USA > Pennsylvania > The Book of Prominent Pennsylvanians; a standard reference > Part 5
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Some years ago Mr. Watson formed a partnership with John M. Freeman and since that time has been the senior member of the firm thus created. The firm is known as Watson and Freeman, with offices in the St. Nicholas building.
One of the cases which added to the fame of Mr. Watson was that of the Alaska seal controversy. The boundary rights were being bitterly disputed between England and the United States and Mr. Watson became the United States' counsel in behalf of the Alaska Boundary Commission, an organization formed by the government for the pur- pose of taking over the whole troublesome subject and settling in proper fashion.
In the tremendous legal controversy that followed, Mr. Watson was an important factor in the settlement of the dispute. The case attracted the attention not only of this country and England, but practically the whole civilized world, as the matter was one of great importance, while the legal problems involved were highly interesting to the law- yers and judges of numerous nations. Following the production of masses of evidence, gathered at great cost by both sides of the question and arguments by counsel for the countries at dispute, the matter was settled in such a way as to cause Americans to say they received the better of the dispute, and that Mr. Watson had been exceedingly influ- ential in bringing this end about.
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D. T. WATSON.
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Judge Thomas P. Trimble was born in old Alle- gheny, a son of William F. and Margaret Ann Trimble.
THOMAS P. He attended the public schools of the
TRIMBLE. North Side; spent two years in prepara- tory work at Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pa., and four years more in the classical courses at the same college. He studied law under Attorney John S. Robb, Sr., and on March 17, 1894, was admitted to practice in the Allegheny county courts. Later he qualified to practice in the Supreme and Superior Courts of the State, and the Circuit and District Court of the United States. In the spring of 1913, Governor John K. Tener appointed him Judge of the Orphans' Court. Judge Trimble is a member of the University, Duquesne, Americus, Pittsburgh Ath- letic and Duquesne Hunting and Fishing Clubs, and is married, the father of four daughters and one son.
James McFadden Carpenter, who by unanimous vote is serving his second term as president of the Allegheny County Bar Association, is well known JAMES M'FADDEN throughout the State. He was a teacher at CARPENTER. the age of seventeen and a surveyor while studying law. Among his important cases was the one in which was established the right to drill for oil and gas in land underlaid with coal owned by a third party. He succeeded in cleaning up many points in dispute under the old mechanic's lien law and also in hav- ing the well-known Kennedy school bill declared uncon- stitutional. He was a candidate for the nomination as Judge of the Common Pleas Court in 1911, and while un- successful, secured a flattering vote of about 30,000, al- though not supported by any organization. One of his marked characteristics is his ability to express himself clearly and concisely.
John H. Jordan, United States attorney for the western district of Pennsylvania, was born in Bedford,
JOHN H. Pennsylvania, on July 13, 1848, and is a son of John Reamer Jordan and Susan JORDAN. Zembower Jordan. He attended the public schools of his birthplace, and studied at Bedford Classical Institute. He was graduated at Mt. Union College, Ohio, in July 1870, with the B. S. degree, and in 1873 the degree M.S. was conferred upon him. On July 13, 1912, Mt. Union-Scio College conferred the de- gree of LL.D., in recognition of his attainments as a lawyer. From the time he left college, Mr. Jordan devoted his entire time to the legal profession. He was rewarded on April 20, 1909, when he was appoint- ed United States attorney for the western district of Pennsylvania. His term has been very successful. Attorney Jordan is a member of the Young Men's Re- publican Tariff Club of Pittsburgh.
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WILLIS F. McCOOK.
Willis F. McCook, counsel for and organizer of great corporations, has spent prac- tically all of his life in Pittsburgh and has participated in the forming of many of its great enterprises.
He was born in Lisbon, Ohio, Janu- ary 19, 1851, the son of Dr. George Lati- mer and Kate (Fisher) McCook. The family moved to Pittsburgh in April, 1851, which city is the scene of Mr. Mc- Cook's legal activities. He early at- tended the old Grant public school, where he received his elementary Eng- lish education. His classical prepara- tion was gained at the Western Pennsyl- vania University, from which he en- tered Yale University and was gradu- ated with the degree of A. B. in 1873. Mr. McCook achieved renown for four years in the 'Varsity crew, being cap- tain for two years and was their first football captain, participating in the first inter-collegiate football contest ever held in this country. He became a law student in the office of Hampton Dalzell in Pittsburgh, thence completing the course in Columbia Law School, New York City. Returning to Pitts- burgh he was admitted to the local bar in June, 1876, taking up his practice in- dependently, and so continued until 1910, when he took Mr. B. J. Jarrett into partner- ship with him.
Early in his career Mr. McCook became the personal counsel of Henry C. Frick and T. M. Carnegie. He organized the Henry C. Frick Coke Company at the time when the Carnegie Steel Company took an interest in the business with Mr. Frick and his associ- ates. Mr. McCook is still the counsel for the Frick Coke Company, as well as for the United States Coal and Coke Company of West Virginia, which two companies represent all of the fuel interests of the United States Steel Corporation in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Mr. McCook has frequently been associated with Mr. D. T. Watson and Mr. John G. Johnston. He was counsel for Mr. Frick in his very celebrated fight with Andrew Car- negie. He has also represented very large interests in the oil business, especially Mr. J. M. Guffey and the Guffey Petroleum Company of Texas. Mr. McCook has represented for some time, and still represents the Equitable Life Assurance Society of New York in all of its business between Philadelphia and Chicago. He has also participated in form- ing numbers of large steel combinations, among which are the Republic Iron and Steel Company and the American Steel and Wire Company.
Mr. McCook has largely retired from the trial of cases in court and has limited his business to an advisory and almost exclusively corporation business. He is a director in the Pittsburgh Steel Company, the Equitable Life Assurance Society of New York, the Duquesne National Bank, the Guarantee Company of North America, the Workingman's Savings Bank and Trust Company, the Pittsburgh Steel Products Company, Austro- American Magnesite Company and the American Refractories Company. He is a trustee of the Mercy Hospital, of the Boys Protectory in Pittsburgh, has taken great interest in the Catholic Orphan Asylum, and is a trustee for the Institution of the Blind.
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W. A. STONE.
One of Pennsylvania's native sons who has gained national prominence in the field of politics and the practice of law is former Governor William Alexis Stone, of Pittsburgh. He was born April 18, 1846, in Delmar township, Tioga county, Pa., and is the son of Is- rael Stone and Amanda Ann Howe Stone. Mr. Stone graduated from the State Normal School at Mansfield, Tioga county, June, 1868. He has been coun- sel for some of the country's biggest cases. He was Second-Lieutenant of Company "A," One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Regiment, in the Civil War. He was District Attorney of Ti- oga county from January, 1875, until January, 1877, and United States Dis- trict Attorney from July, 1880, until October, 1886. In 1890 he was elected to Congress and held that office four terms. From January, 1899, until Jan- uary, 1903, he was Governor of the State of Pensylvania. He is a member of the Duquesne Club. His practice is an extensive one.
A. V. D. WATTERSON.
Alfred V. D. Watterson was born in Blairsville, Indiana Co., Pennsylvania, October 4, 1855. When only 12 years old he entered Mount Saint Mary's College at Emmitsburg, Maryland, from which he was graduated in 1875. He studied law in Pittsburgh under Major A. M. Brown, and three years later was ad- mitted to the bar. His practice is strict- ly confined to the civil branch. In 1892 he formed a business partnership with Ambrose B. Reid, known as Watterson & Reid, which continued until Mr. Reid was elected Judge of the Common Pleas Courts in 1911. Mr. Watterson is a prominent Catholic, and is the national president of Mount Saint Mary's Alum- ni Association. That institution in 1895 honored him with a degree of LL.D. He was president of the board of directors of St. Francis Hospital for ten years, of the Apollo Club for two years, and of the Columbus Club for seven years. He is also chairman of the advisory board of his Alma Mater.
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WILLIAM HOWARD McCLUNG.
Among legal practitioners of Pittsburgh, practicing principally in the civil courts, there are few better known than William Howard McClung who, since his admission to the bar 37 years ago, has associated himself in partnership with some of the brightest legal lights Pittsburgh ever had. At present he is a member of the well-known law firm of Chantler & Mc. Clung, with offices in the Park building, Fifth avenue and Smithfield street.
Mr. McClung's father, the Rev. Samuel M. McClung, was a cultured minister of the gospel. His mother, Mrs. Nancy Cowen McClung, was a Gil- bert before her marriage, and the family lived in the quiet community of Plum township, in Allegheny county, where the future Pittsburgh lawyer was born November 22, 1854. In his boyhood he attended the public schools in the vicin- ity of his home, but as he advanced in his studies he decided to prepare him- self for college in the Pittsburgh High
School. Accordingly he entered the Central High School and graduated there. The following year he became a student at the Western University of Pennsylvania, and at the end of his four years' course had conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL.B.
Like all aspirants to a legal career, at least such as amount to anything in after life, he found it advisable to register with an older practitioner, and so he went into the office of S. G. McClung, who at that time enjoyed an extensive practice, and registered for the bar. Several years' study under so capable a preceptor equipped him splendidly for the examination for admittance. December 16, 1876, he applied for and received the diploma that priviledged him to practice his chosen profession in Allegheny county. Immediately thereafter his preceptor took him into his partnership, and the two continued for several years.
His next partnership was formed with the Hon. J. A. Evans, and the two conducted their business under the firm name of McClung & Evans. This partnership lasted for a considerable time, and then Mr. McClung became a member of the firm of Chantler, Mc- Gill & McClung, which, soon after its organization, began to enjoy a profitable and grow- ing clientele. The firm is known now as Chantler & McClung.
Among the corporations and institutions for which Mr. McClung is general counsel is the Fidelity Title & Trust Company, of Pittsburgh. From 1895 to 1905, Mr. McClung served as one of the lecturers at the Pittsburgh Law School.
Mr. McClung is a member of several exclusive social organizations in Pittsburgh, among which are the Duquesne Club, the Union Club, the University Club and the Oak- mont Country Club.
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GEORGE W. GUTHRIE.
C
George Wilkins Guthrie, Ambassa- dor to Japan, has attained a position un- surpassed in the hearts of Pittsburgh- ers. While Mayor of the city Mr. Guth- rie succeeded in changing many notori- ous faults in government, to the lasting gratitude of the citizens. He was born September 5, 1848, in Pittsburgh, the son of John B. Guthrie and Catherine Murray Guthrie. He was graduated from Western University of Pennsyl- vania, and later from the Columbian Law School. He was admitted to the bar in Pittsburgh in 1869. He is trus- tee and vice-president of the Dollar Sav- ings Bank, president of St. Margaret's Hospital, and grand master of Pennsyl- vania Masons. He was mayor of Pitts- burgh from 1906 to 1909. He is a mem- ber of the Pittsburgh Club, Duquesne Club, Pittsburgh Golf Club and Pitts- burgh University Club. Ambassador Guthrie has had many degrees con- ferred upon him.
GEORGE B. GORDON.
Allegheny county, in the Keystone State, which is quite generally known as the "great State of Allegheny," boasts of a great number of practition- ers in her courts of law, and among the leaders of that vast array of legal talent is George B. Gordon. Mr. Gordon was born August 1, 1860, in Edgewood bor- ough, so he is a product of the Pitts- burgh district. He is the son of Alex- ander Gordon and Catherine Edwards Gordon. Following a grade and high school training, Mr. Gordon entered the University of Pittsburgh, and completed his education at Columbia University, New York. He was admitted to the bar in 1883, and is now a member of the law firm of Gordon & Smith. Mr. Gordon retains membership in the following or- ganizations: the Pitsburgh Club, the Duquesne Club, University Club, Pitts- burgh Golf Club, Allegheny Country Club, the Oakmont Country Club, the Pittsburgh Athletic Association and the Union League Club of New York.
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JOHN MILLER FREEMAN.
The practice of teaching while learning, and serving a professorship while continu- ing one's own studies, has for centuries been regarded by scholastics as the surest and most effective way to become thorough- ly absorbed in the work of self-improve- ment.
When John Miller Freeman, of Pittsburgh, was preparing himself for his present place of prominence among Allegheny county lawyers, he did this very thing. He did it twice in the course of his career, and by it he man- aged always to keep himself well re- freshed on the different branches of study that average students are prone to forget after leaving their classes. His knowledge stood him in good stead when he began his study of law. He had a foundation that many an older barrister might envy.
Today he is at the front of his pro- fession, and is not infrequently con- sulted by others engaged in court work that requires searching and reading up on precedents. His office is at 450 Fourth avenue, where, during the past several years, he has taken a hand in some of the most important cases ever brought before the Allegheny county courts.
As the son of John Freeman and Rebecca Guffy Freeman, John Miller Freeman was born in Ligonier, Pa., March 13, 1868. He entered the public schools and remained there till he graduated. While in high school he prepared to enter the Washington & Jefferson College, at Washington, Pa., but before he became a Freshman he decided to teach school. For three years he occupied himself with pedagogy and then he entered college. Com- pleting a full four years' course, he graduated from college in 1893 with the honorary degree of cum laude, and after that he returned to the only occupation he had ever known, only on a higher scale. For the next year he served a professorship at East Liberty Academy.
While teaching in the academy he registered for the bar with the well-known law firm of Watson & McCleave, and through their aid was admitted to practice law in 1896. He remained with this firm till 1904, when he formed a partnership with D. T. Watson, Esq., and since then the two have been doing a large business under the firm name of Watson & Freeman.
Mr. Freeman is one of the many men in professional life who still hold membership in college fraternities. During his college days he emerged from "barbarism" into the number of the elect of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and he still holds his place there. He is also a member of the Duquesne Club, the Pittsburgh Athletic Association and the Pittsburgh Press Club.
FRANK I. GOSSER.
Frank I. Gosser leads as an organ- izer and improver of civic conditions in Allegheny county. He is a native of Leechburg, Armstrong county, Pa., and was admitted to the bar some twenty odd years ago. He has been prominent in both the criminal and civil courts of the county. Mr. Gosser has organized twenty-three different boards of trade in the county, and is now an honorary member of each.
Through his influence the first bank on the Hill Top was organized. He was instrumental in locating the first Pittsburgh post office at Mt. Oliver. Without him doubtless Mckinley Park would not have been secured. The Thirteenth street passenger station of the P., V. & C. R. R. Company is also largely due to his efforts. In 1909 his idea relative to the county freeing the bridges between the city proper and the North Side was adopted and has since become a reality. The widening of the Smithfield street bridge is due almost wholly to his initiatory efforts.
FRANK R. STONER.
Frank R. Stoner, banker and attor- ney, was born August 13, 1864, in Se- wickley Heights township, Allegheny county, Pa. His parents were James M. Stoner and Aurelia (nee Palmer) Stoner. After attending the public schools of Pittsburgh, Mr. Stoner en- tered the Western University of Penn- sylvania. He studied law with his father, and was admitted to the Alle- gheny county bar in 1892. Mr. Stoner has established a general practice in law and is an expert on civil law. Mr. Stoner is a director in the Western Na- tional Bank, the Allegheny Valley Bank, and vice-president of the Sewickley Val- ley Trust Company. Mr. Stoner is an enthusiastic sportsman and seeks recre- ation and relaxation from the grind of the legal profession behind prize win- ning horses from his extensive stables in Sewickley, where he lives. Few men have done more to promote amateur speed contests on the turf than has Mr. Stoner. He owns many good horses. He is a member of the Duquesne Club.
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FREDERICK CURTIS PERKINS.
Frederick Curtis Perkins, attorney at law and banker, was born October 7, 1870, in Sharon, Pa. His parents were Simon Perkins and Laura (nee Norton) Perkins. Favor- able environment during the formative years of childhood and home training of the right sort are powerful factors in shaping the lives of both men and women.
That this was beneficial is indicated by the success of their son in his chosen profession and by the respect and pres- tige which the busy years of an active life have brought him. Mr. Perkins him- self knows this and gives a large part of the credit for his success to the father and mother back in the old home at Sharon.
Frederick Curtis Perkins completed the course of study in the public schools of Sharon with credit. He then took an academic course in St. Paul's school, after which he entered Yale University. Few men stood better in his classes than Mr. Perkins, but he was not a "book worm," and found time for social diver- sions. He interested himself in athletics sufficiently to develop a sound healthful physique so essential to a man following the exacting profession of law. After completing his studies at Yale Mr. Perkins entered the law school of Harvard University, from which he graduated with credit.
Equipped with an education which embraced thorough grounding in the great basic principles of law as well as an extensive knowledge of the statutes and their interpreta- tion by the courts, Mr. Perkins passed the required State examination and was admitted to practice at the bar. He opened a law office in Pittsburgh, where he soon was recog- nized as a "coming man" in his profession. Business increased rapidly and Mr. Perkins acquired an enviable reputation for winning cases. Many are the stories told among his acquaintances and by court house attaches of legal victories he has won by his quick wit and clever examination of witnesses.
Not content with a legal business which most men would consider a satisfactory life achievement, Mr. Perkins has interested himself in banking, and in an advisory capacity has added to the prosperity of every bank with which he is connected. Mr. Perkins is of- ficer and director in the Safe Deposit & Trust Company of Pittsburgh, the Peoples Sav- ings Bank of Pittsburgh and the Exchange National Bank of Pittsburgh.
Many busy attorneys and business men do not find time for social diversions and as a result of sticking too closely to business, age rapidly and soon lose their grip on affairs. Mr. Perkins has retained freshness and vigor of youth although well past middle age. He attributes this largely to his interest in athletics. He plays golf and other games which require exercise in the open air and sunshine. Mr. Perkins belongs to the Pittsburgh Club, the Duquesne Club, the Allegheny Country Club, the Pittsburgh Athletic Association and the Pittsburgh Golf Club. He is fond of social diversion and loves to spend a quiet even- ing with friends and acquaintances.
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J. E. McKELVY.
J. Erastus McKelvy has attained marked prominence in his chosen pro- fession and he is widely known. He was born in Pittsburgh. Before begin- ning the practice of law in Pittsburgh Mr. McKelvy received a liberal educa- tion. He first studied in the city public schools, ward and high schools. His col- legiate training was received in Dickin- son College. His offices are in the St. Nicholas building, and he resides in the East End, Pittsburgh.
JOHN S. FERGUSON.
John Scott Ferguson, Pittsburgh attorney, connected with much impor- tant litigation during the last 40 years, was born January 23, 1842, in Pitts- burgh. His parents were Charles Fer- guson and Mary (nee Hamilton) Fer- guson. Following his graduation from the Allegheny Academy, Mr. Ferguson read law with Attorney Robert Woods, of Pittsburgh, and was admitted to the Allegheny county bar April 7, 1863. He began practicing law at once with Sol Schoyer, Jr. He was later associated with James W. Murray as a law part- ner. Later Mr. Ferguson associated with himself his son, Edwin G. Fergu- son. This association continued until the death of Edwin G. Ferguson in June, 1903. A legal library of 4,000 volumes and a general library of 10,000 volumes are owned by him. He is inter- ested in agriculture and owns a large farm in Virginia. Mr. Ferguson was married September 10, 1863, to Miss Nancy A. Graham, of Pittsburgh. They have one son and three daughters living.
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WILLIAM JAMES BRENNEN.
Of the number of notable "self-made" men in Pittsburgh none deserves more credit for his remarkable accomplishments than William James Brennen, the attorney. His parents were John Brennen and Theresa Callagher Brennen. In his early life Mr. Brennen was educated in the public, parochial and private schools.
Following this educational career, Mr. Brennen became a "pull-up" boy in the mills. Subsequently he rose to the position of machinist and roll-turner in the Jones & Laughlin iron and steel works ; school teacher, alderman and at- torney at law. Today Mr. Brennen en- joys a large practice and is known as one of the cleverest attorneys at the bar of Allegheny county.
He is president of the Rosalia Foundling Asylum of Pittsburgh, and is a member of the Pittsburgh Press Club, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Catholic Mutual Benefit Society, as well as being Grand Worthy President of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and con- nected with the Pennsylvania Society of New York.
Mr. Brennen has been chairman, Democratic county or city committee of the county of Allegheny or the city of Pittsburgh since 1883; a delegate to every Democratic national convention beginning with that of 1876; a delegate to every Democratic state convention since 1883; a member of the Democratic state central committee for the past twenty years; a councilman and alderman of the Twentyfourth ward of the city of Pittsburgh; a candidate for Congress and Auditor General of Pennsylvania; attorney for the Central Board of Education of Pittsburgh, and for nearly all the labor organizations of Western Pennsylvania, as well as leading counsel in the defense of the Homestead riot and treason cases.
Mr. Brennen also has been attorney for the Democratic state committee opposing the seating of Senator Quay; attorney for Alexander Craig in his contested election against Andrew Stewart in the Fayette-Greene-Washington congressional district; organizer and clerk of the first labor committee authorized by Congress, and attorney for the Grand Aerie Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Following his humble beginning, Mr. Brennen has been singularly successful in life and has become one of the best-known professional men of Pittsburgh. Not only has he represented individuals of note in criminal and civil suits in Pennsylvania and other States, but has been named by a number of business and other organizations as their reg- ularly retained counsel.
If Mr. Brennen has attained flattering success in matters of law, he equally has risen to power in the world of politics and now is known as one of the most prominent Demo- crats in the country. To his ability of organization the success of many campaigns has been due, and his advice constantly has been sought by the wiseacres in his party.
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