USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2 > Part 59
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
measures and operations. As an orator he is curt, incisive, logical, and convincing; while his plain and unlabored delivery is forcible and impressive. At present he is a valued member of the Board of Public Charities, and is tireless in his efforts to render that organization prompt and effectual in its workings. Generously interested in all matters of progress, improvement, and philanthropy, he has done much to ameliorate the condition of the poorer classes in the section of Pennsylvania where he resides, and is always ready to co-operate vigorously in all charitable movements. Ile was married, in 1854, to Rebecca Stewart, of Westport, Pennsylvania, the descendant of an old and honorable Scotch family.
RANDES, CARL, M. D., Physician, was born in the kingdom of Hanover, March 29th, 1818. Ilis parents were Friederich and Johanna Brandes, both of German extraction. ITis early education was acquired in the schools of his native country until he had attained his fourteenth year, when he entered the Caroline College of Braunschweig; at the expiration of four years, passed in that institution, he pur- sued a further course of studies in an anatomical institute situated in the same place. In 1838, the King of Hanover required his services in the army for one year ; subsequently, a petition was forwarded to the court requesting his release from further service in order that he might complete his professional studies. The petition being granted, he entered the University of Guttengen, remaining as a student in the halls of that famous resort of learning for more than four years. Later he entered the University of Leipsie for one year, and remained for one year also in the Frederick Wil- liam Institute of Berlin. In 1845, he left his native country and embarked for the United States. Upon landing, he moved to Erie, Pennsylvania, where he has since chiefly resided, and acquired wide renown as an able and learned practitioner. Immediately after his settlement in this place, he commenced the active practice of that calling in which he had served so long and so arduous an apprenticeship. IIis technical and scholarly acquirements rapidly gained him the esteem and admiration of those qualified to appre- ciate his true worth; but, for a long time, his efforts were constantly frustrated by jealous rivals, and it was not until he had struggled long and manfully that he was able to conquer his rightful position as a skilful and erudite physi- cian. In 1848, he visited California, and remained in that country until September, 1850; while there, his leg was accidentally broken, and great prostration of health resulting in consequence thereof, he deemed it advisable to return to his home. In 1853, still suffering from ill health, he visited Europe, residing there for ahout one year. At the expira- tion of that time he returned to the United States, settled again in Erie, where his family was living, and resumed the practice of his profession, rapidly securing an extensive and
576
BIOGRAPHIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.
remunerative business. In 1862, he was appointed Examin- ing Surgeon for civilians claiming exemption from the draft, and for more than a year efficiently discharged the duties attached to his responsible office. In 1864, he visited the Southern States, touched at Cuba during his travels, and in the ensuing fall returned to western Pennsylvania. In 1870, he again visited the Continent ; made a very extensive tour of eighteen months in various parts of Europe; witnessed many of the battles occurring during the progress of the Franco-German war; was at Sedan, Metz, and Stras- burg, when those important actions took place; met Von Moltke in the Prussian camp; and came in contact with Napoleon IlI while he was a prisoner of war. After his return he again resumed his position as a medical practi- tioner, and is now recognized as a leading member of his profession. He has been importantly identified with many of the chief enterprises connected with his adopted home ; is a Director of the Erie Rolling Mill, also of the Keystone Shoe Factory, and is the Vice-President of the Humboldt Bank. He was married, February 19th, 1846, to Katherine Shank, of Erie, Pennsylvania.
"MERSON, JAMES E., Mechanic, Inventor and Manufacturer, was born at Noridgework, Maine, in 1853. Brought up on a farm, and used to its labor, he still found time to acquire a good (0) English education at the common schools of the neighborhood. At his own request he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter trade, and for several years after attaining his majority he worked thereat, in Bangor. In 1850, he removed to Lewistown and erected the first manufacturing building in the place. Here also he invented a single machine for making cotton bobbins. In 1852, he was induced to emigrate to California by the glow- ing reports that came from its golden fields, He landed in San Francisco, January 7th, 1853, sick and without money, his rigid temperance, as he believes, alone saving his life from a fearful fever. Once in California, he went to work in a saw mill, without wages. He " wanted to show them what a circular saw could do." In five days he had charge of the mill, at ten dollars per day. He remained nine months at this occupation, then erected a mill of his own, and during his proprietorship of the establishment conceived and com- pleted some of his most remarkable inventions connected with circular saws. These improvements were the results of individual necessity pressing upon an inventive mind, and the remedy has revolutionized that branch of the trade. After seven years residence in California he returned east and settled in Trenton, New Jersey, and engaged in the manufacture of edged tools. During the civil war, the firm of which he was a member filled large contracts for swords and sabres, and the last especially were regarded as the best furnished the Government. After erecting the build-
ings and. machinery of the Mercer Coal & Iron Company in Pennsylvania, he returned to Trenton and became Super- intendent of the American Saw Company, organized to manufacture his patent circular saws. In 1872, he removed to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and, entering into partnership with Henry P. Ford, established the large saw-manufactur- ing works which are now in successful operation, and which specially produce the circular saws bearing his name. He has received over thirty different patents for labor-saving machines ; has conducted successfully several large business enterprises ; travelled from Maine to the Pacific, and through the continent of Europe; and has never used liquor or tobacco in any form. Ile is a man who has made his mark in the world, and whose numerous inventions will remain as monuments to his patient, intelligent, and successful mechanical genius.
OWER, CAPTAIN JOIIN, Builder and Proprietor of the First Mill in Manayunk, Revolutionary Soldier and Shipwright, was born in Philadelphia, September 10th, 1758, in a house occupying a portion of the site where Dr. Jayne's building is now situated, then the third door below Third street in Chestnut. He was of worthy Scotch-English ex- traction, and, as the date of his birth evidences, one of the earliest settlers of the outlying and virginal country adjacent to his birthplace. Unable to secure many or thorough edu- cational advantages, owing to the undeveloped state of the country and to other causes, he compensated for a lack of systematic culture and training by his natural talents, clear intellect, and admirable powers of calculation in geometry and mathematics. At a proper time he was apprenticed to learn the art of ship-carpentering; subsequently, after ac- quiring, in Philadelphia, a complete and practical knowledge of that business, he became owner of several vessels, which, commanded by him in person, gained for'him his title of Captain. After pursuing this business on an extensive scale for some time, he engaged successfully in various mercantile pursuits, in manufacturing, farming, and in building opera- tions, While interested in the latter occupation, he visited Manayunk, and shrewdly foresaw the importance to which that locality might aspire as a future manufacturing town. Through his unaided enterprise and efforts the first mill was there erected; his were also among the earliest homes built there, and it is to him that the present flourishing town of Manayunk, with all its great interests, owes her first devel- opment, At the outbreak of the Revolutionary conflict, he, though a minor at this date, served with discretion and intrepidity, under Smith, in Mud Fort, at Trenton. Subse- quently, he was actively engaged in manufacturing, at Germantown, during the war of IS12; and while this second conflict was in progress furnished the Government with large quantities of kerseys and woollen goods of various descriptions. In ISI4, he moved to Rock Hill, and there
577
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPAEDIA.
built two substantial mills ; by his enterprise and generosity aiding greatly in the rapid development of that region. Thence he returned to Manayunk, where he remained during the greater part of the years ISIS-'19, continually occupied in building, manufacturing, and other beneficial industrial employments. In early manhood he was married to Susan Leake, a daughter of one of the earliest pioneers in southern New Jersey. IIe died in Manayunk, Pennsyl- vania, April 25th, 1831, leaving a record wholly honorable and patriotic.
ANFORD, GILES, Merchant, was born in Norwich Farms, now Franklin, New London county, Con- necticut, September 18th, 1783; removing thence to Herkimer county, New York, with his father's family in 1801. The origin of the family can be traced back directly to John Sanford, President of Rhode Island in 1655, who, in 1637, had been disarmed for sympathizing with Wheelwright in his famous opinions; and who, in connection with Coddington, Hutchinson, and other well-known colonial men of wealth and eminence, purchased Rhode Island, and resided at Portsmouth. On the maternal side, Giles Sanford is descended from Richard Edgerton, who, in 1655, was one of the Thirty-eight Original Proprietors of Norwich, Connecticut. After a residence of several years in Herkimer county, New York, Giles removed to Erie in 1810, and there decided to settle permanently. In 1814, he associated himself in partnership with R. S. Reed, and with him was actively engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1824. In 1823, the firm, in his name, became contractor for supplying the military posts of Fort Dearborn (Chicago), Mackinaw, St. Mary, and St. Howard (Green Bay). An original contract for the first- named station, with George Gibson, Commissary-General of Subsistence, found among the family papers, is curiously instructive in view of the present extent and greatness of modern Chicago; it was for the whole consumption of the one hundred men stationed at Fort Dearborn, and was intended for a three years supply, the entire amount being forwarded at two periods, cighteen months apart. The following is an exact and faithful copy of the original document :
" 120 Ubls. of Pork @ $8.05 250 " " Fine Flour @ $4.00 1400 gallons Proof Whiskey ( 25c. 10 bushels of Beans ( $1.00 176, lbs. Hard Soap (o 1 C. 860 " Tallow Candles ( 16c. 28 bushels of Sah @ $1.40 450 gallons of Cider Vinegar @ 25c."
Truly, here in the annals of the past is found the measure of the greatness of the present. In 1824, Giles Sanford was chosen Delegate to the Canal Convention which met at Harrisburg in that year; and in this important organization which gave the initiatory impetus to internal improvements
| in the State, he distinguished himself by his ability, acute foresight, and tireless energy. Throughout his life, and up to the latest moment of his sojourn on earth, he was a zealous and generously disinterested supporter and leader in all enterprises and movements concerning the furtherance of public improvement, or the prompt and profitable devel- opment of the resources of his State and country. IIe assisted substantially in the promotion and practical elabo- ration of local agricultural and horticultural interests; and contributed liberally to benevolent and Christian objects and missions. During the exploring voyages undertaken by the Ilon. Henry R. Schoolcraft to the northwestern part of the country, he was often associated for weeks with that eminent geologist while engaged in scientific researches; from this constant and intimate contact resulted a lasting friendship, and, subsequently, a protracted correspondence, with mutual exchange of specimens of natural curiosities and scientific sayings and doings. He was married at Aurelius, Cayuga county, New York, October 6th, 1816, to Laura Goodwin ; and died February 13th, 1866.
AW, WILLIAM, Miner, was born in Scotland, December 8th, 1824. Ilis early education was very limited, his parents being engaged in the mines in their native country. Ile determined, at an early age, to seek his fortune in the New World, and, in June, 1842, landed at New York. For one year ne worked as a day-laborer on the Delaware & Hudson Railroad, when, making his way to Carbondale, he entered the mines as a common miner, and continued thus occupied until June, 1850. For twelve months subse- quently, he filled the post of boss miner at the mines of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, at Dunmore, and from there he removed to Archbald, where, until June Ist, 1854, he had charge of the mines at that place. Since the latter date, he has been with the Pennsylvania Coal Company, where his thorough knowledge of all details connected with the mining of coal renders his services of great importance. IIe has under his direct charge some 250 men. He was mar- ried, September 28th, 1847, to Catherine Bryden, of Scot- land. Ile is a member of the Town Council, and a School Director, of Pittston, and is ever active in aiding to advance the moral and social welfare of his fellow-men.
ENDER, THOMAS A., Assistant United States Marshal of Pittsburgh, was born in Philadelphia, l'ennsylvania, January 4th, 1834. Ilis parents were Thomas Pender and Mary ( Hines) Pender; the former having been a well-known contractor in his native place ; on both the paternal and the maternal side he is of worthy Irish extraction. He was the recipient of an ordinary school education, and, after attaining
73
578
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPAEDIA.
a certain degree of proficiency in the usual branches of study, abandoned school life in 1846. Subsequently, he was engaged for a short time in the express business ; and later became a Steamboat Agent, in which capacity he acted for several years, evidencing much shrewdness, enterprise and efficiency. In 1869, he entered the employment of the Government, and since has continued to serve its inte- rests faithfully down to the present time. During the Re- bellion he was importantly connected with the United States Army, holding a responsible position in the Quartermaster's Department. During the major portion of this time he was actively occupied in forwarding and delivering arms and ammunition to the various headquarters of the Union forces, and during that period received many deserved encomiums for his capable and meritorious services. Although disin- clined to participate as an active partisan or leader in pub- lic and political movements, he is warmly interested in all matters pertaining to the welfare and improvement of his State and county, and is firm and decided in his opposition to governmental corruption, and in his support of loyal and beneficial measures. At the outbreak of the war, he espoused the cause of the Government, and during its duration exerted himself to the utmost in aiding to sustain its in- tegrity and suppress the Rebellion, never failing, under any circumstances, to exhibit himself as an intrepid and patriotic citizen.
HELPS, BELA D., M. D., Physician and Surgeon, was born in Herkimer county, State of New York, June 15th, 1823. ITis father, Benjamin Phelps, a well-known farmer and agriculturist who was noted for the thorough knowledge which he pos- sessed regarding his vocation, was a native of Connecticut, bat for many years resided in the above-named place, where Beli first saw the light. His mother was Surah (Greenfield) Phelps, also a resident of Herkimer county, New York, and widely esteemed for hier many wo- manly graces and admirable character. After acquiring a preliminary and rudimentary education in the daily schools of his native place, Bela entered the Fairfield Academy, situated at Fairfield, in the county of Herkimer, and de- voted himself zealously to an academic and varied course of studies. Upon the completion of the usual probationary term required by that efficient institute of learning, he en- tered, when in his twenty-second year, the Castleton Medi- cal College, located in the thriving town of Castleton, Ver- mont. At an early age he had evinced a decided inclina- tion to embrace the art of medicine as his profession ; and during the four months passed in this establishment re- peatedly evidenced the possession of those sterling traits and qualifications which ultimately enabled him to take an eminent and enviable position among his fellow. practitioners. lle was then admitted to the Albany Medical College, in the State of New York, where he also completed a course
of the same duration as that passed in the Castleton insti- tution. Subsequently, inspired by an ardent desire to per- fect himself in a thorough manner in all the principles and manifold details involved in the medical profession, he en- tered upon a third and final course of four months in the Buffalo Medical College, in the same State; at its termina- tion, the degree of M. D. was conferred upon him, when he returned to his native county and commenced the active practice of his profession, meeting with gratifying success. In the following year, however, he removed to Pennsylvania, and settling in Crawford county remained there for about five years, acquiring meanwhile a remunerative and exten- sive practice both in the town and the adjacent country. At the expiration of this time, he moved to the county of Erie, residing for a short period in Union; but, in 1864, shortly after the opening of the town of Corry, he deemed that this locality might furnish a larger field for more honor- able and lucrative operations, and there established him- self. The result testified to the shrewdness of his judgment, and, in a remarkably short space of time, he was widely recognized as a learned, efficient and leading physician. Especially as a Surgeon has he secured a durable and merited renown; to this branch of his profession he has given his most earnest attention and an application inces- sant and acute. An extensive reputation as a surgical ope- rator has naturally resulted from these efforts, and at the present time each and every railroad centring in Corry- viz., the Atlantic & Great Western, the Philadelphia & Erie, and the Oil City & Allegheny-has secured his ser- vices as Surgeon for this section of its road. Not only is his fame spread abroad throughout western Pennsylvania- where he has often been called to attend to serious cases more than a hundred miles distant from his home-but his services have been' sought after by the famous Indianapolis Surgical Institute, which is now urging him to assume a responsible position in its management. This offer he will ere long probably accept ; in that case, his son, a talented young practitioner, will inherit his practice. The above- mentioned institution is one of great importance in the West; it was founded for the treatment of natural and acquired deformities, and also for that of chronic diseases. At the present time, there are in it more than two hundred pa- tients under treatment ; and connected with it is a systemati- cally arranged workshop, where the manufacture of required splints, braces, crutches, and various other needed articles, is constantly carried on. The high position held by Dr. Phelps has been won entirely through his own indomitable will and unaided exertions. Starting in life with the scan- tiest means, and having no influential friends or relatives to push him forward, his success is attributable solely to his professional skill and attainments, and to the undeviat- ing perseverance and promptness characterizing his actions. Although in his fifty-first year, he is still hale, vigorous and indefatigable in his efforts to benefit humanity and add to the lustre of his profession. At this date, he occupies
Gulary Pub. Co. Philado:
579
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆEDIA.
the position of City and County Physician, fulfilling its nu- merous duties with marked ability. He was married, in 1846, to Lewilla Sweezy, a resident of Herkimer county, State of New York.
ARNAHAN, ROBERT B., Lawyer, was born in St. Clair township, Allegheny county, Pennsyl- vania, April 23d, 1826. 1Tis grandfather, David Carnahan, came to Pennsylvania from County Antrim, Ireland, before the outbreak of the Re- volutionary War, and settled in the county of Cumberland. Throughout the memorable struggle for in- dependence he served actively in a company of artillery ; and at its termination purchased a tract of land in the pre- sent county of Allegheny, adjoining the) Manor of Pitts- burgh, removing to it with his family in 1784. ITis second son, William, inherited a portion of this farm, and continued to reside on it until his decease, in IS3S; and it was here, about four miles southward from the old city of Pittsburgh, that Robert B. Carnahan was born. Ilis preliminary edu- cation was acquired in the Western University of Pittsburgh, where he graduated in August, 1845 ; subsequently, he en- tered the law office of the Hon. Walter Forward, under whose able guidance he pursued a course of legal studies. In December, 1848, he was admitted to the bar, and imme- diately commenced the practice of his profession, meeting with lucrative and honorable success. In 1854, he was nominated by the Whig party, of which he was an active and influential member, for the House of Representatives in the General Assembly of the State; in conjunction with the major portion of the ticket, however, he was defeated, in consequence of the " American " or " Know-Nothing " movement, which in that year carried the State almost en- tirely. During this exciting time he was noted for his tire- less and efficient energy, his ability, and his shrewd but loyal tactics. On the formation of the Republican party, in 1856, he became one of its most zealous and prominent members, and was a leader in the Presidential campaigns of 1856 and 1860. On the 12th of April, 1861, he was ap- pointed by President Lincoln United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and occupied that honorable position until February Ist, IS70. In the per- formance of the various and onerous functions attached to this office, he displayed unusnal capability and sterling judg- ment. Prior to the period of his appointment as District Attorney, that post was one demanding but a limited exer- cise of attention and discretion, and involving but few im- portant responsibilities. Later, however, the Rebellion, and the increased Congressional legislation necessitated in order to organize an army and maintain it in the field, rapidly rendered the position one of the most laborions and respon- sible places under the Government, calling for ceaseless at- tention, energy and undeviating vigilance. This district embraced territorially three-fourths of the State of Pemmyl.
vania, and within his province came constantly many of the most vitally important and delicate questions ever considered within the jurisdiction of the United States Courts. Ulti- mately, the business attached to the office developed itself to such an extent as to engross his whole time and atten- tion. Ile acted in this capacity under the administrations of Presidents Lincoln, Johnson and Grant, serving, mean- while, under five different Attorney-Generals. In August, IS66, tired of the incessant toil and tumult attending public life, he tendered his resignation ; and, on this occasion, was pressingly solicited by Attorney-General Stansberry to reconsider his determination, and to retain a position for which he was so eminently qualified by his natural and ac- quired abilities. At the end of his second term, desiring to return to his private professional occupation, he voluntarily retired, leaving a chronicle reflecting high honor upon him- self and upon all connected with him. Immediately upon resuming the practice of his profession in Pittsburgh, he se- cured an extensive and remunerative clientage ; and since has pursued his vocation there with constantly increasing success and renown, having been many times engaged upon cases requiring a thorough knowledge of the subtiltics and complications of the law, and involving issues of great importance. Upon such occasions he has never failed to win the esteem and admiration of all by the exercise of those various qualities which, natural endowments, have been strengthened and improved by study, observation and wide experience. He enjoys the entire confidence of the court, the bar, and the general community ; is a clear, logical and forcible advocate; and, as a citizen, is trustworthy, scrupulously just and honorable, and warmly interested in all movements having for an end the advancement of social conditions and the speedy development of his State and country's vast resources.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.