USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2 > Part 49
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TELLWAGEN, HENRY S., Captain United States Navy; son of Captain Daniel S. Stell- wagen, was born October 13th, ISog, in Phila- delphi ... Ile received his education in the schools of Philadelphia, and, after a voyage to Calentta in an East India merchantman, entered the United States Navy as Midshipman, in April, IS28; was promoted, in 1834, to Passed Midshipman, and in IS40 to Lieutenant. Ilis first active service was in Africa, where he took part in the attack upon, and capture of, some of the towns that were the headquarters of the slave trade. He was next in Mexico, under Commodore Perry, at the fall of Vera Cruz, on March 29th, 1847, during which year, in command of a force of sailors, he landed and captured several forts and towns upon the Tobasco river. In 1854, while in command of a fleet of surveying vessels, he dis- covered and accurately described a large submarine bank in Massachusetts bay. Its dimensions were seventeen and a half nautical miles in length and five in breadth. It was named, in honor of the discoverer, Stellwagen's Bank, by Professor Bache, Chief of the United States Coast Survey Department. In 1855, he was promoted to the rank of Commander, and was placed in charge of a district of light- houses upon the coasts of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and the shores of the Delaware river. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War, in 1861, he took part in the planning and execution of the attack on Forts Ilatteras and Clark, at Hatteras Inlet, which resulted in the first naval victory of the war, and opened the sounds and in- land waters of North Carolina for the subsequent brilliant successes of Commodore Goldsborongh and General Burn- side. In 1862, while in active duty on the blockade, he fitted out and commanded an expedition against Apalachi-
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cola, Florida, which effected the capture of that place. In 1862, he received his commission as Captain, and about the middle of the following year took command of the Mediterranean Squadron, and remained there until late in IS64, performing essential service in keeping that sea clear of privateers. In 1865, he was again employed upon the Southern coast of the United States, in which year Fort White, at Georgetown, South Carolina, was surrendered to him. Hle shortly afterwards returned home sick, while engaged upon an expedition up the rivers of South Caro- lina, endeavoring to open communication with General Sherman, who was then marching northward from Savan- nah to form a junction with the Army of the Potomac under General Grant. Ile died July 15th, 1866, at Cape Island, New Jersey, and was buried in Philadelphia. While in the United States Coast Survey, he invented and patented a sounding apparatus, with a steel cup covered by leather valves, for bringing up specimens of the bottom of the sea, which invention is still in use by the United States Coast Survey. This invention obtained for him the Scott Premium Medal from the Franklin Institute, and complimentary let- ters from the British and French Governments. Ile also invented a syphon tide gauge, which, in the roughest weather, indicates the exact level of the sea. While cruis- ing in command of the United States steamer " Mercedita," he captured several famous blockade runners, of which the " Bermuda " was the most important. ffe received on two occasions letters of thanks from the British Govern- ment for services rendered to their vessels when in distress ; the first time, in 1863, for the rescue of the British steamer "Ossian," in a terrible gale off Cape Ilatteras, and the second time, in 1864, when in command of the frigate " Constellation," for the saving of the brigantine " Mersey," and enabling her to reach St. Thomas, West Indies. On the latter occasion the English Government presented him with a sword of honor, which, together with the letters, is in possession of his son, Ilenry E. Stellwagen, of Philadelphia.
TELLWAGEN, THOMAS COOK, M. A., D. D. S., M. D., Professor of Operative Den- tistry and Dental Pathology in the Philadelphia Dental College, was born in Philadelphia, July 24th, IS41, and is the eldest child of the late Captain II. S. Stellwagen, of the United States Navy. Ile was educated at the Central Iligh School of Philadelphia, whence he graduated in 1859, taking his B. A. degree and his M. A. degree in 1864. He entered upon the study of dentistry in 1859, under the tutorship of his uncle, Dr. Dickey, of New Orleans, and graduated at the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, at Philadelphia, in 1861. Ile served in the United States Navy, under his fither, from 1861 to 1865, part of the time as Paymaster, andI took purt in several engagements. He his also tra.
velled extensively in Northern Africa, Egypt, Greece and Palestine, as well as in France, Spain and Italy. In 1865, he was appointed Demonstrator of Operative Dentistry in the Philadelphia Dental College, and received (in 1866) an ad cundem degree from that institution. In IS6S, he re- ceived the degree of M. D. from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, and, in 1869, was elected to fill the Chair of Operative Dentistry in the Philadelphia Dental College.,
EGLEY, EDWARD C., Postmaster of the City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was born in East Liberty, now forming a part of Pittsburgh, Feb- ruary Sth, IS42. Ilis ancestors were among the earliest of those hardy pioneers who settled in this section of the country, when it was little more than a savage and dangerous tract of uninhabited field and forest. Ife is the son of Hon. Daniel Negley, of Swiss ex- traction, formerly a member of the Pennsylvania Legisla- ture, and noted as a prominent and influential citizen. His early education was acquired in the common schools of his native place, and, subsequently, at Cannonsburg, Pennsyl- vania. When eighteen years of age he abandoned school life, and secured a Clerkship in the office of the Prothono- tary of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. In this position he served for one year. In 1861, he engaged in the study of law, under the guidance of his brother, W. B. Neglcy, a well-known and able practitioner. IIe continued to pur- sue his course of legal studies until August, 1862, at which date he enlisted in Company G of the 136.h Pennsylvania Regiment, a nine months' organization, forming a part of the brigade of General Peter Lyle. While acting in this capacity, he participated in all the operations of his regi- ment, including the battles of Fredericksburg and Chan- cellorsville. Upon the expiration of his term of service, he was mustered out, July 4th, 1863. During this time he had risen from the ranks to the position of First Sergeant, and was remarked for his bravery and shrewd intelligence. In September, 1864, he re-enlisted in the Fifth Pennsylvania Ileavy Artillery, which was assigned to General Gamble's Independent Brigade operating in the Valley, thence to Fairfax Court-House, where the detachment remained in the defence of the City of Washington until the close of the war. Subsequently, he became First Lieutenant of Company E, Fifth Pennsylvania Artillery. After being mustered out at the expiration of the contest, he returned to Pittsburgh, where he engaged in the grocery business. He continued in this occupation, as sole proprietor and manager, until 1867, when he was appointed to a Clerkship in the Pittsburgh Post-Office by James II. MeClellan, then Postmaster in this city. Colonel J. II. Stewart becoming Postmaster, in 1870, E. C. Negley was subsequently ap- pointed Stamp Clerk, which position he held until October Ist, IS73. inuter, he was appointed Postmaster, and hat,
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fulfilled the onerous duties of that responsible position with marked energy and ability. Also, in 1866-'67, he was Lieutenant-Colonel of the 14th Regiment Pennsylvania Militia for a period of over eighteen months ; and, in the spring of 1874, was appointed Major and Aide-de-eamp under Major-General Pearson. ITis noticeable characteristics are directing ability, shrewd perseverence, unwavering loyalty and courage.
considered the wealthiest man in Lancaster county. Ilis wealth and influence have ever been exerted for the benefit of the entire community, and he enjoys in high degree the regard of his fellow-citizens.
ARRISH, CHARLES, was born in Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, in the year 1826." His father, the late Archippus Parrish, came from Windham, Connecticut, about the year ISIo, and made the town of Wilkesbarre his permanent home. IIe embarked in the mercantile business, and a few years afterwards became the proprietor of the hotel on the east side of the Public Square, where he remained principally till the time of his death, over thirty years ago. This house, at the time of its occupation by Mr. Parrish, was the prin- cipal hotel of the town and the Wyoming Valley. It was here that the representative men of the county, many of them Revolutionary veterans, sojourned when they visited the county seat on business or pleasure. They came on horseback, for the day of what was called " Dearborn wagons " had - not dawned. And it was at this place where the solid old gentlemen of the days that are gone rehearsed the' thrilling events of the early settlement of the valley-its adventures and its trials. Ile was a man of exentplary character, of the strictest integrity, and died lamented aby all who knew him. Charles Parrish having received, the ordinary education of the boys of that day, in the : Wilkesbarre' Grammar School, at about sixteen years of age was placed in the store of Ziba Bennett, a well-known merchant of the town. He remained in this establishment, in the capacity of Clerk, and afterwards as Partner, till the year 1854. And now commenced a mental development which in subsequent years led to a
AUSMAN, JACOB, Capitalist, was born at " Baus- man's Farm," located about one mile west of Lancaster city, Pennsylvania, on October , 20tl, IS12. Ile is of German extraction ; his father, John Bansman, emigrated to the United States in 1802, from a village on the west side of the Rhine, in the Palatinate, Germany. IIis emigration was caused by his disgust at the enormities incident to the French Revolution occurring during the close of the last century. He purchased the ground and settled upon the farm, in Lancaster county, which bears his name. In 1805, he married Elizabeth Peters, sister to IIon. Abraham Peters, a wealthy landholder of that county. Eight sons were the fruit of this marriage, of which Jacob'was the fourth. Ile was afforded ample opportunities › for obtaining an educa- tion in the schools of the neighborhood, and was, after finishing his primary education, 'sent to the Academy at Litiz, where he remained until the year 1829. A peculiar inclination and aptitude for commercial pursuits was his most marked characteristic. In 1831, he became engaged in the milling business, to which he added, in 1835, large operations in grain. Eminently successful in all his under- takings, he entirely suspended trade, in 1838, in order to make an extensive tour through the Western States of the Union. After several years spent in travel, he returned to his home and resumed business, and, between the years most remarkable result. Unwilling to be confined to the cramped and limited business of a retail store, he boldly struck out into the broad field of speculation which lay before him. The quiet, unobtrusive man of but few words, but of constant thought and untiring energy, as- tonished his friends and neighbors with the magnitude, as well. as the success, of his operations. The public mind at about 'this time had become aroused to the inquiry into the prospective value of anthracite coal. It was the sub- ject of general conversation. The Wyoming Valley was the grand centre, and Charles Parrish had the capacity of brain, the breadth of enterprise, and energy of purpose, to turn the advantages presented to his own account. He accomplished his purpose. His means were limited, that is, for the accomplishment of large investments. But this did not deter him ; he went boldly into speculation. What he could not pay for he purchased on credit, and trusted to the future. Having entire confidence in himself, and rely- ing upon the conclusions which his own sound and discrim- 1841 and 1854, he was reputed one of the largest flour, grain and lumber dealers in eastern Pennsylvania. In January, 1854, he was married to Mrs. Mary Baer. About the same date the Lancaster Cotton-Mills were built, and he became, and still remains, a large stockholder therein. Ile resides at Willow Dale, a large farm which he pur- chased in 1855, located on the Columbia turnpike, about three miles west of Lancaster. lIe was for many years a Director of the Farmers' National Bank of Lancaster, and, in 1868, was elected President of the institution, a position which he still holds. He has been for a long time deeply interested in coal operations in the Shamokin region. IIc is a Manager of the Lancaster Gas Company, and was one of the originators, and is now a Director, of the Lancaster Fire Insurance Company. He is an active and influential member of the American Reformed Church, and faithfully aids the work of that denomination. Ile is the Treasurer and a Trustee of Franklin and Marshall College, and also a Trustee of the Millersville State Normal School. Ile is Linating mind had come to, he did not falter, nor did he
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commit errors. IIe bought largely, and every adventure terminated in a success. He made his objective point, and, possessing an extraordinary energy of character, marched through all difficulties and obstructions that beset his path. Impediments which would seem to be moun- tains in the eyes of others were but mole-hills to him. It is, therefore, not a matter of surprise, that in less than a half score of years, the man of the country store should be the acknowledged and accepted head of the coal opera- tions of the Wyoming Valley. ITis capacity was conceded, and his opinions of values were the standard which governed the actions of others. Ile was, for many years, the President and sole Manager of the Wilkesbarre Coal & Iron Company ; and is now the President of the Lehigh & Wilkesbarre Coal Company-second to but one other coal and transportation company in the State, in the extent of its business operations. This company, with its twenty millions of capital and its thirteen thousand employés, is truly a power in the land. The company mines, prepares, and transports to market, annually, over three millions of tons of coal. Ile is the acknowledged head of this vast concern, and to its snecess he bends cvcry energy. He is familiar with all its details. It may be called his own child. Every acre of the great domain of this company, west of the mountains, was selected and purchased under his direction. The combination of the different companies, mines, railroads, and cauals, was the conception of his brain, and mainly the work of his hands. And it was the persevering labor of years to bring it about. There is now in the possession of a citizen of Wilkesbarre, a written programme, made out by Mr. Parrish, some six years ago, representing the same combinations of interest now em- bodied in the charter of the Lehigh & Willesbarre Coal Company. It was submitted to that gentleman for his opinion, and, in reply to the remark that it was too gigantic a scheme to be carried out and made available, its author said, " I shall live to see it accomplished." He has been from the connencement, and is now the controlling spirit of the immense establishment. ITis fruitful mind and energy of purpose are in perfect accord. The conception of the plan, and its execution, never collide. He is eminently a " broad-gauge " man, and has but little to do with small matters; his mind soars above them. Some of the charities which he has incorporated into the mining system, are worthy of the highest praise, and the example should be pursued by all of the mining companies. One of them must be mentioned. While President of the Wilkesbarre Coal & Iron Company, he prevailed upon his employés to allow the entire wages of one day in each year, to be retained for the purpose of constituting a fund for the relief of disabled men of the mines and their families; upon the condition, that the company should set apart, for the same purpose, the proceeds of the mines, of one day in each year. The proposition was accepted, and in this way a yearly charity is amassed of some fifteen
| thousand dollars, from which many wants have been pro- vided for and much suffering relieved. But it is not alone in mining operations that the influences of his views are discernible. During the seven years of his Presidency of the Borough, and afterwards City Councils, the well- paved and lighted streets, the fire apparatus, and an efficient police, all indicate his handiwork. In the way of edifices, too, the stately hotel on the bank of the Sus- quehanna, the First National Bank, owned by the corpora- tion of which he is President, and his own residence, dis- play the enlarged views of the man ; as do also the costly iron bridge, spanning canal and railroads, in the southern part of the city, and the broad avenues and private resi- dences on the hill beyond. He took an active part in raising and equipping volunteers for the service during the late Rebellion. Probably no man in the city did more in this particular than he. In his efforts in this, he was not less energetic and untiring than in his present occupation. He is a man of rather more than medium stature, with a well-knit frame, comely in his presence, with a good pro- portion of physical strength, and is in the enjoyment of robust health. Ile is a moral, upright man, honest and pure in his motives, and charitable in an eminent degree. Having commenced the world with no inheritance from his ancestors, and learning from experience the value of counsel, aid, and friendship from others, he has ever extended a helping hand to young men, in their struggle in the start in life. And he is, to-day, surrounded by a class of young and energetic men, whom he has schooled in the various departments of his business, and who also give success to his own masterly enterprises. No man possesses .a better qualification to judge of the peculiar fitness of men for his subordinate positions, and there never was a more kind and indulgent employer. All the details of the immense field of industry, under his man- agement, show the guidance of a firm and steady hand, and a cool and masterly mind. He is in the prime of life, and the indications are, that long years of usefulness to the community in which he lives, and of personal pros- perity are before him. He married the eldest daughter of the late Judge Conyngham, of Wilkesbarre.
UNCAN, WILLIAM, Brigadier-General, was born in that portion of York-since set off and called Adams -- county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1771, and was one of a large family of children. His father had been a soldier in the Revolutionary War, but had died shortly after- wards. Ili, early education was carefully attended to, and, among other studies, he became a proficient in land survey- ing. When about nineteen years of age, he was engaged by his brother-in-law. John Nicholson, one of the projectors of the American Land Company, to survey some of his
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lands lying near Pittsburgh. While en route for that des- tination, at that time almost a frontier town, he joined, as a volunteer, a detachment of United States troops, under the command of Colonel Zebulon Pike, who were in search of hostile Indians. This officer gave him his first lesson in military tactics; he also made the acquaintance, and formed a friendship for his son, afterwards the brave General Pike, who fell at Little York, Canada. On his return to Philadelphia, he was engaged as Paymaster and Assistant Engineer on the Delaware and Schuylkill Canal, which, however, was never completed. Its excavations were lately visible within the limits of Fairmount Park, to the south of Lemon Hill. At the early period alluded to, this was the country residence of Robert Morris, the great financier of the Revolution, who owned a large amount of land in the vicinity, and offered to sell the present Fairmount-then called Morris' Hill-for less than $3000, saying at the same time that there was enough stone to build all the cellars which Philadelphia might need for a century to come. This offer was declined by William Duncan, much to his subsequent regret. Ile afterward, engaged in mercantile pursuits, but meeting with an accident, retired to Bustleton, where he resided for a number of years. During his sojourn there, he labored for the amelioration of the pauper population of the town- ship, and, by his own individual exertions at Harrisburg, secured a grant from the Legislature, with which a house and farm were purchased, and a permanent home estab- lished for the poor, with a steward and assistants to min- ister to their wants. The site so obtained had formerly been the birthplace of the celebrated philanthropist, Dr. Benja- min Rush. During the War of IS12, General Duncan was made Superintendent of United States Military Stores,
the principal depot of the arms and munitions of war in the country, and the magazine contained a very large quantity of powder. Owing to the fact that a portion of the British fleet were then lying in the bay, the Arsenal was in much danger of being surprised and destroyed. Feeling very anxious about the matter, he wrote to the Secretary of War for orders; but the answer gave none, leaving things to his own prudence and patriotism. For some time he had been General of the Second Brigade Pennsylvania Volunteers, and he now called upon his com- mand, who cheerfully responded; and, for several weeks, the different companies, in their turn, guarded the ap- proaches to the Arsenal, placing a picket-guard reaching to the junction of the Schuylkill with the Delaware, and mounted videttes along the road, in case of a land attack. This was only at night; in the morning they returned to their daily avocations in the city. Thus the danger was averted; for all the watchful movements on land, for the defence of the Arsenal, were known on board the enemy's fleet, which, in a short time, left the bay. He was after- wards appointed an Aide-de-camp to Governor Suyder,
and for some time held the post of Adjutant-General of, Pennsylvania. For many years he represented the city of Philadelphia in the State Legislature. In 1829, he was commissioned by President Jackson, Surveyor of Cus. toms for the Port of Philadelphia, and was re-appointed in 1833, thus serving, in that office, eight years consecutively. Ilis political creed was of the straight Democratic school, as expounded by Jefferson. He was one of the founders and trustees of the Jefferson Medical College. For nearly half a century, he was a faithful and zealous member of the First Baptist Church, in which he filled the office of Deacon during a great portion of that time, and through- out his long and eventful life, he was conspicuous for his sterling integrity, purity of character, and energy of pur- pose. IIc was thrice married; first, in 1792, to Mary, daughter of William Moulder, and who died in 1818. Two years after this bereavement, he was united to her sister Sarah, who died in 1832. After remaining a widower for nine years, he was married, in 1841, to the widow of Rev. Dr. William Staughton, and daughter of James (the brother of Charles Wilson) Peale, who yet survives him (1874). Ilc died February 16th, 1864.
AVIS, GREENLEAF PAGE, Soldier and Poli- tician, son of Amos and Elizabeth Davis, was born in Jefferson county, New York, February Sth, 1836. His primary education he acquired at the common schools of his native county. At the early age of fifteen, he undertook the then hazardous journey across the plains to California. Ile reached that State after one hundred days' hard travel, and engaged in mining operations until 1857, meeting with more than average success. After two years, employed in driving stock across the plains, he travelled through the States and Territories of the Union, until 1861. At that date he was in Bradford county, Pennsylvania. Upon the issuing of the proclamation, by President Lincoln, calling upon the people to furnish troops for the suppression of the Rebellion, he was among the first to enroll. He was at once appointed as First Lieutenant, and placed upon duty as recruiting officer. In the fall of 1861, he was commis- sioned as Captain, and marched with his company to Wash- ington, District of Columbia. In the spring of 1862, as part of the First Brigade, Third Division, Fourth Corps, he moved to Newport News, and began the toilsome march to Richmond, in the campaign conducted by General McClellan. On May 20th, General Negley organized a company of Sharp-shooters, consisting of one hundred men, and placed them under command of Captain Davis, who fully justified the confidence reposed in him. On May 31st, 1862, the battle of Fair Oaks was fought, and here the gallant Captain lost an arm, which compelled his retirement from active service for a time. Recovering
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