USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Warwick's Keystone commonwealth; a review of the history of the great state of Pennsylvania, and a brief record of the growth of its chief city, Philadelphia > Part 35
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Speaking of the visit of President Mckinley, recalls the visit of President Cleveland to this city. He had come to Philadelphia to participate in a cele- bration and was afterwards given a reception at the City Hall. The rooms then occupied by the Building Commission, now used by the Recorder of Deeds, had been set aside for the purpose and the long line of people who had come to shake the distinguished visitor's hand entered by the door leading from the Broad street corridor and the exit was by a temporary stairway placed at one of the windows opening on South Penn Square. The usual greetings, sedate and dignified, were given the President as each visitor grasped his hand, but it re- mained for a red-haired woman of large proportions, to enliven the otherwise quiet proceedings. This she did by throwing her arms around the President's neck and kissing him squarely in the month. Mr. Cleveland blushed and the vast throng, after it had recovered from its surprise, broke into applause and laughter, while the bestower of the hearty kiss hastily departed, perhaps in after years to tell her offspring how she had kissed the President of the United States.
The successful ending of the Spanishi-American War was an occasion of thanksgiving in Philadelphia. Many of her sous had entered the army and navy and the events of the fortunately short conflict was a matter of great in- terest in the city. When peace was declared it was decided to appropriately observe the event and on October 25th and 27th, 1808. a "Peace Jubilee Cele- bration" was held. The following year the National Export Exposition was held. It was the first event of its kind in the commercial history of the United States, and accomplished more for the extension of American trade in foreign, countries than had resulted from half a century of previous effort.
The City Government had removed to the new City Hall in 1895, and in 1899 the building was magnificently illuminated by thousands of electric lights, the occasion being the starting of the great clock. The officials and large corps of employees had by this time adjusted themselves to their handsome and com- modious offices and the vast business of the municipality was moving smoothly and without friction. The immense building has never ceased to be a sort of wonder to visitors, who daily flock to the tower, where the magnificent view of
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the vast city and the surrounding territory, teeming with industrial activity is one of the finest in the entire country.
The first mayor under the Bullitt Bill was Edwin H. Fitler, a manufacturer who had previously taken little interest in politics. As the new charter made many changes in the city government it was deemed expedient to start the new regime under the direction of a man of known business ability, and Mr. Fitler was selected. He was succeeded by Edwin S. Stuart, afterwards Governor of the State. Then followed Charles F. Warwick, a lawyer who had previously been Assistant District Attorney and City Solicitor. The next incumbent of the office was Samuel H. Ashbridge who had been Coroner for several years, and he was followed by another lawyer, John Weaver. These were all Republicans in politics, but the control of the city government by that party passed with the elec- tion of Rudolph Blankenburg. Mayor Blankenburg was a merchant who had been identified originally with the Commitee of One Hundred and every reform move- ment since. Of the coterie of ex-mayors under the Bullitt Bill, but three survive: Stuart, Weaver and Reyburn, while William B. Smith is the sole survivor of those who sat in the mayor's chair previous to that period. Since the adoption of the form of government provided by the Bullitt Bill, there have been some changes effected by legislation, but as a whole it has withstood criticism. It is, however, a question whether the one term it stipulates for the mayor, is a good feature. Of course, it is conceded that an astute politician, with a control over all the political machinery incidental to the office, could remain indefinitely in power, but on the other hand, a sound and progressive official finds the four- year term too short to institute and carry out the reforms or changes to which he may have been pledged for no sooner are his policies fairly under way than he must retire.
CHAPTER XXIX.
ERECTION OF LOFTY BUILDINGS. CITY CLUBS. BIRTHPLACE OF THE FIRST BUILDING ASSOCIATION. MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF PHILADELPHIA. EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS. RE-UNION OF BLUE AND GRAY IN 1913.
S TEEL construction made the erection of lofty buildings possible, and, advanced artistic taste completely changed the old style of exterior dec- oration so that in the decade following the closing of the Centennial, the appearance of the centre of the city was entirely changed. An appear- ance of plain solidity had previously been sought after but the new school of construction was productive of buildings of great beauty and grace and what was more essential, better light and ventilation. In this class are the Land Title and Trust Company building, that of the Real Estate Trust Company, the Ste- phen Girard, the Lafayette, the Franklin Bank, the Morris, the Commonwealth Trust and scores of other structures that the constantly increasing army of professional and business men has made necessary. The hotels have also under- gone a wonderful change, the most improved type being represented by the Bellevue-Stratford, the Ritz-Carlton, the Walton, the Adelphi and many com- mercial hotels, the latest of these to be erected being the Vendig. The churches have kept pace with the spirit of progress and many beautiful edifices have been erected in various parts of the city. The colleges, hospitals and charitable insti- tutions have spent large sums in erecting new buildings or adding to and remod- eling old ones until those essential adjuncts to a large city are as complete as it is possible to make them.
The city parks are being constantly added to, either by bequest or pur- chase and the movement for a "city beautiful" has resulted in the opening of several boulevards that give Philadelphia a decidedly European appearance.
The clubs of the city are among the best and most select in the United States and many of them have most luxurious homes. The Union League with its new addition, running through to Fifteenth street, is one of the largest, most homelike and the best patronized of any in the city, while the handsome new home of the Manufacturers' Club, costing $1,000,000, at Broad and Walnut streets, is possibly the most advanced in appointments and conveniences. This building was erected on the site of the old Bellevue Hotel, where the Clover Club met for many years and it was at the dinners of that famous organization that the celebrities of the world gathered in the old building which passed out of existence when the magnificent Bellevue-Stratford was erected.
The property adjoining on the west, where the Manufacturers' Club was formerly located, is now occupied by the new Stock Exchange Building. the advent of which is gradually changing the character of the locality. When the Stock Exchange removed from Third street on a former occasion and then returned to that one-time famous financial centre, it was thought it would never again depart from what was conceded a permanent home. No one dreamed
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it would go so far westward and when the move was finally decided upon it was thought many of the old financial firms and institutions would follow, but there has been no general movement along that line and the district east of Fifth street remains the money centre, although Third street, long referred to as the Wall street of Philadelphia, gives little evidence of its once great power in the financial world.
The ceaseless changes in localities has naturally been attended by changes in the character of the population. New and advanced methods have brought new schools of professional and business men and this is especially noticeable in the last score of years which has witnessed an evolution in politics and the passing of such leaders as Stokley, MeManes, Leeds, Rowan, MeMullen and Ryan. In running over the names of some of those prominent in political life of the past decade, Col. William B. Mann is recalled. Ile was noted for his wit and keen repartee and was a raconteur of great merit. On one occasion he attended a dinner at the House of Correction at which George 11. Stuart, an ardent tem- perance advocate, was also present. The occasion was one where an Ohio Leg- islative Delegation was visiting the city's penal institutions, and Mr. Stuart, in explaining the absence of any liquor on the dinner table, stated that never within the history of the institution had wine or other strong drink been served. Ile commended the managers for this exclusion and quoted Scripture to justify it. After Mr. Stuart finished his remarks, Colonel Mann arose and said that he had read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and found no instance where the Pa- triarchs of old asked for water. "With but one exception," said Colonel Mann, "and that was Dives who was in hades where he ought to be."
The state has also received the attention of the Grim Reaper and there are but few survivors of its once notable men. Out of its list of Governors there are but three living who retired after serving their terms. These are William .A. Stone, Samuel W. Pennypacker and Edwin H. Stuart.
The name "City of Homes" as applied to Philadelphia is no misnomer, The desire to own property which began in the days of the thrifty colonists has been fostered by the building associations which had their birthplace here. The first in the United States was organized here in 1831, and since that time ownership in 300,000 homes and other buildings has been acquired by members of these co- operative associations. The number of these societies in the Commonwealth is now about 1,800, with nearly $250,000,000 assets-a wonderful aid to the thrifty in husbanding savings and acquiring homes. Naturally a city of large population and immense business interests, requires a complete banking system and this Philadelphia possesses, having thirty-two banks and sixty trust com- panies.
These concerns are all prosperous, which is not wonderful when it is real- ized that according to the last census Philadelphia had an annual production of $746,076,000. The number of establishments were 8,379, and the number of employees was 251,884, and the wages paid $126,381,000. When this is added to the millions of dollars invested in stocks and outside corporations, it makes a sum total that requires a vast amount of bank care.
While Philadelphia has been forging ahead and keeping pace with the com- mercial marts of the world, the trade and industrial centres throughout the state
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were not remaining inactive. The manufacture of lace curtains and dress laces, a comparatively new industry which was only started in 1891, has achieved an annual output of $65,000,000, the product of 10,000 employees in ten mills. The general clothing output amounts to $40,000,000, while the state makes 80 per cent. of the world's hats. The coal output has increased to 244,000,000 tons and 357,740 miners find employment in the industry.
The amount of sugar refined here makes an interesting study. One billion pounds is the annual output, which is eleven pounds for each man, woman and child in the United States. This product is valued at $49,000,000. Much of this sugar goes into the $15,000,000 worth of confectionery manufactured in the state each year, which includes upwards of 90,000 pounds of chocolate made in Philadelphia each day. In the cement belt the increase in output is in proportion to other lines. In 1896 the production was 1,000,000 barrels, and this had in- creased to 27,000,000 barrels at the present time.
In upwards of 250 textile mills manufacturing worsteds and woollens the product is annually $77,447,000; in rugs $24,000,000, and hosiery and knit goods nearly $50,000,000. Nearly 75 per cent. of the world's product of leather and glazed kid is made in Philadelphia, the excellence of the goods making them sought after in every civilized part of the globe. The railroads have increased to 6,000 miles within the borders of the state, while Pennsylvania-made bridges are known and used on four continents.
Pennsylvania started forestry conservation in 1876, and the result of the edu -; cational work along this line has been concerted action on the parts of huge hold- ing companies to restore the vast woodlands cut off for manufacturing pur- poses or destroyed by frequent fires. Pennsylvania was the first state to assist in fish propagation and now has a department devoted to that important work. The state system of public education has been greatly improved, and it is now rare to find a child above the age of ten years who is illiterate.
The State Board of Health, one of the best in the country, is using effec- tively every known scientific means for protecting the public health from com- municable and preventive diseases, and the result has been a two per cent. reduc- tion in the annual death rate since the advanced methods have been adopted.
The Board of Public Charities has supervision over 328 penal, reformatory and charitable institutions which receive state aid, and these are models in their way.
In keeping with this progress is the increase in the religious sects which has been remarkable and constant, demonstrating clearly the uplifting influences of education.
The one stain on Pennsylvania's name was the lynching of a negro at Coatesville, Pa., in 1911. While the crime for which he suffered a horrible death was a most brutal one, the law-abiding citizens of that locality objected to the law- less manner in which justice was meted out and deplored the use of methods that are now seldom resorted to in the Southern states, where they originated. Ac- cording to the religiously inclined the nego did not die in vain, however, as the lynching caused a movement against the saloons in the county which resulted in the court's refusal to grant a single license.
The re-union of the Blue and the Gray at Gettysburg, Pa., on the 3rd, 4th
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and 5th of July, 1913, was one of the most notable events in the world's history. Here the grizzled veterans of two of the greatest contending forces that ever met in battle assembled and fraternized. They fought over the battles of half a century before and visited the spots where they had opposed each other valiantly and parted at the end of the re-union, friends, despite the rancor that had lodged in their hearts half a century previously.
In reviewing the improvements in Philadelphia, mention must be made of the water supply which now ranks among the best in the country. The move- ment to improve this service started in 1899, and since that time sand filter beds have been equipped at Belmont, at Roxborough and at Torresdale on the Dela- ware River.
In its efforts for higher and more thorough education the city has spent vast sums on new school buildings. These include the William Penn High School for Girls at Fifteenth and Mount Vernon streets, the New Central High School for Boys at Broad and Green streets, the West Philadelphia High School at Forty- seventh and Walnut streets, and manual training schools in various parts of the city. It has also in contemplation the erection of sectional High Schools in South Philadelphia, Germantown and Frankford. The Bureau of Compulsory Educa- tion is most effective in its work and the next decade will probably witness the passing of illiteracy among the children.
Philadelphians have much to boast of and should not remain quiescent when the reputation of their city is assailed. The best paved streets are here. The best homes are owned in large proportions by their occupants and other things to boast of are: a good and adequate water supply, well lighted thoroughfares, ample educational facilities; good street railway service; efficient fire and police departments ; good hospitals and charitable institutions, the best hotels, fine churches, elegant club houses and all forms of indoor and outdoor amusements ; extensive parks and nearby resorts. Can any city claim more?
BIOGRAPHY.
I N preparing a history of the greatest state in the Union, it is but natural that more attention should be paid to the city where Penn first landed and established his colony. This city, commercially and industrially great, the financial centre and one period. and for a long time the seat of the National Government, has always led in movements that have made history. The first banks, fire and life insurance companies, and the earliest medical college, were established here and the first demon- strations of steam for water propulsion were made on the Delaware. In fact, Philadelphia has been the leader in every scientific, commercial and social movement.
An attempt has, therefore, been made in this work to give portraits and pen- pictures of the men who have contributed to the up-building of the city and made it famous the world over. Those who were mighty in the financial and business life of the last two centuries are given together with some of its famous physi- cians and lawyers, its authors of high repute, its explorers and famous scientists and those social leaders who formed an exclusive set so select as to give it an in- ternational repute.
In the last half-century a new impetus has been given to business life here. The city has expanded wonderfully and its institutions and factories have largely increased while efforts are being made to restore its lost maritime supremacy. The men who labor assiduously for these results are worthy of more than passing note and it was the author's intention to present their histories and life work in such form as to perpetuate them, and make their efforts stand out as object les- sons to future generations.
Of course, difficulties attaching to such a work are apparent. Many who were asked to furnish biographies did not respond in time to be included in the work and others may have been overlooked, but enough are given in the pages that follow to show the character of men who are vitally interested in the city's progress. They are from various professions and engaged in all kinds of manu- facturing, financial and commercial lines, and all are men who have done and are continuing to do things, yet they find time to respond to every call where the city's interests can be advanced and are entitled to full credit therefor.
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GEORGE W. ELKINS.
Through the stages of gradual devel- opment, continuing from the age of cigh- teen years when he entered business life, George W. Elkins has become a power in the corporate and financial world. Mr. Elkins was born in Philadelphia, Sep- tember 26th, 1858, the son of the late William 1. Elkins, and was educated in public and private schools in the city of his birth. He was eighteen years old and fresh from school when he entered the service of his father's firm, William 1. Elkins & Co. In a very short time he became familiar with every detail of the business and in 1880 was made treasurer of the Elkins Manufacturing and Gas Company. In 1883 he became a member of the firm of M. Ehret, Jr., & Co., and later was chosen president of the Barrett Manufacturing Company, which snc- ceeded M. Ehret, Jr., & Co. in the manu- facture of coal tar products. Mr. El- kins's father died in 1903 and the great responsibility devolving upon the son, in handling his father's many interests, led to his retirement from active business in 1904. but he still continued as officer and
director in various corporations. He is a director of the United Lighting and Heating Co., vice-president and director of the Vulcanite Portland Cement Co., the Crew-Levick Co., the Land Title and Trust Co., United Coke and Gas Co., Huston Manufacturing Co., of Chester, Pa., Philadelphia Traction Co., Union Traction Co., and is a trustee of the Hah- nemann Hospital. In 1881 Mr. Elkins married Miss Stella E. MeIntire, daugh- ter of Col. John K. MeIntire, of Dayton. Ohio, and they have four children-Wil- liam M. Elkins, Mrs. Geo. F. Tyler. George W. Elkins, Jr., and Mrs. Wharton Sinkler. Although devoting the major part of his time to the management of his large interests, Mr. Elkins finds time for social recreation. Ile is a member of the Union League, Art, Racquet, Corinthian Yacht, Philadelphia Country, Philadel- phia Cricket and the Huntingdon Valley clubs of Philadelphia, and the Metropoli- tan, New York Whist, New York Yacht and Lambs clubs of New York City. Ile is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is an honorary member of the Acacia Fraternity of Philadelphia.
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was immediately admitted to association and companionship with the most noted savants of the world. At this period his attention was called to the alarming growth of cancer and germ diseases, and after investigation he founded a large private laboratory, known as the "John Howard McFadden Research Fund," at the Lister Institute of Preventative Medi- cine, located at Chelsea Gardens, Lon- don, of which Mr. McFadden is the sole patron. Flere a corps of able scientists are constantly searching for the cause of these dreaded maladies and the work thus far has been highly successful and en- couraging.
The ultimate knowledge of the produc- tive conditions of cancer will be followed by an education in avoidance that will eventually eradicate this destroyer of mankind. Mr. McFadden's work in be- half of suffering humanity has been fa- vorably mentioned by the medical press throughout the world and commended by the profession everywhere. Upon his re- turn to Philadelphia, Mr. McFadden pur- chased the palatial residence of Alexan- der Brown, the banker, at Nineteenth and Walnut streets, where he has a superb collection of art works that is almost priceless. About thirty years ago he started to collect Eighteenth century paintings by old English masters and his gallery of these works is one of the most important in the world. Occupying a conspicuous corner in Mr. McFadden's home is a remarkable globe which he prizes highly. At the spot indicated as the North Pole on this miniature replica of the world, is traced Admiral Peary's route to the location where he planted the American flag and the signature of this intrepid explorer. The South Pole,
reached by Captain Roald Amundsen, bears that discoverer's signature while Sir Ernest Shackleton has affixed his signature to the Antarctic magnetic pole, which he reached. The spot where the white Eskimo were found is marked by Stefanson's signature. During Sir Er- nest Shackleton's last visit to this com- try he was entertained by Dr. McFadden at his home and during his stay presented his host with his complete collection of specimens and Mr. McFadden has pre- sented it intact to the Pennsylvania Mu- seum and School of Industrial Art, of which he is one of the Board of Trustees. The collection is the accumulation of several voyages to the Antarctic region and is very valuable from the viewpoint of the naturalist and mineralogist, con- taining, as it does, specimens not dupli- cated in any other known collection. Moss, grass, flowers, shrubs, specimens of insect life, minerals and rock and mag- nificent photographs of the bio glacier that blocks the way to the South Pole, are included in the collection. Mr. McFad- den is well known in club circles and holds membership in some of the most exclusive scientific, art and social organi- zations in this country and abroad. Among these are: The Junior Carlton, of London, England : the Metropolitan, New York Yacht Club, Players, and New York clubs, of New York City ; the Union League, Philadelphia, Racquet and Art clubs of Philadelphia, being president of the last named. He is a trustee of Jef- ferson College and Hospital, and the Pennsylvania Museum and School of In- dustrial Art and is a member of the Geo- graphical and Historical Societies of Philadelphia, and the National Geogra- phical Society of Washington, D. C.
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JEREMIAH J. SULLIVAN.
A genuine love for hard, persistent work-the kind that surmounts every ob- stacle ; is tireless in its energy and unsati- ated until attainment, which, although sometimes uncertain in the beginning, is finally reached, is a characteristic that has helped make Jeremiah J. Sullivan one of the most notable figures in the railway history of Philadelphia, and a factor in the traction, heating, lighting and water power affairs in upwards of a dozen States of the Union. His versatility and power of accomplishment are shown by his transition from merchant to financier. for he handled the intricate problems that confront the capitalist with as much ease as he did the business to which he had been educated by long years of persistent effort. Mr. Sullivan was born on his father's farm in Ireland, January 5th, 1838, and came to America with his wid- owed mother, brothers and sisters, when he was fifteen years of age. His educa- tion was received in private schools in his native land, and during the winter sea- son a teacher was kept in his own home. His mother, who was highly cultured and most worthy, was devoted to the
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