The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2, Part 69

Author: Robson, Charles. 4n; Galaxy Publishing Company. 4n
Publication date: 1874
Publisher: Philadelphia : Galaxy Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 894

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Convention as the nominee for Lieutenant Governor of | spring of 1873. Though a Democrat, he was then elected Pennsylvania. He has been for many years a leading member of the Presbyterian Church, and the President for twelve years of its Board of Trustees. He was married, December 23 1, 1868, to a daughter of Thomas E. Franklin, a prominent lawyer of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

ERTIG, JOHN, Mayor of Titusville, was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, March 17th, 1837. Ilis parents were among the earliest settlers of that section, having located there in 1834, when the county was little more than a wilderness. Laboring on the home farm in boy- hood, he attended the log school-house in the winter. These scant educational advai tiges he turned to the best account, and laid the foundation of his present solid acquirements. Leaving home at eighteen, he travelled on foot 150 miles to the great lumbering districts on the Susquehanna. Ob- taining employment as a sawyer in an extensive establish- ment, he labored for about a year. Then feeling the necessity for more education if he would rise to the measure of his ambition, he abandoned work, returned home, obtained such books as he couk, and studied to such good purpose that he soon became a teacher. For four years he taught in a district school, first near Neilltown, and later at Steam Mills, near West Hickory, continuing his own studies the while and taking a course at the Neilltown Academy. In 1860, the great oil fever having reached his neighborhood, he commenced operations by leasing a small tract of oil territory known as the Me- Elhenny farm. Associating with him two gentlemen, he arranged for the sinking of a well, investing in the enter- prise the entire savings of his years of teacher's toil, and also, in order to make up what he lacked in capital, en- gaging for day labor with the contractor. He lost his money and labor, the well proving oilless and being aban- doned. Determined to succeed, and profiting by the experience gained in his unfortunate venture, he immedi- ately secured the necessary implements and contracted to sink several wells, Having by this means again accumu- laated some little capital, he returned in about a year to his abandoned clain, and eventually, after many disappoint- ments and trials, he reaped abundantly the reward of his toil and perseverance. Having acquired a considerable fortune, he has for the past fourteen years been largely interested in real estate, dealing therein so extensively that The is at this time reputed to be the heaviest property holder in the town of Titusville. He has done much to improve the place, the fine buildings known as Fertig's Block being · a conspicuous evidence of his public spirit. His character as a citizen and a merchant is above reproach. The esti- mation in which he is held and his popularity in the com- munity in which he resides was well exhibited in the

Mayor of Titusville by the largest majority ever gained by any candidate for that office, his opponent, the acting mayor, having been elected by the Republicans, the domi- nant party of the town. With such satisfaction did the citizens regard his administration that he was re-elected to the office in 1874, and the evidences of public favor con- stantly expressed towards him point directly to his elevation to higher and more important positions in the publie service. In every movement tending to the advancement of the town with which he is by business and association connected, he is most zealous. Ile is attached as Vice- President to the management of two of the banking institu- tions of his section, and in finance, as in commerce, his abilities render him a most valuable guide and associate. He was married, in 1861, to Angeline E. Coldren, of Venango county.

cCLINTOCK, JONAS R., Physician, Soldier, Mayor, State Senator, etc., was born in Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania, about the year 1810. IIe is descended from Celtie and Teutonic sources, his paternal ancestor, John McClintock, having, in 1789, at the age of seventeen, emigrated from Ireland, and the maternal side being represented by Peter Roup, who arrived from Germany and settled in Lancaster county in 1761, and whose son, Colonel Jonas Roup, removed to Allegheny county in 1793. Both his parents died upon their farm, located in what is now the Twentieth and Twenty-second Wards of Pittsburgh. Ile received a thorough education at the Western Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, and after pursuing a course of medical reading in his native city, under Dr. S. R. Holmes, com- menced the practice of his profession, and so quickly won success and reputation that in 1833 he was appointed Physician to the Almshouse and Prison, and during the Cholera epidemic of that year was selected as Ilealth Physician by the Board of Health. He was President of the Common Council of the city in 1834, was elevated to the Mayoralty in 1836, and though belonging to the Demo- cratic minority, was re-elected for the two subsequent terms. In 1840, he was appointed by the President of the United States to the Chemical Department of the United States Mint at Philadelphia, which position he held for seven years, resigning it on the death of his father and re- turning to reside with his mother upon the old homestead. Ile is claimed as the father of the Duquesne Grays, having originated them in 1832; for a long time, and in some try- ing situations, he commanded this celebrated corps. Ile was elected to the Legislatme in 1850, and became promi- nent in that body. As Chairman of the' Committee on Domestic Manufactures, he defeated, by his report, the repeal of the ten-hour law of 1849. He reported the Ap- portionment bill of 1850, which succeeded the veto of

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Governor Johnston, and which passed into a law. In 1853, [ memorable riots in Baltimore, and aided efficiently in he was elected to the State Senate, where, as Chairman of assisting to quell the turbulence. Subsequently, he enlisted for three months as a private in the 18th Pennsylvania Regiment, Colonel Lewis commanding; was discharged, and re-enlisted in the 72d l'ennsylvania Regiment, com- manded by Colonel Baxter ; later, August 10th, 1861, he was appointed First Sergeant in Company D; January Ist, 1863, was promoted from that company to Company K, as Second Lieutenant, and September roth, 1863, as First Lieutenant. After the battle of Gettysburg, he was ap- pointed to a captaincy, December 25th, 1863, in the latter company, a promotion due to his capture of a stand of colors from the Confederate color- bearer, and the observance of the incident by General Webb, who complimented him highly for his intrepid conduct ; August 24th, 1864, he was mustered out with his company. Finally, he was connected with the 203d Pennsylvania Regiment as Captain of Com- pany E, with which he served for nearly twelve months. During the action at Fort Fisher, North Carolina, January 15th, 1865, he was severely wounded, and afterward, March 13th, 1865, was appointed Major by brevet of that organiza- tion, for gallant conduct ; he was mustered out with his company, June 22d, 1865. In 1868, he was nominated and elected by the Republican party City Commissioner, for three years; and re-elected in 1871, for a second term, which expires January Ist, 1875. the Committee on Education, he reported the School Bill of 1854, and by his personal efforts and influence secured its passage, Ile voted for the Republican resolution instruct- ing the Pennsylvania Senators and Representatives in Con- gress to vote against the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, to save, as he explained his vote, the downfall of the great Democratic party. During the panic of 1837, he refused to sign as dictated by ordinance the $100,000 issue of small notes, and under threats of impeachment and removal from the mayoralty remained firm, and triumphantly presented to Councils a forgotten section of an act of 1821, making the action required a Misdemeanor punishable with fine and imprisonment. At the commencement of the late civil war he offered for active duty in the field, camp or garrison. Ile acted as Adjutant-General on the staff of General Wil- liam Wilkins, and aided in organizing 3,500 citizens during the first months of the war, fully nine-tenths of which force was, in a short time, in service at the front. As a regular visitor to the Army of the Potomac during the latter three years of the war his notes from the field and hospital received high consideration at the War Department, and were the cause of the correction of more than one fault and need. In 1864, when after peremptorily declining a nom- ination either to Congress or the State Senate his friends persisted in placing his name on the ticket, he ignored the nomination, and removing from his home remained away until the contest was decided, thus consistently maintaining his avowed resolution made in the first hours of the Rebel- lion that he " would refuse to enter into conflict for civil position until treason should be wiped out." After devot- ing several years to the recovery of his wife's health, he settled down on the old homestead, now in the midst of a thriving city.

CUEN, ALEXANDER, City Commissioner of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was born in that city, February 14th, 1834. Ilis parents were natives of Ireland, and his father, Alexander McCuen, was engaged for a term of three years in the service of the United States, in the 4th Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, which participated actively in the late Rebellion. Ile was educated at the Southwest Public School, and, after acquiring a useful education, became employed in the brickyard of Pritman & Co., whose estab- lishment was located at Twentieth and Market streets, and learned the trade of brickmaking. He then served his time as an apprentice with Wright & Brothers, on Market street, bone and ivory turners, In 1858, while the laying of the Atlantic Cable was progressing, he was employed in the United States service, and, while on board the United States man.of war " Niagara," assisted in arranging and | in command at Woodville, Mississippi, was brevetted Major putting it ont. April ISth, 1861, he was present at the 'by the order of General Canby, then in command of the

CNAIR, HIRAM S., Journalist, was born in Free- dom township, Adams county, Pennsylvania, June 220, 1838. Ilis father, Samuel S. McNair, born also in Adams county, Pennsylvania, was a descendant of one of the earliest Scotch settlers of that county; his mother, S. C. (Bigler) McNair, was a former resident of Franklin county, in the same State. Ile was educated at Gettysburg College, and the Delaware Literary Institution, Delaware county, New York. At the outbreak of the war he left the latter estab- lishment and entered the United States service, April 16th, 1861, as private in the 2d Pennsylvania Infantry. At the end of his three months' service he re-enlisted as private in Cole's Maryland Cavalry. With this body he served actively in the ranks until 1862, when he was promoted to a Second Lieutenancy by the order of Colonel Dixon S. Miles, and, subsequently, owing to the protracted absence of the superior officer, commanded his company from the time of his appointment. He was afterward promoted by ~ Governor Bradford, of Maryland, to a First Lieutenancy in the 3d Maryland Cavalry, and was ordered with his regi- ment to the Department of the Gulf. There he participated in the Red River campaign ; during its progress was pro- moted to a Captaincy, and, after the Mobile campaign, while

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Gulf Department. In the fall of 1865, he was mustered out at Vicksburg. In the fall of the following year he removed to York, Pennsylvania, entered the well-known law office of Henry I .. Fisher, and, in November, 1868, was admitted to the bar. Ile practised, however, but for a short period, entering in the latter part of 1869 into mercantile business, dealing in dry goods under the firm-name of Hauer & MeNair. This partnership connection lasted until the fall of 1873, when he retired and purchased the York Repub- lican, the leading Republican paper of York county, which under his able management has acquired new prestige and popularity. In 1872, he was the candidate on the Repub- lican ticket from York for the Legislature, and, although connected with the minority, ran considerably ahead of his ticket, reducing the opposing majority from about two thousand to nine hundred. At the present time, he is the Chairman of the Republican County Committee. Ile was married, in 1868, to Nettie Hauer, of York, Pennsylvania.

ETWILER, SOLOMON S., Banker, Capitalist, etc., was born in York county, Pennsylvania, October 28th, 1833. His father, Joseph Detwiler, was an extensive and wealthy farmer and real estate owner of that section; and his mother a member of the well-known Gerber family, of the same county. Beginning with the common schools of the neighborhood, he completed his education at the Mount Joy Academy. On attaining his majority, he entered upon the business of life as cleik and bookkeeper in the hard- ware store of Jonas Runkle, in Columbia, and so remained for five years. In July, 1860, he associated in partnership with his brother, and engaged in the private banking busi- ness, in the same town, under the firm-title of Detwiler & Brother. The reputation sustained by the young partners speedily gained them a large connection, and they con- tinued to transaet business under the original name, until May, 1864, when their banking house was merged into the Ifirst National Bank of Columbia. S. S. Detwiler was, at the same time, elected to the post of cashier of the in- stitution, and has continued to serve in that capacity, to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, ever since. . As a private banker he was eminently successful, and by his high acquirements, gentlemanly disposition and address, and strict integrity, won the unreserved confidence of the com. munity. In the spring of 1870, in company with five other gentlemen, he originated and placed in operation the Co- lumbia Deposit Bank, and ever since, as one of its principal Directors and Managers, has been largely instrumental in raising it to its present state of prosperity. To the town of his adoption he has been a most useful benefactor, hav- ing interested himself largely in real estate transactions and having erceted many valuable buildings. Ile owns a very considerable amount of farm property in the counties of

York and Lancaster, the finest agricultural section of Penn- sylvania, and also a large stone quarry near Columbia. He also holds an interest, as partner, in the celebrated White Lime Quarry, at Wrightsville, Pennsylvania. Ile has been President of the Columbia Insurance Company, for several years ; and, for some time, presided over the Town Council, of which body he was, for six years, a member. He has likewise been presiding officer of the School Board for three years, and is a prominent member and vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Ile was married, April 27th, 1860, to a daughter of Isaac Redsicker, a wealthy tanner, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

LOAN, HANNIBAL K., Lawyer, was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, September 4th, 183S. Ilis parents were James M. and Margaret ( Kelly) Sloan; his maternal grandfather, Meck Kelly, was a member of the State Senate of Pennsylva- nia from one of the northwestern districts which, some forty years since, included Indiana county ; his paternal grandfather, Walter Sloan, held the commission of Captain in the War of 1812, serving efficiently on the Canadian frontier. Beginning in the common schools, he continued his education in the Indiana Academy until his sixteenth year. During the two following years he was learning the trade of machinist ; but, during the memorable financial panic of 1857, his employers, with many other machinists in Indiana, were obliged to temporarily close their establish- ments, and he was unable to procure further employment. Philadelphia was visited, but in none of its machine shops could he find a situation ; he then moved to Sussex county, Delaware, where he engaged with Shryock & Johnston, who were filling a naval contract for the furnishing of live oak to the Government. In six months, he returned to his home and began, in September, 1859, to study law under Ilugh Weir. His course was partially finished in April, 1861, when, the Rebellion breaking out, he, with others, raised and organized the Indiana Nationals. Of this organi- zation he was elected Second Lieutenant in the following May, and, when entirely completed, it was sent to Camp Wright, near Pittsburgh, June 10th, 1861. The Indiana Nationals were mustered into State service simultaneously with Company B of the 11th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, commanded by Thomas F. Galaher, of Westmoreland county. In July, 1861, he was promoted to a First Lieutenancy, and, in the same month, left Camp Wright for Washington, where his regiment was mustered into the United States service, constituting a part of the First Army Corps in the Army of the Potomac. That corps, then commanded by General McDowell, was subse- quently transferred to the Fifth Army Corps, commanded by Fitz John Porter ; under this command he participated actively in the seven days' battles in front of Richmond,

Tok. anderson

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from Mechanicsville to Malvern Hills, and also in all the | there resided until the date of his death. George K. An- actions and movements in which the Army of the Potomac was engaged until June Ist, 1864. Prior to this date he was, December 13th, 1862, promoted to a Captaincy, and, in May, 1863, for gallant and meritorious conduct at the battle of the Wilderness was appointed Major by brevet ; also, while taking part in the battle of Gettysburg, he was favorably noticed for his brave and, efficient services. June 13th, 1864, he was mustered out of the service with his regiment. After being engaged for two years in the oil business of the Pennsylvania oil region, he returned to the study of law under his former preceptor, II. W. Weir. In October, 1866, he was appointed United States Assistant Assessor, and, in February, 1867, upon the completion of the studies pursued meanwhile, was admitted to the bar at the September term of Indiana, and since has continued to practice his profession with marked ability and success. IIe was subsequently nominated by the Democrats of the Legis- lative District of Indiana and Westmoreland counties and elected, although the Republican majority of that district was considerably over 1000. At the close of the Legisla- tive term of 1871, he resumed the practice of law, but ulti- mately, owing to the solicitations of many friends, allowed his name to be used as a candidate for Congress; and the Democratic County Convention unanimously accorded him the nomination.

NDERSON, IION. GEORGE: K., President of the Exchange Bank of Titusville, Pennsylvania, Railroad Operator and Legislator, was born at East Waterford, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, September 14th, 1834. Ilis father, Enoch L. Anderson, who died recently in his seventy-sixth year, was a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and a son of Colonel Enoch Anderson, one of five brothers who were noted for their valor and efficient services while serving in Washington's army throughout the Revolutionary War; these brothers, settling in Maryland, Tennessee and Kentucky, became subsequently prominent and influential men and public officers. Twenty members of the family have been elected to the House of Representatives at Washington, and four to the United States Senate. ITis great unele was a member of the United States Senate for a period of eighteen years, at one time officiated as President of that body, and later was Comptroller of the Treasury for twenty-one years. Hon. Alexander Anderson, formerly member of Congress from the Knoxville District of Ten- nessee, and United States Senator, noted for his energy and abilities, was a nearly connected relative of George K. An- derson's ancestors. From 1800 to 1868, Enoch L. Ander- son resided in East Waterford, where he reared a family consisting of ten children, following the tanning business, and engaged also in farming and agricultural pursuits. In the latter year he removed to Titusville with his son, and

derson remained with his parents in East Waterford mutil July, 1850, when, having thoroughly learned the trade uf tanning under his father, he entered upon a course of studies at the Tuscarora Academy, pursuing a student's life until 1854, and in the interim acquiring a varied and valuable training and education. From September, 1854, until Sep- tember of the following year, he was employed as a cleik in a store at Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania; subsequently, desiring to obtain a more perfect knowledge of the different rules, principles and systems governing the management and prosecution of mercantile enterprises, he entered Duff's Com- mercial College, of Pittsburgh. Upon the completion of the usual course of studies in that institution, he graduated in commercial, banking, and railroad bookkeeping, receiv- ing on the occasion high encomiums from his tutors for his perseverance and shrewd insight into the details and minutia incident to this particular branch of learning. He then put into active operation his newly-acquired knowledge by act- ing as Bookkeeper and private Secretary for Kirk & Rhodes, well-known and prominent car builders of Ro- chester, Pennsylvania. That establishment, employing over three hundred men, presented an admirable field for the exercise of administrative and executive powers, and for ob- taining a varied and valuable experience ; and the numerous and 'responsible duties connected with its direction he ful filled with marked promptitude and ability. With Kirk & Rhodes he remained until the fall of 1858, when he em- barked in the wholesale and retail grocery business at Green- ville, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, under the firm-name of Power & Anderson ; in the same place he also entered the dry goods business, under the firm-name of Anderson & Packard. In this locality and in these undertakings he was actively engaged until September, 1862, when he sold out his interests in both establishments, in order to accept a position as assistant to General W. W. Irwin, Commissary- General of Pennsylvania, tendered to him and urged upon his acceptance. He remained in the office until October, 1864, constantly and laboriously occupied in the discharge of responsible and onerous duties, and during portion of the time acting as Secretary to the Board of Military Claims. Resigning at the latter date, he visited the oil regions, set- tling primarily at Tan Farm, October 4th, and afterwards, November Ist, making his head-quarters at Petroleum Cen- tre, Venango county. July 11th, 1868, he purchased the Brigg's Place, in Titusville, and sent for his parents and sisters to take charge of his new home; since then he has resided there, meeting with great and merited success in various and extensive enterprises. Upon three different occasions he has been chosen Senatorial Delegate to State Conventions, and was Delegate to the National Convention which nominated Grant for a second term. In 1873, he was elected to the Senate from Crawford county, having in Titusville a majority of over Soo ballots on a vote of less than 1000 in the city. Since starting as an oil operator he

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has Grilled more than 200 wells; and at one time his in- come attained the unusual proportions of fifteen hundred dollars per diem, During the past seven or eight years he has employed constantly, in one or another business and enterprise, about 300 men, thus affording direct support to more than 900 persons. Several young men who entered into business life in his establishments and under his care as bookkeepers, superintendents, overseers and engineers, have since become wealthy and prominent merchants and dealers. lle was one of the original investors in the Northern l'acific, the Texas Pacific, and various other rail- roads and enterprises, being always a leading and ener- getic promoter thereof. Ile is, and has been from its organ- ization, Vice-President of the Pennsylvania Transportation Company, a corporation having a capital of $1,700,000 in stock and $200,000 raised on bonds; it owns and operates 500 miles of pipe lines, and has a tankage of 300,000 bar- rels; such men as Colonel T. A. Scott, William II. Kemble, C. B. Wright, of Philadelphia, the Vice- President of the Erie Railroad, Messrs, Harley and Abbott and Judge Douglass, of Titusville, are associated in its direction. Ile is also Director of five different banks. After settling in the oil region, and before the expiration of the first year, he was offered by one of the largest and wealthiest owners of oil property a position as Superintendent with a salary of $10,000 per annum ; but having commenced operations on his own responsibility, and feeling sure that he would ultimately meet with much success, he declined the offer, and the sequel has shown that he acted wisely. In all schemes for the development of Pennsylvania resources he takes a warm and active interest; while all movements of a philanthropie nature find from him cordial sympathy and generous support. He was married, July 5th, 1859, to Emma Hawkins (the only daughter of the late Rev. D. K. Hawkins, of Pittsburgh), who died August 26th, 1864, leaving three small children, one an infant ; only one child, eleven years old, is now living,

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The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2, Part 69

Author: Robson, Charles. 4n; Galaxy Publishing Company. 4n Publication date: 1874 Publisher: Philadelphia : Galaxy Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 894

Author: Robson, Charles. 4n; Galaxy Publishing Company. 4n
Publication date: 1874
Publisher: Philadelphia : Galaxy Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 894