Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Biographies

 The following biographies were extracted from:  Biographical review.: containing life sketches of leading citizens of Pittsburg and the vicinity, Pennsylvania. Boston: Biographical Review Pub. Co., 1897, Author:  Anonymous.


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CHARLES SHIRAS SCOTT, D.D.S., a widely-known dentist ofAllegheny County, located at 628 Penn Avenue, Pittsburg, has a very large practice in all kinds of dental work. He was born in the neighboring city of Allegheny, July 17, 1843, son of the late Dr. John and Margaret (Sloan) Scott, being a direct descendant of one Hugh Scott, who came to this country from Northern Ireland in 1670. The father, born April 13, 1808, in Washington, Pa., from his early manhood was engaged in the practice of his profession, being the pioneer dentist of Pittsburg, where he opened an office in 1839. From that time until his retirement in 1875 he labored successfully in this city, building up a large and lucrative patronage. He was highly esteemed as a man and a citizen, having spent fourscore years of earthly life in honored usefulness. Of the several children born to him and his wife, five died of scarlet fever within the brief period of twenty-three days. Two of the family are still living, namely: Dr. Charles S., the subject of this sketch; and Alice B., now Mrs. Major Daniel G. Cash, of Duluth, Minn.

Charles S.  Scott was educated at Caton's Boarding School and at Western University, being graduated from the latter in 1859. At the breaking out of the late Civil War he responded to the call for volunteers, enlisting in the Twelfth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company I, and was mustered into service at Harrisburg, April 25, 1861. After serving a three months' term, chiefly in Maryland, he re-enlisted February 20, 1862, in Company A, Ninth Pennsylvania Reserves. With his regiment he was in the Peninsular Campaign, and he took part in the battle of the Wilderness. Shortly after the latter engagement he was prostrated by typhoid fever, when he was taken to Philadelphia to the hospital. A few weeks later he was sent to Camp Convalescent in Washington, where he spent the winter. In March, 1864, he rejoined his company, and served the remainder of his full three years, receiving his honorable discharge April 20, 1865. In the battle of the Wilderness he received his only wound, which was caused by a shot in the side. Returning from the army to Pittsburg, he was engaged in dentistry with his father for two or more years. In 1867 he went to St. Louis, where he was connected for a like period with a revenue and grand collective agency. He again returned to the city of his birth, and here resumed his professional work, in which he has since established such an enviable reputation for skill and superior workmanship. During the first few years of his professional career Dr. Scott had a serious time in his efforts to secure patients, going from house to house, earning but a precarious living. His skill, however, finally truimphed, and his practice reached such dimensions that his office was a necessity by the time it was opened. Dr. Scott has prepared an unfailing remedy for ulcerated and diseased teeth, thereby preserving instead of extracting them. From prominent dentists in all parts of the country he has received testimonials as to its virtue. An extract from a letter written to him by Dr. C. E. Duck, of 6 West Reed Street, Baltimore, reads as follows: "The preparation you left with me has proved a blessing both to myself and to my patients. I have never failed with it, and it will give me great pleasure to tell my professional friends of its merits. My associate, Dr. Deichman, can and does say full as much in its praise as I do."

On April 26, 1881, Dr. Scott married Mary D. McCloskey, daughter of Manus McCloskey. Their children were: Verne, who died in infancy; John Hull; and Warren Randolph. In politics Dr. Scott is a true Republican. Domestic in his tastes, he prefers home life to club society; but he is a member of General Alexander Hays Post, No. 3, G. A. R.

CHARLES WOODRUFF SCOVEL, a prominent life insurance manager of Pittsburg, Pa., son of the Rev. Sylvester F. and Caroline (Woodruff) Scovel, was born in Springfield, Ohio, August 16, 1862.  His maternal grandfather was Charles Woodruff, a successful hardware merchant of New Albany, Ind., who lived to an advanced age.

Mr. Scovel's paternal grandfather, Sylvester Scovel, D. D., was the son of a Rebolutionary soldier, and was born in New England.  He was well known in religious circles, being one of the first secretaries of the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions.  By his untiring efforts were established many churches in the Ohio valley, then a frontier.  His wife left a luxurious home to go with him through the wilds of that State, undergoing the perils and privations of the early pioneers.  He preached in Pittsburgh many times during its early days.  At the time of his death he was president of Hanover College, Indiana.  His wife, Hannah Matlack, was related to the well-known Kennedy family of Philadelphia.  She survived him until the summer of 1896, dying at the age of ninety.

The Rev. Sylvester F. Scovel, D. D., father of Charles W. Scovel, was born in Hamilton, Ohio; and his wife was a native of New Albany, Ind.  Five children were born to them, namely, Minor; Charles W.; Amy, now wife of Walter J. Mullins, of Wooster, Ohio; Sylvester H.; and Elizabeth D.  The father is a man of letters, now holding the honorable position of president of Wooster University.  This call was accepted by him in 1883, after a pastorate of eighteen years in the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, where he is remembered with veneration.  In early life he preached for one or two years in New Albany, Ind., and for five years in Springfield, Ohio.  While residing in Pittsburg, Dr. Scovel was associated with every kind of religious work, at that same time laboring in behalf of every cause promoting the public welfare.  He was trustee of the Western Theological Seminary, the Western University of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania College for Women.  He was chosen to be the first president of the Art Society, as well as of the May Festival Association, and was frequently made delegate to religious conventions in this country and abroad.

Charles W. Scovel was but three years old when his parents took him from Springfield to Pittsburg, where he has since made his home.  Here he attended the public and private schools, finishing his course in the Pittsburg High School in 1880.  Immediately entering the Western University of Pennsylvania, he graduated there in 1883 with honors, being the valedictorian of his class; and in 1886 he received from this instruction his degree of Master of Arts.  Upon graduating, he registered as a law student in the office of William Scott, and for one year attended the Colubia Law School in New York, where he became a member of the famous law fraternity, Phi Delta Phi.  Desirous of more advanced study, Mr. Scovel spent the winter of 1884-85 in taking special courses of law in the University of Berlin, Germany.  Upon his return he re-entered the office of Mr. Scott, and in 1886 he was admitted to the bar.  He was engaged in active law practice for upward of eleven years, chiefly as an office lawyer, though some of his best professional work was done as master, auditor, and so forth, under court appointment.  The Allegheny County Bar Association elected him secretary for three successive terms - 1895, 1896, and 1897.  This office he resigned when, in August, 1897, he withdrew from the active life of the profession to accept a very flattering offer to become manager for Western Pennsylvania of the great Manhattan Life Insurance Company of New York. 

He is a stanch Republican, but a man interested rather in music, art, and literature than in the life of the local politician.  He is an amateur organist, and has since 1885 been a leader of musical opinion of Pittsburg through his weekly newspaper articles.  His interests and ties outside of business are many.  The Art Society, of which he was for three years secretary and a director twice as long, owes its growth and development in a large degree to Mr. Scovel.  This is also true of the Pittsburg Orchestra, which was founded by the former organization at his instance.  He personally solicited the original three years' guarantee fund for the orchestra.  Some years before, he raised the money to buy the Karl Merz musical library for the Carnegie Library of Pittsburg, then only a prospect.  It 1893 he was appointed as a Phi Delta Phi to a position on the Advisory Board of the World's Fair Congress of College Fraternities.  He is a member of the Alumni Association of the High School and Western University, college department, and has served in various offices, including the presidency of each.  He was chosen (1897) the first president of the General Alumni Association, including all departments of the University, and also secretary of the Board of Trustees of that institution.

He married June 24, 1886, Sara Wilson Butler, who is a daughter of John Williamson Butler and Sarah Greer (Wilson) Butler.  They have three children - Sylvester B., Sara W., and Caroline W.

ALEXANDER H. SILVEY, the editor and publisher of the Wilkinsburg Call at Wilkinsburg, was born July 16, 1844, in the town andcounty of Washington, son of Adam Silvey. On the paternal side he is of German descent. His grandfather emigrated from the Fatherland to this country with a large family of children in the early part of this century, and spent his last years in Philadelphia.

Adam Silvey, who was born in Germany, came to Pennsylvania with his parents when a lad of three years. He grew to years of maturity in the city of Philadelphia, and there began his career as a brewer. From there he came to Pittsburg, where he was engaged in the same business until the destruction of his brewery, by fire. He then removed to Washington, Pa., where lie was clerk for the commissioners of that place for several years. His death occurred in 1879, at the venerable age of eighty-one years. He married Margaret Mitchell Hamilton, daughter of Robert Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton, who was born in Ireland, came when a young man to this State, settled in the town of Washington, and was there engaged in blacksmith work throughout the rest of his active years. Mrs. Adam Silvey was one of a family of five children born to her parents. After having survived her husband two years, she died in Washington in 1882, in the house in which her birth occurred seventy-nine years before. Of the eight children born to her, five sons and three daughters, three are now living; namely, George W., Martha, and Alexander H. Martha is the widow of the late H. C. Hamilton.

Alexander H. Silvey attended the public schools of his native town until seventeen years old. Then he served a three years' apprenticeship on the Crawford Democrat at Meadville, under Thomas W. Grayson. After attaining proficiency in his trade, he came to Pittsburg to take charge of the mechanical department of the Pittsburg Christian Advocate, a position which he filled satisfactorily for thirteen years. In 1880 Mr. Silvey embarked in business for himself. Going to the neighboring town of Braddock, he established the Braddock Herald, which he conducted successfully for eight years. He founded the Wilkinsburg Call in 1887, and in the following year became a resident of this place. The Call, which is one of the strongest organs of the Republican party in the vicinity, has a large circulation in this part of the county. In 1893 Mr. Silvey erected his present office building, 711 Penn Avenue, a handsome, three-story brick structure, with a fine stone front.

On July 30, 1870, Mr. Silvey married Miss Mary E., daughter of John Hamnett, who was for many years a prominent dealer in hides and leather in Pittsburg. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Silvey are: Thomas, who is a reporter on the Chronicle-Telegraph at Pittsburg; Charles, who is a commercial agent for the Armstrong Cork Works, located at Lancaster, Pa., and who married Miss Gertrude Baird, of Pittsburg ; Harry, the youngest, who is a law student. Mr. Silvey belongs to the Royal Arcanum, the Maccabees, the Heptasophs, and the Junior Order of American Mechanics. Both he and Mrs. Silvey are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a stanch and influential Republican.

JAMES P. SPEER, the president of the Freehold Bank ofPittsburg, was born on Fourth Street, this city, December 28, 1825. The Rev. William Speer, the paternal grandfather, who was born in Cumberland County, and came of honored Scotch-Irish ancestry, was early ordained to the Presbyterian ministry. The Rev. Mr. Speer preached in this State and in Ohio for many years, laboring in his Master's cause with fervent zeal, until called to his eternal reward when about sixty-five years of age. He reared three children, two of them being daughters.

James R. Speer, born in Chambersburg, Pa. , had excellent educational advantages. Having studied medicine and taken his degree, he located in Greensburg , where he spent a few years. In 1825 he came to this city, where he was a successful practitioner. Becoming particularly interested in the treatment of the eye and its diseases, he made that a special subject of study, so that in his later years he had an extended reputation as an oculist, his fame reaching far beyond the limits of this county. He was a frequent contributor to the papers, magazines, and medical periodicals. At the same time he was one of the most public-spirited citizens of his time, and did much to promote the advancement of the city. He was the foremost in the inauguration of many enterprises and one of the leaders in the establishment of the Allegheny Cemetery . His death occurred in 1891, at the age of ninety-four years and ten months. Both he and his wife, who lived eighty-five years, were faithful members of the Presbyterian church. Her maiden name was Hetty Morrow, and she was born in Kittanning, Pa. Her father, Paul Morrow, who in his early life studied law, and was afterward cashier of a bank at Greensburg, Pa. , in later years removed to this city, where he died at an advanced age. For some years he was Prothonotary of Armstrong County, and he had charge of the Presbyterian Publication Board in Pittsburg for some time.

James P. Speer was reared and educated in his native city. At the age of sixteen he began to earn his living as a clerk for the Portsmouth Rolling Mill Company. He subsequently returned to Pittsburg, where he became a clerk for Joshua Hanna, being in his service at the time of the memorable fire in 1845. In 1849 he joined the tide of gold-seekers flowing to California, and like thousands of others, after mining for some time, found himself far from home, with no available resources at hand. He then embarked in business in San Francisco, and remained there until 1858, when he returned to the city of his birth. From that time until the breaking out of the late Civil War, Mr. Speer was engaged in business in Armstrong County. Then, with the assistance of Colonel S. M. Jackson, he raised a company of volunteers, had it accepted, and enlisted for three years. He was first made Lieutenant of the company. Afterward he was appointed Captain of Company G, Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserves, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. At the battle of Gaines's Mill, Captain Speer had two balls put through his body, and was left on the field for dead. The rebels, finding him alive, took him prisoner, and sent him to Richmond. Here he was incarcerated in Libby Prison for two or three hours, after which, being so severely wounded, he was paroled. As soon as able to travel on crutches he came home. Restored to health after three months, he returned to his company, and at the battle of Gettysburg was again wounded. A month later he was discharged on account of physical disability. Soon after his return to Pittsburg, Mr. Speer accepted a position as clerk in the banking house of Mr. Hanna, who subsequently sent him to examine some gold mines in Idaho, whence he returned in 1867. In 1870 he was made cashier in the Freehold Bank, with which he has since been connected, having since 1893 been president of the institution.

On the first day of October, 1872, Mr. Speer was united in marriage with Mrs. Anna Blair, a daughter of General William Robinson, who was the first white child born west of the Allegheny River, and is now a man of prominence in this county. In politics Mr. Speer is a straightforward Republican, sustaining the principles of that party at the polls. He is a member of Duquesne Post, No. 259, G. A. R.; and of the Loyal Legion. Mrs. Speer is a member of the Episcopal church, and he of the Presbyterian. They are much interested in the religious advancement of the community, and work in harmony for the common good, although belonging to different organizations.

ANDREW B. STEVENSON, residing is at the corner ofLytle Street and Hazlewood Avenue in Pittsburg, is one of the oldest surviving natives of the city. He was born in the part of Pittsburg then called Squirrel Hill on December 30, 1817. In this long life he has witnessed the changes that have transformed Pittsburg from a village estate to one of the most flourishing and important cities of the country, contributing his share to the development and promotion of its various interests.

His parents, James and Elizabeth Jane (Erskine) Stevenson, were born, reared, and married in Ireland, whence in 1817 they came to America, landing in Baltimore. From there they soon came to Pittsburg, where they spent their remaining years, the father dying June 15, 1836, while yet in the prime of life, and the mother, February 22, 1864, at a good old age. They had nine children, namely: Andrew B., the subject of this sketch; William E., a member of the convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln as President, and one of the "fathers" of West Virginia, who died in 1884, soon after the expiration of his term as Governor of West Virginia; John A., who was first a tanner and later .a farmer, and is now living retired at Iowa City, la.; Elizabeth J., who is the widow of Alexander Cummings, and resides in New Brighton, Pa.; Thomas Jefferson, of the firm A. M. Beyers & Co., of Pittsburg; James S., who died when young; Ruth, the widow of Francis Beattie, late of Chicago, Ill.; Margaret, who died in 1876; and James Hammell, also deceased.

Andrew B. Stevenson began work when a young lad as bobbin winder for a weaver, receiving for his weekly wages twenty-five cents. His next employment was stripping tobacco, for which he received fifty cents a week. His income was subsequently doubled as a grinder of snuff. However, not satisfied with the work, he told his mother that his services were no longer needed, and was then apprenticed to a cabinet-maker, with whom he remained seven years. After serving his time, Mr. Stevenson worked at the trade for six weeks, and then began pattern-making for the engine shops, an occupation in which he was successfully engaged for several years. One of the original stockholders of the First National Bank of Birmingham, he was elected a director in 1866 and the president in 1875. The latter office he retained until 1882, when he resigned. He was Justice of the Peace for some time and Burgess and Treasurer of Birmingham during the late war. In politics he has been a steadfast Republican since the formation of that party, and he is a Royal Arch Mason.

On May 10, 1842, Mr. Stevenson married Miss Catherine Cameron, who died May 17, 1884, having borne him seven children. Of the latter, three died in infancy. The others are: John C, who resides with his father, and is the president of the Manufacturers' Bank; Elizabeth C, the wife of Daniel C. Ripley; Ruth Emma, the wife of George Barker; and Matilda Ann, living at home. Mr. Stevenson subsequently married Miss Cynthia A. Douglas.

EDWIN W.  STOWE, attorney-at-law, with an office at 518 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburg, was born here, July 18, 1869, son of the Hon. Edwin H. and Emma (Vick) Stowe. His paternal grandfather, Hiram Stowe, was a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania, and well-known in financial circles. Hiram for many years was the cashier of the Beaver Bank, and died in that town in 1876, at the age of fourscore years. He married a Miss Darragh, a descendant of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. She survived him a score of years, dying in 1896, at the advanced age of ninety years. They had five daughters and two sons.

The Hon. Edwin H. Stowe, one of the sons of Hiram Stowe, born and reared in Beaver County, after his admission to the bar practised law in Pittsburg for many years. He is now Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, being the oldest judge in commission in this State. In the last three elections, while the nominee of the Republicans, he was indorsed by the Democrats, showing the high regard with which he is held throughout the city regardless of party. His wife, Emma, born and educated in Pittsburg, was a daughter of Charles Vick, an artist of note, who emigrated from England to this county in early days, and was the owner of a large amount of real estate in Allegheny. Mr. Vick afterward settled in Pittsburg, where his death occurred before reaching the prime of life. He had a large family of children, thirteen in number. Three children were born to Judge and Mrs. Stowe, of whom Edwin W. and Percy V. are living. Both parents are members of the Presbyterian church. The mother is a prominent worker in many benevolent organizations, being the manager of the Home for Aged Protestant Women of Pittsburg; of the Ridge Avenue Orphan Asylum of Allegheny; of the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society; and a member of the National Woman's Christian Conference.

Edwin W. Stowe took full advantage of the opportunities offered him for obtaining an education. After leaving the public schools of his native city, he attended the Western University of Pennsylvania and Trinity College . In 1888 he began the study of law, registering with his father; and in June, 1893, he was admitted to the bar. He has since been actively engaged in law business, and for the past six years has been Indictment Clerk for Allegheny County . In politics he is a stanch Republican, but he has never taken any active part in local affairs. Mr. Stowe was united in marriage, July 12, 1892, with Miss Agnes, daughter of Alfred and Sarah (McOuiston) Walton. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Stowe is identified with any religious organization by membership, while both are regular attendants of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Stowe is a manager of the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society. 

 

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