USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2 > Part 4
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CKERT, ISAAC, Ironmaster, and Bank President, was born in the village of Womelsdorf, Berks county, Pennsylvania, in January, ISoo. Ile was a son of Peter Eckert, a farmer and merchant of prominence in that neighborhood, and grandson of Valentine Eckert, who served in the Revolu- tionary War as Captain of a troop of cavalry. The priva- tions and hardships he endured during and after the battle of Germantown resulted in an illness which shortly after- ward terminated in his death. The maiden name of his niother was Brown, a member of a well-known family then resident in the vicinity of Erie, Pennsylvania. Ile re- ceived his elementary education in the schools of his birth- place, and completed his studies in the Grammar School of the University of Pennsylvania, at that time presided over by the venerable Dr. Abercrombie, of Christ Church Parish, Philadelphia. Before he had attained his majority he, in copartnership with his elder brother, William, suc- eceded to the mercantile business of their father, and, about the year 1828, the brothers removed to Reading, and con- tinued in the same occupation until 1836, when he retired from that connection and became associated with his younger brother, Dr. George N. Eckert-a gentleman of extensive scientific acquirements, whose attention was early directed to the development of the rich mineral resources of Schuyl- kill county, and who for a series of years ably represented that district in the Congress of the United States-and de- voted his time and means to the manufacture of iron. In IS42-'44, the " Ilenry Clay Furnace "-one of the largest anthracite furnaces that, until then, had ever been projected in the State-was erected at Reading under their joint proprietorship. In 1855, another furnace of like extent was added to this upon an adjoining site. Both are still standing, and working with a capacity of 140 to 150 tons each. At the' decease of Dr. Eckert his brother purchased
proprietor up to the spring of 1873, when he relinquished his active interest in them to his two sons, IIenry S. and George B., by w.tom they are now carried on under the firm name of Eckert & Brother. In 1838, he was elected President of the Farmers' Bank of Reading, a State insti- tution, since reorganized under the National Banking Laws with the title of the Farmers' National Bank, which office he held without intermission until his death, covering a period of thirty five years. ITis eldest son, IIenry S., has succeeded him in this position. Ile was also President of the " Country Bank Association," composed of the National banks east of the mountains, for eight years. In 1852, he was chosen President of the Leesport Iron Company, in which he was one of the principal stockholders, and of which he continued to act as the executive officer up to the time of his decease. He was a very considerable land-owner in Berks and Schuylkill counties, and his invest- ments were uniformly safe and remunerative. Ile was one of the founders of the Berks County Agricultural and Hor- ticultural Society, and for many years its President ; in which capacity his early experience and subsequent thoroughly acquired knowledge of all matters pertaining to agricultural science were of inestimable advantage in promoting the objects for which that Society was established; and it is mainly to his lively interest and disinterested exertions in the direction of its affairs that its present flourishing condi- tion, second to that of no similar association in the State, is due. It was his special pride to see the best breeds of horned cattle and other live stock, and the choicest varie- ties of standard fruits, introduced upon the farms of his native county, and the benefit of his assiduous efforts to these ends were made visible in the superior specimens of such stock and products which, during his administration, always constituted a chief attraction of the Society's an- nual fairs. Ile was selected by President Grant as one of the Commissioners to the Vienna Exposition of 1873; and was appointed, by Act of the Forty-second Congress, one of the two Commissioners from his District for the organiza- tion of the Board of Finance under which the Centennial Exposition for 1876 was undertaken. In the spring of 1867, and also in 1873, in fulfilment of his Commission to the Austrian Capital, he made extensive tours through the principal countries of Europe, and added materially to the fund of practical information upon all subjects worthy of the study of an educated American gentleman, which he made it one of the aims of his active and useful life to ac- quire. He was no politician or office-seeker, in the low sense in which these terms have come to be applied, but he always took a warm interest in the success of the poli- tical principles in which he had been reared, and to which he adhered through life-first as an old-line Whig, and afterwards as a loyal Republican. Ilis influence and wealth were freely used for the benefit of his party, and during the War of the Rebellion he contributed liberally of his means
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toward the success of the Union arms. Ile was a Delegate to the National Convention at Chicago, in 1860, when Mr. Lincoln was nominated to the Presidency for his first term, and was one of the Presidential Electors for this State in 1864. Politically he was universally respected, and personally he was esteemed by men of all parties for his many admirable traits of private character. He was a member of the Pr. testant Episcopal Church, and one of the two Wardens of Christ Church, Reading, which the Bishop of the new Diocese of Central Pennsylvania has accepted for his Cathedral. Ile was a liberal contributor to the Endowment Fund of this Diocese. He was prominent and zealous in all the enterprises of a literary, benevolent and charitable character of the city whose best interests he always had at heart, and gave generously toward their support. Plain and unostentatious in his deportment, he was distinguished for a cheerfulness and suavity of disposi- tion and a winning courtesy of manner in his intercourse with his fellowmen, which won for him the affectionate regard of all who enjoyed his acquaintance. Ile possessed all the inbred qualities of a gentleman of the old school; and was a universal favorite in social and domestic life. To the young, particularly, he was invariably kind . and sympathetic, and manifested his interest in their welfare by. friendly counsel and valuable assistance. By many who were thus made the recipients of his paternal-attention, he will be long remembered with feelings of love and gratitude. HI- retained the full possession of his mental, and physical faculties, to a remarkable degree, to the very close of his well-spent life; and died, almost without a struggle, after an illness of only two days, on the 13th of December, 1873, having nearly completed his seventy-third year. He was married, in 1826, to Judith, daughter of Dr. Ilahn, of Montgomery county, originally of Philadelphia, who sur- vives him, Ilis heirs are the two sons already named, and a danghter, the wife of P. R. Stetson, of New York. As a memorial of a justly loved and revered parent, they have donated to Christ Cathedral, in his name, a full chime of ten bells, weighing over five tons, which have been placed in the beautiful Gothic tower of that edifice. The appropri- ateness of this tribute is heightened by the fact that, upon various occasions during his latter years, he had expressed a desire to see the original design of the architect of the Cathedral, in constructing a bell-tower over its façade, carried out.
IESTER, HION. WILLIAM, Legislator and Poli- tician, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, October 10th, 1790. Some six members of his family had occupied seats in Congress, among them his uncle, General Daniel Iliester, who sat in the Ist, 2d, 3d and 4th Congresses from Penn- sylvania, and in the 7th and 8th from Maryland, to which State he had removed, and who died in Wa hington during
[ the session of the 8th Congress, in 1804. William Hiester, after due preparation, pursued an irregular course at Dick- inson College, and was probably a classmate of Judges Grier and Hlayes. He removed to Lancaster county, about 1822, and having settled at New Holland married Lucy E., daughter of Isaac Ellmaker, of that place. He early entered into polities, and became one of the first advocates of the Anti-Masonic movement ; he was Secretary of the great Anti-Masonic meeting at New Ilolland, in 1828. IIe was the opponent of James Bachanan for Congress the same year, but being defeated, was renominated and elected in 1830, and, having been twice re-elected, served continu- ously until 1837. In 1836, he was elected a member of the Constitutional Reform Convention which assembled in Ilarrisburg, in May, 1837, and adjourned February 22d, 1838. Ile was elected State Senator in 1840, and was chosen Speaker of the Senate in 1842. During all his pub- lic career he was attentive to the interests of his constituents and made a pure and noble record. He presided at the great Whig Convention held in Lancaster, July 29th, 1843, which advocated the claims of Henry Clay for the Presi- dency; and became a Presidential Elector in 1844. The same year he was the unanimous choice of Lancaster county for Governor, but he declined to allow his name to be used. Ile was a man of ability, spoke both English and German with great. fluency, and enjoyed the unlimited confidence of the people. . Ilis stainless purity and sterling integrity caused him to be highly respected and admired, while his affability and kindness won for him a large circle of de- voted friends. Ilis, death, on October 14th, 1853, cast a shadow over the whole community.
IESTER, HON. ISAAC ELLMAKER, Lawyer and Legislator, son of Hon. William Iliester and grand- nephew of Governor Joseph Hiester, was born in New Holland, Lancaster county, Penna., May 29th, 1824. He entered the Moravian School at Litiz in early youth, and after a period at Abbeville Academy entered Bolmar's Institute at West Chester, Pennsylvania, where he was prepared for College. He matriculated at Yale, in 1838, and having graduated with high honors, in 1842, engaged in the study of law with Hon, Thomas E. Franklin, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Having been admitted to the bar, September 13th, 1845, he speedily rose to a position of influence in his profession, and was, in 1848, during the term of Governor William F. Johnson, appointed Deputy Attorney-General. Ile was elected by the Whigs to the 33d Congress, in 1852, and gained notoriety from his brilliant and powerful opposition to the Kansas Nebraska Bill ; he was again nominated, in IS54, but failed of an election. Having repudiated the Know-Nothing movement, he, with a few followers, united with the Democrats, who nominated him for Congress in
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1856. HIe was a delegate to the Democratie National Convention, in 1868, and was then appointed a member of the Democratic National Executive Committee. IIe was not a bigoted partisan, and was frank in expressing his opinions, which frequently failed to harmonize with the views of his party. ITis great legal ability was universally conceded, and he was the acknowledged peer of any of his fellow practitioners. Having enjoyed the advantages of a superior education, he was a man of culture and fine attain- ments, and was more than onee solicited to accept the nomi- nation for Justice of the Supreme Court, but he steadily declined. IIe was a member of the banking firm of Reed, Ilenderson & Co., of Laneaster. He was married, Feb- ruary 18th, 1863, to Mary T., daughter of Benjamin Eshle- man of Lancaster. He died February 6th, 1871, honored and mourned by all who knew him, esteemed and admired for his dignity, honor and true manhood.
AKER, GEORGE, Banker and Broker, was born in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, October 17th, IS21. IIe was educated in the common schools of his native county, and was engaged in agrieul- tural pursuits until 1838, when he removed to Chester and became an apprentice to Eyre & Manley, merchants of that city. He remained with them until he had attained his majority, after which he was a salesman until 1846. ITis close attention to business and his mercantile ability were so marked that when, in the latter year, John O. Deshony, a successful merchant of Chester, was about to retire he offered him the use of suffi- eient eapital to engage in business on his own account, and became a silent partner with him. He turned this oppor- tunity to such good account that at the expiration of five years he was able to refund all his borrowed capital, and then associated in partnership with William McCall, under the firm name of Baker & McCall. This new firm was ob- liged to extend its facilities to accommodate its increasing trade, and continued a successful carcer until 1853, when the senior partner having purchased his partner's interest became the sole proprietor. . In time his business assumed such proportions as to require larger accommodations, and he ereeted a commodious new store on Market Square, at the corner of Third street, and after his removal thither admitted IIenry C. Trainer, and took the style of George Baker & Co. Subsequently Ilenry Hinkson became intc- rested, and having finally been admitted to full partnership the firm became Baker & Ilinkson, and so continued until autumn, 1866, when he sold his interest to his partner. Chester and its vieinity had long felt the need of a private bankers' and brokers' establishment, and having associated in partnership with William Ward, a prominent lawyer and real estate operator, on January Ist, 1867, the firm of Ward & Baker established the first enterprise of the kind in De- | making himself thereby very valuable to his employers
laware county. Under their able and energetic manage- ment it spcedily took high rank among financial insti- tutions, and the aggregate of its deposits closely approxi- mated to those of the neighboring National banks. Their operations steadily inereased, and finding their banking- house too contracted for convenience, George Baker erceted in 1870, a handsome new banking-house, with Delaware county granite front, on Market Square, adjoining his store property, and the firm removed thither in the spring of 1871. After a while, his partner became so much oecu- pied by his professional duties and outside operations that, on January 20th, 1873, he purchased his interest in the banking house, and has since conducted it alone. During the panic of 1873, when the greatest financial distress pre- vailed and so many private banking-houses suecumbed, this institution was able to promptly and fully mect all the demands upon it, proving that the confidence reposed in it . had not been misplaced. In 1861, lic associated with David Trainer, of Linwood, as Trainer & Baker, and en- gaged in the manufacture of fine woollen goods at the La- mokin Mills, but as the firm soon after sold their interest this enterprise proved of short duration. For some years anterior to the chartering of the city he had been Burgess, and was for ten years President of the Chester Building Association. Although a thorough Republican, he has never been an aspirant for political honors, and has uni- formly shrunk from public notoriety. During the Gettys- burg Campaign, of 1863, he elosed his store, and with all his employés joined Captain Frieh's company, serving during that emergency. Few men have been more dili- gent and enterprising, and during his long business career he has contributed much to the advancement of the interests of the eity. Every publie improvement has found in him a quiet but influential advocate, and he has ever shown his readiness to extend substantial aid to all projects calculated to benefit the community.
ILDRUP, WILLIAM THOMAS, Superintendent of the Harrisburg Car Works, was born in Middletown, Connecticut, February 6th, 1822, and is the son of Jesse Hildrup, of Hartford, in that State. Ile obtained his education in the ex- cellent common schools of the district, and was ever an apt and advanced scholar. Ilaving learned the carpenter's trade, at the age of nineteen years he started for himself, possessed of a set of carpenter's tools, $25 in liis pocket and his industry and energy to carve his way through the world. He first proceeded to Cape Vincent, Jefferson county, New York, and two years after to Worcester, Massa- chusetts, where he entered Bradley's Car Factory as an em- ployé. IIe soon mastered the business, and was especially noted for his industry and regularity. IIe was ever a close student of mechanical theories and business rules and usages,
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During the ten years that he remained in this cstablishment above the best classes, and may be considered one of the best, if not the best, mechanic in the Commonwealth. By his enterprise and superior capacity, coupled with the amount of capital which has been brought to his aid, he has mainly succeeded in building up the manufacturing interests of Harrisburg. Every enterprise-and he has had a managing interest in nearly all the manufacturing concerns in the city-has succeeded under his supervision and direction ; and not one of these ever proved a loss to those interested, or failed to pay its creditors. Ile is the largest owner in the Harrisburg Car Works, the foundry and machine-shop, the saw-mill, etc. Ile is among the hardest working men of the many under his control. But not only in these en- terprises has he manifested good judgment, shrewd man- agement and business qualifications of a high order, but able foresight also. During the Civil War, when Harrisburg was menaced by invasion, he it was who selected the sites for and planned the fortifications for its defence. These points so selected were those which commanded the several approaches to the city, and the works thus laid out were such as to completely thwart the enemy's purposes. Ile was also associated during the Rebellion with his friend William Calder in supplying the Government with horses and mules. The latter, by his intimate and life-long asso- ciation with stock raisers in Pennsylvania and the adjoining States, was able to command the market, as it were, and succeeded in securing the requisite number of animals from time to time. To the former was confided the necessary attention of transportation to the several points of delivery, together with the entire duty of having them duly inspected by the Government officers, and the securing of the neces- sary vouchers for payment. This was a matter involving great executive ability, and when it is stated that during the four years that the war continued he delivered to the Govern- ment 42,000 horses, 67,000 mules, and 5000 head of oxen, some idea may be formed of the vast amount of labor he performed. It has been elsewhere stated that during his leisure hours he studied the mechanical arts theoretically, while during his hours of labor he was carrying these out practically in the workshop. Knowing the difficulties of the artisan in securing instruction and proficiency in matters of this kind, he has largely interested himself in behalf of a " Mechanics' Iligh School," whose mission it shall be to educate the young and rising generation theoretically and practically in the trades, or branches of trades, in which they design engaging, so as to make them proficients in their specialties, that they may, when exercising the position of foremen or overseers of certain industries, be able to thus instruct others while becoming better acquainted with their own proper work. The Legislature of Pennsylvania passed a bill creating such an institution, late in the session of 1873; but scarcely was it organized, when the financial panic of September of that year swept over the land, thus retarding its thorough organization. An able report of he became thoroughly proficient in every department. In 1852, he removed to Elmira, New York, where he remained about a year ; in 1853, he changed his residence to Harris- burg, at the invitation of a prominent citizen, and became interested in the Harrisburg Car Works, then just orga- nized, and of which he was selected as the future Manager. The working capital of this concern was but $25,000. Under his superintendence its success was onward and up- ward. In 1862, it was entirely re-organized, the capital increased to $75,000, and it took a new departure, greatly augmenting its productions and employing 250 hands. In 1864, so successful had it become that again its capital was increased, and four years later the amount invested was twelve-fold what it was when he first took charge of the concern, fifteen years previously, a small army of 1400 men being then employed in this teeming hive of industry. By his able management other establishments grew out of the enterprise-a saw-mill, a machine-shop and foundry, a planing mill and lumber yard, and all tributary to the ori- ginal works. William Calder, the President of the Car Works, whose interests, temperament and disposition har- monized with his own from the very commencement of his residence in Harrisburg, and himself have been the leading spirits and controlling laborers in developing these great works ; and the several industries above named have each and all sprung from the one seed, the original $25,000 in- vested in 1853, and have grown and flourished under their superior care and management. When he first came to Harrisburg there was very little mechanical skill among all the artisans of the place. Being possessed of great me- chanical genius, he gave an impetus to these arts, being skilful and experienced in all details as well as in great works. He has a high regard for the artisan. Having once been a mechanie himself, he first directed his attention to their needs and endeavored to improve their condition. Ile noticed the irregular and unsatisfactory mode in which they were paid. Ile commenced by revising and systema- tizing the method ; then organized a system of co-operation in the purchases of the necessities of life. By his unselfish, persistent and sincere care for their interests he has become endeared to them, and they manifest for him the utmost respect and kindest regards, especially as he has the heart to do them justice-and the mind and skill to lead, control and govern them. In this connection, it may be stated, that on the occasion of his fifty-first birthday (February 6th, 1873) he was the recipient of a massive silver tea-service, costing $1250, which was presented to him " as a testimo- nial of affection and esteem by the employés under his con- trol." No worthy man is ever allowed to suffer in his employ. He protects and pays the expenses of all in sick- ness ; and where any one receives an injury while laboring in the works special care is directed to their comfort and bodily wants. His mechanical faculty is a natural talent, and having always been a diligent student he has gone far matters, as far as they have progressed, has been presented
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by President Hildrup, who has taken hold of the matter in | stitution and to the cause it represented, until 1857, deliver- earnest. He has reduced the whole matter to a thorough system of general technical education, by proposing the teaching of free-hand and mechanical drawing in its ele- mentary branches, in all the common schools of the State, and in its higher branches, in the high schools ; and by the formation of free night schools in all the cities and large towns, for instructing artisans in drawing, mathematics, theoretical mechanics, and engineering. In further com- pletion of this plan he caused to be added to several now existing colleges, special mechanical professorships, cover- ing the interests of general and specific technical education. Judging from that which he has accomplished, the work must continue and be crowned with success. He has been a member of the Episcopal Church for the past thirty years, and takes a warm interest in the furtherance of all the charities and institutions controlled by it. He was married, in October, 1846, to Harriet E., daughter of Colonel John B. Esselstyre, of Cape Vincent, Jefferson county, New York-an old and influential family of that locality.
ARVEY, ELLWOOD, M. D., Physician, was born at Chadd's Ford, on the Brandywine battle- ground, in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, November 30th, 1820. His parents, and all his ancestors since the beginning of Quakerism, were Quakers and farmers. His great-great-grand- father, William Harvey, came from England, in 1711, and bought land on the Brandywine, as the original deed from William Penn expressed it, " back in the woods of Kennett." His mother was a Hollingsworth, of Delaware State, and her ancestors were also among the earliest English Quaker settlers on the Brandywine. His school studies ended in a country boarding-school, with a teacher whose chief pleasure was mathematics, and the proficiency attained by his pupils in that branch was at the expense of everything else except sound and high-toned moral instruction and example. At the age of sixteen he entered a drug store in Philadelphia, preparatory to engaging in the study of medicine; but his relations to the older apprentice proving uncongenial, he left for the West, working his way as fireman and deck- hand on steamboats from Pittsburg to Davenport, Iowa. Ile there joined a corps of surveyors, and having had thorough training in practical surveying at school, was em- ployed as a chain-bearer, and performed the duties of the Goverment Deputy Surveyor, A year in a surveyor's camp, on the prairies, before he was eighteen, exactly suited his tastes and temperament. Having returned to Philadelphia, . he matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania, whence he graduated M. D., in 1843. He then engaged in country practice at his birth-place, which he continued until 1852, when he accepted a professorship in the Female Medical College of l'ennsylvania, now called The Woman's Medical College. Ile devoted all his time and energies to that in-
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