USA > Pennsylvania > The Book of Prominent Pennsylvanians; a standard reference > Part 23
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CLAY C. C. Pittsburgh, was born in Delmont, West- moreland county, January 16, 1882. STOTLER. His parents were Harrison Stotler and Mary (nee Trees) Stotler. Mr. Stotler attended West- minister College, New Wilmington, Pa., and graduated from Eastman National Business College, at Pough- keepsie, N. Y. Securing a position as bookkeeper in the Delmont National Bank he became cashier in four years. For one year each he was cashier of the Monongahela Valley Bank, at Duquesne, Pa., and financial secretary of Riverview Park Association, in Chicago. He entered the title department of the Guar- antee Title and Trust Company as search clerk and was gradually promoted to general manager. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, Union Club, Pittsburgh Field Club, Pittsburgh Real Estate Board, Pittsburgh Automobile Club and the Pittsburgh Board of Trade.
Prominent among the big banking depositories of the Smoky City is the German Sav- ings & Deposit Bank, located at the corner of Carson and South Fourteenth streets, on The directors include : Chas. E. Succop, John Siebert,
GERMAN SAV- the South Side.
INGS AND John Weilersbacher, W. L. Monro, Geo. E. Lorch, G. J. Bleichner, Alois Winter, Chas. H. Goettler and J. E. Roth. This financial institution is a DEPOSIT Savings and Discount Bank, organized 1871 on a small scale. The present BANK. capital is $200,000.00, and surplus $450,000.00. At the close of business March 31, 1913, it had deposits aggregating more than $4,000,000. John P. Heisel was the first president, and E. G. Scholze first cashier. In 1877 Bernard Krugh was elected president, and he was later succeeded by Gregor Fox. January 12, 1888, J. B. Lutz was elected president, and succeeded by Frederick Maul, who retained the office until his death. Thereupon J. F. Erny was made president, and Mr. Erny was succeeded by J. E. Roth. The present officers comprise: J. E. Roth, president; Chas. E. Succop, vice-president; A. P. Miller, cashier, and John McKain, assistant cashier. In addition to the general bank- ing business conducted by the German Savings & Deposit Bank, a Foreign Exchange & Steamship Department is maintained. Foreign gold and currency is bought and sold, and letters of credit and travelers' checks issued. In addition it has a thoroughly organized safe deposit department.
John Loresch, president of the Allegheny Valley Bank, whose residence address is 168 Forty-sixth JOHN street, Pittsburgh, came to this country LORESCH.
when he was 20 years old. As the son of John A. and Katherine (Schneider) Loresch, he was born in Detter, Bavaria, Germany, February 27, 1847. Arriving in America in 1867, he settled first in Allegheny, entering into the plastering business. In 1873 he began business as a contractor. He retired from active business in 1909 and was elected to the presidency of the Allegheny Valley Bank. For 26 consecutive years he was elected president of the Metropolitan Building and Loan Association of Pittsburgh. Ever since his arrival here Mr. Loresch has been a communicant of the Third German Luth- eran Church of Pittsburgh and has, for the thirty-third time in as many years, been elected treasurer of that congregation.
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JOSHUA RHODES
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WORTH KILPATRICK.
Worth Kilpatrick was born in Con- nellsville, Pa., March 31, 1847. His father and mother were John P. Kil- patrick and Mary Marietta Kilpatrick. He spent 25 years as a successful con- tractor, and also as a manufacturer of fire brick. Mr. Kilpatrick helped or- ganize the Second National Bank of Connellsville, acting as Vice President till 1904, since which time he has been its President. In 1893 he organized the Indian Ridge Coal and Coke Company, operating in the Pocahontas coal fields, and as President of that company and later President of the Zenith Coal & Coke Company, the Kilarm Coal and Coke Company, the Webster Lumber Company, and the E. & A. R. R .; has continued actively in the coal and allied businesses until the present time. He belongs to the Methodist Protestant Church, has filled various offices in the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias lodges, served as member of Council, President of the Y. M. C. A., and Presi- dent of the Chamber of Commerce.
HENRY M. KEPPEL.
Henry M. Keppel, of Corry, Pa., since coming to the United States from Germany, has done much for the growth of that town. At present he is the president of the Corry National Bank and the Corry Metal Manufacturing Company and is the senior member of the firm of Moore, Keppel & Company, of Randolph county, West Virginia. Mr. Keppel was born in Germany, November 13, 1837, and was sent to school at an early age. Upon finishing his studies there he came to the United States in 1853, when only 16 years old. Instead of remaining in New York City he went direct to Buffalo, where he spent nine years. At the end of that time he decided to come to Pennsyl- vania. In Corry he entered the manu- facturing business and has been unusu- ally prosperous ever since. Mr. Keppel is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the B. P. O. Elks and is the father of two children, Harri- son Keppel, aged 19, and Marie Keppel, aged 17.
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C. A. COGGINS.
The president of the big commis- sion house at 56 Twenty-first street, Pittsburgh, operated by the M. O. Cog- gins Company, is Clifton Aubrey Cog- gins, who at the time of the death of his brother, M. O. Coggins, stepped into his place and has filled it ever since. As a son of John and Martha Coggins, he was born in Baltimore, Md., October 6, 1877, and was educated in the public schools of the Monumental City. After leaving school he decided to enter into the electrical supply business. After carrying on this trade for a brief period of time he retired, to enter the produce business. Prior to his brother's death, he identified himself with the big Pitts- burgh concern and was there for several years before assuming charge. Since then the M. O. Coggins Company has become one of the heaviest shippers and distributors of high class fruits and vegetables in the United States. Mr. Coggins lives at 731 California avenue, Avalon.
R. D. ELWOOD.
Captain Robert David Elwood, one . of Pittsburgh's oldest and best known business men, is a Civil War veteran and a veteran grain operator of that city. He was born in Apollo, Arm- strong county, Pennsylvania, April 17, 1836. After leaving school for several years he ran the Blairsville packet on the historical old Pennsylvania canal. He enlisted September 16, 1861, in Com- pany I of the Seventy-eighth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, and upon the organization of the regiment was made a lieutenant, and a little later a company captain, and as such served through the war. He then returned to the Pittsburgh district and, in 1866, married Miss Mary Llewellyn, of Apollo. Since 1872 he has carried on a grain trade in Pittsburgh. He is president of the First National Bank of Verona, and a director in the First-Second Savings and Trust Company. He was elected president of the Pittsburgh Grain and Flour Exchange at its organization in 1882 and served as such for several terms.
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Don Rose is one of the younger coterie of lawyers who has attained recognition as an able trial lawyer. He was born at Grove City, Pa., February 8,
DON ROSE. 1881, son of Professor Homer Jay Rose and Margaret (nee Shaw) Rose. The family moving to Sewickley, his early education was obtained at the com- mon and high schools there. Early thrown on his own resources, young Rose determined on a classical educa- tion, and, by his industry, graduating from Princeton University 1902. He attended Pittsburgh Law School, and was admitted to the Allegheny county bar in 1905. He was attorney for the Pittsburgh Railways company for five years, resigning January 1, 1911, to become as- sistant district attorney. He served one year, resigning to take up private practice. He was made counsel for the Pittsburgh Coal company April 1, 1912.
Peter G. Walter, Pharmacist, was born in Allegheny, Pa., February, 1, 1883, the son of Peter Walter, Jr., and Alice Macdonald Walter. He received his PETER G. WALTER. education in the public schools of Pitts- burgh, Mercersburg Academy and the School of Pharmacy of the University of Pittsburgh; graduated in 1904, taking the post-graduate course in 1905; instructor in the Pharmacy School until 1907. He purchased the pharmacy at 626 Chestnut Street, North Side, this store being formerly owned by his father until his death in 1889. The store is one of the ethical phar- macies of the state, devoting their efforts entirely to strictly pharmaceutical and apothecary business. Mr. Walter is a member of all the National, State and County Pharmaceutical associations and societies; a director in the School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, and was formerly vice-president of the National Association of Retail Druggists.
William J. Tanney, head of the Tanney Detective Agency of Pittsburgh, was born in Elk county, Pa., in
WILLIAM J. 1865. He is the son of Patrick and Ann TANNEY.
Tanney. He worked for the Berwind- White Company in various capacities until he was 20, when he came to Pittsburgh and en- tered the service of the Cochran & Free Contracting Company. In 1890 he was appointed patrolman in Pittsburgh, in 1893 was made lieutenant of police in the First district, and in 1896 for meritorious service was made captain of police. He remained in the city service until 1900, when he resigned to enter the hotel business on the South Side. In 1906 Mr. Tanney was granted a license to conduct a detective agency, which business he is engaged in now. He was at one time a member of council, and is a member of the Duquesne Council, Knights of Columbus.
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THOMAS CLIFTON JENKINS.
Thomas Clifton Jenkins, son of Thomas C. Jenkins and Eleanor K. Elliotte Jen- kins, is a member of one of the largest wholesale grocery and flour jobbing firms in Pitts- burgh or the vast territory known as the Pittsburgh district.
Born in Pittsburgh, Mr. Jenkins was educated in the Allegheny public schools and in the preparatory school of the Western University of Pennsylvania. He was graduated from Harvard Col- lege with the class of 1892, and from Harvard law school in the class of 1894.
Entering the employ of his father after finishing his school studies, Mr. Jenkins worked until he familiarized all the details of the mammoth business his father had built up, at the store in Penn avenue where the elder Jenkins had realized his dream of the largest whole- sale grocery business in the Pittsburgh district, after 50 years of endeavor.
It was not until two or three years ago, however, that he, together with his brother, Edward E. Jenkins, was ad- mitted to partnership in the firm, the father until that time having conducted the vast business himself. In the year that preceded the elder Jenkins' death, the sons, trained in detail work and familiar with the working of the big enterprise, were well qualified to take up their father's work.
Although T. C. Jenkins, the founder, was modern as a business man, and spared no pains in renovations and innovations, his son, Thomas Clifton Jenkins, with his brother, found many ways in which to practice more progressive ideas in the conduct of the vast business, and he did not fail to employ them.
Mr. Jenkins' skill and ability, represented in his handling of the great mass of busi- ness details attendant upon intelligent and successful management of the company's in- terests, are generally recognized in Pittsburgh, as well as elsewhere throughout the big dis- trict served by the concern. This is attested by the election of Mr. Jenkins to the board of directors of the Bank of Pittsburgh, one of the oldest and best known banks in the city of Pittsburgh. The Fidelity Title & Trust Company also has taken cognizance of his financial and business managerial abilities, and he has been elected to the directorate of that institution as well.
The greatest part of Mr. Jenkins' work, of course, is in handling the big interests built up by his father. The old six-story store in Penn avenue, built by the father, has been supplanted by the Jenkins Arcade. The firm now is located in the Terminal Ware- houses. The firm does not supply only Pittsburgh, or Allegheny county, but covers the whole territory from Center county, Pennsylvania, to Central Ohio, and from the Great Lakes to Maryland and West Virginia, though many shipments are made by the com- pany to points far more distant. Its employes number far in excess of 200. while a whole regiment of salesmen are busy on the road at all times.
Mr. Jenkins is a member of the Duquesne, University, Pittsburgh, Country and Union Clubs and the Pittsburgh Athletic Association.
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J. J. FERRIGAN.
James J. Ferrigan, president and general manager of the Skelly Depart- ment Store of Mckeesport, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., November 19, 1865, the son of Frank and Eliza Ferrigan. He attended St. Peter's parochial school until 15 years of age, leaving his studies to take a position in the Na- tional Tube Works. He worked in the shops three years, later clerking for seven years. He then embarked in the retail shoe business and remained in that line 20 years, leaving in 1910 to as- sume his present position with the Skelly Company. He is president of the City Bank of Mckeesport and served two years in the city council there, from 1892 to 1894. Mr. Ferrigan's political career ended when he decided to devote all his attention to his business inter- ests, which were steadily increasing. He is a member of the Knights of Co- lumbus and of the Mckeesport Lodge of B. P. O. Elks. In January, 1887, he was married to Annie M. Becker, daugh- ter of the late C. L. and Mary Becker.
JAMES H. OSMER.
In the death, October 3, 1912, of James H. Osmer, of Franklin, Pa., the legal profes- sion of Western Pennsylvania, and particularly of Venango county, lost one of the leading lawyers in the state, and an exceptionally fine speaker. Mr. Osmer, who for years had been recognized as the leading lawyer of his county, was born in Kent county, England, January, 1832. As a child he was brought to the United States by his parents, who settled in Center county. There he received his early education, but at the age of 18 he found it necessary to teach school in order to earn and save money with which to educate himself for the law.
Upon graduating from Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport, he went to Elmira, N. Y., and there reg- istered in the office of Robertson & Fassett. After practicing in the Empire State for a number of years he was sent to Venango county to look over and protect the interests several of his clients had purchased there. There his practice increased to such an extent that he opened an office, and continued in the practice of his profession until his death. Later in life he formed a partnership with his two sons and conducted the business under the firm name of J. H. Osmer & Sons. With the exception of a short interval of one term in the House of Representatives in Congress, 1878 and 1880, his whole life was devoted to his pro- fession.
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ENGLISH ROOM, FORT PITT HOTEL.
0
249
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The East Liberty district of Pittsburgh owes much to John Peter Kleman and his progressiveness,
and the hotel business is indebted to Mr.
JOHN PETER Kleman for his ideas. Mr. Kleman was KLEMAN. born November 12, 1861, in Pittsburgh, a son of Peter Kleman and Anna Catherine Steinbach Kleman. Mr. Kleman attended the public schools and the Washington school in Lancaster county, Pa. He was graduated from St. Vincent's College, at Beatty, Pa., in 1876. He served three years in the state mi- litia. Since his entry into the hotel business he has been a leader in recognizing all the latest innovations and improvements, as well as progressive ideas. On October 3, 1905, he married Miss Nellie Regis Hutchin- son, of Mckeesport. He is a member of the Americus Republican Club, the Young Men's Republican Tariff Club and of the Elks.
Fred Fichtel was born in Nuremberg, Germany, February 20, 1852, and educated at the schools of that city. He came to the United States FRED when he was but 16 and settled in Pitts-
FICHTEL. burgh. He worked in the steel mills of the South Side until he was 21, when he went into the grocery business. He continued in that business for 16 years, when he changed its character from retail to wholesale; the firm was known as Behorst & Fichtel. In 1904 Mr. Fichtel bought out his partner and changed the firm name to Fred Fichtel & Son, which stands today. He was a member of Select Council of old Pittsburgh, and before that he was president of the Borough'Council when the South Side was still a bor- ough. He is prominent in Masonic circles; is vice- president of the Western Savings Deposit Bank, and is president of the Hill Top Savings & Trust Company.
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Charles Arthur Muehlbronner, president of the Iron City Produce Company, president of the Stand-
CHARLES ard Ice and Storage Company, president of the Pittsburgh Produce Trade As- ARTHUR MUEHL- sociation and a director in the Western BRONNER. Savings & Deposit Bank, began his business career at the extremely youth- ful age of seven. Mr. Muehlbronner was born in Philadelphia May 10, 1857. After leaving school he learned the painter's trade, but when he got to Pitts- burgh, in 1878, he saw a more prosperous future in marketing. In the course of time he worked his way up till he became president of several large concerns. In 1881 he was elected to the city council of old Alle- gheny, and held his place six years. He was a member of the State House of Representatives four terms, the State Senate one term, and was Secretary of the Re- publican County Executive Committee for three years.
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W. S. ARBUTHNOT.
One of the leaders in commercial activity in Pittsburgh is Wilson Shaw Arbuthnot, a leading wholesale dry goods merchant. Mr. Arbuthnot was born in Allegheny city, July 28, 1865, the son of Charles and Elizabeth Shaw Arbuthnot. He secured a liberal edu- cation, and in 1887 was graduated from Princeton University. Practically every progressive city-wide movement in Pittsburgh in many years has had as- sociated with it the subject of this life sketch. He is today president and di- rector of the Arbuthnot-Stephenson Company, one of the biggest wholesale dry goods stores in Pittsburgh. Mr. Arbuthnot has shown a keen interest in hospital advancement in Pittsburgh, as a result of which he has come to be sec- ond vice-president and director of the Western Pennsylvania Hospital. He belongs to the leading city and country clubs of Pittsburgh, and he is a member of the Racquet and University clubs of New York city.
THOMAS H. SHEPPARD.
Thomas Howe Sheppard is a Pitts- burgher, born in that city amid all the noise of an Independence Day celebra- tion, July 4, 1867. His parents, Hamil- ton and Jane Sheppard, gave him all the advantages of a good common school ed- ucation, and he was graduated from high school in February, 1883. Imme- diately he obtained employment with the Arbuthnot - Stephenson Company, wholesalers in dry goods, notions and floor coverings. He has remained there ever since and has been elevated to the position of director, and is now and has been since their incorporation secretary and treasurer. He is also a director of the Pittsburgh Association of Credit Men, and the president and director of the Rotary Club. Mr. Sheppard also holds membership in the Duquesne Club, the Pittsburgh Athletic Associa- tion, the Pittsburgh Country Club, the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, the Pittsburgh Board of Trade and the Oak- land Board of Trade.
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In Pittsburgh among her scores of prominent citi- zens, one stands out as a figure of peculiar national note, his wide reputation not being gained in the business or professional circles of his home city, but in the great world of sports.
ORA C. MORNING- STAR. The man referred to is Ora C. Morn- ingstar, former world's champion at billiards, 18-1 balk- line. and 18-2. Mr. Morningstar, as a cue expert, is re- markably clever. He was born November 26, 1874, in Rochester, Indiana, being the son of George and Sophia (Engeart) Morningstar. After finishing his education in the public schools, Mr. Morningstar became a profes- sional billiardist. He came to Pittsburgh three years ago. The brilliant cueist learned billiards himself by going up against experts in the game both here and in Europe. He is connected with the Harry Davis amusement enterprises in Pittsburgh. Mr. Morningstar is married and has one son.
Edward Fischer, motion picture pioneer in the theatrical world, was born in Allegheny, the son of Frank Fischer and Katherine (nee Beil- EDWARD stein) Fischer. He attended the North FISCHER. Side public schools and early entered upon a mercantile career. He has been active in poli- tics and held a city position under Mayor W. J. Wyman. Mr. Fischer is proprietor and manager of the Ideal Theater, at 610 East Ohio street, North Side, a leading amusement place north of the river. Mr. Fischer's photoplay theater is one of the finest establishments of the kind. The pictures shown in the Ideal are whole- some and instructive, products of the leading photo- play actors in the country. Mr. Fischer belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose, and he has made his mark in athletics through his membership in the Troy Hill Turnverein. His pleasing personality attracts many patrons to the Ideal Theater.
Richard A. Rowland, an officer and director of numerous amusement enterprises, was born in Pitts- burgh December 8, 1880. He lived in RICHARD A. ROWLAND. the old Seventh ward, and graduated from the Pittsburgh High School when he was 18 years old. His father died soon after that, and he took charge of his business interests in calcium light concerns. In time he became interested in the moving picture film business and became president of the Pittsburgh Calcium Light and Film Company, with offices throughout the United States. He disposed of this business, but is still interested in various film companies, and owns the Rowland Theater in Wilkins- burg, together with various other theater interests. Mr. Rowland is not yet 35 years old and has laid aside enough to keep him thoroughly independent. He is a member of the Pittsburgh Athletic Association.
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WM. P. CANFIELD, Treasurer.
JAMES A. CAREY, President.
JOHN W. NOVAK, Vice President.
LIBERTY ENGRAVING COMPANY.
It is not alone in its iron, glass and steel supremacy that Pittsburgh is able to boast of leadership, for in recent years there has been developed by one Pittsburgh company an establishment which has given the city a prominence and a prestige in its particular field which formerly was accorded only to eastern houses. The company referred to is the Liberty Engraving Company. Their business is engraving, except that in their case the word "business" is to some extent a misnomer, because this house of engraving superiority makes of their work an art as well as a business. Situated on the corner of Liberty avenue and Wood street, and occupying the entire fifth floor of the Post Building, they are centrally located in the very heart of Pittsburgh's business district, and are thus enabled to offer their customers a service in the way of quick attention to their wants which can perhaps best be appreciated by men who require art and engraving service. The Liberty Engraving Company goes a step further in the way of providing service to their customers, by operating their plant night and day. This is an exclusive feature of "Liberty service," and is only duplicated in the cities of New York and Chicago. As for the quality of the work produced by this front rank engraving house, the best testimony is . the record of their wonderful progress in a few short years, the constantly increasing number of new patrons, and the confidence placed in them by old friends. Another evi- dence is the half-tone plates illustrating this volume, which were all made by this house. In the production of half-tone work and zinc etchings, faithful reproduction of the sub- ject and printing quality are the watchwords. An art department for designing and illus- trating is maintained, as well as complete facilities for all kinds of commercial pho- tography.
Vincent D. Nirella, band and orchestra leader, was born in Italy, October 19, 1873. He is the son of Carmelo VINCENT D. and Angelina Nirella. He was brought to NIRELLA.
America by his parents in 1883, receiving his education in the public schools of Pittsburgh, where they located. Mr. Nirella attended the conservatory at Leipsic, and for 25 years has been a pro- fessional musician. For 15 years he has conducted Ni- rella's Fourteenth Regiment Band and before that was director of Nirella's Band. He has played at four presi- dential inaugurations and before many noted people. Or- chestras under the leadership of this able musician are playing at the most noted hotels and clubs of Pittsburgh. Mr. Nirella belongs to numerous musical organizations in the United States. He is noted in Canada and all parts of the United States for his splendid bands and orches- tras and is in demand for international occasions of more than ordinary interest.
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