USA > Pennsylvania > The Book of Prominent Pennsylvanians; a standard reference > Part 19
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In addition to the great value of lumber and timber lands, he saw the value of coal and decided not only to own, but to mine and produce it. Since 1902 he has been a big coal operator. He did not neglect his lumber interests, however, and continued to extend his field of endeavor. He organized the Kendall Lumber Company, his first enterprise, and he is president and a director of that Company, whose offices are in Pittsburgh.
In addition to being president and a director of the Kendall Lumber Company, Mr. Kendall is president and a director of the H. C. Huston Lumber Company, the Meyers- dale Coal Company, the Kendall Supply Company and a director in the First National Bank, Connellsville, Pa .; Yough Trust Company, Connellsville, Pa; Evans Coal & Coke Co. of Fayette County, and the National Mines & Smelters Co. of Mexico; he is also a trustee of Bethany College.
During the time he was active in building up the enterprises that later extended to Mexico and Oregon, Mr. Kendall married Miss Kathryn Guiler, of Connellsville, Pa., in 1893. Four children were born to them: Mary Willa, at Ogontz School; Kathryn, at the Baldwin School, Bryn Mawr, Pa .; Louis and Eugene, at Shadyside Academy. The fami- ly live at 5048 Fifth avenue, Pittsburgh. Mr. Kendall's circle of friends is very large. He is a member of the Duquesne, Pittsburgh Country and Oakmont Country Clubs, the Pitts- burgh Athletic Association and Pittsburgh Automobile Club. He is an automobile en- thusiast, and as a member of the Pittsburgh Automobile Club has been a staunch advo- cate of the reform movements fostered by the organization. One of his pet hobbies is the good roads movement, and as a member of the Automobile Club has done everything within his power, by influence and contribution, to advance this cause.
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A. M. TURNER.
Andrew M. Turner is a lumberman whose experience includes his work in every department in the business. His parents were William Turner and Eliza- beth S. Turner. He was educated in the public schools, and at Lessing Institute. Later he studied at the Western Uni- versity of Pennsylvania and at the Iron City Business College. In 1886 he en- tered the employ of a Cleveland lumber concern as a bookkeeper. Mr. Turner was sent to Michigan as the company's lumber inspector. Successful at this, he was made sales representative in the Pittsburgh district for W. B. Nurshon & Company, of Saginaw, Michigan. Later he went to the South, to develop private lumber interests there, but in 1907 he returned to Pittsburgh; helped organize the Allegheny Lumber Company in 1909, becoming one of its directors; at pres- ent he is its sales manager. Mr. Turner is past master of Franklin Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. He is married and the father of two children. His wife is Mrs. Sue H. Turner.
CHARLES H. GARLICK.
Charles H. Garlick, state steam boiler inspector of Allegheny county, was born in Mantua, Ohio, March 31, 1859, the son of Charles and Mary Gar- lick, of Canada. He was educated in the public schools of Pittsburgh and Tarentum, Pa. Mr. Garlick learned the machinist trade and became a me- chanical engineer. He was chief engi- neer of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass com- pany and later for the National Rolling Mills of Mckeesport, Pa. For 15 years Mr. Garlick was mechanical expert and consulting engineer of the Atlantic Re- fining Company of Pittsburgh. He was national president of the National As- sociation of Stationary Engineers, is a member of the National Association, the Universal Council of Craftsmen, the Engineers' Society of Pennsylvania, the Ohio Society of Mechanical and Elec- trical Engineers, and a well-known writer for mechanical journals. Mr. Garlick is also Great Lieutenant Com- mander of the Knights of Maccabees. He has lectured extensively.
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EDWARD VOSE BABCOCK.
Few business men of Pittsburgh possess a more notable record than Edward Vose Babcock, who was born near Fulton, N. Y., January 31, 1864, the son of Leman B. Bab- cock, now living, and Harriet V. Bab- cock, deceased. Mr. Babcock was born and raised on a farm in Oswego county, New York. He had the advantage of a common school education only, but man- aged to teach school himself during the winters of his sixteenth, seventeenth and nineteenth years.
Mr. Babcock has been in the lum- ber business during his active career, entering the employment of the Mich- igan Lumber Company when 20 years old. He came to Pittsburgh at the age of 25 and became busily engaged in the lumber traffic. During all his stay in Pittsburgh he has followed this busi- ness.
Along with his other activities, Mr. Babcock is president of the Babcock Lumber Company, of Pennsylvania ; the Babcock Lumber and Boom Company, of West Virginia; the Babcock Brothers Lumber Company, of Georgia; the Bab- cock Lumber and Land Company, of Tennessee; the Tellico River Lumber Company, of Tennessee, and of the Bab- cock Coal & Coke Company, of West Virginia. He also is vice-president and director of the Columbia National Bank of Pittsburgh, and director of the Colonial Trust Company of the same city. He was appointed a councilman for the city of Pittsburgh by Governor John K. Tener in 1911, later being elected to the office by the people. Mr. Babcock is a member of the following clubs: Duquesne, Union, Oakmont Country and the Country Club.
Although well-known among his business associates as a highly successful man in the lumber trade and equally prominent among his social associates for his pleasing per- sonality, Mr. Babcock attained the greatest amount of public notice while serving as a member of council.
His appointment to this body by the Governor and subsequent election by the people emphasized the high esteem felt for the man as an honest citizen and an efficient public officer. His service in council received warm commendation, as it was always apparent that Mr. Babcock earnestly tried to acquaint himself with the needs of the city as they were presented to him, and to work out their solution in the most practical and helpful manner.
Always "on the job," Mr. Babcock as a councilman is ready to listen to individuals or delegations with patience and willingness, and to consult with his confreres in office on small matters as well as on bigger ones. He never gives judgment on any proposition placed before him without securing as much illuminating information relative thereto as possible.
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David L. Gillespie was born in Pittsburgh October 20, 1858, and attended the public schools. At the age
of 13 he began to work as a telegraph DAVID L. messenger boy; two years later he en- GILLESPIE. tered the employ of Lewis, Oliver & Phillips. He remained with them until, in 1887, he organized the D. L. Gillespie Lumber Company. Be- sides being identified with the Pittsburgh Reduction Company, the Pittsburgh Honduras Company and the Commercial Sash & Door Company, Mr. Gillespie is connected with a number of other important enter- prises. His office in Pittsburgh is with the D. L. Gilles- pie Lumber Company, Oliver building. On October 25, 1885, he was married to Miss Anna R. Darlington in Wilmington, Delaware. The Pittsburgh clubs to which he belongs are the Americus, the Duquesne, the Alle- gheny Country and Pittsburgh Golf.
A. Rex Flinn, Pittsburgh lumber man, has organ- ized two lumber companies, is president of another, and is director in three concerns. Born
A. REX FLINN.
February 5, 1885, in Pittsburgh, a son of William and Nancy Galbraith Flinn, he was educated in the public schools. Later he at- tended Shadyside Academy and the Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, Conn., being graduated from Yale Uni- versity in 1906 with the B. A. degree. In 1907 Mr. Flinn took a position with the firm of Booth & Flinn, remained with them until 1909, when he organized the Pittsburgh Lumber Company, he being secretary- treasurer of that and the Duquesne Lumber Company, of which he was an organizer. He also is president of the Freehold Lumber Company, and is a member of the University, Pittsburgh, Duquesne and Golf Clubs of Pittsburgh, and the Yale Club of New York City.
George Colberg Adams, vice-president and general manager of the Duquesne Lumber Company, was born
GEORGE August 13, 1884, in Pittsburgh, the son
COLBERG of Thomas R. Adams and Anna (nee Colberg) Adams. After leaving the ADAMS. public schools Mr. Adams secured a position with Flint, Erving & Stoner Company, remain- ing with the concern for three years. His next posi- tion was with the Forest Lumber Company, and he be- came manager of the company. He was with this company for ten years. He then went to the Duquesne Lumber Company, a newly organized concern, as vice- president and general manager. Mr. Adams is a di- rector in the Pittsburgh Lumber Company, a member of Milnor Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; the Pitts- burgh Press Club, and a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He was married November 16, 1904, to Elizabeth M. Kahm. There is one son.
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WILLIAM FLINN.
Perhaps no man in Pittsburgh has been more responsible for the physical and political advancement of the city than has William Flinn. Few men of Pittsburgh have taken as active a part in the general de- velopment of this great municipality as has Senator Flinn. Although involved in many private business interests of large caliber and requiring a good deal of time for their management, Senator Flinn always has found time to partici- pate in general matters affecting the welfare and advancement of Pittsburgh.
Senator Flinn was born in the city of Manchester, England, May 26, 1851, the son of John and Mary Flinn. His parents emigrated to the United States during the year of his birth, and in look- ing for the most promising place in which to locate they chose Pittsburgh, whence they came upon arrival in New York. Since coming to Pittsburgh, William Flinn never has made his home elsewhere. He entered early into activi- ties identified with the city's growth and became a part of them.
In early life, he was given a rudi- mentary education, attending the pub- lic schools and getting as much mental drilling in this manner as it was possi- ble to receive under limited circumstances. The necessity of going to work without con- tinuing his education to the extent enjoyed by many other young men led Senator Flinn to become a brass finisher and a steam and gas fitter. He rose rapidly in the world by strenuous endeavors, and entered into the big contracting firm of Booth & Flinn, Limited, general contractors. In 1877 he was elected a member of the board of fire commission- ers of the city of Pittsburgh. He became a member of the State House of Representa- tives for the sessions of 1879 and 1881, and it was apparent he was destined to rise further.
With the support of his friends, Senator Flinn was elected a delegate to the Repub- lican National Conventions of 1884, 1888, 1892 and 1896. He has been chairman of the Pittsburgh Republican City Executive Committee, and was elected to the State Senate in 1890 and 1894, being re-elected in November, 1898. Senator Flinn continued active in matters affecting the political situation at home and elsewhere in the country and be- came known as a power to be reckoned with. His business interests growing to big pro- portions, Mr. Flinn was forced to retire from active political matters for a time, engag- ing in the management of his private affairs and looking after interests relating thereto.
Following this period of political retirement, however, Mr. Flinn suddenly reap- peared as the champion of Theodore Roosevelt and the active head of the Bull Moose party. The stirring times connected with the overthrow of the Penrose organization in Pennsylvania by Senator Flinn are matters of history. Displaying his old-time political strategy and ability to recognize what the voters wanted the most, Senator Flinn was able to demonstrate how easy it is to establish new regimes in statesmanship and politics when the public support has been obtained.
20I
J. G. FULLMAN.
John Grant Fullman, one of the foremost general contractors and apart- ment house specializers in the country, was born in Midland, Ontario, Canada, December 25, 1879. He is the son of John Fullman and Margaret Grant Fullman, by whom he was brought to the modern lines of development
Pittsburgh in his early years. One of through which Pittsburgh is showing a marvelous advancement is the line of buildings in which Mr. Fullman has taken an expert interest. In fact, he is one of the principal sponsors for the best, most up-to-date of these construc- tions. His belief is that apartment houses should be well built. As evi- dence of this principle his buildings are so substantially constructed that they are permanent additions to the city's attractions. The Gerber apartment, on South Negley avenue, the Gabel, on Ellsworth avenue, and the Alder Court, on Alder street, are illustrations of Mr. Fullman's skill.
IRVIN & WITHEROW.
The firm of Irvin & Witherow, Engineers, is a partnership of Richard Irvin and William P. Witherow, founded in 1910. The particular experience of the partners has been in the design and superintendence and economical operation of manufacturing plants, mills, factory buildings, machine shops and merchant and commercial ware- houses.
The firm has built up an organization which covers every branch of the building operation, consisting of widely experienced architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers. This organization is particularly adapted to the design and con- struction of modern, fireproof, daylight buildings, at an economical expenditure, and to the complete equipment of such plants, including the complete design of power plants, manufacturing machinery, conveying machinery, lighting, heating and plumbing equip- ment. This organization approaches any new building operation at quite a different angle than the usual architect. The first object being to find out and plan the scientific and economical requirements of the client, to lay out in detail the various uses to which the building or plant is to be put, and the economical arrangement of the interior, and when all of this has been carefully planned, to build a substantial modern fireproof structure around the interior arrangement, leaving the architecture as the last consideration, and making the architecture conform and be subservient to the economical needs of the client.
Among the great number of buildings and factories that have been built under supervision of this firm are: Complete system of railroad shops for the Morgantown & Kingwood Railroad, wholesale drug house for the George A. Kelly Co., refuse utiliza- tion plant for the American Reduction Co., and a rubber factory for the Continental Rubber Co.
Richard Irvin was born in Pittsburgh in 1884. He was employed by the Lewis Foundry & Machine Co., and later graduated from Yale University with the degree of Ph.B. In 1910, he engaged in business in Detroit, Mich. Later, he moved his office to Pittsburgh, Pa., and in 1910 formed a partnership with William P. Witherow.
William P. Witherow is a Pittsburgher, a son of William Witherow. He is well known; was graduated from St. Paul school at Concord, New Hampshire, and received the degree of Ph.B. from Yale University. He was formerly employed with the Jones & Laughlin Steel Co.
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GEORGE H. FLINN.
George H. Flinn was born March 12, 1875, in the city of Pittsburgh. His parents, William Flinn and Nancy Galbraith Flynn, early decided to give him every advantage within their power, and in after years fulfilled this resolution.
Mr. Flinn attended the public schools and there received the rudi- mentary preparation leading to the more extensive education which after- ward he received in higher institutions. Pursuing his studies from the public schools and following a measure of pri- vate instruction, Mr. Flinn left home to become a pupil at Yale University.
During his career at the big uni- versity, Mr. Flinn, in addition to ex- celling in his studies through the years of his course there, took part in ath- letics and was well known for his prowess in several branches of athletic endeavor. Possessed of much college spirit, Mr. Flinn was a prominent fig- ure in Yale's university life, and con- tinued to hold this position in the esteem of his fellows through the time of his graduation, in the class of 1897.
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Having finished his educational course and decided to undertake life's career, Mr. Flinn became identified with his father in the latter's large contracting interests. Displaying much ability and capacity for work, Mr. Flinn was made secretary and treasurer of the Booth & Flinn Company, Ltd., as well as president of the Pittsburgh Contracting Company, general con- tractors of Pittsburgh and New York.
As the duties of these offices required much attention, Mr. Flinn showed a great deal of initiative in handling the work falling to his care. His grasp of the general needs of the work and his insistence on detailed efforts among the employes could not produce anything else than a flattering amount of success. Since assuming his responsibilities with the companies in which he is an officer and active partner, Mr. Flinn has been re- sponsible for the completion of many thousands of dollars worth of highly valuable con- structive contracts. His personal supervision of many essential phases of the business with which he is identified has given Mr. Flinn extraordinary qualifications to become active in the management of the institutions which have fallen under his care.
While active in the business world, Mr. Flinn rapidly became a leader also in the social and club life of Pittsburgh. He is a member of the Pittsburgh, Duquesne, Uni- versity, Pittsburgh Golf, Allegheny Country and other clubs. In addition to all these, he belongs to the New York Yacht and Sail Club of New York, and to the Racquet Club of Philadelphia. As in his other activities, Mr. Flinn is well known for his excellence in athletics as well as for his success in business fields.
203
JOHN H. CRAWFORD.
Among the prominent master me- chanics in the Keystone State is John H. Crawford, who was born February 7, 1877, in Buffalo, New York, the son of James Henry and Elizabeth Eleanor Crawford. He received a liberal train- ing in the Rochester Mechanics' Insti- tute, pursuing the full electrical, me- chanical and mining courses. He has filled the following positions success- fully: Assistant master mechanic with the Rochester Street Railway Company ; superintendent of the Saratoga Trac- tion Company; superintendent of the State Line and Sullivan Railroad; gen- eral master mechanic of the Public Serv- ice Company of New Jersey; master mechanic of the Wheeling Traction Company; superintendent of construc- tion and resident manager of the Pitts- burgh-Buffalo Company at Marianna, Pennsylvania. He has installed some of the most modern and largest mining work in the world. He is a Mason and an Elk.
WILLIAM KERR'S SONS.
Building enterprises in the city of Pittsburgh are on more extensive and magnificent scales than ever in its history, and at no time has the city been backward in the con- structive and progressive principles of this trade.
In the city are some of the most expert builders of the world, men whose work in construction is considered the acme of climacteric enterprise. Among the leaders in this line are the William Kerr's Sons, an incorporated firm whose ability and experi- ence have made them in demand for all the greatest of the building constructions in the city.
Their work is evidenced not only in dwellings, in which line of work they are espe- cially proficient, but in magnificent churches, in spacious and well equipped and planned factories, in bank buildings that for solidity and artistry of appearance and construc- tion are noted over the world. Their building is of durable and expeditious qualities. The Carnegie Presbyterian Church and the Gates of Wisdom Synagogue are last- ing monuments to the skill and intrinsic worth of the firm in this particular line.
Three public schools of Pittsburgh have been built by the William Kerr's Sons Com- pany. These are among the show places in the city and are models of first-class build- ing construction. They are the Woolslayer, Larimer Avenue and Fulton schools.
The First National Bank of Connellsville and the Western Savings and Deposit Bank of Pittsburgh were built by the Kerrs.
Residences of millionaires are especially notable examples of their architecture and construction. Among these are the Jacob Kaufmann home, the Dr. A. M. Speer, the V. T. Given, A. M. Moreland and W. H. Singer properties.
Many buildings devoted to public works are among their constructions. Principal among these are the Ross Pumping Station, the Aspinwall Pumping Station, the Mission Street Pumping Station, the Eighth Street Engine House, No. 2 Police Station and No. 14 Engine House. Many other buildings of all kinds and sizes have been built by them.
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HENRY LAWRENCE KREUSLER.
Henry Lawrence Kreusler, building contractor, was born in Chartiers township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in 1861. His parents were William Kreusler and Philo- mena (nee Debold) Kreusler. Mr. Kreusler was reared in the old Fifteenth ward of Pittsburgh, and attended the Lawrence public school until 12 years old. He then learned the carpenter's trade at which he worked for 13 years. During nine years of this time he was employed in the mill of Carnegie, Phipps & Company, at Thirty-third street, Pittsburgh.
Mr. Kreusler started in business for himself as a building contractor in 1886, and has continued the business until the present time. The original business was located at 3217 Penn ave- nue, Pittsburgh. In 1902 larger quar- ters were needed and the location was changed to 3301-9 Penn avenue. The business grew from the start through Mr. Kreusler's efficient management. He soon began to get contracts for im- portant public and business buildings in addition to a profitable line of smaller contracts. Now some of the best known and most attractive structures in Pitts- burgh and other large cities are being erected by Mr. Kreusler.
Not content with one line of construction work, Mr. Kreusler extended his opera- tions by the organization of a company for the handling of stone and concrete contracts. The Thomas Coutts Company, organized in 1900, with Mr. Kreusler as president, has enjoyed a steadily increasing prosperity. Knowing that steel and iron is taking the place of timber in the construction of buildings of importance, Mr. Kreusler realized at length that if he would succeed in keeping among the leaders in the building business it would be absolutely necessary to have an organization for the erection of structural iron and steel buildings, and the result was the organization of the Lawrence Steel Construc- tion Company in 1903, of which Mr. Kreusler is president.
Mr. Kreusler is a director of the Franklin Savings & Trust Company, and also presi- dent of the Salvage and Storage Company.
Few persons are more deeply interested than Mr. Kreusler in projects for civic bet- terment, and few men are more active in promoting movements for the general good. Mr. Kreusler is chairman of the Housing Committee of the Pittsburgh Civic Commission and belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, the Pittsburgh Board of Trade and the Build- ers' Exchange.
Among the clubs to which he belongs are the Union Club, German Club, Pittsburgh Country Club, Pittsburgh Athletic Association and the Automobile Club. He is promi- nent in the Masonic order.
Mr. Kreusler was married January 23, 1911, to Miss Annie Werner, a daughter of Oswald Werner, of Pittsburgh.
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C. H. KERR.
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Among builders and contractors the name of C. H. Kerr, of Pittsburgh, stands out prominently, for Mr. Kerr has been a builder from almost boy- hood. As the son of William and Rachael Kerr, he was born in Pitts- burgh September 21, 1872. He attended the public schools and graduated from the Pittsburgh high school. In 1889 he entered the building business as a mem- ber of the firm of William Kerr's Sons. In 1893 he formed a new firm that then did business under the name of Kerr & Fox. This continued till 1907, when the present firm of C. H. Kerr Company was incorporated with Mr. Kerr as president. Among the structures erected by this firm are the Washington Bank building, the Iroquois Apartments, Vanadium office building, the Wilkins- burg High School. Mr. Kerr is a di- rector in the Oakland Savings & Trust Company, and president of the Oakland Amusement Company that operates the Natatorium.
F. J. OSTERLING.
Frederick John Osterling was born in Allegheny county October 4, 1865. He had the advantage of education in the Allegheny public schools, and later pursued a course of study in Lessing Institute. In 1879, when only 14 years old, he started studying architecture in Pittsburgh. After several years as a draughtsman, he began designing build- ings of his own accord. Then came fur- ther study of architecture abroad. He came back to Pittsburgh fully equipped, opening his own office in 1888. He has since maintained offices in that city ; meanwhile he supplemented and im- proved his earlier training. Mr. Oster- ling has been in the van in planning the modern sky-scraper type of office build- ing. Among such Pittsburgh structures are the Commonwealth Trust Building; the Arrott Building, Fourth avenue and Wood street; the Telephone and Hussey Buildings. He has planned many im- portant buildings of a public nature, be- sides many of the most notable bank buildings of Pittsburgh.
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