptor in the study of the law, and, under his tuition having been admitted to the bar, where he is now a successful practitioner. In the au- tumn of 1861, although at the time living in a district strongly Democratic, he was, as a Republican, elected to the City Councils, and presented with his certificate of elec- tion, which entitled him to claim his seat as a member of the lower branch of the city government. The regularity of the army vote (without which his opponent would have had a few majority) being questioned, he personally ex- amined all the records affecting the fact of his election, and becoming convinced (as was in other cases decided by the Courts afterwards) that the accusation of irregularity in the vote was well founded, he refused to take the seat, and owing to that branch of the city government being nearly equally divided in political power, much anxiety was felt as to its permanent organization. He was strongly urged by those less conscientious to claim his seat ; all means perso- nal and political were brought to bear, but steadfast in his faith, at the first meeting of Common Council in 1862, he wrote his memorable letter, so characteristic of the whole course of his life, which stands to-day in the records of the body as an indication of his public purity and official recti- tude. In that letter, after referring to the part of the vote which had been called in question as irregular, and stating that he had personally examined the evidence which could be obtained upon the point, he said :
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