USA > Pennsylvania > The Book of Prominent Pennsylvanians; a standard reference > Part 17
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
Dr. Wasson has held interest in oil lands for the past 10 years, and has been for that length of time actively engaged in the oil producing business. He is a director in the Evershed Land and Improvement Company, Niagara Falls, N. Y .; the New York Subur- ban and Realty Company, of New York city; director and vice-president of the Western Slope Copper Mining and Smelting Company, of Grand Junction, Col .; of the California Touring and Land Company, of Pittsburgh, and of the Sun Film Manufacturing Com- pany, of Pittsburgh.
Few men stand higher in the Masonic order than does Dr. Wasson. He is a member of the Harmony Lodge, No. 429; Butler Chapter, No. 273; Loraine Commandery, No. 89; Syria Shrine, of Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Consistory, in which he holds the thirty- second degree. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 170, of Butler; the Butler Country Club, the Oil Men's Carnival Association, and others.
Dr. Wasson was married twice. The second wife and one child are living. Dr. and Mrs. Wasson are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Both
175
EDWARD L. DAWES,
Second Vice-President, Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company.
176
FRANCIS J. TORRANCE.
Francis J. Torrance is an example of Pittsburgh's self-made men. A man of un- usual stability of character, independence of action, large philanthropy, and great busi- ness ability, Mr. Torrance has been a factor in the moral, business and financial uplift of his native city.
He was born on the North Side June 29, 1859, the son of Francis and Jane W. Tor- rance. Mr. Torrance has spent the entire period of his life in the one neighborhood. He was educated in the Allegheny public schools and later in Western University of Penn- sylvania.
In 1875 he organized the Standard Works, River avenue, North Side, and is still identified with the same company, although it was consolidated with many other smaller companies into the Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company later. Pittsburgh is the home of the "Standard" plumbing fixtures and supplies, the original place where they were first manufactured, and it is to Francis J. Torrance, with his impressive personal- ity and exceptional business principles and foresight that Pittsburgh today owes its stand- ing as the chief manufacturing center for these supplies.
When Mr. Torrance organized his company, 36 or more years ago, there was only a small building to work in. Now the Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company has five plants, employing 6,000 men. In addition it has numerous showrooms, warehouses, branches and agencies in the principal cities of both hemispheres.
Mr. Torrance founded his business on one principle, "cleanliness." This is in opera- tion and in ethical conception. His supplies are world-known.
During the years of the existence of the company as a consolidated business, Mr. Torrance has been actively engaged in supervision and direction of the manufacturing interests. He has served in all capacities under the company, having been vice-presi- dent and chairman of the executive committee for more than 13 years.
Aside from the gigantic and specific work of the manufacturing plant, Mr. Tor- rance has closely identified himself with all the charitable and philanthropic labors of the State and his own city.
He is a central figure in every philanthropic movement that has been propagated within the last decade and a half. He has given money for the support of uplift en- deavors, and has given his personal services and supervision to the direction of all the great and small charities of the State. His private philanthropies are most extensive. In Pittsburgh charities he is a prominent factor. He has been president of the State Board of Public Charities for many years, and has served continuously as Commissioner of Charities since 1895.
For many years his river interests were extensive, and he continues to hold stock in river companies. The Francis J. Torrance, the largest excursion boat ever operated in local waters, was owned by Mr. Torrance. Because of its immensity it was finally sold to a Cincinnati company for use in the lower Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
Mr. Torrance is one of the directors of the Pittsburgh Exposition Company, and has been one of the promotors of the exhibit and publicity for Pittsburgh's annual show for many years.
Mr. Torrance is a stanch Republican in politics. He represented his ward and party for three terms of four years each in council. He was president of the select council of Allegheny when that city consolidated with Pittsburgh.
As a clubman Mr. Torrance has a national reputation. He has been a member of the Duquesne and Union Clubs since their inception. He also has membership in the Pittsburgh Country Club and Pittsburgh Athletic Association. He is a member of the New York Club of New York, the Strollers, the Fulton Club, the Manufacturers' Club of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Club of Washington, D. C., and the Pittsburgh Press Club.
He was married in 1884 to Miss Mary R. Dibert, of Allegheny, and is an active member of the Sandusky Street Baptist Church.
177
W. A. MYLER.
William Albert Myler of Pittsburgh is the son of John A. and Mary Jane My- ler. Mr. Myler received his early educa- tion in the Fourth ward public school, of old Allegheny. He was connected with the wholesale dry goods business, in the firm of T. T. Myler & Company, in Wood street, from 1866 to 1875; associated also with Auday, Myler & Allison in the dry goods business, and with Myler Bros. in the flour and feed business in old Allegheny for two years. For nine years he was with the Standard Manu- facturing Company, then Dawes & My- ler started in the foundry and enamel- ing business in New Brighton, and Mr. Myler became identified with them. January 1, 1900, Mr. Myler joined the ranks of the Standard Sanitary Manu- facturing Company as secretary and treasurer, this company being a consoli- dation of Dawes & Myler, the Standard Manufacuring Co., Ahrens & Ott Mfg. Co. and several other plants. Mr. My- ler is a member of the Duquesne, Union, Oakmont Country and the Beaver Val- ley Country Clubs.
A. A. FRAUENHEIM.
August A. Frauenheim, banker and manufacturer, was born in Pitts- burgh November 10, 1866. He was edu- cated at Duquesne University of Pitts- burgh, and St. Vincent College, at Beatty, Pa., graduating from the latter institution in 1884. His parents were Edward Frauenheim and Mary Meyer Frauenheim. Mr. Frauenheim is presi- dent of the Iron City Sanitary Manu- facturing Company of Pittsburgh, manufacturers of iron enameled sani- tary ware; president of Epping-Carpen- ter Pump Company of Pittsburgh, manufacturers of pumping machinery; president of Zelienople Land Company ; vice-president German National Bank of Pittsburgh; director Pittsburgh Brewing Company, Wheatly Hills Land Company of Long Island and Pitts- burgh Hospital. He is a member of the Duquesne Club of Pittsburgh, Pitts- burgh Athletic Association, Pittsburgh Country Club, Press Club and German Club. He was married in 1890 to Marie A. Dietrich. There are no chil- dren.
178
......
NEW BRIGHTON WORKS
Standard Sanitary mto. Co.
PITTSBURGH
WORKS
D
ry mg Co.
LOUISVILLE WORKS
TORONTO WORKS
PREBLE WORKS
FACTORIES OF THE STANDARD SANITARY MANUFACTURING CO.
179
STANDARD SANITARY MANUFACTURING CO.
THE first "Standard" Porcelain Enameled Bath was made in 1875, in the River Ave- nue plant of the Standard Manufacturing Company, Allegheny, now a part of Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania. The capital of the company was $75,000; number of employes, 100; and daily factory capacity, two baths. The public's appreciation of sanitation was not then awakened nor developed, and the production of two bath tubs per day was con- sidered remarkable.
The first attempts to apply a white enamel coating to an iron body were found to be extremely difficult and costly. However, the difficulties were thought to be eventually possible of solution, and the "Standard" product of today is ample proof of this. What has been accomplished has been the result of long and diligent labor, research and study, and the expenditure of large sums of money.
From a very small organization the Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Co., of Pitts- burgh, has grown to the largest in the world in its line, and its product is sold and used in every part of the civilized world.
The present company was incorporated in the year 1900 with a capital of $5,000,000, which has since been increased to $10,000,000. The number of employes is over 5,500, and the combined daily factory capacity is 2,000 bath tubs, 2,000 lavatories, 2,000 sinks, and a large output of miscellaneous fixtures, plumber's brass and wood work.
The original "Standard" plant of 1875 occupied only two-thirds of an acre of ground, with buildings containing 60,000 square feet of floor space. Today the factories cover over forty-seven acres of ground with buildings having 2,200,000 square feet of floor space.
There have been sold over 3,000,000 "Standard" Bath Tubs, 3,000,000 "Standard" Lavatories, and over 10,000,000 miscellaneous fixtures, and while the quality has con- stantly increased, the selling price to the consumer has steadily decreased, until today genuine "Standard" Plumbing Fixtures are within the reach of every builder.
A. E. ARROTT.
Albert E. Arrott, director in the United States Sanitary Manufacturing Company, was born in old Allegheny City November 7, 1877. He is the son of J. W. Arrott, Sr., and Isabella Waddell Arrott.
Mr. Arrott received his education in the public schools of Sewickley and in the Law- renceville Preparatory School of Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
Mr. Arrott is identified with several railroad companies, holding large interests. He is vice-president and director of the United States Sanitary Manufacturing Company, which is noted for the manufacture of enamel ware and plumbing supplies.
Aside from his railroad and manufacturing interests Mr. Arrott is interested in the National Guard of the State. He is a member of Company F, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers of 1898, and also of the German Club of Pittsburgh.
180
DAVID HERBERT HOSTETTER.
David Herbert Hostetter, president of the Hostetter Company of Pittsburgh, is the son of a distinguished manufacturer, railroad builder, oil and gas pioneer and banker of Pittsburgh. From his father he inher- ited vast holdings in a large number of profitable enterprises, but of late years he has resigned his offices in those insti- tutions. All of his attention is being de- voted to the manufacture of the prep- aration that brought to his family fame the world over.
Mr. Hostetter's grandfather was a physician of Pittsburgh, and it was from him that the recipe for the famous Hostetter's Bitters was obtained. His son, the father of the subject of this sketch, associated himself with George W. Smith, of Lancaster, and the two, by extensive advertising, brought their pro- duct in demand in every part of the country. With the increase of the elder Hostetter's fortune he decided to invest heavily in some of the enterprises then beginning to interest the people. He be- came a pioneer in oil and natural gas, and financed several companies. He was instrumental in the founding of the old Fort Pitt National Bank and was a director in the Farmers Deposit Na- tional Bank. He promoted railroad construction and did much toward the building of the P. & L. E. Railroad. For a period of time he was the president of the Pittsburgh, McKeesport & Youghiogheny Railroad, and had an interest in the Pennsylvania. At the time of his death, in New York, November 6, 1888, his son had been married to Miss Miriam R. Gerdes just one year. He immediately took hold of the interests left by his father and has since then been in general charge.
David H. Hostetter was born in Allegheny, August 31, 1859. After studying under private tutors he began a preparatory course at the Western University. In 1877 he went to Germany, where he studied for one year at Heidelberg University. Upon return- ing to Pittsburgh in 1879, he graduated from Duff's College, and then, for the sake both of adventure and his health, he engaged in ranching and wheat raising in North Dakota and the Red Lands. He remained there one year, then returned to Pittsburgh to help his father with the burden of his many duties. There he took up work in the railroad and gas business. A short time previous his father's extensive oil holdings had been absorbed by the Standard Oil Company. But the railroad and banking interests kept him well occupied, and when his father died he was left to manage the large manufacturing plant here. Several years ago his duties became too manifold and he relinquished his position on various boards of directors.
In a social way Mr. Hostetter is thoroughly well known, not alone in Pittsburgh but in other large cities of the country. He is a member of the New York Yacht Club, the Larchmont Yacht Club, the Duquesne Club, the Pittsburgh Athletic Association, the Alle- gheny Country and the Pittsburgh Country Clubs, the Oakmont Club, the Eqwanok Country Club, and several others.
18.I
D. L. CLARK.
David L. Clark is one of the fore- most men in Pittsburgh, or in fact in this country who saw the fortune to be made from the sale of specially treated popcorn. Mr. Clark was born in County Derry, Ireland, September 26, 1864, the son of Samuel and Jane Clark, and came to this country with his parents when he was but six years old. He was edu- cated in the public schools of Pittsburgh. He is the inventor of the famous Zig- Zag confection. Besides being presi- dent of the D. L. Clark Company at Pittsburgh, Mr. Clark is president of the following companies: Youngstown Candy Company, at Youngstown, O .; LaBelle Candy Company, Steubenville, O .; Jewell Candy Company, McKees- port, Pa .; Fayette Candy Company, Uniontown, Pa., and several others. He is half owner of the Model Candy Company at Beaver Falls, Pa., and is a director in the First National Bank of Mckeesport. He is the father of 13 children and is a 32nd degree Mason.
M. G. BRYCE.
Marion G. Bryce, president of the United States Glass Company, and a de- scendent of James Bryce, pioneer glass manufacturer of Pittsburgh, was born March 6, 1861, in Pittsburgh. His pa- rents were John P. Bryce and Elizabeth (nee Griffin) Bryce.
Mr. Bryce's ancestors came from Scotland. His grandfather, James Bryce, a shrewd, far-sighted pioneer, who settled south of the Monongahela river in what is now the South Side of Pittsburgh, started in the manufacture of glass, a business in which his sons and grandsons have followed ever since.
182
GEORGE S. WARD.
George S. Ward, vice-president of the Ward Baking Company, a concern that is one of the largest and best known in the Pittsburgh district, was born in Allegheny City, and as a boy attended the old Sixth Ward public school.
While still a public school pupil Mr. Ward learned the baking business with his father, Hugh Ward, who was the original founder of the now famous Ward's bread. His later success in this business is due in no small degree to the training he received so early in life from his father. At the elder Ward's death, Mr. Ward succeeded him, taking charge of the business despite the fact that he was but seventeen years of age. At this period he attended the night ses- sions of Duff's College, taking a course in bookkeeping. When 21 years old he removed from Allegheny to the East End, Pittsburgh, and formed a partner- ship with his brother there, the firm be- ing known as R. B. Ward & Company. In 1897 this company was incorporated under the name of the Ward-Mackey Company, of which George S. Ward was made vice-president, and, owing to his thorough understanding of the business, general manager.
In later years the Ward-Corby Company was organized, with Mr. Ward as vice-presi- dent. This concern installed bakeries in the cities of St. Paul, Chicago, Boston and Provi- dence. In 1905 Mr. Ward secured control of the Ohio Baking Company, of Cleveland, and in addition to the caring for the operations of the Pittsburgh company, was presi- dent of the Ohio concern, directing its business affairs.
In 1911 the Ward Bread Company was organized, installing plants in the cities of New York and Brooklyn. In 1912 all of the above mentioned companies were consoli- dated and merged into the Ward Baking Company, a New York corporation, with head- quarters in New York City and operating bakeries in New York, Brooklyn, Boston, Providence, Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Chicago, having fourteen plants in all, and being the largest producers of bread in the world.
In the fall of 1912, because of the location of the general offices in New York City, Mr. Ward moved to New York City from Sewickley, Pa., where he had resided for a number of years. He and his family are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Sewickley, and he is a member of the Duquesne, Pittsburgh Athletic and Oak- mont Country Clubs.
Mr. Ward is a life member of the Americus Republican Club, life member and Past Master of Duquesne Lodge, F. & A. M., Pittsburgh Chapter, R. A. M., Past Commander Duquesne Commandery, Knights Templar, and a member of Syria Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
183
FAMOUS BISCUIT COMPANY.
A firm which has earned a flattering amount of success and has received the good- will of the public is the Famous Biscuit Company, established at Nos. 1801-9 Forbes street. It is a corporation with a capital of $500,000, organized for business February 1, 1905, by Thomas R. Mackey, John A. Simeral, Frank Wilbert and C. F. Crelier. The company manufactures crackers, cakes and biscuit. It was chartered under the name of the Thomas R. Mackey Baking Company. The company began active business Febru- ary 1, 1906, and for four years was managed by Mr. Mackey. In 1909 the name of the company was changed to the title: "Famous Biscuit Company," and John A. Simeral was elected the new president and general manager, filling the office with rare discre- tion. During the present year the company has added to its manufacturing output a Sugar Wafer equipment, and the company's product has met with a steadily growing demand. The company's plant was erected especially for the purpose designed, and has a capacity for baking 150 barrels of flour daily. There are 90 men and 140 women em- ployed, with 45 salesmen. Although in business only seven years, the Famous Biscuit Company has had unparalleled success, selling its product in five States. The quality of its cakes and biscuits is responsible for the company's remarkable growth. There are branches established at Altoona, Pa .; New Brighton, Pa .; Youngstown, O .; Wheeling and Fairmont, W. Va. Charles F. Crelier, a baker of 40 years' experience, superintends the manufacturing ; Frank Wilbert is the city sales manager, and John A. Simeral the general manager and the country sales manager.
John Archibald Simeral (originally and correctly, Simrall), president of the Famous Biscuit Company, was born in Bloomfield, Jefferson county, Ohio, but spent his young manhood at Steubenville, Ohio. His parents were William Ferguson Simeral and Nancy Davis Simeral. Mr. Simeral was educated in Steu- benville's public schools, and the old Steubenville Grove Academy, and at a Pittsburgh business college. Mr. Simeral came to Pittsburgh in 1877, and entered the Auditing Department of the Panhandle Railroad. In 1881 he connected with a wholesale grocery, continuing until 1906, when he assisted in the organization of the now Famous Biscuit Company of Pittsburgh. His wife died March 15, 1895, leaving five children, who have been Mr. Simeral's pride.
JOIIN A. SIMERAL.
Earle R. Marvin, manufacturer of food products, was born November 26, 1874, in Fayette street, Alle- gheny. His father was Sylvester S.
EARLE R. Marvin, of the S. S. Marvin & Company, MARVIN. now a part of the National Biscuit Com- pany. His mother was Mathilda (nee Rumsey) Mar- vin. Mr. Marvin was graduated from Andover in 1893 and from Yale in 1896. He became superintendent of the Pittsburgh branch of the National Biscuit Com- pany. In 1905 he resigned and organized the Pennsyl- vania Chocolate Company, of which he is manager. Mr. Marvin is director in the Commonwealth Trust Company and the West Penn Hospital, and belongs to the Sons of the American Revolution, the Theta Xi fra- ternity, the Pittsburgh Athletic Association, the Auto- mobile Club of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Board of Trade and the Masonic Order.
184
HENRY J. HEINZ.
Henry J. Heinz, president of the H. J. Heinz Company, well known throughout the United States and foreign countries as packers of the "57 Varieties" of pickles, sauces and other condiments, is the son of Henry Heinz and Anna M. Heinz. Mr. Heinz was educated in the public schools.
During boyhood days when Henry J. Heinz was not in school he assisted his father, who was engaged in brick- making and contracting. There was al- ways a deep bond of sympathy between the elder Heinz and his son. As the lad grew towards manhood this bond be- came stronger until at last the father came to depend almost entirely upon the son for the management of the little contracting business. At length the son was taken in as a partner. After this and upon the suggestion of the son a market garden was added to the con- tracting business. Soon the garden be- came the most profitable enterprise of the two.
In 1896 the son started a modest business of packing horseradish. This was the real origin of the H. J. Heinz Company. Soon the packing of pickles C and other appetizing foods began. The cleanliness and purity maintained when Mr. Heinz worked in the first kitchen with his own hands, and which, perhaps, was the initial secret of his success, is continued today in what is one of the largest establishments of the kind in the world.
The parent plant is now located in the North Side of Pittsburgh. There are branch establishments in six States of the country and in three foreign countries. Branch warehouses are maintained in all parts of the world. Mr. Heinz is president of this company.
Mr. Heinz has few business interests outside of the preparation of foods. He is president, however, of the Winona Interurban Railway Company, and a director of the Union National Bank and of the Western Insurance Company.
A beautiful mansion in the East End of Pittsburgh, furnished with a large library and many collections of quaint and interesting relics, is Mr. Heinz's home. He belongs to the Duquesne, Union and Country Clubs, of Pittsburgh, and the Automobile Club of New York. He devotes less time, however, to amusements than do most business men. The close application necessary during his early life to win success has apparently be- come a habit from which it is difficult for him to break away. Much of his time is de- voted to religious and educational work. Nowhere is Mr. Heinz more at home than among the boys and girls of his Sunday school. Rarely does he miss a session and the subject under discussion for the day is always thoroughly familiar to Mr. Heinz. He attends many church and educational conventions, and is president of the Pennsylvania State Sunday School Association.
Few business men carry the religious precepts taught in Church and Sunday school into the office or factory on week days as conscientiously as does Mr. Heinz. Libraries, reading rooms, bath houses of the most sanitary and modern type, lunch rooms, a large swimming pool are maintained in his North Side plant free to all the employes.
185
John H. Smitley is one of Pittsburgh's well-known business men. He is president of Reymer & Brothers,
JOHN H. Inc., of Pittsburgh, a company which stands among the foremost candy, con- SMITLEY. fectionery and cigar companies in this section of the country.
It was under Mr. Smitley's official guidance that the Reymer Company has grown and expanded with its success. The concern now has a model factory in Forbes street, Pittsburgh, probably not excelled for its purposes, and its products are known the country over.
Mr. Smitley also is a financial power, and no little of his prominence and esteem accrues from his mem- bership in the directorates of the Commercial National Bank and the Commonwealth Trust Company, both of Pittsburgh. Mr. Smitley is a well-known member of the Duquesne Club of Pittsburgh.
William W. Warren was born in Drennen, Pa., September 22, 1869. He is the son of Perry D. and Eliza C. Warren. He was educated in WILLIAM W. the public schools and at the Iron City WARREN. College, Pittsburgh. In 1886 Mr. War- ren removed to Pittsburgh and early became identified with the ice manufacturing business. He first became affiliated with the Bruce Ice Company in 1887 and he remained with that concern until 1891. During the period covering 1892-98 he was prominently connected with the Eureka Ice Company. In 1899 he became general manager of the Pittsburgh Ice Company and he continues in that position today. Mr. Warren is a director of the East End Savings & Trust Company and of the Pittsburgh Board of Trade. He is a Mason, a member of the Pennsylvania Country Club and of Pittsburgh Lodge No. 11, B. P. O. E. He is a resident of the East End district, in Pittsburgh.
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.