USA > Pennsylvania > The Book of Prominent Pennsylvanians; a standard reference > Part 22
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He first worked for the New York Life Insurance Company, leaving it to become assistant New England man- ager for the Bankers' Life Insurance Company of New York. Mr. Wesley worked with Mr. Woodbridge on plans for the organization of a life insurance company. He has ever been an energetic organizer and has originated some spe- cial plans in life insurance work thai have proved efficacious in the promulga- tion of the business.
Mr. Wesley knows every detail of the insurance business, having worked in every department and in every capacity to acquire the foundation of knowledge that he declares is required of any busi- ness man and especially of the insur. ance man. He has become a factor in insurance circles throughout the United States, his completely equipped and splendidly organized company making him a figure in such circles.
As a director of agencies, his work is comprehensive. It requires the largest degree of insight and the most particular conception of detail in its regulation. This branch of the insurance business is considered one of the most important factors for the upbuild- ing of any company. It is largely due to the untiring efforts and splendid executive abil. ity of Mr. Wesley that the Standard Life Insurance Company, which he represents in the directorship of its agencies, is such an important and successful firm.
Mr. Wesley and Mr. Woodbridge, together, worked for a year and a half on plans for the organization of the Columbian National Life Insurance Company of Boston, Mass. before the work was perfected. Mr. Wesley worked for his company nine years, during which time he served in almost every capacity of leadership. He was first made Boston manager of the company, and his success in this smaller territory led to his promotion to be manager of the New England territory. His success in launching the company's busi- ness in all of the New England States was the commencement of his promotion in the com- pany, an advancement of marvelous rapidity which was due entirely to the activity in service and successful competition of the manager. Mr. Wesley was next made assistant director of agencies for the Columbian National Life Company, later director of agencies and then he was admitted to the directorship of the company.
In May, 1910, Mr. Wesley resigned from the Columbian National and accepted a position as vice-president and director of agencies with the Standard Life Insurance Com- pany, of Pittsburgh.
During his three years of service he has promoted the interests of the company to a remarkable extent. He is one of the most efficient insurance men in the city, and it is predicted that he will gain greater laurels in the future than he has in the past.
23I
A. E. SUCCOP.
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A. E. Succop, banker, of Pitts- burgh, Pa., is connected with a number of important banks and manufacturing concerns, as the list of his official posi- tions shows. Besides being president of the Germania Savings Bank, he is presi- dent of the German Fire Insurance Company, also a director of the Colum- bia National Bank, a director of the Colonial Trust Company, a director of the Freehold Bank, a director of the Parkersburg Iron & Steel Company, and a director of the Manufacturers Light & Heat Company. In a social way he is also importantly connected, as he is a member of the Duquesne Club, a mem- ber of the Pittsburgh Country Club and a member of the German Club.
He resides in the East End, Pitts- burgh.
W. J. ZAHNISER.
William John Zahniser was born in Clinton county, Iowa, May 12, 1857, being the son of Jacob W. and Caroline (Bolton) Zahniser. Since 1883 he has been engaged as a building contractor. Mr. Zahniser is also the president of the Metropolitan Trust Company, president of the Butler Highfields Land Company, secretary and treasurer of the Oakmont Land and Improvement Company and secretary of the board of managers of the Allegheny County Work House. From 1900 to 1904 he was a member of Select council in Pittsburgh; 1907-1909 he was a member of the Oakmont bor- ough council and in 1898 he served on the Pittsburgh City Republican com- mittee. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, a member of the board of management, treasurer and chairman of the finance and the new building committees of the Lawrence- ville branch Young Men's Christian As- sociation. He is a Mason, a member of the Oakmont Country Club and Stanton Heights Golf Club.
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GEORGE MILTENBERGER McCANDLESS.
George Miltenberger McCandless, banker and insurance man, was born in Alle- gheny, now the North Side of Pittsburgh, November 21, 1867. If a wise father and a good mother can aid a boy in getting started right, Mr. McCandless certainly lacked no incentive in his early environ- ment to the achievement of success in life. His father was Major William Graham McCandless. His mother, Elizabeth F. McCandless, was a daughter of William F. Johnston, for- merly Governor of Pennsylvania.
Mr. McCandless stood well in all his classes in the public schools, and won honors at Trinity Hall, at Wash- ington, Pa. The greater part of his education was secured, however, in the great school of business.
When barely 18 years old he was given a position in the insurance office of W. G. McCandless, his father, as a clerk. Sometimes it is good for a young man to work with his father, especially if there is sufficient sympathy between them to prevent friction. The young man was successful from the start and pleased his father so well by his thrifty and progressive business qualifications that in 1898 a new insur- ance firm was incorporated-W. G. McCandless & Son. The son as junior partner in- creased and extended the business already established by the father and engaged in all lines of insurance.
Mr. McCandless' active mind, however, could not long be bounded by the confines of the insurance business, and soon he became interested in banking. He became director in the Commercial National Bank, and the Commonwealth Trust Company. Mr. McCand- less' wide acquaintance and shrewd business instincts enables him to assist materially in increasing the business and prosperity of these institutions. He is also a director in the American Window Glass Company and in the Union Storage Company.
Notwithstanding the varied business activities of his life, Mr. McCandless finds time for social recreation. After the day's work is over in the office he loves to forget the endless grind of directors' meetings and the routine of writing and paying insur- ance, in social diversions at the numerous clubs and orders to which he belongs.
He is companion of the first class by inheritance in the military order Loyal Legion. Other clubs where he seeks social diversion include the Duquesne Club and the Pittsburgh Club.
Mr. McCandless is interested in clean health-giving sports of all kinds. He is a member of the Pittsburgh Athletic Association, the Allegheny Country Club and the Pitts- burgh Golf Club. The Americus Republican Club is the only political organization to which he belongs. Mr. McCandless has attained high rank in the Masonic order, being honorary member of the Thirty-third degree, a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scot- tish Rite Masons, Past Commander of the Tancred Commandery, Past High Priest of the Shiloh Chapter, A. Y. M. and Past Master of Crescent Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.
233
James I. Buchanan, financier and author, is president and a director of the Pittsburgh Trust Company, a mem-
JAMES I. ber of the Board of Public Education until
BUCHANAN recently, and vice-president of the fol- lowing companies: Manufacturers Light & Heat Company, Manufacturers Gas Company, Big Meadows Gas Company, Blackville Oil & Gas Company, Cameron Gas & Oil Company, Citizens Light & Heat Com- pany of West Middletown; Citizens Natural Gas Com- pany, of Beaver county; Franklin-Washington Gas Com- pany, Jefferson Gas Company, Jefferson Telegraph Com- pany, Montour Gas Company, Natural Fuel Company, and of a number of others. He is also president of the following companies: Pittsburgh Terminal Ware- house & Transfer Company, River & Railroad Terminal Company, Taylorstown Natural Gas Company, Ter- minal Trust Company, Washington Oil Company. He is trustee of several important estates and of the Athalia Daly Home.
W. C. Soles, bank president and real estate broker, was born in Mckeesport, March 30, 1848. His parents were Louis Soles and Catharine
W. C. SOLES. (nee Cavin) Soles. Following a rather brief education in the Mckeesport public schools the lad entered the larger school of the world and obtained a job floating coal down the Monongahela river. For the next two years Mr. Soles lived in the mountain wil- derness of Arizona. Upon returning to McKeesport he opened a real estate office, which is still conducted under Mr. Soles' direction. Mr. Soles has been con- nected with the National Bank of Mckeesport since its organization, May 7, 1887, first as a director, then vice- president, and recently the president. He is the only surviving charter member of the board of directors now serving. Mr. Soles was married to Miss Emma Smith, of Mckeesport. There are five sons and two daughters.
James Madison Stoner, Jr., treasurer of the Franklin Savings and Trust Company, was born
JAMES March 21, 1870, in Second street, Pitts- MADISON burgh. His parents were J. M. Stoner STONER, JR. and Aurelia E. Stoner. He attended the public schools of Pittsburgh and the Se- wickley Academy. When but 16 years old he accepted a position as a jewelry salesman. In 1901 he became purchasing agent for the Sharon Steel Company, of Sharon, Pa., where he remained until he accepted his present position as treasurer of the Franklin Savings and Trust Company. Mr. Stoner is director of the Franklin Savings and Trust Company, and a director and member of the executive board of the Salvage and Storage Company of Pittsburgh. He is a member of the board of governors of the Edgewood Country Club, is a director and the treasurer of the Edgewood Club, and a member of the Sharon Club.
234
W. C. BALDWIN.
William Collier Baldwin was born at Washington, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1858, the son of John Sealey and Jane Iams Baldwin. He has made a record of rapid progress in the business world. Mr. Baldwin received his education in the Washington public schools. After leaving school he became a news agent on the Pennsyl- vania Railroad. He next entered the dry goods busi- ness, in which he continued until he was 33 years old. In the meantime he become interested in oil, gas and water enterprises. In 1893 he entered the employ of the New York Life Insurance Company. In 1895 he was appointed agency director.
He accepted a general agency with the Canada Life Insurance Company in 1902, and later that year organized the Pittsburgh Life & Trust Company. In 1907 he was elected president and general manager of the latter company. He is a director of the Keystone National Bank of Pittsburgh and the Union Trust Company of Washington, Pa .; treasurer of the Waynesburg Water Company, and presi- dent of the Murdoch-Baldwin Oil Company of Washington. He holds a membership in the Duquesne Club of Pittsburgh.
PITTSBURGH LIFE & TRUST CO.
THE remarkable growth of the Pittsburgh Life & Trust Company, which was organ- ized ten years ago by Mr. W. C. Baldwin, its president, is a matter of common report. This company now ranks among the leading life insurance companies, standing twenty- fifth in a list of two hundred and thirty-nine companies. Its income in its tenth year is . more than that of any other company in twenty-five years. It has insurance in force of more than $97,000,000, and an annual income of more than $4,000,000. To stand twenty-fifth among two hundred and thirty-nine insurance companies in a country that has more insurance on the lives of its citizens than any other, and where are located the largest life insurance companies in the world, is a great accomplishment.
Its production of new business indicates the possession of a strong agency force. Its business has been increasing at a rapid rate. The insurance paid for in 1910 was $11,- 600,000; in 1911 $17,700,000, and in 1912, over $20,000,000.
It is evident that the Pittsburgh Life & Trust Company compares favorably with the leading companies as to the carrying out of the benevolences of life insurance, for in the past ten years it has paid to living policy holders $6,800,000, and to the beneficiaries of those who died $6,700,000.
The growth of the life insurance companies whose home offices are in the city of Pitts- burgh is a matter of exceeding interest to the citizens interested in the city's business de- velopment. Life insurance companies have enlarged the financial resources of other cities, and it must be true that the life insurance companies of Pittsburgh will add to the financial importance of their city. We have but to call attention to the large number of life insurance companies located in New York city, Chicago and Philadelphia, and in some of the smaller cities that have been largely advertised through the fact that they contain the head office of some great life insurance company. We cite, as examples, Milwaukee, Wis .; Hartford, Conn .; Boston, Mass .; Cincinnati, Ohio; Springfield, Mass., and Montpelier, Vt.
235
Leopold W. Vilsack is the son of Leopold and Dorothy Blanck Vilsack, and was born in Pittsburgh
LEOPOLD W.
February 6, 1872. Mr. Vilsack is a
VILSACK. jeweler by trade, and was in the jewelry business in Fifth avenue for 18 years.
His early education was obtained at St. Augus- tine's parochial school, of Pittsburgh, and in Holy Cross College in the same city. Later he took an academic course at the famous old college of St. Vin- cent, conducted by the Benedictine Fathers, at Beatty, near Latrobe, Pa. He then served an apprenticeship at his trade, after which he went into business. Mr. Vilsack is the treasurer of the Devonshire market, Pittsburgh. He is a member of the P. A. A., Knights of Columbus, Elks and American Automobile Associa- tion. Before her marriage, Mrs. Vilsack was Miss Nellie Vetter. There are six children.
Carl Gregory Vilsack, the youngest son of Leopold and Dorothy Vilsack, left college three years ago, where , he graduated in law, but he elected to
CARL
enter the real estate business. He was GREGORY born in Pittsburgh April 27, 1887, and VILSACK. after studying the elementary branches at schools there he entered Georgetown University, where he finished in law in 1910. Upon returning to Pittsburgh he formed the Vilsack Land Company, of which he is president. In addition to the affairs of this concern, he handles a general real estate brokerage business. Mr. Vilsack is a member of the Pittsburgh Country Club, the Pittsburgh Athletic Association, the Delta Khi fraternity and the Georgetown Law Club. In 1908 he was a delegate from Georgetown University to the College Men's Convention in New York City. He is a Democrat.
Banker, promoter and manufacturer describes O. J. Vilsack, who, with his wife, formerly Miss Gladys Brace, and two children, lives at 374
0. J.
VILSACK. South Negley avenue, Pittsburgh. Mr. Vilsack is a son of Leopold and Dorothy Vilsack. He was born in Pittsburgh July 2, 1880, and at an early age was a pupil at St. Joseph's parochial school, in Pittsburgh. Later he entered Mt. St. Mary's College, at Emmettsburg, Md., where he graduated in 1900. He then took a post graduate course at the Uni- versity of Pittsburgh. He entered the banking busi- ness, and is now a director and assistant treasurer of the East End Trust Company, a director and treasurer of the Standard Mirror Company and a director and treasurer of Joyce's Catering Company. He is a mem- ber of the German Club, the Pittsburgh Athletic As- sociation and the Elks.
236
HENRY P. CIPPERLEY.
There was a time in the history of this land when one could go to Washington, or, for that matter, the capital of any State, and see among the legislators there, men high in the affairs of the people whose proudest boast it was that they had spent their boyhood days on the farm.
Law offices were filled with honest farmers' boys, and clerks in stores and offices needed offer no better recom- mendation than that they had worked at the plow in their youth. Men of this type have of late gone out of style. Cities have offered so much attractive- ness that successful business men have become loth to say they came from the country, whether they really did or not.
That, however, is not the case with one man of affairs in Pittsburgh, and that man is Henry P. Cipperley, one of the most widely known insurance men in this section of the country. Mr. Cip- perley was born and reared on a farm, and he is glad to let that fact be known. Never once, through his long series of promotions in Pittsburgh, has he for- gotten the joyful days of his boyhood when, care-free and amid healthy sur- roundings, he grew to maturity and then gave a helping hand to his father in the fields.
Mr. Cipperley's father, William H. Cipperley, and his mother, Mrs. Emma Cipper- ley, whose maiden name was Picket, owned a farm in Chautauqua county, New York, a county that has later become famous in more ways than one. There it was that the pres- ent Pittsburgh insurance man first saw the light of day, August 19, 1870. At an early age he was sent to the public schools of his district, and later he went through high school. Upon graduating he returned to the farm of his parents, and there he remained till he was 25 years old, giving his father what aid he could in the summer time, and sharing their rest during the winter months.
Having given considerable thought to the subject of life insurance, which at that time was not any too well understood by people other than financiers and bankers, his natural inclination was to convince people that insurance was a good thing, something that no man or woman should be without, and then sell them contracts for whatever amounts they could carry.
Once having entered the business, his old-time perseverance on the farm stood him in good stead, for he stuck to his job in spite of many discouragements until insurance heads began to recognize his worth. From that day to this he has been in the insurance business, sometimes leaving one position to get a better one, but always managing to rise a little with each succeeding change. For five years he was the State manager of one company, and then, March 8, 1912, he was elected president and general manager of the Bankers Protective Life and Benefit Association. Also, he was elected to membership in the board of directors. In addition to this position, Mr. Cipperley is the secretary and treasurer of the United States Finance & Security Company.
237
OSCAR L. TELLING.
238
OSCAR L. TELLING.
Oscar L. Telling, former United States bank examiner, and bank president, was educated in the University of Colorado, graduating in 1897 with the degree of doctor of medicine. As a student in the public schools prior to entering college Mr. Telling showed unusual aptitude in mathematics.
However, urged by relatives who wished the young man to follow a profession rather than engage in business, Mr. Telling at length consented to enter the university as a medical student. Putting resolutely aside all thoughts of business and the studies which would fit him for a more congenial occupation, Mr. Telling gave the closest attention to the study of medicine.
As a result he graduated with credit and at once started to practice his profession. Notwithstanding that the work was not congenial, Mr. Telling stuck at it for four years. He built up an extensive and profitable practice. Success came, however, not because he liked the work, but because he was grimly determined to succeed. Shrewd insight into human nature and a pleasing personality backed by a good education brought him many patients.
Fully realizing, at last, however, that he would be much happier and better satisfied in some other occupation, Mr. Telling, through friends, secured a position as examiner for the United States Civil Service Commission. Here he found a wide field for the ex- ercise of his peculiar talents. He won the confidence of his superior officers and soon was appointed secretary for the Eleventh district under the Commission.
Skill in handling money and in keeping accounts was natural to Mr. Telling, and he was delighted when at length he learned that he had been appointed expert accountant for the United States Mint at Denver. He was brilliantly successful in this position. From this time on his rise was rapid. Soon he became clerk in the office of the Comp- troller of the Currency and soon was again promoted, this time to chief of the division of reports in the Controller's office. At last he was appointed national bank examiner.
Mr. Telling's next step upwards in the business world was taken when he was se- lected president of the First National Bank of Pittsburgh. It was a big promotion, but Mr. Telling was ready for it and did not hesitate to embark upon the larger career which thus was opened to him. Later, when the First National Bank and the Second National Bank were merged into the First-Second National Bank of Pittsburgh, Mr. Telling be- came vice-president of the larger concern. He resigned from this position July 1, 1913.
Among the other business enterprises in which Mr. Telling has been engaged is that of coal mining and the manufacture of coke. He is director in the Thompson-Connells- ville Coke Company.
He belongs to the Duquesne Club, the Pittsburgh Athletic Association, and many or- ganizations of the Masonic order.
239
H. P. TAYLOR & CO.
The leading investment security house in Pittsburgh, H. P. Taylor & Co., is a char- acteristic example of the success that has been achieved by Pittsburgh enterprises in every direction. A large and constantly growing clientele has been built up all over the United States by this house, solely through the thoroughness and efficiency of business methods, which largely explains the enviable position of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh insti- tutions in the financial, as well as in the commercial and industrial world. H. P. Taylor & Co. have franchises in New York and Buffalo from which, along with the Pittsburgh office, they handle enormous correspondence with investors in every state in the union. Their exceptional facilities for obtaining reliable information regarding conditions in the investment markets, are constantly at the service of their clients.
Safety first is the motto of the house. Its success has been wholely built up on the principle that the amount of yield and quick convertibility are only to be considered after the security of principal has been assured. It is a pleasure of H. P. Taylor & Co. to keep their friends and clients constantly advised in regard to investment opportunities, and correspondence from all who are interested in investment matters is cordially invited. H. P. Taylor & Co.'s monthly bulletin, in which subjects of timely character are carefully discussed, will be forwarded on request.
One of the best known of the younger business men of Pittsburgh is Charles Emmett Flinn, son of
CHARLES John Flinn and brother of Senator Wil- liam Flinn.
EMMETT FLINN.
After leaving school Mr. Flinn en- gaged in business, and later was elected president of the American Reduction Company, the biggest concern of its kind in Pittsburgh and the west- ern end of the State. His company holds large city contracts, and under his direction has proved itself most profitable. Mr. Flinn is known as one of Pitts- burgh's fondest lovers of sports, which he patronizes and encourages to no little extent. Mr. Flinn, in addi- tion to being president of the American Reduction Company, is connected with a number of other inter- ests throughout Western Pennsylvania, although he does not participate in the actual directing of any of the various companies.
William Young English was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., August 23, 1878, a son of Robert and Jane Boyd English. He attended the public schools of Pitts- W. Y. ENGLISH. burgh and the commercial and academic departments of the high school from which
he graduated. He was employed by the Kelly & Jones firm from 1897 to 1906 as manager of the plumbing de- partment. Later he was with the George H. Soffel Com- pany as secretary, until 1910. In that year he became secretary of the Sterling Sanitary Manufacturing Com- pany, which position he now holds. Mr. English is a Ma- son and Shriner, is married, has two daughters and re- sides in the Twentieth ward. He has worked constantly for public improvements, and the Corliss street project recently started was pressed by him, as well as many other improvements of public importance. Mr. English was returned to Council in Pittsburgh, November 4, 1913. He expects to devote practically his entire time to the business of the city.
240
·
HARRISON NESBIT President of the Bank of Pittsburgh, N. A.
241
Clay C. C. Stotler, who manages the title depart- ment of the Guarantee Title and Trust Company of
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