USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2 > Part 11
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| all these years, Samuel B. Fales worked unweariedly as Cor- responding Seeretary and General Financial Agent. The organization has now $2000 invested in eity bonds, the interest each year being added, the whole being designed to ereate the Monument Fund, which monument is to be erected to the memory of the sixty-three soldiers buried by the committee. In October, 1865, his associates of the Union Volunteer Refreshment Salcon passed a series of resolutions, which were beautifully engrossed, and presented to him, testifying to the prominent part he took in the great work. Ile has likewise been the recipient of many compli- mentary letters, especially from his college elass-mates, who bear witness to the fact that in all his unselfish devotion to the soldiers' eomfort he has reflected the teachings, and honored the escutcheon of his Alma Mater. Ile is one of the very few civilians who have been honored with a mem. bership in the " Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States," and is a member of the council of that commandery.
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fire, June 14th, 1866, but in less than a week the debris was in course of removal, and a stately structure replaced the original edifice. This property was sold to Richard Gar- sed, February Ist, 1867, reserving certain water rights for Tremont Mills. The latter were entirely remodelled and enlarged by their proprietor, in 1865, and the Bridge Mill was also greatly increased in capacity, in 1871 and 1872, and other buiklings in its vicinity erected, including store- houses, dye-houses, bleaching and woollen factories. There are also commodious offices and all necessary out-buildings. Machinery of the highest grade and best description fill the various mills, and the establishment is complete within itself, taking the wool in a raw state, making all its own yarn, dyeing its own goods, and sending them out ready for market. The amount manufactured daily is 1000 pounds of yarns, 1000 yards of ingrain, imperial, extra, super, da- mask, Venetian and Palatine carpets, and thirty five pairs of blankets of various sizes, grades, and standards. About 3000 pounds of wool are consumed each day, employing from 400 to 500 hands. Few men are more thoroughly conversant with the early history, progress and practical details of the manufactures of Pennsylvania than the pro- prietor of these mills.
EWIS, JOHN, Paper Manufacturer, was born in Springfield township, Delaware county, Pennsyl- vania, July 22d, 1776, and was one of seventeen children comprising the family of John and Jane (Farr) Lewis. Ilis paternal ancestors were ori- ginally from the parish of Illan, Glamorganshire, Wales, emigrated to Pennsylvania about 1688, and settled at Ilaverford. He was educated at the Friends' Meeting I Iouse School in Springfield, and being of apt and studious habits, gifted with a retentive memory and a bright intellect, he acquired all that he was able to learn at that academy by the time he was but fourteen years old. Ile was ever a great reader, and in a measure self-cultured. While yet a lad he entered the paper mill of Thomas Lewis, on Darby creck, and learned the business. ffe afterwards erected a mill on Crum creek, which he operated for many years ; in fact, he continued there nearly all his days, excepting during a short interval at Troy. For a considerable period he managed the entire business himself, but at a later date he associated with him his brother George, who became the business manager, while he continued as the chief practical operative of the mill. The article produced was writing- paper, which was entirely hand-made. In later years, he removed his residence to Castle Rock, where he engaged also in farming. ITis political faith was Democratie, as ex- pounded by Jefferson, and, during 1821-'22, he served as a member of the Legislature, being elected on that ticket. At a later date, when General Jackson gave a new reading to the ancient principles of Democracy, he left that party, and took no further interest in political matters until
General IIarrison was nominated for the Presidency ; he then became a consistent Whig, and afterwards a Republi- can. In religious belief, he was an Orthodox Friend, and was moreover a model Christian man. IIe was married, March 31st, 1815, to Elizabeth Crozer, who brought him six children, all of whom are now (1874) living. IIe died June 16th, 1856.
PERING, NATHAN, Merchant, was born at Pottsgrove, now Pottstown, Pennsylvania, May 7th, 1820, and is a son of Charles Spering of the same place. While a lad he removed to Phila- delphia, where he attended the district schools, and at the usual age was apprenticed to the trade of trunk-maker. When he had served his time he went into the business on his own account, and continued in it for fifteen years. Having been tendered by Mayor Conrad the office of Lieutenant of Police-in the old Dis- trict of the Northern Liberties-he accepted the same, and relinquished his former calling. It was the dawning of a new era in Philadelphia, for the numerous districts, boroughs and townships, together with the old city, had been consoli- dated into one municipality, with but one executive officer to govern the same. For many years the district where he w.is stationed had been disturbed by rioting, carried on by adherents of various fire companies who were rivals for the honor of being the most energetic members of the depart- ment, but who were in reality the originators of the despe- rate conflicts between those opposed in politics, religious belief, etc. An alarm of fire was certain to be followed by a riot, or pitched battle, and the neighborhood of the con- flict was an unsafe locality for any casual wayfarer, or for persons whose business lay in that direction. But by the prompt and energetic efforts which Lieutenant Spering made, he broke up the disorderly gangs, and restored quiet and good order in the district, and also in the Fire Department there located. The Philadelphia and New York press, in their leading editorials, complimented him upon his per- sonal bravery and the skilful management of his corps in many of the contests which took place. In 1864, he was elected Commissioner of Highways by City Councils, and three times thereafter re-elected to the same position. After his last term of office had expired, he bade farewell to poli- tics for a time, and with his son, Charles, entered upon a career as a dry-goods merchant, under the firm name of Nathan Spering & Son, by whom has been transacted one of the largest retail businesses in the city, the sales averaging half a million dollars annually. Early in 1874, he was im- portuned by the voters of the Seventh Ward to allow him- self to become a candidate for Common Council, and after much persuasion at last consented. This occasioned one of the fiercest and best fought battles that ever took place in municipal politics. Ile was opposed unitedly by all the " Rings "-as he was running as an Independent Repub-
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lican; but such was the high estimate of the man in the ward, and such also was the ability and energy with which the fight was championed by his son and others, that his majority was 150 over both the opposing candidates, being 300 above the vote given to Mayor Stokely, his total being 2450 votes in a poll of 4600. During the War of the Re- bellion he served in William B. Mann's company in the Valley, at the battle of Gettysburg, etc., as a Lieutenant, and bore himself faithfully in all the duties devolving upon him in that well known corps. Ile has been a zealous member of the Baptist Church for many years; and in his benefactions is most liberal and charitable. As a citizen he is exemplary, and as a business man most honorable in his dealings. His wife's maiden name was Charlotte Bickel, of Philadelphia, who brought him six children, of whom four are living, his eldest son, Charles, being now associated with him in business.
ARPER, GEORGE K., Journalist, was born in Oxford township, Philadelphia county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1778, and removed to Chambersburg, in 1794. At the age of sixteen . he entered. the printing office of his brother, Robert Harper, editor and publisher of the Franklin . Repository, the only newspaper then in Franklin county. .. Ile con- tinued to assist his brother until the year 1800, when he. succeeded him as exclusive editor. The extensive influ- ence, and the high intellectual and moral tone which this paper has maintained for more than three-quarters of a century, are largely due to the character impressed upon it by him. His editorial charge of the Repository began during the excitement that characterized the contest be- tween Adams and Jefferson for the Presidency. Although an avowed Federalist, he was never intolerant, personally hostile, or 'abusive to those who differed with him politi- cally. As early as 1801, when the Democratic party came in, he said : " The Repository shall never pursue a course of indiscriminate abuse of the mien now in power, and their measures; nor, on the other hand, shall it sink into apathy and servility, but, keeping aloof from licentiousness and indecorum, admit free and fair discussion of public men and measures." The enunciation of such principles in a political journal in those days was rare; adherence to them was more rare. But in the Repository they were strictly and scrupulously maintained. The result was a rapid in- crease in its influence and circulation. Though he was opposed to the declaration of war with England, in IS12, yet, when it was declared, he warmly espoused the cause of his country, and took up arms in her defence. Ile became a Lieutenant in a volunteer company, organized in Chambersburg, under the command of Captain Jeremiah Snider, which hastily equipped itself and marched to meet the enemy on the Canadian frontier, then a vast wilderness,
swarming with hostile Indians, the allies of the British. After an arduous campaign, in a country remote from set- tlements and supplies, he returned to Chambersburg and resumed editorial charge of the Repository. Although ex- empt by law from further military service, yet, on the news of the approach of the British towards Baltimore, he again shouldered his knapsack. Ile remained in service until the cnemy was repulsed and Baltimore saved. Ile then returned home and gave to the Repository his undivided attention until 1840, when he was appointed Postmaster of Chambersburg by President Harrison. On the succes- sion of President Tyler, he was removed from office, his views on certain questions of policy not agreeing with those of the administration. During the forty years that the Re- Pository was under his editorial charge, it was a model family newspaper, free from anything that could offend the most fastidious ; the uniform advocate of religion and sound morals, and the champion of peace, law, and order. He was a kind and wise father, an attentive husband, and an exem- plary citizen and neighbor. Upright in his dealings, he was without litigation. The esteem and confidence with which he was regarded by his neighbors may be seen in the fact that he was in constant demand as referee or arbitrator in their disputes and controversies. He died in IS58.
ETHERILL, SAMUEL, Manufacturer, was born in Burlington, New Jersey, in April, 1736. IIe was of English descent, the founder of the Ameri- . can branch of the family having cmigrated to this country in 1682, and settled near Burlington, establishing there a community professing the religious faith of the Society of Friends. It is recorded, in the annals of the " Meeting," that Christopher Wetherill donated the lot on which the Burlington Meeting House was erected, at a very early date. Samuel left Burlington when quite young, and during the residue of his life made Philadelphia his residence. Some time prior to the Revo- lutionary War he engaged in manufacturing, and sold large quantities of his fabrics to the Government for the use of the army. . Ile was the first individual in the Province of Pennsylvania to manufacture jeans, fustians, coatings, etc. Ile was also occupied in dyeing and fulling cloths, and after a time added the manufacture of various chemicals to his products. His business card, or "trade-mark," as it would be termed at the present day, represented a Quaker dame sitting beside her spinning wheel, below which ap- pcared the following announcement : " Philadelphia manu- factures, suitable for every season of the year, viz., jeans, fustians, everlastings, coatings, etc., to be sold by the sub- scriber at his dwelling-house and manufactory, which is now standing in South alley, between Market and Arch streets and between Fifth and Sixth streets, on Hudson's alley : Samuel Wetherill." In 1789, the establishment was removed to (old) No. 65 north Front street, below Arch,
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where it remained for over seventy years thereafter, and was | to his native place, and commenced the practice of his pro- familiarly known, during all that time, as Wetherill's drug store. ITis house was the first in America to manufacture white lead, which still continues its specialty. During the War of 1812, the firm determined to undersell the foreign article, which had been heavily imported, to ruin their business. They, however, succeeded in making a cheaper and better article than the British lead, and secured the trade. While they were in the height of their prosperity, during the year 1813, their white lead works were destroyed by fire; an act of incendiarism, as was then believed, prompted by British jealousy and malevolence. During the period of the Revolutionary War, a number of Friends joined the patriot cause ; and when the appeal to arms was made, laid aside their principles of non-resistance, and joined heart and hand with the Whigs. This was the origin of the society of the "Frce Quakers," termed by some the " Fighting Quakers." Samuel Wetherill was one of the founders and earnest advocates of this new sect. IIe had previously been a preacher of rare promise among liis co-religionists, and also an author of considerable note, writing and publishing religious, sectarian, and., polemic works. At this period, he put forth his Apology for the Religious Society of the Free Quakersi and travelled cxten- sively through the other States, with the certificate of that society addressed " to the brethren in affliction and of one family." IIe took a great interest"in the success, welfare, and prosperity of this society; and through his means, a large sum of money was raised to build the meeting-house at the southwest corner of Arch and Fifth istreets, (now in the occupancy of the Apprentices' Library); and the quaint inscription on the tablet, cites its erection " in the year of the Empire VIII." Among the contributors to the building fund are the time-honored names of Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, Jolm Cadwalader, and other members of different creeds. ITis public services were few but impor- tant. IIe was a member, and Vice-President, of the " Com- mittee of 1793; " a member of Councils, and Chairman of the Watering Committee, 1802-3; the Secretary of the " Society of Constitutional Republicans," in 1805; and a Director of the Schuylkill Navigation Company, in 1815. Ile died, September 24th, 1816.
UNKEL, JOIIN C., Lawyer, was born at Harris- burg, Pennsylvania, September 18th, 1816. IIe. received a liberal, scientific, 'and classical educa- tion in the schools of Gettysburg, and graduated subsequently at Jefferson College, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. IIe soon after commenced the study of law in the office of General Samuel Alexander, at Carlisle, and whilst there became a regular attendant at the Law School in that town, then under the management of Judge Read. After his admission to the bar, he returned
fession, in connection with the late James McCormick, and rapidly rose to the front rank of attorneys and counsellors- at-law. Ile was especially esteemed as a brilliant orator and powerful declaimer. From his early youth, he had been a close student of the Bible; and from its precepts, which sank deep into his heart, and guided his conduct through life, he drew that inspiration which won .for him the reputation of being a most accomplished gentleman, a forcible debater, an eloquent speaker, and above all, a pure- minded Christian man. IIe was active in politics; and in the celebrated campaign of 1844, took an active" part in advocating the claims of IIenry Clay for the Presidential chair, and was conspicuous for his many brilliant arguments and effective addresses, delivered in various parts of the Commonwealth. In the same year, he was a successful candidate on the Whig ticket for Assembly, was re-elected in 1845, and again in 1850. In 1851, he was elected to the State Senate, and was chosen Speaker of that body at the, close of the first session of his term. As a legislator, he was conspicuous for the wisdom of his counsel, as well as for the power of his eloquence; and he discharged his duties with fidelity to his constituents, with honor to him- self, and with eredit to the State. In 1854, and again in 1856, he was elected.to Congress. ITis first appearance in the National House of Representatives was in the memor- able struggle for the election of Speaker, which resulted in the choice of N. P. Banks. In the progress of that contest, he took an active part, and on one occasion addressed the unorganized and excited body. ITis manner and style, the pertinence of his arguments, the compactness of his logic, and the grace of his delivery commanded attention ; and the most perfect silence reigned until he closed, when he received the congratulations of many. During his four years of service at Washington, he was regarded throughout the country as one of the ablest statesmen at the capital. In 1858, he retired from publie life, and gave his attention exclusively to the practice of his profession, stepping out of his eourse occasionally to help a friend in the political eanvass, and to a limited extent, indulging in scientific agriculture. In the spring of 1868, he was stricken with paralysis, and never fully regained his health, though the best medical skill was obtained. IIe was married, October 20th, 1857, to Elizabeth C. Rutherford; and died, October 14th, IS70, leaving his widow, two children, and his aged mother.
ASSEY, WILLIAM, Brewer, was born in Liver- pool, England, November 16th, 1808. When he was a year old, his father removed to Ilawley Potteries, in Staffordshire, where he received his education. After leaving school, he entered his father's establishment, where he learned the busi- ness of Brewing. In 1828, he emigrated to the United States, the voyage occupying five months, as the vessel-
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through stress of weather-was obliged to put into Fayal to repair and refit. On his arrival in Philadelphia, he found employment in Gray's Brewery, on Sixth street, where he remained two years, and then proceeded to New Orleans, becoming engaged in that city in the bottling business, He dwelt there for twenty-four years, and during the entire period, enjoyed the best of health, never experiencing any of the miasmatic diseases so common to that locality. Always actively engaged in attending to the manifold details of his business, he prospered greatly from year to year. In 1849, and five years prior to leaving New Orleans, he became a member of the firm of Poultney, Collins & Massey, who had purchased the interests of M. L. Dawson, in the extensive brewery located at the northwest corner of Tenth and Filbert streets, Philadelphia. In 1854, he returned to the North, where he has ever since resided, giving his whole attention to the business, as head of the firm of Wil- liam Massey & Co., his associates in that house consisting of John Gardiner, James M. Hall, and William Massey Robinson. The brewery and malt house is the largest in the State, and perhaps the most extensive in the Union, there having been brewed during the season of 1872-3, the enormous quantity of 113,000 barrels of ale and porter, each vessel having a capacity of 30 gallons. To produce this result, 250,000 bushels of barley, and 125 tons of hops were used. Personally, he is a genial, modest, unassuming man of kindly disposition and winning manners. Ile is one of the most generous and charitable of citizens, and his bounties are large and well bestowed. IIe is a member of the Albion and Hibernian Societies, and has been for a long while Vice-President of the Society of the Sons of St. George. In political faith, he is a Democrat, and since the establish- ment of the Reform Club, has been elected one of its Governors. Ile is prominent in every enterprise intended for the development and improvement of the city, and in- erease of its commerce. Ile was married, in 1830, to Fanny, daughter of Samuel Miller, of Bridgeton, New Jersey.
IESTER, WILLIAM MUHLENBERG, Lawyer, was born at Reading, Berks county, Pennsylvania, May 15th, 1818. IIe is a son of the late Dr. Isaac Iliester, for many years a distinguished physician of Reading, and grandson, on the maternal side, of General Peter Muhlenberg, of
under the auspices of the Protestant Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Chauncey Colton, D. D., as President ; and gradu- ated in the class of 1837, the second and last class of gradu- ates from that college, which became financially involved in the crisis of 1837, and was compelled to wind up its affairs. He read law with the Hon. John Banks, President Judge of the Courts of Berks county, and completed his legal studies during the winter of 1838-9, at the law school of Harvard University, under the direction of those celebrated jurists, Justice Joseph Story and Professor Simon Greenleaf. He was admitted to the bar, January 7th, 1840, at Reading. In the year 1843, the honorary degree of A. M. was confer- red upon him by the faculty of Harvard. IIe practised his profession for four years at Erie, Pennsylvania, and returned to Reading in 1845, where he associated himself with his relative, the late Hon. IIenry A. Muhlenberg, and in that connection succeeded to an active practice at the bar of Berks county. Among his contemporaries were a number of able attorneys, who have since risen to distinction in public life. In October, 1852, he was elected to the Senate of Pennsylvania, as the successor of his colleague at the bar, Mr. Muhlenberg, who at the same election was chosen to represent the district of Berks county in the Congress of the United States. Ilis senatorial term embraced the sessions of 1853,-'54 and '55, during which he ranked among the foremost men on the Democratic side. He served as a member of the Committee on the Judiciary for the first year, and at the next was advanced to the Chairmanship of the same important committee, which he filled with the excep- tional ability for which his characteristic clear judgment and thorough education in the principles and practice of the law, so well qualified him. At the opening of the session of 1855, after twenty-six ineffectual ballotings for Speaker of the Senate, (that body being then composed of sixteen Democrats, fifteen Americans, and one Old- Line Whig, Mr. Darsie, of Allegheny county-with one vacancy in a Philadelphia district,) he was elected to that honorable posi- tion, on the twenty-seventh ballot, by the votes of his fifteen Democratic colleagues and the vote of Mr. Darsie, who, being of foreign birth, was excluded from political associa- tion with the American party of that day. His course as Speaker was distinguished for dignity, firmness, and im- partiality. Upon the accession of Governor William F. Packer to the Executive chair, in January, 1858, he was tendered the appointment of Secretary of the Common- wealth, which he accepted with some reluctance. He con- tinued in that office as one of the Governor's most trusted confidential advisers, during the three trying years of his administration, which immediately preceded the war. Ile supported Stephen A. Douglas for the Presidency in the canvass of 1860, and when, by the disruption of the National Democratic party and the election of Lincoln, the rebellion of the Southern States was precipitated, he gave his hearty adhesion to the Administration in all its measures for the
revolutionary renown. Ilis mother, Hetty Muhlenberg, was the last surviving child of that eminent soldier and statesman, and died at Reading, in the autumn of 1872, in the eighty-eighth year of her age. He received his early education at West Nottingham Academy, Cecil county, Maryland, a somewhat noted institution in its day, under the charge of the Rev. James Magraw, D. D., a leading old. school divine of the Presbyterian Church. He subsequently entered Bristol College, Pennsylvania, which was founded prosecution of the war for the maintenance of the Union.
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