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 40
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Board of Trade, treasurer of the Wisler Memorial Home and the Pennsylvania Baptist Educational Society, trustee of Bucknell University and the American Baptist Publication Society, president of the Pennsylvania State Baptist Conven- tion, chairman of the Pennsylvania Com- mission of the Panama Exposition, so- licitor for the Young Women's Christian Association and a member of the Union League, University, Lincoln, Young Re- publican, Lawyers and Overbrook Golf Clubs, the Masonic fraternity and the Sons of the Revolution and Colonial So- ciety.
GEORGE W. EDMONDS.
George W. Edmonds, member of the 63d Congress from the Fourth District of Pennsylvania, is an avowed reformer in politics and has waged many battles in support of his views. He was born in Pottsville, Pa., on February 22d. 1864, and removed with his parents to Philadel- phia in 1871. Ilis preliminary education was received in the Public Schools of Philadelphia, at the Wyoming, German-
town and Meade schools, and also at the Central High School where he attended for two years, and is a member of the 79th class. Ile then decided upon the study of pharmacy and eventually entered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated with the Class of 1885. During this period he was employed in the drug store of French, Richards & Co., and later by Caswell, Massey & Co., of New York City. Ile then entered the employ of George Mar- tin in a retail drug store at 15th and Ox- ford streets, Philadelphia, later acquiring an interest in the business.
In 1887 he decided to retire from the drug business and so he organized the Black Diamond Coal Co. After a short connection with this company he became a joint-partner in the retail coal firm of Warner, Shuster & Co. In 1892, this company became George W. Edmonds & Co., with main office and yards at oth and Berks streets, Philadelphia, and later four branches in different parts of the city. For a number of years Mr. Edmonds was also interested in the Harris Fertilizer Co., whose plant occupies a large acreage at the Tasker Street Wharf.
Mr. Edmonds has always been inter- ested in politics, and nationally is a mem- ber of the Republican party, but on local tickets he has invariably espoused the cause of honest government and vigor- ously opposed bossism. In 1896, he was elected to Common Councils on the Anti- Combine ticket in the 20th Ward, after one of the most remarkable contests ever witnessed in the city. He was re-elected to Common Council twice, serving in all for six years, and his independence of thought and action while a member of that body brought him into deserved prominence. During the Spanish-AAmeri- can War, he served as chairman of a spe- cial Councilmanic Committee on Soldiers' Relief, and managed and conducted a series of relief trains for the purpose of caring for the sick from the Pennsylvania Regiments. In 1905, Mr. Edmonds be- came active in opposition to the gas lease of that year whose indefensible terms aroused the deepest resentment of the citizens of Philadelphia. He identified himself with the City Party and served for a number of years as City Committee-
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man from the 20th Ward. Ilis promi- nence in progressive politics made him an available candidate for Congress in the Fourth District, comprising 28th, 29th, 320, 38th and 47th Wards, and to the amazement of politicians he won both the Keystone and Republican nominations, and consequently was elected by a hand- some majority.
Hle is a member of the Philadelphia Turngemeinde, the Columbia Club, Twentieth Century Club, Auto Club of Philadelphia, City Club, Manufacturers' Club, the Masonic fraternity, Northwest Business Men's Association, the Inde- pendent Order of Americans and is treas. urer of the Northeastern Hospital Asso -. ciation. He is president of the Ko-Koal Association, vice-president of the Phila- delphia Coal Exchange and is connected with many charitable and business enter- prises in the Twenty-ninth Ward and throughout the city.
Mr. Edmonds resides at 1543 North 33d street, in the 20th Ward.
MURRELL DOBBINS.
It has long been conceded that the treasury of the City of Philadelphia should be presided over by a man of ster- ling integrity and business acumen and it was in keeping with this conclusion that Murrell Dobbins was tendered the Republican nomination for that impor- tant office and elected by a large majority in November, 1909. Mr. Dobbins's se- lection was not on account of his political activity, for although a lifelong Repub- lican, he had never held an elective office except membership in the local school board of the Twenty-third Ward over thirty years ago. He was chosen rather for his business experience, and his ad- ministration of the City Treasury has been along lines that brought success in his own business. Mr. Dobbins was born in Pemberton, New Jersey, the son of Joseph and Mary A. ( Hilliard ) Dobbins, and is of Quaker ancestry. The father , was the owner of the historic mills at Pemberton for years and was the owner of nine of the finest farms in the county. He was a man of the strictest integrity
MURRELL. DOBBINS.
and his large fortune was lost by fire and in helping his friends.
Murrell Dobbins was educated in the county schools near the place of his birth and then took up his residence in Phila- delphia, where he served an apprentice- ship with the bricklaying firm of Dobbins & Garman, of which his brother, Richard J. Dobbins, was senior member. He was afterwards connected with his brother in the building business, and they erected such well-known structures as the Ledger Building, the House of Correction and Memorial Hall and the Main Building for the Centennial Exposition, the last two contracts being for over $3.000,000. Mr. Dobbins then turned his attention to the manufacture of bricks and the man- agement of his real estate interests and a three-hundred-acre farm in Burlington County near the place of his birth. At this period he was the largest individual manufacturer of bricks in the United States, the output of his four works be- ing over 30,000,000 bricks annually. He is president and owner of the Camden Pottery, which is the fourth largest in the
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United States and the only one owned by one individual. Mr. Dobbins was a mem- ber of the Board of Port Wardens for nineteen years and was one of the incor- porators of the Master Builders' Ex- change, of which he is at present a di- rector by virtue of being an ex-president. At the time of the failure of the Key- stone and Spring Garden banks in 1891, he was elected to the presidency of the Third National Bank, and his selection at once restored confidence and prevented a run on that institution that would have precipitated a local panic. He has been a member of the Board of Education for seven years and was on three of its most important committees-property, finance and special schools. He has also been a member of the Board of Inspectors of the Eastern Penitentiary for many years and is now president of the Board. He is also president of the Board of Parole, and as such has inaugurated a system of mechanical education for first term men that lessens the possibility of their return to a criminal life upon their release. He was one of the organizers of the Mechan- ical Trades School of Phladelphia, which educates the pupil in various trades and makes him acceptable, as a journeyman, to the labor and trade organizations. Mr. Dobbins has been a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity for forty-five years and is also a member of the Pennsylvania Sons of the Revolution, the Colonial So- ciety of Pennsylvania, the Union League and the Manufacturers' Club.
HENRY F. WALTON.
Chosen Prothonotary of the Common Pleas Courts, after a successful career as a maker and expounder of laws, Henry F. Walton brought to his new position a knowledge that has largely increased the department's efficiency. Mr. Walton was born October 2d, 1858, at Stroudsburg, Pa., and was educated in the public schools and by private tutors. He after- wards studied law with the Honorable Wayne McVeagh and the late George Tucker Bispham, and being admitted to practice in October, 1870, immediately entered the law office of Francis Rawle. In 1884, Hon. Charles F. Warwick, who
was then City Solicitor, made Mr. Walton an assistant and he occupied that position until elected to the Legislature in 1800. Hle was re-elected in 1892 and 1894 and was urged for the Speakership of the House in 1893 but declined the honor. He was appointed chairman of the Com- mittee on Judiciary General and in 1895 was elected Speaker without any party opposition. Ile was appointed Solicitor to the Sheriff of Philadelphia County in 1808, but resigned when again elected to the Legislature for the fourth time. Ilis ability as the Speaker in 1895 made him the logical candidate in 1903 and he was unanimously chosen and accorded the same honor in 1905. Mr. Walton's rec- ognized fitness for the position of Pro- thonotary of the Common Pleas Courts, led to his election by the Board of Judges and he is now filling that responsible po- sition. He is a member of the Union League, the Five O'clock Club, the Penn Club, the Historical Association of Phil- adelphia and since 1908 has been presi- dent of the Board of Trustees of the Medico-Chirurgical College.
HENRY F. WALTON.
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DAVID MARTIN.
Entering the political arena soon after attaining his majority, David Martin, the present Register of Wills, has been a commanding figure in both city and State politics for years and has filled many positions of trust. He was born on a farm in the suburban northeastern section of Philadelphia, August 20th,
1845, and worked as a farmer until twen- ty years of age. He was educated in the public schools during the winter terms only. He became politically active soon after becoming of age and his efforts along this line were rewarded by a posi- tion in the Water Department. From that time on he became a factor in Nine- teenth Ward Republican affairs and for thirty-five years he was the recognized and undisputed leader there. He was first elected to membership in the Repub- lican Executive Committee of the Ward in 1866, and has held a seat in that body continuously since. Ile also represented
the Ward in the City Committee for over thirty years. He was appointed Ser- geant-at-Arms of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1873; was elected County Commissioner of Phila- delphia in 1875 and re-elected in 1878. lle has been a delegate to nearly every State convention since 1872 and served as Assistant 'Sergeant-at-Arms of the National House of Representatives dur- ing 1881 and 1882. Ile was a delegate to the convention that nominated Harri- son for the presidency in 1888, and from 1892 until 1896 he was a member of the National Republican Committee from Pennsylvania. In the National Conven- tions of 1802 and 1806 he was one of the six Pennsylvania delegates who voted for Major Mckinley against President Har- rison. He was appointed Collector of In- ternal Revenue of the First Pennsylvania District by President Harrison in 1889, but resigned after two years of service. The political alliance between Mr. Mar- tin and Senator Quay was broken in 1895, when in connection with the late Charles A. Porter and others he wrested the control of the city from the Beaver statesman and secured the nomination of Hon. Charles F. Warwick for Mayor, defeating Boies Penrose for the honored place. He was afterwards identified with Governor Hastings and the late C. L. Magee, Attorney General H. C. McCor- mick and others in the movement to re- tire Senator Quay from the control of the Republican State Organization. Upon the retirement of General Frank Reeder, September, 1897, Mr. Martin was made Secretary of the Commonwealth by Gov- ernor llastings. He was chairman of the Campaign Committee of the Republi- can City Committee for several terms and was elected State Senator in 1898 and served in the sessions of 1899 and 1001. Hle was a delegate to the conven- tions that nominated Theodore Roosevelt for President in 1904 and William 11. Taft in 1908. In 1905 he was appointed Insurance Commissioner by Governor Pennypacker, being reappointed by Gov- ernor Stuart. His last elective office was Register of Wills in which position hie is still serving. Mr. Martin was founder of the Anti-Cobden Club.
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REUBEN O. MOON.
After ably representing the Fourth Pennsylvania district in Congress for ten years, Reuben O. Moon resumed the ac- tive practice of law in Philadelphia with the consciousness that he had labored in- defatigably for his home city and the country at large. As chairman of the Committee on the Revision of Laws, he devoted two years of almost incessant la- bor in preparing and perfecting a judici- ary bill which was passed by the Sixty- first Congress. This law made many needed reforms in the old judicial system, doing away with the United States Cir- cuit Court and bringing into activity and prominence the previously obscure. Dis- trict Court, which usurped the functions of the first named body, expedited busi- ness and inaugurated a complete judicial system. He was also chairman of the committee that prepared, perfected and enacted the new Penal Code which was passed by the Sixtieth Congress and which gave to the United States, for the first time, a complete system of criminal jurisprudence. The bill has come to be known as the "Moon Code" and those who were violently opposed to it orig- inally are now unstinted in its praise. Mr. Moon's speeches on these two meas- ures were legal classics and can be found in nearly every law office and library in the country. He also received separate votes of thanks from Congress for his work on the bills and when President Taft affixed his signature to the Judiciary Bill, he sent Mr. Moon the following let- ter: "I have just signed the bill making law the new judicial code. This is a most important measure. It is the result of the hardest work on the part of yourself and your colleagues of the joint committee for the revision of the laws. Every lawyer, every judge and every citizen ought to feel deeply grateful to you and to them for this reform. But for your patience, persistence and parliamentary experience and knowledge of the law and the Fed- eral procedure this great accomplishment would have been impossible. Accept my gratitude and congratulations." In rec- ognition of his successful work on the Penal Code, the Philadelphia Bar ten- dered him a reception at the Lawyers'
Club, May 18th, 1909, which was attend- ed by some of the most eminent jurists in the country who were unanimous in the opinion that the passage of the bill was the most important legal legislation enacted in years. Another honor of a most unusual character was conferred upon Mr. Moon by the Law Association, which, in a set of engrossed resolutions, paid the highest possible tribute to his brilliant and successful work on the two measures. The recipient of these honors was born in Burlington County, New Jer- sey, July 220, 1847. Ilis ancestors came to this country with William Penn and settled at Penn's Manor, Pennsylvania, and one of his paternal forebears was prominent as a judge in Colonial times. Mr. Moon was educated in the public schools of his native State and by his father, Aaron L. Moon, who was a noted educator at that period. He afterwards took a collegiate course in Philadelphia and after teaching school for a short time accepted a professorship in the Na- tional School of Elocution and Ora- tory, Philadelphia. Being a forceful speaker and possessing the rare gift of elocution he afterwards became a lecturer
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and attained an enviable reputation throughout the country.
Relinquishing this work to take up the study of law he was admitted to the Bar in 1895 and soon acquired a clientele that inchided some of the largest corporations in the city and he also figured in many important criminal cases. Mr. Moon is a Republican and has always taken an active interest in his party's welfare. It was this activity, coupled with his elo- quence, marked personality, parliamen- tary and legal knowledge that in 1903 made him the successful candidate for Congress, in which body he served for ten years. Mr. Moon practiced alone until his son, Harold P. Mloon, graduated from the Law School of the University of Pennsylvania and was admitted to the Bar, since which time father and son have been associated. Mr. Moon is a member of the Union League, Lawyers', Columbia and Penn clubs, and the His- torical Society and is vice-president of the Transatlantic Society.
JOHN W. FRAZIER.
Colonel John W. Frazier was born in Upper Darby Township, Delaware County, Pa., January 5th, 1837, the son of Archibald and Margaret Bonsall (Rob- inson) Fra- zier. On the maternal side he is descend- ed from Pil- grim ances- try. Soon after thecom- pletion of his education and entry into business life, he enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War and retired with an hon- orable record after service in the 7ist and JOHN W. FRAZIER.
20th Pennsylvania Volunteer regiments. Since the war he has filled many posi- tions of trust and has taken great inter- est in military affairs. While Command- er of the Survivors' Association of the Philadelphia Brigade he brought about the reunion of the Blue and Gray at Get- tysburg in 1887-a reunion of the Phil- adelphia Brigade and Pickett's Division. Ile is past commander of Colonel Wil- liam S. Curry Post, No. 18, past master of Mt. Moriah Lodge, F. & A. M., and while its master started a widows' and orphans' fund and one for incapacitated members of the lodge. It was dne to his efforts that the handsome monument was erected on the Antietam battlefield in memory of 545 comrades. He also in- augurated the movement for a memorial to General George G. Meade to be erected in Washington, D. C. He has filled many positions of importance in the city gov- ernment and is a member of the Masonic Veterans' Association, the War Veterans' Chib, the 46th Ward Republican Club, and the First Methodist Church of .At- lantic City, N. J., the Dickens Fellow- ship Club, etc.
EDWARD W. PATTON.
Thirty-six years of continuous service as a member of Select Council has equip- ped Edward W. Patton with a knowledge of the city's affairs that makes him inval- nable in the local legislative body. Mr. Patton was born in the Fifth Ward of Philadelphia, June 9, 1846, and his edu- cation was received at the Locust Street Grammar School and the Central High School. In June, 1863, he enlisted in Landis' Battery and served during Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania. In 1864, he was appointed an officer in the United States Navy and served on the steam- ship "Donegal" and the steamship "Mas- sachusetts."" After being honorably dis- charged in 1865, he was appointed pay- master's clerk and subsequently served as chief clerk to Colonel Etting in the mus- tering out and paying off of the troops at the close of the Rebellion. He resigned from the service in 1867 and engaged in building operations with his father, Price T. Patton. Becoming interested in poli- tics he was elected to Select Council in
WARWICK'S KEYSTONE COMMONWEALTH.
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EDWARD W. PATTON.
1877, and despite numerous bitterly fought battles since, has retained his seat in that body and has become one of its most useful members. For many years he has been a member of the Finance Committee of City Councils and of the sub-committee dealing with millions of appropriations and vast public improve- ments. Hle was for a short period a Mer- cantile Appraiser, the only salaried posi- tion he ever held, and was president of Select Council for three months. Mr. Patton is identified with many business enterprises. He is president of the Fern- wood Cemetery Company and is a direc- tor in the Great Eastern Clay Company and the Standard Vitrified Clay Com- pany, besides being interested in a real estate company, a bonding and security corporation and mining companies in New Mexico and the State of Washing- ton. He was a member of the America Hose Company, Quartermaster of the Third Regiment, National Guard, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a founder of the West Philadelphia Re- publican Club.
WILLIAM R. KNIGHT, JR.
The position of Coroner of Philadel- phia is ably filled by William R. Knight, Jr., whose wide experience in depart- mental work peculiarly fits him for this important office. Mr. Knight was born in Philadelphia, March 18th, 1861, and received his education in the public schools of that city. His early life was not rosy or ideal, for at the age of twelve years he was working hard for a Ken- sington brick manufacturer, that indus- try being then a leading one in that sec- tion. For five years his labor was of the most arduous character and at the age of seventeen he determined to learn a trade. He became an apprentice in the saw works of Henry Disston & Sons, at Front and Laurel streets, where he remained for seventeen years, severing his connec- tion with that firm to accept a position as clerk to a deputy in the office of Sheriff Clements. Mr. Knight's attention to his official duties and his keen grasp of de- tail, led to his appointment as Deputy Sheriff and he was for three years a val- ned attache of that department of the county government. He then became a clerk in the office of the Clerk of the Quarter Sessions Court, which was fol- lowed by his appointment as United "States Shipping Commissioner at the port of Philadelphia. He was Assistant Di- rector of Public Works under the Rey- burn administration and in November, 1911, while filling that position, he was elected Coroner, which position he now fills. Mr. Knight is a lifelong Republi- can and his unswerving allegiance is note- worthy. The many reform movements, that from time to time have swept over the city, never tempted him to waver in his loyalty, but, on the contrary, they spurred him on to additional effort and some of his most successful fights were won in spite of adverse conditions, his election to the position he now holds aptly illus- trating his pugnacity in politics and his popularity with the rank and file of his party. He served as a member of Com- mon Councils from the Twenty-fifth Ward for twelve years, and during this period was on some of the most impor- tant committees of that body. Mr. Knight's activity in political circles is
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WARWICK'S KEYSTONE COMMONWEALTH1.
WILLIAM R. KNIGHT, JR.
shown by his affiliation with Republican organizations. Ile is president of the United Republican Club of the Twenty- fifth Ward, and is a member of the West- moreland Republican Club of the Forty- fifth Ward, the Forty-fifth Ward Repub- lican Association, the Aramingo Republi- can Association and many others. He is a member of Jerusalem Lodge, No. 506, F. and A. M., Order of United American Mechanics, Loyal Order of Moose, Knights of the Mystic Chain and the Keystone Beneficial Association of the Disston Saw Works.
GEORGE MCCURDY.
2
In addition to being one of the best parliamentarians that ever presided over a local legislative body, George MeCurdy. president of Common Councils, possesses conspicuous characteristics that have brought him the respect of all classes and
fixed his status as a successful public leader. Mr. MeCurdy, who is always ag- gressive in combating any evil that threat- ens the welfare of Philadelphia, has on many occasions been the champion of measures of public interest and in the face of furious opposition, has fought them to a successful finish. As the pre- siding officer of Common Councils he is most courteous and his rulings, which sometimes appear peremptory, are hon- estly impartial and invariably result in retaining the esteem of those who are op- posed to him. Mr. MeCurdy was born May 29, 1862, at Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, and is descended from Scotch ancestors who settled above Williamsport, Pa., in 1772, when the country was a wilderness inhabited only by Indians. He was educated at the Jer- sey Shore Academy and subsequently en- tered Lafayette College from which he graduated in 1884 with the A. B. and .1.
GEORGE MCCURDY.
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· M. degrees. He won first prize in ora- tory in his junior year-one of the high- est honors accorded in college. After graduation he commenced the study of law in the office of Biddle & Ward, his preceptor being George W. Biddle, of that firm. He was admitted to the Bar in 1888 and has since been very successful in practice. He was elected to represent the Tenth Ward in Common Council, February, 1896, and has been re-elected every two years since. In January, 1900, he was chosen President to succeed Wen- cel Hartman and has filled the chair con- tinuously since, with the exception of the session from April, 1906, to April, 1907, when he was not a candidate. As Presi- dent of Common Council, Mr. McCurdy is connected with the management of Girard College, the Wills Hospital, the Public Library and the Commercial Mu- seum. He is also a Commissioner of Fairmount Park and a member of the Board of City Trusts. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has been a trustee of the Steplien Girard bequest and of the Masonic Library and Museum Committee. Among the social organiza- tions in which he holds membership are the Athletic Club of Philadelphia, the William R. Leeds Association, the Photo- graphic Society of Philadelphia, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, and the Sons of the Revolution.
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