USA > Pennsylvania > The Book of Prominent Pennsylvanians; a standard reference > Part 2
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When he was not busy in the Senate chamber he was present at a committee meet- ing, and between the two he had very little time to do anything else. Probably because he rose from the ranks, he has always been regarded as a workingman's friend, and in spite of his many duties he was never too busy to see an occasional committee of toilers who wanted something from the powers at Harrisburg. The parents of Mr. Cooper, Dr. John F. Cooper, a practicing physician, and Mrs. Sarah Cooper, lived on Arch street, Pitts- burgh, North Side. There the Senator was born December 12, 1848. When six years old he entered the Third Ward school of his native city and gradually worked his way through the public school system. His parents placed him in Duff's Business College, Pittsburgh, where he was given a general office training.
Eager to learn a trade, Mr. Cooper went into a machine shop, where he served several years at the bench and on the various machines, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the trade. Next he went to farming, and then he entered politics. For three years he served as auditor for Beaver county, and in Bellevue he held a prominent place in the borough council for five consecutive years. In November, 1910, he was elected to the Senate. Mr. Cooper's regular occupation now is that of oil producer, for he owns and operates large and valuable oil holdings. He is a director of the Bellevue Realty Savings & Trust Com- pany, and the Bellevue Country Club. He is also a member of the Tariff Club, of Pitts- burgh.
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M. Clyde Kelly was born in Bloomfield, Ohio, August 4, 1883. He attended the public schools of his
native town and the Muskingum College M. CLYDE at New Concord, Ohio. In 1904 he be- KELLY. came the publisher of the Braddock Leader, and a year later the Braddock Daily News. In 1907 he took over the management of the Brad- dock Daily News-Herald, of which he is now president and managing editor. He is also the president and director of the Braddock Daily News Publishing Com- pany. In 1910 he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the Tenth district of Allegheny county, and in 1912 was elected to Congress from the Thirtieth Pennsylvania congressional district. He is a the author of "Machine Made Legislation," and is a member of the Braddock Board of Commerce, the Carnegie Round Table, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Malta and Royal Arcanum.
James Francis Burke was born in Petroleum Cen- ter, Venango county, Pa., October 21, 1867. He is the son of Richard J. and Anna Arnold JAMES Burke, and has represented the Thirty- FRANCIS BURKE. first district, Pittsburgh, in Congress for five successive terms. Mr. Burke in 1892 was graduated from the University of Michigan with the degree of LL.B. In 1893 he was admitted to the Allegheny county bar and practiced law in Pitts- burgh and the county until elected to the Fifty-ninth Congress. Mr. Burke organized and was first presi- dent of the American Republican College League with branches in all American universities. He was the youngest secretary ever elected by the Republican Na- tional Committee. He is a member of the Duquesne, Country, Union, Americus, Tariff and Athletic Clubs of Pittsburgh, and of the Army and Navy Club, Wash- ington, D. C.
Andrew Jackson Barchfeld, representative at Washington, D. C., from the Thirty-second Con-
ANDREW gressional District, was born in Pitts- JACKSON burgh May 18, 1863. His parents were Henry Barchfeld and Mary (nee Neuen- BARCHFELD hagen) Barchfeld. In 1884 he gradu- ated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, prac- ticed in Pittsburgh until 1904, when he was elected to Congress, and has been re-elected ever since. Mr. Barchfeld has been for years a member of the Inter- parliamentary Peace Union at The Hague. For several years Mr. Barchfeld was city physician for Pittsburgh. He belongs to the Pittsburgh South Side Medical So- ciety, the Allegheny County Medical Society, the Penn- sylvania State Medical Society and the American Med- ical Association. He is a member of the Union Club, Country Club, Pittsburgh Athletic Club, and others.
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FREDERICK DAVIDSON.
The privilege of a man, to stretch his hand over the map of North America, and have the tips of both his thumb and his little finger, to say nothing of his palm, locating seats of industries in which he holds in- terest, is something that is rarely en- joyed. To sit in Pittsburgh and make suggestions as to how certain things should be done in Mexico and Canada, and reap the harvests thereof, shows more than anything else that the oppor- tunities of one thoroughly familiar with manufacturing enterprises are limitless. There are a few successful individuals in Western Pennsylvania who are doing this now, but they are comparatively few, and only a small number of them are reaching out and making themselves known in other foreign fields.
One of those who has been signally successful at home, and abroad as well, is Frederick Davidson, of 367 South Negley avenue, Pittsburgh, locally known as the secretary and treasurer of the Union Drawn Steel Company of Beaver Falls. Mr. Davidson is 43 years old. He was born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, October 27, 1870. At an early age his father, Colonel Daniel Rogers Davidson, and his mother, Mrs. Photo. Copyrighted by Campbell Studio, New York. Margaret (Clark-Johnson) Davidson, decided to enter him in a military academy. Ac- cordingly he was sent to Chester, Pennsylvania, where the Pennsylvania Military Academy was rapidly becoming famous as one of the best institutions of its kind in the country. There Mr. Davidson received his elementary and collegiate education, and when he left Chester at the end of his studies, he went to Beaver.
About that time the First National Bank of Beaver Falls was being organized and for the reason that he was well equipped for the position, Mr. Davidson was made its first cashier. He remained there for three years, and the experience he thus obtained he used as a stepping stone to the more remunerative positions that began to present them- selves. Leaving the bank, he accepted the place of secretary and treasurer of the Union Drawn Steel Company of Beaver Falls, and, although he is still in that office, he has suc- ceeded in making his influence felt in other concerns, with all of which he became con- nected in some capacity in the course of time.
In a short time the Canadian trade of the Beaver Falls concern became great enough to merit the establishment of a branch factory in Hamilton, Ontario, and this branch was eventually made a separate concern. Of this Canadian establishment Mr. Davidson also became secretary and treasurer. The formation of corporations was daily going on, and at the time of the organization of the Beaver Clay Manufacturing Company, Mr. David- son, who was one of the organizers, was elected to the presidency. Then a nail manufac- turing company was started in old Mexico, known as the Monterey Wire Nail Company, and in this company, too, Mr. Davidson was given the highest office.
At the same time he interested himself in matters nearer home. The First National Bank of Beaver Falls, in which he began his business career, still holds him as a director, and in the same capacity he serves the Bank of Pittsburgh, National Association, and the Davidson Ore Mining Company, of Buffalo, N. Y. Mr. Davidson is an ardent patron of athletics and holds membership in the Illinois Athletic Association. In Pittsburgh he be- longs to the Union Club, and in Philadelphia he is a member of the Manufacturers' Club.
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SAMUEL G. DIXON.
Samuel G. Dixon, M. D., LL. D., State Commissioner of Health under Governors Pennypacker, Stuart and Tener, was born in Philadelphia March 23, 1851. He is licensed to practice both law and medicine. Among the schools he attended are the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania, and the department of Bacteriology, of King's College, London. He studied under Pet- tenkofer in Munich. Dr. Dixon has served as Professor of Hygiene in the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania and dean of the auxiliary department of medicine, and is con- nected with many scientific organiza- tions. His publications cover a large field in hygiene and bacteriology. On October 19, 1889, Dr. Dixon made known through the Medical News of Philadelphia, his great discovery of pro- ducing immunity to tuberculosis in the lower animals, and described his fluid extract used in the successful treatment of tuberculosis.
A. W. POWELL.
Archibald W. Powell, Auditor Gen- eral of Pennsylvania, was born August 21, 1872, at California, Pa., the son of John R. and Harriet Weaver Powell. He was graduated from California Nor- mal School and the Yale University Law School. Mr. Powell was first a building foreman and contractor. He next be- came principal of the schools in Du- quesne borough, Allegheny county, and later at Latrobe, Pa. From 1897 to 1900 he was at Yale and went to the Philippines with the Tenth Regiment, in the war with Spain and the Aguinaldo rebellion. He was twice promoted for wounds received in action. In 1901 he began the practice of law in Allegheny county. He is now adjutant of the Tenth Regiment and the Historian of its Veteran Association. He is a mem- ber of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons, the Benevolent Protective Or- der of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. In 1910 he was elected to the State Sen- ate, and 1912 was elected Auditor Gen- eral of Pennsylvania on the Republican and Washington party tickets.
I6
FREDERICK N. BEEGLE.
Frederick N. Beegle, officer and director in a half-score business organizations, was born at Millersburg, Ohio, May 21, 1863. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Beegle. He was educated at Millers- burg and at North Manchester, Ind.
Mr. Beegle inherited little except the good name of his parents, who both died before the son had reached man- hood. At the age of 16, Mr. Beegle be- gan clerking in a store. Tiring of this he started a wholesale process business which he conducted for two years. In 1885 he obtained a position with Hart- man Steel Company, of Beaver Falls, and remained with this firm for four years.
At last he found the work to which he was to devote the best energies of his life, but he was not destined to remain much longer with this company. He was offered a position as assistant su- perintendent of the Union Drawn Steel Company, of Beaver Falls. After some hesitation, he accepted the offer and went to work in November, 1889. After filling a number of minor positions, he was appointed secretary. In a few years he became treasurer and at length was elected president. He has held this position the last 12 years.
Other companies with which Mr. Beegle has been connected are: The Beaver Clay Manufacturing Company, of New Galilee, vice-president; Ideal Opening Die Company, of Beaver Falls, secretary and treasurer; Davidson Ore Mining Company, of Buffalo, N. Y., president; First National Bank, of Beaver Falls, vice-president; Monterey Wire Nail Company, of Monterey, Mex., treasurer; Alamo Mining Company, Monterey, Mex., treas- urer; Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Ship Canal, director. Mr. Beegle is a member of the Union Club of Pittsburgh, the Tamaqua Club of Beaver Falls and of the Beaver County Coun- try Club.
Mr. Beegle is a typical self-made man. Mr. Beegle always has been a consistent Republican, but never has sought office or engaged actively in politics. In charitable and philanthropic work, however, he has always taken an active interest. He has not only given generously of his wealth to charitable and benevolent institutions, but has given of his trained business ability as well. As chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Beaver County Children's Home he has done much to add to the prosperity and use- fulness of the institution. For many years he has been president of the Home for the Aged of Beaver County, and has endeavored, successfully, to increase the usefulness of the institution.
Mr. Beegle's wife was formerly Miss Nellie E. Heath, a daughter of the late Rev. A. Heath, of Oberlin, O. There is one son, born in 1896. Few persons have been interested in as wide a variety of business enterprises as has Mr. Beegle. Not content with the busi- ness of manufacturing and selling steel, at which he is unusually successful, Mr. Beegle interested himself financially in the mining business, and was active in promoting the operations of the Alamo Mining Company in Mexico. He is also actively interested in the construction of the proposed Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Ship Canal, as well as in bank- ing and in numerous other enterprises.
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E. M. BIGELOW.
"Battery Dan" they called an indi-
vidual in New York who spent a great deal of time and money in obtaining for the people of the city a delightful spot known as Battery Park. Pittsburgh has its "Battery Dan," too, but his sobriquet is more dignified. They call him the "Father of Parks" there, and his true and correct name is Edward Manning Bigelow and the park system of Pitts- burgh is his creation. Mr. Bigelow is now the commissioner of highways of the State. For many years he was di-
rector of public works of Pittsburgh.
He was born in that city November 6,
1850, the son of Edward M. and Mary (Steel) Bigelow. He attended the Western University. Subsequently he was made engineer in charge of the sur- veys of the city of Pittsburgh. In 1880 he became city engineer. He was elected director of the department of public works in 1888 and unanimously re- elected to several terms of four years each. More recently he had filled the office of Allegheny county consulting engineer.
S. D. FOSTER.
Samuel Davis Foster, chief engi- neer of the State Highway Department, was born September 11, 1880, at Mc- Keesport; his parents were Alexander D. and Amanda L. Foster. From Wash- ington-Jefferson College he received the degree of bachelor of science in the class of 1903, and in 1911 the honorary degree of civil engineer. Mr. Foster's record of efficient public service includes three years with the United States engineers in the Ohio, Monongahela and Alle- gheny river improvements; eighteen months as assistant engineer in charge of construction of roads, sewers and Water works in Panama and in Havana Province, Cuba; two years as chief en- gineer of the Allegheny County Road Department, and two years as chief en- gineer of the Pennsylvania State High- way Department. Among his clubs and societies are: Duquesne and University Clubs, Pittsburgh Athletic Association, Engineers' Society of Western Pennsyl- vania, and American Society of Civil Engineers.
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BENJAMIN N. FREELAND.
Honesty, integrity and business acumen, with the additional qualities of personality, unswerving devotion to a cause or interest and a remarkable capacity for work have been the factors in the successful career of one of Waynesburg's most notable citizens, Benjamin N. Freeland. This exceptionally gifted teacher, lawyer, statesman and financial light of Greene county was born at Mt. Morris, near the Greene county seat, March 18, 1858. His parents, William and Nancy Free- land, gave him a public school education in the village school of Mt. Morris. Like other country boys, he went to school in the winter months and helped on the farm in the summer. At the age of 15 he began teaching a little rural school in Greene county, but in vacations took special instructions in the Eastman Business college of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which place he was graduated in 1876, at the age of 18.
The farm, the school house and the business college all were contributing factors in the success of Mr. Freeland, who stored the knowledge learned in these places for reference which has since gained him many a battle in the legal and political world.
Until 1893 he taught school part of the year and continued his studies, reading law in the evening and during vacation. Recognition of his business abilities came first in 1893, when he received the appointment of United States storekeeper in Greene county, which position he held until 1896.
Mr. Freeland was next elected clerk of courts in Greene county and later re-elected to the position, serving the county until 1902. Then his political career in its larger pos- sibilities began. He was a stanch Democratic leader in Greene county for years. In 1902 the people, realizing that a strong opponent was needed to defeat the Republican candidate, W. E. Crow, persuaded Mr. Freeland to take the nomination for state senator from the Fayette-Green district. This he did, defeating Mr. Crow, who has since be- come a leader in the state senate, by the largest vote ever polled in the county. Mr. Freeland's majority was 2,300 votes in a county which is normally 1,300 mapority. While clerk of courts Mr. Freeland continued his law studies, and in 1901 was admitted to the county bar, and three years later to practice in the Superior and Supreme courts of Pennsylvania. He is a shrewd politician, honest and fearless in his fights for political preferment, a brilliant lawyer and one of the financial pillars of the farming county.
He is considered the foremost financier in the county, being identified with practically all the larger banking and business interests of that section of the State. He is a director of the People's National Bank of Waynesburg, the Waynesburg Home Gas Company and the Sheridan Oil and Gas Company. Mr. Freeland is a stockholder in the South Penn Telephone Company and a director of the company. He is a member of the East Waynesburg Board of Education.
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Eugene Trump Norton, vice-president and di- rector of the First National Bank of Connellsville, was
EUGENE born in Brownsville, Pa., October 10,
TRUMP
1866, the son of Philo and Martha Her-
NORTON. bert Norton. When seven years old he went with his parents to Connellsville, Pa. Mr. Norton is president and director of the First National Bank, Vanderbilt, Pa .; treasurer and di- rector of the Sligo Iron & Steel Company, of the Mey- ersdale Coal Company and of the Wells Creek Supply Company. He is a director of the Connellsville Con- struction Company, of the Yough Trust Company, of the Fayette Securities Company and of the Connells- ville News Publishing Company. Mr. Norton is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Connellsville, and a trustee of the Christian Church. He is a Mason, a director of the Y. M. C. A., and a trustee of Bethany College, West Virginia.
John Davis Frisbee, banker and merchant of Connellsville, was born October 14, 1829, in
JOHN DAVIS.
Pittsburgh. His parents were
FRISBEE. Samuel and Jane Frisbee. In
1853 he joined the "gold seekers" in California, and conducted a miners' supply store at Stony Bar, in Placer county.
Returning to Pennsylvania he located in Connellsville, in 1861. He entered into a co- partnership with William Cooper & Company, general merchants, and began business in the same building he now occupies. Later, he bought out his partners and formed the Frisbee Hardware Company, devoted exclusively to hardware. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Connellsville and has been its president since the incorporation, 37 years ago. Mr. Frisbee is an officer in many of the subsidiary companies of the West Penn Rail- ways Company. He married Miss Catherine L. Herbert in 1863. There are four children living.
Frank Eugene Markell, civil engineer, pharmacist and banker, was born in Monongahela City, the son of
FRANK John S. and Emma Markell. He was edu- cated in the public schools of Monongahela EUGENE MARKELL. and was graduated from the Monongahela high school. After leaving high school Mr. Markell took a special course in civil engineering, which he followed for several years.
He is interested in several banking establishments in his home town, being president of the Citizens Na- tional Bank and president of the Clearing House Associa- tion of Connellsville. Mr. Markell is president of the Chamber of Commerce and president of the Southern Connellsville Coke Company.
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JOSIAH VANKIRK THOMPSON.
Josiah Vankirk Thompson, millionaire coke and coal operator of Fayette county, was born in Menallen township, near Uniontown, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1854, a son of Jasper Markle Thompson. He attended the public schools and later Washington and Jefferson College, at Washington, where he was graduated in June, 1871. On November 11 of that year he entered the employ of the First National Bank of Uniontown as clerk, and on April 2, 1889, following the death of his father, who was president of the bank, succeeded him in the presi- dency. This bank pays the largest salaries and has the largest surplus and profits of any national bank in the United States, leading the National Bank Honor Roll for a number of years.
Mr. Thompson extended his inter- ests as the bank grew, and now he is the largest individual owner of coking coal lands in the United States. His holdings include land in Fayette, Greene, Washington and Allegheny counties, Pennsylvania, and in West Virginia.
Mr. Thompson was president of Uniontown council from 1892 to 1900, and at various times has been president of the News Publishing Company, Union Cemetery Company, and has participated and aided every legitimate enterprise offered to him for support.
He has a remarkable memory and still more remarkable judgment, and although not one of his bank employes are bonded, there never has been an erring clerk, teller or cashier connected with the bank in its history.
Mr. Thompson married Mary Anderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Anderson, December 11, 1879. She died August 8, 1896. There are two children.
The success of the bank of which Mr. Thompson is president is due not only to his shrewd management, but to the zeal and enthusiasm of all the employes, inspired by Mr. Thompson's own industry. It is not uncommon for Mr. Thompson to work continuously in his private office for a week without as much sleep as would amount to one good night's rest. He personally attends to all his own correspondence and writes all his own letters. There may be 150 of them in a single day. Mr. Thompson can go to sleep in a second anywhere, and when he awakens it is with every faculty and instinct alive and alert. He will fall asleep in the bank room writing a letter; nap, perhaps, for 15 minutes; then awaken, and continue the writing of the letter.
No loans are made from Mr. Thompson's bank for more than the legal six per cent., nor is a bonus ever asked or taken from borrowers. If you get the money at all you get it regular, and no bonus inducement can tempt a dollar from the vaults. No deposits are accepted except subject to check, and no interest is paid on deposits, however large.
21
JAS. A. SEARIGHT.
James Allison Searight, of Union- town, engaged in the insurance and banking business, was born September 13, 1836, in Manellen township, Fayette county. His parents were William Sea- right and Mrs. Rachel (nee Brownfield) Searight. Mr. Searight attended the public schools, Dunlap's Creek Presby- terian Academy, the Iron City Business College of Pittsburgh, Kenyon College and the Philadelphia Divinity School. Ill health, however, prevented Mr. Sea- right from entering the ministry. In Uniontown he opened a real estate and insurance office. In 1871 he helped or- ganize the People's Bank of Fayette county, of which he became treasurer, and later president, holding the posi- tion until the bank was merged with the Citizens' Title and Trust Company. Mr. Searight has pronounced literary tal- ent. He belongs to the Sons of the American Revolution, the Historical So- ciety of Pennsylvania, the Knights Templar, and the Protestant Episcopal Church.
J. VANCE GRAFT.
The life of J. Vance Graft, general superintendent of the Uniontown Water Company, has been one of busy achieve- ment. Mr. Graft was born in Dunbar township, Fayette county, Pa., Novem- ber 3, 1860, the son of Samuel and Mary Graft. He received the foundation for his business career in the public schools. At first he learned the printing business and then studied civil engineering. He then took up the practical side of rail- roading; engaged in the milling busi- ness for two years, and the foundry and store business for 10 years. For six years he was a traveling salesman. Then he became general superintendent of the Uniontown Water Company, which position he has held for 12 years. In that time the Uniontown plant has been practically rebuilt, two of their largest reservoirs having been constructed, three others reconstructed, and the water system perfected. Mr. Graft has spent 29 years in Uniontown. July 16, 1884, he married Miss Henrietta Miller, and they have three children.
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JAMES CLARK WORK.
James Clark Work, of Uniontown, is the Judge of the Orphans' Court of Fayette county, which office he has held continuously since the creation of the court in 1907.
He was born on the farm he now owns in Dunbar township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, February 8, 1859, the sixth child of John and Sarah (Mc- Laughlin) Work. He was graduated from Waynesburg College. In 1884 he entered the law school of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, continuing one year; then the law school of Yale University, entering the senior class. He was graduated from Yale with the degree of L.L.B. in 1886. Before leav- ing New Haven he passed the required examination and was admitted to prac- tice in the Supreme Court of Connecti- cut.
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