USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2 > Part 54
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in 1865, he entered the banking house of Lloyd, Caldwell | and general accountant. After two years, the entire man- & Co., in Tyrone, remaining here until 1870, and acquiring meanwhile a thorough insight into the management and operation of banking in all its details and principles. In the opening of IS71, he removed to Renovo, Pennsylvania, and there opened a banking house under the firm-name of R. B. Caldwell & Co., conducting business in the same manner as an incorporated bank. Since the establishment of this institution it has been operated with marked success and ability, and unlimited confidence is reposed in its solidity and integrity by all acquainted with its existence and workings. Ilis settlement in Renovo was due to the advice and encouragement of his uncle, W. M. Lloyd, of the firm of Lloyd, Caldwell & Co., and it is needless to say that he has never regretted the step taken at the instance of that able and efficient business man. The town of Renovo contains about 2500 inhabitants; the main shops of the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad being located here, and no banking facilities for the merchants existing in the place, they were formerly compelled to bank at Lock Haven, which is about twenty-eight miles distant; a due consideration of this fact enables a proper appreciation of the value of the convenience resulting from the enterprise of Robert B. Caldwell. In the fall of 1873, he was a can- didate on the Republican ticket for the Legislature, but, owing to the great prevalence of Democratic principles in this region, he, though reducing greatly the average majority of the opposing party, did not secure an election. Al- though so young a man, he has already made a mark in the community where he resides, and has a future of greatly extended usefulness before him. He was married, in the fall of 1872, to Emma G. Beebe, daughter of John C. Beebe, an influential and highly-respected citizen of Erie, Pennsylvania, and now deecased.
AYLEY, WILLIAM COWELL, Merchant, Soldier and Manufacturer, was born in King's county, Ireland, April 30th, 1824. He was edu- cated at a private school in Dublin, and in 1848 emigrated to the United States. Travelling through the country in search of employment, walking the greater part of the way, he finally reached Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. Here chance threw him in the way of Edwin Shoenberger, who employed him in the capacity of storekeeper at his Juniata Iron-Works. In a very short time, so soon did his superior capabilities become known, he was placed in a more responsible position at the Gap Forge and Furnace, in Blair county. Ilere he had charge of the establishment, and remained until the failure of his employer compeHed the suspension of the works. Ilaving made the acquaintance of the father of his former employer, Peter Shoenberger, he was by him engaged as bookkeeper
agement of the works was intrusted to him, and he filled this highly important post until Peter Shocnberger leased all his property to his sons-in-law. To these gentlemen the ability of William C. Bayley was so well known that he was retained in his capacity as manager, and so continued until 1856. At that date he resigned his post and entered into a partnership with Robert M. Lemon, for the manu- facture of iron, at Bennington Furnace, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. This connection endured until the panic year of IS5S, when business became so much prostrated that, in order to save his commercial honor, he sold out his interest in the iron-works. The payment in full of all his debts left him almost without a dollar. But he had energy, youth, a good name and unlimited credit. With a small stock of goods he moved to Western Virginia and started business. Soon the Civil War commenced, and trade in the South, as in the North, suffered severely. He was in the midst of the newly-formed Confederacy; he had no sym- pathy with the movement, but remained where his interests lay. Ile did not want to stay, and he did not want to go. Even in those times of hot blood, fair dealing and courtesy brought their reward ; he stayed in that section of the South when every other acknowledged Northern man had been obliged to leave, and was always well treated. Succeeding at last in disposing of his goods to a Dr. Wilson, he ex- changed the money received for Eastern drafts and made his way to the North. He immediately entered the army, enlisting in the 125th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and, after a few weeks' service with his regiment, was ap- pointed Aide to General Thomas L. Kane, in the Second Division, Twelfth Army Corps, in which capacity he experi- enced much active service and participated in the battles of Antietam and Chancellorsville. Ilis regiment being mustered out after nine months, he was commissioned, by the President, Captain and Assistant-Quartermaster, and returned to duty upon the staff of General Kane. ITis ap- pointment was subsequently cancelled by the Senate, upon political grounds. He was afterwards offered, and accepted, the position of Quartermaster of the 22d Pennsylvania Cav- alry, and with that organization remained upon duty in the field until the close of the war, at which time he was acting as Post Quartermaster at New Creek, in West Virginia. Returning to the North, he settled in Hollidaysburg, and engaged in the lumber trade, entering into partnership with John A. Lemon, now State Senator. The firm bought an imerest in 400 acres of land in the Allegheny Moun- tains, from which, in three years, they cut over 6,000,000 of feet of lumber. Some years since the co-partnership was dissolved, the saw-mill and stock sold, and William C. Bayley became proprietor of a foundry and machine shop. He was married, in 1851, to Maria, daughter of Robert Fitzgerald, of Nanens Town, county Kildare, Ireland.
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EWITT, HON. BENJAMIN L., Lawyer, was born in Petersburg, Huntingdon county, Pennsyl- vania, June 4th, 1833. At an early age he was tutored and partially prepared for college at Tus- carora Academy, under the excellent guidance of Professor David Wilson, distinguished for his scholarly attainments and wise administration. After an additional course of preparatory studies, under the tutorship of Professor L. Williams, at llollidaysburg, in which he evinced an unusual degree of steadfastness and penetration, he entered the Sophomore class at Princeton, in 1851. Here he labored diligently to perfect himself in the various branches allotted him, and made such satisfactory progress that, in 1854, he graduated, well up in point of scholarship in a large class, and prepared to emerge into'active profes- sional life, or at least that portion of it consisting in fitting oneself to cope with the intricacies of the law. A course of legal studies, under the tuition of lIon. 'S. S. Blair, of Hollidaysburg, secured his admittance to the" bar, in Octo- ber, 1856. Immediately after this he engaged in vigorous practice in the above-named town, and soon won an exten- sive and remunerative clientage. In many of the leading cases affecting the interests of various prominent persons resident at Hollidaysburg and in its evicinity, he was .a prime mover, and ever displayed praiseworthy talent and. capacity. Having inspired his friends and fellow-citizens with confidence in him as a wise and honorable man, they urged him to launch himself into political life ; but, caring little for the troubles and vexations attending'such a career, lic modestly preferred to live privately and tranquilly. Finally, however, he was elected District Attorney, in the; fall of 1857; and, in 1860, was honored by a re-election. During this time he did not fail to realize the anticipations of his friends as an able and efficient criminal lawyer, at all times demeaning himself as a conscientious public prose- cutor. During 1864-'65, he was a Major of Volunteers, also Paymaster, positions which were filled with satisfac- tion to the Government and with honor to himself. From this time forward, until 1869, he devoted himself to his professional duties, and conducted successfully many im- portant and harassing cases. In the fall of 1870, he was elected to the Legislature, was re-elected in 1871; and, during the session of 1872, was Chairman of the Com- mittee of Ways and Means, and leader of the llouse, displaying great parliamentary tact and political sagacity in the management of all questions affecting the policy of the party or public interests. In the preceding session (1871) he was also Chairman of the Committee on the Re- vision of the Civil Code. In May, 1873, he was appointed by Governor Hartranft, one of the Fish Commissioners of the State, for a term of three years, having been selected for the position on account of his thorough acquaintance with the subject of artificial fish culture, now command- ing so much attention by other States of the Union and the National Government.
ELLES, COLONEL CHIARLES F., JR., Mer- chant, Railway Constructor, etc., was a native of Bradford county, and was born about the year IS12. Ile received his education in the schools of his neighborhood, and early commenced business life in the pursuits of farming, lumbering, and merchandizing. His first ventures on his own account were in the lumber trade. He was in the habit, in the spring of the year, during the " freshct " season, of constructing " rafts," which he would float down the Susquehanna to Middletown, Columbia, or Port Deposit, where he would find a market. Often, upon his passage down the river, he would purchase other "rafts," thus accumulating large quantities of lumber, and increasing greatly his profit. On one occasion, meeting with an opportunity for an un- usually profitable investment, but lacking the capital neces- sary to embark in the speculation, he concluded to and did make application to G. M. Hlollenback, of Wilkesbarre, for assistance. Being known to that gentleman as an industrious, energetic, honest young man, he received, without security, for he had none to offer other than his good name, the required assistance. The investment proved successful, the borrowed money was duly returned, and the borrower and lender, in this instance, became life- long friends. laving been uniformly prosperous in his transactions in lumber, and having accumulated thereby some capital, he, about the year 1835, purchased the stock for a small country store, the building for which he erected, in his native :township, between the time of his purchase "of the supplies in Philadelphia and their arrival at his home .. : Good fortune continuing to follow him in his ·mercantile venture, he established branch stores along the line of construction on the North Branch Canal, and con- tinued these commercial pursuits until the suspension of that public work. In 1843, he removed to Athens and entered into business on a largely-extended scale, but finally relinquished all connection with trade, in order to devote his entire attention to large and lucrative operations in public works, and the construction of great improve- ments. Among the many railroad and other enterprises in which he was engaged, the following are but a few : In 1850-'51, he contracted to build a section of fourteen miles on the New York & Erie Railroad, near Hornells- ville; in 1852, forty five miles of the Buffalo & State Line Railroad ; in 1854, forty-five miles of the second track of the Erie Road, from Owego to the junction west of Elmira; also the second track of the same road from Deposit to Lanesboro; also the second track on the same road, from Port Jervis to Otisville. One of the largest contracts into which he ever entered was the construction of that part of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad east of Scranton. This was remarkably heavy work, much of it costing in the neighborhood of one hundred thousand dollars per mile to grade; the supplies for which had to be transported from thirty to fifty miles
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in wagons, over a mountainous road. In the completion of this undertaking he displayed great energy and untiring industry. Immediately after he undertook the construction of a large part of the Warren Railroad in New Jersey, and the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg road, extending from Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Bloomsburg, through the coal regions of the Lackawanna and Wyoming Valleys. For several years he was President of this road. In 1856, he 'constructed the Brunswick & Florida Railroad, and was its President for two years, when he resigned. The Gov- crnor of Pennsylvania refusing to sign an appropriation for the completion of the North Branch Canal, unless a north- ern connection were first secured with the canal system of New York, he, in 1854, induced several of his friends to join him in furnishing the capital to construct the junc- tion canal, extending from the Chemung Canal at Elmira, New York, to the State line near Waverly. The North Branch Canal being subsequently closed, he and his asso- ciates who joined in the enterprise lost the entire invest- ment. In 1856, he, in connection with his partner and cousin, Henry S. Welles, contracted to erect the Brooklyn Water-Works. Previously to this they had undertaken to supply the city of Williamsburg with water from certain lakes and watercourses on Long Island; and, during the progress of this work, the contract was entered into to construct the extensive reservoirs to supply the consolidated city. This important work was completed in the most satisfactory manner at a cost of about five millions of dol- lars. The energy and financial ability which were required to successfully accomplish this great undertaking in the midst of the money crisis of 1857, when many of the oldest and hitherto most reliable business houses in the country were prostrated, are especially worthy of notice. In 1857, he purchased a half interest in an extensive lum- ber establishment at Menomince river, on Green bay, which, after holding for about seven years, he disposed of on advantageous terms. In 1859, he bought the entire line of the North Branch Canal, and, having sold the por- tion extending from Wilkesbarre southward, he organized the North Branch Canal Company, and shipped the first Wyoming coal to Chicago and the West, thus inaugurating a trade which has since had a large expansion. Ilis main object in securing this canal -- a purchase he made known to only a few confidential friends-was to change it to a railway route. In pursuance of this project the " Penn- sylvania & New York Canal and Railroad Company " was subsequently formed, and its franchises sold, in 1865, to the " Lehigh Valley Railroad Company." Under the anspices of the latter company, the railway, now known as the " Pennsylvania & New York," connecting the Lehigh Valley Railroad at Wilkesbarre, with the Erie at Waverly- one hundred and five miles-was constructed and opened for traffic in September, 1869. Ile acted as President of this corporation until January, 1870. Securing the con- sirnetion of the Ithaca & Athens Railroad, and of the ca-
tension of the " Southern Central," from Owego to Athens, he completed both works, and accomplished the great ambition of his life, living to see a continuous line of rail- roads, in great part the result of his own labors, extending from the Susquehanna, at Wyoming, to the Great Lakes. These are some of his principal undertakings, and are evidences of a boldness, foresight, and confidence in the ability to achieve, not often possessed by any one man. Over-attention to business and continuous mental exertion finally impaired his health and shattered his constitution; hence, for several years previous to his death, he was obliged to abstain from great mental exertion. He died suddenly, on October 9th, 1872, while in conversation with his associates of the Southern Central Directory, at Auburn, New York, in the sixty-first year of his agc. Thus closed the earthly career of a singularly energetic man, who died as he had lived, " with harness on his back." Ile was possessed of a marvellously quick per- ception, a thorough knowledge of finance and industrial subjects, great faculty for organization and control, and an uncommon power of impressing his convictions on others. In 1843, he married a daughter of IIon. John Laporte, who, with seven children, survives him.
cCLINTOCK, ANDREW TODD, Lawyer, was born in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, February 24, ISIO. Ilis ancestors were Scotch-Irish, his father, Samuel McClintock, having been born in the north of Ireland, but of Scotch origin. Ilis mother was Hannah Todd, of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. Ilis preliminary education was received at the schools of his native county, after which he spent three years at Kenyon College, Ohio. Ile then commenced the study of law under the direction of James Hepburn, a very talented attorney of Northumberland. After about one year, he removed to Luzerne county and completed his legal course in the office of the IIon. George W. Wood- ward, with whom he was afterwards in partnership. Ile was admitted to the bar in 1836, and has ever since been in the active practice of his profession. 1Ic was appointed District Attorney of Luzerne county by Attorney-Gencral Johnson, under Governor Porter, and discharged the duties of that office with distinguished ability and conscientiousness. But public position being distasteful to him, he resigned the office after one year's service. Ile has frequently been solicited to accept public appointment, but has invariably refused. Ile has been for a number of years counsel of the Delaware & Hudson, and Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Companies. Ile was appointed, by Governor Ilartranft, one of the Commissioners to revise the New Constitution, who commenced their sessions in Philadelphia, in August, 1874. In 1841, he was married to Augusta, daughter of Jacob Cist, of Wilkesbarre.
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URPIIY, JAMES, Merchant, was born in Ireland, January 2Sth, 1842. Ilis parents were Daniel Murphy and Mary (McMahon) Murphy, both of
unmixed and worthy Irish extraction. He came to this country in 1854, and settled with his family
in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. Ilis education was acquired in the common schools of the vicinity, and, though debarred from pursuing his studies in the thorough and complete manner which he desired, he nevertheless succeeded in obtaining a useful and a practical education. In December, 1856, he entered the general mercantile establishment of the brothers Wright, of Lock Haven, and continued to act in their employ until 1861. At that date the original firm was succeeded by Simon Scott, with whom he remained until May, 1865. A branch store was then opened by his employer, at Renovo, and, being cx- tended an interest therein, he took charge of the business at that point; this establishment was known under the name of Murphy & Co., the profits being equally divided between James Murphy and Simon Scott. Ultimately, the branch store became the leading mercantile house in Renovo; the trade, in a fair season, averaging one hun- dred thousand dollars per annum; this business being accomplished in a place containing but about two thousand tive hundred inhabitants, and having no surrounding country to depend upon for profitable relations, as the town lies in the heart of the valley, and is isolated from the neighboring villages and large centres of commerce. Also connected with the house of Murphy & Co. is an extensive clothing establishment, whose business is prose- cuted under the name of Logan & Co., James Murphy being largely interested as one of the company. For a long period he was a School Director on the Board of Renovo, and, as one of the first who acted in that capacity when the town was founded, was noted for his energy and generous efforts. Ile has also been Treasurer of Renovo, and an influential member of the Town Council, exhibiting, in this position, commendable firmmess and judgment. As Treasurer of the Building Loan Association, his shrewd enterprise and unerring foresight have contributed materially to its successful establishment. Entering into life without means, he has, unaided, won for himself position and public esteem. Ile was married, in 1864, to Catherine Keefe, of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.
partly in Scotland and partly in this country. In 1850, he entered the service of the Atlantic & Ohio Telegraph Com- pany, as messenger boy, in the Pittsburgh office ; soon after- wards perfected himself in telegraphy, and was promoted to operator. In the fall of 1852 or 1853, he entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad as Telegraph Operator and Assistant Ticket Agent at Mountain House, near Hollidays- burg, while that company was yet using the old Portage road over the Alleghenies. In February, 1854, the Penn -. sylvania Railroad having completed their own line over the mountains, he was transferred to the General Superintend- ent's office, Altoona, to await a similar position at one of the mountain way-stations then being opened. Hc, how- ever, was fortunate in being retained in the General Super- intendent's office, where he remained, filling different posi- tions, until 1861, with the exception of one year's intermis- sion, he having been sent to the Western Division of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway, when that road was being completed from Plymouth to Chicago. In 1861 or 1862, he was appointed Superintendent of the Mid- dle Division from Mifflin to Conemaugh. Some time after- wards the road was reorganized, and he was appointed Superintendent of Transportation, a position he held until the spring of 1865, when he was promoted to be Superin- tendent of the Pittsburgh Division. In that responsible position he is still engaged. He has therefore served for twenty-two years, uninterruptedly, in the Pennsylvania Railroad Company's interest, rising from the position of messenger to that of Division Superintendent, and growing up with the business of from two to three trains per day to the immense travel now passing over the road. Ile was married, in 1856, to Elizabeth E., daughter of John Rigg, of Altoona, and formerly of Lewistown, Pennsylvania. Of two younger brothers who started as he did, John Pitcairn, Jr., was lately General Manager of the Oil Creek & Alle- gheny River Railroad, and has now retired from railroad business ; and Hugh Pitcairn is now Division Superintendent of the Pittsburgh Division of the Pan Handle Railroad.
RIDGENS, R. R., Lumber Merchant, was born in Lock Haven, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, Oc- tober 10th, 1818. Ilis father, Thomas Bridgens, and mother, Rosanna ( Richey) Bridgens, are residents of the same county, and were among its earliest and best-known settlers. In former days, his grandfather also resided in the neighborhood, and acted valiantly as a captain of militia during the Indian war which then agitated this section of the State. R. R. Bridgens lived on a farm until he had attained his seventeenth year, acquiring-in accordance with the primitive usages of those days-the rudiments of the crude and elementary education obtainable in the neighboring log school-house. In the
ITCAIRN, ROBERT, Superintendent of the Pitts- burgh Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, was born in Johnstone, a village near Paisley, in Scotland, on May 6th, 1836. Ilis parents, who had emigrated to this country in their early life and returned to Scotland again, came once more to the United States, in 1846, and settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. lle received a common-school education, year following his withdrawal from school life, he entered
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into the business of contracting on railroads and canals ; and | from that date down to the present time has been constantly engaged in this occupation, operating on an extensive scale, and in different parts of the county. He is now, and has been for many years, largely engaged in the lumber trade ; and the firm of Noyes, Bridgens & Co. are probably the largest dealers in square lumber on the West Branch. Ile is interested also in the banking-house of Moore, Simpson & Co., of Lock Haven ; and, for a number of years, has had charge of the canals in this section of the State, receiving his appointment from the Canal Commissioners in 1857, and holding it until the date of the final sale of the canals. While acting in the above-named capacity, he evinced a thorough knowledge of the many details and duties attend- ant upon its management and administration, and in every particular gave entire satisfaction to all concerned therein. In politics he belongs to the old Democratic school; and, although never holding, or desiring to hold, any political office, has always been an active and a prominent member of the party. During one period, owing to the warm soli- citations of his friends, he was Burgess of the town, and as such deported himself with dignity and capability. At an early date entire success crowned all his efforts, and, acquiring in due time a considerable fortune, he has ever been distinguished for his public and private generosity and benevolence. At the present time, he devotes but little personal attention to any of the mercantile pursuits in which he is still extensively interested, preferring to enjoy the pleasures of a tranquil and unfettered privacy. Ile is widely known as a skilful and untiring hunter; and, at the arrival of the proper season, proceeds with tents and a pack of hounds, twenty- four in number, to the camping-ground, where, accompanied by his friends, he indulges with great zest in his favorite recreation. In manner and action he is modest and unassuming, in conversation appreciative and interesting, and his undeviating integrity in all things is worthy of high commendation. He was married, in 1850, to Elizabeth Crawford, of Lock Haven, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, a woman of lovable and admirable character.
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