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 39
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Educators' Association and in recogni- tion of the service rendered in the cause of education, Dickinson College made him a Doctor of Philosophy. He was president of the Philadelphia Tract So- ciety, a trustee of the Methodist Episco- pal Hospital, treasurer of the Philadel- phia Sabbath Association, a trustee of Temple College and a manager of the llome Missionary Society and the Evan- gelical Alliance of America. He was a Democrat in politics and his marked ora- torical ability led, on many occasions, to his selection for important campaign work in Ohio, Indiana and Maryland. Dr. Peirce married in 1861, Miss Emma Louise Bisbing, who died in 1870, leaving three children. His second marriage was to Miss Ruth Stong. The children living at the time of Dr. Peirce's death were Mary B., Eda May, Ruth, Thomas May and Caleb C. Peirce. Dr. Peirce's com- paratively brief life was filled with good deeds, and his death was deplored by hundreds of individuals and by his as- sociations in every charitable and church organization with which he was connect- ed. His unblemished life and the school that he founded are enduring monuments.
THOMAS MAY PEIRCE.
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EDGAR FAIS SMITH.
Called to the Provostship of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, after many years of educational work in various collegiate institutions throughout the country, Ed- gar F. Smith is a worthy successor to the noted men who previously held that hon- orable position. Ilis scholarly attain- ments and executive ability in university administration, have made him most pop- ular with the students and added greatly to the reputation and usefulness of the University. Dr. Smith was born in York, Pa., May 23, 1854, and was prepared for college at the York County Academy, in which he subsequently taught. He en- tered Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa., in 1872, and graduated from that in- stitution in 1874 with the degree of Bach- elor of Science. The same year he went abroad to further study and matriculated at the University of Goettingen, Ger- many, where he devoted two years to the study of chemistry under Woehler and Huebner. Ile also took a course in min- eralogy under Von Walters-hausen and receiving the Doctor's degree in 1876, re- turned to the United States. He was im-
mediately made assistant to Professor F. A. Genth, of the Towne Scientific School of the University of Pennsylvania and in 1881, was called to Allentown, Pa., to fill the Asa Packer Professorship in chemis- try in Muhlenburg College. Ile was made Professor of Chemistry in Witten- berg College, Springfield, Ohio, in 1883, and in 1888 returned to the University of Pennsylvania to fill the chair of Analy- tical Chemistry, vacated by Professor Genth. In 1802 he became head of the whole Chemistry Department, which he thoroughly reorganized. He was made Vice-Provost of the University in 1898 and the following year that institution conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Science. In 1906, he was further hon- ored by receiving the degree of Doctor of Laws from the University and the same year a like honor was received from the Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa., and the University of Wisconsin made him a Doctor of Laws in 1904. The same degree was received from Franklin and Marshall College, from Rutgers Col- lege, from the University of Pittsburgh, from the University of North Carolina, and from Cincinnati ( 1913) ; while from Muhlenberg College came the 1 .. II. D. degree and from Duvlin, S. C. D., in 1912. He filled the office of Vice-Provost at the University of Pennsylvania until the resignation of Provost Harrison in 1910, when he was elected to fill the va- cancy. In 1899 he was elected to member- ship in the National Academy of Science. lle is a member of the American Chemic- al Society and was its president in 1898, the same year being honored by the vice- presidency of the Association for the Advancement of Science. He was a member of the Chemical Jury of Award at the Columbian Exposition and was in 1895 a member of the United States .As- say Commission, and again from 1901 until 1905. Ile is also a member of the American Philosophical Society, of which he was president from 1902 to 1907. Dr. Smith has few equals as an investigator in the field of electro-chemistry and the result of his many investigations has been of inestimable value to the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania. In recognition of his work as a scientist, his indefatigable labors on behalf of the University and
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his popularity with the Faculty and stu- dents, the dormitory erected in 1904 was named for him. ,
HARRY WRIGHT.
Even now, when base ball has attained a development which was not dreamt of by its most optimistic devotees ten years ago; when more money is represented in the equipment of one of the modern re- inforced steel and concrete pavilions than was represented in the combined parks of both leagues than there was then, it is customary to say "the national game is only in its infancy." And those who have watched the progress of the great outdoor pastime since the American League be- gan its expansion movement in 1901 will unhesitatingly subscribe to its truth. That the city of Philadelphia has played its part-in fact, taking the initiative in the matter of modern equipment-is par- ticularly gratifying to local pride, for despite the claims of other cities, Phila-
delphia is generally regarded as the cra- dle of the National game. But it must not be supposed that the great impetus of the past decade has been entirely due to the men who were contemporary with it. It is trie they have shown splendid ca- pacity, and yet but for the seed sown by the sportsmanlike and unselfish men who preceded them anywhere from ten to twenty years, their task would have been a much harder one. And of all of those who sowed that others might reap, none occupied so high a place in public esteem as Ilarry Wright, who more than any- one else was responsible for the re-estab- lishment of the game in public favor here in the 80s. Born in England, William Henry Wright, or Harry Wright as he was nationally known, was brought to this country at a very early age. Ilis father was a professional cricketer, and his first athletic work was as an exemplar of England's national game at the Elysian Field at Hoboken. But it did not take him long to discover the possibilities of the American game of base ball, and in 1865, he went to Cincinnati, where he formed the first professional club in the history of the game. From that time on to the day of his death Harry Wright de- voted himself exclusively to the develop- ment of the national outdoor sport. In 1869 he had the distinction of managing the Cincinnati Reds who did not lose a game that year. From Cincinnati he went to Boston, where he won three champion- ships. Leaving Boston, he went to Provi- dence, whipped the team of that city into championship form, and in 1884 he as- sumed the management of the Philadel- phía Club, then playing at the old horse market at Twenty-fourth street and Ridge avenue. When he took the man- agement of the Phillies they had little or no following, but in three years, bringing the team up from last to second place in the National League race, the patronage increased to such an extent that the club
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owners built what was the forerunner of the modern stands at Broad and Hunting- don. Under Mr. Wright's regime rowdy- ism on the field was eliminated, hoodlum- ism in the bleachers was suppressed. He was the apostle of clean base ball. In dealing with his players he was inclined to resort to moral suasion, but if the occa- sion demanded it he could be the strong- est of disciplinarians. The scoring rules used by the reporters today, with the ex- ception of such modifications as have been made necessary by changes in the playing rules from time to time, were formulated by him in 1874, and the score book which is used by about three fourths of the pro- fessional scorers, was invented and pat- ented by him. Mr. Wright died in 1895, his funeral being attended by prominent baseball men from all parts of the coun- try. A bronze statue, erected by popular subscription stands to his memory in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, but his great- est monument is the game which he did so much to develop and perfect. His fame is assured so long as it shall endure.
MAHLON W. NEWTON.
MAIILON W. NEWTON.
Mahlon W. Newton, who has made Green's Hotel famous for its homelike and cheerful interior, its excellent cui- sine and moderate charges, owes his suc- cess as much to his geniality as he does to his long experience in the hotel busi- ness. He was born in New Jersey and came to Philadelphia from Burlington Co. in early youth to fill a position in a Mar- ket street hardware store, but this busi- ness did not appeal to him and loaded with inexperience he launched into the ho- tel business at Woodbury, N. J., in 1878. While he knew absolutely nothing of ho- tel keeping he was genial and entertain- ing and possessed a determination to pro- vide his guests with good service and an elaborate cuisine. His Woodbury hotel was soon popular and quickly attained a State-wide reputation. He later pur- chased the hotel at Wenonah, New Jer- sey, and a few years afterwards became one of three to purchase Green's Hotel. He eventually bought his partners' inter- ests and since 1898 has been sole proprie- tor of the house, which has attained a nation-wide reputation and has through successive years of enlargement and im- provement been made one of the most popular hotels in the city.
JAMES F. HOPE.
James F. Hope was born at Alexan- dria, Scotland, September 26th, 1843, and came with his parents to America in 1847. He was educated at the public schools of Philadelphia, and at the age of fifteen began business in the grocery house of James Woodside, on Second street. In 1861 he entered the manufac- tory of Thomas Potter, and was connect- ed with that business until the time of his death, June 3, 1913, filling the position of secretary and treasurer of Thomas Potter, Sons & Co., Incorporated, for sev- eral years.
Mr. Hope, in 1863, entered the United States Army in the 196th Pennsylvania Regiment, one of the Union League Reg- iments in the war, and he served three terms as president of the Union League
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JAMES F. HOPE.
of Philadelphia. He was also a member of Meade Post, Grand Army of the Re- public. He was president of the St. An- drew's Society of Philadelphia for sev- eral terms, and was a trustee of the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, a direc- tor of the Philadelphia National Bank, Keystone Watch Case Company, Fire Association, Merchants' Fund and one of Philadelphia's representatives on the Board of the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company.
JOHN M. WALTON.
Captain John M. Walton, who has for years so acceptably filled the office of City Comptroller, was born in Stroudsburg, Monroe County, in 1842, and was educat- ed at the famons Moravian School at Lit- itz, Pa., but spent his early manhood in Philadelphia to which city his father re- moved upon his appointment to the posi- tion of treasurer of the United States Mint by President Buchanan. In 1867 Mr. Walton was appointed to a second lieutenancy in the Fourth United States
Cavalry and in 1871 was made first lien- tenant. Ile served in many of the cam- paigns against the Indians and was re- tired for disability in 1879, returning to Philadelphia. He served for thirteen years on Common Councils, his work in that chamber being endorsed by the Com- mittee of One Hundred, the Committee of Ninety-five and the Twenty-seventh Ward Branch of the Municipal League. Ilis service as chairman of the Finance Committee made him an authority on the city's monetary affairs and led to his ap- pointment to the City Comptrollership when a vacancy occurred in 1895, by the resignation of Thomas M. Thompson, to accept the position of Director of Public Works. Ile was subsequently nominated for the full term on the Republican ticket and has filled the office ever since. In 1906 he was a candidate for Mayor but failed to secure the nomination. Captain Walton is a member of the American Whist Club, the Hamilton Club and the Union League. He is a vestryman of St. Mary's P. E. Church of West Philadel- phia.
JOHN M. WALTON.
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HON. JOHN P. ELKIN.
Transition from a log cabin on a com- paratively isolated farm, to a Judgeship of the Supreme Court of a great Com- monwealth seems almost impossible. That it can be accomplished by untiring en- ergy, unblemished integrity and indomit- able will is proven by the life story of Honorable John P. Elkin, who was born in a cabin of unhewn timber in West Mahoning Township, Pennsylvania, Jan- uary 11th, 1860, under conditions that did not augur future success. He obtained his rudimentary training in the district school, fully a mile from his humble home, walking back and forth each school day, of the four winter months this prim- itive place of learning was open. 111 Smicksburg, to which his father, Francis Elkin, removed to engage in the stove and foundry business, the school was more accessible, although the terms were as short. Here his studies were contin-
ned until 1873, when his father associated with several friends in the manufacture of tin plate, erecting a plant at Wells- ville, Ohio. This was the first attempt to make this commodity in America and the mill was compelled to shut down in 1874, as the industry was twenty-five years ahead of its time. Its failure com- pletely ruined the projectors. Young El- kin, though but fourteen years of age, had worked in the mill as "hammer-boy" and through the intermediate grades to finisher in the tin house. When the works shut down he determined to educate him- self for a professional career and entered the high school at Wellsville, Ohio. He made rapid progress and finished the course at the end of the school year. The family moved back to Smicksburg in 1875, Mr. Elkin securing the position of teacher in the borough school and, though under sixteen years of age, successfully
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taught the boys and girls who two years before had been his classmates. From this period until 1880 he attended school, during the summer months and taught through the winter sessions, attending the Normal School at Indiana, Pa., one term each year until 1879, when he bor- rowed sufficient money to enable him to study the entire year. He graduated in 1886 and continued teaching until the Fall of 1881 when he entered the Uni- versity of Michigan as a law student and graduated in 1884. lle was honored by his selection as orator of his class at both institutions. His father, who died in 1882, had been mentioned as a candidate for the State Legislature and friends suggested that the son make the fight for the nomination. This he decided to do and conducted his campaign by corres- pondence while a student at Ann Arbor. The primaries were held one week after his graduation and he was nominated and subsequently elected, serving during the sessions of 1885 and 1887. While in the Legislature he was chairman of the Com- mittee on Constitutional Reform and a member of the Judiciary General, Re- trenchment and Reform and Library Committees. He was admitted to prac- tice at the Indiana County Bar in 1885, and at once commenced his legal work there. He became active in Republican politics and has been a delegate to many State and National conventions. He was President of the Indiana School Board for several years and for twenty-five years has been an active member of the Board of Trustees of the State Normal School located there. He was President of the Farmers' Bank of Indiana from 1803 to 1895, when he resigned upon his removal to Harrisburg to become Deputy Attorney General of the State. He was a delegate to the St. Louis Convention in 1896 when President Mckinley was nominated and as a sound money man, stood with the majority of his delegation against the heresies of a free silver pro- paganda which threatened the destruction of his party. This was the time when Senators Teller of Colorado, DuBois of Idaho, Cannon of Utah, and many other like notable men withdrew from the con- vention and left the Republican ranks. The same year he was elected chairman
of the Republican State Committee and conducted an educational campaign for sound money which resulted in the larg- est plurality ever given presidential elec- tors in Pennsylvania up to that time. llc resigned the Deputy Attorney General- ship in 1897 owing to differences with the Ilastings administration and in 1898 he directed the campaign that placed Wil- liam A. Stone in the gubernatorial chair, being appointed Attorney General by that official and serving four years. During his term of office the opponents of Sena- tor Quay challenged the right of Gover- nor Stone to appoint him to the United States Senate after the Legislature had failed to re-elect him and denied the right of Senator Quay to take the seat thus fill- ed. Mr. Elkin was chosen to argue the question before the Committee on Privi- leges and Elections, of which Senator Chandler, of New Hampshire, was chair- man, and Senator Hoar, of Massachu- setts, was an active member. In repre- senting the Commonwealth of Pennsyl- vania, Mr. Elkin contended that under our system of government, each State was entitled to full representation in the Senate and that it became the duty of the Governor to appoint if the Legislature failed to elect. The opposition was rep- resented by Senator Edmunds of Ver- mont, a recognized authority on Consti- tutional law, and the Hon. Hampton L. Carson and George Wharton Pepper, leading members of the Philadelphia Bar. The contention of Mr. Elkin was sus- tained by the committee, which reported in favor of seating Senator Quay, but the Senate, after a prolonged session, re- jected the report by a majority of one, and Senator Quay was not permitted to take the seat until the Legislature in 1901 elected him for the full term. In 1902 Mr. Elkin was a candidate for Governor and was opposed by Senator Quay, who insisted that he retire from the contest. This Mr. Elkin refused to do and one of the most spirited political fights in the State's history ensued. Refusing to take orders to retire, Mr. Elkin made a direct appeal to the people and as a result Blair, Chester, Dauphin, Lancaster, Northum- berland and Tioga counties, the city of Wilkes-Barre and several other large dis- tricts instructed their delegates for him.
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When the Convention met at Harrisburg it was found that many of the instructed delegates had ignored their constituents and gone over to the opposition and this resulted in Mr. Elkin's defeat, and the nomination of Judge Samuel W. Penny- packer. After the expiration of his term as Attorney General, he resumed the practice of law until April, 1904, when the Harrisburg Convention unanimously nominated him to fill a vacancy in the Supreme Court. Mr. Elkin was not a candidate for the position and had no knowledge that he was to be named until the day the Convention met. At the election which followed he received 737,- 978 votes, the largest Republican vote ever cast for a nominee in Pennsylvania. Mr. Elkin took up his Judicial duties January 1, 1905, and for eight years ha, been one of the most useful and intelli- gent members of the Supreme Court of the State.
Soon after admission to the Bar, Mr. Elkin became interested in the develop- ment of the Indiana coal fields, being a pioneer in the industry in that county. With Henry and George Prothero, he made plans for opening up the Cush Creek region in 1887 and has been inter- ested in that section since. These asso- ciates were instrumental in having the Cush Creek branch of the railroad built from Mahaffey to Glen Campbell, and they sold to the Glenwood Coal Com- pany the lands now operated by them near Glen Campbell and since that time the operations have extended to every part of the county.
On June 17, 1884, Mr. Elkin married Miss Ada P., daughter of John Prothero, late president of the First National Bank of Indiana, Pa., and they have three children : Hlelen Prothero, Laura Louise, and Stanley Elkin, the first named being the wife of W. M. Armstrong.
Mr. Elkin is a member of the Union League of Philadelphia, the American Academy of Political and Social Science, the Clover Club and of other fraternal and social organizations. lle is a meni- ber of the Protestant Episcopal Church, the church of his ancestors, which he lib- erally supports.
GEORGE D. MCCREARY.
Though unswerving in his allegiance to the Republican party in National poli- tics, George D. MeCreary has one more than one occasion waged relentless war- fare on municipal abuses in Philadelphia and has thereby aided in establishing re- forms that have resulted in his party's uplifting. Mr. McCreary was born at York Springs village, Adams County, . Pennsylvania, September 26, 1846, and is the son of the late John B. McCreary, who was a pioneer operator in the coal fields of Tremont, Tamaqua and Mauch Chunk. His early youth was spent in this locality where he attended public and private schools until 1864 when he re- moved to Philadelphia with his parents. The same year he entered the University of Pennsylvania, remaining until his ju- nior year, 1687, when he quit his studies to take a position with the Honey Brook Coal Company, of which his father was president. In the three years he remain- ed with this company, he acquired a most comprehensive knowledge of selling and shipping coal, and in 1870. he started an independent career by becoming a part- ner in the newly organized coal firm of
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Whitney, McCreary & Kemmerer. In 1870 he retired from this firm to assume charge of his father's estate which was large and required his undivided atten- tion. As early as 1882, Mr. McCreary became interested in municipal affairs and evincing a desire to correct the abuses that existed at that time, he became an original member of the Committee of One Hundred and served actively on several of its important committees. In 1801 the reform element in his party was desirous of nominating a business man of unblem- ished character for the position of City Treasurer and Mr. McCreary was the logical candidate. He was elected by a large majority and during his term from 1892 to 1895, he reorganized the finances of the city and introduced and carried into execution many needed measures, which resulted in large money gains to the city and safety in the transaction of its financial affairs. Mr. McCreary's deep interest in local and national affairs . led to his nomination for Congress in 1903 and he served continuously in that body for ten years, and during that ser- vice was member of the Banking and Currency Committee. He was one of the organizers and second vice-president of the Market Street National Bank and is a director of the Guarantee Trust and Safe Deposit Company, the Westmoreland Coal Company, Upper Lehigh Supply Company, Upper Lehigh Coal Company, Nescopec Coal Company, Alden Coal Company, Whitehall Portland Cement Manufacturing Company, the Vir- ginia Coal and Iron Company, and other commercial organizations. He is a mem- ber of the Holy Trinity P. E. Church, and interested in church and philanthrop- ic work. In June, 1873, he married Kate R. Howell, daughter of the late William and Rebecca Howell and they have four children, all married. In the winter of 1873-74 he made an extended trip to Cuba and Mexico with the late Bishop Simpson of the Methodist Episcopal Church, revisiting Mexico some twelve years later. He has traveled extensively in this and foreign countries. He is a member of the Union League of Philadel- phia, the Philadelphia Sketch Club and the Metropolitan Club of Washington, D. C.
ROBERT H. FOERDERER.
In the last decade Philadelphia has produced no man of loftier aspirations, nobler charitable tendencies or greater commercial integrity than Robert HI. Foerderer, late Congressman-at-large, whose lamented death at an early age, ended a career that accomplished much for Philadelphia and its people and gave promise of still greater achievement. Mr. Foerderer was born in Frankenhausen, Germany, while his parents, who were citizens of the United States at that time, were re-visiting the place of their birth. The father, Edward Foerderer, was a tanner who had emigrated to America some years previously and established himself in business in Philadelphia. Robert 11. Foerderer was educated in the public schools here and at a private academy, and at the age of seventeen years, his father secured him a position as clerk in a bank. Financial pursuits, however, did not accord with the young man's tastes and upon an expressed de- sire to work in the tannery, he was regis- tered as an apprentice. Ile took a won- derful interest in the trade and at the age of twenty-one was a skilled workman, with not only a complete knowledge of the business, but an inventive taste and an inquiring mind, that was not satisfied with simply knowing that things were done. He wanted to know how and why, and if there was not a chance to simplify and improve existing processes. 11 earned eight dollars each week, four of which he saved and at the age of twenty- five years he had amassed a small capi- tal which he determined to invest in a business of his own, where he could in- trammeled, try out his own theories. The habit of thrift inherited from his father, coupled with executive ability and thor- ough knowledge of leather, assured his success. At this period there was sub- mitted to him a new method of treating goat skins known as the "Chrome Pro- cess." Other tanners had experimented with it and had wasted vast sums in try- ing to successfully apply the new method to the manufacture of morocco. Mr. Foerderer knew the suggested process was impracticable, but it was valuable from the fact that it gave him a basic
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